Parvovirus B19 VP2-proteins produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: comparison with VP2-particles produced by baculovirus-derived vectors

The capsids of human parvovirus B19 consist of two structural proteins, the minor-capsid protein VP1 and the major-capsid protein VP2. The latter which constitutes for 95% of the capsid are able to form virus-like particles (VLPs) in yeast without the presence of VP1-proteins. VP2-proteins produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have the capacity to form VLPs in the absence of VP1-proteins. These yeast-derived VLPs resemble native virus or recombinant VP2-VLPs produced by baculovirus systems in respect of size, molecular weight and of antigenicity as shown by antigen-capture ELISA and T-cell proliferation tests. Regarding costs, yield and ease of handling particle production in yeast represents an alternative to the recombinant baculovirus expression system which is so far the source for VP2-VLPs of human parvovirus B19.