Cloning and expression of HIV-1 recombinant protein in prokaryotic system

• Grant number: 12/18626-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2013
• End date: June 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Elisa Maria de Sousa Russo
• Grantee: Thaís de Lucca
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

HIV is the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This is a retrovirus with RNA genome, family Retroviridae (Retroviruses) and subfamily Lentivirinae. This virus has genes called gag and env. The proteins encoded by these genes are used for serological diagnosis of the infection. The diagnostic tests are made with the objective to detect HIV antibodies produced by patients against the different proteins of the virus or to detect a component of the virus (p24). The goal of all the tests is to diagnose the infection as early as possible to avoid the spread of diseases and enabling governments to plan the public health investments. The existing diagnostic tests include enzyme immunoassays (ELISA or EIA), Western blot, immunofluorescence assays. There are conventional serological tests, rapid tests, saliva tests and urine tests. The different 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 diagnosing this virus are mostly from foreign companies. In Brazil there is a need and incentive to produce diagnostic systems with domestic technology. The purpose of this project is to produce, with the use of biotechnology, p24 protein of HIV-1. The expression of this protein will enable the student to contact with several biochemical and molecular techniques. In our laboratory there is an approved grant (process 2010/20542-4) for the expression of various proteins of HIV-1 and HTLV-1. In this project, a fraction of the sponsored research project will be developed. Thus, this scholarship would increase the people trained linked to the project already approved. (AU)