Production of antiviral and antitumor proteins MAP30 and GAP31 in cucurbits using the plant virus vector ZYMV-AGII.

ZYMV-AGII (zucchini yellow mosaic virus-AGII) is a recombinant nonpathogenic potyvirus-based vector system for the expression of foreign genes in cucurbit plants and their edible fruits, including squash, cucumber, melon, watermelon, and pumpkin. MAP30 (Momordica anti-HIV protein, 30 kDa) and GAP31 (Gelonium anti-HIV protein 31 kDa) are multifunctional plant proteins with activity against HIV-1 virus. These proteins are also effective against other viruses, tumor cells, and microbes. We report here the production and characterization of biologically active MAP30 and GAP31 in squash plant by expression of their genes using the ZYMV-AGII vector. Recombinant expressed MAP30 and GAP31 exhibit comparable antiviral, antitumor, and antimicrobial activities as their counterparts from their original plant sources, with EC(50)s in the ranges of 0.2-0.3 nM for HIV-1. These results demonstrate for the first time the amplification and production of therapeutic proteins, MAP30 and GAP31, in common vegetables. This provides valuable alternative food sources of these antiviral, antitumor, and antimicrobial agents for therapeutic applications.