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PubMedDate not supplied

Active cross-protection induced by a recombinant baculovirus expressing chimeric infectious bursal disease virus structural proteins.

The VP2 structural gene encoded in the large genomic segment A of the variant GLS strain of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) was modified to encode a neutralization epitope (B69), found only on classic strains of IBDV. A chimeric cDNA clone of the large segment A, encoding VP3, VP4, and the modified variant IBDV VP2 structural proteins, was expressed in a recombinant baculovirus. The chimeric protein expressed was assessed with a panel of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and it contained not only all previously MAb-defined GLS variant strain epitopes but also the B69 neutralization epitope found on classic IBDV strains. Complete active protection was afforded to specific-pathogen-free chickens by a subunit chimeric vaccine against virulent challenge with the classic IM and STC strains, as well as against the variant E/Del and GLS IBDV strains. Compared with a previously tested recombinant subunit vaccine, which incorporated unmodified baculovirus-expressed large-segment A GLS proteins, the recombinant chimeric subunit vaccine resulted in markedly improved active cross-protection against classic IBDV challenge.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

System for the expression of recombinant hemoproteins in Escherichia coli.

Expression of recombinant hemoproteins in Escherichia coli is often limited because a vast majority of the protein produced lacks the heme necessary for function. This is compounded by the fact that standard laboratory strains of E. coli have a limited capacity to withdraw heme from the extracellular environment. We are developing a new tool designed to increase the heme content of our proteins of interest by simply supplementing the expression medium with low concentrations of hemin. This hemoprotein expression (HPEX) system is based on plasmids (pHPEX1-pHPEX3) that encode an outermembrane-bound heme receptor (ChuA) from E. coli O157:H7. This heme receptor, and others like it, confers on the host the ability to more effectively internalize exogenous heme. Transformation of a standard laboratory E. coli protein expression strain (BL-21 [DE3]) with the pHPEX plasmid led to the expression of a new protein with the appropriate molecular weight for ChuA. The receptor was functional as demonstrated by the ability of the transformant to grow on iron-deficient media supplemented with hemin, an ability that the unmodified expression strain lacked. Expression of our proteins of interest, catalase-peroxidases, using this system led to a dramatic and parallel increase in heme content and activity. On a per-heme basis, the spectral and kinetic properties of HPEX-derived catalase-peroxidase were the same as those observed for catalase-peroxidases expressed in standard E. coli-based systems. We suggest that the pHPEX plasmids may be a useful addition to other E. coli expression systems and may help address a broad range of problems in hemoprotein structure and function.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

PubMed1994

Cultural and physiological factors affecting expression of recombinant proteins.

The variability in expression of recombinant proteins has been analyzed with regard to (a) comparison of clones from the same transfection experiment; (b) comparison of the same genetic construct in different cell lines; (c) the effect of the culture system used (free suspension, aggregate suspension, and microcarrier); and (d) physiochemical parameters in long-term (100d) culture in a macroporous fixed bed bioreactor (FBR). Differences in product expression between clones were accompanied by differences in growth rates, metabolic kinetics, and ability to grow in suspension as opposed to attached culture. The single most important factor affecting product expression when comparing constructs (for SEAP and IgG), cell lines (BHK 21 and myeloma), and culture systems was whether cells were grown in an attached or suspension mode. Thus key factors could be related to cell morphology (suspension versus monolayer), the presence of microenvironments and physiological stress to control growth rate. The relationship of key process parameters to volumetric and specific rAb productivity of the FBR was investigated in a partial factorial experiment with a rBHK cell line. The highest productivity levels are associated with a combination of the highest values tested for re-cycle (195 ml min-1) and dilution rates (1 d-1) and glutamine concentration (2.5 mmol 1-1), plus the lowest values for bead size (2 mm) and inoculum density (10(7) m1-1). Together with data from fluidised bed cultures, these results suggest that higher productivity is not primarily the result of greater cell numbers within the system but more the physicochemical definition of the system.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed2005

Expression and characterization of recombinant tyramine beta-monooxygenase from Drosophila: a monomeric copper-containing hydroxylase.

We report here the development of a robust recombinant expression system for Drosophila melanogaster tyramine beta-monooxygenase (TbetaM), the insect analog of mammalian dopamine beta-monooxygenase. Recombinant TbetaM is rapidly purified from the host cell media in three chromatographic steps. The expression system produces approximately 3-10 mg of highly purified, active protein per liter of culture. Recombinant TbetaM requires copper for activity and has a typical type 2 copper EPR spectrum. While TbetaM efficiently hydroxylates the aliphatic carbon of phenolic amines such as tyramine (the physiological substrate) and dopamine, phenethylamine is a poor substrate. TbetaM is most likely a monomer under physiological conditions, although under conditions of high pH and low ionic strength the dimeric form predominates. The lower oligomeric state of TbetaM may provide an advantage for structural studies over DbetaM, which exists as a mixture of dimer and tetramer.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[High efficient expression of recombinant human platelet factor IV in Pichia pastoris].

OBJECTIVE: To express recombinant human platelet factor 4 (PF4) in methanol yeast. METHODS: PF4 cDNA amplified by PCR was cloned into the mating factor alpha (MFalpha) signal sequence, downstream the alcohol oxidase 1 (AOX 1) promoter of the pPIC9 vector. The reconstructed vector was subsequently integrated into the methanol yeast P. pastoris strain GS115. The highly expressing strain was selected and the protein sequences and their biological activities were assayed. RESULTS: The amino acid sequence of rhPF4 was the same as that of natural one. The rhPF4 can neutralize the anticoagulation effect of heparin in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The amount of rhPF4 expressed in methanol yeast meets well the scale for manufacturing. The biological activities of the rhPF4 were the same as that of natural PF4.

Cloning, Molecular↗

PubMed2004

Expression and characterization of recombinant fungal acetyl-CoA carboxylase and isolation of a soraphen-binding domain.

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) catalyses the first step in fatty-acid biosynthesis. Owing to its role in primary metabolism, ACC has been exploited as a commercial herbicide target and identified as a chemically validated fungicide target. In animals, ACC is also a key regulator of fat metabolism. This function has made ACC a prime target for the development of anti-obesity and anti-Type II diabetes therapeutics. Despite its economic importance, there is a lack of published information on recombinant expression of ACC. We report here the expression of enzymically active fungal (Ustilago maydis ) ACC in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme exhibited Km values of 0.14+/-0.013 mM and 0.19+/-0.041 mM for acetyl-CoA and ATP respectively, which are comparable with those reported for the endogenous enzyme. The polyketide natural product soraphen is a potent inhibitor of the BC (biotin carboxylase) domain of endogenous fungal ACC. Similarly, recombinant ACC activity was inhibited by soraphen with a K(i) of 2.1+/-0.9 nM. A truncated BC domain that included amino acids 2-560 of the full-length protein was also expressed in E. coli. The isolated BC domain was expressed to higher levels, and was more stable than full-length ACC. Although incapable of enzymic turnover, the BC domain exhibited high-affinity soraphen binding (Kd 1.1+/-0.3 nM), demonstrating a native conformation. Additional BC domains from the phytopathogenic fungi Magnaporthe grisea and Phytophthora infestans were also cloned and expressed, and were shown to exhibit high-affinity soraphen binding. Together, these reagents will be useful for structural studies and assay development.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

PubMed1998

Baculovirus-mediated expression of recombinant rat phosphatidylcholine transfer protein.

Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein catalyzes intermembrane transfer of phosphatidylcholines exclusive of all other phospholipid classes. Although postulated to participate in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and biliary trafficking in liver, the molecular basis underlying the substrate specificity of phosphatidylcholine transfer protein remains to be elucidated. Having demonstrated the inability of Escherichia coli to express recombinant phosphatidylcholine transfer protein, we infected Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells with recombinant baculovirus. When assayed in vitro, cytosol of recombinant but not control infected cells demonstrated high levels of intermembrane phosphatidylcholine transfer activity and no transfer activity for phosphatidylethanolamine. A two-step purification protocol in which 10 mg of cytosolic protein was subjected to anion exchange chromatography followed by hydroxylapatite chromatography yielded 0.1 mg active protein which was >92% pure. The identity of purified protein was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry and by amino acid sequencing. Based on the recovery of 30% of PC transfer activity after purification, we estimate that recombinant rat phosphatidylcholine transfer protein accounted for approximately 3-6% of cytosolic protein mass of infected cells. These results demonstrate the utility of baculovirus for expressing recombinant phosphatidylcholine transfer protein and should facilitate studies designed to elucidate the structural biology and physiological functions of this uniquely specific phospholipid transfer protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Maximal expression of recombinant cDNAs in COS cells for use in expression cloning.

In the process of establishing an expression cloning system for cell surface receptors we examined parameters which influence the expression of foreign genes in COS cells. The bacterial beta-galactosidase gene was chosen as a reporter gene, since it permits the determination of (i) the fraction of cells transfected as well as (ii) the total activity of the synthesized enzyme in parallel experiments. This renders it possible to calculate the enzyme activity per individual cell. In transfected COS cells, the plasmid pXMgal directed a 20- and 10-fold higher beta-galactosidase activity than pCH110 and pCDLgal, respectively. DEAE-dextran-mediated DNA uptake and protoplast fusion were found to result in higher expression rates than lipofection and electroporation. A coincubation of the cells with chloroquine during the DEAE-dextran transfection protocol caused, as reported, an increase of beta-galactosidase positive cells but considerably reduced the total beta-galactosidase activity. However, a 10% DMSO shock at the end of the transfection procedure simultaneously increased the number of transfected cells and the total beta-galactosidase activity, thus maintaining the high expression per single cell. Using these optimized conditions, COS-1 cells expressed higher amounts of recombinant protein than COS-7 cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Recombinant vaccinia virus expression of Anaplasma marginale surface protein MSP-1a: effect of promoters, leader sequences and GPI anchor sequence on antibody response.

Anaplasma marginale surface protein MSP-1a was expressed by recombinant vaccinia viruses with different promoters and as hybrid proteins. Transcription of msp1 alpha with P11 late promoter resulted in more MSP-1a than with P7.5 early-late promoter; however, mice immunized with the recombinants had similar antibody titres. Recombinants expressing hybrid MSP-1a with either a murine leukaemia virus or a trypanosomal glycoprotein signal sequence did not enhance antibody responses and resulted in a diffuse intracellular distribution of MSP-1a which did not accumulate in the Golgi apparatus as was noted in the absence of these signal sequences. In contrast, antibody titres to MSP-1a in mice immunized with a recombinant virus expressing hybrid MSP-1a with a trypanosomal GPI anchor signal sequence were significantly increased over all other constructs.

Anaplasma↗

PubMed2006

[Expression and purification of recombinant human interleukin 4 in Escherichia coli].

Human interleukin 4 (IL-4) cDNA was optimized and synthesized according to E. coli preferred codon. A recombinant expression plasmid pET-30a (+)/rhIL-4 was constructed with the target cDNA inserted between Nde I and EcoR I sites, which can translate the mature IL-4 protein with an extra methionine residue at N-terminal. The expression vector was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). The rhIL-4 protein was expressed in the inclusion body. By using the optimized fermentation conditions, the high expression level was achieved with the expression level as high as 35% of total protein obtained. A purification strategy has been designed which includes Q-Sepharose and SP-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography and dialysis renaturation. The rhIL-4 was purified with the purity more than 98% and the yield of 40 mg per liter fermentation culture achieved. Western blot proved that the purified protein is IL-4. Amino acid sequencing revealed that N-terminal 16 residue sequence is identical to the theoretical sequence. Biological activity assay on TF-1 cells demonstrated that the rhIL-4 is active with an activity of 2.5 x 10(6) AU/mg. This study promises large scale production of rhIL-4.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Adventitial expression of recombinant eNOS gene restores NO production in arteries without endothelium.

The current study was designed to determine the effect of recombinant endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene expression on endothelium-dependent relaxations to bradykinin in isolated canine basilar, coronary, or femoral arteries. Arterial rings were exposed ex vivo (30 minutes at 37 degrees C) to an adenoviral vector encoding either the eNOS gene (AdCMVeNOS) or the beta-galactosidase reporter gene (AdCMVbeta-Gal). Twenty-four hours after transduction, transgene expression was evident mainly in the adventitia. Expression of recombinant proteins was much higher in basilar arteries than in coronary or femoral arteries. Rings of control, AdCMVbeta-Gal, and AdCMVeNOS arteries with and without endothelium were suspended for isometric tension recording. Levels of cGMP were measured by radioimmunoassay. In AdCMVeNOS basilar arteries with endothelium, relaxations to low concentrations of bradykinin (3 x 10(-11) to 10(-9) mol/L) were significantly augmented. In contrast, in coronary and femoral arteries with endothelium, AdCMVeNOS transduction did not affect relaxations to bradykinin. Removal of the endothelium abolished bradykinin-induced relaxations in control and AdCMVbeta-Gal basilar arteries. However, in basilar arteries transduced with AdCMVeNOS even when the endothelium was removed, stimulation with bradykinin (3 x 10(-11) to 10(-9) mol/L) caused relaxations as well as increases in cGMP production. The relaxations to bradykinin were completely blocked by an NOS inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that recombinant eNOS protein was expressed in fibroblasts of the basilar artery adventitia. These results suggest that genetically modified adventitial fibroblasts may restore production of NO in cerebral arteries without endothelium. Our findings support a novel concept in vascular biology that fibroblasts in the adventitia may play a role in the regulation of vascular tone after successful transfer and expression of recombinant eNOS gene.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2002

High level expression of recombinant porcine coagulation factor VIII.

Recombinant human factor VIII expression levels, in vitro and in vivo, are significantly lower than levels obtained for other recombinant coagulation proteins. Here we describe the generation, high level expression and characterization of a recombinant B-domain-deleted porcine factor VIII molecule. Recombinant B-domain-deleted porcine factor VIII expression levels are 10- to 14-fold greater than recombinant B-domain-deleted human factor VIII levels by transient and stable expression in multiple cell lines. Peak expression of 140 units x 10(6) cells(-1) x 24 h(-1) was observed from a baby hamster kidney-derived cell line stably expressing recombinant porcine factor VIII. Factor VIII expression was performed in serum-free culture medium and in the absence of exogenous von Willebrand factor, thus greatly simplifying protein purification. Real time reverse transcription-PCR analysis demonstrated that the differences in protein production were not caused by differences in steady-state factor VIII mRNA levels. The identification of sequence(s) in porcine factor VIII responsible for high level expression may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms that limit factor VIII expression.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Enhanced expression and autoimmunity of recombination signal binding protein-jkappa in human dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of heart failure in younger individuals. Its prognosis is poor with 40-50% of patients dying within 2 years after diagnosis. Although the etiology of DCM is poorly understood, there is increasing evidence that DCM may represent an autoimmune disease in a significant subset of patients. In order to identify candidate antigens in DCM, we applied a molecular strategy which combines recombinant expression cloning and autoimmunological screening procedures. A left ventricle from a male DCM patient was explanted at heart transplantation and a human DCM left ventricular cDNA-expression library was constructed. 2 x 10(6) clones were immunologically screened with serum collected from the same patient prior transplantation. Subsequent rounds of screening and purification allowed isolation of a positive clone which was sequenced and identified as Recombination Signal Binding Protein-jkappa (RBP-jkappa). RBP-jkappa is an already identified transcription factor, e.g., involved in Epstein-Barr-virus-induced immortalization processes. Radioactively labeled RBP-jkappa protein was synthesized via in vitro translation using the isolated RBP-jkappa cDNA. This RBP-jkappa protein was used for immunoprecipitation reactions to screen sera of healthy controls and patients suffering of DCM for the presence of RBP-jkappa autoantibodies. Analysis revealed that only 31% (n = 16) of healthy but 70.6% of DCM patients (n = 17) carry an autoantibody against RBP-jkappa. Patients suffering from ischemic cardiomyopathy showed a prevalence of 22% of RBP-jkappa autoantibodies. Western analysis with an monoclonal antibody raised against RBP-jkappa showed that RBP-jkappa was overexpressed to 488 +/- 140% in DCM hearts compared to non-failing controls (n = 8). Autologous immunological screening of a cDNA expression library is a powerful and novel technology to gain insights into the etiology of human idiopathic DCM. Human DCM displays an autoimmune response against RBP-jkappa and an overexpression of RBP-jkappa. Since RBP-jkappa is involved in cellular immortalization and exerts antiapoptotic effects, the increased RBP-jkappa autoantibody level during DCM may inhibit this growth-regulating feature of RBP-jkappa. In this setting, enhanced myocardial RBP-jkappa expression could represent a compensatory but ineffective response to counteract the increased rate of apoptosis in DCM. Furthermore, RBP-jkappa may be a useful diagnostic marker for DCM.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Effect of the extra n-terminal methionine residue on the stability and folding of recombinant alpha-lactalbumin expressed in Escherichia coli.

The structure, stability, and unfolding-refolding kinetics of Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant goat alpha-lactalbumin were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and stopped-flow measurements, and the results were compared with those of the authentic protein prepared from goat milk. The electric properties of the two proteins were also studied by gel electrophoresis and ion-exchange chromatography. Although the overall structures of the authentic and recombinant proteins are the same, the extra methionine residue at the N terminus of the recombinant protein remarkably affects the native-state stability and the electric properties. The native state of the recombinant protein was 3.5 kcal/mol less stable than the authentic protein, and the recombinant protein was more negatively charged than the authentic one. The recombinant protein unfolded 5.7 times faster than the authentic one, although there were no significant differences in the refolding rates of the two proteins. The destabilization of the recombinant protein can be fully interpreted in terms of the increased unfolding rate of the protein, indicating that the N-terminal region remains unorganized in the transition state of refolding, and hence is not involved in the folding initiation site of the protein. A comparison of the X-ray structures of recombinant alpha-lactalbumin determined here with that of the authentic protein shows that the structural differences between the proteins are confined to the N-terminal region. Theoretical considerations for the differences in the conformational and solvation free energies between the proteins show that the destabilization of the recombinant protein is primarily due to excess conformational entropy of the N-terminal methionine residue in the unfolded state, and also due to less exposure of hydrophobic surface on unfolding. The results suggest that when the N-terminal region of a protein has a rigid structure, expression of the protein by E. coli, which adds the extra methionine residue, destabilizes the native state through a conformational entropy effect. It also shows that differences in the electrostatic interactions of the N-terminal amino group with the side-chain atoms of Thr38, Asp37, and Asp83 bring about a difference in the pKa value of the N-terminal amino group between the proteins, resulting in a greater negative net charge of the recombinant protein at neutral pH.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Construction of recombinant strain expressing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88ac-ST1-LTB fusion protein].

K88ac genes, heat-stable enterotoxin I (ST1) mutant genes and heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB) genes from plasmids of Escherichia coli C83902 were amplified by PCR. The recombinant expression plasmid pXKST3LT5 containing K88ac-ST1-LTB fusion gene was constructed by recombinant DNA technique and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The K88ac-ST1-LTB fusion protein was highly expressed in recombinant strain BL21 (DE3)(pXKST3LT5) and the expression level of the K88ac-ST1-LTB fusion protein was about 75.53% of total cellular protein by SDS-PAGE and thin-layer gel scanning analysis. More importantly, mice immunized with crude preparation containing the fusion protein inclusion bodies or inactivated recombinant strain produced antibodies that were able to recognize ST1 in vitro. These sera antibodies were able to neutralize the biological activity of native ST1 in the suckling mouse assay. Hence the fusion protein was nontoxic and immunogenic, the constructed recombinant strain could be used as a candidate of vaccine strain.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Construction of BPI23-Fc gamma 1 recombinant protein prokaryotic expression vector and the expression and biological assessment of BPI23-Fc gamma 1 recombinant protein].

OBJECTIVE: To construct pBV-BPI600-Fc gamma 1(700) recombinant expression vector, to transform into Escherichia coli DH5 alpha, and to induce the expression of BPI23-Fc gamma 1 anti-bacterial recombinant protein. METHODS: Genes which encode BPI23 and Fc gamma 1 were amplified by RT-PCR from mRNA that was extracted from HL-60 cell and normal human leukocytes; Recombinant cloning vector and recombinant expression vector were constructed. pBV-BPI600-Fc gamma 1(700) recombinant expression vector was transformed into the competent Escherichia coli DH5 alpha and BPI23-Fc gamma 1 recombinant protein was expressed by temperature induced method. RESULTS: (1) Expected amplified products BPI600 bp and Fc gamma 1(700) bp were obtained by RT-PCR. (2) pUC18-BPI180, pUC18-BPI420, and pUC18-Fc gamma 1(700) recombinant cloning vector were successfully constructed, and sequences were identical with the reported ones. (3) pBV-BPI600-Fc gamma 1(700) recombinant expression vector was successfully constructed, and results of the enzyme digestion analysis were identical with expected ones. (4) pBV-BPI600-Fc gamma 1(700) recombinant expression vector was transformed into the competent Escherichia coli DH5 alpha and BPI23-Fc gamma 1 recombinant protein was expressed by temperature-induced method, and its expression level was accounted for 20% of total bacterial proteins. (5) The renatured BPI23-Fc gamma 1 recombinant protein had anti-bacterial activity and biological functions of complement fixation, opsonization. CONCLUSION: pBV-BPI600-Fc gamma 1(700) recombinant expression vector was successfully constructed, and BPI23-Fc gamma 1 recombinant protein with BPI and IgGFc double biological activity was expressed in Escherichia coli.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗

PubMed1999

Gene transfer into the CNS using recombinant adeno-associated virus: analysis of vector DNA forms resulting in sustained expression.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have shown significant promise as vehicles for in vivo gene transfer, particularly for transduction of organs composed primarily of non-dividing cells (i.e., muscle, CNS, and liver). However, the mechanistic basis for this desirable property remains unclear. To investigate the fate of rAAV genomes in mouse brain, we stereotactically injected an rAAV vector carrying the E. coli lacZ gene into the caudate of BALB/c mice and demonstrate efficient transduction of mouse brain cells that possess cellular morphology consistent with post-mitotic neurons. We observed a significant increase in beta-galactosidase expression from 5 to 56 days after injection that paralleled the disappearance of single-stranded DNA input genomes. Analysis of in vivo viral DNA forms over time out to 5 months after inoculation revealed that rAAV genomes associated with high molecular weight mouse chromosomal DNA by 14 days after injection and persisted for the length of this study. The pattern of Southern hybridization was consistent with random viral integration in predominantly head-to-tail concatameric arrays. Importantly, we also documented an additional DNA species that appears to be a monomeric episomal circular form based on nuclease sensitivity assays. These data are the first to document the existence of multiple vector DNA forms present within the adult murine brain following direct rAAV inoculation and therefore, provide insight into the molecular events that ultimately result in long-term rAAV mediated transgene expression.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Hepatitis delta antigen expressed by recombinant baculoviruses: comparison of biochemical properties and post-translational modifications between the large and small forms.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) encodes only one protein, the hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg). Two forms of HDAg, a large (27 kDa) and a small (24 kDa) one, participate in the various steps of HDV replication. To further understand the properties of HDAg, we have constructed recombinant baculoviruses and expressed both forms of the HDAg in insect cells. The gene encoding HDAg was placed under the control of the polyhedrin promoter of Autographa Californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) by homologous recombination. When Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were infected with the recombinant viruses, both the small HDAg and the large HDAg were expressed at high levels. The HDAgs produced by the recombinants were similar in size and antigenic properties to those of the proteins produced in mammalian hepatoma cell lines. It was also localized exclusively in the nuclei. In addition, both proteins bound to HDV RNA in an in vitro assay. No difference in the RNA-binding affinity was noted between the two forms of HDAg, suggesting that the trans-dominant inhibitory activity of the large HDAg on HDV replication is not due to its competition with the small HDAg for RNA binding. Two RNA-protein complexes could be detected, suggesting either that there are at least two binding sites on the HDV RNA or that HDAg binds to HDV RNA in two multimeric forms. We have further shown that both the large and the small HDAgs are phosphoproteins, with the former having an approximately sixfold higher level of phosphorylation. Finally, it was demonstrated that the large HDAg was isoprenylated, while the small one was not. These differences in post-translational modifications are the first differences in biochemical properties demonstrated between the two forms and may explain the differential effects of the large and small HDAgs on HDV RNA replication and virus packaging.

Animals↗