[Construction of the prokaryotic expression vector of MTB lhp gene and its expression].

AIM: To construct prokaryotic expression vector carrying lhp gene and express it in E.coli. METHODS: The MTB lhp gene was amplified by PCR and then cloned into plasmid pQE30. After sequencing, the gene was cloned into plasmid pET32a(+) to construct recombinant prokaryotic expression vectors pQE30-CFP10 and pET32a(+)-CFP10. RESULTS: After transformation of the E.coli and induction with 1 mmol/L of IPTG, no additional protein was expressed in pQE30-CFP10 system, but recombinant target protein with M(r) 20 000 or so was expressed in pET32a(+)-CFP10 system, and the expressed protein was maximum when induced with IPTG for 4 h. The expressed protein existed in cytoplasm in soluble form and amounted to 38% of total protein of E.coli. Western blot analysis showed that the protein had good antigenicity. The purity of the protein purified through the Ni-NTA resin reached 93%. CONCLUSION: The prokaryotic expression vector pET32a(+)-CFP10 was constructed successfully and the rCFP10 protein was obtained, which laid the foundation for application of the rCFP10.