Objective: To obtain recombinant baculovirus containing full-length structural gene of HEV and to express HEV structural protein.
Methods: Full-length structural gene of HEV (5147-7126 nt) was inserted into baculovirus expression vector pAcUW51. The recombinant plasmid and Baculo Gold DNA were co-transfected into insect cell line Sf9. Single plaque was picked and amplified and expression of HEV structural protein was tested by SDS-PAGE, Western blot and immunofluorescence methods.
Results: SDS-PAGE analysis showed HEV structural protein was highly expressed; Western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that the expression product could specifically react with HEV positive sera, confirming the protein possessing HEV specific antigenicity.
Conclusions: HEV structural protein was successfully expressed using baculovirus expression system.