Production of polyclonal antibodies against recombinant VP26 structural protein of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)

Abstract

A portion of the VP26 gene (VP26F109) encoding a structural protein of white spot syndrome virus was cloned into an expression vector and transformed into E. coli. The objective was to produce a truncated VP26 structural protein lacking the N-terminal transmembrane region. After induction, the recombinant protein rVP26F109 was produced, purified by SDS-PAGE and used to immunize Swiss mice for polyclonal antibody production. The mouse anti VP26 antiserum demonstrated specific immunoreactivity to viral antigen in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infected Penaeus manodon, as verified by immunohistochemistry and western blot. This constitutes the first step in producing monoclonal antibodies against rVP26F109 that can be combined with anti-VP28 monoclonal antibodies to enhance the sensitivity in WSSV immunological assays.