Seroreactive recombinant herpes simplex virus type 2-specific glycoprotein G.
The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) genome codes for an envelope protein, glycoprotein G (gG), which contains predominantly type 2-specific epitopes. A portion of this gG gene has been expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Expression was regulated by a lambda phage pL promoter. The 60,000-molecular-weight recombinant protein was purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Amino acid sequence analysis confirmed the N terminus of the purified protein. Mice immunized with recombinant gG developed antibodies reactive with native HSV-2 protein, but not with HSV-1 protein, in an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The serological activity of this purified recombinant gG protein was evaluated by immunoblot assay. This protein was reactive with an HSV-2 gG monoclonal antibody. It was also reactive with HSV-2 rabbit antiserum but not with HSV-1 rabbit antiserum. Of 15 patient serum samples known to have antibody to HSV-2, 14 were reactive with this recombinant type 2-specific gG protein, and none of 15 HSV antibody-negative patient serum samples showed reactivity. In agreement with the expected prevalence of HSV-2 infection, 27.6% of 134 serum samples from random normal individuals had antibodies reactive with recombinant gG. This recombinant gG protein may be of value in detecting HSV-2-specific antibody responses in patients infected with HSV-2.
Parkes
D L
DL
Triton Biosciences Inc., Alameda, California 94501.
Smith
C M
CM
Rose
J M
JM
Brandis
J
J
Coates
S R
SR
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C045464:glycoprotein G, herpes simplex virus type 2