Molecular cloning and recombinant expression of the VP28 (wsv421 gene) from Iranian white spot syndrome virus isolate

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a highly pathogenic and prevalent virus affecting shrimp culture worldwide including Iran. In the present study, a pair of primers was designed according to the sequence of VP 28 gene of WSSV in the GenBank. VP28 gene from an Iranian WSSV isolate (IrVP28) was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) strain in order to produce VP28 protein using PET28a expression vector. The expression resulted in a protein of about 30kDa, which was purified under denaturing conditions, resulting in a highly purified final IrVP28 preparation. The obtained recombinant protein can be used in several biotechnology applications, such as production of monoclonal antibodies which could be used in development of diagnostic tools and potential oral vaccination of shrimp with vaccines consisting of VP28 proteins.