title: Insertion of foreign epitopes in HBcAg: how to make the chimeric particle assemble.
abstract: Hepatitis B core antigen is one of the most promising protein carriers of foreign epitopes of various human and animal pathogens. Chimeric HBcAg particles can be used as effective artificial immunogenes. Unfortunately, not all chimeric proteins are able to be particulated. The dependence of correct or incorrect folding of chimeric proteins on physical and chemical properties of inserts was studied with the help of ProAnalyst, SALIX and QSARPro computer programs. We have found that insertion of amino acids with high hydrophobicity, large volume, and high beta-strand index prevent self-assembling chimeric proteins. These factors are most important for the C-termini of inserts. Recommendations for obtaining correct folding of chimeric HBcAg particles have been given.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioengineering, State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia. karpenko@vector.nsk.su
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Karpenko
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Ivanisenko
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Pika
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Chikaev
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Eroshkin
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Veremeiko
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ilyichev
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D000939:Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017510:Protein Folding; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins