[Efficient and constant expression of cloned human beta2-microglobulin gene in E.coli].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain human beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) gene that is to be efficiently expressed in E.coli. METHODS: beta2m cDNA including only the coding region for the protein was amplified from Raji cell line by reverse transcriptase-PCR via the primers 5'-GGTGGTCATATGGCTATCCAGCGTACTCCA-3' and 3'-GGTGGTTGCTCTTCCGACATGTCTCGATCC-3'. The product was subsequently cloned into a modified pBV220 vector after digestion with Nde I/Sap I. The recombinant plasmid pBV220-beta2m was transformed into E.coli BL21 after sequence analysis, and the fusion protein was then expressed via induction at 42 for 5 h at D(600) of 0.55-0.60, followed by purification through chitin beads. RESULTS: The beta2m cDNA was identical with those published in Genbank. The expressed fusion protein was identified in the form of inclusion body at the ratio more than 45 % of the E.coli proteins, and was denatured with 8 mol/L urea, followed by refold and purification to a high purity, displaying a relative molecular mass of 12 000 on 10 % SDS-PAGE gel. CONCLUSION: The human beta2m gene was cloned successfully and expressed efficiently and constantly in E.coli BL21,which lays the ground for engineering MHC-tetramers.