Low Temperature Salmonid Alphavirus VLP Formation
Author Information
Author(s): Metz Stefan W., Feenstra Femke, Villoing Stephane, van Hulten Marielle C., van Lent Jan W., Koumans Joseph, Vlak Just M., Pijlman Gorben P.
Primary Institution: Wageningen University
Hypothesis
Can recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) of salmonid alphavirus be produced efficiently at lower temperatures?
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that low temperatures are essential for the correct processing of salmonid alphavirus glycoproteins and the production of non-infectious virus-like particles.
Supporting Evidence
- VLPs were produced efficiently when the temperature was lowered during protein expression.
- At higher temperatures, glycoprotein processing was incomplete, preventing VLP formation.
- Immunostaining confirmed that properly processed E2 glycoprotein was present on the surface of infected cells at lower temperatures.
Takeaway
This study found that to make a safe vaccine from a fish virus, it's important to keep the temperature low while making it, so the virus parts can fit together correctly.
Methodology
The study used a recombinant baculovirus-insect cell expression system to produce salmonid alphavirus VLPs and analyzed the effects of temperature on glycoprotein processing.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on the temperature effects and does not address the long-term stability or immunogenicity of the produced VLPs.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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