Recombinant Varicella Zoster Virus gE

Biomolecules

VZV is closely related to the herpes simplex viruses (HSV), sharing much genome homology. The known envelope glycoproteins (gB, gC, gE, gH, gI, gK, gL) correspond with those in HSV, however there is no equivalent of HSV gD. VZV virons are spherical and 150-200 nm in diameter. Their lipid envelope encloses the nucleocapsid of 162 capsomeres arranged in a hexagonal form. Its DNA is a single, linear, double-stranded molecule, 125, 000 nt long. The virus is very susceptible to disinfectants, notably sodium hypochlorite. Within the body it can be treated by a number of drugs and therapeutic agents including aciclovir, zoster-immune globulin(ZIG), and vidarabine. The, E. coli, derived recombinant protein contains the VZV gE immunodominant regions, amino acids 48-135 and fused to a GST-Tag at C-terminus.

Immunoreactive with sera of VZV-infected individuals.