A SYNTHETIC VACCINIA VIRUS PROMOTER WITH ENHANCED EARLY AND LATE ACTIVITY

A synthetic vaccinia virus promoter (Psel) was constructed based upon sequences which increase activity of the P7.5 early/late promoter. Com parison of luciferase activity in lysates from cells infected with rec ombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the luciferase gene either under the control of the P7.5 promoter or Psel, demonstrated significantly e nhanced activity mediated by Psel at both early and late times post in fection. This promoter may be of considerable benefit in the construct ion of recombinant poxviruses where early foreign gene expression is i mportant for generating a protective immune response in vaccinated ani mals, or in reporter/target gene expression in vitro. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science B.V.