Cloning and Expression of Leishmania infantum LPG3 Gene by the Lizard Leishmania Expression System

BACKGROUND: Various prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems have been developed for the production of recombinant proteins. In the present study, we used a new protein expression system based on the Iranian Lizard Leishmania, a trypanosomatid protozoan as a host, for the expression of LPG3 gene from Leishmania infantum (L.infantum). METHODS: The LPG3 gene was cloned in the expression cassette for integration into the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA locus of Lizard Leishmania genome by electroporation. Expression of the recombinant LPG3 protein was confirmed by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Western blotting confirmed the expression and production of rLPG3 protein. Immunofluoresence analysis also revealed the staining throughout the cytoplasm of transfected parasites, indicating that the protein has been expressed. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that Leishmania cells can be suggested an expression system for the production of recombinant LPG3 (rLPG3) to further research in vaccine designing against leishmaniasis.