Expression of the Sendai Virus Fusion Protein and the Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase Protein Using a Baculovirus Vector

Abstract

The fusion (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoproteins of Sendai virus were expressed using a baculovirus expression vector to examine the structures and functions of these proteins. Both proteins were detected in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf) cells infected with the recombinant viruses on immunoprecipitation and indirect immunofluorescence staining. The molecular weights of the expressed F and NH proteins were 66 kDa and 70-72 kDa, respectively, suggesting that both proteins were glycosylated, and the F protein was not cleaved into F₁ and F₂ even when the F and HN proteins were coexpressed.