Avidin-Pseudotyped Viral Vectors and Their Use

Abstract

The present invention pertains to an avidin-pseudotyped virus, and especially baculovirus, useful for delivery of foreign genes etc. The present invention also pertains to vectors comprising respective cassettes for pseudotyping, mammalian gene expression and insect gene expression in baculovirus.

1 . A vector comprising respective cassettes for pseudotyping, mammalian gene expression and insect gene expression in baculovirus. 
   
   
       2 . The vector according to  claim 1 , comprising one or more of: the origin of replication of the Epstein-Barr virus; a gene capable of expressing Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen I; and a foreign gene which has, or is capable of expressing a peptide, having diagnostic or therapeutic utility. 
   
   
       3 . The vector according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising an effector gene or a marker gene. 
   
   
       4 . The vector according to  claim 2 , additionally comprising an effector gene or a marker gene. 
   
   
       5 . The vector according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising a gene modifying the baculovirus phenotype. 
   
   
       6 . The vector according to  claim 5 , wherein the baculovirus phenotype is modified by pseudotyping. 
   
   
       7 . The vector according to  claim 5 , wherein the modifying gene is under the control of a promoter functional in insect cells. 
   
   
       8 . A baculovirus comprising the elements of:
 i) a vector comprising respective cassettes for pseudotyping, mammalian gene expression and insect gene expression in baculovirus.   
   
   
       9 . The baculovirus according to  claim 8 , comprising one or more of: the origin of replication of the Epstein-Barr virus; a gene capable of expressing Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1; and a foreign gene which has, or is capable of expressing a peptide, having diagnostic or therapeutic utility. 
   
   
       10 . The baculovirus according to  claim 8 , additionally comprising an effector gene or a marker gene. 
   
   
       11 . The baculovirus according to  claim 9 , additionally comprising an effector gene or a marker gene. 
   
   
       12 . The baculovirus according to  claim 8 , additionally comprising a gene modifying the baculovirus phenotype. 
   
   
       13 . The baculovirus according to  claim 12 , wherein the baculovirus phenotype is modified by pseudotyping. 
   
   
       14 . The baculovirus according to  claim 12 , wherein the modifying gene is under the control of a promoter functional in insect cells.