Mumps
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
The mumps virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family. It is known for causing mumps, a contagious disease characterized by swelling of the salivary glands. The virus has seven genes encoding various proteins, including the nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), membrane protein (M), fusion protein (F), small hydrophobic protein (SH), hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), and large protein (L) .
The nucleoprotein (N) is a crucial component of the mumps virus. It encapsidates the viral RNA, forming a ribonucleoprotein complex that is essential for the replication and transcription of the viral genome. The N protein is highly conserved among different strains of the mumps virus, making it a target for diagnostic and therapeutic applications .
Recombinant mumps virus nucleoprotein is produced using recombinant DNA technology. This involves cloning the gene encoding the nucleoprotein into an expression vector, which is then introduced into a host cell, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). The host cells express the nucleoprotein, which is subsequently purified using affinity chromatography techniques .
The recombinant nucleoprotein typically contains a histidine tag (His-tag) at its N-terminus to facilitate purification. The full-length recombinant mumps virus nucleoprotein consists of 553 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 62 kDa .
- Diagnostic Tools: Recombinant nucleoprotein can be used to develop diagnostic assays for detecting mumps virus infections. These assays can identify antibodies against the nucleoprotein in patient samples, indicating a current or past infection.
- Vaccine Development: The nucleoprotein is a potential candidate for vaccine development. Understanding the immune response to the nucleoprotein can help design more effective vaccines that provide long-lasting immunity.
- Research: Recombinant nucleoprotein is used in various research studies to understand the molecular mechanisms of mumps virus replication and pathogenesis. It also aids in studying the immune response to mumps virus infections .
