Modular re-targeting of rhabdoviral (g) glycoproteins from their natural receptors

A recombinant protein system comprising (a) a recombinant fusion protein comprising (1) a rhabdoviral G glycoprotein or a functional fragment or derivative thereof and (2) a polypeptide (polypeptide tag) that is capable of forming a covalent bond with an amino acid residue in a second recombinant fusion protein, wherein the polypeptide tag is N-terminal to the rhabdoviral G glycoprotein, and (b) the second recombinant fusion protein, wherein the second recombinant fusion protein comprises a polypeptide (polypeptide catcher) that is capable of forming a covalent bond with an amino acid residue in the polypeptide tag.

A method of reducing inhibition of rhabdoviral G glycoprotein-mediated fusion in serum, wherein the inhibition is by complement inactivation or competitive binding with LDL or vLDL, the method comprising covalently bonding to a rhabdoviral G glycoprotein or functional fragment or derivative thereof a targeting molecule, and exposing the rhabdoviral G glycoprotein or functional fragment or derivative thereof with targeting molecule to serum, wherein complement inactivation or competitive binding with LDL or vLDL is inhibited.