DIRECT INTERACTION OF ROTAVIRUS NON STRUCTURAL PROTEIN 4 WITH HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 56 PROTEIN

Abstract

Rotavirus (RV) causes more than 2 million diarrhea incidents and more than 600,000 deaths around the world every year. In order to prevent and treat this fatal disease, we must study, in depth, the mechanisms and pathogenesis of the individual viral proteins. It is known that RV non-structural protein 4 (NSP4) binds to several host-cell proteins, including cycophilin A and 40, which are immunophilins. In this study, we will specifically study another immunophilin/chaperone protein, Heat Shock Protein 56 (FKBP4). Previous studies suggest that FKBP4 plays an important role in transporting cholesterol from the ER to caveolae. During this study, we will use the yeast 2-hybrid assay (Y2H) to ascertain direct binding between NSP4 and FKBP4. Upon completion, other HSPs will be evaluated to gain a better understanding of the host cell interactions involved in pathogenesis of RV.