Formation of Genetically Determined Resistance against Human Norovirus Infection through Polymorphism of the FUT2 gene: a Review of the Literature

Relevance. Human Noroviruses (HuNoV) are highly contagious pathogens responsible of acute human norovirus infection. HuNoV is the cause of every fifth case of acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis, annually causing about 699 million cases of the disease and more than 200 thousand deaths worldwide. Controlled expression of the HBGA antigens by the FUT2 gene causes resistance to human norovirus. Polymorphisms of the FUT family genes contribute to partial or complete immunity to certain genogroups/ genotypes of norovirus.

Aims. To characterize the effect of FUT2 gene polymorphisms on susceptibility to HuNoV.

Results. Nonsensemutations of G428A in two homologous alleles contribute to the formation of a secretory-negative phenotype (se), which is a factor determining immunity to noroviruses. Some missense-mutations in the nucleotide positions se385,571 form partial resistance against certain genotypes. People with a secretory-negative phenotype are immune to infection by the GII.4 genotype and its genovariants.

Conclusions. The expression of HLA antigens by the functionally inactive FUT2 gene plays a key role in the resistance of the human population to HuNoV. Susceptibility to HuNoV largely depends on the prevalence of HBGA phenotypic diversity among ethnic populations around the world. Targeted screening aimed at identifying polymorphisms of the FUT family will allow identifying risk groups more susceptible to HuNoV.

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