Expression and characterization of proteins of HIV-1 and HTLV-1, using heterologous prokaryotic system

• Grant number: 10/20542-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Elisa Maria de Sousa Russo
• Grantee: Elisa Maria de Sousa Russo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alcyone Artioli Machado ; Dimas Tadeu Covas ; Kamilla Swiech Antonietto ; Virginia Picanço e Castro

Abstract

HIV is the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) while HTLV-I causes leukemia/adults T-cell lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-associated myelopathy. The two are retrovirus with RNA genome, they belong to the Retroviridae family (retroviruses), and HIV is in the lentivirinae subfamily. These viruses have genes called gag and env, the proteins encoded by these genes are used for serological diagnosis of the infection. Diagnostic tests can detect HIV and HTLV antibodies produced by patients against different proteins of these viruses or detect the components of the virus (p24, in the case of HIV). The goal of all assays is to diagnose the infection as early as possible to avoid the spread of diseases and enabling governments to plan the public health spending.Existing diagnostic tests include enzyme immunoassays (EIA or ELISA), Western Blot, immunofluorescence assay. To HIV diagnose has been developed, in addition to conventional serological tests, rapid tests, saliva and urine assays. The various tests available use a combination of viral components developed by recombinant DNA technology. The diagnostic kits used in clinical laboratories, blood banks and hospitals in Brazil for the diagnoses of these viruses are mostly from foreign companies. In Brazil there is the need for production of diagnostic systems with national technology.The central proposal of this project is to produce, with the use of biotechnology, proteins of HIV-1 and HTLV-1. Expressing these proteins is the first step to obtain diagnostic kits with Brazilian technology. The implementation of this goal may enable the development of domestic diagnostic kits reducing the import of these products and promoting the national biotechnology industry, maintaining this capital in Brazil. (AU)