A specific domain of the Chikungunya virus E2 protein regulates particle formation in human cells: implications for alphavirus vaccine design.
Virus-like particles (VLPs) can be generated from Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), but different strains yield variable quantities of particles. Here, we define the genetic basis for these differences and show that amino acid 234 in E2 substantially affects VLP production. This site is located within the acid-sensitive region (ASR) known to initiate a major conformational change in E1/E2. Selected other mutations in the ASR, or changes in pH, also increased VLP yield. These results demonstrate that the ASR of E2 plays an important role in regulating particle generation.
Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Wataru
W
Akahata
Gary J
GJ
Nabel
D002646:Chikungunya virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D022721:Vaccines, Virosome / Q000276:immunology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D019065:Virus Assembly
D022721:Vaccines, Virosome; D014764:Viral Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines