Caliciviruses are a diverse virus family with a wide range of host and tissue tropisms. Most calicivirus genera recognize a carbohydrate ligand for attachment, including the A, B, H and Lewis histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) and heparan sulfate for the human noroviruses, the H type 2 antigen for the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (genus Lagovirus), the type B antigen for the Tulane virus (a potential new genus), and sialic acid for feline calicivirus (FCV; genus Vesivirus) and murine norovirus (MNV; genus Norovirus). Following attachment, FCV recognizes also a cell surface protein, the junctional adhesion molecule 1 (JAM-1), as a functional receptor or co-receptor potentially for penetration or entry into host cells. Some human noroviruses interact also with a 105 kDa membrane protein, but its role in viral penetration/entry into host cells remains unknown. The genetic and structural analyses of selected strains of norovirus and FCV have generated new insights into virus-host interactions that chart the course for innovative research in the development of effective strategies to control and prevent calicivirus infection and illness.

Further reading: Caliciviruses: Molecular and Cellular Virology

Labels: Caliciviridae, Caliciviruses, Norovirus