Synthesis and expression in E. coli of the gene for human tumor necrosis factor (h alpha TNF).

A gene coding for human tumor necrosis factor (h alpha TNF) has been assembled by ligating short oligodeoxyribonucleotides and cloning into plasmid vectors. These oligonucleotides were prepared by the modified phosphoramidite methodology using isopropoxyacetyl (IPA) as a protecting group for exoamino- functions of nucleosides. Gene was expressed in E. coli and the protein product was purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography.