Comparative analysis of NSP5/VP2-induced viroplasm-like structures in rotavirus species A to J

Rotaviruses (RV) are a group of viruses classified into species A through J, with species A being the best understood. Other RV species infecting animals and humans are less studied due to limited research tools. In RVA, the virus replicates in specialized compartments called viroplasms formed in the cytoplasm by viral proteins, including NSP5, NSP2, and VP2. In this study, we explored how similar structures, termed viroplasm-like structures (VLS), are formed by proteins of RV species A-J. We found that for all tested RV species, NSP5 and VP2 form VLSs. We also identified key regions in the VP2 protein that are essential for forming these structures. Understanding how viroplasms form across different RV species may help develop new strategies to block infection in humans and animals.