Identification and characterization of a late gene of grouper iridovirus 61l and antibody production against the protein encoded by it

In this study, a late gene encoded by grouper iridovirus, giv‐61L, was identified and classified, and mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were raised against this protein. Giv‐61L homologues were found only in the genus Ranavirus. Three mAbs to Giv‐61L protein were produced. In drug inhibition assays, giv‐61L was identified as a late gene. Finally, GIV‐61L‐mAb‐8 was used in western blotting and immunofluorescence assays to demonstrate that Giv‐61L protein was included in the GIV particle, expressed at 18 h, and localized only in the cytoplasm of GIV‐infected cells. The results of this study provide insight into GIV pathogenesis and GIV‐61L‐mAbs will have broad applications in GIV immunodiagnostics.