Baculoviral display of functional scFv and synthetic IgG-binding domains

Viral vectors displaying specific ligand binding moities such as scFv fragm ents or intact antibodies hold promise for the development of targeted gene therapy vectors. In this report we describe baculoviral vectors displaying either functional scFv fragments or the synthetic Z/ZZ IgG; binding domain derived from protein A. Display on the baculovirus surface was achieved ti a fusion of the scFv fragment or Z/ZZ domain to the N-terminus of gp64, the major envelope protein of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus, AcNPV. As examples of scFv fragments we have used a murine scFv spec ific for the hapten 2-phenyloxazolone and a human scFv specific for carcino embryonic antigen. In principle, the Z/ZZ IgG binding domain displaying bac uloviruses could be targeted to specific cell types via the binding of an a ppropriate antibody. We envisage applications for scFv and Z/ZZ domain disp laying baculoviral vectors in the gene therapy field. (C) 2000 Academic Pre ss.