Expression of the human fibroblast interferon gene in Escherichia coli.

Abstract
The method of Guarente et al. was used to construct plasmids that direct expression of the human fibroblast interferon (F-IF) gene in E. coli. Two plasmids were recovered. One directs efficient synthesis of a protein whose primary sequence is that of pre-F-IF and the other, that of mature F-IF. Extracts of bacteria synthesizing mature F-IF display antiviral activity characteristic of human F-IF. This activity is lower than that expected from the differential rate of synthesis of the protein. No such activity was detected in extracts of bacteria synthesizing pre-F-IF.