HTLV-III gag protein is processed in yeast cells by the virus pol-protease.

摘要: The gag-pol gene of HTLV-III (human T-lymphotropic virus), the virus linked to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), was expressed in yeast, and processing gag precursor into proteins same size as those virion observed. Processing yeast cells mimics process that naturally occurs mammalian during maturation virions. Therefore it possible perform mutational analysis genome localize codes for protease function amino terminal coding region pol gene. Since this overlaps gene, is likely ribosomal frameshifting from pol. Antibodies all patients' sera tested recognized synthesized proteins, although showed differences relative reactivity individual precursor. This system should be valuable not only production viral diagnostic or vaccine purposes but also genetics biochemistry functions--parameters are difficult study otherwise with virus.