The genome of Hawaii virus and its relationship with other members of the Caliciviridae

Hawaii virus (Hu/NLV/GII/Hawaii virus/1971/US), a member of the genus 'Norwalk-like viruses' (NLVs) in the family Caliciviridae, has served as one of the reference strains for the fastidious caliciviruses associated with epidemic gastroenteritis in humans. The consensus sequence of the RNA genome of Hawaii virus was determined in order to establish its relatedness with other members of the family. The RNA genome is 7,513 nucleotides (nts) in length, excluding the 3'-end poly (A) tract, and is organized into three major open reading frames (ORF1, nts 5-5,104; ORF2, nts 5,085-6,692; and ORF3, nts 6,692-7,471). Phylogenetic analysis showed the closest relatedness of Hawaii virus throughout its genome to Lordsdale virus, a Genogroup II NLV. Analysis of the predicted secondary structure of the RNA from the 5'-end of the genome and the putative beginning of the subgenomic RNA showed the presence of two hairpin structures at both ends that are similar to each other and to those of other NLVs.