In silico prediction and comparative analysis of full-length and truncated forms of duck Tembusu virus envelope proteins expressed in E. coli and baculovirus systems

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) envelope (E) protein, a surface-exposed structural component, plays a key role in viral entry and induction of neutralising antibodies. However, the antigenic potential of its domains and their immunogenicity remains largely unexplored.2. In this study, in silico analyses were conducted to predict antigenic epitopes and guide construct design. Full-length E protein and domains were expressed in E. coli and baculovirus. These were used to immunise ducks. Antigenicity was evaluated as IgG titres and cytokine profiling.3. Domain III (DIII) of the E protein was the major contributor to antigenicity and is a promising subunit vaccine candidate against DTMUV.