Open AccessGeneration of Marburg virus‐like particles by co‐expression of glycoprotein and matrix protein 1
Author(s) -
Swenson Dana L.,
Warfield Kelly L.,
Kuehl Kathleen,
Larsen Thomas,
Hevey Michael C.,
Schmaljohn Alan,
Bavari Sina,
Aman M.Javad
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1016/s0928-8244(03)00273-6
Subject(s) - marburg virus , viral matrix protein , glycoprotein , vp40 , virus like particle , biology , virus , virology , budding , matrix (chemical analysis) , immune system , ebola virus , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , gene , chemistry , recombinant dna , genetics , chromatography
Marburg virus (MARV), the causative agent of a severe hemorrhagic fever, has a characteristic filamentous morphology. Here we report that co‐expression of MARV glycoprotein and matrix protein (VP40) in mammalian cells leads to spontaneous budding of filamentous particles strikingly similar to wild‐type MARV. In addition, these particles elicit an immune response in BALB/c mice. The generation of non‐replicating Marburg virus‐like particles (VLPs) should significantly facilitate the research on molecular mechanisms of MARV assembly and release. Furthermore, VLPs may be an excellent vaccine candidate against Marburg infection.