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Abstract
The proper glycosylation of glycoproteins is important for their structure and function. This is an especially important consideration when choosing a platform to express recombinant glycoproteins destined for therapeutic use. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells have been the choice expression platform for their ability to produce recombinant glycoproteins with glycosylation profiles similar to those observed in humans. However, consistency with glycosylation has been noted as problematic, and sialylation, an important modification in human glycoproteins, has not been achieved to an acceptable degree in CHO cells. Plant biotechnology and glycoengineering has now made it possible to produce therapeutic recombinant glycoproteins in plants with glycosylation profiles observed in humans, including sialylation. Furthermore, the glycosylation profiles of recombinant therapeutic glycoproteins produced in plants are homogenous and consistently reproducible. Here, entirely via transient expression, two therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are produced in glycoengineered Nicotiana benthamiana plants that carry human glycosylation profiles including sialylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Esqueda
- The Biodesign Institute and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Qiang Chen
- The Biodesign Institute and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
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2
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Coates RJ, Young MT, Scofield S. Optimising expression and extraction of recombinant proteins in plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1074531. [PMID: 36570881 PMCID: PMC9773421 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1074531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant proteins are of paramount importance for research, industrial and medical use. Numerous expression chassis are available for recombinant protein production, and while bacterial and mammalian cell cultures are the most widely used, recent developments have positioned transgenic plant chassis as viable and often preferential options. Plant chassis are easily maintained at low cost, are hugely scalable, and capable of producing large quantities of protein bearing complex post-translational modification. Several protein targets, including antibodies and vaccines against human disease, have been successfully produced in plants, highlighting the significant potential of plant chassis. The aim of this review is to act as a guide to producing recombinant protein in plants, discussing recent progress in the field and summarising the factors that must be considered when utilising plants as recombinant protein expression systems, with a focus on optimising recombinant protein expression at the genetic level, and the subsequent extraction and purification of target proteins, which can lead to substantial improvements in protein stability, yield and purity.
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3
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Debnath S, Seth D, Pramanik S, Adhikari S, Mondal P, Sherpa D, Sen D, Mukherjee D, Mukerjee N. A comprehensive review and meta-analysis of recent advances in biotechnology for plant virus research and significant accomplishments in human health and the pharmaceutical industry. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2022:1-33. [PMID: 36063068 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2022.2116309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Secondary metabolites made by plants and used through their metabolic routes are today's most reliable and cost-effective way to make pharmaceuticals and improve health. The concept of genetic engineering is used for molecular pharming. As more people use plants as sources of nanotechnology systems, they are adding to this. These systems are made up of viruses-like particles (VLPs) and virus nanoparticles (VNPs). Due to their superior ability to be used as plant virus expression vectors, plant viruses are becoming more popular in pharmaceuticals. This has opened the door for them to be used in research, such as the production of medicinal peptides, antibodies, and other heterologous protein complexes. This is because biotechnological approaches have been linked with new bioinformatics tools. Because of the rise of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, it has become easier to use metagenomic studies to look for plant virus genomes that could be used in pharmaceutical research. A look at how bioinformatics can be used in pharmaceutical research is also covered in this article. It also talks about plant viruses and how new biotechnological tools and procedures have made progress in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandip Debnath
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
| | - Dibyendu Seth
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
| | - Sourish Pramanik
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
| | - Sanchari Adhikari
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
| | - Parimita Mondal
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
| | - Dechen Sherpa
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
| | - Deepjyoti Sen
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Nobendu Mukerjee
- Department of Microbiology, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Kolkata, India
- Department of Health Sciences, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebarsham, Australia
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4
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Can Virus-like Particles Be Used as Synergistic Agent in Pest Management? Viruses 2022; 14:v14050943. [PMID: 35632685 PMCID: PMC9144638 DOI: 10.3390/v14050943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Among novel strategies proposed in pest management, synergistic agents are used to improve insecticide efficacy through an elevation of intracellular calcium concentration that activates the calcium-dependent intracellular pathway. This leads to a changed target site conformation and to increased sensitivity to insecticides while reducing their concentrations. Because virus-like particles (VLPs) increase the intracellular calcium concentration, they can be used as a synergistic agent to synergize the effect of insecticides. VLPs are self-assembled viral protein complexes, and by contrast to entomopathogen viruses, they are devoid of genetic material, which makes them non-infectious and safer than viruses. Although VLPs are well-known to be used in human health, we propose in this study the development of a promising strategy based on the use of VLPs as synergistic agents in pest management. This will lead to increased insecticides efficacy while reducing their concentrations.
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Bhattacharjee B, Hallan V. Geminivirus-Derived Vectors as Tools for Functional Genomics. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:799345. [PMID: 35432267 PMCID: PMC9010885 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.799345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A persistent issue in the agricultural sector worldwide is the intensive damage caused to crops by the geminivirus family of viruses. The diverse types of viruses, rapid virus evolution rate, and broad host range make this group of viruses one of the most devastating in nature, leading to millions of dollars' worth of crop damage. Geminiviruses have a small genome and can be either monopartite or bipartite, with or without satellites. Their ability to independently replicate within the plant without integration into the host genome and the relatively easy handling make them excellent candidates for plant bioengineering. This aspect is of great importance as geminiviruses can act as natural nanoparticles in plants which can be utilized for a plethora of functions ranging from vaccine development systems to geminivirus-induced gene silencing (GIGS), through deconstructed viral vectors. Thus, the investigation of these plant viruses is pertinent to understanding their crucial roles in nature and subsequently utilizing them as beneficial tools in functional genomics. This review, therefore, highlights some of the characteristics of these viruses that can be deemed significant and the subsequent successful case studies for exploitation of these potentially significant pathogens for role mining in functional biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipasha Bhattacharjee
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Plant Virology Laboratory, Division of Biotechnology, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, India
| | - Vipin Hallan
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Plant Virology Laboratory, Division of Biotechnology, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, India
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6
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Chen Q. Development of plant-made monoclonal antibodies against viral infections. Curr Opin Virol 2022; 52:148-160. [PMID: 34933212 PMCID: PMC8844144 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Current plant-based systems offer multiple advantages for monoclonal antibody (mAb) development and production beyond the traditional benefits of low cost and high scalability. Novel expression vectors have allowed the production of mAbs at high levels with unprecedented speed to combat current and future pandemics. Host glycoengineering has enabled plants to produce mAbs that have unique mammalian glycoforms with a high degree of homogeneity. These mAb glycovariants exhibit differential binding to various Fc receptors, providing a new way to optimize antibody effector function for improving mAb potency or safety. This review will summarize the status of anti-viral mAb development with plant-based systems. The preclinical and clinical development of leading plant-made mAb candidates will be highlighted. In addition, the remaining challenges and potential applications of this technology will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Chen
- The Biodesign Institute and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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7
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Improving Protein Quantity and Quality—The Next Level of Plant Molecular Farming. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031326. [PMID: 35163249 PMCID: PMC8836236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants offer several unique advantages in the production of recombinant pharmaceuticals for humans and animals. Although numerous recombinant proteins have been expressed in plants, only a small fraction have been successfully put into use. The hugely distinct expression systems between plant and animal cells frequently cause insufficient yield of the recombinant proteins with poor or undesired activity. To overcome the issues that greatly constrain the development of plant-produced pharmaceuticals, great efforts have been made to improve expression systems and develop alternative strategies to increase both the quantity and quality of the recombinant proteins. Recent technological revolutions, such as targeted genome editing, deconstructed vectors, virus-like particles, and humanized glycosylation, have led to great advances in plant molecular farming to meet the industrial manufacturing and clinical application standards. In this review, we discuss the technological advances made in various plant expression platforms, with special focus on the upstream designs and milestone achievements in improving the yield and glycosylation of the plant-produced pharmaceutical proteins.
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8
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Moon KB, Jeon JH, Choi H, Park JS, Park SJ, Lee HJ, Park JM, Cho HS, Moon JS, Oh H, Kang S, Mason HS, Kwon SY, Kim HS. Construction of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles in plant. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1005. [PMID: 35046461 PMCID: PMC8770512 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04883-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a public health emergency, and research on the development of various types of vaccines is rapidly progressing at an unprecedented development speed internationally. Some vaccines have already been approved for emergency use and are being supplied to people around the world, but there are still many ongoing efforts to create new vaccines. Virus-like particles (VLPs) enable the construction of promising platforms in the field of vaccine development. Here, we demonstrate that non-infectious SARS-CoV-2 VLPs can be successfully assembled by co-expressing three important viral proteins membrane (M), envelop (E) and nucleocapsid (N) in plants. Plant-derived VLPs were purified by sedimentation through a sucrose cushion. The shape and size of plant-derived VLPs are similar to native SARS-CoV-2 VLPs without spike. Although the assembled VLPs do not have S protein spikes, they could be developed as formulations that can improve the immunogenicity of vaccines including S antigens, and further could be used as platforms that can carry S antigens of concern for various mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Beom Moon
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Heung Jeon
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyukjun Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, UNIST-Gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Sun Park
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Jin Park
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Jun Lee
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Mee Park
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Sun Cho
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Sun Moon
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunwoo Oh
- Core Facility Management Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sebyung Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, UNIST-Gil 50, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hugh S Mason
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy (CIVV), The Biodesign Institute at ASU, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Suk-Yoon Kwon
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyun-Soon Kim
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Hemmati F, Hemmati-Dinarvand M, Karimzade M, Rutkowska D, Eskandari MH, Khanizadeh S, Afsharifar A. Plant-derived VLP: a worthy platform to produce vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Biotechnol Lett 2021; 44:45-57. [PMID: 34837582 PMCID: PMC8626723 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-021-03211-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
After its emergence in late 2019 SARS-CoV-2 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020 and has claimed more than 2.8 million lives. There has been a massive global effort to develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and the rapid and low cost production of large quantities of vaccine is urgently needed to ensure adequate supply to both developed and developing countries. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are composed of viral antigens that self-assemble into structures that mimic the structure of native viruses but lack the viral genome. Thus they are not only a safer alternative to attenuated or inactivated vaccines but are also able to induce potent cellular and humoral immune responses and can be manufactured recombinantly in expression systems that do not require viral replication. VLPs have successfully been produced in bacteria, yeast, insect and mammalian cell cultures, each production platform with its own advantages and limitations. Plants offer a number of advantages in one production platform, including proper eukaryotic protein modification and assembly, increased safety, low cost, high scalability as well as rapid production speed, a critical factor needed to control outbreaks of potential pandemics. Plant-based VLP-based viral vaccines currently in clinical trials include, amongst others, Hepatitis B virus, Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Here we discuss the importance of plants as a next generation expression system for the fast, scalable and low cost production of VLP-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farshad Hemmati
- Plant Virology Research Center, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Hemmati-Dinarvand
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Marziye Karimzade
- Plant Pathology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Daria Rutkowska
- CSIR Next Generation Health, PO Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Mohammad Hadi Eskandari
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sayyad Khanizadeh
- Hepatitis Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Alireza Afsharifar
- Plant Virology Research Center, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
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Jugler C, Sun H, Chen Q. SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced Interleukin 6 Signaling Is Blocked by a Plant-Produced Anti-Interleukin 6 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9111365. [PMID: 34835296 PMCID: PMC8623585 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic, has caused more than 4.5 million deaths worldwide. Severe and fatal cases of COVID-19 are often associated with increased proinflammatory cytokine levels including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using plants to produce an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) monoclonal antibody (mAb) and examined its utility in reducing IL-6 signaling in an in vitro model, which simulates IL-6 induction during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The anti-IL6R mAb (IL6RmAb) was quickly expressed and correctly assembled in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Plant-produced IL6RmAb (pIL6RmAb) could be enriched to homogeneity by a simple purification scheme. Furthermore, pIL6RmAb was shown to effectively inhibit IL-6 signaling in a cell-based model system. Notably, pIL6RmAb also suppressed IL-6 signaling that was induced by the exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. This is the first report of a plant-made anti-IL-6R mAb and its activity against SARS-CoV-2-related cytokine signaling. This study demonstrates the capacity of plants for producing functionally active mAbs that block cytokine signaling and implies their potential efficacy to curb cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin Jugler
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (C.J.); (H.S.)
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Haiyan Sun
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (C.J.); (H.S.)
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Qiang Chen
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (C.J.); (H.S.)
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-480-965-8110; Fax: +1-480-727-7615
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Dobrica M, van Eerde A, Tucureanu C, Onu A, Paruch L, Caras I, Vlase E, Steen H, Haugslien S, Alonzi D, Zitzmann N, Bock R, Dubuisson J, Popescu C, Stavaru C, Liu Clarke J, Branza‐Nichita N. Hepatitis C virus E2 envelope glycoprotein produced in Nicotiana benthamiana triggers humoral response with virus-neutralizing activity in vaccinated mice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:2027-2039. [PMID: 34002936 PMCID: PMC8486241 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a leading cause of liver-related pathologies and a global health problem, currently affecting more than 71 million people worldwide. The development of a prophylactic vaccine is much needed to complement the effective antiviral treatment available and achieve HCV eradication. Current strategies focus on increasing the immunogenicity of the HCV envelope glycoprotein E2, the major target of virus-neutralizing antibodies, by testing various expression systems or manipulating the protein conformation and the N-glycosylation pattern. Here we report the first evidence of successful production of the full-length HCV E2 glycoprotein in Nicotiana benthamiana, by using the Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression technology. Molecular and functional analysis showed that the viral protein was correctly processed in plant cells and achieved the native folding required for binding to CD81, one of the HCV receptors. N-glycan analysis of HCV-E2 produced in N. benthamiana and mammalian cells indicated host-specific trimming of mannose residues and possibly, protein trafficking. Notably, the plant-derived viral antigen triggered a significant immune response in vaccinated mice, characterized by the presence of antibodies with HCV-neutralizing activity. Together, our study demonstrates that N. benthamiana is a viable alternative to costly mammalian cell cultures for the expression of complex viral antigens and supports the use of plants as cost-effective production platforms for the development of HCV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catalin Tucureanu
- Cantacuzino” Medico‐Military National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Adrian Onu
- Cantacuzino” Medico‐Military National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Lisa Paruch
- NIBIO ‐ Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | - Iuliana Caras
- Cantacuzino” Medico‐Military National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Ene Vlase
- Cantacuzino” Medico‐Military National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Hege Steen
- NIBIO ‐ Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | | | - Dominic Alonzi
- Oxford Glycobiology InstituteDepartment of BiochemistryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Nicole Zitzmann
- Oxford Glycobiology InstituteDepartment of BiochemistryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Jean Dubuisson
- Université LilleCNRSINSERMCHU LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleU1019‐UMR 9017‐CIIL‐Center for Infection and Immunity of LilleLilleFrance
| | | | - Crina Stavaru
- Cantacuzino” Medico‐Military National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
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Venkataraman S, Hefferon K. Application of Plant Viruses in Biotechnology, Medicine, and Human Health. Viruses 2021; 13:1697. [PMID: 34578279 PMCID: PMC8473230 DOI: 10.3390/v13091697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-based nanotechnology programs using virus-like particles (VLPs) and virus nanoparticles (VNPs) are emerging platforms that are increasingly used for a variety of applications in biotechnology and medicine. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and potato virus X (PVX), by virtue of having high aspect ratios, make ideal platforms for drug delivery. TMV and PVX both possess rod-shaped structures and single-stranded RNA genomes encapsidated by their respective capsid proteins and have shown great promise as drug delivery systems. Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) has an icosahedral structure, and thus brings unique benefits as a nanoparticle. The uses of these three plant viruses as either nanostructures or expression vectors for high value pharmaceutical proteins such as vaccines and antibodies are discussed extensively in the following review. In addition, the potential uses of geminiviruses in medical biotechnology are explored. The uses of these expression vectors in plant biotechnology applications are also discussed. Finally, in this review, we project future prospects for plant viruses in the fields of medicine, human health, prophylaxis, and therapy of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathleen Hefferon
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada;
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13
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Venkataraman S, Hefferon K, Makhzoum A, Abouhaidar M. Combating Human Viral Diseases: Will Plant-Based Vaccines Be the Answer? Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070761. [PMID: 34358177 PMCID: PMC8310141 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular pharming or the technology of application of plants and plant cell culture to manufacture high-value recombinant proteins has progressed a long way over the last three decades. Whether generated in transgenic plants by stable expression or in plant virus-based transient expression systems, biopharmaceuticals have been produced to combat several human viral diseases that have impacted the world in pandemic proportions. Plants have been variously employed in expressing a host of viral antigens as well as monoclonal antibodies. Many of these biopharmaceuticals have shown great promise in animal models and several of them have performed successfully in clinical trials. The current review elaborates the strategies and successes achieved in generating plant-derived vaccines to target several virus-induced health concerns including highly communicable infectious viral diseases. Importantly, plant-made biopharmaceuticals against hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), the cancer-causing virus human papillomavirus (HPV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza virus, zika virus, and the emerging respiratory virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been discussed. The use of plant virus-derived nanoparticles (VNPs) and virus-like particles (VLPs) in generating plant-based vaccines are extensively addressed. The review closes with a critical look at the caveats of plant-based molecular pharming and future prospects towards further advancements in this technology. The use of biopharmed viral vaccines in human medicine and as part of emergency response vaccines and therapeutics in humans looks promising for the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srividhya Venkataraman
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada; (K.H.); (M.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Kathleen Hefferon
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada; (K.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Abdullah Makhzoum
- Department of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science & Technology, Palapye, Botswana;
| | - Mounir Abouhaidar
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada; (K.H.); (M.A.)
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14
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Zhang M, Fu M, Hu Q. Advances in Human Norovirus Vaccine Research. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070732. [PMID: 34358148 PMCID: PMC8310286 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide, which is highly stable and contagious, with a few virus particles being sufficient to establish infection. Although the World Health Organization in 2016 stated that it should be an absolute priority to develop a HuNoV vaccine, unfortunately, there is currently no licensed HuNoV vaccine available. The major barrier to the development of an effective HuNoV vaccine is the lack of a robust and reproducible in vitro cultivation system. To develop a HuNoV vaccine, HuNoV immunogen alone or in combination with other viral immunogens have been designed to assess whether they can simultaneously induce protective immune responses against different viruses. Additionally, monovalent and multivalent vaccines from different HuNoV genotypes, including GI and GII HuNoV virus-like particles (VLPs), have been assessed in order to induce broad protection. Although there are several HuNoV vaccine candidates based on VLPs that are being tested in clinical trials, the challenges to develop effective HuNoV vaccines remain largely unresolved. In this review, we summarize the advances of the HuNoV cultivation system and HuNoV vaccine research and discuss current challenges and future perspectives in HuNoV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China;
| | - Ming Fu
- The Joint Center of Translational Precision Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou 510623, China;
- The Joint Center of Translational Precision Medicine, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qinxue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
- Correspondence:
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15
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Elejalde-Palmett C, Martinez San Segundo I, Garroum I, Charrier L, De Bellis D, Mucciolo A, Guerault A, Liu J, Zeisler-Diehl V, Aharoni A, Schreiber L, Bakan B, Clausen MH, Geisler M, Nawrath C. ABCG transporters export cutin precursors for the formation of the plant cuticle. Curr Biol 2021; 31:2111-2123.e9. [PMID: 33756108 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.02.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The plant cuticle is deposited on the surface of primary plant organs, such as leaves, fruits, and floral organs, forming a diffusion barrier and protecting the plant against various abiotic and biotic stresses. Cutin, the structural polyester of the plant cuticle, is synthesized in the apoplast. Plasma-membrane-localized ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters of the G family have been hypothesized to export cutin precursors. Here, we characterize SlABCG42 of tomato representing an ortholog of AtABCG32 in Arabidopsis. SlABCG42 expression in Arabidopsis complements the cuticular deficiencies of the Arabidopsis pec1/abcg32 mutant. RNAi-dependent downregulation of both tomato genes encoding proteins highly homologous to AtABCG32 (SlABCG36 and SlABCG42) leads to reduced cutin deposition and formation of a thinner cuticle in tomato fruits. By using a tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) protoplast system, we show that AtABCG32 and SlABCG42 have an export activity for 10,16-dihydroxy hexadecanoyl-2-glycerol, a cutin precursor in vivo. Interestingly, also free ω-hydroxy hexadecanoic acid as well as hexadecanedioic acid were exported, furthering the research on the identification of cutin precursors in vivo and the respective mechanisms of their integration into the cutin polymer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ignacio Martinez San Segundo
- Center for Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Imène Garroum
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Charrier
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Damien De Bellis
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Mucciolo
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aurore Guerault
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Asaph Aharoni
- Department of Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Lukas Schreiber
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Bénédicte Bakan
- INRAE, Biopolymers Interactions Assemblies UR1268, 44316 Nantes Cedex 3, France
| | - Mads H Clausen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Markus Geisler
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Nawrath
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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16
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Nooraei S, Bahrulolum H, Hoseini ZS, Katalani C, Hajizade A, Easton AJ, Ahmadian G. Virus-like particles: preparation, immunogenicity and their roles as nanovaccines and drug nanocarriers. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:59. [PMID: 33632278 PMCID: PMC7905985 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00806-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are virus-derived structures made up of one or more different molecules with the ability to self-assemble, mimicking the form and size of a virus particle but lacking the genetic material so they are not capable of infecting the host cell. Expression and self-assembly of the viral structural proteins can take place in various living or cell-free expression systems after which the viral structures can be assembled and reconstructed. VLPs are gaining in popularity in the field of preventive medicine and to date, a wide range of VLP-based candidate vaccines have been developed for immunization against various infectious agents, the latest of which is the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the efficacy of which is being evaluated. VLPs are highly immunogenic and are able to elicit both the antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses by pathways different from those elicited by conventional inactivated viral vaccines. However, there are still many challenges to this surface display system that need to be addressed in the future. VLPs that are classified as subunit vaccines are subdivided into enveloped and non- enveloped subtypes both of which are discussed in this review article. VLPs have also recently received attention for their successful applications in targeted drug delivery and for use in gene therapy. The development of more effective and targeted forms of VLP by modification of the surface of the particles in such a way that they can be introduced into specific cells or tissues or increase their half-life in the host is likely to expand their use in the future. Recent advances in the production and fabrication of VLPs including the exploration of different types of expression systems for their development, as well as their applications as vaccines in the prevention of infectious diseases and cancers resulting from their interaction with, and mechanism of activation of, the humoral and cellular immune systems are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saghi Nooraei
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), P. O. BOX: 14155-6343, Tehran, 1497716316, Iran
| | - Howra Bahrulolum
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), P. O. BOX: 14155-6343, Tehran, 1497716316, Iran
| | - Zakieh Sadat Hoseini
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), P. O. BOX: 14155-6343, Tehran, 1497716316, Iran
| | - Camellia Katalani
- Sari Agriculture Science and Natural Resource University (SANRU), Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Tabarestan (GABIT), Sari, Iran
| | - Abbas Hajizade
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrew J Easton
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
| | - Gholamreza Ahmadian
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), P. O. BOX: 14155-6343, Tehran, 1497716316, Iran.
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17
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He J, Lai H, Esqueda A, Chen Q. Plant-Produced Antigen Displaying Virus-Like Particles Evokes Potent Antibody Responses against West Nile Virus in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:60. [PMID: 33477363 PMCID: PMC7830312 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we developed a hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg)-based virus-like particle (VLP) that displays the West Nile virus (WNV) Envelope protein domain III (wDIII) as a vaccine candidate for WNV. The HBcAg-wDIII fusion protein was quickly produced in Nicotiana benthamiana plants and reached a high expression level of approximately 1.2 mg of fusion protein per gram of leaf fresh weight within six days post gene infiltration. Electron microscopy and gradient centrifugation analysis indicated that the introduction of wDIII did not interfere with VLP formation and HBcAg-wDIII successfully assembled into VLPs. HBcAg-wDIII VLPs can be easily purified in large quantities from Nicotiana benthamiana leaves to >95% homogeneity. Further analysis revealed that the wDIII was displayed properly and demonstrated specific binding to an anti-wDIII monoclonal antibody that recognizes a conformational epitope of wDIII. Notably, HBcAg-wDIII VLPs were shown to be highly immunogenic and elicited potent humoral responses in mice with antigen-specific IgG titers equivalent to that of protective wDIII antigens in previous studies. Thus, our wDIII-based VLP vaccine offers an attractive option for developing effective, safe, and low-cost vaccines against WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyun He
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (J.H.); (H.L.); (A.E.)
| | - Huafang Lai
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (J.H.); (H.L.); (A.E.)
| | - Adrian Esqueda
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (J.H.); (H.L.); (A.E.)
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Qiang Chen
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (J.H.); (H.L.); (A.E.)
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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18
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Abstract
Various systems exist for the robust production of recombinant proteins. However, only a few systems are optimal for human vaccine protein production. Plant-based transient protein expression systems offer an advantageous alternative to costly mammalian cell culture-based systems and can perform posttranslational modifications due to the presence of an endomembrane system that is largely similar to that of the animal cell. Technological advances in expression vectors for transient expression in the last two decades have produced new plant expression systems with the flexibility and speed that cannot be matched by those based on mammalian or insect cell culture. The rapid and high-level protein production capability of transient expression systems makes them the optimal system to quickly and versatilely develop and produce vaccines against viruses such as 2019-nCoV that have sudden and unpredictable outbreaks. Here, expression of antiviral subunit vaccines in Nicotiana benthamiana plants via transient expression is demonstrated.
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19
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Ghag SB, Adki VS, Ganapathi TR, Bapat VA. Plant Platforms for Efficient Heterologous Protein Production. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2021; 26:546-567. [PMID: 34393545 PMCID: PMC8346785 DOI: 10.1007/s12257-020-0374-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Production of recombinant proteins is primarily established in cultures of mammalian, insect and bacterial cells. Concurrently, concept of using plants to produce high-value pharmaceuticals such as vaccines, antibodies, and dietary proteins have received worldwide attention. Newer technologies for plant transformation such as plastid engineering, agroinfiltration, magnifection, and deconstructed viral vectors have been used to enhance the protein production in plants along with the inherent advantage of speed, scale, and cost of production in plant systems. Production of therapeutic proteins in plants has now a more pragmatic approach when several plant-produced vaccines and antibodies successfully completed Phase I clinical trials in humans and were further scheduled for regulatory approvals to manufacture clinical grade products on a large scale which are safe, efficacious, and meet the quality standards. The main thrust of this review is to summarize the data accumulated over the last two decades and recent development and achievements of the plant derived therapeutics. It also attempts to discuss different strategies employed to increase the production so as to make plants more competitive with the established production systems in this industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhesh B. Ghag
- School of Biological Sciences, UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, University of Mumbai campus, Kalina, Santacruz, Mumbai, 400098 India
| | - Vinayak S. Adki
- V. G. Shivdare College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Solapur, Maharashtra 413004 India
| | - Thumballi R. Ganapathi
- Plant Cell Culture Technology Section, Nuclear Agriculture & Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085 India
| | - Vishwas A. Bapat
- Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Vidyanagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416004 India
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20
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Dusek J, Plchova H, Cerovska N, Poborilova Z, Navratil O, Kratochvilova K, Gunter C, Jacobs R, Hitzeroth II, Rybicki EP, Moravec T. Extended Set of GoldenBraid Compatible Vectors for Fast Assembly of Multigenic Constructs and Their Use to Create Geminiviral Expression Vectors. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:522059. [PMID: 33193468 PMCID: PMC7641900 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.522059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Methods for simple and fast assembly of exchangeable standard DNA parts using Type II S restriction enzymes are becoming more and more popular in plant synthetic and molecular biology. These methods enable routine construction of large and complex multigene DNA structures. Two available frameworks emphasize either high cloning capacity (Modular Cloning, MoClo) or simplicity (GoldenBraid, GB). Here we present a set of novel α-level plasmids compatible with the GB convention that extend the ability of GB to rapidly assemble more complex genetic constructs, while maintaining compatibility with all existing GB parts as well as most MoClo parts and GB modules. With the use of our new plasmids, standard GB parts can be assembled into complex assemblies containing 1, 5, 10 and up to theoretically 50 units in each successive level of infinite loop assembly. Assembled DNA constructs can be also combined with conventional binary GB-assemblies (1, 2, 4, 8… units). We demonstrate the usefulness of our framework on single tube assembly of replicating plant expression constructs based on the geminivirus Bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Dusek
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Helena Plchova
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Noemi Cerovska
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Zuzana Poborilova
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Oldrich Navratil
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Katerina Kratochvilova
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Cornelius Gunter
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Raygaana Jacobs
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Inga I. Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tomas Moravec
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
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21
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Poborilova Z, Plchova H, Cerovska N, Gunter CJ, Hitzeroth II, Rybicki EP, Moravec T. Transient protein expression in tobacco BY-2 plant cell packs using single and multi-cassette replicating vectors. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2020; 39:1115-1127. [PMID: 32333151 PMCID: PMC7223956 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-020-02544-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE This is the first evidence that replicating vectors can be successfully used for transient protein expression in BY-2 plant cell packs. Transient recombinant protein expression in plants and recently also plant cell cultures are of increasing interest due to the speed, safety and scalability of the process. Currently, studies are focussing on the design of plant virus-derived vectors to achieve higher amounts of transiently expressed proteins in these systems. Here we designed and tested replicating single and multi-cassette vectors that combine elements for enhanced replication and hypertranslation, and assessed their ability to express and particularly co-express proteins by Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in tobacco BY-2 plant cell packs. Substantial yields of green and red fluorescent proteins of up to ~ 700 ng/g fresh mass were detected in the plant cells along with position-dependent expression. This is the first evidence of the ability of replicating vectors to transiently express proteins in BY-2 plant cell packs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Poborilova
- Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Helena Plchova
- Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Noemi Cerovska
- Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Cornelius J Gunter
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Inga I Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tomas Moravec
- Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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22
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Rapid transient expression of functional human vascular endothelial growth factor in Nicotiana benthamiana and characterization of its biological activity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 27:e00514. [PMID: 32884911 PMCID: PMC7453061 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2020.e00514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Growth factors play a crucial role in wound healing. Plant-produced human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) induces the keratinocyte cells migration. The plant-produced hVEGF has shown potential as a wound healing agent in drug and cosmetic industry.
Human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent pro-angiogenic growth factor essential for wound healing. Due to its potential applications, many expression strategies have been developed to produce high levels of VEGF. Here, we have optimized the expression conditions for the production of recombinant VEGF in Nicotiana benthamiana by using a geminiviral vector. Four different expression constructs that differ by the location of a C- or N-terminal histidine tag and SEKDEL sequence were developed and utilized for plant transient expression. The recombinant VEGF was further purified by using affinity chromatography and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting probed with anti-VEGF antibody. Furthermore, our results showed that the recombinant VEGF in all tested concentrations did not exhibit any cytotoxic effect on HaCaT cells and induced cell migration in vitro. These findings show that the plant-produced VEGF has the potential to be used in regenerative medicine and cosmetic industry.
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23
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Jugler C, Joensuu J, Chen Q. Hydrophobin-Protein A Fusion Protein Produced in Plants Efficiently Purified an Anti-West Nile Virus Monoclonal Antibody from Plant Extracts via Aqueous Two-Phase Separation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2140. [PMID: 32244994 PMCID: PMC7139538 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has provided vast opportunities to treat a wide range of diseases from cancer to viral infections. While plant-based production of mAbs has effectively lowered the upstream cost of mAb production compared to mammalian cell cultures, further optimization of downstream processing, especially in extending the longevity of Protein A resin by an effective bulk separation step, will further reduce the overall prohibitive cost of mAb production. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using aqueous two-phase separation (ATPS) in capturing and separating plant-made mAbs from host proteins. Our results demonstrated that an anti-West Nile virus mAb (E16) was efficiently separated from most plant host proteins by a single ATPS step, comprising the mixing of plant extracts containing Hydrophobin-Protein A fusion protein (HPA) and E16 and the subsequent incubation with an inexpensive detergent. This simple ATPS step yielded a highly enriched E16 mAb preparation with a recovery rate comparable to that of Protein A chromatography. The ATPS-enriched E16 retained its structural integrity and was fully functional in binding its target antigen. Notably, HPA-based ATPS was also effective in enriching E16 from plant host proteins when both HPA and E16 were produced in the same leaves, supporting the potential of further streamlining the downstream purification process. Thus, ATPS based on plant-produced HPA in unpurified extract is a cost-effective yet efficient initial capture step for purifying plant-made mAbs, which may significantly impact the approach of mAb purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin Jugler
- The Biodesign Institute and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Mail Zone 5401, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Jussi Joensuu
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Espoo, Finland
| | - Qiang Chen
- The Biodesign Institute and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Mail Zone 5401, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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24
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Diamos AG, Hunter JGL, Pardhe MD, Rosenthal SH, Sun H, Foster BC, DiPalma MP, Chen Q, Mason HS. High Level Production of Monoclonal Antibodies Using an Optimized Plant Expression System. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 7:472. [PMID: 32010680 PMCID: PMC6978629 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Biopharmaceuticals are a large and fast-growing sector of the total pharmaceutical market with antibody-based therapeutics accounting for over 100 billion USD in sales yearly. Mammalian cells are traditionally used for monoclonal antibody production, however plant-based expression systems have significant advantages. In this work, we showcase recent advances made in plant transient expression systems using optimized geminiviral vectors that can efficiently produce heteromultimeric proteins. Two, three, or four fluorescent proteins were coexpressed simultaneously, reaching high yields of 3–5 g/kg leaf fresh weight or ~50% total soluble protein. As a proof-of-concept for this system, various antibodies were produced using the optimized vectors with special focus given to the creation and production of a chimeric broadly neutralizing anti-flavivirus antibody. The variable regions of this murine antibody, 2A10G6, were codon optimized and fused to a human IgG1. Analysis of the chimeric antibody showed that it was efficiently expressed in plants at 1.5 g of antibody/kilogram of leaf tissue, can be purified to near homogeneity by a simple one-step purification process, retains its ability to recognize the Zika virus envelope protein, and potently neutralizes Zika virus. Two other monoclonal antibodies were produced at similar levels (1.2–1.4 g/kg). This technology will be a versatile tool for the production of a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical multi-protein complexes in a fast, powerful, and cost-effective way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Diamos
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Joseph G L Hunter
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Mary D Pardhe
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Sun H Rosenthal
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Haiyan Sun
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Bonnie C Foster
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Michelle P DiPalma
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Qiang Chen
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Hugh S Mason
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
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25
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Pyrski M, Mieloch AA, Plewiński A, Basińska-Barczak A, Gryciuk A, Bociąg P, Murias M, Rybka JD, Pniewski T. Parenteral-Oral Immunization with Plant-Derived HBcAg as a Potential Therapeutic Vaccine against Chronic Hepatitis B. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:E211. [PMID: 31835350 PMCID: PMC6963566 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is the cause of severe liver damage, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma for over 240 million people worldwide. Nowadays, several types of treatment are being investigated, including immunotherapy using hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) assembled into highly immunogenic capsid-like particles (CLPs). Immunogenicity of plant-produced and purified HBcAg, administered parenterally or intranasally, was previously reported. In this study, a novel parenteral-oral vaccination scheme is proposed using plant-derived HBcAg preparations. The antigen for injection was obtained via transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. HBcAg-producing transgenic lettuce was lyophilized and used as an orally delivered booster. The intracellular location of plant-produced HBcAg CLPs implies additional protection in the digestive tract during oral immunization. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly primed with 10 µg of the purified antigen and orally boosted twice with 5 or 200 ng of HBcAg. A long-lasting and significant systemic response after boosting with 200 ng HBcAg was induced, with anti-HBc titer of 25,000. Concomitantly, an insignificant mucosal response was observed, with an S-IgA titer of only 500. The profile of IgG isotypes indicates a predominant Th1 type of immune response, supplemented by Th2, after injection-oral vaccination. The results demonstrate that a low dose of parenteral-oral immunization with plant-derived HBcAg can elicit a specific and efficient response. This study presents a potential new pathway of CHB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Pyrski
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland; (M.P.); (A.B.-B.); (A.G.); (P.B.)
| | - Adam Aron Mieloch
- Center for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 10, 61-614 Poznań, Poland; (A.A.M.); (A.P.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Adam Plewiński
- Center for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 10, 61-614 Poznań, Poland; (A.A.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Aneta Basińska-Barczak
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland; (M.P.); (A.B.-B.); (A.G.); (P.B.)
| | - Aleksandra Gryciuk
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland; (M.P.); (A.B.-B.); (A.G.); (P.B.)
| | - Piotr Bociąg
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland; (M.P.); (A.B.-B.); (A.G.); (P.B.)
| | - Marek Murias
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Dojazd 30, 60-631 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Jakub Dalibor Rybka
- Center for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 10, 61-614 Poznań, Poland; (A.A.M.); (A.P.)
| | - Tomasz Pniewski
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland; (M.P.); (A.B.-B.); (A.G.); (P.B.)
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Ahmad AR, Kaewpungsup P, Khorattanakulchai N, Rattanapisit K, Pavasant P, Phoolcharoen W. Recombinant Human Dentin Matrix Protein 1 (hDMP1) Expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana Potentially Induces Osteogenic Differentiation. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 8:E566. [PMID: 31816999 PMCID: PMC6963186 DOI: 10.3390/plants8120566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inductive molecules are critical components for successful bone tissue engineering. Dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1), a non-collagenous protein in the bone matrix, has been shown to play roles in osteogenic differentiation and phosphate homeostasis. This study aimed to produce recombinant human dentin matrix protein-1 (hDMP1) in Nicotiana benthamiana and investigated the ability of this plant-produced DMP1 to induce osteogenesis in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). The hDMP1 gene was cloned into the geminiviral vector for transient expression in N. benthamiana. We found that hDMP1 was transiently expressed in N. benthamiana leaves and could be purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by nickel affinity chromatography. The effects of hDMP1 on the induction of cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were investigated. The results indicated that plant-produced hDMP1 could induce the cell proliferation of hPDLSCs and increase the expression levels of osteogenic genes, including osterix (OSX), type I collagen (COL1), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), and Wnt3a. Moreover, the plant-produced hDMP1 promoted calcium deposition in hPDLSCs as determined by alizarin red S staining. In conclusion, our results indicated that plant-produced hDMP1 could induce osteogenic differentiation in hPDLSCs and could potentially be used as a bone inducer in bone tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aktsar Roskiana Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar 90231, Indonesia
| | - Pornjira Kaewpungsup
- Research Unit of Mineralized Tissue, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Narach Khorattanakulchai
- Research Unit for Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (N.K.); (K.R.)
| | - Kaewta Rattanapisit
- Research Unit for Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (N.K.); (K.R.)
| | - Prasit Pavasant
- Research Unit of Mineralized Tissue, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Research Unit for Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (N.K.); (K.R.)
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Maharjan PM, Choe S. Transient expression of hemagglutinin antigen from canine influenza virus H3N2 in Nicotiana benthamiana and Lactuca sativa. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2019; 8:124-131. [PMID: 31406694 PMCID: PMC6689504 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2019.8.2.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Canine influenza virus (CIV), H3N2, carries potentiality for zoonotic transmission and genetic assortment which raises a concern on possible epidemics, and human threats in future. To manage possible threats, the development of rapid and effective methods of CIV vaccine production is required. The plant provides economical, safe, and robust production platform. We investigated whether hemagglutinin (HA) antigen from Korea-originated CIV could be produced in Nicotiana benthamiana and lettuce, Lactuca sativa by a DNA viral vector system. Materials and Methods We used DNA sequences of the HA gene from Korean CIV strain influenza A/canine/Korea/S3001/2015 (H3N2) for cloning into a geminiviral expression vectors to express recombinant HA (rHA) antigen in the plant. Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration was performed to introduce HA-carrying vector into host plants cells. Laboratory-grown N. benthamiana, and grocery-purchased or hydroponically-grown lettuce plant leaves were used as host plants. Results CIV rHA antigen was successfully expressed in host plant species both N. benthamiana and L. sativa by geminiviral vector. Both complex-glycosylated and basal-glycosylated form of rHA were produced in lettuce, depending on presence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal. In terms of rHA expression level, canine HA (H3N2) showed preference to the native signal peptide than ER retention signal peptide in the tested geminiviral vector system. Conclusion Grocery-purchased lettuce leaves could serve as an instant host system for the transient expression of influenza antigen at the time of emergency. The geminiviral vector was able to induce expression of complex-glycosylated and basal-glycosylated rHA in lettuce and tobacco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puna Maya Maharjan
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,G+FLAS Life Sciences, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sunghwa Choe
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,G+FLAS Life Sciences, Seoul, Korea
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Muthamilselvan T, Kim JS, Cheong G, Hwang I. Production of recombinant proteins through sequestration in chloroplasts: a strategy based on nuclear transformation and post-translational protein import. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2019; 38:825-833. [PMID: 31139894 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-019-02431-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Recently, plants have emerged as a lucrative alternative system for the production of recombinant proteins, as recombinant proteins produced in plants are safer and cheaper than those produced in bacteria and animal cell-based production systems. To obtain high yields in plants, recombinant proteins are produced in chloroplasts using different strategies. The first strategy is based on chloroplast transformation, followed by gene expression and translation in chloroplasts. This has proven to be a powerful approach for the production of proteins at high levels. The second approach is based on nuclear transformation, followed by post-translational import of proteins from the cytosol into chloroplasts. In the nuclear transformation approach, foreign genes are stably integrated into the nuclear genome or transiently expressed in the nucleus by non-integrating T-DNA. Although this approach also has great potential for protein production at high levels, it has not been thoroughly investigated. In this review, we focus on nuclear transformation-based protein expression and its subsequent sequestration in chloroplasts, and summarize the different strategies used for high-level production of recombinant proteins. We also discuss future directions for further improvements in protein production in chloroplasts through nuclear transformation-based gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thangarasu Muthamilselvan
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
| | - Jung Sun Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Jeonju, 54874, South Korea
| | - Gangwon Cheong
- Department of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Inhwan Hwang
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea.
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Diamos AG, Crawford JM, Mason HS. Fine-tuning expression of begomoviral movement and nuclear shuttle proteins confers cell-to-cell movement to mastreviral replicons in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. J Gen Virol 2019; 100:1038-1051. [PMID: 31107197 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Geminiviruses are a group of small plant viruses responsible for devastating crop damage worldwide. The emergence of agricultural diseases caused by geminiviruses is attributed in part to their high rates of recombination, leading to complementary function between viral components across species and genera. We have developed a mastreviral reporter system based on bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV) that replicates to high levels in the plant nucleus, expressing very high levels of GFP. To investigate the potential for complementation of movement function by other geminivirus genera, the movement protein (MP) and nuclear shuttle protein (NSP) from the bipartite begomovirus Bean dwarf mosaic virus (BDMV) were produced and characterized in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. While overexpression of MP and NSP strongly inhibited GFP expression from the mastreviral reporter and caused adverse plant symptoms, optimizing the expression levels of MP and NSP allowed functional cell-to-cell movement. Hybrid virus vectors were created that express BDMV MP and NSP from mastreviral replicons, allowing efficient cell-to-cell movement comparable to native BDMV replicons. We find that the expression levels of MP and NSP must be fine-tuned to provide sufficient MP/NSP for movement without eliciting the plant hypersensitive response or adversely impacting gene expression from viral replicons. The ability to confer cell-to-cell movement to mastrevirus replicons depended strongly on replicon size: 2.1-2.7 kb replicons were efficiently moved, while 3 kb replicons were inhibited, and 3.9 kb replicons were very strongly inhibited. Optimized expression of MP/NSP from the normally phloem-limited Abutilon mosaic virus (AbMV) allows efficient movement in non-phloem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Diamos
- 1 Center for Immunology, Virology, and Vaccinology, Biodesign Institute at ASU, and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - John M Crawford
- 1 Center for Immunology, Virology, and Vaccinology, Biodesign Institute at ASU, and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Hugh S Mason
- 1 Center for Immunology, Virology, and Vaccinology, Biodesign Institute at ASU, and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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30
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Kopertekh L, Schiemann J. Transient Production of Recombinant Pharmaceutical Proteins in Plants: Evolution and Perspectives. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:365-380. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170718114724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
During the last two decades, the production of pharmaceutical proteins in plants
evolved from proof of concept to established technology adopted by several biotechnological
companies. This progress is particularly based on intensive research starting stable genetic
transformation and moving to transient expression. Due to its advantages in yield and
speed of protein production transient expression platforms became the leading plant-based
manufacturing technology. Current transient expression methods rely on Agrobacteriummediated
delivery of expression vectors into plant cells. In recent years, great advances have
been made in the improvement of expression vectors, host cell engineering as well as in the
development of commercial manufacturing processes. Several GMP-certified large-scale
production facilities exist around the world to utilize agroinfiltration method. A number of
pharmaceutical proteins produced by transient expression are currently in clinical development.
The great potential of transient expression platform in respect to rapid response to
emerging pandemics was demonstrated by the production of experimental ZMapp antibodies
against Ebola virus as well as influenza vaccines. This review is focused on current design,
status and future perspectives of plant transient expression system for the production
of biopharmaceutical proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilya Kopertekh
- Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology, Erwin-Baur- Str. 27, D-06484, Quedlinburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Schiemann
- Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology, Erwin-Baur- Str. 27, D-06484, Quedlinburg, Germany
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31
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Rattanapisit K, Srifa S, Kaewpungsup P, Pavasant P, Phoolcharoen W. Plant-produced recombinant Osteopontin-Fc fusion protein enhanced osteogenesis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 21:e00312. [PMID: 30847284 PMCID: PMC6389792 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2019.e00312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) plays an important role in the bone regeneration process. The plant-produced OPN-Fc increases the protein expression level and facilitates the purification of the recombinant protein. The plant-produced OPN-Fc can stimulate the expression of osteogenic related genes and the calcium deposition in hPDL cells. The plant-produced OPN-Fc has potential application in tissue engineering in the future.
Osteopontin (OPN) plays an important role in the bone regeneration process. Previous investigation showed that recombinant human OPN was able to express in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and induced the osteogenic related genes. Nevertheless, the purification of OPN from plant proteins with Ni affinity chromatography was still not effective enough. To improve the quality of protein expression and purification in plants, we constructed an Fc-based form of OPN. The complete OPN protein was fused to the human IgG1 Fc domain. Here, we showed that the plant-produced OPN-Fc increases the protein expression level and facilitates the purification of the recombinant protein. Our result showed that the plant-produced OPN-Fc can stimulate the expression of osteogenic related genes such as DMP1, OSX, and Wnt3a and also the calcium deposition in hPDL cells. These findings suggest that the plant-produced OPN-Fc has potential application in tissue engineering in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaewta Rattanapisit
- Research Unit for Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suchada Srifa
- Research Unit of Mineralized Tissue, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pornjira Kaewpungsup
- Research Unit of Mineralized Tissue, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Prasit Pavasant
- Research Unit of Mineralized Tissue, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Research Unit for Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Diamos AG, Mason HS. Modifying the Replication of Geminiviral Vectors Reduces Cell Death and Enhances Expression of Biopharmaceutical Proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana Leaves. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 9:1974. [PMID: 30687368 PMCID: PMC6333858 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Plants are a promising platform to produce biopharmaceutical proteins, however, the toxic nature of some proteins inhibits their accumulation. We previously created a replicating geminiviral expression system based on bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV) that enables very high-level production of recombinant proteins. To study the role of replication in this system, we generated vectors that allow separate and controlled expression of BeYDV Rep and RepA proteins. We show that the ratio of Rep and RepA strongly affects the efficiency of replication. Rep, RepA, and vector replication all elicit the plant hypersensitive response, resulting in cell death. We find that a modest reduction in expression of Rep and RepA reduces plant leaf cell death which, despite reducing the accumulation of viral replicons, increases target protein accumulation. A single nucleotide change in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) reduced Rep/RepA expression, reduced cell death, and enhanced the production of monoclonal antibodies. We also find that replicating vectors achieve optimal expression with lower Agrobacterium concentrations than non-replicating vectors, further reducing cell death. Viral UTRs are also shown to contribute substantially to cell death, while a native plant-derived 5' UTR does not.
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33
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Diamos AG, Larios D, Brown L, Kilbourne J, Kim HS, Saxena D, Palmer KE, Mason HS. Vaccine synergy with virus-like particle and immune complex platforms for delivery of human papillomavirus L2 antigen. Vaccine 2019; 37:137-144. [PMID: 30459071 PMCID: PMC6291209 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Diverse HPV subtypes are responsible for considerable disease burden worldwide, necessitating safe, cheap, and effective vaccines. The HPV minor capsid protein L2 is a promising candidate to create broadly protective HPV vaccines, though it is poorly immunogenic by itself. To create highly immunogenic and safe vaccine candidates targeting L2, we employed a plant-based recombinant protein expression system to produce two different vaccine candidates: L2 displayed on the surface of hepatitis B core (HBc) virus-like particles (VLPs) or L2 genetically fused to an immunoglobulin capable of forming recombinant immune complexes (RIC). Both vaccine candidates were potently immunogenic in mice, but were especially so when delivered together, generating very consistent and high antibody titers directed against HPV L2 (>1,000,000) that correlated with virus neutralization. These data indicate a novel immune response synergy upon co-delivery of VLP and RIC platforms, a strategy that can be adapted generally for many different antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Diamos
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, & Virotherapy, Biodesign Institute at ASU; and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Dalia Larios
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, & Virotherapy, Biodesign Institute at ASU; and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Lauren Brown
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, & Virotherapy, Biodesign Institute at ASU; and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Jacquelyn Kilbourne
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, & Virotherapy, Biodesign Institute at ASU; and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Hyun Soon Kim
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, KRIBB, Gwahang-ro 125, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Divyasha Saxena
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, United States, Center for Predictive Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Kenneth E Palmer
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, United States, Center for Predictive Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Hugh S Mason
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, & Virotherapy, Biodesign Institute at ASU; and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States.
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34
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Ibrahim A, Odon V, Kormelink R. Plant Viruses in Plant Molecular Pharming: Toward the Use of Enveloped Viruses. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:803. [PMID: 31275344 PMCID: PMC6594412 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plant molecular pharming has emerged as a reliable platform for recombinant protein expression providing a safe and low-cost alternative to bacterial and mammalian cells-based systems. Simultaneously, plant viruses have evolved from pathogens to molecular tools for recombinant protein expression, chimaeric viral vaccine production, and lately, as nanoagents for drug delivery. This review summarizes the genesis of viral vectors and agroinfection, the development of non-enveloped viruses for various biotechnological applications, and the on-going research on enveloped plant viruses.
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35
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Diamos AG, Mason HS. Chimeric 3' flanking regions strongly enhance gene expression in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2018; 16:1971-1982. [PMID: 29637682 PMCID: PMC6230951 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Plants represent a promising platform for the highly scalable production of recombinant proteins. Previously, we identified the tobacco extensin terminator lacking its intron as an element that reduced transcript read-through and improved recombinant protein production in a plant-based system. In this study, we systematically compared nonreplicating plant expression vectors containing over 20 commonly used or newly identified terminators from diverse sources. We found that eight gene terminators enhance reporter gene expression significantly more than the commonly used 35S and NOS terminators. The intronless extensin terminator provided a 13.6-fold increase compared with the NOS terminator. Combining terminators in tandem produced large synergistic effects, with many combinations providing a >25-fold increase in expression. Addition of the tobacco Rb7 or TM6 matrix attachment region (MAR) strongly enhanced protein production when added to most terminators, with the Rb7 MAR providing the greatest enhancement. Using deletion analysis, the full activity of the 1193 bp Rb7 MAR was found to require only a 463-bp region at its 3' end. Combined terminators and MAR together provided a >60-fold increase compared with the NOS terminator alone. These combinations were then placed in a replicating geminiviral vector, providing a total of >150-fold enhancement over the original NOS vector, corresponding to an estimated yield of 3-5 g recombinant protein per kg leaf fresh weight or around 50% of the leaf total soluble protein. These results demonstrate the importance of 3' flanking regions in optimizing gene expression and show great potential for 3' flanking regions to improve DNA-based recombinant protein production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G. Diamos
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and VirotherapyBiodesign Institute at ASU, and School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - Hugh S. Mason
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and VirotherapyBiodesign Institute at ASU, and School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
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36
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Diamos AG, Mason HS. High-level expression and enrichment of norovirus virus-like particles in plants using modified geminiviral vectors. Protein Expr Purif 2018; 151:86-92. [PMID: 29908914 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) are proven to be safe and effective vaccine candidates. We have previously described a plant-based recombinant protein expression system based on agroinfiltration of a replicating vector derived from the geminivirus bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV). The system has been systematically optimized to improve expression and reduce cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Using these modifications, we show that VLPs derived from genotype GII.4 norovirus, the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, can be produced at >1 mg/g leaf fresh weight (LFW), over three times the highest level ever reported in plant-based systems. We also produced norovirus GI VLPs at 2.3 mg/g LFW. Treatment of VLP-containing crude leaf extracts with acid, detergent, or heat enhanced recovery and allowed selective enrichment of norovirus VLPs. Optimal treatment conditions allowed removal of >90% of endogenous plant proteins without any loss of norovirus VLPs. Selective enrichment of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) VLPs by acid treatment was also demonstrated, with some losses in yield that were partially mitigated in the presence of detergent. Sedimentation analysis confirmed that acid and detergent did not inhibit proper assembly of norovirus VLPs, although heat treatment had a small negative effect. These results demonstrate that milligram quantities of norovirus VLPs can be obtained and highly enriched in a matter of days from a single plant leaf using the BeYDV plant expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Diamos
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines & Virotherapy, Biodesign Institute at ASU and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Hugh S Mason
- Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines & Virotherapy, Biodesign Institute at ASU and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
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Mattison CP, Cardemil CV, Hall AJ. Progress on norovirus vaccine research: public health considerations and future directions. Expert Rev Vaccines 2018; 17:773-784. [PMID: 30092671 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2018.1510327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Noroviruses are the leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide, account for approximately one-fifth of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases globally, and cause a substantial economic burden. Candidate norovirus vaccines are in development, but there is currently no licensed vaccine. AREAS COVERED Noroviruses cause approximately 684 million cases and 212,000 deaths per year across all age groups, though burden estimates vary by study and region. Challenges to vaccine research include substantial and rapidly evolving genetic diversity, short-term and homotypic immunity to infection, and the absence of a single, well-established correlate of protection. Nonetheless, several norovirus vaccine candidates are currently in development, utilizing virus-like particles (VLPs), P particles, and recombinant adenoviruses. Of these, a bivalent GI.1/GII.4 VLP-based intramuscular vaccine (Phase IIb) and GI.1 oral vaccine (Phase I) are in clinical trials. EXPERT COMMENTARY A norovirus vaccine should target high-risk populations, including the young and the elderly, and protect them against the most common circulating norovirus strains. A norovirus vaccine would be a powerful tool in the prevention and control of norovirus while lessening the burden of AGE worldwide. However, more robust burden and cost estimates are needed to justify investments in and guide norovirus vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire P Mattison
- a Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education , Oak Ridge , TN , USA.,b Division of Viral Diseases, Viral Gastroenteritis Branch , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA
| | - Cristina V Cardemil
- b Division of Viral Diseases, Viral Gastroenteritis Branch , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA
| | - Aron J Hall
- b Division of Viral Diseases, Viral Gastroenteritis Branch , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA
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MacDonald J. History and Promise of Plant-Made Vaccines for Animals. PROSPECTS OF PLANT-BASED VACCINES IN VETERINARY MEDICINE 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122757 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-90137-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Phoolcharoen W, Banyard AC, Prehaud C, Selden D, Wu G, Birch CPD, Szeto TH, Lafon M, Fooks AR, Ma JKC. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a single chain antibody fragment generated in planta with potent rabies neutralisation activity. Vaccine 2018. [PMID: 29523449 PMCID: PMC6677913 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Rabies causes more than 60,000 human deaths annually in areas where the virus is endemic. Importantly, rabies is one of the few pathogens for which there is no treatment following the onset of clinical disease with the outcome of infection being death in almost 100% of cases. Whilst vaccination, and the combination of vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin treatment for post-exposure administration are available, no tools have been identified that can reduce or prevent rabies virus replication once clinical disease has initiated. The search for effective antiviral molecules to treat those that have already developed clinical disease associated with rabies virus infection is considered one of the most important goals in rabies research. The current study assesses a single chain antibody molecule (ScFv) based on a monoclonal antibody that potently neutralises rabies in vitro as a potential therapeutic candidate. The recombinant ScFv was generated in Nicotiana benthamiana by transient expression, and was chemically conjugated (ScFv/RVG) to a 29 amino acid peptide, specific for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR) binding in the CNS. This conjugated molecule was able to bind nAchR in vitro and enter neuronal cells more efficiently than ScFv. The ability of the ScFv/RVG to neutralise virus in vivo was assessed using a staggered administration where the molecule was inoculated either four hours before, two days after or four days after infection. The ScFv/RVG conjugate was evaluated in direct comparison with HRIG and a potential antiviral molecule, Favipiravir (also known as T-705) to indicate whether there was greater bioavailability of the ScFv in the brains of treated mice. The study indicated that the approach taken with the ScFv/RVG conjugate may have utility in the design and implementation of novel tools targetting rabies virus infection in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London, UK; Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ashley C Banyard
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Christophe Prehaud
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Neuroimmunologie Virale, Département de Virologie, Paris, France
| | - David Selden
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Guanghui Wu
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Colin P D Birch
- Biomathematics and Risk Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Tim H Szeto
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London, UK
| | - Monique Lafon
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Neuroimmunologie Virale, Département de Virologie, Paris, France
| | - Anthony R Fooks
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Julian K-C Ma
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London, UK.
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Ataie Kachoie E, Behjatnia SAA, Kharazmi S. Expression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) coat protein genes in plants using cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite-based vector. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190403. [PMID: 29304063 PMCID: PMC5755781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
It has already been demonstrated that a betasatellite associated with cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMB) can be used as a plant and animal gene delivery vector to plants. To examine the ability of CLCuMB as a tool to transfer coat protein genes of HIV-1 to plants, two recombinant CLCuMB constructs in which the CLCuMB βC1 ORF was replaced with two HIV-1 genes fractions including a 696 bp DNA fragment related to the HIV-1 p24 gene and a 1501 bp DNA fragment related to the HIV-1 gag gene were constructed. Gag is the HIV-1 coat protein gene and p24 is a component of the particle capsid. Gag and p24 are used for vaccine production. Recombinant constructs were inoculated to Nicotiana glutinosa and N. benthamiana plants in the presence of an Iranian isolate of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV-[Ab]) as a helper virus. PCR analysis of inoculated plants indicated that p24 gene was successfully replicated in inoculated plants, but the gag gene was not. Real-time PCR and ELISA analysis of N. glutinosa and N. benthamiana plants containing the replicative forms of recombinant construct of CLCuMB/p24 indicated that p24 was expressed in these plants. This CLCuMB-based expression system offers the possibility of mass production of recombinant HIV-1 p24 protein in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sara Kharazmi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Development of Antibody Therapeutics against Flaviviruses. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 19:ijms19010054. [PMID: 29295568 PMCID: PMC5796004 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) highlight the urgent need to develop efficacious interventions against flaviviruses, many of which cause devastating epidemics around the world. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been at the forefront of treatment for cancer and a wide array of other diseases due to their specificity and potency. While mammalian cell-produced mAbs have shown promise as therapeutic candidates against several flaviviruses, their eventual approval for human application still faces several challenges including their potential risk of predisposing treated patients to more severe secondary infection by a heterologous flavivirus through antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). The high cost associated with mAb production in mammalian cell cultures also poses a challenge for the feasible application of these drugs to the developing world where the majority of flavivirus infection occurs. Here, we review the current therapeutic mAb candidates against various flaviviruses including West Nile (WNV), Dengue virus (DENV), and ZIKV. The progress of using plants for developing safer and more economical mAb therapeutics against flaviviruses is discussed within the context of their expression, characterization, downstream processing, neutralization, and in vivo efficacy. The progress of using plant glycoengineering to address ADE, the major impediment of flavivirus therapeutic development, is highlighted. These advancements suggest that plant-based systems are excellent alternatives for addressing the remaining challenges of mAb therapeutic development against flavivirus and may facilitate the eventual commercialization of these drug candidates.
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Rattanapisit K, Abdulheem S, Chaikeawkaew D, Kubera A, Mason HS, Ma JKC, Pavasant P, Phoolcharoen W. Recombinant human osteopontin expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana stimulates osteogenesis related genes in human periodontal ligament cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17358. [PMID: 29229947 PMCID: PMC5725595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17666-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering aims to utilise biologic mediators to facilitate tissue regeneration. Several recombinant proteins have potential to mediate induction of bone production, however, the high production cost of mammalian cell expression impedes patient access to such treatments. The aim of this study is to produce recombinant human osteopontin (hOPN) in plants for inducing dental bone regeneration. The expression host was Nicotiana benthamiana using a geminiviral vector for transient expression. OPN expression was confirmed by Western blot and ELISA, and OPN was purified using Ni affinity chromatography. Structural analysis indicated that plant-produced hOPN had a structure similar to commercial HEK cell-produced hOPN. Biological function of the plant-produced hOPN was also examined. Human periodontal ligament stem cells were seeded on an OPN-coated surface. The results indicated that cells could grow normally on plant-produced hOPN as compared to commercial HEK cell-produced hOPN determined by MTT assay. Interestingly, increased expression of osteogenic differentiation-related genes, including OSX, DMP1, and Wnt3a, was observed by realtime PCR. These results show the potential of plant-produced OPN to induce osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from periodontal ligament in vitro, and suggest a therapeutic strategy for bone regeneration in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaewta Rattanapisit
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supaniga Abdulheem
- Research Unit of Mineralized Tissue, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Daneeya Chaikeawkaew
- Research Unit of Mineralized Tissue, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anchanee Kubera
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Hugh S Mason
- Biodesign Institute Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines, and Virotherapy, and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-4501, USA
| | - Julian K-C Ma
- The Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Prasit Pavasant
- Research Unit of Mineralized Tissue, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Pyrski M, Rugowska A, Wierzbiński KR, Kasprzyk A, Bogusiewicz M, Bociąg P, Samardakiewicz S, Czyż M, Kurpisz M, Pniewski T. HBcAg produced in transgenic tobacco triggers Th1 and Th2 response when intramuscularly delivered. Vaccine 2017; 35:5714-5721. [PMID: 28917537 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.07.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B core Antigen (HBcAg) assembled into Capsid-Like Particles (CLPs) is investigated as a therapeutic vaccine in treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and in diagnostic tests or as a carrier for various epitopes. While the expression of HBcAg has been thoroughly clarified in E. coli and yeast, it has also been investigated in other expression systems. Stably transformed tobacco expressed HBcAg at a level of 110-250µg/g fresh weight, therefore in view of its large leaf biomass it offers a production platform comparable with transient expression systems regarding the final yield of HBcAg. Several extraction and purification methods were tested and finally the antigen was purified up to 43% using sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The purified HBcAg retained its antigenicity, as confirmed by ELISA and western blot, while maintaining its CLP-structure as observed in TEM. In mice HBcAg intramuscularly delivered at 2×10µg triggered a significant response (serum anti-HBc titre around 150,000), being statistically equivalent to that induced by the reference antigen. Among anti-HBc IgG isotypes, IgG2a and then IgG1 were increasing during immune response. However IgG2b and IgG3 were also induced, especially in mice immunised with the plant-derived antigen. Analysis of the isotype profile indicates mainly Th1 polarisation, but completed with Th2 response. Obtained results indicate a considerable potential of plant-derived HBcAg as a therapeutic vaccine, since a mixed immune response with a stronger Th1 component is particularly required for treatment of CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Pyrski
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Rugowska
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Kamil Robert Wierzbiński
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Kasprzyk
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Maria Bogusiewicz
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Bociąg
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Sławomir Samardakiewicz
- Laboratory of Electron and Confocal Microscopy, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Marcin Czyż
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479 Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Pniewski
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland.
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Transient Expression of Lumbrokinase (PI239) in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Using a Geminivirus-Based Single Replicon System Dissolves Fibrin and Blood Clots. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 2017:6093017. [PMID: 28932252 PMCID: PMC5592424 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6093017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Lumbrokinases, a group of fibrinolytic enzymes extracted from earthworm, have been widely used to prevent and treat various cardiovascular diseases. They specifically target fibrin to effectively degrade thrombi without major side effects. Plant expression systems are becoming potential alternative expression platforms for producing pharmaceutical proteins. In this work, a lumbrokinase (PI239) was produced from a plant system. Both wild-type (WT) and plant codon-optimized (OP) PI239 gene sequences were synthesized and cloned into a geminivirus-based single-vector DNA replicon system. Both vectors were independently expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves transiently by agroinfiltration. Overexpressed PI239 resulted in sudden tissue necrosis 3 days after infiltration. Remaining proteins were purified through His-tag affinity chromatography and analyzed with SDS-PAGE and Western blot methods. Purified PI239 successfully degraded artificial fibrin with relative activity of 13,400 U/mg when compared with commercial lumbrokinase product. In vitro tests demonstrated that plant-derived PI239 dissolved human blood clots and that the plant expression system is capable of producing functional PI239.
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45
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Regnard GL, de Moor WRJ, Hitzeroth II, Williamson AL, Rybicki EP. Xenogenic rolling-circle replication of a synthetic beak and feather disease virus genomic clone in 293TT mammalian cells and Nicotiana benthamiana. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:2329-2338. [PMID: 28885140 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The preparation of infectious beak and feather disease circovirus virions (BFDV) has until now relied on the extraction of virus from whole tissue of deceased or euthanized parrots known to be infected with the virus. Extraction from diseased tissue is necessary, as the virus has yet to be grown in vitro using tissue-cultured cells from any source. While infectious DNA clones have been synthesized for porcine and duck circoviruses, and both replicate in host cells and result in active viral infection in animals, this has not been shown for BFDV. The aim of this study was to prepare an infectious BFDV genomic clone that could be used as challenge material in birds for vaccine testing. A putatively infectious BFDV genomic clone was designed and tested in mammalian cell culture, and in the plant Nicotiana benthamiana in the presence of plant-specific ssDNA geminivirus replication components. Replication was assessed using rolling-circle amplification, qPCR, replication-deficient clones and rescue plasmids. We showed that a synthetic partially dimeric BFDV genomic clone self-replicated when transfected into 293TT mammalian cells, and was also replicated in N. benthamiana in the presence of geminivirus replication elements. This is the first report of a BFDV genome replicating in any cell system, and the first report of a circovirus replicating with the aid of a geminivirus in a plant. Both of these developments could open up possibilities for making reagents and vaccines for BFDV, testing vaccine efficacy and investigating viral replication using rationally designed artificial genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy L Regnard
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Warren R J de Moor
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Inga I Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa
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Yanez RJR, Lamprecht R, Granadillo M, Weber B, Torrens I, Rybicki EP, Hitzeroth II. Expression optimization of a cell membrane-penetrating human papillomavirus type 16 therapeutic vaccine candidate in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183177. [PMID: 28800364 PMCID: PMC5553638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (hr-HPVs) cause cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. A HPV-16 candidate therapeutic vaccine, LALF32-51-E7, was developed by fusing a modified E7 protein to a bacterial cell-penetrating peptide (LALF): this elicited both tumour protection and regression in pre-clinical immunization studies. In the current study, we investigated the potential for producing LALF32-51-E7 in a plant expression system by evaluating the effect of subcellular localization and usage of different expression vectors and gene silencing suppressors. The highest expression levels of LALF32-51-E7 were obtained by using a self-replicating plant expression vector and chloroplast targeting, which increased its accumulation by 27-fold compared to cytoplasmic localization. The production and extraction of LALF32-51-E7 was scaled-up and purification optimized by affinity chromatography. If further developed, this platform could potentially allow for the production of a more affordable therapeutic vaccine for HPV-16. This would be extremely relevant in the context of developing countries, where cervical cancer and other HPV-related malignancies are most prevalent, and where the population have limited or no access to preventative vaccines due to their typical high costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana J. R. Yanez
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Renate Lamprecht
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Milaid Granadillo
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cubanacan, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Brandon Weber
- Structural Biology Research Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Isis Torrens
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cubanacan, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Inga I. Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
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Yang M, Lai H, Sun H, Chen Q. Virus-like particles that display Zika virus envelope protein domain III induce potent neutralizing immune responses in mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7679. [PMID: 28794424 PMCID: PMC5550446 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08247-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Several Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine candidates have recently been described which use inactivated whole virus, DNA or RNA that express the virus' Envelope (E) glycoprotein as the antigen. These were successful in stimulating production of virus-targeted antibodies that protected animals against ZIKV challenges, but their use potentially will predispose vaccinated individuals to infection by the related Dengue virus (DENV). We have devised a virus like particle (VLP) carrier based on the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) that displays the ZIKV E protein domain III (zDIII), and shown that it can be produced quickly and easily purified in large quantities from Nicotiana benthamiana plants. HBcAg-zDIII VLPs are shown to be highly immunogenic, as two doses elicited potent humoral and cellular responses in mice that exceed the threshold correlated with protective immunity against multiple strains of Zika virus. Notably, HBcAg-zDIII VLPs-elicited antibodies did not enhance the infection of DENV in Fc gamma receptor-expressing cells, offsetting the concern of ZIKV vaccines inducing cross-reactive antibodies and sensitizing people to subsequent DENV infection. Thus, our zDIII-based vaccine offers improved safety and lower cost production than other current alternatives, with equivalent effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Huafang Lai
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Haiyan Sun
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Qiang Chen
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
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Plant Virus Expression Vectors: A Powerhouse for Global Health. Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5030044. [PMID: 28758953 PMCID: PMC5618302 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5030044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant-made biopharmaceuticals have long been considered a promising technology for providing inexpensive and efficacious medicines for developing countries, as well as for combating pandemic infectious diseases and for use in personalized medicine. Plant virus expression vectors produce high levels of pharmaceutical proteins within a very short time period. Recently, plant viruses have been employed as nanoparticles for novel forms of cancer treatment. This review provides a glimpse into the development of plant virus expression systems both for pharmaceutical production as well as for immunotherapy.
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49
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Giritch A, Klimyuk V, Gleba Y. 125 years of virology and ascent of biotechnologies based on viral expressio. CYTOL GENET+ 2017. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452717020037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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50
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Burén S, Jiang X, López-Torrejón G, Echavarri-Erasun C, Rubio LM. Purification and In Vitro Activity of Mitochondria Targeted Nitrogenase Cofactor Maturase NifB. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:1567. [PMID: 28955359 PMCID: PMC5601070 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Active NifB is a milestone in the process of engineering nitrogen fixing plants. NifB is an extremely O2-sensitive S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-radical enzyme that provides the key metal cluster intermediate (NifB-co) for the biosyntheses of the active-site cofactors of all three types of nitrogenases. NifB and NifB-co are unique to diazotrophic organisms. In this work, we have expressed synthetic codon-optimized versions of NifB from the γ-proteobacterium Azotobacter vinelandii and the thermophilic methanogen Methanocaldococcus infernus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in Nicotiana benthamiana. NifB proteins were targeted to the mitochondria, where O2 consumption is high and bacterial-like [Fe-S] cluster assembly operates. In yeast, NifB proteins were co-expressed with NifU, NifS, and FdxN proteins that are involved in NifB [Fe-S] cluster assembly and activity. The synthetic version of thermophilic NifB accumulated in soluble form within the yeast cell, while the A. vinelandii version appeared to form aggregates. Similarly, NifB from M. infernus was expressed at higher levels in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana and accumulated as a soluble protein while A. vinelandii NifB was mainly associated with the non-soluble cell fraction. Soluble M. infernus NifB was purified from aerobically grown yeast and biochemically characterized. The purified protein was functional in the in vitro FeMo-co synthesis assay. This work presents the first active NifB protein purified from a eukaryotic cell, and highlights the importance of screening nif genes from different organisms in order to sort the best candidates to assemble a functional plant nitrogenase.
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