The expression and purification of LpxA of Chlamydia trachomatis and preparation of its polyclonal antibody

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The purpose of this study is to purify the LpxA protein of <jats:italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</jats:italic> (Ct) and prepare the polyclonal antibody against LpxA protein, so as to lay a foundation for studying the function of LpxA protein. The LpxA gene was amplified by PCR. The expression plasmid pET28a-LpxA was constructed by using pET28a as the vector. The fusion protein containing 6 histidine tag was induced by IPTG and purified by Ni<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup> chromatography gel. The purified His-LpxA protein was used as an immunogen to immunize New Zealand rabbits subcutaneously through the back to prepare polyclonal antibody. Immunoblotting was used to detect the reaction between the antibody and His-LpxA. The determination of polyclonal antibody titer was detected by ELISA. The relative molecular weight of His-LpxA was 32.8 kDa, and it could be expressed in Escherichia coli. The purity of the purified protein was about 95%. After immunizing New Zealand rabbits, the antiserum was able to recognize the recombinant His-LpxA protein with a titer greater than 1:10240. In this study, LpxA protein was successfully purified and antiserum was prepared, which provided an experimental basis for studying the function of LpxA protein.</jats:p>