Notes on Genus: Norovirus

icosahedra

Type member: Norwalk virus

Contents

• Members of this Genus
• General Description
• Morphology
• Electron Micrograph
• Genome
• Genus Genomic Organization
• Genome Map
• Type Member Genomic Organization
• All Known Sequences
• Curated Sequences

General Description

This is one of the genera in the family Calicviridae. In common with members of the genus Vesivirus, but in contrast to the other genera, the coat protein is translated from a separate ORF downstream of the large polyprotein. These two genera are distinct in phylogenetic analyses and in this genus the coat protein ORF overlaps slightly the C-terminus of the coat protein.

Morphology

Virions isometric (icosahedral), not enveloped, 35-40 nm in diameter, made of 90 dimers of the coat protein. There are 32 cup-shaped depressions at each of the fivefold and threefold axes.

Genome

Monopartite positive sense single-stranded RNA 7.5-7.7 kb in length with a genome-linked protein (VPg) at the 5'-terminus and a 3'-polyA tail.

Genus Genomic Organization

The RNA encodes a polyprotein that has (from N- to C- termini) helicase, VPg, protease and polymerase domains. A second ORF encodes the coat protein and there is one additional, smaller, ORF.

Type Member Genomic Organization

The genome of about 7,700 nucleotides is translated into:

1. Polyprotein of 198.7 kDa with (from N- to C- termini) helicase, VPg, protease and polymerase domains
2. Coat protein of 56.6 kDa
3. ORF3 (22.5 kDa) of unknown function