Characterization of virus-like particles produced by a recombinant baculovirus containing the gag gene of the bovine immunodeficiency-like virus.

摘要: The entire gag gene of the bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) was inserted behind strong polyhedron promoter Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis (AcNPV). resultant recombinant baculovirus (AcNPV-BIVgag) used to infect insect cells in order overexpress and characterize BIV products. infection resulted high-level expression a protein similar size predicted precursor (Pr53gag). Pr53gag detected AcNPV-BIVgag-infected culture supernatants. Electron microscopy these revealed an abundance virus-like particles (VLPs) cytoplasm, budding from cell membrane, free medium. morphology VLPs were those immature forms observed infected mammalian cells. sedimented at density 1.16 g sucrose per milliliter linear gradients shown contain majority supernatant Pr53gag. Antigenic determinants on recognized by HIV-1 antiserum, serum rats immunized with reacted viral processed protease (PR) activity virions capable processing Pr53gag; this blocked pepstatin A, potent aspartyl PR inhibitor. Baculovirus-expressed appears be excellent source precursor; it may prove useful for structural studies enable development assays detect retroviral inhibitors. data further suggest that unprocessed plays major role assembly particles. other genes instructive study molecular events involved proteins.