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Rotavirus subunit vaccines are being evaluated for use in humans. The virus-like particles (VLPs) for these vaccines are produced in insect cells coinfected with combinations of baculovirus recombinants expressing bovine RIF VP2 and simian SA11, VP4, VP6, or VP7 rotavirus proteins. VLPs were administered parenterally to mice and rabbits, and the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the vaccines were evaluated. Rabbits vaccinated with VP2/4/6/7 or VP2/6/7 VLP combinations developed high levels of rotavirus-specific serum antibody and fecal IgG but not fecal IgA. The induction of fecal IgG was associated with total or partial protection from oral challenge with ALA rotavirus. Heterotypic serum and fecal neutralizing antibody was induced in mice vaccinated parenterally with G1 VP2/6/7 or VP2/4/6n VLPs. VLPs were highly immunogenic when administered in QS21 adjuvant, inducing serum neutralizing antibody titers comparable to those induced by SA11 virus. VLPs are effective immunogens when administered parenterally and may be an effective subunit vaccine.

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Enhancins are baculovirus proteins capable of enhancing infections in insect larvae by other baculoviruses. We have identified the enhancin proteins in four species of granulovirus (GV). In this paper we describe the cloning and sequencing of the enhancin genes of the Pseudaletia unipuncta granulovirus-Hawaiian strain (PsunGV-H) and the Helicoverpa (Heliothis) armigera granulovirus (HearGV). The PsunGV-H enhancin gene is virtually identical to the previously characterized Trichoplusia ni GV (TnGV) enhancin gene. In contrast, a comparison of the predicted amino acid sequences of TnGV enhancin (901 amino acids) and HearGV enhancin (902 amino acids) revealed an overall identity of only 80 %, with greater conservation (88 %) from amino acids 1-550.

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