Recombinant expression of Mimivirus L725 ORFan gene product

• Mimivirus was the first discovered amoebal giant virus. The Mimivirus virions are covered by a dense layer of approximately 130 nm-long fibers, the length and shape of which diverge from those of other viruses. Here, we aimed at expressing the L725 protein to further confirm and study its role as a fiber-associated protein. We report Escherichia coli expression of the L725 protein, which is encoded by a Mimivirus ORFan, was previously identified by proteomics in purified viral fibers and demonstrated to be a fiber-associated protein by RNA-silencing experiments. The expressed protein was recognized by anti-Mimivirus fiber or anti-Mimivirus L725 polyclonal antibodies. This study is the only expression, to our knowledge, of a product from a Mimiviral ORFan gene.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Cell- och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Cell and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Mimivirus

giant virus

fiber

ORFan

gene expression

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)