Cloning of UL7 protein of HSV-1 and analysis of the expression of UL7 protein during the prolifera-tion of HSV-1

Abstract

Objective To express and purify the recombinant UL7 protein of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), to prepare the corresponding UL7-specific polyclonal antibody and to preliminarily analyze the expression of UL7 protein during the proliferation of HSV-1. Methods The UL7 gene was amplified by PCR and then cloned into the pGEX-5X-1 vector for expression of UL7 protein in the prokaryotic expression system. The constructed expression plasmid, pGEX-5X-1-UL7, was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) to induce the expression of UL7 protein by IPTG. The purified GST-UL7 fusion protein was used as antigen to inject the ICR mouse for the preparation of polyclonal antibody specific for UL7 protein. The titer and specificity of the polyclonal antibody were analyzed by using indirect ELISA and Western blot assay, respectively. The UL7 protein-specific polyclonal antibody was used to detect the expression of UL7 protein at different time points after infecting Vero cells with HSV-1. Results The GST-UL7 fusion protein was efficiently expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The UL7 protein-specific polyclonal antibody was prepared with high titer (1∶105) and high specificity as indicated by the indirect ELISA and Western blot assay. The expression of UL7 protein was detected at different time points after infecting Vero cells with HSV-1. Conclusion The GST-UL7 fusion protein was obtained successfully and the UL7 protein-specific polyclonal antibody was prepared. Accompany with the proliferation of HSV-1, the expression of UL7 protein was detected at different time points by using the polyclonal antibody. Key words: Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1); UL7; Prokaryotic expression; Polyclonal antibody