Non-structural protein 1 from Japanese encephalitis virus expressed in E. coli retains its molecular weight and immunogenicity

Publication date: Available online 29 November 2019Source: Protein Expression and PurificationAuthor(s): Jae-Won Choi, Hyo-Ji Eom, Hak Yong KimAbstractJapanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a member of the Flavivirus genus and has recently attracted attention as a high-risk pathogen in the Asia-Pacific region, with up to 30% mortality in the afflicted patients. Recent outbreaks of flavivirus-associated infections around the world have put the focus on non-structural protein 1 (NS1) as a candidate for diagnostic and vaccine researches on flaviviruses. Although the JEV NS1 protein has been expressed in eukaryotic cells, attempts to express JEV NS1 in E. coli are on due to advantages such as rapid growth, easy manipulation, low cost, and high yield. However, the challenges of low yield and poor solubility of the proteins expressed in E. coli remain to be overcome. Herein, we reported successful expression of the JEV NS1 protein in E. coli Rosetta(DE3) strain. We standardized the temperature, induction time, as well as the concentration of the inducer for optimizing the expression of JEV NS1 in E. coli. Further, we successfully obtained soluble JEV NS1 from inclusion bodies by partial refolding during elution and gradual refolding during dialysis. Furthermore, the JEV NS1 protein was found to retain its functional property and was able to induce an immune response in the mouse. Western blot and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed using the blood of the immuniz...
Source: Protein Expression and Purification - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research