TRUNCATED ROTAVIRUS VP4 PROTEIN AND APPLICATION THEREOF

Abstract

The invention relates to a truncated rotavirus VP4 protein, a sequence encoding the same, a method for preparing the same, and a pharmaceutical composition and a vaccine comprising the protein, wherein the protein, the pharmaceutical composition and the vaccine are useful for preventing, alleviating or treating rotavirus infection and a disease caused by rotavirus infection, such as rotavirus gastroenteritis and diarrhea. The invention further relates to use of the protein in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition or a vaccine for preventing, alleviating or treating rotavirus infection and a disease caused by rotavirus infection, such as rotavirus gastroenteritis and diarrhea.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. An isolated nucleic acid encoding a truncated rotavirus VP4 protein, wherein as compared to a wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the segment of the first X amino acids at the N-terminal of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein as a whole and replaced with one methionine residue, and has its C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to any position among the amino acid positions 331-497 of SEQ ID NO: 40, wherein X is an integer that is greater than or equal to 5 but less than or equal to 64.

14. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first X amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine; and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to any position among the amino acid positions 331-497, 341-497, 351-497, 361-497, 371-497, 381-497, 391-497, 401-497, 411-497, 421-497, 431-497, 441-497, 451-497, 461-497, 471-497, 476-497, 482-497, 487-497, or 492-497 of SEQ ID NO: 40, wherein X is an integer that is greater than or equal to 5 but less than or equal to 64.

15. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine, and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 341, 351, 361, 371, 381, 391, 401, 411, 421, 431, 441, 451, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40.

16. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 25 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 351, 381, 411, 441, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40.

17. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 476 of SEQ ID NO: 40.

18. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein is a VP4 protein derived from rotavirus LLR strain, SA11 strain, or EDIM strain, or a VP4 protein derived from a rotavirus of P[4], P[6], or P[8] genotype.

19. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 40 and 87-91.

20. The isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 3-5 and 15-39.

21. A vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1.

22. The vector according to claim 9, characterized by anyone of the following: (1) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first X amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine; and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to any position among the amino acid positions 331-497, 341-497, 351-497, 361-497, 371-497, 381-497, 391-497, 401-497, 411-497, 421-497, 431-497, 441-497, 451-497, 461-497, 471-497, 476-497, 482-497, 487-497, or 492-497 of SEQ ID NO: 40, wherein X is an integer that is greater than or equal to 5 but less than or equal to 64; (2) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine, and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 341, 351, 361, 371, 381, 391, 401, 411, 421, 431, 441, 451, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (3) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 25 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 351, 381, 411, 441, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (4) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 476 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (5) the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein is a VP4 protein derived from rotavirus LLR strain, SA11 strain, or EDIM strain, or a VP4 protein derived from a rotavirus of P[4], P[6], or P[8] genotype; (6) the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 40 and 87-91; and (7) the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 3-5 and 15-39.

23. A host cell comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1 or a vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid.

24. The host cell according to claim 11, characterized by anyone of the following: (1) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first X amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine; and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to any position among the amino acid positions 331-497, 341-497, 351-497, 361-497, 371-497, 381-497, 391-497, 401-497, 411-497, 421-497, 431-497, 441-497, 451-497, 461-497, 471-497, 476-497, 482-497, 487-497, or 492-497 of SEQ ID NO: 40, wherein X is an integer that is greater than or equal to 5 but less than or equal to 64; (2) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine, and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 341, 351, 361, 371, 381, 391, 401, 411, 421, 431, 441, 451, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (3) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 25 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 351, 381, 411, 441, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (4) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 476 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (5) the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein is a VP4 protein derived from rotavirus LLR strain, SA11 strain, or EDIM strain, or a VP4 protein derived from a rotavirus of P[4], P[6], or P[8] genotype; (6) the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 40 and 87-91; and (7) the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 3-5 and 15-39.

25. A composition comprising anyone of the following: (1) the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1, or (2) a vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid, or (3) a host cell comprising (i) the isolated nucleic acid or (ii) a vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid.

26. The composition according to claim 13, characterized by anyone of the following: (1) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first X amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine; and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to any position among the amino acid positions 331-497, 341-497, 351-497, 361-497, 371-497, 381-497, 391-497, 401-497, 411-497, 421-497, 431-497, 441-497, 451-497, 461-497, 471-497, 476-497, 482-497, 487-497, or 492-497 of SEQ ID NO: 40, wherein X is an integer that is greater than or equal to 5 but less than or equal to 64; (2) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine, and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 341, 351, 361, 371, 381, 391, 401, 411, 421, 431, 441, 451, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (3) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 25 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 351, 381, 411, 441, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (4) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 476 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (5) the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein is a VP4 protein derived from rotavirus LLR strain, SA11 strain, or EDIM strain, or a VP4 protein derived from a rotavirus of P[4], P[6], or P[8] genotype; (6) the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 40 and 87-91; and (7) the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 3-5 and 15-39.

27. A method for preparing a truncated rotavirus VP4 protein, comprising a step of culturing a host cell comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 1 under a condition that allows expression of the truncated protein; and, a step of recovering the expressed truncated protein.

28. The method according to claim 15, characterized by anyone of the following: (1) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first X amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine; and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to any position among the amino acid positions 331-497, 341-497, 351-497, 361-497, 371-497, 381-497, 391-497, 401-497, 411-497, 421-497, 431-497, 441-497, 451-497, 461-497, 471-497, 476-497, 482-497, 487-497, or 492-497 of SEQ ID NO: 40, wherein X is an integer that is greater than or equal to 5 but less than or equal to 64; (2) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at the N-terminal mutated as methionine, and has C-terminal ending at the following position of the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 341, 351, 361, 371, 381, 391, 401, 411, 421, 431, 441, 451, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (3) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 25 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 331, 351, 381, 411, 441, 461, 471, 476, 482, 487, 492 or 497 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (4) as compared to the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein, the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has the first 5, 21, 25 or 64 amino acids at N-terminal mutated as methionine and has C-terminal ending at the following position: a position corresponding to the amino acid position 476 of SEQ ID NO: 40; (5) the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein is a VP4 protein derived from rotavirus LLR strain, SA11 strain, or EDIM strain, or a VP4 protein derived from a rotavirus of P[4], P[6], or P[8] genotype; (6) the wild-type rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 40 and 87-91; and (7) the truncated rotavirus VP4 protein has an amino acid sequence selected from: SEQ ID NO: 3-5 and 15-39.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0081] FIG. 1A shows the SDS-PAGE results of the purified VP8-5 protein. The results show that the purified VP8-5 protein obtained had a purity of above 90%.

[0082] FIG. 1B shows the results of indirect ELISA analysis with the VP8-5 protein and the immune serum obtained by immunization of Balb/c mice with the VP8-5 protein, wherein, the abscissa represents the experimental group (VP8-5), the positive control group (LLR) and the negative control group (NC), and the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (i.e., antibody titer) of the immune serum having reactivity with the VP8-5 protein. The results show that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization, VP8-5 could induce generation of antibodies in mice, but its efficiency was lower than the efficiency of the inactivated virus LLR. This result shows that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, VP8-5 protein had immunogenicity and could induce the generation of antibodies in mice, but its ability of inducing generation of antibodies in animal was lower than that of the inactivated virus LLR.

[0083] FIG. 1C shows the analytic results of the neutralizing antibody titer of the immune serum induced with VP8-5 in Balb/c mice, wherein, the abscissa represents the experimental group (VP8-5), the positive control group (LLR) and the negative control group (NC), and the ordinate represents the log value of the greatest dilution of the immune serum achieving an infection inhibition rate of 50% (log2NT50, neutralizing antibody titer). The results show that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, VP8-5 could induce the generation of neutralizing antibodies in mice at Day 42 after immunization (after three immunizations), but the neutralizing antibody titer (NT50) of the immune serum was lower than that of the inactivated virus LLR. After the immunization procedure was finished, the neutralizing antibody titer (NT50) of the immune serum induced with VP8-5 protein merely reached about 64. This result shows that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, VP8-5 could induce the generation of neutralizing antibodies in an organism, however, the neutralizing antibody titer (NT50) of the immune serum induced therewith was lower than that of the inactivated virus LLR.

[0084] FIGS. 2A-2C show the scoring criteria of diarrhea in protective experiments. Depending on the degree of diarrhea in suckling mice, the scores are divided into three grades: normal stool is scored as 1 point (FIG. 2C), soft stool is scored as 2 point (FIG. 2B), and unshaped watery stool is scored as 3 point (FIG. 2A).

[0085] FIG. 3 shows the diarrhea scores of the suckling mice in different immunization groups after challenge with a virus, wherein, the axis of ordinates represents the diarrhea score; the axis of abscissas represents days after challenging mice with a virus. The results show that the diarrhea scores of the suckling mice in the experimental group (VP8-5) were not significantly different from that of the negative control group (NC). This show that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, VP8-5 had a low ability of protecting an organism from rotavirus infection (lower than that of the inactivated virus), and could not sufficiently alleviate the diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection.

[0086] FIGS. 4A-4D show the SDS-PAGE results of the truncated proteins expressed in E. coli. The results show that except for 26-311, 26-331 and 26-381 with a relatively low expression level, the other truncated proteins could be expressed in a high level in E. coli.

[0087] FIGS. 5A-5B show the SDS-PAGE results of the purified truncated VP4 proteins. In FIG. 5A, lanes from left to right are: Protein Molecular Weight Marker (Marker), 1-476, 6-476, 22-476, 26-476, 65-476, 26-231, 26-271, 26-331 and 26-351. In FIG. 5B, lanes from left to right are: Protein Molecular Weight Marker (Marker), 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492 and 26-497. The results in FIG. 5A and 5B show that after the purification steps, the truncated proteins had a concentration of above 0.2 mg/ml, and a purity of above 80%.

[0088] FIG. 6 shows the results of G3000.sub.PWXL Molecular sieve analysis with the truncated proteins 1-476, 6-476, 22-476, 26-476, 26-271, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, and 26-497. The axis of abscissas represents the retention time, and the axis of ordinates represents the absorbance value at 280nm. The results show that in the presence of TB8.0, the truncated protein 1-476 was present in a form of polymer in the sample (the peak appeared at about 10-11 min); 26-271 was in a form of monomer (the peak appeared at about 16 min), at a content of above 90%; the other truncated proteins (6-476, 22-476, 26-476, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497) were in a form of trimer (the peak appeared at about 13-14 min), almost at a content of above 90%. In the presence of salts (TB8.0+1 M NaCl), the truncated proteins 26-476, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492 and 26-497 were converted to monomers (the time the peak appeared changed from about 13-14 min to about 15-16 min), at a content of above 90%. This shows that in the presence of salts, the configurations of 26-476, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492 and 26-497 were affected by salt ions, resulting in depolymerization of trimers and the formation of monomers.

[0089] FIG. 7 shows the results of G5000.sub.PWXL Molecular sieve analysis with the truncated proteins 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441 and 26-461. The axis of abscissas represents the retention time, and the axis of ordinates represents the absorbance value at 280 nm. The results show that in the presence of TB8.0, all these truncated proteins were present in a form of polymer in the sample (the peak appeared at about 10-11 min).

[0090] The results in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 also show that the main absorption peaks of the truncated VP4 proteins obtained accounted for nearly above 80% or event above 90%, indicating that these truncated proteins had good homogenicity.

[0091] FIG. 8A shows the results of Molecular sieve analysis with the truncated protein 26-476 after standing in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH8.0) at 37 C. for 12 h. The axis of abscissas represents the retention time, and the axis of ordinates represents the absorbance value at 280 nm. The results show that after standing in 50 mM Tris-HC1 (pH8.0) at 37 C. for 12 h, the truncated protein 26-476 could form a homogeneous polymer (with a retention time of 12.4 min), and the polymer accounted for up to 97.2%.

[0092] FIG. 8B shows the electron microscopic results of the truncated protein 26-476 after standing in 50 mM Tris-HC1 (pH8.0) at 37 C. for 12 h. The results show that the truncated protein 26-476 could be assembled into a homogeneous polymer in vitro.

[0093] FIG. 9 shows the SDS-PAGE results of the truncated proteins 26-476, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, and 26-497, either cleaved by an enzyme or not. On the lanes, the number 1 represents that the sample is not treated with trypsin; and the number 2 represents that the sample has been treated with 0.1 mg/ml trypsin. The results show that all these truncated proteins could be recognized and cleaved by trypsin, i.e., their enzyme cutting sites were exposed.

[0094] FIG. 10 shows that the results of indirect ELISA analysis with the truncated VP4 protein (1-476, 6-476, 22-476, 65-476, 26-271, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-476, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497) and the neutralizing antibody A3 (FIG. 10A), B1 (FIG. 10B), B5 (FIG. 10C), B6 (FIG. 10D), D6 (FIG. 10E), E2 (FIG. 10F), E5 (FIG. 10G), 8F6 (FIG. 10H), wherein the abscissas represent the truncated proteins, and the ordinates represent the primary antibodies (A3, B1, B5, B6, D6, E2, E5, 8F6) having reactivity with the truncated proteins. The results show that all these truncated proteins had good antigenicity (i.e., antibody reactivity).

[0095] FIGS. 11A-11D show the results of indirect ELISA analysis with the truncated protein 26-476 and the immune sera obtained by immunizing Balb/c mice with the sample to be tested (1-476, 6-476, 22-476, 65-476, 26-271, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-476, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497, trimer of 26-476, polymer of 26-476, inactivated virus), wherein the abscissa represents the protein sample for producing immune serum; the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (i.e., antibody titer) of the immune serum having reactivity with 26-476; RV: inactivated rotavirus; NC: negative control (PBS); trimer: trimer of 26-476; polymer: polymer of 26-476. FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D show the results of different immunization batches. The results show that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization, these proteins could induce generation of antibodies in mice (antibody titer of the immune serum (GMT) could reach 10.sup.2-10.sup.5 or higher); and, except for 26-271, the antibody titers induced by the other protein samples were higher than the antibody titer induced by RV (1-476, 6-476, 22-476, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-476, 26-487, 26-492, trimer of 26-476 and polymer of 26-476), or were at least comparable to the antibody titer induced by RV (65-476, 26-482 and 26-497).

[0096] FIGS. 12A-12D show the analytic results of the neutralizing antibody titer of the immune sera induced in Balb/c mice with the protein samples (1-476, 6-476, 22-476, 65-476, 26-271, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-476, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497, trimer of 26-476, polymer of 26-476, inactivated virus), wherein, the abscissa represents the protein sample for producing immune serum; the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (NT50, neutralizing antibody titer) of the immune serum achieving an infection inhibition rate of 50%; RV: inactivated rotavirus; NC: negative control (PBS); trimer: trimer of 26-476; polymer: polymer of 26-476. FIG. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D show the results of different immunization batches. The results show that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization (after three immunizations), all these protein samples could induce generation of neutralizing antibodies in mice, their neutralizing antibody titer (NT50) could reach 2.sup.8-2.sup.14 or higher; and, except for 26-271, the neutralizing antibody titer induced by the other protein samples was comparable to the neutralizing antibody titer induced by RV (6-476, 22-476, 26-476, 65-476, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497 and trimer of 26-476), or even higher than the neutralizing antibody titer induced by RV (1-476, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461 and polymer of 26-476).

[0097] FIGS. 13A-13D show the diarrhea scores of suckling mice in different immunization groups (immunized with 22-476, 26-476, 65-476, 26-271, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497, trimer of 26-476, polymer of 26-476, inactivated rotavirus (RV, positive control) or PBS (NC, negative control)) 1-7 days after challenging with a virus, wherein the axis of ordinates represents the average diarrhea score; the axis of abscissas represents days after challenging mice with a virus; RV: inactivated rotavirus; NC: negative control (PBS); trimer: trimer of 26-476; polymer: polymer of 26-476.

[0098] FIGS. 14A-14D show the average duration of diarrhea after challenging with a virus and the average diarrhea scores 48 h after challenging with a virus in suckling mice in different immunization groups (immunized with 22-476, 26-476, 65-476, 26-271, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497, trimer of 26-476, polymer of 26-476, inactivated rotavirus (RV, positive control) or PBS (NC, negative control)), wherein, the average duration (days) for diarrhea is represented by bar diagram, and the average diarrhea score is represented by curve graph, the left axis of ordinates represents the average duration (days) for diarrhea; the right axis of ordinates represents the diarrhea score; the axis of abscissas represents the corresponding immunization groups of the protein samples; RV: inactivated rotavirus; NC: negative control (PBS); trimer: trimer of 26-476; polymer: polymer of 26-476.

[0099] The results in FIGS. 13-14 show that in terms of the average diarrhea score and the average duration (days) for diarrhea, the corresponding immunization groups of the protein samples were superior to the NC group. This indicates that the protein samples had significant protective effect, and could help the mice to combat rotavirus infection and diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection. In addition, the results in FIGS. 13-14 also show that the protective effects of 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-476, trimer of 26-476, and polymer of 26-476 were comparable to that of RV, or even better than that of RV. According to the experimental results of Example 1, in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, the protective effects of these protein samples were superior to that of VP8-5 in animal. In addition, the experimental results in FIG. 13D and FIG. 14D also show that the protective effect of the polymer of the truncated protein 26-476 was significantly superior to that of trimer of 26-476 in animal, and could be used to prepare vaccines having a higher efficacy.

[0100] FIG. 15 shows the SDS-PAGE results of the 26-476 protein from different virus strains, wherein, the lanes from left to right are: the truncated protein 26-476 from rotavirus LLR; the truncated protein 26-476-SA11 from rotavirus SA11; the truncated protein 26-476-EDIM from rotavirus EDIM; the truncated protein 26-476-P[8] from rotavirus P[8]; the truncated protein 26-476-P[6] from rotavirus P[6]; the truncated protein 26-476-P[4] from rotavirus P[4]; and, Protein Molecular Weight Marker (Marker). The results show that the method according to the invention was applicable to different strains of rotavirus; the truncated VP4 protein (26-476) from different virus strains could be effectively expressed in E. coli, and had a purity of above 80% after purification by chromatography.

[0101] FIG. 16 shows the results of Molecular sieve analysis with the truncated VP4 protein 26-476 derived from different virus strains. The axis of abscissas represents the retention time, and the axis of ordinates represents the absorbance value at 280nm. The results show that in the presence of TB8.0, the 26-476 protein derived from different virus strains was mainly present in a form of trimer (the peak appeared at about 13-14 min), at a content of above 80%. This indicates that in the presence of TB8.0, the 26-476 protein derived from different virus strains had good homogenicity.

[0102] FIG. 17 shows the results of indirect ELISA analysis with the immune sera obtained by immunizing Balb/c mice with the truncated proteins (26-476-P[4], 26-476-P[6], 26-476-P[8], 26-476-EDIM, 26-476-SA11, and 26-476 derived from LLR) and the corresponding truncated protein, wherein the abscissa represents the virus strain from which the truncated protein for producing immune serum was derived, and the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (i.e., antibody titer) of the immune serum having reactivity with the corresponding truncated protein; P[4]: 26-476-P[4]; P[6]: 26-476-P[6]; P[8]: 26-476-P[8]; SA11: 26-476-SA11; EDIM: 26-476-EDIM; LLR: 26-476 prepared in Example 4. The results show that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization, all these 26-476 proteins derived from different virus strains could induce generation of antibodies in mice, and the antibody titers (GMT) in the immune sera induced thereby were substantively comparable (the antibody titer could reach 10.sup.4-10.sup.5 or higher, much higher than that of the negative control group). These results show that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, the 26-476 proteins derived from different virus strains had good immunogenicity, could effectively induce the generation of antibodies in animal; and, the 26-476 proteins derived from different virus strains were substantively comparable in terms of immunogenicity, and were superior to VP8-5.

[0103] FIG. 18 shows the analytic results of the neutralizing antibody titer of the immune sera induced in Balb/c mice with the 26-476 proteins derived from different virus strains (26-476-SA11, 26-476-EDIM, 26-476 derived from LLR), wherein, the abscissa represents the virus strain from which the protein sample for producing immune serum was derived; the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (NT.sub.50, neutralizing antibody titer) achieving an infection inhibition rate of 50% ; SA11: 26-476-SA11; EDIM: 26-476-EDIM; LLR: 26-476 prepared in Example 4. The results show that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization (after three immunizations), the 26-476 proteins derived from SA11, EDIM and LLR virus strains could induce generation of high-titer neutralizing antibodies in mice, and their neutralizing antibody titer (NT.sub.50) could reach 2.sup.10-.sup.214 or higher; and, the neutralizing antibody titers induced by 26-476-SA11 and 26-476-EDIM were even higher than that induced by 26-476 derived from LLR.

[0104] FIG. 19A shows the diarrhea scores of suckling mice in different immunization groups (immunized with 26-476-SA11 or PBS (NC, negative control)) 1-7 days after challenging with SA11 virus; FIG. 19B shows the diarrhea scores of suckling mice in different immunization groups (immunized with 26-476-EDIM or PBS (NC, negative control)) 1-12 days after challenging with EDIM virus; wherein, the abscissa represents days after challenging with a virus, and the ordinate represents the average diarrhea score. The results show that similar to the 26-476 protein derived from LLR, both of the 26-476 proteins derived from SA11 and EDIM had significant protective effect, and could help the mice to combat rotavirus infection and diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection.

[0105] FIG. 19C shows the viral load of the stool suspension sample of the mice immunized with 26-476-EDIM or PBS (NC, negative control) 1-7 days after challenging with EDIM, wherein the abscissa represents days after challenging with a virus, and the ordinate represents the copy number of the EDIM genome contained in 1 ml stool suspension sample. The results show that after challenging with a virus, significant excretion of virus was detected in the stool of the mice immunized with PBS, and in the stool of the mice immunized with 26-476-EDIM, no excretion of virus was detected.

[0106] The results in FIG. 19A-19C show that 26-476-EDIM could not only enable the mice to combat rotavirus infection and diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection, but also inhibit the excretion of virus in the stool of the mice (i.e., excretion of virus).

Sequence Information

[0107] Information on the sequences involved in the invention is provided in the following Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE1 Sequencedescription SEQIDNO: Description 1 LLRVP8proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminal,VP8-5 2 LLRVP4proteinhavingC-terminalendedataminoacidposition476,1-476 3 LLRVP4proteinhaving5aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedat476,6-476 4 LLRVP4proteinhaving21aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition476,22-476 5 LLRVP4proteinhaving64aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition476,65-476 6 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition247,26-247 7 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition251,26-251 8 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition261,26-261 9 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition271,26-271 10 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition281,26-281 11 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition291,26-291 12 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition301,26-301 13 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition311,26-311 14 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition321,26-321 15 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition331,26-331 16 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition341,26-341 17 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition351,26-351 18 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition361,26-361 19 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition371,26-371 20 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition381,26-381 21 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition391,26-391 22 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition401,26-401 23 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition411,26-411 24 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition421,26-421 25 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition431,26-431 26 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition441,26-441 27 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition451,26-451 28 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition461,26-461 29 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition471,26-471 30 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition476,26-476 31 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition482,26-482 32 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition487,26-487 33 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition492,26-492 34 LLRVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition497,26-497 35 P[4]VP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition476,26-476-P[4] 36 P[6]VP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition476,26-476-P[6] 37 P[8]VP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition476,26-476-P[8] 38 EDIMVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition476,26-476-EDIM 39 SAlIVP4proteinhaving25aminoacidstruncatedatN-terminalandhaving C-terminalendedataminoacidposition476,26-476-SAlI 40 theaminoacidsequenceofwild-typeLLRVP4 41 thenucleotidesequenceofwild-typeLLRVP4 42-86 primers 87 theaminoacidsequenceofwild-typeSAlIVP4 88 theaminoacidsequenceofwild-typeEDIMVP4 89 theaminoacidsequenceofwild-typeP[4]VP4 90 theaminoacidsequenceofwild-typeP[6]VP4 91 theaminoacidsequenceofwild-typeP[8]VP4 Sequence1(SEQIDNO:1): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTR Sequence2(SEQIDNO:2): MASLIYRQLLTNSYTVNLSDEIQLIGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLN GPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTSEGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVAN PSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYSQYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYD SVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCTEYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSL WKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKSGGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFN YNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENSYVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPV GQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNN GRDFYEIAGRFSLILLVPS Sequence3(SEQIDNO:3): MYRQLLTNSYTVNLSDEIQLIGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPY QPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTSEGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQ SKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYSQYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSV NMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCTEYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWK EMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKSGGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYN GGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENSYVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQ WPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNNGR DFYEIAGRFSLILLVPS Sequence4(SEQIDNO:4): MIQLIGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLA PTSEGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANG TYSQYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQES KCTEYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSI IKSGGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKE NSYVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGV TLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNNGRDFYEIAGRFSLILLVPS Sequence5(SEQIDNO:5): MLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTSEGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASI SVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYSQYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYST TNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCTEYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVIS KTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKSGGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGV NDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENSYVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNF QLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAA NPNNGRDFYEIAGRFSLILLVPS Sequence6(SEQIDNO:6): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARR Sequence7(SEQIDNO:7): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVN Sequence8(SEQIDNO:8): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSL Sequence9(SEQIDNO:9): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDI Sequence10(SEQIDNO:10): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSI Sequence11(SEQIDNO:11): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKW Sequence12(SEQIDNO:12): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANY Sequence13(SEQIDNO:13): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEE Sequence14(SEQIDNO:14): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVN Sequence15(SEQIDNO:15): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGG Sequence16(SEQIDNO:16): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISR Sequence17(SEQIDNO:17): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YV Sequence18(SEQIDNO:18): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQA Sequence19(SEQIDNO:19): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSL Sequence20(SEQIDNO:20): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCA Sequence21(SEQIDNO:21): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPV Sequence22(SEQIDNO:22): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGS Sequence23(SEQIDNO:23): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL Sequence24(SEQIDNO:24): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSL Sequence25(SEQIDNO:25): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLA Sequence26(SEQIDNO:26): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISR Sequence27(SEQIDNO:27): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLP Sequence28(SEQIDNO:28): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNNGRDF Sequence29(SEQIDNO:29): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNNGRDFYEIAGRFSLI Sequence30(SEQIDNO:30): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNNGRDFYEIAGRFSLILLVPS Sequence31(SEQIDNO:31): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNNGRDFYEIAGRFSLILLVPSNDD YQT Sequence32(SEQIDNO:32): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNNGRDFYEIAGRFSLILLVPSNDD YQTPIMNS Sequence33(SEQIDNO:33): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNNGRDFYEIAGRFSLILLVPSNDD YQTPIMNSVTVRQ Sequence34(SEQIDNO:34): MGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLNGPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTS EGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVANPSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYS QYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYDSVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCT EYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKS GGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFNYNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENS YVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPVGQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTL STQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNNGRDFYEIAGRFSLILLVPSNDD YQTPIMNSVTVRQDLERQ Sequence35(SEQIDNO:35): MGSEKTQNVTVNPGPFAQTRYAPVNWGHGEINDSTTVEPVLDGPYQPTTFKPPNDYWLLISSNT DGVVYESTNNSDFWTAVIAVEPHVSQTNRQYVLFGENKQFNIENSSDKWKFLEMFRGSGQSDFS NRRTLTSNNRLVGMLKYGGRVWTFHGETPRATTDSSNTADLNNISIIIHSEFYIIPRSQESKCNEYI NNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLSLSSRSIQYRRAQVNEDITISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFGNSVIKLGGL GYKWSEISYKAANYQYSYSRDGEQVTAHTTCSVNGVNNFSYNGGSLPTDFSISRYEVIKENSYVY IDYWDDSKAFRNMVYVRSLAANLNSVKCVGGSYDFRLPVGEWPIMNGGAVSLHFAGVTLSTQF TDFVSLNSLRFRFSLTVDEPSFSIIRTRTMNLYGLPAANPNNGNEYYEVSGRFSLISLVPTN Sequence36(SEQIDNO:36) MGSEKSQNVTINPGPFAQTNYAPVTWSHGEVNDSTTIEPVLDGPYQPTNFKPPNDYWILLNPTNQ QVVLEGTNKTDIWVALLLVEPNVTNQSRQYTLFGETKQITVENNTNKWKFFEMFRSNVSAEFQH KRTLTSDTKLAGFMKFYNSVWTFHGETPHATTDYSSTSNLSEVETVIHVEFYIIPRSQESKCSEYIN TGLPPMQNTRNIVPVALSSRSVTYQRAQVNEDIIISKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFNNSIVKLGGLG YKWSEISFKAANYQYSYLRDGEQVTAHTTCSVNGVNNFSYNGGSLPTDFSVSRYEVIKENSYVY VDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAANLNSVKCSGGNYNFQIPVGAWPVMSGGAVSLHFAGVTLSTQ FTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLTVEEPPFSILRTRVSGLYGLPAFNPNNGHEYYEIAGRFSLISLVPSN Sequence37(SEQIDNO:37): MGSEKTQNVTINPSPFAQTRYAPVNWGHGEINDSTTVEPMLDGPYQPTTFTPPNDYWILINSNTN GVVYESTNNSDFWTAVVAIEPHVNPVDRQYTIFGESKQFNVSNDSNKWKFLEMFRSSSQNEFYN RRTLTSDTRFVGILKYGGRVWTFHGETPRATTDSSSTANLNNISITIHSEFYIIPRSQESKCNEYINN GLPPIQNTRNVVPLPLSSRSIQYKRAQVNEDIIVSKTSLWKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFGNSIVKMGGLGY KWSEISYKAANYQYNYLRDGEQVTAHTTCSVNGVNNFSYNGGFLPTDFGISRYEVIKENSYVYV DYWDDSKAFRNMVYVRSLAANLNSVKCTGGSYNFSIPVGAWPVMNGGAVSLHFAGVTLSTQFT DFVSLNSLRFRFSLTVDEPPFSILRTRTVNLYGLPAANPNNGNEYYEISGRFSLIYLVPTN Sequence38(SEQIDNO:38): MGAEKTQNVTVNPGPFAQTGYAPANWGPGETNDSTTVEPVLDGPYQPIAFSPPPEYYILLSPTAP GVIAECTNTVNRWIAIIAIEPNVSPTNRTYTLFGITEQLTVENSSVDKWKFIDFMKTPTTGSYVRYN ILLSSTKLCAVAKHTDNLYSYVGETPTAGQAYYSSFNIFNLTAHCDFYIIPWSQQSLCTQYVNNGL PPIQNTRNVVPRHLSARSIITQRAQANEDIVVSKTSLWKEMQFNRDITIRFKFANAIIKSGGLGYK WSEISFKPANYQYTYTRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNNFDFFGGSLPTDFGISRYEVIKENSFVYIDY WDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNTVECTGGAYSFSLPVGQWPVMTGGAVSLRAAGVTLSTQFTDF VSLNSLRFRFRLSVEEPSFSITRTRVSGLYGLPAADPNNGREYYEIAGRFSLISLVPSND Sequence39(SEQIDNO:39): MGSTKSQNVTINPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGEINDSTTVEPLLDGPYQPTTFNPPVDYWMLLAPTTP GVIVEGTNNTDRWLATILIEPNVQSENRTYTIFGIQEQLTVSNTSQDQWKFIDVVKTTANGSIGQY GSLLSSPKLYAVMKHNEKLYTYEGQTPNARTGHYSTTNYDSVNMTAFCDFYIIPRSEESKCTEYI NNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLSLTARDVIHYRAQANEDIVISKTSLWKEMQYNRDITIRFKFANTIIKSGGL GYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYTRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFSFNGGSLPTDFVVSKFEVIKENSYVY IDYWDDSQAFRNVVYVRSLAANLNSVMCTGGSYNFSLPVGQWPVLTGGAVSLHSAGVTLSTQF TDFVSLNSLRFRFRLAVEEPHFKLTRTRLDRLYGLPAADPNNGKEYYEIAGRFSLISLVPS Sequence40(SEQIDNO:40): MASLIYRQLLTNSYTVNLSDEIQLIGSEKTQRTTVNPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGETSDSTTVEPVLN GPYQPTTFNPPVEYWMLLAPTSEGVVVEGTNGTDRWLATILIEPNVPETTRNYTLFGETASISVAN PSQSKWRFVDVAKTTANGTYSQYGPLLSDTKLYGVMKYNGKLYTYNGETPNATTNYYSTTNYD SVNMTSYCDFYIIPRAQESKCTEYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLALSSRSIVARRAAVNEDIVISKTSL WKEMQYNRDIIIRFKFANSIIKSGGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYIRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFN YNGGSLPTDFVISRYEVIKENSYVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNEVTCAGGTYNFQLPV GQWPVMSGGSVSLRSAGVTLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLAVEEPPFSISRTRISGLYGLPAANPNN GRDFYEIAGRFSLILLVPSNDDYQTPIMNSVTVRQDLERQLGELREEFNALSQEIAMSQLIDLALLP LDMFSMFSGIKTTIDAAKSMATNVMKKFKSSGLATSVSTLTDSLSDAASAVSRNSSIRSIGSTASA WTDISSQIVDTQASVNTLATQTSTISKRLRLKEIATQTEGMNFDDISAAVLKTKIDKSSQIGPSTLP DIVTEASEKFIPNRTYRVIDDDTVFEAGTDGRFYAYRVETFEEVPFDVQKFADLVTDSPVISAIIDF KTLKNLNDNYGITRSQALNLIRSDPRVLREFINQDNPIIRNRIEQLILQCRL Sequence41(SEQIDNO:41): ATGGCTTCGCTCATTTACAGACAATTACTTACGAATTCATATACAGTGAATCTTTCAGATGAA ATACAGTTAATTGGATCAGAAAAAACGCAGAGAACTACAGTAAATCCAGGTCCATTTGCACA AACTGGTTATGCACCAGTGAATTGGGGGCCTGGGGAAACGAGTGATTCCACTACTGTTGAGC CAGTGTTGAATGGACCATATCAGCCGACGACTTTCAATCCACCAGTAGAATATTGGATGCTT CTAGCACCAACATCAGAAGGGGTAGTTGTTGAAGGTACTAATGGTACGGATAGATGGCTAGC TACAATACTTATAGAACCAAATGTGCCTGAGACGACTAGAAATTACACATTATTTGGGGAAA CAGCGAGTATATCAGTAGCAAACCCATCACAAAGTAAATGGCGTTTTGTTGACGTAGCTAAG ACCACTGCAAATGGAACATATTCACAATATGGACCATTACTATCAGATACAAAACTGTATGG AGTAATGAAATACAACGGGAAGTTGTATACGTATAATGGTGAAACTCCGAATGCTACAACAA ATTATTATTCAACTACAAATTATGACTCAGTGAATATGACATCTTATTGCGATTTTTACATTAT ACCAAGAGCACAAGAATCAAAGTGCACAGAATACGTAAATAATGGATTACCACCAATACAA AACACCAGAAATGTCGTACCATTAGCTTTATCTTCACGATCAATAGTTGCTAGAAGAGCTGC AGTGAACGAAGACATAGTTATATCGAAAACGTCATTGTGGAAAGAAATGCAATATAATCGA GATATCATAATAAGATTTAAGTTTGCAAACTCAATTATTAAATCAGGTGGACTAGGGTATAA ATGGTCAGAGATTTCATTCAAACCAGCAAACTATCAATATACATATATACGTGATGGAGAGG AAGTAACTGCACATACAACATGTTCAGTGAATGGAGTGAACGACTTCAACTATAACGGAGGA TCATTACCAACTGACTTTGTAATATCACGTTATGAAGTTATAAAAGAGAACTCTTATGTATAT ATAGATTATTGGGATGATTCACAAGCATTCAGAAACATGGTATATGTGAGATCATTAGCTGC GGACTTAAATGAAGTGACATGTGCAGGGGGTACTTATAATTTCCAACTACCAGTTGGACAAT GGCCTGTGATGAGTGGTGGCTCAGTATCATTGCGTTCAGCTGGAGTAACGTTATCAACTCAAT TTACAGACTTTGTGTCATTAAATTCGTTAAGATTTAGGTTCAGTTTAGCAGTAGAAGAACCGC CATTCTCTATTTCAAGGACACGGATATCAGGGTTATATGGGTTACCGGCAGCCAATCCAAAT AATGGAAGAGACTTCTATGAAATTGCGGGTAGATTTTCATTAATTTTATTAGTACCATCAAAT GATGATTATCAAACTCCTATAATGAACTCAGTGACGGTGAGACAGGACTTAGAGAGGCAGTT AGGAGAATTGAGAGAAGAATTTAACGCATTATCACAAGAGATAGCTATGTCACAATTGATAG ATCTAGCTTTACTACCATTGGACATGTTCTCAATGTTTTCAGGAATTAAAACAACGATAGATG CAGCTAAATCAATGGCCACTAATGTAATGAAGAAGTTTAAAAGCTCAGGCTTGGCCACGTCT GTATCCACGTTGACAGACTCATTATCTGACGCCGCATCAGCGGTATCAAGGAACAGCTCAAT AAGATCAATTGGATCAACAGCATCAGCTTGGACAGACATTTCTTCACAAATAGTGGATACGC AAGCATCAGTCAATACGTTGGCAACTCAAACGTCAACTATCAGCAAGAGATTAAGGTTAAAA GAAATTGCGACTCAAACAGAGGGAATGAATTTCGACGACATATCAGCAGCTGTGTTAAAAAC TAAAATTGACAAATCATCACAAATAGGACCAAGTACTTTACCAGATATTGTTACTGAAGCGT CGGAGAAGTTTATACCAAATAGAACGTATAGAGTAATTGACGATGATACTGTGTTTGAAGCA GGAACAGATGGGAGATTTTACGCATATAGAGTCGAGACGTTTGAGGAAGTTCCATTTGATGT GCAAAAATTCGCAGATTTAGTAACTGACTCTCCAGTAATCTCGGCCATTATAGACTTTAAAAC GCTTAAAAACTTGAATGATAACTATGGAATTACTCGTTCGCAAGCATTAAATCTAATTAGATC AGATCCAAGGGTTCTGCGAGAATTTATCAATCAAGATAATCCAATAATAAGAAACAGGATAG AGCAGTTAATTCTGCAATGTAGATTGTAA Sequence42(SEQIDNO:42): GGATCCCATATGATGGCTTCGCTCATTTAC Sequence43(SEQIDNO:43): GGATCCCATATGTACAGACAATTACTTACGAATTC Sequence44(SEQIDNO:44): GGATCCCATATGATACAGTTAATTGGATCAGAAAA Sequence45(SEQIDNO:45): GGATCCCATATGGGATCAGAAAAAACGCAG Sequence46(SEQIDNO:46): GGATCCCATATGTTGAATGGACCA Sequence47(SEQIDNO:47): AAGCTTAGGTGTTTTGTATTGGTGG Sequence48(SEQIDNO:48): AAGCTTATCTTCTAGCAACTATTGATCGT Sequence49(SEQIDNO:49): AAGCTTAGTTCACTGCAGCTCTTCTAGC Sequence50(SEQIDNO:50): AAGCTTACAATGACGTTTTCGATATAACTA Sequence51(SEQIDNO:51): AAGCTTAGATATCTCGATTATATTGCATTTC Sequence52(SEQIDNO:52): AAGCTTAAATTGAGTTTGCAAACTTAAAT Sequence53(SEQIDNO:53): AAGCTTACCATTTATACCCTAGTCCACC Sequence54(SEQIDNO:54): AAGCTTAATAGTTTGCTGGTTTGAATGA Sequence55(SEQIDNO:55): AAGCTTATTCCTCTCCATCACGTATATATG Sequence56(SEQIDNO:56): AAGCTTAATTCACTGAACATGTTGTATGTG Sequence57(SEQIDNO:57): AAGCTTATCCTCCGTTATAGTTGAAGTC Sequence58(SEQIDNO:58): AAGCTTAACGTGATATTACAAAGTCAGTTG Sequence59(SEQIDNO:59): AAGCTTATACATAAGAGTTCTCTTTTATAACTTC Sequence60(SEQIDNO:60): AAGCTTATGCTTGTGAATCATCCCAA Sequence61(SEQIDNO:61): AAGCTTATAATGATCTCACATATACCATGTTT Sequence62(SEQIDNO:62): AAGCTTATGCACATGTCACTTCATTTAAG Sequence63(SEQIDNO:63): AAGCTTAAACTGGTAGTTGGAAATTATAAGTA Sequence64(SEQIDNO:64): AAGCTTATGAGCCACCACTCATCACA Sequence65(SEQIDNO:65): AAGCTTATAACGTTACTCCAGCTGAAC Sequence66(SEQIDNO:66): AAGCTTATAATGACACAAAGTCTGTAAATTG Sequence67(SEQIDNO:67): AAGCTTATGCTAAACTGAACCTAAATCTTA Sequence68(SEQIDNO:68): AAGCTTACCTTGAAATAGAGAATGGCG Sequence69(SEQIDNO:69): AAGCTTACGGTAACCCATATAACCCT Sequence70(SEQIDNO:70): AAGCTTAGAAGTCTCTTCCATTATTTGGA Sequence71(SEQIDNO:71): AAGCTTAAATTAATGAAAATCTACCCGC Sequence72(SEQIDNO:72): AGATCTAAGCTTATGATGGTACTAATAAAATTAATGAAAATC Sequence73(SEQIDNO:73): AGATCTAAGCTTAAGTTTGATAATCATCATTTGATGGTACTA Sequence74(SEQIDNO:74): AGATCTAAGCTTATGAGTTCATTATAGGAGTTTGATAATCAT Sequence75(SEQIDNO:75): AGATCTAAGCTTATGTCTCACCGTCACTGAGTTCA Sequence76(SEQIDNO:76): AGATCTAAGCTTACTGCCTCTCTAAGTCCTGTCTCA Sequence77(SEQIDNO:77): GGATCCCATATGGGATCGGAGAAAACTCAA Sequence78(SEQIDNO:78): AAGCTTAATTAGTTGGAACTAAAGAAATAAGT Sequence79(SEQIDNO:79) GGATCCCATATGGGATCAGAGAAAAGTCAAAAT Sequence80(SEQIDNO:80) AAGCTTAATTAGACGGTACTAATGAAA Sequence81(SEQIDNO:81): GGATCCCATATGGGATCAGAAAAAACTCAAAATG Sequence82(SEQIDNO:82): AAGCTTAGTTGGTTGGAACTAAAGAAA Sequence83(SEQIDNO:83): GGATCCCATATGGGAGCAGAGAAGACACA Sequence84(SEQIDNO:84): AAGCTTAATCGTTGGACGGCAC Sequence85(SEQIDNO:85): GGATCCCATATGGGATCAACTAAATCACAAAATG Sequence86(SEQIDNO:86): AAGCTTATGATGGCACTAATGATATAAGT Sequence87(SEQIDNO:87): MASLIYRQLLTNSYTVDLSDEIQEIGSTKSQNVTINPGPFAQTGYAPVNWGPGEINDSTTVEPLLD GPYQPMTFNPPVDYWMLLAPTTPGVIVEGTNNTDRWLATILIEPNVQSENRTYTIFGIQEQLTVSN TSQDQWKFIDVVKTTANGSIGQYGSLLSSPKLYAVMKHNEKLYTYEGQTPNARTGHYSTTNYDS VNMTAFCDFYIIPRSEESKCTEYINNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLSLTARDVIHYRAQANEDIVISKTSLWK EMQYNRDITIRFKFANTIIKSGGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYTRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNDFSF NGGSLPTDFVVSKFEVIKENSYVYIDYWDDSQAFRNVMYVRSLAANLNSVMCTGGSYNFSLPVG QWPVLTGGAVSLHSAGVTLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFRLAVEEPHFKLTRTRLDRLYGLPAADPNN GKEYYEIAGRFSLISLVPSNDDYQTPIANSVTVRQDLERQLGELREEFNALSQEIAMSQLIDLALLP LDMFSMFSGIKSTIDAAKSMATNVMKKFKKSGLANSVSTLTDSLSDAASSISRGSSIRSIGSSASA WTDVSTQITDISSSVSSVSTQTSTISRRLRLKEMATQTEGMNFDDISAAVLKTKIDKSTQISPNTIPD IVTEASEKFIPNRAYRVINNDDVFEAGIDGKFFAYKVDTFEEIPFDVQKFADLVTDSPVISAIIDFKT LKNLNDNYGITKQQAFNURSDPRVLREFINQDNPIIRNRIEQLIMQCRL Sequence88(SEQIDNO:88): MASLIYRQLLTNSFTVDISDEIETIGAEKTQNVTVNPGPFAQTGYAPANWGPGETNDSTTVEPVLD GPYQPIAFSPPPEYYILLSPTAPGVIAECTNTVNRWIAIIAIEPNVSPTNRTYTLFGITEQLTVENSSV DKWKFIDFMKTPTTGSYVRYNILLSSTKLCAVAKHTDNLYSYVGETPTAGQAYYSSFNIFNLTAH CDFYIIPWSQQSLCTQYVNNGLPPIQNTRNVVPRHLSARSIITQRAQANEDIVVSKTSLWKEMQFN RDITIRFKFANAIIKSGGLGYKWSEISFKPANYQYTYTRDGEEVTAHTTCSVNGVNNFDFFGGSLP TDFGISRYEVIKENSFVYIDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAADLNTVECTGGAYSFSLPVGQWPVMT GGAVSLRAAGVTLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFRLSVEEPSFSITRTRVSGLYGLPAADPNNGREYYEI AGRFSLISLVPSNDNYQTPIMNSVTVRQDLERQLGELREEFNALSQEIALSQLVDLALLPLDMFSM FSGIKATLDVAKSMATNVMKKFKKSGLATSISAMTESLSDAASSVSRSGAIRSVSSTSSAWTDVSS RVANVENAASTVSTQTATISRRLRLKEITTQTEGMNFDDISAAVLKTKLDKSVRIAPNTLPDIVTE ASEKFIPNRSYRVINNNEAFETGTDGRFFAYRVDTLEELPFDVQKFADLVAESPVISAIIDFKTLKN LNDNYGISKEQAFSLLRSDPRVLREFINQGNPIIRNRIEQLIMQCRL Sequence89(SEQIDNO:89): MASLIYRQLLTNSYSVDLHDEIEQIGSEKTQNVTVNPGPFAQTRYAPVNWGHGEINDSTTVEPVL DGPYQPTTFKPPNDYWLLISSNTDGVVYESTNNSDFWTAVIAVEPHVSQTNRQYVLFGENKQFNI ENSSDKWKFLEMFRGSGQSDFSNRRTLTSNNRLVGMLKYGGRVWTFHGETPRATTDSSNTADL NNISIIIHSEFYIIPRSQESKCNEYINNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLSLSSRSIQYRRAQVNEDITISKTSLWKE MQYNRDIIIRFKFGNSVIKLGGLGYKWSEISYKAANYQYSYSRDGEQVTAHTTCSVNGVNNFSY NGGSLPTDFSISRYEVIKENSYVYIDYWDDSKAFRNMVYVRSLAANLNSVKCVGGSYDFRLPVG EWPIMNGGAVSLHFAGVTLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLTVDEPSFSIIRTRTMNLYGLPAANPNNG NEYYEVSGRFSLISLVPTNDDYQTPIMNSVTVRQDLERQLNDLREEFNSLSQEIAMSQLIDLALLP LDMFSMFSGIKSTIDLTKSMATSVMKKFRKSKLATSISEMTNSLSDAASSASRSASIRSNLSTISNW SDASKSVLNVTDSVNDVSTQTSTISKKLRLREMITQTEGISFDDISAAVLKTKIDMSTQIGKNTLPD IVTEASEKFIPKRSYRVLKDDEVMEVNTEGKFFAYKVDTLNEIPFDINKFAELVTDSPVISAIIDFKT LKNLNDNYGITRIEALNLIKSNPNVLRNFINQNNPIIRNRIEQLILQCKL Sequence90(SEQIDNO:90): MASLIYRQLLTNSYTVELSDEINTIGSEKSQNVTINPGPFAQTNYAPVTWSHGEVNDSTTIEPVLD GPYQPTNFKPPNDYWILLNPTNQQVVLEGTNKTDIWVALLLVEPNVTNQSRQYTLFGETKQITVE NNTNKWKFFEMFRSNVNAEFQHKRTLTSDTKLAGFMKFYNSVWTFHGETPHATTDYSSTSNLSE VETVIHVEFYIIPRSQESKCSEYINTGLPPMQNTRNIVPVALSSRSVTYQRAQVNEDIIISKTSLWKE MQYNRDIIIRFKFNNSIVKLGGLGYKWSEISFKAANYQYSYLRDGEQVTAHTTCSVNGVNNFSYN GGSLPTDFSVSRYEVIKENSYVYVDYWDDSQAFRNMVYVRSLAANLNSVKCSGGNYNFQIPVG AWPVMSGGAVSLHFAGVTLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLTVEEPPFSILRTRVSGLYGLPAFNPNNG HEYYEIAGRFSLISLVPSNDDYQTPIMNSVTVRQDLERQLGDLREEFNSLSQEIAMTQLIDLALLPL DMFSMFSGIKSTIDVAKSMVTKVMKKFKKSGLATSISELTGSLSNAASSVSRSSSIRSNISSISVWT DVSEQIAGSSDSVRNISTQTSAISKRLRLREITTQTEGMNFDDISAAVLKTKIDRSTHISPDTLPDIIT ESSEKFIPKRAYRVLKDDEVMEADVDGKFFAYKVGTFEEVPFDVDKFVDLVTDSPVISAIIDFKTL KNLNDNYGITRSQALDLIRSDPRVLRDFINQNNPIIKNRIEQLILQCRL Sequence91(SEQIDNO:91): MASLIYRQLLTNSYSVDLHDEIEQIGSEKTQNVTINPSPFAQTRYAPVNWGHGEINDSTTVEPMLD GPYQPTTFTPPNDYWILINSNTNGVVYESTNNSDFWTAVVAIEPHVNPVDRQYTIFGESKQFNVS NDSNKWKFLEMFRSSSQNEFYNRRTLTSDTRFVGILKYGGRVWTFHGETPRATTDSSSTANLNNI SITIHSEFYIIPRSQESKCNEYINNGLPPIQNTRNVVPLPLSSRSIQYKRAQVNEDIIVSKTSLWKEM QYNRDIIIRFKFGNSIVKMGGLGYKWSEISYKAANYQYNYLRDGEQVTAHTTCSVNGVNNFSYN GGFLPTDFGISRYEVIKENSYVYVDYWDDSKAFRNMVYVRSLAANLNSVKCTGGSYNFSIPVGA WPVMNGGAVSLHFAGVTLSTQFTDFVSLNSLRFRFSLTVDEPPFSILRTRTVNLYGLPAANPNNG NEYYEISGRFSLIYLVPTNDDYQTPIMNSVTVRQDLERQLTDLREEFNSLSQEIAMAQLIDLALLPL DMFSMFSGIKSTIDLTKSMATSVMKKFRKSKLATSISEMTNSLSDAASSASRNVSIRSNLSAISNW TNVSNDVSNVTNSLNDISTQTSTISKKFRLKEMITQTEGMSFDDISAAVLKTKIDMSTQIGKNTLP DIVTEASEKFIPKRSYRILKDDEVMEINTEGKFFAYKINTFDEVPFDVNKFAELVTDSPVISAIIDFK TLKNLNDNYGITRTEALNLIKSNPNMLRNFINQNNPIIRNRIEQLILQCKL

[0108] Specific Modes for Carrying out the Invention

[0109] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by reference to the following examples. A person skilled in the art would understand that the following examples are only for the purpose of illustrating the invention, rather than being regarded as limiting the protection scope of the invention.

[0110] Unless indicated otherwise, the molecular biological experimental methods and immunological assays used in the invention are carried out substantially in accordance with the methods as described in Sambrook J et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Second Edition), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, and F. M. Ausubel et al., Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995, or in accordance with the instructions of products. The reagents or apparatuses, the manufacturers of which are not indicated, are the conventional products that are commercially available. Those skilled in the art understand that the examples are used for illustrating the present invention, but not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the invention, modifications or replacements made to the methods, steps or conditions of the invention all fall into the scope of the invention.

Sources of the Biological Materials and Reagents Used in Examples:

[0111] Rotavirus LLR strain was given as a gift by Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise CO., LTD; rotavirus SA11 strain was purchased from Chinese Veterinary Culture Collection Center; rotavirus Wa and DS-1 strains were purchased from ATCC; rotavirus EDIM strain was given as a gift by Institute of Pathogenic Biology; prokaryotic expression vector PTO-T7 was constructed by the laboratory; Escherichia coli (E.coli) ER2566 and BL21 (DE3) were purchased from New England Biolabs; the primers used were synthesized by Sangon Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Example 1

Study on Immunogenicity and Immune-Protection of the Truncated VP8 Protein (VP8-5)

[0112] In accordance with the method as described in the Chinese patent application CN 201510165746.2, the truncated rotavirus VP8 protein, VP8-5 (the amino acid sequence of which was set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1), was expressed and purified. In brief, the genomic RNA of rotavirus was extracted from the culture of rotavirus LLR strain, and cDNA encoding the VP4 protein was obtained by reverse transcription. Then, the cDNA obtained was used as a template, and the gene fragment encoding VP8-5 was obtained by PCR amplification. The gene fragment obtained was then used to construct an expression vector for VP8-5, and the expression vector was transformed into E. coli. The E. coli containing the VP8-5 expression vector was cultured at 37 C. until OD.sub.600 was about 0.6, and the temperature was then reduced to 25 C. IPTG was added at a final concentration of 0.8 mM, and the E. coli was further cultured for 6 h. After the culture, the bacteria were collected by centrifugation and disrupted ultrasonically, and the soluble fraction was collected. Then, the VP8-5 protein was collected from the soluble fraction by anion-exchange chromatography, wherein the instrument system used was AKTA Explorer 100 Preparative Chromatography System produced by GE Healthcare Company; the chromatographic medium used was Q-sepharose-HP (GE Healthcare Company); the buffer used was 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0 and 50mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 2 M NaCl; the elution program was as followed: the impure protein was eluted with 1000 mM NaCl, the protein of interest was eluted with 50 mM NaCl, and the product eluted with 50 mM NaCl was collected. The eluted product obtained was identified by 13.5% SDS-PAGE, and the result was shown in FIG. 1. The results in FIG. 1 showed that the purified VP8-5 protein obtained had a purity of above 90%.

[0113] It has been demonstrated by using a mouse model in the Chinese Patent Application CN 201510165746.2 that in the presence of Freund's adjuvant, the purified VP8-5 protein had good immunogenicity and immune-protection (see, Example 5-8 and FIGS. 4-9 of the application). In order to further investigate the immune-protective effect of the VP8-5 protein in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, the mouse model was used to evaluate the immunogenicity and immune-protection of the purified VP8-5protein+aluminum adjuvant.

[0114] The embodiment was as followed: 5-6-week old female Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, 7 mice per group, wherein two groups were used as control groups, and one group was used as experimental group. The purified VP8-5 protein, an equal dose of the inactivated virus LLR strain and PBS were separately mixed with aluminum phosphate adjuvant at a ratio of 1:1 (v/v), and then the mice were immunized by muscular injection, at an immunization dose of 10 g/mouse, wherein, the mice in the experimental group were immunized with VP8-5, the mice in the positive control group were immunized with the inactivated virus LLR, and the mice in the negative control group were immunized with PBS. The mice in each group were immunized for three times, at an interval of two weeks for each immunization. At Day 0, 14, 28 and 42 of the immunization procedure, blood was collected from the eyeballs of the mice, respectively, and was determined for antibody titer and neutralizing antibody titer.

Determination of Antibody Titer

[0115] The immune serum was subjected to serial dilution, and the diluted immune serum and the VP8-5 coated on the plate were subjected to indirect ELISA analysis (wherein the secondary antibody used was a goat anti-mouse antibody (Wanyumeilan)), to determine the greatest dilution of the immune serum having reactivity with VP8-5. The greater the greatest dilution of the immune serum was, the higher the titer of anti-VP8-5 antibody in the immune serum was, and the higher the immunogenicity of the protein for producing the immune serum was.

[0116] The indirect ELISA results were shown in FIG. 1B, wherein, the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (i.e., antibody titer) of the immune serum having reactivity with VP8-5. The results showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization, VP8-5 could induce generation of antibodies in mice, but its efficiency was lower than the efficiency of the inactivated virus LLR. These results showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, the VP8-5 protein had immunogenicity and could induce generation of antibodies in mice, but its ability of inducing generation of antibodies in animal was lower than that of the inactivated virus LLR.

Determination of Neutralizing Antibody Titer

[0117] The MA104 cells were spread onto a 96-well cell culture plate (1.9*10.sup.4 cells/well). 20 h later, neutralizing antibody titer of the immune serum was determined by ELISPOT (Li, Lin, Yu, et al. J Virol Methods, 209 7-14, 2014). The particular method was as followed: an immune serum sample to be tested (containing a neutralizing antibody to be tested) was subjected to double dilution continuously by using DMEM containing trypsin; 100 L of each diluted sample was then mixed with a rotavirus solution diluted in DMEM (TCID50=1.5*10.sup.5); after incubation at 37 C. for 1 h, the mixture was added to a 96-well cell culture plate pre-spread with MA104 cells, and cultured at 37 C. for 14 h; and then, the viral infection inhibition rate of the immune serum sample was calculated as followed.

[0118] The infectious inhibition rate=(the number of virus spots in a well without serumthe number of virus spots in a well with serum)/the number of virus spots in a well without serum*100%.

[0119] The neutralizing antibody titer in immune serum is defined as: the greatest dilution of the immune serum achieving 50% infection inhibition rate. If a 50-fold diluted immune serum sample can still achieve an infection inhibition rate of above 50%, the sample is regarded as having neutralizing ability.

[0120] The analytic results of the neutralizing antibody titer of immune sera were shown in FIG. 1C, wherein, the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (NT50, neutralizing antibody titer) of immune serum achieving an infection inhibition rate of 50%. The results showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, VP8-5 could induced generation of neutralizing antibodies in mice at Day 42 after immunization (after three immunizations), but the neutralizing antibody titer (NT50) of the immune serum was lower than that of the inactivated virus LLR. After the immunization procedure was finished, the neutralizing antibody titer (NT50) of the immune serum induced with VP8-5 protein merely reached about 64. These results showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, VP8-5 could induce generation of neutralizing antibodies in an organism, however, the neutralizing antibody titer (NT50) of the immune serum induced therewith was lower than that of the inactivated virus LLR.

Analysis on the Protective Effect in Animal

[0121] After the immunization procedure was finished (42 days after immunization), the mice in each group were mated at a ratio of two female mice to one male mouse. About 20 days after mating, the female mice gave birth to suckling mice, and the suckling mice were raised for 7 days. The 7-day old suckling mice were intragastrically challenged with LLR virus strain, at a dose of 5*10.sup.6 TCID50/mouse. After the challenge, the diarrhea condition of the suckling mice was observed and recorded every day for 7 days, and scored depending on the shape and state of the excrement. The scoring criteria were as shown in FIG. 2. Depending on the degree of diarrhea in suckling mice, the scores are divided into three grades: normal stool is scored as 1 point (FIG. 2C), soft stool is scored as 2 points (FIG. 2B), and unshaped watery stool is scored as 3 points (FIG. 2A).

[0122] FIG. 3 showed the diarrhea scores of the suckling mice in different immunization groups after challenging with a virus, wherein, the axis of ordinates represents the diarrhea score; the axis of abscissas represents days after challenging with a virus in mice. The results showed that the diarrhea scores of the suckling mice in the experimental group (VP8-5) were not significantly different from that of the negative control group (NC). This showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, VP8-5 had a low ability of protecting an organism from rotavirus infection (lower than that of the inactivated virus), and could not sufficiently alleviate diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection.

Example 2

Construction of Expression Vectors Encoding the Truncated VP4 Protein

[0123] Rotavirus LLR and SA11 strains were cultured with a fetal rhesus monkey kidney cell line (MA-104). The culture medium used was DMEM, supplemented with 2 /ml trypsin, 0.5 mg/ml ampicillin and 0.4 mg/ml streptomycin, 3.7 mg/ml sodium bicarbonate, and 0.34 mg/ml L-glutamine.

[0124] In accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer, the Virus DNA/RNA Kit produced by Beijing GenMag Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was used to extract the genomic RNA of rotavirus, and cDNA encoding the VP4 protein of LLR strain was obtained by reverse transcription. The obtained cDNA was used as a template, and the gene fragment encoding the truncated VP4 protein of the rotavirus LLR strain was obtained by PCR amplification.

[0125] The PCR primers used are as follows:

TABLE-US-00002 upstreamprimers: (SEQIDNO:42) 5-GGATCCCATATGATGGCTTCGCTCATTTAC-3 (SEQIDNO:43) 5-GGATCCCATATGTACAGACAATTACTTACGAATTC-3 (SEQIDNO:44) 5-GGATCCCATATGATACAGTTAATTGGATCAGAAAA-3 (SEQIDNO:45) 5-GGATCCCATATGGGATCAGAAAAAACGCAG-3 (SEQIDNO:46) 5-GGATCCCATATGTTGAATGGACCA-3 downstreamprimers: (SEQIDNO:47) 5-AAGCTTAGGTGTTTTGTATTGGTGG-3 (SEQIDNO:48) 5-AAGCTTATCTTCTAGCAACTATTGATCGT-3 (SEQIDNO:49) 5-AAGCTTAGTTCACTGCAGCTCTTCTAGC-3 (SEQIDNO:50) 5-AAGCTTACAATGACGTTTTCGATATAACTA-3 (SEQIDNO:51) 5-AAGCTTAGATATCTCGATTATATTGCATTTC-3 (SEQIDNO:52) 5-AAGCTTAAATTGAGTTTGCAAACTTAAAT-3 (SEQIDNO:53) 5-AAGCTTACCATTTATACCCTAGTCCACC-3 (SEQIDNO:54) 5-AAGCTTAATAGTTTGCTGGTTTGAATGA-3 (SEQIDNO:55) 5-AAGCTTATTCCTCTCCATCACGTATATATG-3 (SEQIDNO:56) 5-AAGCTTAATTCACTGAACATGTTGTATGTG-3 (SEQIDNO:57) 5-AAGCTTATCCTCCGTTATAGTTGAAGTC-3 (SEQIDNO:58) 5-AAGCTTAACGTGATATTACAAAGTCAGTTG-3 (SEQIDNO:59) 5-AAGCTTATACATAAGAGTTCTCTTTTATAACTTC-3 (SEQIDNO:60) 5-AAGCTTATGCTTGTGAATCATCCCAA-3 (SEQIDNO:61) 5-AAGCTTATAATGATCTCACATATACCATGTTT-3 (SEQIDNO:62) 5-AAGCTTATGCACATGTCACTTCATTTAAG-3 (SEQIDNO:63) 5-AAGCTTAAACTGGTAGTTGGAAATTATAAGTA-3 (SEQIDNO:64) 5-AAGCTTATGAGCCACCACTCATCACA-3 (SEQIDNO:65) 5-AAGCTTATAACGTTACTCCAGCTGAAC-3 (SEQIDNO:66) 5-AAGCTTATAATGACACAAAGTCTGTAAATTG-3 (SEQIDNO:67) 5-AAGCTTATGCTAAACTGAACCTAAATCTTA-3 (SEQIDNO:68) 5-AAGCTTACCTTGAAATAGAGAATGGCG-3 (SEQIDNO:69) 5-AAGCTTACGGTAACCCATATAACCCT (SEQIDNO:70) 5-AAGCTTAGAAGTCTCTTCCATTATTTGGA-3 (SEQIDNO:71) 5-AAGCTTAAATTAATGAAAATCTACCCGC-3 (SEQIDNO:72) 5-AGATCTAAGCTTATGATGGTACTAATAAAATTAATGAAAATC-3 (SEQIDNO:73) 5-AGATCTAAGCTTAAGTTTGATAATCATCATTTGATGGTACTA-3 (SEQIDNO:74) 5-AGATCTAAGCTTATGAGTTCATTATAGGAGTTTGATAATCAT-3 (SEQIDNO:75) 5-AGATCTAAGCTTATGTCTCACCGTCACTGAGTTCA-3 (SEQIDNO:76) 5-AGATCTAAGCTTACTGCCTCTCTAAGTCCTGTCTCA-3
wherein the underlined sequences indicate the enzymatic restriction sites, and the italic letters indicate the introduced terminator codons.

[0126] By using the above-mentioned primers, the gene encoding the truncated VP4 protein was amplified by PCR, and the PCR system used are as follows:

TABLE-US-00003 Sample Volume 10 x buffer 5 L F (upstream primer) 0.5 L R (downstream primer) 0.5 L rTaq enzyme 0.5 L dNTP mix 0.5 L cDNA (reverse transcription product) 5 L DEPC water 38 L

[0127] The primer pairs for amplification of the gene encoding the truncated VP4 protein were shown in Table 2:

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2 Primers for amplification of the genes encoding the truncated VP4 proteins Protein name Upstream primer Downstream primer 1-476 SEQ ID NO: 42 SEQ ID NO: 72 6-476 SEQ ID NO: 43 SEQ ID NO: 72 22-476 SEQ ID NO: 44 SEQ ID NO: 72 26-476 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 72 65-476 SEQ ID NO: 46 SEQ ID NO: 72 26-247 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 48 26-251 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 49 26-261 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 50 26-271 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 51 26-281 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 52 26-291 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 53 26-301 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 54 26-311 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 55 26-321 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 56 26-331 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 57 26-341 SEQ ID1 NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 58 26-351 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 59 26-361 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 60 26-371 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 61 26-381 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 62 26-391 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 63 26-401 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 64 26-411 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 65 26-421 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 66 26-431 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 67 26-441 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 68 26-451 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 69 26-461 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 70 26-471 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 71 26-476 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 72 26-482 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 73 26-487 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 74 26-492 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 75 26-497 SEQ ID NO: 45 SEQ ID NO: 76

[0128] PCR conditions were as followed: pre-denaturation at 95 C. for 5 min, 35 cycles of (95 C., 40 s; 55 C., 80 s; 72 C., 1 min), and final extension at 72 C. for 10 min. The amplification product obtained was subjected to 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis.

[0129] The PCR amplification product was ligated into the pMD18-T vector, and was transformed into E. coli DH5. The positive bacterial colony was then screened, and the plasmid was extracted, and identified by cleavage with Nde I/Hind III enzymes, and the positive clonal plasmids, into which the gene fragments of interest were inserted, were obtained. The positive clonal plasmids obtained were sequenced. The sequencing results showed that the nucleotide sequences of the fragments of interest which were inserted into the positive clonal plasmids were identical to the sequences expected, and the amino acid sequences encoded thereby were set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2-34.

[0130] The positive clonal plasmids were cleaved by Nde I/Hind III enzymes, respectively, to obtain the gene fragments encoding the truncated VP4 proteins, which were ligated to the non-fusion expression vector pTO-T7 cleaved with Nde I/Hind III enzymes (Luo Wenxin et al., Chinese Journal of Biotechnology, 2000, 16: 53-57), and the vector was transformed into E. coli DH5. The positive bacterial colony was screened, the plasmid was extracted, and the positive expression vector, into which the gene fragment of interest was inserted, was identified by cleavage with Nde I/Hind III enzymes.

[0131] 1 L positive expression vector was used to transform 404, competent E. coli Bl21 (DE3) (purchased from NEB Company). The transformed E. coli was coated onto solid LB culture medium (the components of the LB culture medium: 10 g/L peptone, 5 g/L yeast powder, and 10 g/L NaCl, the same below) containing kanamycin (final concentration of 25 mg/mL, the same below), and was subjected to static culture at 37 C. for 10-12 h until the single colonies were clear and discernible. Single colonies were picked and placed in 4 mL liquid LB culture medium (containing kanamycin), and then cultured at 37 C., under shaking at 200 r/min for 10 h. After culture, to 1 mL bacterial solution, glycerol was added at a final concentration of 10%, and the resultant mixture was stored at 70 C.

Example 3

Expression of the Truncated VP4 Proteins

[0132] The E. coli solution carrying positive expression vector prepared in Example 2, was taken from a refrigerator at 70 C., seeded into 50 ml liquid LB culture medium containing kanamycin, and cultured at 180 rpm, 37 C. for about 4 h; and was then transferred to 10 bottles of 500 ml kanamycin-containing LB culture medium (500 l bacterial solution for each bottle). When the absorbance value of the culture reached 0.5 at a wavelength of 600 nm, IPTG was added to a final concentration of 1 mM, and further cultured at 180 rpm, 25 C. for 6 h.

[0133] 1 ml said bacterial solution was centrifuged, and the bacterial precipitate was collected. To the bacterial precipitate, 100 L deionized water was added, and the bacteria were re-suspended. 20 L 6* loading buffer was then added, and the resultant mixture was mixed homogeneously and incubated in a boiling water bath for 10 min, to lyse the cells. 10 L sample was subjected to 12% SDS-PAGE analysis. SDS-PAGE results were shown in FIG. 4A-4D. The results showed that except for 26-311, 26-331 and 26-381 with a relatively low expression level, the other truncated proteins could be expressed in a high level in E. coli.

Example 4

Purification and Characterization of the Truncated VP4 Proteins

[0134] The E. coli solution obtained in Example 3 was centrifuged, and the bacterial precipitate was collected. At a ratio of 15 ml/g wet bacteria, 50 mM TB8.0 was used to re-suspend the bacteria expressing the truncated VP4 proteins. The E. coli cells were then disrupted ultrasonically, and the condition for ultrasonic disruption was as followed: ultrasonication for 2 s and pause for 4 s, with an ultrasonication period of 4 min for the disruption of one gram of bacteria. After the ultrasonic disruption, the mixture was centrifuged at 25000 g, and the supernatant was collected (i.e., the soluble fraction of the E. coli lysate containing the recombinantly expressed truncated VP4 protein).

[0135] The truncated VP4 protein in the soluble fraction of the E. coli lysate could be purified by two-step chromatography. For 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441 and 26-461, prior to the two-step chromatography, the soluble fraction of the E. coli lysate was treated with 40% ammonium sulfate, and then centrifuged to collect the protein precipitate; the obtained protein precipitate was then dissolved in 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, and applied to the two-step chromatography. The method of two-step chromatography was as followed.

[0136] Firstly, the primary purification was carried out by Q-HP anion-exchange chromatography, to obtain the truncated VP4 protein with a purity of about 60%, wherein the purification conditions were as followed:

[0137] Instrument system: AKTA Explorer 100 Preparative Liquid Chromatography System produced by GE Healthcare Company (the original Amershan Pharmacia Company). [0138] Chromatographic medium: Q-sepharose-HP (GE Healthcare Company). [0139] Column volume: 5.5 cm*20 cm. [0140] Buffer: A pump: 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0; [0141] B pump: 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 2 M NaCl [0142] Flow rate: 6 mL/min. [0143] Wavelength of the detector: 280 nm.

[0144] The sample was the supernatant containing the recombinantly expressed truncated VP4 protein, as prepared above (i.e., the soluble fraction of the E. coli lysate or the protein sample dissolved in 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0).

[0145] The elution program was as followed: the protein of interest was eluted with 50 mM NaCl, and the impure protein was eluted with 1 M NaCl. The fraction eluted with 50 mM NaCl was collected, and 30 mL primarily purified sample containing the recombinantly expressed truncated protein was obtained (Note: during the primary purification, the truncated proteins 1-476, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441 and 26-461 were not bound to the chromatographic column, and were contained in the flow-through fraction. Therefore, the flow-through fractions containing the truncated proteins were collected and used as the primarily purified samples).

[0146] The sample primarily purified by anion-exchange chromatography was dialyzed to TB8.0 buffer containing 2 M NaCl, and then was subjected to secondary purification by Phenyl sepharose-HP hydrophobic affinity chromatography. [0147] Chromatographic medium: Phenyl sepharose-HP (GE Healthcare Company). [0148] Column volume: 5.5 cm * 20 cm. [0149] Buffer: A pump: 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 2 M NaCl; [0150] B pump: 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0 [0151] Flow rate: 6 mL/min. [0152] Wavelength of the detector: 280 nm.

[0153] The sample was the product purified by Q-HP chromatographic column and dialyzed to 2 M NaCl solution.

[0154] Elution program was as followed: the impure protein was eluted with 1.5 M NaCl, the protein of interest was eluted with 1 M NaCl, and the impure protein was eluted with 50 mM NaCl. The fraction eluted with 1 M NaCl was collected, and 30 mL the purified, recombinantly expressed truncated VP4 protein was obtained (Note: during the secondary purification, the truncated proteins 1-476, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461 and 26-471 were eluted with 50 mM TB8.0, and the fractions eluted with 50 mM TB8.0 were collected).

[0155] To the sample (150 L) purified by the above-mentioned method, 30 L 6X Loading Buffer was added, and the mixture was mixed homogeneously and incubated in a 100 C. water bath for 10 min; and the mixture (10 l) was then subjected to electrophoresis in 13.5% SDS-polyacrylamide gel at a voltage of 120V for 120 min; and the electrophoresis strips were then shown by coomassie brilliant blue staining. The electrophoresis results were shown in FIG. 5.

[0156] FIG. 5A-5B show the SDS-PAGE results of the purified truncated VP4 proteins. In FIG. 5A, the lanes from left to right are: Protein Molecular Weight Marker (Marker), 1-476, 6-476, 22-476, 26-476, 65-476, 26-231, 26-271, 26-331 and 26-351. In FIG. 5B, the lanes from left to right are: Protein Molecular Weight Marker (Marker), 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492 and 26-497. The results in FIGS. 5A and 5B showed that after the purification steps, the truncated proteins 1-476, 6-476, 22-476, 26-476, 65-476, 26-231, 26-271, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492 and 26-497 all had a concentration of above 0.2 mg/ml, and a purity of above 80%.

[0157] In addition, HPLC was also used to analyze the homogenicity of the purified samples under different buffering conditions. The apparatus used was Agilent 1200 High Performance Liquid Chromatography Apparatus, wherein the chromatographic column was G3000.sub.PWXL or G5000.sub.PWXL, the column volume was 7.8*300 mm, the flow rate was 0.5 ml/min, and the detection wavelength was 280 nm; wherein, the homogenicity of 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441 and 26-461 was determined by using G5000.sub.PWXL; and the other proteins were detected by using G3000.sub.PWXL. The SEC-HPLC analytic results were shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0158] The results showed: in the presence of TB8.0, the truncated proteins 1-476, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441 and 26-461 had a retention time of about 11 min, and a molecular weight of above 600 kDa; this indicates that these truncated proteins were mainly present in a form of polymer. The truncated protein 26-271 had a retention time of about 16 min; this indicates that the protein was mainly present in a form of monomer. The other proteins (6-476, 22-476, 26-476, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497) had a retention time of about 13-14 min, which was comparable to the retention time of IgG (150 kDa); this indicated that these proteins were mainly present in a form of trimer.

[0159] In addition, in the presence of TB8.0+1 M NaCl, the truncated VP4 proteins 26-476, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492 and 26-497 had a retention time of about 15 min, which was comparable to that of VP8 dimer (40 kDa); this indicated that these truncated proteins were mainly present in a form of monomer in the presence of TB8.0+1 M NaCl. This further indicated that in the presence of salts, the configurations of 26-476, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492 and 26-497 were affected by salt ions, resulting in depolymerization of trimer and the formation of monomers.

[0160] In addition, the results in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 also showed that the main absorption peaks of the truncated VP4 proteins obtained accounted for nearly above 80% or even above 90%. This indicated that these truncated proteins had good homogenicity, were suitable for industrial production in batches, and were good for accurate medication.

[0161] The experimental results in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are also summarized in the following Table 3.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Retention Percentage of Truncated time main peak area Existing protein (min) (%) form 1-476 10.86 79 polymer 6-476 13.63 83.76 trimer 22-476 14.21 74.57 trimer 26-476 13.04 95.5 trimer 15.21 90 monomer (1M NaCl) 26-271 16.24 97.8 monomer 26-471 13.01 90.8 trimer 26-482 13.13 90 trimer 15.06 95.6 monomer (1M NaCl) 26-487 13.21 88.8 trimer 15.10 96.2 monomer (1M NaCl) 26-492 13.21 89.6 trimer 15.15 97.3 monomer (1M NaCl) 26-497 13.08 88.8 trimer 15.31 93.6 monomer (1M NaCl) 26-331 10.552 100 polymer 26-351 10.326 76.6 polymer 26-381 10.298 58.8 polymer 26-411 10.288 85.5 polymer 26-441 11.014 88.7 polymer 26-461 10.273 89.5 polymer

Example 5

In Vitro Assembly and Characterization of the Truncated VP4 Protein

[0162] The in vitro assembly of the truncated protein 26-476 was performed by the following method. At room temperature, the truncated protein 26-476 was dialyzed from TB8.0 buffer to the dialysis buffer specified in Table 4, the dialysis buffer was changed once every 6 h. After dialysis, the solution was centrifuged at 12000 rpm for 10 min, and the supernatant was collected. Later, the supernatant was on standing at the temperature specified in Table 4 for a period of from 30 min to 24 h. After standing, the supernatant was quickly placed in an ice bath, and was centrifuged at 12000 rpm/min for 10 min. The supernatant (containing the in vitro assembled 26-476) was collected after the second centrifugation, for further analysis.

[0163] HPLC was employed to analyze the homogenicity of the polymer formed by in vitro assembly of the truncated protein 26-476 in the obtained supernatant. The apparatus used in HPLC analysis was 1200 High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Apparatus produced by Agilent or E2695 High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Apparatus produced by Waters, wherein the chromatographic column was G5000.sub.PWXL, the column volume was 7.8*300 mm, the flow rate was 0.5 ml/min, and the detection wavelength was 280 nm. SEC-HPLC analytic results were shown in Table 4 and FIG. 8A.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 Conditions and results of in vitro assembly of the truncated protein NaCl Buffer concentration Temperature Standing Percentage of system (M) ( C.) time polymer 20 mM 0 37 12 h 93.6% phosphate buffer pH 7.4 50 mM 0 4 12 h 0% Tris-HCl 0 25 12 h 0% pH 8.0 0 37 0.5 h 90.5% 0 37 1 h 91.5% 0 37 2 h 95.4% 0 37 6 h 96.8% 0 37 12 h 97.2% 0 37 24 h 98.1% 0 45 12 h 100% 0 50 12 h 100% 0.15 37 12 h 26.6% 0.5 37 12 h 18.4% 1 37 12 h 5.3% 50 mM 0 37 12 h 98.7% carbonate buffer pH 9.6

[0164] FIG. 8A showed the results of Molecular sieve analysis with the truncated protein 26-476 after standing in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH8.0) at 37 C. for 12 h. The results showed that after standing in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH8.0) at 37 C. for 12 h, the truncated protein 26-476 could form a homogeneous polymer (with a retention time of 12.4 min), and the polymer accounted for up to 97.2%.

[0165] It can be seen from the results in Table 4 and FIG. 8A that after standing at a temperature of 37 C.-50 C. at a pH in a range of 7.4-9.6, the truncated protein 26-476 could be assembled to form a homogeneous polymer, and the percentage of the polymer may be more than 90%. In addition, the results in Table 4 also showed that the presence of salt ions (e.g., NaCl) may inhibit the truncated protein 26-476 to form a polymer. The higher the concentration of salt ions (e.g., NaCl) was, the lower the percentage of the formed polymer was.

[0166] In addition, electron microscope was also used to observe the polymer formed by in vitro assembly of the truncated protein 26-476, and the apparatus used was G2 Spirit electron microscope produced by FEI Company. In brief, the sample was fixed onto a copper grid and negatively stained with 2% phosphotungstic acid (pH 7.4) for 30 min, and then was observed by the electron microscope. The results were shown in FIG. 8B, wherein a large number of asymmetric particles with a radius of about 10 nm were observed. The results showed that the truncated protein 26-476 could be assembled in vitro into a homogeneous polymer.

Example 6

Identification of the Truncated VP4 Protein by Enzymatic Cleavage

[0167] The purified truncated VP4 protein obtained in Example 4 was cleaved by trypsin at 37 C. for 1 h. To the enzymatically cleaved component (100 l), 20 L 6 X Loading Buffer was added, and the resultant mixture was mixed homogeneously and incubated in a 100 C. water bath for 10 min. The mixture (10 l) was then subjected to electrophoresis in 13.5% SDS-polyacrylamide gel at a voltage of 120V for 120 min; and the electrophoresis strips were then shown by coomassie blue staining. The electrophoresis results were shown in FIG. 9.

[0168] FIG. 9 showed the SDS-PAGE results of the truncated protein 26-476, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497 cleaved by enzyme or not. On the lanes, the number 1 represents that the sample is not treated with trypsin; and the number 2 represents that the sample has been treated with 0.1 mg/ml trypsin. The sample used in the rightmost lane was VP8-5, as a control. The results in FIG. 9 showed that all these truncated proteins could be recognized and cleaved by trypsin, i.e., their enzymatic recognition sites were exposed.

Example 7

Analysis of Antigenicity of the Truncated VP4 Proteins

[0169] The purified truncated VP4 protein obtained in Example 4 was coated onto a plate, to obtain a coated plate. The neutralizing antibodies A3, B1, B5, B6, D6, E2, E5, and 8F6 (prepared by hybridoma technology in the laboratory, at a concentration of 1 mg/ml) were subjected to gradient dilution, and then detected by indirect ELISA method as described in Example 1.

[0170] The detection results were shown in FIG. 10, wherein the abscissa represents the truncated proteins, and the ordinate represents the least antibody concentration capable of reacting with the truncated proteins (OD.sub.450/620 of greater than 0.2). The results showed that the truncated VP4 proteins had good antigenicity (i.e., antibody reactivity).

Example 8

Analysis of the Immunogenicity of the Truncated VP4 Proteins

[0171] The purified truncated protein 26-476 obtained in Example 4 was coated on a plate, to obtain the coated plate. In accordance with the method as described in Example 1, in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, Balb/c mice were immunized with the sample to be tested (the truncated VP4 protein, and the trimer of 26-476 obtained in Example 4, the polymer of 26-476 obtained in Example 5, the inactivated virus (RV, as a positive control) and PBS (NC, negative control)), respectively, and the sera of mice were collected. Later, in accordance with the method as described in Example 1, the antibody titer in the mouse serum was determined by indirect ELISA using the 26-476-coated plate.

[0172] Indirect ELISA results were shown in FIGS. 11A-11D, wherein, the abscissa represents the protein sample for preparing immune serum, and the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (i.e., antibody titer) of the immune serum having reactivity with 26-476; and, FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D showed the results of different immunization batches. The results showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization, these proteins could induce generation of antibodies (antibody titer of the immune serum (GMT) could reach 10.sup.2-10.sup.5 or higher) in mice; and, except for 26-271, the antibody titers induced by the other protein samples were higher than the antibody titer induced by RV (1-476, 6-476, 22-476, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-476, 26-487, 26-492, trimer of 26-476 and polymer of 26-476), or were at least comparable to the antibody titer induced by RV (65-476, 26-482 and 26-497).

[0173] It can be seen by combining the experimental results in Example 1 that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, all the protein samples (except for 26-271) had good immunogenicity, and could stimulate generation of high-titer antibodies in mice; their immunogenicity was significantly higher than that of VP8-5, and the antibody titer in the immune serum was significantly higher than that in the serum of the mice immunized with VP8-5. In addition, the experimental results in FIG. 11D also show that the immunogenicity of the polymer of the truncated protein 26-476 was significantly higher than that of the trimer of 26-476 (p=0.005).

Example 9

Analysis of the Immune Neutralizing Activity of the Truncated VP4 Protein

[0174] By the method as described in Example 1, the Balb/c mice in the experimental group (7 mice per group) were immunized with the sample to be tested (the truncated VP4 proteins and the trimer of 26-476 obtained in Example 4, the polymer of 26-476 obtained in Example 5, the inactivated virus (RV, as a positive control) and PBS (NC, negative control)), respectively, and the immune sera were collected.

[0175] Later, in accordance with the detection method as described in Example 1, the immune serum samples collected were evaluated for neutralizing antibody titer. The analytic results of the neutralizing antibody titer of the immune sera were shown in FIGS. 12A-12D, wherein, the abscissa represents the virus strain from which the protein sample for preparing immune serum was derived; the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (NT.sub.50, neutralizing antibody titer) of the immune serum achieving an infection inhibition rate of 50%. FIG. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D showed the results of different immunization batches. The results showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization (after three immunizations), all these protein samples could induce generation of neutralizing antibodies in mice, and their neutralizing antibody titer (NT.sub.50) could reach 2.sup.8-2.sup.14 or higher; and, except for 26-271, the neutralizing antibody titer induced by the other protein samples was comparable to the neutralizing antibody titer induced by RV (6-476, 22-476, 26-476, 65-476, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497 and trimer of 26-476), or even higher than the neutralizing antibody titer induced by RV (1-476, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461 and polymer of 26-476).

[0176] It can be seen by combining the experimental results in Example 1 that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, all the protein samples (except for 26-271) had a strong ability of inducing generation of neutralizing antibodies in an organism, and could induce the immune serum having a high neutralizing antibody titer in animal, and the immune serum could effectively inhibit rotavirus infection. The protein samples (except for 26-271) was superior to VP8-5 in terms of the ability of inducing generation of neutralizing antibodies in an organism, and therefore had a stronger ability of combating/preventing RV infection. In addition, the experimental results in FIG. 12D also showed that the polymer of the truncated protein 26-476 was significantly superior to the trimer of 26-476 in terms of the ability of inducing generation of neutralizing antibodies in an organism (p<0.001), and had a significantly stronger ability of combating/preventing RV infection.

Example 10

Evaluation of the Protective Effect of the Truncated VP4 Protein in Animal

[0177] By using the method as described in Example 1, Balb/c mice (7 mice per group) were immunized with the samples to be tested (the truncated VP4 proteins and the trimer of 26-476 obtained in Example 4, the polymer of 26-476 obtained in Example 5, the inactivated virus (RV, as a positive control) and PBS (NC, negative control)), respectively, and the sera were collected.

[0178] In accordance with the method as described in Example 1, the protein sample was evaluated for its protective effect in animal. Except for the groups immunized with 1-476 and 6-476 (the mating of the animals in the two groups was not successful), the experimental results of the other immunization groups were shown in FIGS. 13-14.

[0179] FIGS. 13A-13D showed the diarrhea scores of suckling mice in different immunization groups (immunized with 22-476, 26-476, 65-476, 26-271, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497, trimer of 26-476, polymer of 26-476, inactivated rotavirus (RV, positive control) or PBS (NC, negative control)) 1-7 days after challenging with a virus, wherein the axis of ordinates represents the average diarrhea score; the axis of abscissas represents days after challenging with a virus in mice; RV: inactivated rotavirus; NC: negative control (PBS); trimer: trimer of 26-476; polymer: polymer of 26-476. FIGS. 14A-14D showed the average duration of diarrhea after challenge with a virus and the average diarrhea scores 48 h after challenge with a virus in the suckling mice in different immunization groups (immunized with 22-476, 26-476, 65-476, 26-271, 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-471, 26-482, 26-487, 26-492, 26-497, trimer of 26-476, polymer of 26-476, inactivated rotavirus (RV, positive control) or PBS (NC, negative control)), wherein, the average duration (days) for diarrhea is represented by bar diagram; the average diarrhea score is represented by curve graph; the left axis of ordinates represents the average duration (days) for diarrhea; the right axis of ordinates represents the diarrhea score; the axis of abscissas represents the corresponding immunization groups with the protein samples.

[0180] The results showed that in terms of the average diarrhea score and the average duration (days) for diarrhea, the corresponding immunization groups with the protein samples were superior to the NC group. This indicated that the protein samples had significant protective effect, and could help the mice to combat rotavirus infection and diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection. In addition, the results further showed that the protective effects of 26-331, 26-351, 26-381, 26-411, 26-441, 26-461, 26-476, trimer of 26-476, and polymer of 26-476 were comparable to that of RV, or even better than that of RV. According to the experimental results of Example 1, in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, the protective effects of these protein samples were superior to that of VP8-5 in animal. In addition, the experimental results in FIGS. 13D and FIG. 14D also showed that the protective effect of the truncated protein polymer of 26-476 was significantly superior to that of trimer of 26-476 in animal, and could be used to prepare vaccines having a higher efficacy.

Example 11

[0181] Evaluation of Expression, Purification and Immune-Protection of the Truncated VP4 Proteins from Different Virus Strains

[0182] Based on the VP4 gene sequence of EDIM virus strain (Accession Number: AF039219.2) as provided in Gene bank, the gene fragment encoding 26-476 from rotavirus EDIM strain was synthesized by Sangon Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. In addition, based on the VP4 gene sequence of rotavirus P[6] (Accession Number: FJ183356.1) as provided in Gene bank, the gene fragment encoding 26-476 from rotavirus P[6] was synthesized by Sangon Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Later, the synthesized gene fragments were used as templates, and the gene fragments encoding the truncated protein 26-476 from rotavirus P[6] and EDIM were obtained by PCR amplification.

[0183] In addition, as described in Example 2, Rotavirus SA11 strain was cultured with a fetal rhesus monkey kidney cell line (MA-104), to obtain the virus culture of rotavirus SA11. Rotavirus P[4] and P[8] were derived from the diarrhea specimens collected by Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, under a specimen number of 20131281 (P[4]) and a specimen number of 20131028 (P[8]).

[0184] According to the instructions of the manufacturer, the Virus DNA/RNA Kit produced by Beijing GenMag Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was used to extract the genomic RNAs of rotavirus SA11, P[4], and P[8] from virus culture or virus specimen, and the cDNAs encoding the VP4 proteins from different virus strains were obtained by reverse transcription. The cDNAs obtained were used as templates, and the gene fragments encoding the truncated protein 26-476 from rotavirus strains SA11, P[4] and P[8] were obtained by PCR amplification.

[0185] In accordance with the method as described in Example 2, clonal plasmids and expression vectors were constructed, wherein the PCR primers used were as followed:

TABLE-US-00007 upstreamprimer: (SEQIDNO:77) 5-GGATCCCATATGGGATCGGAGAAAACTCAA-3 (SEQIDNO:79) 5-GGATCCCATATGGGATCAGAGAAAAGTCAAAAT-3 (SEQIDNO:81) 5-GGATCCCATATGGGATCAGAAAAAACTCAAAATG-3 (SEQIDNO:83) 5-GGATCCCATATGGGAGCAGAGAAGACACA-3 (SEQIDNO:85) 5-GGATCCCATATGGGATCAACTAAATCACAAAATG-3 downstreamprimer: (SEQIDNO:78) 5-AAGCTTAATTAGTTGGAACTAAAGAAATAAGT-3 (SEQIDNO:80) 5-AAGCTTAATTAGACGGTACTAATGAAA-3 (SEQIDNO:82) 5-AAGCTTAGTTGGTTGGAACTAAAGAAA-3 (SEQIDNO:84) 5-AAGCTTAATCGTTGGACGGCAC-3 (SEQIDNO:86) 5-AAGCTTATGATGGCACTAATGATATAAGT-3
wherein the underlined sequences indicate the enzymatic recognition sites, and the italic letters indicate the introduced terminator codons.

[0186] The primer pairs for amplification of gene fragments are shown in Table 5:

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 5 Primer pairs for amplification of gene fragments encoding 26-476 from different virus strains Protein Upstream primer Downstream primer 26-476-P[4] SEQ ID NO: 77 SEQ ID NO: 78 26-476-P[6] SEQ ID NO: 79 SEQ ID NO: 80 26-476-P[8] SEQ ID NO: 81 SEQ ID NO: 82 26-476-EDIM SEQ ID NO: 83 SEQ ID NO: 84 26-476-SA11 SEQ ID NO: 85 SEQ ID NO: 86

[0187] The amino acid sequences of the truncated proteins 26-476-P[4], 26-476-P[6], 26-476-P[8], 26-476-EDIM, and 26-476-SA11 are set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 35-39, respectively.

[0188] In accordance with the methods described in Examples 3-4, the truncated protein 26-476 from different virus strains (i.e., 26-476-P[4], 26-476-P[6], 26-476-P[8], 26-476-EDIM, 26-476-SA11) was expressed in E. coli, and purified by two-step chromatography; and the purified protein was identified by SDS-PAGE.

[0189] The SDS-PAGE results were shown in FIG. 15, wherein, the lanes from left to right are: the truncated protein 26-476 from rotavirus LLR; the truncated protein 26-476-SA11 from rotavirus SA11; the truncated protein 26-476-EDIM from rotavirus EDIM; the truncated protein 26-476-P[8] from rotavirus P[8]; the truncated protein 26-476-P[6] from rotavirus P[6]; the truncated protein 26-476-P[4] from rotavirus P[4]; and, Protein Molecular Weight Marker (Marker).

[0190] The results showed that the method according to the invention was applicable to different virus strains. The truncated VP4 protein (26-476) from different virus strains could be effectively expressed in E. coli, and had a purity of above 80% after purification by chromatography.

[0191] In addition, in accordance with the method described in Example 4, HPLC was used to analyze the homogenicity of the purified truncated protein 26-476 in the presence of 50 mM TB8.0. The SEC-HPLC analytic results were shown in FIG. 16.

[0192] The results showed that in the presence of TB8.0, the truncated VP4 proteins 26-476 from different virus strains had a retention time of about 13-14 min, which was comparable to the retention time of IgG (150 kDa); this indicated that these proteins were mainly present in a form of trimer. In addition, the results in FIG. 16 also showed that the main absorption peaks of the truncated proteins 26-476 obtained accounted for nearly above 80%, indicating that these truncated proteins had good homogenicity, were suitable for industrial production in batches, and were good for accurate medication.

[0193] Furthermore, the truncated protein 26-476 from different rotavirus strains was coated onto a plate, to obtain the coated plate. In accordance with the method as described in Example 1, Balb/c mice were immunized with the purified truncated protein 26-476 obtained above (i.e., 26-476-P[4], 26-476-P[6], 26-476-P[8], 26-476-EDIM, 26-476-SA11, 26-476 from LLR and PBS (negative control)), and the sera of mice were collected. Later, in accordance with the method as described in Example 1, the antibody titers in the sera of mice was determined by indirect ELISA using the coated plate.

[0194] The indirect ELISA results were shown in FIG. 17, wherein, the abscissa represents the virus strain from which the truncated protein for preparing immune serum was derived, and the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (i.e., antibody titer) of the immune serum having reactivity with the corresponding truncated protein; P[4]: 26-476-P[4]; P[6]: 26-476-P[6]; P[8]: 26-476-P[8]; SA11: 26-476-SA11; EDIM: 26-476-EDIM; LLR: 26-476 prepared in Example 4.

[0195] The results showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization, all these 26-476 proteins derived from different virus strains could induce generation of antibodies in mice, and the antibody titers (GMT) in the immune sera induced thereby were comparable (the antibody titer could reach 10.sup.4-10.sup.5 or higher, much higher than that of the negative control group). These results indicated that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, the 26-476 proteins derived from different virus strains had good immunogenicity, and could effectively induce generation of antibodies in animal; and, the 26-476 proteins derived from different virus strains were substantively comparable in terms of immunogenicity, and were superior to VP8-5.

[0196] Furthermore, by using the method as described in Example 1, Balb/c mice (7 mice per group) in the experimental group were immunized with the 26-476 protein from different virus strains (26-476-SA11; 26-476-EDIM; 26-476 from LLR), and the immune sera were collected. Later, in accordance with the method described in Example 1, each immune serum sample collected was evaluated for the neutralizing antibody titer. The analytic results of the neutralizing antibody titer of the immune sera were shown in FIG. 18, wherein, the abscissa represents the virus strain from which the protein sample for preparing immune serum was derived; and the ordinate represents the greatest dilution (NT.sub.50, neutralizing antibody titer) of the immune serum achieving an infection inhibition rate of 50%; SA11: 26-476-SA11; EDIM: 26-476-EDIM; LLR: 26-476 prepared in Example 4.

[0197] The results showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, at Day 42 after immunization (after three immunizations), all the 26-476 proteins derived from SA11, EDIM and LLR virus strains could induce generation of high-titer neutralizing antibodies in mice, and their neutralizing antibody titer (NT.sub.50) could reach 2.sup.10-2.sup.14 or higher; and, the neutralizing antibody titers induced by 26-476-SA11 and 26-476-EDIM were even higher than that induced by 26-476 derived from LLR. Therefore, the immune neutralizing activity of the 26-476 protein from SA11 virus strain and EDIM virus strain was even superior to that of 26-476 protein from LLR.

[0198] In addition, it can also be demonstrated by similar methods that the 26-476 protein from rotavirus P[4], P[6] and P[8] had good immune neutralizing activity, and could induce generation of high-titer neutralizing antibodies in mice.

[0199] These results showed that in the presence of aluminum adjuvant, the 26-476 protein from different virus strains had a strong ability of inducing generation of neutralizing antibodies in an organism, and could induce the immune serum having a high neutralizing antibody titer in animal.

[0200] Furthermore, by using the method as described in Example 1, Balb/c mice (7 mice per group) were immunized with the 26-476 protein from different virus strains (26-476-SA11, 26-476-EDIM and PBS (NC, negative control)), and the sera were collected. Later, in accordance with the method as described in Example 1, the protein sample was evaluated for its protective effect in animal. The experimental results were shown in FIGS. 19A-19B.

[0201] FIG. 19A showed the diarrhea scores of suckling mice in different immunization groups (immunized with 26-476-SA11 or PBS (NC, negative control)) 1-7 days after challenging with SA11 virus; FIG. 19B shows the diarrhea scores of suckling mice in different immunization groups (immunized with 26-476-EDIM or PBS (NC, negative control)) 1-12 days after challenging with EDIM virus; wherein, the abscissa represents days after challenging with a virus, and the ordinate represents the average diarrhea score. The results showed that similar to the 26-476 protein derived from LLR, both of the 26-476 proteins derived from SA11 and EDIM had significant protective effect, and could help the mice to combat rotavirus infection and diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection.

[0202] In addition, in accordance with the method as described in Example 1, adult mice were immunized with 26-476-EDIM or PBS (NC, negative control) (immunization for three times in total). After the immunization procedure was finished, the mice were challenged with 500 L EDIM virus (2*10.sup.7 copies/ml). 1-7 days after the challenge, the stool specimens from the mice were collected every day, and were re-suspended in PBS to obtain 1% stool suspension. Later, by Fluorescence Quantitative PCR assay, the virus in each stool suspension sample was determined quantitatively. The experimental results were shown in FIG. 19C.

[0203] FIG. 19C showed the viral load of the stool suspension sample of the mice immunized with 26-476-EDIM or PBS 1-7 days after challenging with a virus, wherein the abscissa represents days after challenge with a virus, and the ordinate represents the copy number of the EDIM genome contained in 1 ml stool suspension sample. Since Fluorescence Quantitative PCR Assay Kit has a lower detection limit of 10.sup.4 copies/ml, the negative detection result is defined as 10.sup.3 copies/ml. The results showed that after challenge with a virus, significant excretion of virus was detected in the stool of the mice immunized with PBS, while in the stool of the mice immunized with 26-476-EDIM, no excretion of virus was detected. The results in FIGS. 19A-19C showed that 26-476-EDIM could not only enable the mice to combat rotavirus infection and diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection, but also inhibit the excretion of virus in the stool of the mice (i.e., excretion of virus).

[0204] Although the embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, a person skilled in the art would understand that according to all the disclosed teachings, details can be amended and modified, and all these modifications fall into the protection scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and any equivalent thereof.