RNA of Rotavirus: Comparison of RNAs of Human and Animal Rotaviruses

Single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) was transcribed in vitro from inner-shell particles of human rotavirus strain Wa (HRV-Wa) and a bovine rotavirus (neonatal calf diarrhea virus [NCDV]) by virion-associated RNA polymerase activity. The ssRNA product consisted of 11 RNA segments which were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In vitro-transcribed 32P-labeled ssRNA was used to study the genetic relatedness between rotaviruses by annealing with genomic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of homologous or heterologous rotavirus. All segments of HRV-Wa ssRNA were hybridized with dsRNA of HRV TK80, collected from the feces of a gastroenteritis patient, at the level of 88 to 100% of the homologous reaction. On the other hand, no segments of ssRNA from HRV-Wa hybridized with dsRNA of NCDV or simian rotavirus (simian agent 11). Similarly, ssRNA from NCDV did not hybridize with dsRNA of HRV-Wa, but hybridized with dsRNA of simian agent 11 at the level of 30% of the homologous value.