Cloning and expression of a putative glycoprotein gene of channel catfish virus using baculovirus expression system

The 1035 base-pair (bp) open reading frame 59 (ORF59) of channel catfish vi rus (CCV) codes for an abundant hydrophobic membrane glycoprotein considere d to be the major envelope glycoprotein of the virus. The ORF59 gene of CCV was cloned into the baculovirus genome by site-specific transposition and expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf9 cells). Expressed protein cou ld be recognized by polyclonal antibody against CCV and appeared to have th e same electrophoretic mobility as native protein. Crude lysates of Sf9 cel ls infected with recombinant baculovirus containing ORF59 gene inhibited pl aque formation of CCV on channel catfish ovary cells.