Expression and antigenic characterization of the major capsid proteins of human polyomaviruses BK and JC in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

BK and JC viruses are ubiquitous human polyomaviruses that are associated with post-transplant interstitial nephritis (BK virus) and progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (JC virus). The use of a yeast system to express the major capsid protein (VP1) of two antigenic variants of BKV (strains SB and AS) and JCV is described. VP1s of AS and JCV expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced proteins of expected molecular weight as determined by gel electrophoresis whereas that of SB appeared to be lower than anticipated. However, all VP1s self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLP) retaining sialic acid-binding and antigenic properties of native virions. This method is highly efficient for producing recombinant proteins and therefore provides an alternative to the baculovirus system.