A novel method for increasing bacterial cellular yields of a fimbrial subunit polypeptide

An in‐depth understanding of the genetic organisation of the K88 adhesion fimbriae determinant has been used to construct novel recombinant plasmids which direct the expression of high levels of K88 fimbriae suitable for use in vaccine preparations when harboured by Escherichia coli K12. This was achieved by placing the fimbrial subunit polypeptide cistron under the control of a powerful E. coli promoter while leaving the expression of the other cistrons encoded within the K88 determinant under the control of a separate promoter. This methodology could be used as a general approach to construct strains expressing high levels of other bacterial fimbriae.