ABSTRACT
Objective:To clone and express Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) Rv2460c gene(encoding ClpP2 protein),and evaluate the immunogenicity of its coding product. Methods: The recombinant plasmid of pET32a (+) vector-ClpP2 that H37Rv Rv2460c gene was cloned into the plasmid pET32a(+)vector,was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3)and induced expression by IPTG,then purified by affinity chromatography. The recombinant protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The analysis of immunogenicity of Mtb ClpP2 and its epitope prediction were performed by bioinformatic methods. The antibody levels of polyclonal antibody titer against ClpP2 protein in rabbits and TB patients′ serum were detected by ELISA. Results: The recombinant ClpP2 protease was expressed as inclusion bodies in E. coli. The purity of purified protein was 93% by bandscan software analysis. The bioin-formatics analysis shows Mtb ClpP2 protein has multiple preponderant B cell and T cell epitopes. Rabbit antiserum titer was 1∶64 000;Serum anti-ClpP2 antibody levels in TB patients was higher than that in healthy control subjects. Conclusion:The recombinant ClpP2 protein was purified, and specific Rabbit anti-ClpP2 polyclonal antibody was prepared successfully. Experiment and bioinformatic information studies showed that Mtb ClpP2 protease has strong immunogenicity.