Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
10:46
Production of Human Norovirus Protruding Domains in E. coli for X-ray Crystallography
Published on: April 19, 2016
Balancing under constraint: Structural insights into norovirus evolution and antigenic innovation.
Yun Chen1, Xin-Zi Wang1, Ying-Yu Tan1
1College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China.
Plos Pathogens
|June 30, 2026
Summary
Norovirus evolution is shaped by structural constraints, with conserved epitopes offering new vaccine targets. Understanding these patterns aids in developing broad-spectrum norovirus vaccines against diverse strains.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Structural Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Norovirus causes widespread gastroenteritis, with its diversity and evolution poorly understood structurally.
- Genomic studies reveal norovirus diversity, but structural mechanisms of adaptation remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a structural database of norovirus VP1 P-domains using AlphaFold2 predictions.
- To analyze sequence and structural evolution to understand norovirus adaptation.
- To identify evolutionary strategies and potential vaccine targets for norovirus.
Main Methods:
- Generated large-scale AlphaFold2 predictions for norovirus VP1 P-domains across nine genogroups.
- Integrated phylogenetic analysis of VP1 sequences and structures.
- Analyzed evolutionary patterns, selection pressures, and coevolutionary networks.
Main Results:
- Sequence and structural evolution generally align but show local discrepancies indicating convergent evolution.
- The VP1 amino acid tree effectively chronologically orders GII.4 variants.
- Identified immune escape via hypervariable epitopes (D, C) and structural conservation in other epitopes (A, G) maintained by coevolution.
Conclusions:
- Norovirus evolution involves a balance between immune escape and structural conservation.
- Structurally conserved epitopes (A, G) present promising targets for broad-spectrum norovirus vaccines.
- Targeting conserved conformations offers a strategy beyond strain-specific approaches for effective vaccination.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
01:20Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence
Pathogenic bacteria employ a variety of strategies to establish infections, including the secretion of extracellular enzymes that act as potent virulence factors. These enzymes facilitate bacterial colonization of host tissues and help evade immune surveillance. By targeting structural components of host tissues and interfering with immune mechanisms, these enzymes play a pivotal role in disease progression.Extracellular Enzymes Facilitating Tissue Invasion: Several bacterial pathogens secrete...
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
01:26Evolutionary Processes in Microbes
Microbial evolution occurs rapidly due to short generation times and a variety of genetic processes, including horizontal gene transfer, mutation, recombination, and genetic drift. These mechanisms collectively enable microbes to adapt swiftly to changing environments.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows genes to move between different species and occurs through three main mechanisms: conjugation, transformation, and transduction. Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for DNA...
02:28Leaky Scanning
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA. Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
01:28Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...