METHODS OF INCREASING RECOMBINANT PRODUCTION OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS PROTECTIVE ANTIGEN

摘要

The present invention is directed to methods for the recombinant production of the Protective Antigen protein ("rPA"), or antigenic fragments thereof, of Bacillus anthracis, which methods exhibit improved efficiency relative to current methods known in the art. In particular, the invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding rPA, or antigenic fragments thereof, that have been optimized for use in standard recombinant production procedures and/or systems, including E coli recombinant systems. The methods of the invention allow for the efficient expression of rPA, improving protein yields and lowering production costs. The invention further provides methods of manufacture of rPA from recombinant systems, unparticular for use in pharmaceutical compositions for inducing a therapeutic or prophylactic, i.e. protective, immune response in a subject. Accordingly, the methods of the invention also encompass the use of pharmaceutical compositions comprising rPA for the prevention or treatment of infection by Bacillus anthracis (i.e., anthrax).