Expression of E1 gene of a hepatitis C virus inE. coli and protein purification

The cDNA containing full encoding region of E1 antigen of HCV was cloned into an expression plasmid pRSETHisB. The recombinant plasmid pRSETE1 was introduced into the BL21 (DE3) strain ofE. coli. The engineering bacteria harbouring the pRSETE1 was cultivated in 2YT medium at 37°C. When the Expression of E1 protein was induced by 1 mmol IPTG, the bacteria was killed and the number of living cell was droped down from 10⁷ to 10³ cell/mL one hour post induction. Suggest that E1 protein is poisoned toE. coli. However, the 26kD polypeptide of E1 fussion protein still synthesized in appropriate condition. The expression level was about 10% of total protein 4 h after inducing. The E1 protin was purified by Ni²⁺-NTA-Agarose column chromatography to homogeneous. The purified E1 protein was sensitive and specific in reaction with anti-HCV antibody in sera. Supported by the Science Committec of Hubei Province Ye Linbai: born in Feb. 1948. Professor