title: Expression of recombinant Araraquara Hantavirus nucleoprotein in insect cells and its use as an antigen for immunodetection compared to the same antigen expressed in Escherichia coli.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antigens for Hantavirus serological tests have been produced using DNA recombinant technology for more than twenty years. Several different strategies have been used for that purpose. All of them avoid the risks and difficulties involved in multiplying Hantavirus in the laboratory. In Brazil, the Araraquara virus is one of the main causes of Hantavirus Cardio-Pulmonary Syndrome (HCPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this investigation, we report the expression of the N protein of the Araraquara Hantavirus in a Baculovirus Expression System, the use of this protein in IgM and IgG ELISA and comparison with the same antigen generated in E. coli.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The protein obtained, and purified in a nickel column, was effectively recognized by antibodies from confirmed HCPS patients. Comparison of the baculovirus generated antigen with the N protein produced in E. coli showed that both were equally effective in terms of sensitivity and specificity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results therefore indicate that either of these proteins can be used in serological tests in Brazil.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisa em Virologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14090-900, Brazil. alexmmachado@usp.br
authors.forename: Alex M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Aline R S R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Marcos L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Moreli
authors.forename: Bergmann M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Luiz T M
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Jose L C
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D001938:Brazil; D002460:Cell Line; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D006476:Orthohantavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018778:Hantavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007313:Insecta; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins