[Cloning and expression of hepatitis C core protein gene].
OBJECTIVE
To express hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein gene fragment in E. coli.


METHODS
A fragment of HCV core gene sequence 357 bp in length was amplified by PCR, digested with EcoRI+Hind III and inserted to the plasmid vector pET-32a to construct recombinant HCVc/pET-32a plasmid, which was transformed into E.coli BL-21 and induced by IPTG for its expression. The expressed proteins obtained were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.


RESULTS
The core sequence of HCV was amplified and after IPTG induction, a fusion protein of 32,000 was resulted exhibiting specific reaction with HCV-positive serum and high antigenicity.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to efficiently express HCV core protein in E.coli.
Zhang
Yan-ming
YM
Institute of Tropical Medicine, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. zhang9680@hotmail.com
Li
Ming
M
Dong
Wen-qi
WQ
Wu
Ying-song
YS
Tian
Ze-wei
ZW
Wu
Xian-bo
XB
D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000737:chemistry*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014758:Viral Core Proteins