Expression of VP31 gene of foot-and-mouth disease virus in insect cells

The structural protein gene VP31 of Asia I foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV) was expressed in the insect cells.VP31 gene was subcloned into a shuttle vector of pMelBac-B with a melittin secretion signal sequence to get recombinant plasmid of pMel-VP31.The recombinant shuttle vector was cotransfected with linearized Bac-N-BlueTM DNA into Sf9 insect cell to get recombinant baculovirus by plaque screening and PCR identification.The Sf9 cells were infected with recombinant baculoviruses after primary amplification.The cells were harvested after 72 h of infection with recombinant baculovirus.The products were analyzed with Western-blot and indirect sandwich ELISA,and the results showed that the VP31 gene were successfully expressed in insect cells.This work made a valuable investigation for development of new-type of FMDV antigen for vaccine and diagnosis purpose.