Dengue virus (DENV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family, which includes other notable viruses such as yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile virus. Dengue virus is transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes and is responsible for causing dengue fever, a disease that affects millions of people worldwide annually. There are four serotypes of dengue virus, namely DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4, each capable of causing the full spectrum of disease severity, from mild dengue fever to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome .
The envelope (E) protein of the dengue virus is a critical component of the viral structure and plays a key role in the virus’s ability to infect host cells. The E protein is involved in the attachment of the virus to the host cell membrane and subsequent fusion of the viral and host cell membranes, facilitating the entry of the viral RNA into the host cell . The E protein is also a major target for the host immune response, making it a crucial focus for vaccine development and diagnostic assays.
Recombinant fusion proteins are engineered proteins that combine sequences from different proteins to create a single, hybrid protein with desired properties. In the context of dengue virus research, recombinant fusion proteins can be used to study the immune response to different serotypes, develop diagnostic tools, and create potential vaccine candidates .
The Dengue Virus Subtype 1 & 4 fused Envelope 55kDa Recombinant is a specially engineered protein that combines elements from the envelope proteins of both DENV-1 and DENV-4. This fusion protein is designed to include immunogenic regions from both serotypes, potentially enhancing its ability to elicit a broad immune response. The 55kDa size indicates the molecular weight of the recombinant protein, which is a common characteristic used to describe proteins in biochemical research .