OBJECTIVETo study the expression and purification of a secreted form of fusion glycoprotein (sF) of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) encoded by recombinant baculovirus.

METHODSAccording the ORF of F protein, a pair of specific primers was designed and PCR technique was exploited to amplify the gene of sF in which the gene sequence of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail domains were replaced by a C-terminal six-histidine tag. Then, a recombinant baculovirus encoding sF-His was constructed, and transfected into sf9 insect cells by Lipofectamine cellfectine reagent. Finally, the expressed sF was purified by Ni2+ -affinity chromatograph.

RESULTSThe gene encoding sF-His was obtained. The resulting construct of recombinant baculovirus is capable of expressing sF protein. The concentration of Ni2+ -affinity chromatograph purified sF is 1.084 mg/ml with the purity of no less than 90%.

CONCLUSIONBaculovirus expression system is a good method for large scale of preparation of sF. The purified F paves the way for the development of potential RSV vaccine and diagnostic kit, etc.