A Controllable Expression-secretion Vector Constructed from the Multiple trp Promoter-operator, the Signal Peptide Region of the ompF Gene and the trpR Gene in Escherichia coli

We constructed a hybrid plasmid to allow controlled expression of a gene and the subsequent secretion into the culture medium of the gene product in Escherichia coli. This was achieved by the use of five trp promoter-operator regions in tandem followed by the DNA fragment coding for the signal peptide and the N-terminus of the OmpF protein, and the trpR gene coding for the Trp repressor. Multiplication of the trp promoter-operator appreciably enhanced expression of the gene that followed. A single copy of the trpR gene on the chromosome was insufficient for controlling the enhanced expression. The expression was, however, completely controlled when the trpR gene was cloned onto the same plasmid. When the multiple trp promoter-operator was followed by the DNA fragment coding for the signal peptide and the N-terminus of the OmpF protein that was further followed by the gene for human β-endorphin, a β-endorphin-containing polypeptide was synthesized under the complete control of the trp promoter-operator, and secreted to the culture medium across both the cytoplasmic membrane and the outer membrane. Controlled expression of a foreign gene and subsequent secretion into the medium of the product were thus achieved.