New Insights Into the Effect of Residue Mutation on the Rotavirus VP1 Function Using Molecular Dynamic Simulations

Rotavirus group A remains a major cause of diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. The permanently emergence of new genotypes puts the potential effectiveness of vaccines under serious question. Thirteen VP1 mutants were analyzed using molecular dynamic simulations and the results were combined with the experimental findings, reported previously. The results revealed structural fluctuations and secondary structure change of VP1 protein that may alter its function during viral replication/transcription. Altogether, the structural analysis of VP1 may boost efforts to develop antivirals, as they might complement the available vaccines.