Expression of an epitopic region of AspfI, an allergen/antigen/cytotoxin of Aspergillus fumigatus

Abstract

The gene for an 18 kD allergen/cytotoxin of Aspergillus fumigatus was cloned in pUC-19 vector and expressed in Escherichia coli JM109. Digestion of this gene with AluI resulted in four fragments of 216bp, 120bp, 39bp and 21bp. These fragments were cloned in the Sma-I site of pUC-19. The recombinants thus, generated after transformation in E. coli JM109, were screened using monoclonal antibodies raised against the AspfI. The fusion protein containing 120 bp AluI fragment was recognised by the MoAb indicating presence of epitope(s) in the 120 bp region. The study indicates a viable strategy for identification and expression of an immunologically active domain of a major allergen/antigen of A. fumigatus for the first time.