Cloning and expression of the CAMP factor of group B streptococci in Escherichia coli

The genetic determinant of the CAMP factor from a strain of group B streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) was cloned in Escherichia coli. Total cell DNA from the GBS strain R268 was used to construct a gene bank with bacteriophage lambda EMBL4 in the E. coli K-12 strain LE392. Recombinant phage plaques were detected by immunoblots by using a specific antiserum raised against purified CAMP factor. Two hybrid phages showing expression of CAMP factor were identified. Subcloning the CAMP gene (cfb) into the high-copy-number vector pUC8 resulted in highly unstable plasmids. Therefore, subcloning was performed with the low-copy-number vector pLG339 resulting in the stable recombinant plasmids pCO61 and pCO62 which lead to expression of CAMP protein first identified by colony immunoblotting. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis revealed a similar CAMP protein pattern in lambda EMBL4 recombinant phage lysates (molecular weight, 22,000 to 24,000) as compared to that obtained from a GBS culture supernatant (molecular weight, 22,000 to 26,000) but a different CAMP protein pattern (molecular weight, 20,000 to 23,000) from lysates of E. coli carrying pCO61 or pCO62. To study the excretion of the CAMP protein we performed a semi-quantitative dot blot analysis of proteins recovered from cell fractions and supernatants of the E. coli recombinant clones. In contrast to GBS R268, where the CAMP factor is readily excreted, the CAMP protein is not excreted in E. coli clones containing pCO61 and pCO62 but is found associated with the cell fractions.