Abstract: In this study, a pair of special primers,according to the complete genome of Duck hepatitis virus Ⅰ(DHV-Ⅰ) , was designed to amplify VP3 gene of DHV-Ⅰ. VP3 was subcloned into pET-28a(+), then the recombinant plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and induced by 0.1 mmol·L-1 IPTG. The bacteria containing pET-28a(+)VP3 were collected and examined by SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting. The results showed that VP3 protein was well expressed in E. coli. The molecular weight of the recombinant protein was 27 kD. The protein could be recognized by the specific antibody against DHV-Ⅰ.

Key words: Duck hepatitis virusⅠ, VP3 gene, cloning and expression