AAV1-CAG-GCaMP6m

The capsids of icosahedral viruses exhibit multifunctional properties during the viral life cycle. Depending on the virus type, the functions of the capsid viral protein (VP) include receptor binding, cell entry, intracellular trafficking, genome release, capsid assembly, and genome packaging. Host immune responses may also exert additional selective pressure on the VP. Several small nonenveloped icosahedral viruses, including the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) packaging viruses of the Parvoviridae family, have capsids that are essentially composed of a single multifunctional VP.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes belong to the genus Dependovirus of the Parvoviridae family. They replicate efficiently in the presence of a helper virus (such as adenovirus or herpes virus) and have unique capsid-controlled tissue specificity and a tight host range. To date, 13 different human and nonhuman primate AAV serotypes have been described (AAV1 to -12 and AAV[VR-942]), and more than 100 AAV genomes across species have been identified using PCR. Based on VP sequences and antigenicity, these viruses have been divided into eight clades and clonal isolates (AAV1/AAV6, AAV2, AAV2/AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV7, AAV8, and AAV9).