EUKARYOTIC VIRAL EXPRESSION SYSTEMS FOR POLYPEPTIDES

The use of genetically engineered and assembled viral subunits as carries for polypeptides is discussed. Hepatitis B virus surface antigen and core particles have served as presentation systems for heterologous, linear, antigenic epitopes presented at the N and C terminal of subunits synthesized and assembled in E. coli expression systems. Replicating poliovirus in which polypeptides have been generally inserted in a highly exposed loop have generated neutralizing antibodies to a number of viruses from which the epitopes were derived. Recently plant viruses were engineered to express polypeptides on their surfaces resulting in the production of gram quantities of infectious particles carrying heterologous antigenic polypeptides.