HISTIDINE-TAGGED SHIGA TOXINS, TOXOIDS, AND PROTEIN FUSIONS WITH SUCH TOXINS AND TOXOIDS, METHODS FOR THE PURIFICATION AND PREPARATION THEREOF

摘要

The present invention describes the isolation and purification of biologically and immunologically active histidine-tagged Shiga toxins (His-tagged), a toxin associated with HC and the potentially life-threatening sequela HUS transmitted by strains of pathogenic bacteria. The present invention describes how his-tagging greatly simplifies and expedites purifying Shiga toxins, and describes an improved method for such purification. One aspect of the invention is obtaining and using Shiga toxoids that are immunoreactive but not toxic. Another aspect of the invention is obtaining and using fusion proteins of His-tagged Shiga toxins or toxoids. Yet another aspect of the invention is obtaining and using antibodies to His-gagged Shiga toxins, toxoids, or Shiga toxin/toxoid fusion proteins.