These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed


  • Title: Molecular characterization and baculovirus expression of the glycoprotein B of a seal herpesvirus (phocid herpesvirus-1).
    Author: Harder TC, Osterhaus AD.
    Journal: Virology; 1997 Jan 20; 227(2):343-52. PubMed ID: 9018133.
    Abstract:
    A glycoprotein B (gB) gene homologue was identified in a 5.4-kb BamHl genomic fragment of the phocid herpesvirus type-1 (PhHV-1) which represents a widespread and important pathogen of pinnipeds. Sequence analysis revealed a gB-specific open-reading frame comprising 881 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis gave evidence for a close evolutionary relationship between PhHV-1 and members of the Varicellovirus genus of the alpha-Herpesvirinae and canid herpesvirus in particular. In PhHV-1-infected Crandell feline kidney cells gB is expressed as a 113-kDa glycosylated molecule which is proteolytically cleaved into at least two fragments of 67 and 53-59 kDa apparently forming disulfide-linked heterodimers of 140 kDa. Cell surface expression of PhHV-1 gB was confirmed by FACS analysis. Thus, synthesis and processing of the gB protein of PhHV-1 follows a pattern also observed in other Varicelloviruses. Since the gB protein of herpesviruses, expressed in the baculovirus system, has been shown to be a suitable target for vaccine design, we used this system for expression of PhHV-1 gB. Recombinant (rec) baculovirus-expressed gB was identified as a 105-kDa glycosylated molecule. Proteolytic cleavage into fragments of 62 and 52 kDa was markedly delayed compared to wild-type (wt) gB. Wt and rec gB harbored endoglycosidase H (precursor)- as well as N-glycosidase F-sensitive N-glycans (proteolytic fragments). Baculovirus-expressed gB appeared to be antigenically authentic, since it was recognized in radioimmunoprecipitation and immune peroxidase monolayer assays by PhHV-1-neutralizing seal sera and by gB-specific neutralizing murine monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, PhHV-1-neutralizing antibodies were induced in mice following immunization with baculovirus-expressed gB, indicating its suitability for incorporation in a candidate vaccine for seals.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]