Intratype sequence variation among clinical isolates of the human papillomavirus type 6 L1 ORF: clustering of mutations and identification of a frequent amino acid sequence variant.

Human papillomavirus type 6 (HPV-6) is the causative agent of condyloma acuminata, a common sexually transmitted disease. Virus-like particles (VLPs) assembled from the L1 major capsid protein represent promising candidates for prophylactic vaccines. However, any intratype sequence variation among HPV-6 L1 ORFs will influence which sequence is used for a vaccine according to its prevalence in the population and its propensity for VLP production.

Induction of single and dual cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses to viral proteins in mice using recombinant hybrid Ty-virus-like particles.

The induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses to viral proteins is thought to be an essential component of protective immunity against viral infections. Methods for generating such responses in a reproducible manner would be of great value in vaccine development. We demonstrate here that the recombinant antigen-presentation system based on the yeast transposon (Ty) particle-forming p1 protein is a potent means of inducing CTL responses to a variety of viral CTL epitopes, including influenza virus nucleoprotein (two epitopes), Sendai virus and vesicular stomatitis virus nucleoproteins, and the V3 loop of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) gp120.

Identification of immunodominant regions and linear B cell epitopes of the gE envelope protein of varicella-zoster virus.

The envelope proteins of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are highly immunogenic and one of the most abundant is glycoprotein E (gE). However, its immunodominant regions and epitopes have not been identified. In this study, using human sera from individuals with recent varicella or zoster infections, we have localized antigenic sequences of gE using recombinant hybrid Ty-virus-like particles (VLPs) carrying overlapping fragments of the gE protein.

Induction of HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vivo with hybrid HIV-1 V3:Ty-virus-like particles.

In general, it has proven difficult to induce CTL responses using simple proteins or peptides without resorting to specialized adjuvants. In this study we show that particulate polymeric Ag in the form of hybrid Ty virus-like particles carrying the V3 region of HIV-1 gp120/160 envelope protein (V3:Ty-VLP) induce V3-specific CTL in BALB/c mice in the absence of adjuvant or lipid vehicle. In vitro restimulation of splenocytes with V3 peptide was necessary in order to generate effector CTL.

Nucleotide sequence of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis 9.4 kbp EcoRI-I and -R (polyhedrin gene) region.

The nucleotide sequence of a 9.4-kbp region including the polyhedrin gene of the C6 strain of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) genome was determined. These data provide a complete description of the EcoRI-I fragment, which is used to produce transfer vectors for inserting foreign genes into the AcMNPV.

A baculovirus expression vector derived from the basic protein promoter of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus.

The basic protein of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) is associated with virus DNA in virion nucleocapsids and is produced in infected cells during the late phase of gene expression. A transfer vector was constructed containing the beta-galactosidase gene, under the control of a copy of the putative basic protein promoter, in place of the polyhedrin gene within the AcMNPV EcoRI fragment I. After cotransfection of Spodoptera frugiperda cells with the transfer vector and infectious AcMNPV DNA, polyhedrin-negative recombinant viruses were selected which expressed high levels of beta-galactosidase.

Site-specific mutagenesis in vivo by single methylated or deaminated purine bases.

The technique of site-directed mutagenesis has been used to investigate the mutagenicity of O6-methylguanine (O6-MeG) or hypoxanthine introduced as a single lesion at a specific locus in an M13mp9 RF molecule constructed in vitro. Following transformation of O6-MeG-containing RF molecules into E. coli JM101, mutant progeny phage were produced at a frequency not significantly different from that observed with wild-type M13mp9 RF.