[Codon modification of HIV-1 subtype B gag gene and its immunogenicity in mice]

HIV-1 subtype B gag genes were cloned from the infected paid blood donors in Henan, and the consensus sequence based on these prevalent strains was obtained by aligning. The codons of the consensus gag sequence were modified according to mammalian codon usage. Western blot analysis was used to compare the expression level of wild type and codon-modified gag gene. It was found that the expression level of Gag protein was improved largely by codon-modification. Then the mod. gag gene was inserted into the adenovirus vector and the recombinant adenovirus rAdV-mod. gag was constructed. 10(8) PFU or 10(9) PFU rAdV-mod, gag vaccinated mice twicely could elicit high level Gag-specific CTL responses in immunized mice. In conclusion,the codon modification of gag gene is successful. The recombinant adenovirus vaccine harbouring mod. gag can induce robust Gag-specific CTL immune response in mice.