Mutations within the P2 domain of norovirus capsid affect binding to human histo-blood group antigens: Evidence for a binding pocket

Noroviruses (NORs) are an important cause of acute gastroenteritis. Recent studies of NOR receptors showed that different NORs bind to different histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), and at least four distinct binding patterns were observed. To determine the structure-function relationship for NORs and their receptors, two strains representing two of the four binding patterns were studied. Strain VA387 binds to HBGAs of A, B, and O secretors, whereas strain MOH binds to HBGAs of A and B secretors only. Using multiple sequence alignments, homology modeling, and structural analysis of NOR capsids, we identified a plausible "pocket" in the P2 domain that may be responsible for binding to HBGA receptors. This pocket consists of a conserved RGD/K motif surrounded by three strain-specific hot spots (N-302, T-337, and Q(375) for VA387 and N-302, N-338, and E-378 for MOH). Subsequent mutagenesis experiments demonstrated that all four sites played important roles in binding. A single amino acid mutation at T337 (to A) in VA387 or a double amino acid mutation at RN338 (to TT) in MOH abolished binding completely. Change of the entire RGD motif to SAS abolished binding in case of VA387, whereas single amino acid mutations in that motif did not have an apparent effect on binding to A and B antigens but decreased binding to H antigen. Multiple mutations at the RGK motif of MOH (SIRGK to TFRGD) completely knocked out the binding. Mutation of N-302 or Q(375) in VA387 affected binding to type O HBGA only, while switch mutants with three amino acid changes at either site from MOH to VA387 resulted in a weak binding to type O HBGAs. A further switch mutant with three amino acid changes at E-378 from MOH to VA387 diminished the binding to type A HBGA only. Taken together, our data indicate that the binding pocket likely exists on NOR capsids. Direct evidence of this hypothesis requires crystallography studies.