Expression of porcine sapovirus VP1 gene and VP1 specific monoclonal antibody production.

Sapovirus (SaV) is an agent of human and porcine gastroenteritis and a member of the family Caliciviridae. SaV has been classified based on VP1 full gene nucleotide sequences into five genogroups (GI-GV), among which GIII is known to infect pigs. The VP1 folds into two major domains designated S and P for the shell and protruding domain, respectively. The P domain is divided into two subdomains, P1 and P2. In this study, the VP1 full gene and the S, P, and P2 regions of the VP1 gene of porcine SaV were expressed using a baculovirus expression system. Expressed proteins in the recombinant virus were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) testing, and Western blot analysis. Four hybridomas secreting VP1-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against porcine sapovirus were generated. Four MAbs were characterized according to their IFA and Western blot analysis results. All of the hybridomas produced in this study secreted MAbs binding to S domain of VP1 protein specifically. The MAbs produced in this study can be used as specific diagnostic reagents for detecting porcine SaV.