RECOMBINANT JEMBRANA DISEASE VIRUS PROTEINS AS ANTIGENS FOR THE DETECTION OF ANTIBODY TO BOVINE LENTIVIRUSES

Jembrana disease virus (JDV) is a recently identified bovine lentiviru s causing an acute severe disease syndrome in banteng cattle (Bos java nicus) and a milder disease syndrome in Bos taurus cattle in Indonesia . The virus is closely related genetically to the previously identifie d bovine lentivirus, bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV). Recombinant clones were produced which contained the capsid (CA) and transmembrane (TM) subunits of the respective gag and env open reading frames of JD V. The proteins were expressed as fusions to the glutathione-s-transfe rase (GST) enzyme in Escherichia coli and purification was achieved us ing affinity chromatography via immobilized reduced glutathione. The s oluble recombinant CA and TM antigens of JDV were reacted in western i mmunoblots with both serum antibodies from JDV-infected Bos javanicus cattle and Bos taurus cattle immunized with BIV. The recombinant CA pr otein of JDV reacted equally well with both the JDV and BIV antisera. The recombinant TM protein of JDV also reacted with antibody from the JDV infected cattle and with the BIV antisera. The results indicated c onservation of immunogenic epitopes of the CA and TM proteins of the t wo viruses. The production of the recombinant proteins should enable t he development of rapid and sensitive serological tests for JDV and BI V, and tools for further study of the immune response to JDV and the d ifferential epidemiology of JDV infections in cattle. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.