MERS-CoV Virus Like Particles (VLPs)

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are composed of one or more structural proteins/capsid proteins of viruses by self-assembling into a particular spatial conformation. In terms of appearance, VLPs are very similar to a live virus without genetic components. As a nanoscale material, VLPs have similar characteristics as nanomaterials and have the ability to mediate more biomedical functions through biotechnological methods. Therefore, VLPs, as the new biological tool, have a significant function in drug delivery, genetic therapy, cellular targeting, and cancer treatment and gained further attention from scientists. Creative Biolabs is committed to providing first-class VLP-related products and services. Relied on our innovative technology, we have extensive experience in assembling a variety of VLP products based on our advanced mammalian cells system and insect system, also labeled with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP).

VLPs known as viral "empty shells" maintain the same structural properties of virions, without genome. These constructs are considered very efficient as vaccine platforms and therapeutic delivery systems. Many antigens can readily be displayed on the surface of VLPs. These antigens can be genetically or chemically fused to the VLP. VLPs and viral particles have been applied for different functions such as gene therapy, vaccination, nanotechnology, and diagnostics.

Figure.1 Examples of VLPs. (Tagliamonte, 2017)

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease and was first reported in 2012, Saudi Arabia. MERS possibly infect people of any age, but older age, underlying comorbidity (such as diabetes mellitus, renal disease, respiratory disease, heart disease, and hypertension), and delayed confirmation or late diagnosis are all factors that have an important influence in MERS disease outcomes and mortality.

MERS is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus with a genome encodes four major structural proteins spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N), as well as non-structural proteins (nsp1–16) translated from open reading frames (ORFs) 1a and 1b, and several accessory proteins, such as 3, 4a, 4b, 5, and 8b. So Far, Creative Biolabs has successfully created VLPs products composed of S, M, and E or S, M, N, E in mammalian cells and/or insect cell expression system (baculovirus). Moreover, we have extensive experience in VLPs labeled with GFP.

Figure.2 Schematic structure of MERS and structural proteins. (Zhou, 2019)

Creative Biolabs provides end-to-end comprehensive VLP management services from synthesis to characterization. The details of the production process of VLPs derived from enveloped or nonenveloped through spontaneous self-assembling are followed in figure 3 below:

Figure.3 Production process of VLPs. (Yan, 2015)

Creative Biolabs has established multiple comprehensive platforms to provide customized VLPs production services. After years of dedication, we can provide an all-round service package from initial construct design, synthesis, cloning transfection, expression, harvest, purification (e.g. soluble, insoluble) and characterization (e.g. biological, biochemical, biophysical). Our core values are driven by a desire to help our clients to achieve scientific excellence, operate with the highest standards of integrity. Please don't hesitate to contact us for further discussions.

References

Tagliamonte, M.; et al. Chapter Eleven-Virus-Like Particles. Micro and Nanotechnology in Vaccine Development. Micro and Nano Technologies. 2017, 205-219.
Zhou, Y.; et al. Advances in MERS-CoV vaccines and therapeutics based on the receptor-binding domain. Viruses. 2019, 11(1), 60.
Yan, D.; et al. The application of virus-like particles as vaccines and biological vehicles. Applied microbiology and biotechnology. 2015, 99(24), 10415-10432.

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