Vectors for expression of truncated coding sequences in Escherichia coli

We describe the construction of vectors for expressing in Escherichia coli DNA fragments obtained by progressive deletions of DNA inserts in single-stranded sequencing vectors as M13 or pTZ according to the methode of Dale et al. (Plasmid 1985, 13, 31-40). These vectors, pIMS1, pIMS5, and pIMS6, harbor all of the elements required for the regulated expression of any open reading frame flanked by EcoRI restriction sites. The encoded peptides contain only a few vector-derived amino acids. A method is described for direct selection of recombinant clones by in situ RNA hybridization. The properties of the expression vector have been analyzed with a DNA deletion series obtained from the cDNA coding for the regulatory subunit of Dictyostelium discoideum cAMP-dependent protein kinase.