AIM: To obtain high-level expression of nonfusion recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (rhbFGF). METHODS: hbFGF cDNA was prepared from the total RNA of embryonic brain tissue. As a template, the obtained gene was used to clone nonfusion rhbFGF. New primers were employed to alter the translation initiation region (TIR) and reduce the G+C content through nucleotide change. Using pET-3C as vector, the cloned rhbFGF was expressed in BL21 (DE3). RESULTS: rhbFGF was expressed in E coli up to 30% of the total cellular protein. Cation exchange and heparin affinity chromatography were employed to purify the target protein from the supernatant of bacteria lysate. The bioactivity of the purified rhbFGF was identical with the standard bFGF. CONCLUSION: Modification of TIR is an effective means to increase nonfusion expression rate of recombinant proteins, such as rhbFGF, in E coli.