Expression of the psbA Gene in E. coli

A psbA gene fragment has been cloned into an expression vector in frame with the 3′end of the beta-galactosidase gene. Expression of this construct in E. coli results in an overproduction of a hybrid protein consisting of part of the herbicide binding protein and beta-galactosidase. An antiserum raised against this fusion protein specifically detects a 34 kDa polypeptide within the complex mixture of spinach thylakoid membrane proteins.