Exploration on the expression and assembly of virus-like particles

Abstract

Virus-like particles (VLPs) have a great application prospect in vaccines and molecule delivery carriers. In this study, in order to solve the problem of low expression and low assembly efficiency of VLPs, the conditions for the assembly and purification of eight representative VLPs (hepatitis B virus core antigen protein particles, Qbeta phage, MS2 phage, P22 phage, cowpea chlorotic mottle virus, tobacco Mosaic virus, ferritin and encapsulin) expressed in Escherichia coli were optimized. The VLPs with high expression, easy assembly and good purification properties were selected as the preferred objects for potential biological applications.