Expression of rubella virus cDNA encoding the E1 structural protein

cDNAs synthesized from the 40S RNA genome of rubella virus were cloned into the lambda gt10 bacteriophage. A clone (pRV # 1475) which contains a truncated version of the E1 envelope glycoprotein (amino acid residues 17-481) and the 3' non-coding region was constructed from two overlapping cDNAs. pRV # 1475 was inserted into a eukaryotic expression vector under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter. After transfection of 293 cells, a protein with intact antigenic domains could be detected.