Expression of the potyvirus coat protein mediated by recombinant vaccinia virus and assembly of potyvirus-like particles in mammalian cells.

The coat protein of the potyvirus, Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV), was expressed using a recombinant vaccinia virus (VV) system. Ultra-thin section electron microscopy demonstrated that the coat protein assembled into potyvirus-like particles (PVLPs) in recombinant VV infected cells. Infection of cells with two additional VV recombinants expressing coat protein plus N-terminal and N- and C-terminal extensions also resulted in the formation of PVLPs. These results suggest that the ability of VV to express the potyvirus coat protein at sufficient levels to allow PVLP formation in vitro, could make VV a suitable vector for the delivery of PVLPs displaying vaccine antigens in vivo without the need for particle purification and/or inclusion of adjuvant. Use of such a vaccine strategy would also benefit from the proven advantages of poxviruses as vaccines such as stability in a freeze dried form, resistance to environmental factors and the potential for oral administration.

Novel isoform of syntaxin 1 is expressed in mammalian cells.

Syntaxin 1A has been identified previously as a neural-cell-specific, membrane-anchored receptor protein required for docking and fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic plasma membrane. Syntaxin 1A consists of 288 amino acid residues including a 265-residue N-terminal region exposed to the cytoplasm and a C-terminal hydrophobic stretch of 23 residues believed to anchor syntaxin to the plasma membrane. Using a human fat-cell library we have isolated a novel cDNA clone of syntaxin 1A containing an insert of 91 bp in codon 226. This insert and subsequent frame shift generated a cDNA that codes for a truncated protein of 260 residues without the C-terminal transmembrane domain characteristic of the syntaxin family. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of the new cDNA clone, termed syntaxin 1C, showed that it was identical for the first 226 residues with the previously described neural syntaxin 1A, and diverged thereafter. The truncated protein lacked the botulinum neurotoxin C cleavage site (Lys253-Ala254), a feature of the syntaxin 1A protein, because of the novel C-terminal domain of 34 residues. The new C-terminal region contained a single cysteine residue and was moderately rich in proline, with three repeats of a PXP motif. The insert occurred within the region encoding the coiled-coil motifs required for interactions with synaptobrevin, alpha-SNAP (SNAP being soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein) and n-Sec1/Munc-18 (n-Sec1 being the rat brain homologue of yeast Sec1p and Munc-18 the mammalian homologue of Caenorhabditis elegans unc-18, but five residues outside the domain previously mapped as being required for binding SNAP-25. Interaction studies in vitro suggested that unlike syntaxin 1A, which binds to both Munc-18a and- 18b, syntaxin 1C binds only to Munc-18b. The new isoform syntaxin 1C, which might be generated by alternative splicing of the syntaxin 1 gene, was expressed in several human tissues, including brain. Immuno-precipitation and immunoblotting with the monoclonal antibody HPC-1 and a polyclonal antibody raised against a peptide corresponding to the unique C-terminal 35 residues of syntaxin 1C failed to detect syntaxin 1C at the protein level in extracts of muscle, fat or brain.

Insulin-responsive tissues contain the core complex protein SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein 25) A and B isoforms in addition to syntaxin 4 and synaptobrevins 1 and 2.

SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein 25), syntaxin and synaptobrevin are the three SNARE [soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (where NSF = N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein)] proteins that form the core complex involved in synaptic vesicle docking and subsequent fusion with the target membrane. The present study is aimed at understanding the mechanisms of fusion of vesicles carrying glucose transporter proteins with the plasma membrane in human insulin-responsive tissues. It describes the isolation and characterization of cDNA molecules encoding SNAP-25 A and B isoforms, syntaxin 4 and synaptobrevins (also known as vehicle-associated membrane proteins) from two major human insulin-responsive tissues, skeletal muscle and fat. The DNA and deduced amino acid sequences of SNAP-25 revealed perfect identity with the previously reported human neural SNAP-25 A and B isoforms. Our results indicate the presence of both isoforms both in insulin-responsive tissues and in in vitro cultured 3T3-L1 cells, but suggest a differential pattern of gene expression: isoform A is the major species in adipose tissue, and isoform B is the major species in skeletal muscle. The presence of SNAP-25 protein in 3T3-L1 cells was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy using an anti-SNAP-25 monoclonal antibody. Immunoprecipitation experiments using the same monoclonal antibody also revealed the presence of SNAP-25 protein in plasma membrane fractions from rat epididymal fat pads. The syntaxin 4-encoding region from skeletal muscle contains five nucleotide differences from the previously reported placental cDNA sequence, two of which result in amino acid changes: Asp-174 to Glu and Val-269 to Ala. The synaptobrevin 1 cDNA from skeletal muscle contains two nucleotide differences when compared with the corresponding clone from neural tissues, one of which is silent and the other resulting in the amino acid change Thr-102 to Ala. The cDNA sequence of the protein from fat is identical with that of human synaptobrevin 1 from neural tissues. Furthermore, we have confirmed the presence of syntaxin 4 in fat and of synaptobrevin 2 in skeletal muscle by PCR amplification and Southern hybridization analysis. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, an interaction was observed between the full-length cytoplasmic domains of syntaxin 4 and synaptobrevin 2, a vesicle membrane SNARE previously shown by others to be associated with vesicles carrying the GLUT4 glucose transporter protein, but no interaction was seen with synaptobrevin 1. Flow cytometry of low-density microsomes isolated from fat cells was used to demonstrate the binding of syntaxin 4 to a subset of vesicles carrying GLUT4 protein; whereas SNAP-25 on its own bound poorly to these vesicles, the syntaxin 4-SNAP-25 complex gave a strong interaction.

Chimeric potyvirus-like particles as vaccine carriers.

Presentation of subunit vaccines in a highly ordered aggregate form can result in enhanced immune responses. Coat protein (CP) monomers of a potyvirus (Johnsongrass mosaic virus) when produced in heterologous host expression systems (Escherichia coli, yeast and insect cells) self-polymerized to produce potyvirus-like particles (PVLPs). The N- and C-terminal regions of potyvirus CP are surface-exposed and are not required for assembly. Hybrid CP monomers containing short peptides fused to their N- and/or C-termini, or large target antigens fused to the N-terminus or replacing most of the N- or C-terminal exposed regions retained the ability to assemble into hybrid PVLPs. Such chimeric PVLPs were highly immunogenic in mice and rabbits even in the absence of any adjuvant. Potyvirus CP is highly versatile in accommodating peptides or large antigens and is able to present antigens exposed on the surface of virus-like particles. This, combined with the efficiency of high level bacterial and insect cell expression systems, makes PVLPs an attractive non-pathogenic and non-replicative vaccine carrier.

High level production of potyvirus-like particles in insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus.

The full length gene for the coat protein (CP) of the potyvirus, Johnsongrass mosaic virus, was incorporated into recombinant baculovirus and expressed in insect cells. Western blot and Coomassie-stained polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of infected insect cells demonstrated that CP was produced in large quantity. Electron microscopic examination of these cells showed the presence of numerous potyvirus-like particles in the cytoplasm. Morphologically the particles resembled potyvirus particles assembled in vitro in the absence of viral RNA and those found in Escherichia coli expressing the recombinant CP gene.

High level production of hybrid potyvirus-like particles carrying repetitive copies of foreign antigens in Escherichia coli.

Synthesis in E. coli of native coat protein of Johnsongrass mosaic virus, and hybrid protein molecules containing foreign antigens, resulted in the intracellular formation of potyvirus-like particles (PVLPs). The foreign antigens used were an octapeptide epitope from Plasmodium falciparum and a decapeptide hormone (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone) at the N- or at both N- and C-terminal regions of the coat protein molecule, and a full length protein antigen (Sj26-glutathione S-transferase of 26 kD from Schistosoma japonicum) replacing the N-terminal 62 amino acids of the coat protein. Electron microscopy of ultrathin sections of E. coli revealed that PVLPs resulting from coat protein molecules containing peptide fusions appeared in vast arrays of parallel strands within the cytoplasm sometimes extending the length of the cell and at times the cells were strung together, with "threads" of PVLPs appearing to connect individual bacterial cells. PVLPs resulting from the fusion of the 26 kD antigen Sj26 to coat protein were shorter and wider. The physical form of the high molecular weight PVLPs enabled purification by simple size exclusion column chromatography. The Sj26-PVLPs administered to mice without adjuvant elicited antibody responses comparable to monomeric Sj26 administered with Freund's Complete Adjuvant.

Site-directed mutagenesis of a potyvirus coat protein and its assembly in Escherichia coli.

Multiple copies of the Johnsongrass mosaic virus coat protein synthesized in Escherichia coli can readily assemble to form potyvirus-like particles. This E. coli expression system has been used to identify some of the key amino acid residues, within the core region of the coat protein, required for assembly. The two charged residues R194 and D238 previously proposed theoretically to be involved as a pair in the construction of a salt bridge crucial for the assembly process were targeted for site-directed mutagenesis. The results from our experiments suggest that the two residues are required for the assembly process but are not necessarily involved as a pair in a common salt bridge.

Stable synthesis of viral protein 2 of infectious bursal disease virus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Viral protein 2 (VP2) from infectious bursal disease virus and its precursor polyprotein (N-VP2-VP4-VP3-C), in the absence of their native N-terminal region (19 amino acids), required fusion of yeast presequences for their stable synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae [Jagadish et al., Gene 95 (1990) 179-186]. Restoration of the missing 19 aa resulted in stable synthesis of VP2, indicating the significance of the N-terminal region in protein stability.

Localization of a VP3 epitope of infectious bursal disease virus.

An immunodominant region of VP3, one of the two structural proteins of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV strain 002-73), has been mapped by restriction site-specific deletion analysis and subcloning in Escherichia coli, followed by immunoblot analysis of the synthesized products. The epitope located within 58 amino acids reacted very strongly with a mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb 17/80) raised against IBDV 002-73. This immunodominant region may be useful in serodiagnosis of IBDV infection in poultry.

Expression of potyvirus coat protein in Escherichia coli and yeast and its assembly into virus-like particles.

When the full-length coat protein (CP) of the potyvirus, Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV), was expressed in Escherichia coli or yeast, it assembled to form potyvirus-like particles. The particles were heterogeneous in length with a stacked-ring appearance and resembled JGMV particles in their flexuous morphology and width. This cell-free assembly system should permit analysis of the mechanisms of particle assembly and genome encapsidation. Two mutant forms of CP produced by site-directed mutagenesis failed to assemble into virus-like particles.

Passive protection against infectious bursal disease virus by viral VP2 expressed in yeast.

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), a pathogen of major economic importance to the world's poultry industries, causes a severe immunodepressive disease in young chickens. Maternal antibodies are able to protect the progeny passively from IBDV infection. The gene encoding the IBDV host-protective antigen (VP2) has been cloned and expressed in yeast resulting in the production of an antigen that very closely resembles native VP2. When injected into specific pathogen free chickens a single dose of microgram quantities of the yeast derived antigen induces high titres of virus neutralizing antibodies that are capable of passively protecting young chickens from infection with IBDV.

Expression and characterization of infectious bursal disease virus polyprotein in yeast.

Various expression vectors containing a cDNA fragment encoding all but the first five amino acids (aa) of the large polyprotein (N-VP2-VP4-VP3-C) of infectious bursal disease virus were transformed into yeasts. In both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, co- or post-translational processing of the unfused large polyprotein occurred, generating a stable C-terminal product (VP3) or correct size, but without any detectable N-terminal product (VP2). Furthermore, when the processing of the polyprotein was interrupted, because of an engineered in-frame site-specific insertion of 4 aa, even VP3 (as part of the unprocessed polyprotein) was undetected. VP2 was detected in S. cerevisiae only when fused to yeast pre-sequences at the N terminus, suggesting that in yeast, VP2 or the unprocessed polyprotein, in the absence of its native N terminus or proper protection of its N-terminal aa residues is susceptible to proteolytic degradation. The first 8 aa of a modified pre-sequence of the CUP1 gene product and the pre-pro sequence of MF alpha 1 gene product have been used for stable intra- and extra-cellular production of VP2, respectively.

Versatile cassettes designed for the copper inducible expression of proteins in yeast.

A series of yeast expression vectors and cassettes utilizing the CUP1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been constructed. The cassettes contain multiple cloning sites for gene fusions and were created by inserting a 27-bp polylinker at the +14 position of the CUP1 gene. The cassettes are portable as restriction fragments and enable copper-regulated expression of foreign proteins in S. cerevisiae. In copper sensitive yeast, multiple copies of the CUP1 cassettes confer copper resistance due to the production of the copper metallothionein. Genes cloned into the CUP1 cassettes, however, usually prevent translation of the metallothionein leading to a loss of resistance. This could be useful for one-step cloning into yeast.

Birnavirus precursor polyprotein is processed in Escherichia coli by its own virus-encoded polypeptide.

The cDNA fragment of the large RNA segment of infectious bursal disease virus 002-73, when expressed in Escherichia coli, produces precursor polyprotein (N-VP2-VP4-VP3-C), most of which is then processed to generate constituent polypeptides. Using cDNA fragments containing site-specific mutations and two monoclonal antibodies that are specific to VP2 and VP3 of mature virus particles, we demonstrated that the VP4 protein is involved in processing of the precursor polyprotein to generate VP2 and VP3 and excluded the possibility of internal initiation for the generation of VP3.

Deletion mapping and expression in Escherichia coli of the large genomic segment of a birnavirus.

The large genomic segment of infectious bursal disease virus encodes a polyprotein in which the viral polypeptides are present in the following order: N-VP2-VP4-VP3-C. Expression in Escherichia coli of the large segment results in the processing of the polyprotein. The expression product reacts with a virus neutralizing and protective monoclonal antibody that recognizes a conformational epitope on the surface of the virus. Different regions of the large genomic segment were deleted at defined restriction sites and the truncated fragments were ligated to various expression vectors for high-level expression in E. coli. The expressed proteins were probed with three different monoclonal antibodies that recognize epitopes encoded by different regions of the large genomic segment. These deletion mapping studies suggest that VP4 is involved in the processing of the precursor polyprotein, and the conformational epitope recognized by the virus neutralizing monoclonal antibody is present within VP2.

Effects of temperature and nutritional conditions on the mitotic cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Yeast cells were cultivated at different growth rates in a chemostat by alterations in the flow of the limiting nutrient glucose and in batch cultures where variations in growth rate were achieved by alterations in the composition of nutrients. It was observed that the stage in the cycle at which S-phase was completed varied with growth rate. The faster the growth rate, the earlier the stage in the cycle in which completion of S-phase occurred. When stage in the cycle is converted into time before division it was observed that the time from completion of S-phase to cell division varied only slightly with growth rate except at extremely slow growth rates. Expansion of cell cycle transit time as the growth rate was slowed was achieved primarily by an expansion in time of the period from division to the completion of S-phase. In contrast, when cells were grown at different rates by alterations in the temperature of cultivation, completion of S-phase occurred at approximately the same stage in the cell cycle at all growth rates.