ISOLATION AND OVEREXPRESSION IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI OF THE FLAVODOXIN GENE FROM ANABAENA-PCC-7119

The gene coding for flavodoxin from Anabaena PCC 7119 was cloned by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The gene is transcribed into a 1250-base transcript. The expression of the flavodoxin gene was analysed and found to be regulated at the transcriptional level by the availability of iron. The PCR-amplified gene was cloned into the expression vector pTrc 99b and expressed in Escherichia coli. High concentrations of flavodoxin were found (20% of total protein). The recombinant protein was purified from the cytosolic fraction of the cells and it exhibited properties identical with those of the wild-type Anabaena flavodoxin.