Cloning and expression of recombinant flagellar protein flaB from Borrelia burgdorferi.

OBJECTIVE

Lyme borreliosis is an arthropod transmitted infection caused by some species of the Borrelia genus. Current diagnosis employs serological testing and detection of Borrelia-specific antibodies. Using recombinant Borrelia burgdorferi antigens may improve assay specificity and sensitivity. One of the immunodominant Borrelia antigens that elicit a strong and early immune response is FlaB, making it appropriate for recombinant protein based serological diagnostic tests.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Borrelia burgdorferi genomic DNA was isolated and used as a template for the amplification of the flaB gene. The gene was cloned in the expression vector pGEX-2T.

RESULTS

The amplified flaB gene was cloned in the expression vector yielding a GST-FlaB fusion gene. The gene ligated in-frame was expressed as the recombinant GST-FlaB protein. After visualization by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the successful expression of the FlaB protein was confirmed by immunoblotting.

CONCLUSION

The expression and purification of the recombinant FlaB protein is a prerequisite for obtaining large amounts of the product through a simple and labour-free procedure, which will facilitate the diagnosis of Lyme disease.