[Study on the genetic variations of the major neutralization antigen VP7 of group A rotavirus type G1 in China].
OBJECTIVE: To study the genetic variations of the major neutralization antigen VP7 of group A rotavirus, type G1 in China. METHODS: Twenty-three isolates derived from seven cities (Beijing, Shenyang, Xinxiang, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chongqing) during the period of 1988-1998 were analyzed for the VP7 cDNA sequences. RESULTS: An obvious homology was observed in amino acid sequences of VP7 in the 23 isolates. Compared with the standard strain Wa, the variations were found at the position of aa 41, 49, 57, 65, 68, 74, 94, 97, 147, 170, 217, 218, 268, 281 and 291, respectively, and all of these were located in the variable region(VR)3,4,5,7,8 as well as in the C-terminal of the peptide. There seemed to be no remarkable divergence among the samples collected from different cities and all of them shared the same genetic lineage with the strain Jpn-417, though there might be one or two amino acid substitutions as time passed. When detected simultaneously with ELISA using G1 serotype-specific monoclonal antibody, the location of amino acid 91 was found presumably related to the neutralization epitope in VP7 of the type G1. Variations at some position may be resulted in the change of electropherotype. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the recent isolates with representative genetic and antigenic features should be used to develop effective vaccines, and the antigenic variations should be monitored periodically.