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

LARSEN, A; GONZALEZ, E.T; SERENA, M.S; ECHEVERRÍA, M.G; MORTOLA, E.C

MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY

HUMANA PRESS INC

Lugar: Oregon; Año: 2012

1073-6085

Bovine leukemia is a common retroviralinfection of cattle. The disease is characterized by a strongimmunological response to several viral proteins, but theantibodies against p24 and gp51 are predominant. In thisstudy, a recombinant baculovirus containing the gag genep24 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 antibodiesfor bovine leukemia virus in a panel of cattle sera.The authentication of the protein expands its potential usefor different medical applications, from improved diagnosisof the disease to source of antigens to be included in asubunit vaccine.