Amino terminus of the SARS coronavirus protein 3a elicits strong, potentially protective humoral responses in infected patients

Xiaofen Zhong, Zufeng Guo, Huanghao Yang, Lisheng Peng, Yong Xie, Tin Yau Wong, Sik To Lai, Zhihong Guo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The 3a protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus is expressed and transported to the plasma membrane in tissue cells of infected patients. Its short N-terminal ectodomain was found to elicit strong humoral responses in half of the patients who had recovered from SARS. The ectodomain-specific antibodies from the convalescent- phase plasma readily recognized and induced destruction of 3a-expressing cells in the presence of the human complement system, demonstrating their potential ability to provide immune protection by recognizing and eliminating SARS coronavirus-infected cells that express the target protein. In addition, when coupled to a carrier protein, the ectodomain peptide elicited 3a-specific antibodies in mice and rabbit at high titres. These results showed that the N terminus of the 3a protein is highly immunogenic and elicits potentially protective humoral responses in infected patients. Therefore, the short extracellular domain may be a valuable immunogen in the development of a vaccine for infectious SARS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)369-374
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of General Virology
Volume87
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

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