Construction of an expression vector for human papillomavirus type 16 E7-glutathione S transferase fusion protein.

An expression vector for human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) E7-glutathione S transferase fusion protein was constructed. The E7 gene was confirmed by southern blot analysis with a digoxygenin 11-dUTP labeled and simultaneously amplified E7 DNA probe by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The fusion protein was expressed in E. coli, recovered as inclusion bodies, and was confirmed by western blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody against HPV 16-E7 protein. A polyclonal antibody against the HPV 16-E7 protein was raised in the serum of mice hyper-immuned with the fusion protein. This antibody will be available for screening of patients with cervical cancer.