模式抗原破伤风毒素C蛋白的克隆、表达条件优化及免疫原性初步分析

目的 获得高纯度、高免疫原性的破伤风毒素C片段(TTC)蛋白.方法 以PCR从破伤风杆菌质粒DNA中扩增TTC基因片段,将其插入载体pET43.1a( )并导入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)plysS中表达.用Ni2 NTA琼脂糖柱纯化融合蛋白,经凝血酶酶切,再用Ni2 -NTA琼脂糖柱分离目的 蛋白.SDS-PAGE和免疫印迹分析目的 蛋白的相对分子质量和抗原性,动物免疫实验鉴定其免疫原性.结果 获得1373 bp的TrC基因片段,构建成重组表达载体pET43.1a( )-TTC并在大肠杆菌中表达.TTC-Nus融合蛋白的表达量占菌体总蛋白的22％,酶切后TTC蛋白可与载体蛋白有效分离,获得纯度为95.5％的TTC蛋白,该蛋白可被破伤风抗毒素识别;将TTC蛋白免疫小鼠后,免疫血清可与破伤风毒素特异性结合,三次免疫后其抗体效价可达1:25 600.结论 所获TTC蛋白纯度高,免疫原性好,为研究体内外抗原提呈、免疫应答提供了良好的模式抗原.

Gene cloning,optimized expression and immunogenicity evaluation of tetanus toxin fragment C

OBJECTIVE: To obtain highly purified tetanus toxin fragment C (TTC) with good immunogenicity. METHODS: The gene fragment encoding TTC was amplified from Clostridium tetani plasmid DNA by PCR, inserted into the vector pET43.1a (+) and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3)plysS. After purification using Ni2+-chelate affinity chromatography, the expressed fusion protein was digested by thrombin and the resultant TTC protein was purified with Ni2+-chelate affinity chromatography followed by identification with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The purifed TTC protein was then used to immunize mice to test its immunogenecity. RESULTS: The 1373-bp gene fragment encoding TTC was obtained, and the constructed recombinant expression vector pET43.1a (+)-TTC was successfully expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3)plysS. SDS-PAGE identified a recombinant fusion protein with relative molecular mass (Mr) of 117 000, which accounted for 22% of the total bacterial protein. The TTC protein with Mr of 50 000 was obtained after purification of the thrombin digestion products of the fusion protein, with a purity reaching 95.5%. Both the fusion protein and TTC protein could be recognized by anti-tetanus toxin antibody as shown by Western blotting. The titer of the anti-serum from mice immunized with the TTC protein was 1:25 600, and the anti-serum could specifically bind to tetanus toxin. CONCLUSION: Highly purified and immunogenetic TTC protein has been successfully obtained, which provides a good model antigen for studying antigen presentation and immune responses in vivo.