Detection and characterization of soluble proteins of sheep pox virus

Abstract

Soluble proteins of sheep pox virus produced in lamb testis (LT) cells were investigated using graded precipitation of the virus-free culture supernatants with saturated ammonium sulphate solution. The proteins were separated from infected culture supernatants at 45% (A), between 45 and 60% (B) and from 60 to 80% (C) saturation of ammonium sulphate. SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analyses of the soluble proteins revealed a total of 33 and 24 proteins, respectively, with molecular weights ranging from 14 to 181 kDa. Of the 33 soluble proteins, 15 proteins in preparation A, 30 in B and 28 in C were detected in SDS-PAGE, whereas 6 proteins in preparation A, 21 in B and 18 in C showed reaction in immunoblotting. In SDS-PAGE of partially purified virus preparation (PPV) 18 proteins were detected. Of these, 8 were common with the proteins present in soluble protein preparations (A/B/C). These soluble proteins could be used as diagnostic antigen.