title: The incorporation of the A2 protein to produce novel Qβ virus-like particles using cell-free protein synthesis.
abstract: Virus-like particles (VLPs) have been employed for a number of nanometric applications because they self-assemble, exhibit a high degree of symmetry, and can be genetically and chemically modified. However, high symmetry does not allow for a single unique modification site on the VLP. Here, we demonstrate the co-expression of the cytotoxic A2 protein and the coat protein of the bacteriophage Qβ to form a nearly monodispersed population of novel VLPs. Cell-free protein synthesis allows for direct access and optimization of protein-synthesis and VLP-assembly. The A2 is shown to be incorporated at high efficiency, approaching a theoretical maximum of one A2 per VLP. This work demonstrates de novo production of a novel VLP, which contains a unique site that has the potential for future nanometric engineering applications.
authors: Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
authors: Mark T
authors: MT
authors: Smith
authors: Chad T
authors: CT
authors: Varner
authors: Derek B
authors: DB
authors: Bush
authors: Bradley C
authors: BC
authors: Bundy
mesh_terms: D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014771:Virion / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins