[Cloning and expression of bluetongue virus VP3 protein in insect cells].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the biological activities of VP3 protein of bluetongue virus (BTV) expressed in insect cells and to assemble, in future, the BTV core-like particles.


METHODS
First, full length of BTV13 L3 cDNA was constructed from 2 sequenced clones. The silver staining of the splicing region proved that the construction was correct. Then, a recombinant baculovirus expression vector pFB1BL3 was constructed to express the L3 gene in insect cells.


RESULTS
BTV13 VP3 could be highly expressed in Sf-9 cells, the production could occupy up to 10%-15% of the total cell protein. Core-like particles could be observed after co-expression of the VP3 and VP7 in insect cells.


CONCLUSIONS
VP3 of BTV expressed in insect cells possesses biological activity and can be used to assemble BTV core-like particles.
Wang
J
J
Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing 100052.
Jlang
H
H
Wen
L
L
D000818:Animals; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D001820:Bluetongue virus / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D007313:Insecta / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
C074954:VP3 protein, Bluetongue virus; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins