Introducing the Aalto Bio Reagents New Recombinant Mayarovirus E2 Glycoprotein Domain A

DUBLIN, May 11, 2022 (Newswire.com) - Aalto Bio Reagents Ltd., www.aaltobioreagents.com a leading global developer  of critical raw materials for the development of diagnostic tests, today announced the availability of its new insect expressed recombinant Mayaro virus (MAYV) E2 Glycoprotein, Domain A (code DR 6481), further expanding its portfolio of emerging and endemic infectious disease markers.

Mayaro fever is an infection spread to humans through bites of infected mosquitos. The virus was originally isolated in Trinidad and Tobago in 1954 and since then, cases have been reported mainly in South America, Central America and the Caribbean, particularly in areas near tropical rainforests. MAYV typically circulates in sylvatic transmission cycles by the Haemagogus spp. However, there is a growing concern that it could be introduced into urban areas by the more sinister Aedes aegypti. There is no licenced vaccine available currently, and symptoms of Mayaro fever present a non-specific clinical picture similar to other arboviral diseases (such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika), so often misdiagnosis can occur. Furthermore, there are a lack of diagnostic tests in endemic regions rendering it likely to be underreported.

Like other alphaviruses, the MAYV E1 and E2 glycoproteins form a heterodimer and represent the immunodominant region of the virus. The E1 mediates fusion, whereas the E2 interacts with the host receptor and facilitates entry of the virus into target cells by membrane fusion. It has been reported that antibodies against the E2 protein appear to be strongly neutralizing (1). Due to this, the E2 glycoprotein has aroused great interest as a target to diagnostic test manufacturers, as well as vaccine developers. Although the disease is self-limiting lasting typically 3-5 days, highly incapacitating arthralgia can persist for many months after signifying the importance of MAYV serology tests over the current gold-standard PCR tests.

"Aalto Bio Reagents remain on hand to help diagnostic manufacturers and vaccine developers around the world meet their emerging disease diagnostic testing requirements as new variants and new diseases emerge globally. We will continue to build new critical materials, as we have done since the onset of the COVID-19 world health crisis, by delivering first-in-class critical raw material products. With the addition of our new recombinant Mayaro Virus E2 Glycoprotein Domain A, we are looking to strategically develop the critical raw materials required to diagnose Mayaro virus in advance of the disease spreading. If we have learned anything from the Zika outbreak in 2015-16 and SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to date, preparation is everything," stated Philip Noone, CEO of Aalto Bio.   

About Aalto Bio Reagents 

Founded in 1978, Aalto Bio Reagents is a leading developer and provider of raw materials to the in-vitro diagnostics industry and to research laboratories globally. We serve the largest multinational companies in our industry with a broad range of purified human proteins; monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies; fungal, parasitic, bacterial and viral antigens; and disease state plasma for in-vitro diagnostic application.

Contact: Tel: +353-1-4900685  Email: [email protected]

References

1. Fox JM, Long F, Edeling MA, Lin H, van Duijl-Richter MKS, Fong RH, et al. Broadly Neutralizing Alphavirus Antibodies Bind an Epitope on E2 and Inhibit Entry and Egress. Cell (2015) 163:1095-107. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.10.050

Source: Aalto Bio Reagents Ltd.