| abstract |
PCT No. PCT/GB93/02656 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 28, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 28, 1995 PCT Filed Dec. 24, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO94/14969 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 7, 1994Chimeric virus-like particles produced by a non-natural particle-forming protein. The non-natural particle forming protein comprises a self-assembling particle-forming first amino acid sequence substantially homologous with a yeast retrotransposon Ty p1 protein and a second amino acid sequence. The second sequence is antigenic and is incorporated within an epitope of the first amino acid sequence, which epitope, on particles formed from the first amino-acid sequence alone, is surface exposed. Particles formed from such proteins are immunogenic and can be used in immunotherapeutic or prophylactic vaccines or as diagnostic agents. |