BACKGROUNDTo determine the antigenicity of HGV NS5 recombinant proteins expressed in E.coli.

METHODSHGV NS5a,NS5b and core/NS5b fusion genes were cloned into pThioC vector. Three expression plasmids were transformed into JM109(DE3) competent cells then expressed with induction by IPTG. Western blot and ELISA were used to determine the antigenicity after the three recombinant proteins were purified.

RESULTSAfter identification by restriction enzyme and sequencing, it was confirmed that the expressed was target proteins espected. Purified expression proteins were found strongly immunoreactive among anti HGV positive sera by Western blot and ELISA. Compared with mixed recombinant antigen (including core, NS5a synthetic peptide and NS3 recombinant proteins), in the 22 positive sera detected with mixed antigen, 68%(15/22), 90%(20/22) and 73%(16/22) were positive by P5a,P5b and Pc?5b antigens; In the 70 negative samples with mixed antigen, 7%(5/70), 1%(1/70) and 6%(4/70) were positive by P5a, P5b and Pc?5b antigens. The positive alone was found among RTPCR positive specimen using these recombinant antigens.

CONCLUSIONSNS5 gene expressed in E.coli?which couldn't be covered with other regions of antigens was one of the essential epitopes to HGV immunologic diagnosis.