Expression of the gag gene of human T-cell leukemia virus type I in Escherichia coli and its diagnostic use.
An expression plasmid, pHY202, was constructed which directs the synthesis of a fusion protein encoded by the gag sequence of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) inserted into the lacZ' gene. Escherichia coli cells harboring pHY202 produced the 43-kDal LacZ'-Gag fusion protein with a yield of approx. 0.3% of total soluble proteins. The fusion protein is specifically recognized by monoclonal antibodies against the Gag proteins p19 and p24, and could be applicable for the diagnosis of HTLV-I infection, because almost all sera from HTLV-I carriers gave a positive response in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) employing the LacZ'-Gag hybrid protein purified by immunoaffinity column chromatography.
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D010957:Plasmids; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins; D001616:beta-Galactosidase