Lack of Presence of VP2, VP6 or VP7 Transcripts in Virus Like Particles of Rotavirus

Abstract

Introduction: We previously established virus like particles (VLPs) and core like particles (CLPs) of rotavirus (RV) with VP2, VP6, and VP7 proteins using stable high-five cell line. Given the fact that these proteins have the ability to assemble together, we further aimed to examine in detail the possibility of viral transcripts to randomly package in VLPs and CLPs. Objective: For this purpose, the presence of VP2, VP6 and VP7 transcripts were evaluated in VLPs and CLPs. Materials and Methods: To investigate the presence of VP2 transcript in CLPs of RV and VP2, VP6 and VP7 transcripts in RV VLPs, RNAs were extracted from VLPs and CLPs purified from stable high-five cells and evaluated by Real-time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Results: The result indicated that the RV VLPs and CLPs were empty (VP2, VP6 and VP7 transcripts-free), showing that VLPs and CLPs cannot encapsidate RNAs in absence of other viral proteins. Conclusion: Our results indicate the necessity of further viral proteins for sorting and packaging, which highlight the role of selective mechanism for RV packaging.