Transient expression of VP2 gene of very virulent IBDV in tobacco, Alfalfa and lettuce leaves by agroinfiltration

VP2 protein is the major host protective immunogen of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) of chickens. Plants are now gaining widespread acceptance as a general platform for the large scale production of recombinant proteins including vaccine، antibodies and pharmaceuticals. In present study VP2 gene of an Iranian isolate of IBDV was cloned under strong plant expression promoter CaMV35S and introduced to Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Using agro-infiltration method، VP2 protein was expressed in Tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum)، Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) leaves. The expression of VP2 was detected in leaves extracts by western blot and ELISA methods. The highest expression was detected in alfalfa and tobacco leaves and lowest expression was found in lettuce.