Relocation of antigens to the cell surface membrane can enhance immune stimulation and protection : Genetic variation and selection in microbiology and immunology

The major outer capsid glycoprotein of rotaviruses, VP7, is normally synthesized and directed to the ER, where it is required for virus assembly. By substituting a foreign signal sequence for the VP7 signal peptide, a secreted form of VP7 with an authentic amino terminus was produced. Secreted VP7 was further modified by the addition of a transmembrane anchor and cytoplasmic domain to its C-terminus. When the novel chimeric protein was expressed in transfected cells it became anchored in the cell surface membrane