[Gene cloning and expression of Mycobacterium leprae alpha 2 antigen].
OBJECTIVE
The recombinant alpha 2 antigen of M. leprae was prepared using the molecular biologic tools and the recombinant DNA expression technology.


METHODS
Screening of the M. leprae expression library was performed by the plaque hybridization technique. Nucleotide sequences were determined by dideoxy termination method.


RESULTS
The gene coding for alpha 2 antigen of M. leprae was cloned and characterized, and the complete nucleotide sequence data has been assigned in the GSDB, DDBJ, EMBL and NCBI nucleotide sequence databank. The over expression system of alpha 2 antigen gene in E. coli was constructed, and the recombinant alpha 2 antigen has been purified by amylose column chromatography at the purity of more than 95%. More than 10 mg of recombinant alpha 2 antigen has been obtained from 200 ml of liquid culture.


CONCLUSIONS
The recombinant alpha 2 antigen of M. leprae could be used as one of the specific antigens for the sero-diagnosis of leprosy.
Yin
Y
Y
Department of Experimental Diagnosis, Institute of Dermatology, CAMS and PUMC, Nanjing 210042.
Suzuki
Y
Y
Makino
M
M
Wu
Q
Q
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000235:genetics*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C052242:alpha antigens, Mycobacterium