Zika Envelope, sf9

The Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus. It was first identified in a rhesus monkey in the Zika forest of Uganda in 1947. ZIKV has since emerged as a significant global health threat, particularly due to its association with severe birth defects and neurological complications.

The envelope (Env) protein of the Zika virus plays a crucial role in the virus’s ability to infect host cells. It is a glycoprotein that facilitates the attachment and entry of the virus into the host cell. The Env protein is also a primary target for the immune response, making it a key component in the development of diagnostic tools and vaccines.

Recombinant Zika Envelope protein is produced using various expression systems to facilitate research and development. One such system involves the use of Sf9 cells, which are derived from the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and are commonly used in baculovirus expression systems.

The Zika Envelope Recombinant protein produced in Sf9 cells is typically fused to a 6xHis tag and purified using chromatographic techniques. The resulting protein has a molecular weight of approximately 50 kDa and is more than 80% pure as determined by SDS-PAGE . The protein is formulated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with a pH of 7.4 and contains 0.09% sodium azide (NaN3) as a preservative .

The recombinant Zika Envelope protein produced in Sf9 cells is used in various applications, including:

• Serodiagnosis: It is used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect anti-Zika antibodies in patient sera .
• Vaccine Development: The protein is utilized in preclinical and clinical trials to monitor immune responses and evaluate the efficacy of Zika virus vaccines .
• Research: It serves as a valuable tool for studying the structure and function of the Zika virus envelope protein and its interactions with the host immune system.