title: Genetically engineered bacteria to identify and produce anti-viral agents.
abstract: We have prepared a strain of Escherichia coli that expresses both the HIV protease and a Tet protein which has been modified to contain the HIV protease recognition sequence. When the protease is expressed, the bacteria will not grow in the presence of tetracycline. However, when the protease is inhibited the bacteria can grow in tetracycline containing media (Block and Grafstrom 1990). We have selected spontaneously arising Tet resistant mutants and have screened them for those that could be producing an inhibitor of HIV protease. The problems in the construction of this strain and the characterization of the various Tetr mutants are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Grafstrom
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zachariasewycz
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brigandi
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Block
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D005822:Genetic Vectors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents