Crystal structure of rotavirus nsp4 peptide

摘要

The present invention provides the three-dimensional crystal structure of the oligomerization domain of NSP4 ("NSP495-137") of rotavirus. The present invention also provides a method for identifying agents which interact with NSP495-137. The agenets identified by the method of the present invention may be useful as antiviral agents. In addition, the present invention also provides a method for generating a three-dimensional model of NSP495-137 which has been modified by one or more amino acid substitutions, as well as a method for designing a potential vaccine against a rotavirus. Still further, the present invention provides alternative forms of NSP4 peptides that may be useful as immunogenic compositions or vaccines for preventing disease associated with a rotavirus as well as for treating or ameliorating diarrheal symptoms associated with rotavirus infection.