Bohle iridovirus as a vector for heterologous gene expression.
The large double-stranded DNA (ds DNA) viruses were among the first to be used to construct recombinant viruses, but to date this has not been achieved with any members of the ds DNA virus family, Iridoviridae. We identified a non-essential gene, the viral homologue of eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha (eIF-2alpha), in Bohle iridovirus (BIV, genus Ranavirus). A recombinant BIV was constructed with the neomycin resistance gene and the Bufo marinus (cane toad) adult globin gene inserted into the BIV eIF-2alpha region. Adult globin expressed by the virus was detected on western blot, demonstrating that foreign genes can be expressed by the recombinant BIV in vitro and suggesting the possibility of using a recombinant BIV in the biological control of cane toads.
Pallister
Jackie
J
CSIRO Livestock Industries, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia. jackie.pallister@csiro.au
Goldie
Sarah
S
Coupar
Barbara
B
Shiell
Brian
B
Michalski
Wojtek P
WP
Siddon
Nicole
N
Hyatt
Alex
A
D000818:Animals; D002024:Bufo marinus / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D005914:Globins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D007814:Larva / Q000821:virology; D017995:Ranavirus / Q000235:genetics*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005914:Globins