Selection of a Novel Single-chain Variable Fragment Antibody Specifically Against a Linear Epitope of White Spot Syndrome Virus

Abstract:

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most important pathogens in shrimp farm throughout the world. Many researches on WSSV have been done, but no efficient approach has been gained to protect and cure the disease. In this study, we constructed a single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody library displayed on phage using spleen cells from mice immunized with denatured WSSV. After several rounds of panning respectively against purified intact WSSV virions and purified VP28 expressed in Escherichia coli, five novel scFv antibodies specifically against WSSV were selected, one of which, clone P75E8, recognized a linear epitope. The location in virions of the epitopes recognized by the five scFv clones was determined by immunoelectron microscopy. This study provides a new way to obtain more different antibodies specifically binding to WSSV, and especially provides a new strategy to obtain scFvs against linear epitopes.

Key words:white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), phage display, single-chain variable fragment (scFv), linear epitope