title: Evaluation of a small-scale method for the extraction of the K88 antigen from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.
abstract: A small-scale method for the extraction of the K88 major fimbrial subunit from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) based on heat extraction has been developed. Variation in the buffer composition, time and temperature of extraction had negligible effect on the subsequent SDS-PAGE profile. There was, however, a correlation between the pH of the extraction buffer and the ensuing amount of K88 released. Reduction of the pH from 7 to 4 reduced by six-fold the amount of K88 released from the cells. We suggest that the relative stability of the K88 fimbriae at acid pH may influence the site of infection by ETEC in the intestine.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, U.K.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Shuttleworth
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002021:Buffers; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008722:Methods; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D002021:Buffers; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C026888:K88 antigen, E coli; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins