The Expression and Characterization of Gp85 Gene of Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus Associated with Hemangioma

The subtype of avian leukosis virus (ALV) was mainly determined by the gp85 glycoprotein. A subtype J ALV strain SCDY1 associated with hemangioma was isolated from grandparent breeding chicken and the highly antigenic region of its gp85 gene was amplified and expressed in Rosetta Escherichia coli using the pET-32a(+)vector. The fusion protein, which was expressed at a high level, was similar antigenically to the native gp85 protein as determined by Western blot assay using polyclonal antibodies against ALV-J strain. The fusion protein was also purified. This research lays a foundation for using this recombinant protein for development of indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum antibody detection or for production of monoclonal antibodies against prevalent ALV-J.