Transient expression of HPV16 E7 peptide (aa 44-60) and HPV16 L2 peptide (aa 108-120) on chimeric potyvirus-like particles using Potato virus X-based vector

The optimized expression of recombinant Potato virus A coat protein (ACP) carrying two different epitopes from Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) was developed. Epitope derived from minor capsid protein L2 was expressed as N-terminal fusion with ACP while an epitope derived from E7 oncoprotein was fused to its C-terminus. The construct was cloned into Potato X potexvirus (PVX) based vector and transiently expressed in plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated inoculation. To increase the level of expressed protein the transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants expressing Potato virus A HC-Pro gene and transgenic Nicotiana tabacum, cv. Petit Havana SR1 carrying Potato virus A P3 protein gene were tested. Synergistic infection of host plants with PVX carrying the construct and Potato virus Y(O) (PVY(O)) increased the expression of L2ACPE7 in N. tabacum and in transgenic N. benthamiana carrying potyviral HC-Pro gene as compared to control plants infected with L2ACPE7 only.