Viral Expression Vectors

This volume reviews the use of all the viral vectors that are currently the most useful for expression of foreign genes in mammalian and insect cells. This includes baculovirus, adenovirus , vaccinia virus , and retrovirus vectors. In addition , two relatively new kinds of viral vectors are covered: Epstein-Barr virus plasmid vectors and Adeno-associated virus vectors. Each chapter contains a brief survey of the biology of the virus family, a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the vectors derived from that particular viral genome, as well as a review of the purposes for which the vector has been used thus far.

In the past ten years there has been enormous progress in the development of eukaryotic viral vectors. In general, these vectors have been developed for one of three reasons: to achieve high levels of expression of a particular gene product (poxvirus, baculovirus, and adenovirus), to clone eukaryotic genes in combination with functional assays (Epstein-Barr virus), of for use as delivery vehicles for the stable introduction of foreign genes into mammalian cells (retroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, and adeno-associated virus). Each vector has its strengths and weaknesses that are rooted in the sometimes bewildering stra- tegies that the parent viruses use for propagation. No one of these vectors is appropriate for all of the problems that a mole- cular biology laboratory is likely to encounter, and few of us are knowledgeable in the molecular virology of all of these viruses. This volume represents an attempt by the authors to assem- ble a review of these vectors in one place and in a form useful to laboratories that do not necessarily have experience with eukaryotic viruses. Clearly, any virus can be modified to serve as a vector for some purposes, and it was not possible to include a description of all of these. In addition, one eukaryotic vector, SV40 (the first one developed), has been reviewed so widely that we saw no reason to include it here.