# GENETICS OF THE ROTAVIRUSES

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 1993 · $210,909

## Abstract

We plan to continue our investigations into the genetics and pathogenesis
of the rotaviruses, with the long-term goal of defining, at a molecular
level, the roles of the viral genes that control various aspects of
pathogenesis.  This information will be useful in formulation of
strategies for the control of rotavirus-induced disease.  In addition,
these studies will provide basic information on the interaction of
enteric viruses with the host, and may reveal unique pathogenic pathways
characteristic of rotavirus infection.

Research on the "genetics of the rotaviruses" will focus on four main
areas. (1) Studies of basic rotavirus genetics will include the
following: We will complete our phenotypic analysis of temperature--
sensitive (ts) mutants by characterizing the viral transcriptase and
guanlyltransferase.  We will determine the sequence of genome segment 4
from the tsA mutants (map to segment 4) to determine the basis of the
protease-concentration-dependent expression of ts phenotype by some group
A mutants.  We will initiate studies of genetic isolation mechanisms
within the group A rotaviruses, concentrating on the apparent isolation
of the avian viruses in serotype 7 from the other group A viruses. (2) We
will continue our studies of rotavirus variability, concentrating on the
genome segment rearrangements identified in persistent infections of
permissive cells with the tsB mutant, but not in persistent infections
with other mutants. (3) We will continue our recently-initiated studies
of the morphology and assembly of rotavirus particles.  These studies
will investigate the nature of the interactions between reassortant
proteins of heterologous origin that modulate the expression of viral
phenotypes such as protease-sensitivity and neutralization.  We will also
continue our studies of virus assembly with the goal of reconstituting
virus from virion-derived subunits as a means of effecting rescue of
exogenous genes.  Finally, (4) we will continue our studies of rotavirus
pathogeneis and virulence.  These studies will use the suckling mouse
model to identify viral genes controlling (a) disease production as
measured by DD50, (b) virus replication in the intestine, and (c) gene
products eliciting neutralizing responses in primary and secondary
infections.  We will also continue our studies of the determinants of
active and passive protection in the mouse model.  We will also pursue
our ongoing work to identify viral genes responsible for the
extra-intestinal spread of some rotaviruse strains in vivo, and for
ability of some strains to infect hepatic cells (HepG2) in vitro.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126762
- **Project number:** 2R01AI016687-14
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FXKMA43NTV21
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBERT Franklin RAMIG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $210,909
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1984-07-01 → 1998-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126762

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126762, GENETICS OF THE ROTAVIRUSES (2R01AI016687-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126762. Licensed CC0.

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