Analysis of a cloned Francisella tularensis outer membrane protein gene and expression in attenuated Salmonella typhimurium.

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of fopA from Francisella tularensis. Using the polymerase chain reaction fopA was detected in high and low virulence biotypes of F. tularensis. fopA was stably maintained in pBluescript in attenuated Salmonella typhimurium where FopA was expressed and located in the outer membrane. This recombinant will be suitable for studies on the role of FopA in immunity against tularaemia.