Transient expression of Human papillomavirus type 16 L2 epitope fused to N- and C-terminus of coat protein of Potato virus X in plants

J Biosci. 2012 Mar;37(1):125-33. doi: 10.1007/s12038-011-9177-z.

Abstract

Transient expression of foreign genes based on plant viral vectors is a suitable system for the production of relevant immunogens that can be used for the development of a new generation of vaccines against a variety of infectious diseases. In the present study the epitope derived from HPV-16 L2 minor capsid protein (amino acids 108-120) was expressed from Potato virus X (PVX)-based vector pGR106 as N- or C-terminal fusion with the PVX coat protein (PVX CP) in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The fusion protein L2 108-120-PVX CP was successfully expressed in plants at a level of 170 mg/kg of fresh leaf tissue. The C-terminal fusion protein PVX CP- L2 108-120 was expressed using mutated vector sequence to avoid homologous recombination at a level of 8 mg/kg of fresh leaf tissue. Immunogenicity of L2 108-120-PVX CP virus-like particles was tested after immunization of mice by subcutaneous injection or tattoo administration. In animal sera the antibodies against the PVX CP and the L2 108-120 epitope were found after both methods of vaccine delivery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Blotting, Western
  • Capsid Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Epitopes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nicotiana / metabolism*
  • Oligonucleotides / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / metabolism*
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Virion / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Capsid Proteins
  • Epitopes
  • L2 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • coat protein, Potato virus X