title: Expression of streptococcal M protein in mammalian cells.
abstract: The M protein encoded by group A streptococci is a cell-wall polypeptide that has the property of enabling these organisms to evade the phagocytic cells of the human host. Therefore, the M protein plays a major role in the pathogenesis of streptococcal diseases. As an initial step toward the use of this protein as a target antigen for the production of protective anti-streptococcal immunity, a live vaccinia virus recombinant containing the M-protein gene has been constructed (VV:M6 delta). The bacterial M-protein DNA sequence is stable within this genetic context and is actively transcribed by viral RNA polymerase. Furthermore, high levels of immunoreactive M protein were detected in vivo when the VV:M6 delta recombinant was used to infect mammalian cells in culture. Thus, in addition to providing a powerful approach for dissecting the immunodominant domains of the M protein, the VV:M6 delta recombinant appears to be an excellent candidate vaccine for animal trials.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D007118:Immunoassay; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014162:Transfection; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; C014689:streptococcal M protein