Recombinant virus like particles as drug delivery system

Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2005 Feb;6(1):49-55. doi: 10.2174/1389201053167202.

Abstract

The drug delivery system described here is based on a virus like particle consisting of the recombinant expressed major capsid protein of Polyomavirus, VP1. Polyoma, a murine virus belonging to the Papovaviridae, forms a non-enveloped icosahedral capsid. These capsids are organized as a double shell composed of three different proteins: VP1,VP2 and VP3. The outer shell of the vision is composed of 360 VP1 molecules arranged as 72 pentamers. These capsids have a diameter of about 50 nm. The VP1 protein acts as a major ligand for certain membrane receptors during virus infection. Furthermore, the N-terminus of the VP1 protein contains a DNA-binding domain and a nuclear localization sequence. The recombinant production of the VP1 protein offers a save way to obtain a highly purified, non pathogenic pharmaceutical excipient. Combining these aspects, VP1 proteins provide a targeting as well as a drug binding site when used as a save drug carrier for gene therapy. Current applications are also including oligonucleotides as well as small molecules as well as vaccines.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capsid Proteins / chemistry*
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Polyomavirus / chemistry
  • Polyomavirus / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry*
  • Virion / chemistry*
  • Virion / genetics

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins