DEVELOPMENT OF A PROKARYOTIC EXPRESSION VECTOR THAT EXPLOITS DICISTRONIC GENE ORGANIZATION

For unknown reasons, levels of expression of foreign genes inserted into expression vectors in Escherichia coli have frequently been undetectable. The most critical step in the successful production of foreign proteins seems to be the initiation of translation. Since most prokaryotic genes are transcribed in a polycistronic form, we have devised a new prokaryotic expression system utilizing dicistronic gene organization. Downstream from a strong promoter and the gene encoding glutathione S-transferase from Schistosoma japonicum, various foreign genes were connected via a ribosome-binding site, a stop codon and a start codon. The V(H) domain of an immunoglobulin fused to the alpha-subunit of tryptophan synthase, FK506-binding protein, cyclophilin, and a domain of a major histocompatibility complex antigen were successfully produced in E. coli as discrete polypeptides by this method.