Generation of recombinant norovirus-like particles (VLP) in the human endothelial kidney cell line 293T

Arch Virol. 2005 Jul;150(7):1425-31. doi: 10.1007/s00705-005-0517-x. Epub 2005 Mar 24.

Abstract

Noroviruses (NVs) are the major cause of non-bacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis. Here we report a new alternative system to generate recombinant NV virus-like particles (rNV-VLP) in a human endothelial kidney cell line (HEK). Transfecting HEK-293T cells with an expression vector coding for the ORF-2 gene lead to the expression of the viral structural protein VP1 which spontaneously assembled into virus-like particles (VLP), as shown by electron microscopy. The transfected cells did not show a cytopathic effect and released rNV-VLP into the culture medium. The HEK-293T cell derived particles were morphologically indistinguishable to the rNV-VLP produced from baculovirus and the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE)-replicon. The produced particles were stable for at least 2.5 months at 4 degrees C.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Endothelial Cells / virology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / cytology*
  • Norovirus / physiology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombination, Genetic

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins