Chikungunya E1
Protein is 95% pure as determined by 12.5% SDS-PAGE.
Description
CHIKV E1 is purified by proprietary chromatographic technique.
Product Specs
Chikungunya is an infectious disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). It is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The virus can also be found in animals such as monkeys, birds, cattle, and rodents. Symptoms typically appear 2-4 days after being bitten and include a sudden high fever that can last for 2-7 days. Severe joint pain is a hallmark of the disease and can persist for weeks, months, or even years. While generally not fatal, chikungunya has a mortality rate of slightly less than 1 in 1,000. Since 2004, there have been outbreaks of chikungunya in various parts of Asia, Europe, and the Americas. CHIKV is a single-stranded RNA virus with a positive-sense genome approximately 11,800 nucleotides in length. Its genome contains two open reading frames that encode viral proteins. The virus is enclosed in a protective envelope derived from the host cell membrane, which is studded with 80 glycoprotein spikes. These spikes are anchored to the envelope and play a crucial role in the virus's ability to infect cells. The structural components of the virus, including the capsid protein (C), E3, E2, 6K, and E1, are produced as a single polyprotein chain. This polyprotein is then processed into individual proteins. The capsid protein encapsulates the virus's genetic material. The E3, E2, and E1 proteins form a complex on the virus's surface that is essential for recognizing and binding to host cells. The E1 protein, in particular, plays a critical role in the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane, allowing the virus to enter and infect the cell.
The CHIKV E1 protein is supplied in a solution containing 1X Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline (DPBS) at a pH of 7.4. The solution also includes 0.1% Thimerosal (a preservative), 5mM EDTA (a chelating agent), 1 µg/ml of Leupeptin, and Pepstatin A (protease inhibitors).
The purity of the CHIKV E1 protein is determined to be 95% using SDS-PAGE analysis on a 12.5% gel.
Product Science Overview
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus belonging to the genus Alphavirus within the family Togaviridae. It is primarily transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The virus causes Chikungunya fever, characterized by sudden onset of fever, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash.
The E1 glycoprotein is a crucial component of the CHIKV envelope. It plays a significant role in the virus’s ability to infect host cells. The E1 protein mediates the fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane, facilitating the release of the viral genome into the host cytoplasm for replication . The structure and function of the E1 glycoprotein are essential for understanding the virus’s infectivity and pathogenicity.
Recombinant E1 protein refers to the E1 glycoprotein produced through recombinant DNA technology. This involves inserting the gene encoding the E1 protein into an expression system, such as bacteria, yeast, or insect cells, to produce the protein in large quantities. Recombinant E1 protein is used in various research applications, including vaccine development, diagnostic assays, and studies on viral entry and fusion mechanisms.
Several studies have identified and characterized different variants of the E1 glycoprotein. For instance, the E1 V156A and E1 K211T variants have been shown to modulate virus attachment and fusion, impacting the virus’s ability to bind to host cells . These variants also exhibit differential neutralization by antiglycoprotein monoclonal antibodies, suggesting structural impacts on the particle that may alter interactions at the host membrane .
Research on the E1 glycoprotein and its variants is crucial for developing effective vaccines and therapeutics against CHIKV. Understanding how different E1 variants affect the virus’s infectivity and pathogenicity can help identify potential targets for antiviral drugs. Additionally, recombinant E1 protein is used in diagnostic assays to detect CHIKV infections and in vaccine development to elicit immune responses against the virus.
