Baculovirus as Versatile Vectors for Protein Display and Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

The baculovirus-insect cell system has long been deployed for a variety of applications including for use as biopesticides, for recombinant protein production, transient transgene expression, tissue therapy, and for vaccine production. Apart from the advantage of large-scale heterologous protein production with appropriate eukaryotic post-translational modification, foreign proteins can also be displayed on the viral envelope. This surface-display technology preserves the native multimeric structure of the protein, thereby expanding the clinical and pharmaceutical utility of the baculovirus system. Recombinant baculoviruses displaying major antigens for human or animal viruses can serve as appropriate vaccines. They can also serve as effective diagnostic platforms and various cell-based assay systems. In this review, we discuss progress in applying baculovirus surfacedisplay, including protein display on the envelope, capsid, and occlusion bodies of baculoviruses, as well as on cells. We will also describe strategies for improvement of this biotechnological approach.

Solutions against emerging infectious and noninfectious human diseases through the application of baculovirus technologies

“…In addition, and likewise, for vaccine purposes, the baculovirus itself can be used as an antigen-presenting vehicle by displaying immunogenic peptides or recombinant proteins on its surface (Tsai et al 2020). This technology (being able to be included in BacMam approaches for vaccine uses) is known as baculovirus display and has the ability to mount a strong immune response.…”

Development of a Scrub Typhus Diagnostic Platform Incorporating Cell-Surface Display Technology

“…Nonetheless, we believe that expanding our pilot study to include more human ST samples may more accurately establish the detection efficiency of our platform for human diagnosis. Baculovirus has long been used as an efficient large-scale protein expression system (19,38,39). Our study demonstrates that display of recombinant bacterial TSA56 and ScaC-PD on insect cell membrane via baculovirus infection can be used as a novel and convenient cell-based ELISA system for accurate, sensitive and specific ST detection.…”

“…Baculovirus has long been used as an efficient large-scale protein expression system ( 19 , 38 , 39 ). Our study demonstrates that display of recombinant bacterial TSA56 and ScaC-PD on insect cell membrane via baculovirus infection can be used as a novel and convenient cell-based ELISA system for accurate, sensitive and specific ST detection.…”

“…The 28 sera from Penghu were obtained from Rattus norvegicus or Rattus losea from 11-15 March 2019 and have been designated PH20-2, 3, 4, 5,6,7,20,21,22,23,32,39,40,41,44,45,46,48,49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, and 62, respectively. All 41 sera from Lanyu were collected on 17 April 2019 from Rattus mindanaoensis and have been designated OI07-2, 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,…”

“…Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), the type species of alphabaculoviruses, has long been used to express proteins in insect cells because its strong late promoters can produce recombinant proteins at scale and it can accommodate extensive eukaryotic post-translational modification and protein oligomerization ( 18 ). Baculovirus can display a recombinant protein on the plasma membrane of insect cells upon virus infection once the target protein contains a transmembrane (TM) domain or is fused with the TM from GP64, the surface glycoprotein of AcMNPV ( 19 ). Insect cells displaying target protein can serve as a source of antigen for serological assay of a viral disease ( 20 ) or in blood typing ( 21 ).…”