Herpesvirus particles comprising fusion protein and their preparation and use

摘要

Herpesviral particle preparations, e.g. a preparation of herpesviral particles isolated from the cell culture in which such particles were produced, can have at least part of the VP22 tegument protein present in the form of a recombinant mutant form of VP22, e.g. as a recombinant fusion polypeptide comprising a VP22-active sequence and a non-VP22 peptide or polypeptide sequence such as a fluorescent GFP sequence: corresponding DNA preparations are described. The use of virus particles containing fluorescent fusion protein to detect the progress of cell infection by virus and to screen for neutralising antibody or inhibitors of infection is also described. Vaccine uses of modified herpesvirus particles are described.