Dengue Envelope-1 22kDa

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes dengue fever, a significant public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions. The virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family and has four distinct serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. Among these, DENV-1 is often associated with severe outbreaks and is a primary target for vaccine and therapeutic development .

The envelope (E) protein of DENV is a glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in the virus’s life cycle. It mediates the attachment of the virion to the host cell receptor and facilitates the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane . The E protein is composed of three domains: DI, DII, and DIII, with DIII being particularly important for receptor binding and immune recognition .

The recombinant DENV-1 E protein, specifically the 22kDa fragment, is produced using various expression systems, such as Pichia pastoris. This recombinant protein undergoes post-translational modifications, including signal peptide cleavage and glycosylation, which are essential for its proper folding and function . The recombinant E protein can self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs), which are useful for diagnostic assays and vaccine development .

1. Diagnostic Assays: The recombinant DENV-1 E protein is used in diagnostic assays to detect primary and secondary dengue infections. It helps overcome safety issues associated with using whole virus particles in diagnostic tests .
2. Vaccine Development: The E protein is a key target for vaccine development due to its role in eliciting neutralizing antibodies. Research has shown that monoclonal antibodies targeting the E protein can neutralize the virus and prevent infection .
3. Therapeutic Development: Monoclonal antibodies against the E protein have shown promise as potential therapeutic agents. These antibodies can specifically target and neutralize DENV-1, providing a feasible treatment option for dengue infections .