Expression of functional protease and subviral particles by vaccinia virus containing equine infectious anaemia virus \u3ci\u3egag\u3c/i\u3e and 5\u27 \u3ci\u3epol\u3c/i\u3e genes

Abstract

Cells infected with vaccinia viruses expressing the equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) gag gene (VGag) or gag plus the 5\u27 pol encoding protease (VGag/PR) were evaluated with monoclonal antibody to a p26 capsid protein linear epitope (QEISKFLTD). Both recombinant viruses expressed Gag precursor protein (55K) whereas only VGag/PR expressed a detectable Gag-Pol fusion protein (82K) with a functional protease, shown by subviral particles containing processed p26. Horses inoculated with VGag/PR produced antibodies reactive with EIAV Gag proteins