Abstract: In the study,an indirect ELISA was developed using the purified thymidine kinase (TK) protein as antigens to detect the antibody of duck plague virus (DPV).The TK gene of DPV was amplified by PCR using specific primers designed according to the sequence of TK gene in GenBank.Using gene recombination technology,the TK gene was cloned and inserted into prokaryotic expression vector pET-32a and the recombinant plasmid was identified by PCR,double enzyme digestion and sequence analysis.The positive recombinant plasmid was then transformed into E.coli BL21 (DE3) and induced by IPTG.The expressed protein was purified by gel extraction and analyzed by Western blotting.Then an indirect ELISA was established to detect DPV antibody by using the purified recombinant TK as the coating antigen.The other assay conditions were also optimized.The recombinant plasmid was constructed successfully and Western blotting detected the target protein,TK recombinant protein could be recognized by positive serum,and the result indicated that the recombinant protein had good antigenicity.The optimum reaction conditions were as follow:The optimal dilution of enzyme labelled antibody was 1:200,the optimal dilutions of antigen and antibody were 1:400 and 1:200,reaction time was 60 min,most prefer blocking solution was 5% BSA,closed for 60 min,chromogenic time was 10 min.The method had good stability and high sensitivity,and it could provide a reliable method for the clinical detection,immunization surveillance,and prevention and cure of DP.

Key words: duck plague virus; thymidine kinase protein; prokaryotic expression; indirect ELISA