Dengue recombinant proteins are engineered versions of proteins derived from the Dengue virus, which is responsible for Dengue fever—a mosquito-borne viral disease. These proteins are critical for research on Dengue virus structure, pathogenesis, and immune response. They are used in the development of diagnostic assays, vaccines, and therapeutic strategies for Dengue fever.

Structure and Function:

• Dengue Virus Proteins: The Dengue virus has a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and is classified into four serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4). The virus encodes several structural and non-structural proteins:
  • Envelope (E) Protein: This is a major structural protein responsible for viral attachment and entry into host cells. It is the target for neutralizing antibodies.
  • Membrane (M) Protein: It is involved in the viral assembly and maturation process. It is less studied but crucial for the virus lifecycle.
  • Capsid (C) Protein: This protein forms the viral core and is involved in encapsulating the RNA genome.
  • Non-Structural Proteins: Include NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5, which play roles in viral replication, immune evasion, and pathogenesis. For example, NS1 is known for its role in the early phase of infection and as a marker for diagnostic tests.

Production:

• Expression Systems: Recombinant Dengue proteins are produced in various expression systems, including E. coli, yeast, insect cells, or mammalian cells. The choice depends on the need for proper folding, glycosylation, and functional activity.
• Gene Cloning: The genes encoding the target Dengue proteins are cloned into expression vectors. The recombinant proteins are then expressed and purified using techniques such as affinity chromatography, which might involve tags like His-tag or GST-tag.

Applications:

• Research: Recombinant Dengue proteins are used to study the structure and function of viral proteins, including their roles in viral entry, replication, and immune evasion. They help in understanding the mechanisms of Dengue virus pathogenesis and host interactions.
• Diagnostics: Recombinant proteins, especially NS1, are used in diagnostic assays to detect Dengue virus infections. These assays can be based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), lateral flow tests, or immunoassays.
• Vaccine Development: Recombinant Dengue proteins are used to develop and test vaccine candidates. They help in identifying immunogenic regions and assessing vaccine efficacy in eliciting protective immune responses.
• Therapeutics: They are used to develop and test antiviral drugs and therapeutic antibodies against Dengue virus. Research includes evaluating the efficacy of inhibitors that target viral proteins or host interactions.

Validation and Quality Control:

• Identity and Purity: Recombinant Dengue proteins are validated through SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry to confirm their identity and purity.
• Functional Assays: Functional assays such as binding assays (to evaluate interactions with receptors or antibodies) and activity assays (to measure the functional impact of the proteins) are conducted to ensure that the proteins exhibit the expected biological properties.