Coronavirus derived expression systems.
Both helper dependent expression systems, based on two components, and single genomes constructed by targeted recombination, or by using infectious cDNA clones, have been developed. The sequences that regulate transcription have been characterized mainly using helper dependent expression systems and it will now be possible to validate them using single genomes. The genome of coronaviruses has been engineered by modification of the infectious cDNA leading to an efficient (>20 microg ml(-1)) and stable (>20 passages) expression of the foreign gene. The possibility of engineering the tissue and species tropism to target expression to different organs and animal species, including humans, increases the potential of coronaviruses as vectors. Thus, coronaviruses are promising virus vectors for vaccine development and, possibly, for gene therapy.
Enjuanes
L
L
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Campus Universidad Autónoma, Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain. l.enjuanes@cnb.uam.es
Sola
I
I
Almazan
F
F
Ortego
J
J
Izeta
A
A
Gonzalez
J M
JM
Alonso
S
S
Sanchez
J M
JM
Escors
D
D
Calvo
E
E
Riquelme
C
C
Sanchez
C
C
D017934:Coronavirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics*; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006801:Humans; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D018523:Tropism; D014612:Vaccines
D014612:Vaccines