A new method for producing biologically active nanocomplexes by a noncovalent conjugation of proteins with viral particles

A new method for noncovalent immobilization of a peptide epitope on the virion surface was developed to simplify and standardize the procedures for producing viral nanocomplexes. The efficacy of this approach was demonstrated by the example of a model system comprising the tobacco mosaic virus, synthetic cationic polymer poly- N -ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide, and a model polypeptide. The principle of sequential adsorption, underlying production of the triple system virion-polycation-protein, was used for electrostatic immobilization of a recombinant hydrophilic fragment of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (Flu1-3) on the virion surface. The method provided for a significant increase in the immunogenic activity of this potential artificial vaccine protein.