EXPRESSION OF THE NEWCASTLE-DISEASE VIRUS (NDV) FUSION GLYCOPROTEIN AND VACCINATION AGAINST NDV CHALLENGE WITH A RECOMBINANT BACULOVIRUS

The hybrid baculovirus constructed from Autographa california nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) and Bombyx mori (silkworm) NPV was used for e xpression of fusion glycoprotein (F) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain D26. The gene encoding F protein was introduced into the improv ed baculovirus expression vector derived from the host-range-expanded baculovirus. In Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) cells infected w ith a recombinant baculovirus, HyF121, the expressed F protein was pro perly located onto the cell surface. After silkworm pupae were infecte d with HyF121, a subunit vaccine against NDV was prepared from the HyF 121-infected pupae. Chickens inoculated with the subunit vaccine were protected against virulent NDV challenge.