Cell surface display of hepatitis B virus surface antigen by using Pseudomonas syringae ice nucleation protein

A new system designed for cell surface display of recombinant proteins on E scherichia coli was evaluated for expression of eukaryotic viral antigens. The major surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAgg) was fused to the ic e nucleation protein (INP), an outer membrane protein of Pseudomonas syring ae. Western blotting, immunofluorescence microscopy, whole-cell ELISA, and ice nucleation activity assay confirmed expression of recombinant proteins on the surface of Escherichia coli. This study indicated that INP-based cel l surface display can be used for epitope mapping and recombinant bacteria expressing hepatitis viral antigens may be used for developing live vaccine s.