High-resolution cryo-EM structures of outbreak strain human norovirus shells reveal size variations
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2019
Refereed Designation
Refereed
Journal
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume
116
Issue
26
Pagination
12828–12832
Keywords
norovirus, cryo-EM, foodborne illnesses
Abstract
Noroviruses are a leading cause of foodborne illnesses worldwide. Although GII.4 strains have been responsible for most norovirus outbreaks, the assembled virus shell structures have been available in detail for only a single strain (GI.1). We present high-resolution (2.6- to 4.1-Å) cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of GII.4, GII.2, GI.7, and GI.1 human norovirus outbreak strain virus-like particles (VLPs). Although norovirus VLPs have been thought to exist in a single-sized assembly, our structures reveal polymorphism between and within genogroups, with small, medium, and large particle sizes observed. Using asymmetric reconstruction, we were able to resolve a Zn2+ metal ion adjacent to the coreceptor binding site, which affected the structural stability of the shell. Our structures serve as valuable templates for facilitating vaccine formulations.