Objective: To further investigate pathogenic function of invA in Leptospira, recombinant L. biflexa-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pGKINVA was constructed, and electropored into L. biflexa strain Patoc I .
Methods: The invA gene was cloned into shuttle vector pGKble24 to construct a recombinant L. biflexa-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pGKINVA. The recombinant vectors were electropored into L. biflexa serovar Patoc strain Patoc I .
Results: A 558 bp invA was amplified from L. interrogans serovars Lai strain 017 and ligated with Aat II and Xma I digested pGKble24. After screening by kanamycin and blue/white color, the recombinant pGKINVA was obtained and sequenced. Subsequently, the recombinant pGKINVA was electropored into L. biflexa strain Patoc I. The selected mutants were identified by PCR.
Conclusion: Recombinant L. biflexa-Escherichia coli shuttle vector with invA insert was constructed and two strains of pGKINVA transformed Leptospira were obtained. These pGKINVA transformed Leptospira strains would provid an experimental model to investigate potential pathogenic functions of invA in vivo.