EXPRESSION OF P.69/PERTACTIN FROM BORDETELLA-PERTUSSIS IN A BACULOVIRUS/INSECT CELL EXPRESSION SYSTEM - PROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF THE RECOMNBINANT PROTEIN

The surface antigen P.69/pertactin of Bordetella pertussis has been expressed using the polyhedron promoter of baculovirus in cultured insect cells. Either full-length or truncated pm DNA was used to express P.69 pertactin. The full-length gene gave rise to low levels of P.93 precursor protein, some of which was processed to P.69. The shortened pm expressed P.69 pertactin directly at levels up to 3.5 mg per litre. P.69 vaccinated animals were protected against aerosol challenge with virulent B. pertussis bacteria.