CAG-GFP AAV (Serotype AAV-BI30)

Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are small viruses that infect humans and other primates. They are nonenveloped viruses belonging to the genus Dependoparvovirus of the family Parvoviridae. This small virus (20 nm) was first identified in 1965 as a contaminant of adenovirus (Ad) preparations. Several natural AAV serotypes are known, of which AAV2 is the most typical and commonly used. These serotypes differ in their capsid structure, resulting in different tropisms and immunogenicity in host organisms.

Briefly, the AAV capsid is an icosahedral virion with a diameter of 25 nm and 60 viral protein (VP) subunits (triangulation number, T = 1) (6, 10). The protein coat is composed of three VP subunits (VP1, VP2, and VP3) in a ratio of 1:1:10, each of which has a conserved jelly-roll fold or beta barrel structure with interlaced loops connecting the beta strands. Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has been used to map the receptor and antigen footprints of different AAV serotypes. Receptor usage by different AAV serotypes has been well studied, particularly with regard to the cell surface glycans used for attachment and, more recently, the essential cellular receptor KIAA0319L or AAVR. Structural models of the trimeric AAV capsomere in complex with the AAVR suggest that amino acid residues from different 2/3/5-fold surface loops are critical for this interaction.