Molecular basis of P major human rotavirus VP8* domain interactions with histo-blood group antigens

Abstract

Initial cell attachment of rotavirus (RV) to specific cell surface glycans, which is the essential first step in RV infection, is mediated by the VP8* domain of the spike protein VP4. Recently, human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) have been identified as ligands or receptors for human RV strains. RV strains in the P[4] and P[8] genotypes of the P[II] genogroup share common recognition of the Lewis b and H type 1 antigens, while P[6], which is one of the other genotypes in P[II], only recognizes the H type 1 antigen. The molecular basis of receptor recognition by the major human P[8] RVs remains unknown due to lack of experimental structural information. Here, we used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) titration experiments and NMR-derived high ambiguity driven docking (HADDOCK) methods to elucidate the molecular basis for P[8] VP8* recognition of the Leb and type 1 HBGAs and for P[6] recognition of H type 1 HBGAs. Unlike P[6] VP8* that recognizes H type 1 HGBAs in a binding surface composed of an -helix and a {beta}-sheet, referred as \"{beta} binding domain\", the P[8] VP8* binds the type 1 HBGAs requiring the presence of the Lewis epitope in a previously undescribed pocket formed by two {beta}-sheets, referred as \"{beta}{beta} binding domain\". The observation that P[6] and P[8] VP8* domains recognize different glycan structures at distinct binding sites supports the hypothesis that RV evolution is driven, at least in part, by selective pressure driven adaptation to HBGA structural diversity of their natural hosts living in the world. Recognition of the role that HBGAs play in driving RV evolution is essential to understanding RV diversity, host ranges, disease burden and zoonosis and to developing strategies to improve vaccines against RV infections.\n\nAuthor summaryRotaviruses (RV)s are the main cause of severe diarrhea in humans and animals. Significant advances in understanding RV diversity, evolution and epidemiology have been made after discovering that RVs recognize histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as host cell receptors. While different RV strains are known to have distinct binding preferences for HBGA receptors, the molecular basis in controlling strain-specific host ranges remains unclear. In this study, we used solution nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the molecular level details for interactions of the human P[8] and P[6] RV VP8* domains with their HBGA receptors. The distinct binding patterns observed between these major human RVs and their respective receptor ligands provides insight into the evolutionary relationships between different P[II] genotypes that ultimately determine host ranges, disease burden, zoonosis and epidemiology, which may impact future strategies for vaccine development against RVs.