Recombinant Expression of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Strain WE Glycoproteins: a Single Amino Acid Makes the Difference

Cytoplasmic vector systems are generally used for expression of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) proteins. However, we achieved high levels of cell surface glycoproteins using a standard nuclear expression plasmid. Expression was independent of other LCMV proteins but was blocked by a missense mutation within the original LCMV(WE) glycoprotein cDNA.