Expression and Purification of Nucleocaspid and Envelope Proteins of SARS Coronavirus

Genes encoding nucleocapsid (N) and envelope (E) proteins of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) were obtained by RT-PCR and were cloned into the expression vector pGEX-KG. The genes were expressed in E. coli and the recombinant proteins were in a soluble form. The proteins were purified by affinity chromatography. The recombinant N protein reacted specifically with anti-SARS antibody. The results may provide a good tool for further research of immune responses and early diagnosis of SARS virus.