Development of a polyclonal antibody specific to VP19 envelope protein of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) using a recombinant protein preparation

The VP19 gene encoding a structural envelope protein of white spot syndrome virus was cloned into an expression vector and introduced into E. coli. The objective was to produce a recombinant VP19 structural protein. After induction, the recombinant VP19 protein (rVP19) was produced, purified by SDS-PAGE and used for immunization of Swiss mice for polyclonal antibody production. The mouse anti rVP19 antiserum had specific immunoreactivity to the viral antigen in WSSV infected Penaeus monodon as verified by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The production of monoclonal antibodies against this rVP19 may be useful in order to combine with anti-VP28 monoclonal antibodies for enhancing the sensitivity of various WSSV serological assays.