Expression of p24 gag Protein of Bovine Leukemia Virus in Insect Cells and Its Use in Immunodetection of the Disease

• Published in: Molecular biotechnology Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 475 - 483
• Main Authors: Larsen, Alejandra, Gonzalez, Ester Teresa, Serena, María Soledad, Echeverría, María Gabriela, Mortola, Eduardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Humana Press Inc 01.06.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal diseases; Animals; Antibodies, Viral - immunology; Antigens, Viral - genetics; Antigens, Viral - immunology; Antigens, Viral - metabolism; Baculoviridae - genetics; Baculoviridae - metabolism; Baculovirus; Biochemistry; Biological Techniques; Biotechnology; Bovine leukemia virus; Cattle; Cell Biology; Cell Line; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Enzootic Bovine Leukosis - genetics; Enzootic Bovine Leukosis - metabolism; Enzootic Bovine Leukosis - virology; Glycoproteins - genetics; Glycoproteins - immunology; Glycoproteins - metabolism; Human Genetics; Immunoassay; Immunoglobulins; Insecta - genetics; Insecta - metabolism; Insecta - virology; Insects; Leukemia; Leukemia Virus, Bovine - genetics; Leukemia Virus, Bovine - metabolism; Protein Science; Proteins; Recombinant Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Proteins - metabolism; Viral Proteins - genetics; Viral Proteins - immunology; Viral Proteins - metabolism; Immunoblotting assay; Recombinant p24 protein; Baculovirus system; Bovine leukemia virus; Immunodetection
• ISSN: 1073-6085; 1559-0305
• DOI: 10.1007/s12033-012-9587-7

Bovine leukemia is a common retroviral infection of cattle. The disease is characterized by a strong immunological response to several viral proteins, but the antibodies against p24 and gp51 are predominant. In this study, a recombinant baculovirus containing the gag gene p24 was constructed and the protein, used as antigen, analyzed by western blot and an indirect in-house rp24-ELISA test. This allowed detecting the presence of antibodies for bovine leukemia virus in a panel of cattle sera. The authentication of the protein expands its potential use for different medical applications, from improved diagnosis of the disease to source of antigens to be included in a subunit vaccine.