Genetic diversity of the VP7, VP4 and VP6 genes of Korean porcine group C rotaviruses

•Genetic diversity of porcine RVC strains.•Novel genotypes of RVC VP4 and VP6 genes.•Frequent reassortment events of RVC strains.

Porcine group C rotaviruses (RVCs) are considered important pathogens due to their economic impact on pig industry and may also cross the host species barrier toward humans. Unlike RVA, however, genetic and phylogenetic data on RVCs from pigs and other host species are scarce. In the present study, full-length ORF sequences of 26 VP7, 9 VP4 and 9 VP6 genes of Korean porcine RVC strains were compared with those of other known RVC strains by phylogenetic analyses and pairwise identity frequency graphs. Applying the established 85% nucleotide identity cut-off value for RVC VP7 classification, the 26 Korean porcine RVC strains belonged to the G1, G3, G6 and G7 genotypes. Although more complete RVC VP4 sequences are warranted before a definitive cut-off value could be determined, a provisional 83% nucleotide cut-off value proposed for RVC VP4 classification resulted in 7 P-genotypes, 5 of which possessed porcine RVC strains. A 90% nucleotide cut-off value for VP6 divided RVC strains into 7 I-genotypes, 5 of which had porcine RVC strains. G/P/I-genotype comparisons suggested the occurrence of rather frequent reassortment events among Korean porcine RVC strains, and strong geographical differences in the distribution of RVC G-genotypes worldwide. Our data indicate that a large genetic diversity exists among porcine RVC strains. For the final genotype determination of each gene segment, more intensified epidemiological studies on animal and human RVC strains throughout the world are needed.