Synthesis of recombinant human parainfluenza virus 1 and 3 nucleocapsid proteins in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Synthesis of human parainfluenza virus 4 nucleocapsid-like particles in yeast and their use for detection of virus-specific antibodies in human serum

The aim of this study was to produce human parainfluenza virus type 4 (HPIV4) nucleocapsid (N) protein in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression system, to explore its structural and antigenic properties and to evaluate its applicability in serology. The use of an optimized gene encoding HPIV4 N protein amino acid (aa) sequence GenBank AGU90031.1 allowed high yield of recombinant N protein forming nucleocapsid-like particles (NLPs) in yeast. A substitution L332D disrupted self-assembly of NLPs, confirming the role of this position in the N proteins of Paramyxovirinae. Three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated against the NLP-forming HPIV4 N protein. They recognised HPIV4-infected cells, demonstrating the antigenic similarity between the recombinant and virus-derived N proteins. HPIV4 N protein was used as a coating antigen in an indirect IgG ELISA with serum specimens of 154 patients with respiratory tract infection. The same serum specimens were tested with previously generated N protein of a closely related HPIV2, another representative of genus Rubulavirus. Competitive ELISA was developed using related yeast-produced viral antigens to deplete the cross-reactive serum antibodies. In the ELISA either without or with competition using heterologous HPIV (2 or 4) N or mumps virus N proteins, the seroprevalence of HPIV4 N-specific IgG was, respectively, 46.8, 39.6 and 40.3% and the seroprevalence of HPIV2 N-specific IgG-47.4, 39.0 and 37.7%. In conclusion, yeast-produced HPIV4 N protein shares structural and antigenic properties of the native virus nucleocapsids. Yeast-produced HPIV4 and HPIV2 NLPs are prospective tools in serology.

Synthesis of human parainfluenza virus 2 nucleocapsid protein in yeast as nucleocapsid-like particles and investigation of its antigenic structure

The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression system for the production of human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV2) nucleocapsid (N) protein in the form of nucleocapsid-like particles (NLPs) and to characterize its antigenic structure. The gene encoding HPIV2 N amino acid (aa) sequence RefSeq NP_598401.1 was cloned into the galactose-inducible S. cerevisiae expression vector and its high-level expression was achieved. However, this recombinant HPIV2 N protein did not form NLPs. The PCR mutagenesis was carried out to change the encoded aa residues to the ones conserved across HPIV2 isolates. Synthesis of the modified proteins in yeast demonstrated that the single aa substitution NP_598401.1:p.D331V was sufficient for the self-assembly of NLPs. The significance of certain aa residues in this position was confirmed by analysing HPIV2 N protein structure models. To characterize the antigenic structure of NLP-forming HPIV2 N protein, a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was generated. The majority of the MAbs raised against the recombinant NLPs recognized HPIV2-infected cells suggesting the antigenic similarity between the recombinant and virus-derived HPIV2 N protein. Fine epitope mapping revealed the C-terminal part (aa 386-504) as the main antigenic region of the HPIV2 N protein. In conclusion, the current study provides new data on the impact of HPIV2 N protein sequence variants on the NLP self-assembly and demonstrates an efficient production of recombinant HPIV2 N protein in the form of NLPs.

Phylogenetic analysis of Puumala virus subtype Bavaria, characterization and diagnostic use of its recombinant nucleocapsid protein

Puumala virus (PUUV) is the predominant hantavirus species in Germany causing large numbers of mild to moderate cases of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). During an outbreak in South-East Germany in 2004 a novel PUUV subtype designated Bavaria was identified as the causative agent of HFRS in humans [1]. Here we present a molecular characterization of this PUUV strain by investigating novel partial and almost entire nucleocapsid (N) protein-encoding small (S-) segment sequences and partial medium (M-) segment sequences from bank voles (Myodes glareolus) trapped in Lower Bavaria during 2004 and 2005. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed their classification as subtype Bavaria, which is further subdivided into four geographical clusters. The entire N protein, harbouring an amino-terminal hexahistidine tag, of the Bavarian strain was produced in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and showed a slightly different reactivity with N-specific monoclonal antibodies, compared to the yeast-expressed N protein of the PUUV strain Vranica/Hällnäs. Endpoint titration of human sera from different parts of Germany and from Finland revealed only very slight differences in the diagnostic value of the different recombinant proteins. Based on the novel N antigen indirect and monoclonal antibody capture IgG-ELISAs were established. By using serum panels from Germany and Finland their validation demonstrated a high sensitivity and specificity. In summary, our investigations demonstrated the Bavarian PUUV strain to be genetically divergent from other PUUV strains and the potential of its N protein for diagnostic applications.

Generation of Tioman virus nucleocapsid-like particles in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Tioman virus (TioV) was isolated from a number of pooled urine samples of Tioman Island flying foxes (Pteropus hypomelanus) during the search for the reservoir host of Nipah virus. Studies have established TioV as a new virus in the family Paramyxoviridae. This novel paramyxovirus is antigenically related to Menangle virus that was isolated in Australia in 1997 during disease outbreak in pigs. TioV causes mild disease in pigs and has a predilection for lymphoid tissues. Recent serosurvey showed that 1.8% of Tioman Islanders had neutralizing antibodies against TioV, indicating probable past infection. For the development of convenient serological tests for this virus, recombinant TioV nucleocapsid (N) protein was expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. High yields of recombinant TioV N protein were obtained. Electron microscopy demonstrated that purified recombinant N protein self-assembled into nucleocapsid-like particles which were identical in density and morphology to authentic nucleocapsids from paramyxovirus-infected cells. Different size nucleocapsid-like particles were stable and readily purified by CsCl gradient ultracentrifugation. Polyclonal sera raised in rabbits after immunization with recombinant TioV N protein reacted reliably with TioV infected tissues in immunohistochemistry tests. It confirmed that the antigenic properties of yeast derived TioV N protein are identical to authentic viral protein.