Transient expression of heat- and acid-resistant foot-and-mouth disease virus P1-2A mutants in Nicotiana benthamiana

Varusha Pillay Veerapen; Albertha R van Zyl; Edward P Rybicki; Ann E Meyers

doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2018.08.004

Transient expression of heat- and acid-resistant foot-and-mouth disease virus P1-2A mutants in Nicotiana benthamiana

Virus Res. 2018 Sep 2:256:45-49. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.08.004. Epub 2018 Aug 4.

Authors

Varusha Pillay Veerapen¹, Albertha R van Zyl², Edward P Rybicki³, Ann E Meyers⁴

Affiliations

¹ Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa. Electronic address: VRPVAR001@myuct.ac.za.
² Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa. Electronic address: alta.vanzyl@uct.ac.za.
³ Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, South Africa. Electronic address: ed.rybicki@uct.ac.za.
⁴ Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa. Electronic address: ann.meyers@uct.ac.za.

PMID: 30086326
DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.08.004

Abstract

Recombinant foot-and-mouth disease virus-like particles (VLPs) can be expressed in a number of expression systems including plants. However, yields in plants have formerly been shown to be low, possibly due to their acid and/or heat lability, previously shown to affect VLP yields produced in other systems. This work describes the introduction of mutations into the FMDV structural protein-encoding gene (P1-2A) which have been previously shown to increase acid and thermostability. VLPs expressed in plants using the mutant constructs had negative rather than positive effects on yield and temperature and acid stability compared to the control.

Keywords: Capsid proteins; Foot-and-mouth disease virus; Nicotiana benthamiana; Vaccines; Virus-like particles.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acids
Animals
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus / drug effects
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus / genetics*
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus / radiation effects
Gene Expression*
Hot Temperature
Mutant Proteins / genetics
Nicotiana / genetics*
Viral Structural Proteins / genetics*
Virosomes / drug effects
Virosomes / genetics*
Virosomes / radiation effects

Substances

Acids
Mutant Proteins
Viral Structural Proteins
Virosomes