Understanding Lassa Virus Glycoprotein Expression
Author Information
Author(s): Megan M Illick, Luis M Branco, Joseph N Fair, Kerry A Illick, Alex Matschiner, Randal Schoepp, Robert F Garry, Mary C Guttieri
Primary Institution: BioFactura, Inc.
Hypothesis
The development of native or quasi-native recombinant LASV GP1 and GP2 as soluble, uncoupled proteins will improve current diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of Lassa fever.
Conclusion
The study successfully generated and purified soluble, uncoupled GP1 and GP2 proteins from mammalian cells, highlighting their potential for improving diagnostics and treatment for Lassa fever.
Supporting Evidence
- Sera from convalescent Lassa fever patients often contains antibodies to Lassa virus glycoproteins.
- Immunization of non-human primates with viral vectors expressing the arenaviral glycoprotein complex confers full protective immunity against a lethal challenge with LASV.
- The soluble forms of GP1 and GP2 generated were secreted as homogeneously glycosylated proteins.
Takeaway
Researchers figured out how to make important proteins from the Lassa virus in a lab, which could help doctors find and treat the disease better.
Methodology
Mammalian expression systems were engineered for production and purification of secreted forms of soluble LASV GP1 and GP2 proteins.
Limitations
The study did not explore the full range of potential processing pathways for GP2 in the absence of GP1.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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