Rabbit antisera to the variable region domains of an anti-α(1 → 6)dextran using E. coli-produced VL and VH fusion proteins as immunogens☆

Abstract Bacteria were engineered for the expression of mouse immunoglobulin light chain variable region (V L ) and heavy chain variable region (V H ) fusion proteins. cDNAs encoding the V L and V H of anti- α (1 → 6)dextran hybridoma protein 19.22.1 were inserted into the pATH 10 prokaryotic expression vector downstream of trp operon sequences. V domains joined to approximately 330 amino acids of the trp E gene product encoded by the expression plasmids accumulated at high levels in E. coli . In addition, the V L domain was expressed with a 15 amino acid extension at low levels in lon mutant bacteria. The trp E-V L and trp E-V H proteins were used to raise antisera in rabbits and the V specificity of the sera demonstrated.