NUCLEIC ACID VACCINES FOR PREVENTION OF FLAVIVIRUS INFECTION

摘要

The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules containing transcription units which encode the flavivirus M and E protein antigens. The flaviviruses include Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue, yellow fever virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus. The nucleic acids function to provide the M and E protein antigens when the nucleic acid resides in an appropriate host cell, especially when the host cell is the cell of a subject. The invention also encompasses a vaccine whose active agent is th e nucleic acid. The invention further encompasses the cultured host cells when they contain within them nucleic acid molecules containing t he transcription units. The invention in addition encompasses a method of immunizing a subject against flavivirus infection by administeri ng to the subject an effective amount of a vaccine containing a nucleic acid molecule containing the transcription unit of the invention.< /SDOAB>