Fusion of two genes at DNA level produces a single protein, known as a chimeric protein. Immunotoxins are chimeric proteins composed of specific cell targeting and cell killing moieties. Bacterial or plant toxins are commonly used as the killing moieties of the chimeric immunotoxins. In this investigation, the catalytic domain of Shiga-like toxin (A1) was fused to human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) gene and the fused gene was then expressed using an expression vector containing arabinose promoter. The protein thus obtained could be recognized by two different ELISA system designed for detection of hGM-CSF and Shiga-toxin and reconfirmed by Western-blot. The recognition of the chimeric protein by specific antibodies could be indicative of the proper form of the protein, which justifies further steps to be taken to evaluate the potential effects of the chimeric protein. Iran. Biomed. J. 9 (4): 143-148, 2005

Keywords: Expression, Chimeric protein, Shiga-toxin, Human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (hGM-CSF), Escherichia coli

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