[Prokaryotic expression of HPV 16 L1 gene and identification of its immune activity].

Aim: To express the major capsid protein of human papillomavirus type 16 L1(HPV 16 L1) in E.coli and identify its immune activity.

Methods: The L1 gene of HPV 16 was cloned into the expression vector pThioHisC. The recombinant expression vector was transformed into E.coli, and the HisC-L1 protein was expressed under IPTG induction. The fusion protein was characterized by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.

Results: The HPV16-L1 gene in plasmid pThioHisC was expressed in E.coli as a fusion protein with M(r) about 70,800. The fusion protein reacted specifically with antibodies against HPV16-L1.

Conclusion: The HPV-16 L1 gene was expressed successfully in E.coli, which provides necessary basis for preparing HPV-16 L1 vaccine in human.