Cloning and expression of a putative glycoprotein gene of channel catfish virus using baculovirus expression system.

The 1035 base-pair (bp) open reading frame 59 (ORF59) of channel catfish virus (CCV) codes for an abundant hydrophobic membrane glycoprotein considered to be the major envelope glycoprotein of the virus. The ORF59 gene of CCV was cloned into the baculovirus genome by site-specific transposition and expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9 cells). Expressed protein could be recognized by polyclonal antibody against CCV and appeared to have the same electrophoretic mobility as native protein. Crude lysates of Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus containing ORF59 gene inhibited plaque formation of CCV on channel catfish ovary cells.