Nucleotide sequence of the VP4-encoding gene of an unusual human rotavirus (HCR3)

Human rotavirus strain HCR3 was isolated from the stool of a clinically normal infant and identified as a serotype G3 rotavirus; however, it could not be grouped into any known human VP4 genetic groups by a polymerase chain reaction assay. The fourth gene of strain HCR3, which encodes the outer capsid protein VP4, was sequenced. This gene is 2362 nucleotides in length and contains one open reading frame capable of encoding a protein of 776 amino acids. The VP4 protein of strain HCR3 shared 67.5-73.5% amino acid identity with those of strains KU, RV-5, 1076, and K8, representing four human genetic groups, and relatively high homology (84.7%) with a fifth genetic group represented by strain 69M, whose VP4 shows more similarity to animal than to human strains. Strain HCR3 shared higher VP4 amino acid homology with various animal rotaviruses, ranging from 74.5 to 89.4%. These observations suggest that the VP4 outer capsid protein of strain HCR3 represents a new VP4 genetic group that is more closely related to animal rotaviruses than to human rotaviruses.