Plant-produced hepatitis B core protein chimera carrying anthrax protective antigen domain-4.
The hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) can generate a strong immune response and is recognized as an effective carrier for foreign epitopes. The domain-4 epitope of the anthrax protective antigen (PA-D4) plays an essential role in generating protective immunity against virulent Bacillus anthracis. Here we report the successful production of a recombinant protein comprised of the antigenic PA-D4 integrated into the c/e1 loop of HBcAg in transgenic low-alkaloid Nicotiana tabacum. Sera of mice injected with the plant-derived purified HB/PA-D4 protein exhibited significant anti-PA- and anti-HBcAg-specific IgG titers; however, formation of virus-like particles (VLP) was not observed. These data support the feasibility of producing complex protein chimeras in plants.
Bandurska
Katarzyna
K
Biotechnology Foundation Laboratories, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Brodzik
Robert
R
Spitsin
Sergei
S
Kohl
Thomas
T
Portocarrero
Carla
C
Smirnov
Yuri
Y
Pogrebnyak
Natalia
N
Sirko
Agnieszka
A
Koprowski
Hilary
H
Golovkin
Maxim
M
D000818:Animals; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008954:Models, Biological; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C030325:anthrax toxin