Recombinant expression of Mimivirus L725 ORFan gene product.
Mimivirus was the first discovered amoebal giant virus. The Mimivirus virions are covered by a dense layer of approximately 130 nm-long fibers, the length and shape of which diverge from those of other viruses. Here, we aimed at expressing the L725 protein to further confirm and study its role as a fiber-associated protein. We report Escherichia coli expression of the L725 protein, which is encoded by a Mimivirus ORFan, was previously identified by proteomics in purified viral fibers and demonstrated to be a fiber-associated protein by RNA-silencing experiments. The expressed protein was recognized by anti-Mimivirus fiber or anti-Mimivirus L725 polyclonal antibodies. This study is the only expression, to our knowledge, of a product from a Mimiviral ORFan gene.
H
H
Sobhy
G
G
Gotthard
E
E
Chabrière
D
D
Raoult
P
P
Colson
D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D056686:Mimiviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins
Mimivirus; giant virus; fiber; ORFan; gene expression.