title: An investigation into the use of human papillomavirus type 16 virus-like particles as a delivery vector system for foreign proteins: N- and C-terminal fusion of GFP to the L1 and L2 capsid proteins.
abstract: Development of vaccine strategies against human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, is a priority. We investigated the use of virus-like particles (VLPs) of the most prevalent type, HPV-16, as carriers of foreign proteins. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was fused to the N or C terminus of both L1 and L2, with L2 chimeras being co-expressed with native L1. Purified chimaeric VLPs were comparable in size ( approximately 55 nm) to native HPV VLPs. Conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) bound to the VLPs, thereby indicating that they possibly retain their antigenicity. In addition, all of the VLPs encapsidated DNA in the range of 6-8 kb.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa.
authors.forename: Oliver P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Windram
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jaffer
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rybicki
authors.forename: Dionne N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varsani
mesh_terms: D002213:Capsid / Q000276:immunology; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins; C063316:L2 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; C063317:L1 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16