Secretion and export of IGF-1 in Escherichia coli strain JM101

Production of active eukaryotic proteins through bacterial expression systems: a review of the existing biotechnology strategies

Among the various expression systems employed for the over-production of proteins, bacteria still remains the favorite choice of a Protein Biochemist. However, even today, due to the lack of post-translational modification machinery in bacteria, recombinant eukaryotic protein production poses an immense challenge, which invariably leads to the production of biologically in-active protein in this host. A number of techniques are cited in the literature, which describe the conversion of inactive protein, expressed as an insoluble fraction, into a soluble and active form. Overall, we have divided these methods into three major groups: Group-I, where the factors influencing the formation of insoluble fraction are modified through a stringent control of the cellular milieu, thereby leading to the expression of recombinant protein as soluble moiety; Group-II, where protein is refolded from the inclusion bodies and thereby target protein modification is avoided; Group-III, where the target protein is engineered to achieve soluble expression through fusion protein technology. Even within the same family of proteins (e.g., tyrosine kinases), optimization of standard operating protocol (SOP) may still be required for each protein's over-production at a pilot-scale in Escherichia coli. However, once standardized, this procedure can be made amenable to the industrial production for that particular protein with minimum alterations.

Production of active eukaryotic proteins through bacterial expression systems: a review of the existing biotechnology strategies

Among the various expression systems employed for the over-production of proteins, bacteria still remains the favorite choice of a Protein Biochemist. However, even today, due to the lack of post-translational modification machinery in bacteria, recombinant eukaryotic protein production poses an immense challenge, which invariably leads to the production of biologically in-active protein in this host. A number of techniques are cited in the literature, which describe the conversion of inactive protein, expressed as an insoluble fraction, into a soluble and active form. Overall, we have divided these methods into three major groups: Group-I, where the factors influencing the formation of insoluble fraction are modified through a stringent control of the cellular milieu, thereby leading to the expression of recombinant protein as soluble moiety; Group-II, where protein is refolded from the inclusion bodies and thereby target protein modification is avoided; Group-III, where the target protein is engineered to achieve soluble expression through fusion protein technology. Even within the same family of proteins (e.g., tyrosine kinases), optimization of standard operating protocol (SOP) may still be required for each protein's over-production at a pilot-scale in Escherichia coli. However, once standardized, this procedure can be made amenable to the industrial production for that particular protein with minimum alterations.

Strategies for achieving high-level expression of genes in Escherichia coli

Progress in our understanding of several biological processes promises to broaden the usefulness of Escherichia coli as a tool for gene expression. There is an expanding choice of tightly regulated prokaryotic promoters suitable for achieving high-level gene expression. New host strains facilitate the formation of disulfide bonds in the reducing environment of the cytoplasm and offer higher protein yields by minimizing proteolytic degradation. Insights into the process of protein translocation across the bacterial membranes may eventually make it possible to achieve robust secretion of specific proteins into the culture medium. Studies involving molecular chaperones have shown that in specific cases, chaperones can be very effective for improved protein folding, solubility, and membrane transport. Negative results derived from such studies are also instructive in formulating different strategies. The remarkable increase in the availability of fusion partners offers a wide range of tools for improved protein folding, solubility, protection from proteases, yield, and secretion into the culture medium, as well as for detection and purification of recombinant proteins. Codon usage is known to present a potential impediment to high-level gene expression in E. coli. Although we still do not understand all the rules governing this phenomenon, it is apparent that "rare" codons, depending on their frequency and context, can have an adverse effect on protein levels. Usually, this problem can be alleviated by modification of the relevant codons or by coexpression of the cognate tRNA genes. Finally, the elucidation of specific determinants of protein degradation, a plethora of protease-deficient host strains, and methods to stabilize proteins afford new strategies to minimize proteolytic susceptibility of recombinant proteins in E. coli.

High level expression and refolding of mouse interleukin 4 synthesized in Escherichia coli

Mouse Interleukin 4 is a 20-kDa glycoprotein, synthesized by activated T lymphocytes and mast cells, which regulates the growth and/or differentiation of a broad spectrum of target cells of the immune system, including B and T lymphocytes, macrophages, and hematopoietic progenitor cells. Using an inducible recA promoter and the g10-L ribosome-binding site, recombinant non-glycosylated interleukin 4 (IL-4) was expressed as 17% of total cellular protein in Escherichia coli inclusion bodies, as a reduced, inactive 14.5-kDa polypeptide. The protein was refolded and aggregates dissociated when three disulfide bonds were reformed by slowly decreasing the concentration of guanidine hydrochloride and cysteine. The oxidized monomer was purified to homogeneity by sequential ion-exchange and size exclusion chromatography. When compared with native IL-4, E. coli-derived IL-4 displayed an identical specific activity of 4-7 x 10(7) units/mg. This recombinant IL-4 contained a three-amino-acid NH2-terminal extension, which did not affect its biological activity. Purified biologically active protein consisted of three isoforms as shown by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, with a pI greater than 9.0. These data suggest that neither glycosylation nor the NH2 terminus of mouse IL-4 play a critical role in contributing to its in vitro biological activity.

Single-step recovery of a secreted recombinant protein by expanded bed adsorption

We have used an expanded bed adsorption procedure for efficient recovery of a recombinant fusion protein, directly from a crude fermentor broth without prior cell removal. The fusion protein was designed to have a relatively low isoelectric point (pI) to allow anionic exchange adsorption at pH 5.5 where most Escherichia coli host proteins are not adsorbed. The gene product was secreted to the culture medium of the E. coli host cells in high yields (550 mg/l). The separation of cells and the concentration and recovery of the fusion protein could therefore be achieved by a single unit operation. The yield after the expanded bed adsorption exceeded 90 percent. Furthermore, the significant volume reduction by the expanded bed adsorption, enabled efficient and straight-forward polishing of the product by a subsequent affinity chromatography step, for removal of contaminating DNA and pyrogenic compounds to levels acceptable for regulatory authorities. An overall yield exceeding 90 percent was maintained after the affinity chromatography polishing step. The procedure outlined here is suitable for large-scale bioprocesses and allows efficient removal of cells, host proteins, contaminating DNA and endotoxins.

Purification and characterization of microbially expressed neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) protein and its equivalence to the plant expressed protein

The gene encoding neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) has been used routinely as a selectable marker in the production of genetically engineered crops. To facilitate the safety assessment of this protein, the same coding sequence used for plant transformation was introduced into Escherichia coli to produce gram quantities of this protein. A unique, simple, rapid and efficient purification method was developed to purify thirty grams of NPTII protein. The microbially produced NPTII was shown to be chemically and functionally equivalent to the NPTII protein expressed in and purified from genetically engineered cotton seed, potato tubers and tomato fruit. Microbially produced and plant produced NPTII proteins have comparable molecular weights, immuno-reactivities, epitope structures, amino terminal amino acid sequences, biological activities and both lack glycosylation. Demonstrating the equivalence of NPTII protein from these sources establishes the validity of using the microbially produced NPTII to assess the safety of the NPTII protein produced in genetically engineered crops.

The insulin-like growth factor-I/binding protein axis: physiology, pathophysiology and therapeutic manipulation

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a single-chain polypeptide which has multiple metabolic actions and effects on the differentiation and proliferation of a wide variety of cell types. IGF-I has endocrine, paracrine and autocrine actions and is bound in the circulation to a complex system of binding proteins which alter its bioavailability and activity. Thus its physiology is complex and is altered in a number of pathological states. This review will discuss these states and the actual and proposed therapeutic applications of recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I).

A chromosomal expression vector for Escherichia coli based on the bacteriophage Mu

A new Escherichia coli expression vector with increased stability was developed based on bacteriophage Mu. Unlike traditional expression vectors, the vector described herein is chromosome based rather than existing as an autonomously replicating plasmid. The chromosomal location resulted in extreme stability of the vector even in the absence of selective pressure. Both replication and heterologous protein synthesis could be induced by temperature shift. Expression of the heterologous gene was controlled by the Mu middle promoter and was dependent on the presence of the transactivator, Mor, of the Mu middle promoter. Four proteins, beta-galactosidase, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, porcine somatotropin and human growth hormone, were made from this vector at levels ranging from 5 to 20% of total cell protein. Expression from the middle promoter was highest when inductions were done in rich media. The expression of some genes varied in different strains.

High-level production of active HIV-1 protease in Escherichia coli

High levels of active HIV-1 protease (PR) were produced in Escherichia coli, amounting to 8-10% of total cell protein. High production levels were achieved by altering the following parameters: (1) codon preference of the coding region, (2) A+T-richness at the 5' end of the coding region, and (3) promoter. To circumvent the toxicity of HIV-1 PR in E. coli, the gene was expressed as a fusion protein with two different proteolytic autocleavage sequences. In both the cases, the fusion protein could be cleaved in vivo to give an active molecule with the native sequence at the N terminus.

Two novel heat shock genes encoding proteins produced in response to heterologous protein expression in Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli high-level production of some heterologous proteins (specifically, human prorenin, renin, and bovine insulin-like growth factor 2) resulted in the induction of two new E. coli heat shock proteins, both of which have molecular masses of 16 kDa and are tightly associated with inclusion bodies formed during heterologous protein production. We named these inclusion body-associated proteins IbpA and IbpB. The coding sequences for IbpA and IbpB were identified and isolated from the Kohara E. coli gene bank. The genes for these proteins (ibpA and ibpB) are located at 82.5 min on the chromosome. Nucleotide sequencing of the two genes revealed that they are transcribed in the same direction and are separated by 110 bp. Putative Shine-Dalgarno sequences are located upstream from the initiation codons of both genes. A putative heat shock promoter is located upstream from ibpA, and a putative transcription terminator is located downstream from ibpB. A temperature upshift experiment in which we used a wild-type E. coli strain and an isogenic rpoH mutant strain indicated that a sigma 32-containing RNA polymerase is involved in the regulation of expression of these genes. There is 57.5% identity between the genes at the nucleotide level and 52.2% identity at the amino acid level. A search of the protein data bases showed that both of these 16-kDa proteins exhibit low levels of homology to low-molecular-weight heat shock proteins from eukaryotic species.

Enhanced heterologous gene expression in novel rpoH mutants of Escherichia coli

Extragenic temperature-resistant suppressor mutants of an rpoD800 derivative of Escherichia coli W3110 were selected at 43.5 degrees C. Two of the mutants were shown to have a phenotype of enhanced accumulation of heterologous proteins. Genetic mapping of the two mutants showed that the mutation conferring temperature resistance resided in the rpoH gene. P1-mediated transduction of the rpoD+ gene into both of the rpoD800 rpoH double mutants resulted in viable rpoH mutants, MON102 and MON105, that retained temperature resistance at 46 degrees C, the maximum growth temperature of W3110. The complete rpoH gene, including the regulatory region, from MON102, MON105, and the parental W3110 was cloned and sequenced. Sequencing results showed that a single C----T transition at nucleotide 802 was present in both MON102 and MON105, resulting in an Arg(CGC)----Cys(TGC) substitution at amino acid residue 268 (R-268-C; this gene was designated rpoH358). Heterologous protein accumulation levels in both MON102 and MON105, as well as in rpoH358 mutants constructed in previously unmanipulated W3110 and JM101, were assessed and compared with parental W3110 and JM101 levels. Expression studies utilizing the recA or araBAD promoter and the phage T7 gene 10L ribosome-binding site (g10L) showed that increased accumulation levels of a number of representative heterologous proteins (i.e., human or bovine insulin-like growth factor-1, bovine insulin-like growth factor-2, prohormone of human atrial natriuretic factor, bovine placental lactogen, and/or bovine prolactin) were obtained in the rpoH358 mutants compared with the levels in the parental W3110 and JM101. The mechanism of enhanced heterologous protein accumulation in MON102 and MON105 was unique compared with those of previously described rpoH mutants. Pulse-chase and Northern (RNA) blot analyses showed that the enhanced accumulation of heterologous proteins was not due to decreased proteolysis but was instead due to increased levels of the respective heterologous mRNAs accompanied by increased synthesis of the respective heterologous proteins. The plasmid copy number remained unaltered.

Secretion of Active Bovine Somatotropin in Escherichia coli

We have expressed a chimeric protein, comprising the LamB secretion signal sequence fused to mature bovine somatotropin (bST), in Escherichia coli. Plasmid constructs with the recA promoter showed significant protein accumulation prior to induction and cell lysis occurred after induction. In contrast, the lacUV5 promoter was tightly regulated. With the lacUV5 promoter, temperature and inducer concentration had significant effects on the total amount of recombinant protein produced and the fraction processed to mature bST. Quantitation of bST from shake flask cultures showed that 1-2 micrograms/ml/OD550 could be released from the periplasm by osmotic shock. N-terminal sequence analysis of the purified protein indicated that the majority of the secreted bST was correctly processed. The bST present in the osmotic shock fraction was judged to be correctly folded by comigration with oxidized methionyl-bST standard on a non-reducing polyacrylamide gel and activity in a bovine liver radioreceptor assay. These results provide a rapid method to produce bST for use in structure-function studies.

Alpha-factor-leader-directed secretion of recombinant human-insulin-like growth factor I from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Precursor formation and processing in the yeast secretory pathway

A synthetic gene coding for human-insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI) was fused to the leader sequence of yeast prepro-alpha-factor and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the control of a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter fragment. Recombinant IGFI was found inside yeast cells and secreted into the medium. The secreted IGFI migrated on SDS gels with the same electrophoretic mobility as authentic IGFI, i.e. at about 7.5 kDa. HPLC analysis of secreted IGFI revealed the presence of the correctly folded, genuine molecule as well as an isomeric byproduct of equal molecular mass but with two of the three disulfide bonds interchanged. Inside exponentially growing cells the 7.5-kDa IGFI was also found, along with up to four additional IGFI-related polypeptides of higher molecular mass. By endoglycosidase F treatment the three polypeptides between 19-26 kDa were converted to a single peptide of 17 kDa. Since this peptide also reacted with an anti-alpha-factor antibody, it represents most likely the unglycosylated alpha-factor--IGFI fusion precursor. Pulse-chase experiments established the precursor nature of the intracellular higher-molecular-mass IGFI species. Conversion of the primary translation product to the differently glycosylated IGFI precursor proteins and into the mature form occurred very rapidly, within 2 min. Rapid maturation was, however, not followed by an equally rapid secretion of the mature form into the medium: only after 30-40 min did IGFI appear outside the cells. We therefore postulate the presence of an as yet undefined Golgi or post-Golgi bottleneck representing a major obstacle in secretion of recombinant IGFI from S. cerevisiae cells.