Abstract
An outbreak of enterovirus 71 infections occurred throughout Taiwan in 1998. The disease was manifectated with hand, foot, mouth, and some associated with meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). The viral capsid protein VP1 of enterovirus 71 has the most variable region of the entire protein. The VP1 is an immunologically relevant protein. Cloned cDNA molecules from serotype of enterovirus 71 in Taiwan have been sequenced around the VP1-coding region. The predicted amino acid sequence for VP1 were compared with the prototype BrCr. The amino acid sequences were also analyzed for hydrophilic regions. Five hydrophilic regions were chosen as potentially immunogenic objects in this experiment. We planned to construct a Tn5 transposon vector, pEAW-VP1, that will insert a foreign DNA to Lactobacillus brevis’ chromosomal DNA by Tn5 transposon. The foreign DNA included two promoters and transcription terminator of L. brevis’ surface (S)-protein, glutathione S-transferase gene, and the DNA fragments of VP1 hydrophilic peptide. Five DNA fragments of VP1 hydrophilic peptide will be individually ligated into the foreign DNA. We hope that L. brevis could express the VP1 hydrophilic peptide on its surface layer as a live oral vaccine.