Abstract:
Objective Prokaryotic expression of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) non-structural protein 5A(NS5A) protein was obtained to prepare a polyclonal antibody against the disease.
Methods Physicochemical properties of BVDV NS5A were analyzed using bioinformatics software. The recombinant plasmid pET-28a-NS5A was constructed and transformed into competent E. coli BL21 cells. NS5A was induced for expression, followed by urea denaturation and purification via Ni2+-NTA affinity chromatography. The purified recombinant protein was emulsified with adjuvant to immunize BALB/c mice multiple times for generating polyclonal antibodies. Titer of the antibody was determined by indirect ELISA, and properties characterized by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and western blot.
Results The hydrophilic NS5A lacked a signal peptide and transmembrane domains. The successfully constructed prokaryotic expression plasmid pET-28a-NS5A was transformed to obtain the recombinant NS5A with an approximate molecular weight of 58 kDa. After urea denaturation and Ni2+-NTA affinity chromatography, highly purified recombinant NS5A was used to prepare polyclonal antibodies with a titer exceeded 1:409 600. High reactivity and specificity of the antibody was confirmed by western blot and IFA.
Conclusion The successfully prepared polyclonal antibody was highly specific against NS5A. It made further research as well as development of clinical diagnostic means of BVDV possible.