Cloning, expression, purification and functional analysis of a specific multi-epitope protein from multi drug resistance Acinetobacter baumannii

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Immunization is a promising strategy to combat against the life-threatening infections by Multi Drug Resistance Acinetobacter baumannii. In this study, we directed to design and evaluate the efficacy of a recombinant multi-epitope protein against this pathogen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Epitopes prediction was performed for candidate proteins OmpA and BAM complex (BamA, BamB, BamC, BamD, BamE) from A. baumannii, using immune-informatics tools with high affinity for the human HLA alleles. After expression and purification of the recombinant protein, its functional activity was confirmed by interaction with positive sera. RESULTS: Cloning and expression of the desired multi-epitopes protein were verified. Circular Dichroism study showed the secondary structure and proper refolding of the recombinant protein was achieved and matched with computational prediction. There was a significant interaction between designed protein with antibodies presented in ICU patients’ and staff’s sera. CONCLUSION: The interaction of the recombinant protein with patients’ sera antibodies suggests that it may be a promising determinant protein for immunization against of MDR A. baumannii.