Expression, characterization, and purification of a phosphorylated rabies nucleoprotein synthesized in insect cells by baculovirus vectors

A baculovirus expression vector (AcNPV3) derived from the nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Autographa californica (AcNPV) was prepared containing the complete coding region of the nucleoprotein (N) gene of rabies virus (Gif-sur-Yvette clone of the CVS strain). The gene was placed under the control of the AcNPV polyhedrin promoter and was expressed to high levels (66 mg N protein/liter of 2 x 10(9) cells) by the derived recombinant virus using a Spodoptera frugiperda cell line. Using available antisera, it was established that the antigenic characteristics of the N protein were similar by comparison with those of the native N protein of rabies virus. Characterization of the expressed protein established that, like the N protein of mammalian cell-grown CVS virus, the N protein was phosphorylated. The expressed rabies N protein induced antibodies in mice that reacted strongly with the rabies viral protein. The expressed nucleoprotein was recovered from the insect cells by differential centrifugation followed by ion exchange chromatography. The expressed rabies N protein represents a source of authentic protein suitable for virus diagnosis as well as structural studies.     

Membrane fusion activity, oligomerization, and assembly of the rabies virus glycoprotein.

The spike glycoprotein (G protein) of rabies virus (CVS strain) expressed in HeLa cells from cloned cDNA mediated membrane fusion after exposure to pHs of 6.1 or below. Chemical crosslinking showed that the rabies G protein, like the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G protein, could be crosslinked to dimers and trimers, indicating that rabies G protein is a trimer. However, unlike the VSV G protein, rabies G protein trimers were not stable to sedimentation in sucrose gradients, even at a mildly acidic pH which stabilizes the VSV G protein trimers. In addition, we report that the expressed rabies virus G protein was functional because it could assemble into VSV particles (tsO45) lacking VSV G protein and rescue infectivity. These VSV (rabies) pseudotypes were neutralized only by an antibody to the rabies G protein. We also examined the properties of a hybrid protein containing the extracellular domain of the rabies virus glycoprotein and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the VSV G protein. This protein was transported to the cell surface and could be crosslinked to form dimers and trimers, but had little or no detectable membrane fusion activity. The lack of fusion activity was paradoxical because the hybrid protein could rescue VSV infectivity, although the titers were lower than those obtained with the wild-type rabies G protein.     

Immunogenic and protective properties of rabies virus glycoprotein expressed by baculovirus vectors

The gene encoding the glycoprotein of rabies virus (G protein, CVS strain) has been cloned and inserted into the baculovirus transfer vector pAcYM1 derived from the nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Autographa californica (AcNPV). The gene was placed under the control of the AcNPV polyhedrin promoter and expressed to high levels by the derived recombinant virus using a Spodoptera frugiperda cell line. It has been established that the antigenic characteristics of the protein were conserved by comparison with those of the native glycoprotein of rabies virions. The immunogenicity of the expressed product was also demonstrated. Intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection of G antigen conferred protection to mice and was associated with the induction of high titers of neutralizing antibodies. The availability of large quantities of antigenically and immunogenically reactive rabies G protein may make feasible crystallographic studies and the safe preparation of a low cost subunit vaccine for the disease.     

Characterization of rabies glycoprotein expressed in yeast

Summary The rabies virus surface glycoprotein was synthesized inSaccharomyces cerevisiae using an expression vector which contains an inducible promoter from the copper metallothionein gene. The rabies G protein was also expressed constitutively in yeast when cloned under control of the triose dehydrogenase promoter. Polypeptides of 65–68 kDa, which migrated at the same molecular weight as authentic viral rabies G protein species, were synthesized by yeast transformants as detected by immunoblotting with rabies specific antiserum. In addition, these polypeptides were immunoprecipitated with several rabies G-specific monoclonal antibodies which neutralize virus infectivity. The recombinant rabies G proteins were glycosylated and associated with membranes in yeast. When injected into guinea pigs, yeast extracts containing the rabies G protein protected animals from lethal rabies virus challenge when administered intramuscularly. However, the same material did not protect mice from a lethal rabies intracerebral challenge.     

Rabies diagnostic reagents prepared from a rabies N gene recombinant expressed in baculovirus.

A gene encoding the nucleoprotein (N) of rabies virus was inserted into the genome of the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Recombinant gene expression was controlled by the strong polyhedrin gene promoter. Insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) infected by a baculovirus recombinant containing the rabies virus N gene produced abundant amounts of a novel 55-kilodalton protein of a size comparable to that of the rabies virus N protein, as demonstrated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This new gene product possessed the antigenic and immunogenic properties of native viral N protein, as shown by the ability of the new protein to react in immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays with antirabies antibodies, to serve as a substitute for infectious rabies virus in adsorbing suspensions for diagnostic tests, and to induce high-titered antiserum. The baculovirus expression system provides a safe, convenient, and inexpensive source of rabies virus N protein for the production of both antiserum and adsorbing suspensions for use in rabies diagnoses.     

Recombinant single-chain Fv antibody fragment-alkaline phosphatase conjugate: a novel in vitro tool to estimate rabies viral glycoprotein antigen in vaccine manufacture

The purpose of this study was to design a novel in vitro tool by using recombinant protein technology to qualify the whole reagent preparation procedure, to be used to quantify rabies viral antigen preparation in a simple and rapid format for potency control of rabies vaccines. 50AD1 is a neutralizing monoclonal antibody directed against the rabies virus glycoprotein that binds to native conformational antigenic site III. In the present study, the DNA fragments encoding the variable domains of 50AD1 were inserted into a prokaryotic expression vector so as to produce a single-chain Fv antibody fragment (scFv) genetically fused to the bacterial alkaline phosphatase (AP). The recombinant fusion protein preserved both the AP enzymatic activity and the antigen-binding activity against the rabies virus glycoprotein nearly identical to the parental antibody, and was used successfully in different assays including ELISA, dot-blot and cell culture tests. The present study shows that the genetic fusion protein provides a new tool for one-step rabies virus immunodetection, which can be produced in homogeneous bifunctional reagent, easily, quickly and reproducibly. In addition, this recombinant immunoconjugate is a promising alternative reagent for applications involving immunodetection, it presents a similar sensitivity and specificity to that obtained with classical reagents.     

Glycosylation is not required for the fusion activity of the G protein of vesicular stomatitis virus in insect cells

The gene encoding the complete glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV, Indiana serotype G protein) with potential asparagine-linked glycans at amino acid residues 179 and 338 was inserted into a baculovirus transfer vector pAcYM1, derived from the nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Autographa californica (AcNPV). The gene was placed under the control of the AcNPV polyhedrin promotor and expressed by the derived recombinant viruses to high levels in Spodoptera frugiperda cell lines. The principal product was the glycosylated version of the G protein, although some alternative (including probable degradation) forms of the protein were also observed. Similar recombinant viruses were prepared with deletion of one, the other, or both glycosylation sites of the VSV G protein. All forms expressed VSV G protein derivatives and mediated cell fusion and the production of syncytia at low pH. The fusogenic properties of the VSV G protein expressed on the surface of insect cells was prevented using anti-VSV sera, or by elevating the pH above 6.2. A reduction of the pH to 5.5, or 5.0, accelerated the rate of syncytia formation.     

狂犬病病毒糖蛋白和核蛋白基因的克隆及其重组蛋白在昆虫细胞中的表达

目的从国内狂犬病疫苗ａＧ株中克隆狂犬病病毒糖蛋白（ＧＰ）基因和核蛋白（ＮＰ）基因，应用杆状病毒－昆虫细胞表达系统使其在昆虫细胞中表达。方法从狂犬病病毒感染细胞上清液中提取病毒ＲＮＡ，应用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法扩增ＧＰ基因和ＮＰ基因。扩增的基因与转移质粒连接并转化大肠杆菌，得到重组转移质粒。将其与野生杆状病毒（ＡｃＭＮＰＶ）线性ＤＮＡ共转染Ｓｆ９昆虫细胞，通过有限稀释法筛选含有ＧＰ基因和ＮＰ基因重组病毒。初步检测了重组蛋白的抗原性。结果用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法扩增得到ＧＰ基因和ＮＰ基因，通过重组转移后重组病毒感染的细胞经免疫印染实验表明可分别表达ＧＰ和ＮＰ重组蛋白。重组蛋白的分子量分别为５８×１０３和５３×１０３。用重组病毒感染的细胞免疫小鼠后可诱导动物产生特异性抗体。结论可以应用杆状病毒－昆虫细胞表达系统表达狂犬病病毒ＧＰ和ＮＰ重组蛋白，为开发基因工程化狂犬病疫苗提供有意义的资料     

Immune response to the nominal phosphoprotein of rabies virus.

The immune response to the nominal phosphoprotein (NS protein) of rabies virus was investigated with the use of a vaccinia recombinant virus that expressed the NS protein of a fixed rabies virus strain. Mice of the H-2k haplotype that were injected with either live rabies virus or the vaccinia recombinant virus developed a strong cytolytic T-cell response specific for the NS protein. This response was under immune response (Ir) gene control. The NS protein as presented by the vaccinia recombinant virus was a poor inducer of rabies virus-specific T-helper (Th) cells and B cells in the H-2k background. Furthermore, mice of the H-2k haplotype could not be protected by vaccination with the vaccinia recombinant virus expressing the NS protein, although protection in outbred mice was partial and incomplete. These data indicate that cytolytic T cells to the NS protein of rabies virus are insufficient to protect mice against a challenge with rabies virus.     

汉滩病毒囊膜糖蛋白G2与核蛋白氨基端在昆虫细胞中的融合表达

目的：在Bac-to-Bac杆状病毒表达系统中，融合表达汉滩病毒的囊膜糖蛋白G2与核蛋白氨基端。方法：构建含有汉滩病毒G2S0．7嵌合基因的表达载体pFBDHTa—G2S0．7，并转化DH10Bac感受态菌。利用其含有的细菌Tn7转座系统，将嵌台基因重组至杆状病毒穿梭质粒hacmid中，并筛选含有G2S0．7嵌合基因的重组杆状病毒，在昆虫细胞中表达该融合蛋白。对表达产物用间接免疫荧光、ELISA和免疫印迹进行检测。结果：构建了的含G2S0．7嵌合基因的重组杆状病毒，感染昆虫细胞后，可表达相应大小的融合蛋白。该蛋白可被抗汉滩病毒核蛋白及糖蛋白G2的特异性单克隆抗体(mAb)所识别。结论：利用杆状病毒表达系统，成功地表达同时具有核蛋白及糖蛋白G2生物学活性的融合蛋白G2S0．7，为进一步研究其免疫学特性奠定了基础。     

狂犬病病毒糖蛋白在酿酒酵母中的分泌表达

目的使狂犬病病毒糖蛋白在酿酒酵母中获得分泌表达,为制备口服狂犬病疫苗奠定基础。方法克隆狂犬病病毒糖蛋白基因,与菊粉酶信号肽序列连接为融合基因InG,该融合基因克隆至pYes2载体Gal1启动子下游,构建成诱导分泌表达载体pYes2-InU-G,该重组载体转化酿酒酵母筛选阳性克隆,阳性重组子经半乳糖诱导12h后,收集上清进行SDS-PAGE电泳和Western-blot鉴定。结果 RT-PCR和Western-blot鉴定显示狂犬病病毒糖蛋白已获得分泌表达,并且具有良好的抗原性。结论 CVS24病毒株的糖蛋白在酿酒酵母中获得分泌表达且具有良好的抗原性,为进一步研究重组酵母能否在消化道中存活并继续进行分泌表达提供了研究条件。     

Expression of biologically active and antigenically authentic parainfluenza Type 3 virus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein by a recombinant baculovirus

The hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) gene of human type 3 parainfluenza virus has been inserted into a baculovirus expression vector under the control of the polyhedrin promoter. HN protein produced in insect cells by the recombinant baculovirus appeared to be glycosylated, was transported to the cell surface, and was biologically active. All of the HN epitopes previously mapped functionally to a region(s) involved in neuraminidase and/or hemagglutination activities were conformationally unaltered on the recombinant protein. The HN produced in this system also induced a protective immune response in immunized cotton rats. From these studies we conclude that the HN expressed in insect cells represents a source of authentic HN glycoprotein suitable for structural analysis and immunization.     

Baculovirus display of fusion protein of Peste des petits ruminants virus and hemagglutination protein of Rinderpest virus and immunogenicity of the displayed proteins in mouse model

Recombinant Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedroviruses (BmNPV) displaying the immunodominant ectodomains of fusion glycoprotein (F) of Peste des petitis ruminants virus (PPRV) and the hemagglutinin protein (H) of Rinderpest virus (RPV), on the budded virions as well as the surface of the infected host cells have been constructed. The F and H protein sequences were inserted in-frame within the amino-terminal region of BmNPV envelope glycoprotein GP64 expressing under the strong viral polyhedrin (polh) promoter. We improved the recombinant virus selection in BmNPV by incorporating the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) as selection marker under a separate promoter within the transfer cassette harboring the desired genes. Following infection of the insect larvae or the host-derived BmN cells with these recombinant BmNPVs, the expressed GP64 fusion proteins were displayed on the host cell surface and the budded virions. The antigenic epitopes of the recombinant proteins were properly displayed and the recombinant virus particles induced immune response in mice against PPRV or RPV.     

Expression of the nucleoprotein gene of rabies virus for use as a diagnostic reagent

The nucleoprotein (N) gene of rabies virus CTN strain, was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion with maltose binding protein (MBP). The antigenicity of this recombinant MBP-N fusion protein was examined by Western blotting and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequently, an indirect ELISA was developed to detect rabies specific antibody levels. Using sera from naive and vaccinated animals the ELISA results were compared with virus neutralizing antibodies detected by a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). Neutralizing titres by RFFIT were found to correlate well with the OD values in the ELISA (r=0.9436) and the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA were shown to be 93.4 and 100%, respectively. The data indicate that the recombinant MBP-N fusion protein can be expressed and isolated straightforwardly and may be useful as a safe and abundant source of antigen to monitor seropositivity in vaccinated canines.     

Rabies virus glycoprotein. II. Biological and serological characterization.

Purified rabies virus glycoprotein (G) was shown by complement fixation and immunodiffusion tests to be a second distinct antigen of the virus. It it the only structural protein of the virus that induces the formation of virus-neutralizing antibodies and which confers immunity to animals. When the G protein is taken as antigen, the complement fixation test can be used for the assay of virus-neutralizing antibodies. The total protective activity of the virus was recovered in the purified G protein preparation. The protective activity of G protein increased with purification: 9 ng of G protein was required to protect 50% of the mice as compared to 1.63 micrograms of the virus. Selective immunofluorescent membrane staining and immunocytolysis of rabies virus-infected cells were shown to be G protein specific. Due to its purity and potency, the G protein preparation can be considered the ideal human antirabies vaccine.     

Conservation of polyhedrin gene promoter function between Autographa californica and Mamestra brassicae nuclear polyhedrosis viruses

The DNA sequence of the polyhedrin gene of the Mamestra brassicae multiple nucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (MbMNPV) was determined and compared with the polyhedrin genes of Autographa californica (Ac) and Panolis flammea (Pf) MNPVs. Using this information, a transfer vector was constructed based on the EcoRI I fragment of AcMNPV in which the polyhedrin promoter was replaced by the homologous region extending 481 nucleotides upstream from the MbMNPV polyhedrin coding sequence. The Escherichia coli lacZ gene was also included downstream from the putative MbMNPV promoter. Cotransfection of this transfer vector with wild-type AcMNPV DNA produced stable recombinant viruses expressing the lacZ gene under the control of the MbMNPV polyhedrin promoter. The levels of beta-galactosidase produced by these recombinants in infected cells were 30% lower than the expression level obtained from viruses with the authentic AcMNPV promoter in front of the lacZ gene. The MbMNPV promoter has thus been shown to function efficiently in the genetic environment of AcMNPV. The implications of this finding for the release of genetically manipulated baculovirus insecticides and for the construction of baculovirus multiple expression vectors are discussed.     

New developments in the pre- and post-exposure treatment of rabies

Two approaches have been made to develop the alleged "second generation rabies vaccines". One utilizes recombinant DNA, expressing the G protein gene in a heterotypic host, the vaccinia virus, and has proven efficacious in protecting animals from rabies infection. The second approach posits that only a portion of the native viral antigen may be required to induce protective response. To define regions of the subunit molecule recognized by different immune effectors, epitopes on the G protein and nucleoprotein were identified which are recognized by B and T cells. These epitopes were delineated using chemically or enzymatically cleaved fragments of the native antigens or overlapping synthetic peptides covering the entire antigenic amino acid sequence. Protein fragments or synthetic peptides evincing antigenic activity were tested for ability to induce virus-specific immune responses in vivo. Immunization with synthetic peptides carrying epitopes for B and T cells conferred solid protection against lethal rabies virus infection.     

Characterization of cell-surface determinants important for baculovirus infection

Baculovirus gp64 envelope glycoprotein is a major component of the envelope of the budded virus and is involved in virus entry into the host cells by endocytosis. To investigate the cell-surface molecules important for infection of baculovirus into mammalian cells, we constructed a recombinant baculovirus, Ac64-CAluc, which has gp64 and luciferase genes under the polyhedrin and the CAG promoter, respectively. For controls, we constructed recombinant viruses possessing vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G protein, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) S protein, or green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene under the polyhedrin promoter and the luciferase gene under the CAG promoter (AcVSVG-CAluc, AcMHVS-CAluc, and AcGFP-CAluc). Treatment of HepG2 cells with phospholipase C markedly reduced the reporter gene expression by Ac64-CAluc or AcVSVG-CAluc in a dose-dependent manner, whereas AcMHVS-CAluc was shown to be resistant to the treatment. Inhibition with purified lipids and susceptibility to the mutant CHO hamster cell lines deficient in phospholipids synthesis suggest that the interaction of gp64 and phospholipids on the cell surface might play an important role in baculovirus infection into mammalian cells.