A CHIMERIC G PROTEIN BASED RABIES VACCINE

摘要

A novel chimeric envelope coat protein of rabies virus was strategically designed to express a chimeric G protein at a high level in transgenic plants. A gene was theoretically designed and chemically synthesised to encode the chimeric G protein and expressed at high level in plant tissue. The gene was expressed in transgenic tobacco plants to examine its therapeutic efficacy against infection by rabies virus. The chimeric G protein was enriched in plant membranes. The BalbC mice were immunised with the plant leaf expressed G-protein. Commercially available killed rabies virus vaccine served as positive control. Plant derived chimeric G protein elicited higher immune response as compared to the commercial vaccine. The mice displayed protective immunity when they were challenged with live virus.Chimeric G protein expressed at high level in plant leaves was demonstrated to function as a commercially valuable subunit vaccine against rabies virus infection. It is very valuable for rabies management in human, pets and wild life. Further, edible part of such transgenic plants or the purified protein may also be useful as oral vaccine.