Expression of a gene encoding the major antigenic protein 2 homolog of ehrlichia chaffeensis and potential application for serodiagnosis.

ABSTRACT: The major antigenic protein 2 (MAP2) homolog of Ehrlichia chaffeensis was cloned and expressed. The recombinant protein was characterized and tested in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format for potential application in the serodiagnosis of human monocytic ehrlichiosis. The recombinant protein, which contained a C-terminal polyhistidine tag, had a molecular mass of approximately 26 kDa. The antigen was clearly identified by Western immunoblotting using antihistidine antibody. However, immune sera failed to react with the recombinant on immunoblots when the antigen was denatured by heat or reduced using beta-mercaptoethanol. The recombinant MAP2 (rMAP2) was used in an ELISA format with 60 blinded serum samples. Twenty of the serum samples were previously demonstrated to contain

SUBMITTER: Alleman AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC87460 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature