Cloning and expression of the hemagglutinin gene of influenza virus subtype H1 in Escherichia coli

The full-length copy of the hemagglutinin gene of influenza virus was inserted into M13 phage DNA. The DNA sequence coding for the hydrophobic prepeptide was removed from the gene by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The possibilities of expression of the full-length and mutant genes in E. coli were investigated. The beta-galactosidase-hemagglutinin fusion proteins were isolated. The fusion proteins exhibited specific binding to antiviral antibodies. This binding could be competitively inhibited by excess of viral hemagglutinin, demonstrating that these fusion proteins contained antigenic determinants of hemagglutinin.     

Cloning of the hemagglutinin gene of influenza virus of subtype H3 in E. coli

dsDNA of the influenza virus subtype A/Leningrad/385/80/R (H3N2)-recombinant A/Leningrad/385/80 (H3N2) and RR/8/34 (H1N1) has been synthesized using polyadenylated viral RNA as a template. This dsDNA has been cloned on plasmid pUC19. A clone has been selected harbouring the plasmid with included proximal fragment of hemagglutinin gene that contains the main antigenic determinants. The hybrid plasmid is hybridizable with RNA of the hemagglutinin gene and with oligonucleotide CATGCAAAACCTTCCC that is complementing the sequence coding for the proximal fragment of the mature hemagglutinin.     

Immune response to human influenza virus hemagglutinin expressed in Escherichia coli

Cloned DNA fragments coding for parts of strain WSN (H1N1) influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) were fused to a bacterial leader DNA derived from the Escherichia coli trp operon. Fusion proteins produced consisted of 190 amino acids of trpLE' protein at the amino terminus, and HA amino acids, either 1-308, 1-396, or 1-548 (complete HA), at the carboxyl terminus. These proteins were expressed at high levels (10-20% of total protein) in E. coli starved for tryptophan. A CNBr fragment (HA1-211) was derived from HA-308. Each of the proteins was purified and used for immunizing mice and rabbits. The antibody produced was shown to bind to (i) the HA fusion proteins, (ii) detergent-treated viral HA, (iii) HA, on intact virions, and (iv) the HA on the surface of cells infected with influenza virus. This shows that the HA fusion proteins expressed in bacteria can elicit antibodies that recognize at least some determinants of the native viral HA, and probably could lead to development of an anti-influenza vaccine.     

Evolution of the hemagglutinin gene of human influenza A virus H3 subtype

An evolutional tree of human influenza viruses of the H3N2-subtype is suggested on the basis of combined published primary structures of the hemagglutinin HA1-subunit. Possible differences between natural and sequenced structures are discussed. A tendency to reversions in the course of antigenic draft within the subtype has been revealed to support the hypothesis of limited antigenic evolution within a single subtype.     

Protection against divergent influenza H1N1 virus by a centralized influenza hemagglutinin

Influenza poses a persistent worldwide threat to the human population. As evidenced by the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, current vaccine technologies are unable to respond rapidly to this constantly diverging pathogen. We tested the utility of adenovirus (Ad) vaccines expressing centralized consensus influenza antigens. Ad vaccines were produced within 2 months and protected against influenza in mice within 3 days of vaccination. Ad vaccines were able to protect at doses as low as 10(7) virus particles/kg indicating that approximately 1,000 human doses could be rapidly generated from standard Ad preparations. To generate broadly cross-reactive immune responses, centralized consensus antigens were constructed against H1 influenza and against H1 through H5 influenza. Twenty full-length H1 HA sequences representing the main branches of the H1 HA phylogenetic tree were used to create a synthetic centralized gene, HA1-con. HA1-con minimizes the degree of sequence dissimilarity between the vaccine and existing circulating viruses. The centralized H1 gene, HA1-con, induced stronger immune responses and better protection against mismatched virus challenges as compared to two wildtype H1 genes. HA1-con protected against three genetically diverse lethal influenza challenges. When mice were challenged with 1934 influenza A/PR/8/34, HA1-con protected 100% of mice while vaccine generated from 2009 A/TX/05/09 only protected 40%. Vaccination with 1934 A/PR/8/34 and 2009 A/TX/05/09 protected 60% and 20% against 1947 influenza A/FM/1/47, respectively, whereas 80% of mice vaccinated with HA1-con were protected. Notably, 80% of mice challenged with 2009 swine flu isolate A/California/4/09 were protected by HA1-con vaccination. These data show that HA1-con in Ad has potential as a rapid and universal vaccine for H1N1 influenza viruses.     

Positive selection on the H3 hemagglutinin gene of human influenza virus A.

The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of influenza viruses encodes the major surface antigen against which neutralizing antibodies are produced during infection or vaccination. We examined temporal variation in the HA1 domain of HA genes of human influenza A (H3N2) viruses in order to identify positively selected codons. Positive selection is defined for our purposes as a significant excess of nonsilent over silent nucleotide substitutions. If past mutations at positively selected codons conferred a selective advantage on the virus, then additional changes at these positions may predict which emerging strains will predominate and cause epidemics. We previously reported that a 38% excess of mutations occurred on the tip or terminal branches of the phylogenetic tree of 254 HA genes of influenza A (H3N2) viruses. Possible explanations for this excess include processes other than viral evolution during replication in human hosts. Of particular concern are mutations that occur during adaptation of viruses for growth in embryonated chicken eggs in the laboratory. Because the present study includes 357 HA sequences (a 40% increase), we were able to separately analyze those mutations assigned to internal branches. This allowed us to determine whether mutations on terminal and internal branches exhibit different patterns of selection at the level of individual codons. Additional improvements over our previous analysis include correction for a skew in the distribution of amino acid replacements across codons and analysis of a population of phylogenetic trees rather than a single tree. The latter improvement allowed us to ascertain whether minor variation in tree structure had a significant effect on our estimate of the codons under positive selection. This method also estimates that 75.6% of the nonsilent mutations are deleterious and have been removed by selection prior to sampling. Using the larger data set and the modified methods, we confirmed a large (40%) excess of changes on the terminal branches. We also found an excess of changes on branches leading to egg-grown isolates. Furthermore, 9 of the 18 amino acid codons, identified as being under positive selection to change when we used only mutations assigned to internal branches, were not under positive selection on the terminal branches. Thus, although there is overlap between the selected codons on terminal and internal branches, the codons under positive selection on the terminal branches differ from those on the internal branches. We also observed that there is an excess of positively selected codons associated with the receptor-binding site and with the antibody-combining sites. This association may explain why the positively selected codons are restricted in their distribution along the sequence. Our results suggest that future studies of positive selection should focus on changes assigned to the internal branches, as certain of these changes may have predictive value for identifying future successful epidemic variants.     

一株2011年出现的季节性甲型H1N1流行性感冒病毒血凝素基因特性的研究

本文通过比较2011年分离培养的1株季节性甲型H1N1流行性感冒(简称流感)病毒(A/Shanghai/1167/2011(H1N1))与历年季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒的血凝素(HA)基因,追溯该病毒的基因变异与来源,探讨该毒株的出现对流感防控工作的意义.采用反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法扩增病毒的HA和神经氨酸酶(NA)片段,并进行测序;应用分子生物学软件对获得的序列进行分析,绘制基因进化树;同时,通过血凝抑制试验检测2011年下半年健康人群中该流感病毒的抗体水平.结果显示,A/Shanghai/1167/2011(H1N1)的HA基因序列与世界卫生组织(WHO)2007～2008年季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒疫苗株A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)最接近,同源性达99.2%,与新型甲型H1N1流感病毒A/California/07/2009疫苗株同源性仅为72.4%.其HA基因裂解位点为PSIQSR↓GLF,尚未出现高致病性的分子特征.HA片段共编码557个氨基酸,有9个潜在的糖基化位点,序列与2009年前WHO疫苗株A/NewCaledonia/20/1999(H1N1)、A/SolomonIslands/3/2006(H1N1)和/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)相比,分别有15、12和4处不同,这些差异分布在Sa、Sb、Ca1、Ca2、Cb 5个抗原决定簇的氨基酸差异分别有5、5和2处.该毒株在健康人群血清的抗体阳性率为34.33%,几何平均效价(GMT)为10.38.A/Shanghai/1167/2011(H1N1)是2011年出现在上海地区的一个季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒毒株,其抗原变异与既往季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒相比不大,但在以A(H1N1)pdm09为主要流行株的年份检测到散在发生的既往季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒毒株应当引起重视,其在人群中的抗体水平较低,易引起流行,需要提高对类流感人群中此种毒株的持续监测.     

流感病毒H1N1血凝素基因和神经氨酸酶基因在酵母菌中的表达

在成功克隆流感病毒H1N1全长HA(Hemagglulinin,HA)、NA(Neuramidinase,NA) 基因并测序的基础上,将部分基因序列克隆到表达载体pMETA上,构建了重组表达质粒pMETA/HA(52~1 557 bp)、pMETA/NA(121~1 263 bp),电转化真核酵母菌pMAD16,甲醇诱导表达,利用Ni2+亲和层析柱对重组蛋白进行纯化,并用Western blotting和ELISA方法检测其抗原性。SDS-PAGE显示重组蛋白在酵母菌中可以高效表达,蛋白纯度占总蛋白的95％以上,ELISA和Western blotting实验证实,重组蛋白具有良好的抗原性。成功克隆和表达了流感病毒H1N1 HA、NA基因序列,为流感病毒H1N1诊断试剂和疫苗的开发等进一步的研究提供了参考。     

Design and expression of a diphtheria toxin hybrid protein and human interleukin-2 gene in Escherichia coli]

Recombinant fusion proteins consist of the N-terminal 488 or 513 amino acids of diphtheria toxin joined to human interleukin 2. Initially those fusion proteins were expressed in E. coli under the control of the tox promotor. Western blot analyses showed that E. coli strains bearing the hybrid genes produce 68 kDa or 72 kDa fusion proteins that retain the immunological determinants of both the diphtheria toxin component and the interleukin 2 component. The fusion protein with mol. mass 72 kDa was partially purified by affinity chromatography. The expression of the fusion proteins under the control of the strong promotors was increased (100-fold for tac- promotor) compared to that under the control of the tox promotor. DT-IL2 might be a useful cytotoxic agent in the treatment of diseases involving IL2 receptor-positive cells, such as allograft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, multiple sclerosis et al.     

Construction of hybrid plasmids containing the lysA gene of Escherichia coli: studies of expression in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary The lysA gene of Escherichia coli has been cloned from a transducing phage on various plasmids, present in different copy numbers in bacterial cells. Synthesis of the product of this gene, diaminopimelate (DAP)-decarboxylase, and its regulation have been studied. Expression does not follow a simple gene dosage effect, maximal expression already being obtained with a six-copy plasmid. This result suggests that either a positive or an autogenous regulatory mechanism is involved. We also used one of the hybrid plasmids to look for expression of the bacterial lysA gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results indicate that the product of the E. coli gene is not actively translated in yeast.     

Rare codons and gene expression in Escherichia coli]

Influence of rare codons upon gene expression in E. coli was investigated. The chimeric gene was created combining CAT gene and a fragment of the gene, encoding for alpha-domain of beta-galactosidase. The synthetic oligonucleotides were inserted in different parts of the chimeric gene. The constructed synthetic oligonucleotides encoded the same amino acid sequences and contained arginine codons AGG, AGA and CGT in various combinations. It was shown that the presence of rare arginine codons AGG and AGA in the template and their mutual arrangement significantly influence the level of gene expression. At the same time the presence of leucine, isoleucine, glycine and proline rare codons does not cause such an effect. Translation of AGGAGG and AGAAGA sequences was found to lead to the formation of a considerable amount of polypeptides of incomplete length. It was shown that the presence of such a cluster of rare codons effects on the length of specific mRNA.     

Evolution of the hemagglutinin gene of influenza A virus H1N1-subtype (1977-1983

A scheme for evolutionary interrelations of the H1-subunits of influenza hemagglutinin genes is proposed for the natural variants of influenza A virus of the H1N1-subtype. It is based on experimental data obtained by the authors and those reported in the literature. Differences among these viral isolates in their amino acid sequences and in the reaction of hemagglutinin inhibition obtained with a set of monoclonal antibodies are compared. The distinctions in the ability of the viruses to react with several monoclonal antibodies are attributed to differences in the primary structures of their hemagglutinins. Some aspects of hemagglutinin gene evolution are discussed in relation to vaccination.     

Functional chimeras of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gp120 and influenza A virus (H3) hemagglutinin

In an attempt to produce a protein that will allow determination of the native human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 (Env) structure in its trimeric state, we fused the globular head of gp120 to the stalk region of influenza virus A (X31) hemagglutinin (HA). The chimeric protein (EnvHA) has been expressed by using a recombinant vaccinia virus system, and its functional characteristics were determined. EnvHA is expressed as a 120- to 150-kDa protein that can oligomerize to form dimers and trimers. It retains the low-pH (5.2 to 5.4) requirement of X31-HA to trigger membrane fusion but, unlike X31-HA, it is not absolutely dependent on exogenously added trypsin for protein processing to release the HA2 fusion peptide. In terms of receptor binding the chimeric protein retains specificity for human CD4 but, in relation to the membrane fusion event, it appears to lose the Env coreceptor specificity of the parental HIV-1 strains: NL43 for CXCR4 and JRFL for CCR5. These properties suggest that stable, functional EnvHAs are being produced and that they may be exploited in terms of structural studies. Further, the potential of introducing the envHA genes into influenza viruses, by use of reverse genetics, and their use as a therapeutic vaccine for HIV are discussed.     

Directed reconstruction of the influenza virus hemagglutinin gene

A new approach to create chimeric genes by directed exchange of oligonucleotide fragments was developed. By oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis a few deletion mutants of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) gene were obtained. These variants of HA gene contain unique restriction sites in DNA regions coding for the A and B epitopes of the HA molecule. The obtained special vectors may be used for cloning DNA fragments coding for new amino acid sequences in internal sites of the HA gene.     

利用Cre-loxP自动敲除H5亚型禽流感病毒血凝素重组鸡痘病毒中的报告基因

研究去除重组鸡痘病毒中的报告基因,构建一株只含目的基因的重组毒。将H5亚型AIV的HA基因作为靶基因,两侧含loxP序列的GFP表达盒插入鸡痘病毒重组臂基因构建了转移质粒载体,将其与脂质体混合转染CEF细胞,获得了表达H5和GFP的鸡痘病毒重组体。通过二次转染,利用Cre酶自动敲除重组病毒中的GFP基因,最终获得了只含H5血凝素基因表达盒的重组鸡痘病毒。免疫荧光和病毒滴度测定结果表明,经过连续传代后重组病毒仍然稳定复制并表达H5血凝素。用10⁵PFU和2×10⁵PFU rFPV H5免疫SPF鸡,28d后,免疫组鸡抗体平均滴度(HI)分别达到4log 2和4.5log 2,结果表明,H5HA基因重组病毒能刺激鸡群产生较高特异抗体。     

Increased pathogenicity of a reassortant 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus containing an H5N1 hemagglutinin

A novel H1N1 influenza virus emerged in 2009 (pH1N1) to become the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. This virus is now cocirculating with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses in many parts of the world, raising concerns that a reassortment event may lead to highly pathogenic influenza strains with the capacity to infect humans more readily and cause severe disease. To investigate the virulence of pH1N1-H5N1 reassortant viruses, we created pH1N1 (A/California/04/2009) viruses expressing individual genes from an avian H5N1 influenza strain (A/Hong Kong/483/1997). Using several in vitro models of virus replication, we observed increased replication for a reassortant CA/09 virus expressing the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of HK/483 (CA/09-483HA) relative to that of either parental CA/09 virus or reassortant CA/09 expressing other HK/483 genes. This increased replication correlated with enhanced pathogenicity in infected mice similar to that of the parental HK/483 strain. The serial passage of the CA/09 parental virus and the CA/09-483HA virus through primary human lung epithelial cells resulted in increased pathogenicity, suggesting that these viruses easily adapt to humans and become more virulent. In contrast, serial passage attenuated the parental HK/483 virus in vitro and resulted in slightly reduced morbidity in vivo, suggesting that sustained replication in humans attenuates H5N1 avian influenza viruses. Taken together, these data suggest that reassortment between cocirculating human pH1N1 and avian H5N1 influenza strains will result in a virus with the potential for increased pathogenicity in mammals.     

重组虎源H5N1流感病毒HA基因犬2型腺病毒的构建与实验免疫研究

H5N1流感病毒可以对虎和猫产生致死性感染,为研制可用于预防猫科动物流感的新型疫苗,构建了重组虎源H5N1流感病毒HA基因的犬2型腺病毒。将A/Tiger/Harbin/01/2003(H5N1)的HA基因克隆入pVAX1载体中,然后将含有HA基因的表达盒(CMV HA PolyA)克隆入pVAXΔE3的SSPⅠ酶切缺失处,获得含有HA表达盒的穿梭载体pΔEHA。用SalⅠ NruⅠ分别对pΔEHA和pPoly-2-CAV2进行双酶切,将含有HA表达盒的SalⅠ NruⅠ片段克隆入pPoly2-CAV2,获得了在E3区缺失处插入HA表达盒的重组质粒pCAV-2/HA。释放CAV-2/HA重组基因组转染MDCK细胞,获得了重组活病毒CAV2/HA,经Western blot分析表明重组表达产物可被流感病毒HA单克隆抗体3A13所识别。使用该重组病毒免疫猫可以产生效价为1∶8~1∶16的抗H5亚型流感病毒血凝抑制抗体。