EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION OF AN HTLV-III GAG/ENV GENE PROTEIN

摘要

The present invention provides methods and compositions for the cloning and expression of plasmids bearing genes encoding a novel protein derived from HTLV-III. This protein, which is called the gag/env protein and which contains antigenic determinants from both the core and envelope proteins of HTLV-III, can be purified to homo- geneity and used as the basis for diagnostic tests to detect the presence of antibodies against viruses associated with AIDS or the viruses themselves in human sera and other bio- logical fluids. The gag/env protein may also be formulated for use as a vaccine for protection against AIDS through prophylactic immunization.