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Published on: July 13, 2019
Development of infectious recombinant BK virus.
Mohamed I Husseiny1, Simon F Lacey
1Division of Translational Vaccine Research, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010-3000, USA. husseiny_mohamed@yahoo.com
Virus Research
|August 16, 2011
Summary
This study engineered BK virus (BKV) to express foreign proteins using a novel 2A peptide fusion strategy. While most recombinant viruses showed instability, the approach may enable reporter viruses and gene delivery vectors.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetic Engineering
Background:
- BK virus (BKV) establishes persistent infections in most humans.
- Engineering recombinant BKV (rBKV) is challenging due to its small, non-redundant genome.
- Minimizing alterations to native viral sequences is key for maintaining viral viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a strategy for engineering recombinant BK virus (rBKV).
- To fuse foreign polypeptide sequences to BKV genes using the 2A self-processing peptide.
- To assess the utility of rBKV as reporter viruses or gene delivery vectors.
Main Methods:
- Engineered rBKV by in-frame fusion of foreign gene sequences to BKV agnoprotein or VP2 capsid protein genes.
- Utilized the self-processing 2A peptide for polypeptide expression.
- Constructed rBKV expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or HIV-1 Gag variants.
Main Results:
- Most constructed rBKV exhibited stability issues.
- The 2A peptide-mediated fusion strategy was successfully implemented.
- Expression of foreign proteins like EGFP and HIV-1 Gag was achieved.
Conclusions:
- The 2A peptide fusion strategy offers a novel method for engineering rBKV.
- Despite stability challenges, this approach holds potential for developing reporter viruses.
- rBKV may serve as a platform for gene delivery applications.
