Expression of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus protease 3C and polymerase 3D in Escherichia coli and characterization of monospecific sera.

Defined DNA fragments of cloned Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus genome were used to construct procaryotic recombinant plasmids expressing viral genes 3C and 3D. In these plasmids (pEX-EMBL vectors), viral sequences are fused in-phase behind the Escherichia coli lac Z' gene which is under the control of the inducible lambda Pr promoter. Partially purified fusion proteins were used to immunize Balb/c mice. Sera monospecific for the viral protease 3C and polymerase 3D were obtained. These sera detected their corresponding antigens in situ in infected BHK cells using immunocytochemical reactions.