[Ability of a recombinant protein containing fragment 114-122 of myelin basic protein, to cause allergic encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs].

Four genetic constructions have been designed, capable of producing in E. coli the hybrid beta-galactosidases containing the encephalitogenic determinant 114-122 of myelin basic protein. The ability of chromatography-purified proteins to cause allergic encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs has been investigated. Only one out of four proteins carrying at least one complete replica of encephalitogenic determinant did induce allergic encephalomyelitis in animals. Effects of the structural context of the encephalitogenic determinant on its functional activity are discussed.