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Title: Advances in alfalfa mosaic virus-mediated expression of anthrax antigen in planta

Journal Article · · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BBRC.2005.0· OSTI ID:20793216
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Biotechnology Foundation Laboratories, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (United States)

Plant viruses show great potential for production of pharmaceuticals in plants. Such viruses can harbor a small antigenic peptide(s) as a part of their coat proteins (CP) and elicit an antigen-specific immune response. Here, we report the high yield and consistency in production of recombinant alfalfa mosaic virus (AlMV) particles for specific presentation of the small loop 15 amino acid epitope from domain-4 of the Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA-D4s). The epitope was inserted immediately after the first 25 N-terminal amino acids of AlMV CP to retain genome activation and binding of CP to viral RNAs. Recombinant AlMV particles were efficiently produced in tobacco, easily purified for immunological analysis, and exhibited extended stability and systemic proliferation in planta. Intraperitional injections of mice with recombinant plant virus particles harboring the PA-D4s epitope elicited a distinct immune response. Western blotting and ELISA analysis showed that sera from immunized mice recognized both native PA antigen and the AlMV CP.

OSTI ID:
20793216
Journal Information:
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 338, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.09.196; PII: S0006-291X(05)02214-X; Copyright (c) 2005 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English