Human enteric Caliciviridae: the complete genome sequence and expression of virus-like particles from a genetic group II small round structured virus.

Comparisons of the RNA polymerase and capsid sequences of small round structured viruses (SRSVs) have recently shown these are genetically diverse viruses which fall into two distinct groups. The genomes of two group I viruses, Southampton and Norwalk viruses have been characterized; however, similar data for the genetic group II SRSVs have not been available until now. We report here the complete genome sequence of a recent group II SRSV, Lordsdale virus. The Lordsdale virus genome is 7555 nt in length and has a similar organization to the group I SRSVs. The large ORF in the 5' half of the genome (5100 nt) is shorter than the group I SRSV ORF1 (5367 nt), but has the characteristic 2C helicase, 3C protease and 3D RNA polymerase enzyme motifs. ORF2, encoding the structural protein is of a similar size to the group I viruses but the small 3'-terminal ORF is significantly larger in group II. A highly conserved sequence of 28 nt was identified at the start of Lordsdale virus ORF1 and repeated at the start of ORF2. These conserved motifs are typical of the animal caliciviruses. Comparison of the 150 N-terminal amino acids in the ORF1 protein revealed little identity between the two SRSV genetic groups, reflecting the shorter ORF1 in the group II virus. Recombinant baculoviruses containing ORF2 and ORF3 sequences were constructed and used to express large quantities of the group II Lordsdale virus structural protein. The capsid protein formed virus-like particles by self assembly which resembled 'empty' SRSVs.