Truncated E2 of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) expressed in Drosophila melanogaster cells: A candidate antigen for a BVDV ELISA

A simple and reliable indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies directed against a major bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) immunogen, the E2 glycoprotein (tE2-ELISA), has been developed using the recombinant C-terminal truncated E2 glycoprotein (tE2) expressed in a Drosophila melanogaster system. This strategy demonstrated that tE2 is secreted efficiently in the supernatant, no purification steps are necessary, it is easy to produce and carries out the post translational modifications necessary to preserve its native conformation.