NOVEL GENES ENCODING ANTIVIRAL PROTEINS OF PHYTOLACCA INSULARIS NAKAI AND RECOMBINANT MICROORGANISMS EXPRESSING THE SAME PROTEINS

摘要

The present invention provides novel genes coding for antiviral proteins isolated from genomic DNA and genomic library of Phytolacca insularis Nakai, and antiviral proteins having the amino acid sequences deduced from the said genes, expression vectors containing the said genes, and processes for preparing the antiviral proteins from recombinant microorganisms transformed with the said vectors. gPIP2 gene of the present invention coding for a mature protein consists of 882bp including initiation codon of translation, and its open reading frame encodes a 32.8kDa-protein which consists of 292 amino acids including initiation methionine. gPIP50 gene of the invention coding for a mature protein consists of 951bp including initiation codon of translation, and its open reading frame encodes a 35.7kDa-protein which consists of 315 amino acids including initiation methionine. gPIP50 and gPIP2 proteins were successfully produced in a form of inclusion body in the microorganisms transformed with vectors containing the said gPIP2 and gPIP50 genes. Accordingly, PIP2 and gPIP50 genes isolated from Phytolacca insularis Nakai, can be employed in the manufacture of transgenic plants having antiviral resistance. Also, the recombinant gPIP2 and gPIP50 proteins prepared from the transformed microorganisms harboring expression vectors containing gPIP2 and gPIP50 genes can be used as an active ingredient of antiviral agents of plant viruses, and employed in the manufacture of immunoconjugate for the treatment of AIDS and cancer.