title: Chimeric virus-like particle formation of adeno-associated virus.
abstract: Adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids are composed of three proteins, VP1, VP2, and VP3. These capsid proteins have a common amino acid sequence, being expressed from different initiation codons on the same open reading frame. Although VP1 is necessary for viral infection, it is not essential for capsid formation. The other capsid proteins, VP2 and VP3, are sufficient for capsid formation, but their functions are poorly understood. To investigate the role(s) of the capsid proteins in capsid formation, we used a baculovirus protein expression system to produce virus-like particles (VLPs). We found that varying the ratios of VP2 and VP3 did not affect VLP formation. Further, their physical properties were equivalent to those of empty wild-type particles. The function of VP3 was studied further by fusing a peptide tag, FLAG, to its N-terminus. This chimeric viral protein, in combination with VP2, could assemble into VLPs, indicating that the chimerism of VP3 did not affect VLP formation. Although the monomeric native form of the FLAG-VP3 chimera could react with anti-FLAG antibody, VLP containing the chimeric VP3 could not, suggesting that the N-terminal region of VP3 is located inside the VLP. These observations indicate that it may be possible to utilize AAV VLP as vectors of a broad range of drugs since fusion of the VP3 N-terminus with defined molecules could impose distinct physical properties onto the internal environment of the VLP.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Frontier Collaborative Research Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoque
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: K i
authors.initials: Ki
authors.lastname: Ishizu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yajima
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arisaka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Handa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016367:Baculoviridae; D002213:Capsid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000737:chemistry*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010455:Peptides; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D018411:Spodoptera; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010455:Peptides; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C442553:VP2 protein, Dependovirus; C442558:VP3 protein, Dependovirus; C085706:FLAG peptide