Expression of human aspartyl β-hydroxylase and preparation of its monoclonal antibody

We investigated the mechanism of human aspartyl β-hydroxylase (HAAH) in early diagnosis of tumors. The encoding gene of HAAH was cloned from the hepatic carcinoma by RT-PCR and expressed as a fused protein in the prokaryotic vector pBV-IL1. The expressed HAAH was purified by Ni²⁺-NTA purification column and the purified protein was then used to immunize Balb/c mice. Three hybridoma cell lines (respectively designated H₃/E₁₀, E₄/F₁₂ and G₄/D₈) stably expressing the monoclonal antibody specific to HAAH fusion protein were obtained. The specificity and sensitivity of the monoclonal antibody were assessed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. Finally, the monoclonal antibody expressed by H₃/E₁₀ cell line was used to detect the expression of HAAH in several tumor cell lines by indirect immuno-fluorescence, and the specific fluorescence was observed. In conclusion, this study successfully constructed the recombinant prokaryotic vector pBV-IL1-HAAH and prepared HAAH-specific monoclonal antibody for further study of the structure and function of the protein. The result may also lay solid foundation for the research of the molecular mechanism of HAAH in early diagnosis of tumors.