Fig 1. The baculovirus v-CATH protease induces rAAV8 capsid degradation.

rAAV8 vectors encoding the γSGC transgene were produced in the baculovirus system with the v-cath and chiA genes deleted (ΔchiA/v-cath) or with the unmodified bacmid system (WT) and purified using immuno-affinity chromatography. The protease inhibitor E64 was added to the WT production runs at various times post infection (0, 24, 72 or 96h p.i.). The cells were harvested and lysed at 96h p.i. In the final sample E64 was added following harvest, cell lysis and clarification of the cell culture. Samples of 3 x 10⁹ vg of rAAV8 γSGC were loaded on the SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie staining (A) or by Western blot using Anti VP B1 antibody (B). The red dash (-) pinpoints to the major 61 kDa degradation band originating from VP1/VP2 unique domains. The asterisk (*) indicates a minor degradation band originating from the VP1/VP2 unique domain. The hash (#) indicates minor degradation band originating from VP1 unique domain.