A colicin A fragment containing the receptor binding domain can be directed to the periplasmic space in E. coli through gene fusion

Abstract

The central region of the colicin A polypeptide chain has been fused to the N-terminal part of β-lactamase through genetic recombination. This region comprising amino acid residues 70–335 confers on the hybrid protein the ability to protect sensitive cells from the lethal action of colicin A. Although colicin A belongs to the cytoplasmic compartment of E. coli, export of the hybrid protein to the periplasmic space was promoted by the signal peptide of β-lactamase