PRODUCTION OF HUMAN PLASMA RETINOL-BINDING PROTEIN IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI

We designed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer pair which allowe d us to clone the cDNA coding for the human plasma retinol-binding pro tein (hRBP) into an Escherichia coli expression vector. Production of hRBP was confirmed by probing Western blots with antisera against plas ma hRBP. Purification and characterization of the E. coli-produced pla sma hRBP are also described. The availability of this expression syste m makes it possible to obtain large quantities of hRBP to facilitate o ur continuing studies of retinol and RBP metabolism.