Generation of Marburg virus-like particles by co-expression of glycoprotein and matrix protein.
Marburg virus (MARV), the causative agent of a severe hemorrhagic fever, has a characteristic filamentous morphology. Here we report that co-expression of MARV glycoprotein and matrix protein (VP40) in mammalian cells leads to spontaneous budding of filamentous particles strikingly similar to wild-type MARV. In addition, these particles elicit an immune response in BALB/c mice. The generation of non-replicating Marburg virus-like particles (VLPs) should significantly facilitate the research on molecular mechanisms of MARV assembly and release. Furthermore, VLPs may be an excellent vaccine candidate against Marburg infection.
Swenson
Dana L
DL
U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Warfield
Kelly L
KL
Kuehl
Kathleen
K
Larsen
Thomas
T
Hevey
Michael C
MC
Schmaljohn
Alan
A
Bavari
Sina
S
Aman
M Javad
MJ
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D029024:Marburgvirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014162:Transfection; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014771:Virion / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C080981:VP40 protein, virus; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins