Expression and diagnostic use of GAG-1 encoded peptides which are immunologically reactive with antibodies to HIV

摘要

Immunologically reactive gag proteins of LAV/HTLV-III are expressed in bacterial cells. The gag proteins are encoded by a recombinant plasmid containing procaryotic transcriptional and translational signals for expression, followed downstream by a DNA sequence comprising pGAG-1. Preferred signals for expression are selected from an inducible and/or suppressible operon, such as the trp operon. The gag proteins are isolated from the bacterial host and are utilized in diagnostic assays which detect the presence of LAV/HTLV-III antigens or antibodies immunologically reactive with LAV/HTLV-III. Further, the proteins produced by the method disclosed may be used as a vaccine against infection by the causative virus for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.