[Expression of FMDV VP1 protein in Pichia pastoris and its immunological activity in mice].

AIM: To express and identify bovine O type foot and mouth disease virus protein 1 (FMDV VP1) in yeast Pichia pastoris. METHODS: FMDV vp1 gene was cloned into secretory Pichia pastoris expression vector-pSuperY. After being linearized with enzyme digestion, the vector was transformed into Pichia pastoris SMD1168H by electroporation. The transformant was screened by zeocin. Expressed proteins in yeast were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot and then were used to immunize mice. RESULTS: The results of SDS-PAGE and Western blot demonstrated that the culture supernatant of recombinant yeast contained VP1 protein. The recombinant VP1 protein could elicit similar humoral and cellular immune responses in mice to traditional FMDV killed vaccine. CONCLUSION: FMDV VP1 is expressed successfully in yeast Pichia pastoris, which lays the foundation for further FMDV vaccine research.