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<p>The data for U.S. and U.K. seems relatively low (Fig1), but NoV cannot be ignored in those developed countries. As shown in Fig2, NoV remains a significant issue to overcome in both developed and developing countries.</p> | <p>The data for U.S. and U.K. seems relatively low (Fig1), but NoV cannot be ignored in those developed countries. As shown in Fig2, NoV remains a significant issue to overcome in both developed and developing countries.</p> | ||
− | <div class= | + | <div class="caption">Fig.1 The yearly number of NoV patients per population of 100,000. |
The data indicates more than 10 in 1 people of Africa are infected by NoV annually. [16][17][18]</div> | The data indicates more than 10 in 1 people of Africa are infected by NoV annually. [16][17][18]</div> | ||
− | <div class= | + | <div class="caption">Fig.2 The percentage of food poisoning caused by NoV amongst all food poisoning cases in U.S. and U.K. |
Almost half of all food poisoning are caused by NoV in the two countries. [17][18] </div> | Almost half of all food poisoning are caused by NoV in the two countries. [17][18] </div> | ||
− | <p>There are treatments and drugs to alleviate individual symptoms like vomiting and nausea. However, there are none that targets NoV itself. As | + | <p>There are treatments and drugs to alleviate individual symptoms like vomiting and nausea. However, there are none that targets NoV itself. As NoV's infection mechanisms and its cultivation condition was not known until recently, research on such methods were significantly hindered. [13] We therein resolved to devote our knowledge and skills of synthetic biology to join the global fight against the unconquered and highly contagious NoV. </p> |
<p>Recent studies show that NoV seems to be multiplying in the human B cells, binding to the Histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) of enteric cells and red blood cells to get within the intestinal epithelial barrier [3] [5] [12]. Another studies show that human anti-NoV antibodies, such as antibody12A2, binds to NoV’s HBGA-binding site. [19] It suggests that the antibody sterically hinders NoV from binding to HBGA and blocks NoV’s entry into human body, effectively neutralizing them (Fig3). </p> | <p>Recent studies show that NoV seems to be multiplying in the human B cells, binding to the Histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) of enteric cells and red blood cells to get within the intestinal epithelial barrier [3] [5] [12]. Another studies show that human anti-NoV antibodies, such as antibody12A2, binds to NoV’s HBGA-binding site. [19] It suggests that the antibody sterically hinders NoV from binding to HBGA and blocks NoV’s entry into human body, effectively neutralizing them (Fig3). </p> | ||
<div class=”caption”>Fig3. Infection route of NoV and neutralization mechanisms of 12A2 antibody. </div> | <div class=”caption”>Fig3. Infection route of NoV and neutralization mechanisms of 12A2 antibody. </div> |
Revision as of 07:06, 18 October 2016
Project(文責:中村・山田)
1. Abstract
Norovirus (NoV) accounts for 18% of the diarrheal disease in the world, with more than 200 thousand people dying each year from NoV infection. [1] Despite this overwhelming damage caused by NoV infection, the world has yet to develop a direct approach to combat them. Here we, iGEMKyoto, propose ‘Noro-catcher’, a new biodevice that binds to and ultimately expels NoV from human intestine. This biodevice consists of two types of functional handles that are each fused to surface expressing domains, both expressed in the outer membrane of E. coli.
The first handle is the anti-NoV scFv (single chain variable fragment). With this handle, we aim our Noro-catcher to bind to NoV within various environments, e.g. sewage, water supplies, test tubes in virus detection assay, and small intestines in our body.
The second handle is the cellulose binding domain (CBD). With this handle, we aim our Noro-catcher to be “leashed” to cellulose as opposed to it being “free roaming” within human digestive tracts. We ultimately aim to use our Noro-catcher for therapeutic purposes, removing E.coli-bound NoV from human intestine with our sterilized Noro-catcher. The CBD handle can aid in swift removal of our biodevice by linking them to cellulose, as cellulose passes human intestine undigested.
To express these two handles in the outer membrane region of E.coli, we enhanced upon a surface expression protein domain called INPNC, and used it as the anchor. With scanning electron microscopy, we observed the binding of our Noro-catcher (only with the surface expressing scFv handle) to NoV-like particles, which is the capsid proteins of NoV. With fluorescent microscopy, we have also observed the binding of our Noro-catcher (only with the surface expressing CBD handle) to cellulose.
We demonstrated each of the noro-catcher handles’ functionality by physically binding them to NoVLP and cellulose. As shown by our project, creating a recombinant bacteria expressing combination of target-binding modules dramatically enhances each modules’potentials. This mechanism can be applied to removal system of other harmful agents, including other pathogens, organic toxins, and heavy metals.
2. Introduction
2-1 Global burdens of NoV infection and progress of its countermeasures
Norovirus (NoV)causes inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines, which is called gastroenteritis. When infected with NoV, a person usually develops symptoms in 12 to 48 hours, and most will get better within 3 days. [2][3] However, when its symptoms worsens, it can lead to death. Its common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and severe stomach pain. Fig1,2 shows the recent prevalence of NoV infection among the world.
The data for U.S. and U.K. seems relatively low (Fig1), but NoV cannot be ignored in those developed countries. As shown in Fig2, NoV remains a significant issue to overcome in both developed and developing countries.
There are treatments and drugs to alleviate individual symptoms like vomiting and nausea. However, there are none that targets NoV itself. As NoV's infection mechanisms and its cultivation condition was not known until recently, research on such methods were significantly hindered. [13] We therein resolved to devote our knowledge and skills of synthetic biology to join the global fight against the unconquered and highly contagious NoV.
Recent studies show that NoV seems to be multiplying in the human B cells, binding to the Histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) of enteric cells and red blood cells to get within the intestinal epithelial barrier [3] [5] [12]. Another studies show that human anti-NoV antibodies, such as antibody12A2, binds to NoV’s HBGA-binding site. [19] It suggests that the antibody sterically hinders NoV from binding to HBGA and blocks NoV’s entry into human body, effectively neutralizing them (Fig3).
NoV binds to the red blood cell's HBGA to pass through intestinal epithelial cells to multiply in the B cells. Human 12A2 antibody sterically hinders NoV's binding to HBGA. [3] [5] [12] [19]