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Expression of Tetanus Toxin Fragment C in E. coli: Its Purification and Potential Use as a Vaccine

Bio/Technology volume 7, pages 1043–1046 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

Fragment C is a 50 kD non-toxic polypeptide that is one of the products of cleavage of tetanus toxin by papain. A 90 kD fusion protein containing fragment C when expressed in E. coli was insoluble. In contrast, a polypeptide exactly corresponding to fragment C was expressed in E. coli, in a soluble form, enabling its rapid purification. Recombinant fragment C showed similar biochemical properties and equal effectiveness in immunising mice against tetanus as authentic fragment C derived from C. tetani. The possible use of recombinant fragment C as a tetanus vaccine is discussed.

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Author notes

  1. Andrew J. Makoff: Corresponding author.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology, Wellcome Biotech Ltd, Langley Court, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BS, England

    Andrew J. Makoff, Althea E. Smallwood & Neil F. Fairweather

  2. Department of Protein Chemistry, Wellcome Biotech Ltd, Langley Court, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BS, England

    Stuart P. Ballantine

Authors
  1. Andrew J. Makoff
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  2. Stuart P. Ballantine
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  3. Althea E. Smallwood
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  4. Neil F. Fairweather
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Makoff, A., Ballantine, S., Smallwood, A. et al. Expression of Tetanus Toxin Fragment C in E. coli: Its Purification and Potential Use as a Vaccine. Nat Biotechnol 7, 1043–1046 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1089-1043

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