Expression and purification of domain III proteins from Dengue and Zika viruses.

The envelope (E) protein from Dengue and Zika viruses comprises three functional and structural domains (DI, DII, and DIII). Domain III induces most of the neutralizing antibodies and, as such, is considered as having the highest antigenic potential for the evaluation of population-level surveillance and for detecting past infections in both Dengue and Zika patients. The present study aimed to clone and express recombinant proteins of domain III from Dengue virus serotype 2 and from Zika virus in a prokaryotic system, as well as evaluate their immunogenicity and cross-reactivity. Both antigens were successfully purified and their antigenicity was assessed in mice. The antibodies elicited by domain III of Zika and Dengue virus antigens recognized specifically the native proteins in infected cells. Furthermore, the antigens showed a more specific immunogenic response than that of domain III proteins from Dengue virus. The generated recombinant proteins can be potentially used in subunit vaccines or for surveillance studies.