ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To clone, express and characterize the capsid protein of human Norwalk virus Guangzhou strain NVgz01.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On the basis of successful construction of full-genome clones and sequence analysis of human norovirus Guangzhou strain NVgz01, the full capsid gene was ligated into pET28a (+) for expression. After IPTG induction, the recombinant protein was purified through metal (Ni(2+)) chelating affinity chromatography. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to determine the antigenicity of the recombinant protein.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recombinant capsid gene was overexpressed in E.coli, yielding the recombinant protein with relative molecular mass of 62x10(3) that was highly purified through metal (Ni(2+)) chelating affinity chromatography. IDEIA Norovirus Kit and immunoassay showed that the recombinant protein had good antigenicity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The capsid gene of norovirus Guangzhou strain has been cloned and expressed, which can be useful for developing diagnostic reagents or vaccine of norovirus.</p>