Cloning and secretory expression of VP2 gene of infectious bursal disease virus in eukaryotic cells

Abstract

VP2 gene coding region of a vaccinal strain (D78) of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) was clonedin a eukaryotic expression vector, pSec Tag2A. The gene was placed downstream of Ig κ chain leadersequence, under the control of human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) immediate early enhancer and promoter. Theconstruct pSec Tag2A-VP2 was transfected in COS-7 cell line and the expression and secretion of VP2 wasassessed by dot blotting and antigen capture ELISA. The antibody used in the immunological assays was aneutralizing monoclonal antibody (1A6) against VP2. Positive reaction with the antibody indicated theconstruct was functional with respect to expression and secretion of a native VP2.