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Rotaviruses, a genus of the family Reoviridae, are double-stranded RNA viruses that are one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis in infants and young children. The virus exists as seven species, designated Rotavirus A, B, C, D, E, F and G, with Rotavirus A being the most common cause of infection. Rotavirus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and, once in the body, infects cells of the small intestine, producing an enterotoxin that alters the perme ability of the cell wall, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration. The entry of Rotavirus into cells occurs by either direct penetration of the cell membrane or endocytosis followed by membrane vesicle solubilization, both of which are facilitated by the Rotavirus capsid. The Rotavirus capsid is composed of three concentric protein layers, the outer two of which are called VP4 and VP7 and are sacrificed in a calcium-dependent manner during viral entry into the cell. |
