Turkey astrovirus cDNA and Antigen

Turkey astrovirus is a type of astrovirus that infects turkeys and can cause gastroenteritis in this species. Astroviruses are small, non-enveloped RNA viruses that are known to cause diarrhea in a variety of animal species, including humans. Turkey astrovirus is one of several astroviruses that have been identified in turkeys, and it has been associated with outbreaks of gastroenteritis in turkeys in some regions. The symptoms of turkey astrovirus infection can include diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, and can result in significant economic losses for turkey farmers due to reduced growth and feed efficiency in infected birds. The control of turkey astrovirus infections relies on good biosecurity practices and the implementation of effective biocontainment measures to reduce the spread of the virus from infected to susceptible birds.

The antigen of turkey astrovirus refers to a protein or other molecule present on the surface of the virus that triggers an immune response from the host (turkey). The presence of turkey astrovirus antigens can be used to diagnose infection with the virus and to monitor the effectiveness of a vaccine. In a vaccine, the antigen is typically a weakened or inactivated form of the virus, or a piece of the virus (such as a protein), which can stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that protect against future infection. The development of turkey astrovirus antigens has been important for improving the diagnosis and control of astrovirus infections in turkeys.

The genome of turkey astrovirus is a single-stranded RNA molecule that encodes the genetic information necessary for the replication and survival of the virus. The turkey astrovirus genome is typically around 7.5 kilobases in length and is comprised of a single strand of RNA enclosed in a protein capsid. The genetic information encoded in the genome includes the instructions for synthesizing the virus’s structural proteins, enzymes, and other components necessary for replication. The study of the turkey astrovirus genome has provided important insights into the biology and evolution of this virus and has helped to develop strategies for controlling its spread and impact on turkey health. Understanding the turkey astrovirus genome has also been crucial for the development of effective vaccines and antiviral therapies.

The RNA-purified RNA polymerase p57, also known as non-structural protein 1a (NSP1a), is responsible for replicating the viral RNA and generating a complementary negative-sense RNA strand. The RNA polymerase p57 has conserved motifs found in other RNA viruses, such as the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase catalytic domain and the NTP-binding site and is a critical enzyme in TAstV’s replication cycle.

Protein p19 and protein p20 are the two other non-structural proteins of TAstV. Protein p19 has been shown to interact with the RNA polymerase p57, and its precise role in the replication cycle of TAstV is not fully understood. Protein p20, on the other hand, has been suggested to play a role in virus assembly and release, as it interacts with the capsid protein during virus particle formation.

The capsid protein, encoded by the ORF2 gene, is the most abundant protein in the viral particle and is responsible for encapsulating the viral RNA. The capsid protein is composed of two domains, a shell domain, and a spike domain. The shell domain forms the inner layer of the capsid, while the spike domain extends from the surface of the capsid and is responsible for receptor binding and entry into host cells.

Understanding the structure and function of TAstV’s key proteins is crucial for developing effective vaccines and antiviral therapies against this important viral pathogen in the turkey industry. Moreover, studying TAstV’s proteins and their interactions with host factors may provide insights into the mechanisms of other astroviruses that affect other animals and humans.

The use of recombinant proteins/cDNA in academic research and therapeutic applications has skyrocketed. However, in heterologous expression systems, successful recombinant protein expression is dependent on a variety of factors, including codon preference, RNA secondary structure, and GC content. When compared to pre-optimization, more and more experimental results demonstrated that the expression level was dramatically increased, ranging from two to hundred times depending on the gene. Bioclone has created a proprietary technology platform that has resulted in the creation of over 6,000 artificially synthesized codon-optimized cDNA clones (cloned in E. coli expression Vector), which are ready for production of the recombinant proteins.