Cloning and expression of the major inner capsid protein of SA-11 simian rotavirus in Escherichia coli.

The major inner capsid protein (VP6) of SA-11 simian rotavirus has been expressed in Escherichia coli using a cloned cDNA derived from SA-11 double-stranded RNA segment 6. The cloned gene was fused to the N-terminal coding sequence of lacZ resulting in the synthesis of a 44-kDa protein. Several smaller polypeptides were also observed, resulting predominantly from transcription and translation within the gene 6 coding sequence. The recombinant VP6 proved to be antigenic by immunoblot analysis using polyclonal serum against SA-11 rotavirus and by Western-blot analysis using monospecific serum derived from purified viral VP6.