| abstract |
A recombinant AB5 B subunit protein including at least one mutation, wherein the mutation alters the number of amino acid residues available for chemical modification as compared to a wild type AB5 B subunit protein, and wherein said recombinant protein retains an effective target ligand bind affinity. For example, specifically designed mutations are produced in the cholera Toxin B subunit (CTB) such that it can still bind with high affinity to its receptor, Gm-1, but can be specifically covalently linked at lysines or cysteines to an immunogen or vaccine. The vaccine produced from this coupling is a mucosal vaccine which has high immunogenicity due to the interaction with the CTB. The vaccine can be produced inexpensively and easily. Alternatively, a technique is disclosed for treating CTB such that non-covalent coupling to a vaccine or immunogen can occur. |