Conservation of Carbohydrate Binding Interfaces — Evidence of Human HBGA Selection in Norovirus Evolution

Abstract excerpt

BACKGROUND: Human noroviruses are the major viral pathogens of epidemic acute gastroenteritis. These genetically diverse viruses comprise two major genogroups (GI and GII) and approximately 30 genotypes. Noroviruses recognize human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) in a diverse, strain-specific manner. Recently the crystal structures of the HBGA-binding interfaces of the GI Norwalk virus and the GII VA387 have...