Recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) having the position of
genes shifted within the genome or antigenome of the recombinant virus are constructed
by insertion, deletion or rearrangement of genes or genome segments within the
recombinant genome or antigenome and are useful for eliciting an anti-RSV immune
response. Shifting the position of genes in this manner provides for a selected
increase or decrease in expression of the gene. In one embodiment, expression of
RSV glycoproteins is upregulated by shifting one or more glycoprotein-encoding
genes to a more promoter-proximal position. Genes of interest for manipulation
to create gene position-shifted RSV include any of the NS1, NS2, N, P, M, SH, M2(ORF1),
M2(ORF2), L, F or G genes or a genome segment that may be part of a gene or extragenic.
Additional mutations and nucleotide modifications are provided within gene position-shifted
RSV to yield desired phenotypic and structural effects.
