Whole genome sequence of a norovirus GⅡ.17 variant isolated in Huzhou

ObjectiveTo analyze the gene sequence, phylogeny and evolution of a norovirus GⅡ. 17 variant isolated in Huzhou, Zhejiang province and provide evidence for the study of genetic evolution of norovirus.

MethodsAccording to the conserved sequence of GⅡ.17 norovirus, three pairs of primers were designed to amplify three overlapping fragments covering the whole genome for the sequencing, phylogeny and evolution analyses of a norovirus GⅡ. 17 strain isolated from an acute gastroenteritis cases.

ResultsThe full length of genome of the norovirus GⅡ.17 variant isolated from an acute gastroenteritis in March, 2015 in Huzhou (NS15217) was 7556 bp, encoding 3 ORFs, the length of ORF1 was 5 109 bp (5–5113 nt), the length of ORF2 was 1 623 bp (5094–6716 nt), and the length of ORF3 was 780 bp (6716–7495 nt), respectively. The strain was classified as GⅡ.17 in both ORF1 and ORF2, and was most closely related to the LC037415.1/Hu/GⅡ.17/Kawasaki308 strain and MG 692610 strain isolated in Huzhou. Compared with other strains selected, there were 106 variable residues across the VP1 domain. Among the 106 variable amino acids, 13 (12.3%) were observed in the shell domain and 30 (28.3%) in the P1domain; most of the substitutions and insertions were located in the P2 domain, accounting for 59.4% (63).

ConclusionThe clade of the norovirus GⅡ.17 variant isolated in Huzhou in 2015 belonged to cluster 3b. The understanding of its whole genome sequence could be helpful for the study of the genetic evolution of the virus and the development of rapid diagnostic reagents and vaccine.