A New Escherichia coli Strain Producing Human Tumor Necrosis Factor

An Escherichia coli strain producing human tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) was obtained using a semisynthetic gene partially optimized in respect of codon composition and a phage T7 promoter. The expression product was accumulated in cells as inclusion bodies in a yield of 50–70 mg/l of culture medium. The recombinant TNF-α in the form of inclusion bodies was used for immunization of rats to give a polyclonal antiserum. The resulting antibodies were specific under the immunoblotting conditions to the antigen used for the immunization. A dilution-based refolding procedure was developed; it provided a yield of soluble protein exceeding 85%.