Bridgett Sparkes, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Bridgett Sparkes, Derek Cheung, Habiba Elgammal, John Law. All affiliated with Memorial University of Newfoundland, Division of BioMedical Sciences

Expressing & Multiplying

Human Norovirus (HNV) is a non-enveloped, positive sense RNA virus in the family Caliciviridae and the leading viral cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Although infection is typically self-limiting, disease can be severe, and in immunocompromised individuals, HNV can establish chronic infection, resulting in prolonged viral shedding, and severe complications. Recent advances using B cell culture and intestinal organoid models have improved the ability study HNV replication; however, these systems are labour-intensive and support relatively low levels of viral replication. A complementary approach to studying HNV replication involves the use of a replicon system derived from the norovirus type member, Norwalk virus, in human hepatoma cells (Huh7). To expand the utility of this HNV replicon, we have replaced the structural protein VP1 coding region with reporter genes, including luciferase or green fluorescent protein (GFP). Replication of the replicon can be easily monitored by measuring luciferase or GFP expression, and this system is currently being validated by comparing reporter expression with viral RNA levels. Our long-term objective is to establish a robust system to monitor HNV replication that can be used to identify host factors and therapeutic compounds affecting virus replication. This model may also serve as a platform for developing systems to study other caliciviruses.