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NSP4 Protein from Rotavirus Influences Severity of Gastrointestinal Diseases

  • Scientists have discovered that NSP4, a protein produced by rotavirus, is a critical element in how the virus causes gastroenteritis and other illnesses, particularly in children.
  • The NSP4 protein interacts with both cells that have been infected and non-infected neighbouring cells. The disruptions that this causes to calcium signalling in the cells is directly linked to the severity of the rotavirus infection.
  • The researchers believe that if they learn how to interfere with NSP4's disruption on calcium signalling then preventative and treatment strategies may be developed.
  • Rotavirus causes 25% of severe cases of acute paediatric gastroenteritis, with its symptoms including abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and watery diarrhoea.
  • In experiments with attenuated and virulent strains of rotavirus, researchers have shown that NSP4 is solely responsible for generating calcium waves that are observed during the natural infection.
  • The study demonstrated that there is a significant difference in the amount and intensity of calcium signals generated in the cells by NSP4 between the virulent and the attenuated types of rotavirus.
  • The more intense calcium signal was related to the virulent version while the weakened symptom one associated with attenuated strains.
  • The research explains how the calcium signalling caused by NSP4 can serve as a manipulation mechanism for the virus to allow it to replicate and survive.
  • Researchers believe that this breakthrough understanding of NSP4's impact will enable the development of impactful and effective strategies for fighting rotavirus.
  • The study is the result of collaboration between various institutions, including Indiana University and Stanford University School of Medicine, and with the support of National Institutes of Health grants.

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