Abstract: A recombinant vector for the expression and secretion of antibodies in single molecule form (scFv) in B.subtilis, where said vector comprises the promoter of the gene for neutral protease, a new secretion sequence (I) and a DNA sequence coding for an antibody scFv of interest, a strain of B.subtilis transformed with said recombinant vector, and a procedure for the exocellular production of scFv antibodies by means of a culture of said strain of B.subtilis are described. The recombinant vector allows the expression of scFv in a completely soluble form and its secretion in high yields.

Abstract: A recombinant vector for the expression and secretion of antibodies in single molecule form (scFv) from B. subtilis, where said vector comprises the promoter of the gene for neutral protease, a new secretion sequence (I) and a DNA sequence coding a scFv antibody of interest, a strain of B. subtilis transformed with said recombinant vector, and a process for the exocellular production of scFv antibodies by culturing said strain of B. subtilis are described. The recombinant vector allows the expression of scFv in a completely soluble form and its secretion in high yields.

Abstract: A cloned DNA fragment of Bordetella pertussis including the gene which codes for the pilinic subunit fim3, vectors which contain it and microorganisms transformed by the vectors.The protein and peptides corresponding to at least one epitope of the gene which codes for the pilinic subunit fim3 are particularly useful for the development of acellular anti-pertussis vaccines.In addition, a strain of Bordetella modified by a recombinant replication or genome-integration vector containing the cloned DNA fragment or the gene or a fraction thereof is particularly suitable for the development of a cellular anti-pertussis vaccine.

Abstract: The isolation and characterization of the promoter regions of the genes which code for the pilinic subunits fim2, fim3 and fimx of Bordetella pertussis, are described, as well as the construction of vectors containing the regions, and microorganisms transformed by the vectors.The promoter regions, or nucleotide fragments thereof, are particularly useful for the regulable or non-regulable expression of genes which code for a protein of interest in a strain of Bordetella. The transformed Bordetella strains are particularly suitable for the development of an effective anti-pertussis vaccine.