Preparative Scale Culture of Escherichia coli Cells Expressing the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Tat Protein

Abstract A procedure leading to a 100-liter fermenter culture of Escherichia coli cells expressing the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) trans -activator (Tat) protein is described. The effects of growth temperature and of cell density at the time of induction on the yield of Tat were investigated. Tat was identified by SDS-gel electrophoresis and Western blot. Tat represents approximately 10% of the soluble protein in the cell lysate.