Amplification of plasmid copy number by thymidine kinase expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Herpes simplex virus virion host shutoff protein requires a mammalian factor for efficient in vitro endoribonuclease activity

The virion host shutoff protein (vhs) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) triggers global shutoff of host protein synthesis and accelerated mRNA turnover during virus infection and induces endoribonucleolytic cleavage of exogenous RNA substrates when it is produced in a rabbit reticulocyte (RRL) in vitro translation system. Although vhs induces RNA turnover in the absence of other HSV gene products, it is not yet known whether cellular factors are required for its activity. As one approach to addressing this question, we expressed vhs in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expression of vhs inhibited colony formation, and the severity of this effect varied with the carbon source. The biological relevance of this effect was assessed by examining the activity of five mutant forms of vhs bearing previously characterized in-frame linker insertions. The results indicated a complete concordance between the growth inhibition phenotype in yeast and mammalian host cell shutoff. Despite these results, expression of vhs did not trigger global mRNA turnover in vivo, and cell extracts of yeast expressing vhs displayed little if any vhs-dependent endoribonuclease activity. However, activity was readily detected when such extracts were mixed with RRL. These data suggest that the vhs-dependent endoribonuclease requires one or more mammalian macromolecular factors for efficient activity.

Cre/loxP-mediated in vivo excision of large segments from yeast genome and their amplification based on the 2microm plasmid-derived system

In vivo excision and amplification of pre-determined, large genomic segments, directly from the genome of a natural host, provides an alternative to conventional cloning in foreign vectors. Using this approach, we have devised an in vivo procedure for excising large segments of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome using Cre/loxP system of bacteriophage P1, followed by amplification of excised circles, as based on the yeast 2microm plasmid-derived ori and Flp/FRT machinery. To provide the excision and replication enzymes, trans-acting genes cre and FLP, which were under a very tight control of GAL1 and GAL10 promoters, respectively, were inserted by homologous recombination into the URA3 gene on chromosome V. Two parallel loxP sequences, which serve as the recognition sites for the Cre recombinase, were also integrated into the genome at pre-determined sites that are 50-100kb apart. Moreover, 2microm ori, REP3 and two inverted FRTs, which serve as a conditional replication system, were also integrated between the loxP sites. The strain carrying all these inserted elements was perfectly stable. Only after the induction by galactose of the Cre excision function, the genomic segment flanked by two loxP sites was excised and circularized. Applying this procedure, the 50-kb LEU2-YCR011c and 100-kb LEU2-YCR035c regions of chromosome III were successfully excised from the S. cerevisiae genome, whereas the 2microm ori, as aided by FRT/Flp, provided the amplification function. Such excised and amplified genomic segments can be used for the sequencing and functional analysis of any yeast genes.

Detection of nonfunctional overexpression gene products using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with a narrowed pH range

A commonly used technique in the analysis of yeast protein function is the overexpression of cloned genes. In the case that overexpression does not lead to an altered phenotype a stable synthesis of the protein has to be demonstrated. Here an example is shown where overexpression of the yeast HYP2 genes, coding for a hypusine-containing protein, was alternatively analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) alone or by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis, using the narrowed pH range of 4.5-5.4. The results of the SDS-PAGE suggested a stable overproduction of HYP gene product, whereas 2-D analysis revealed an accumulation of nonfunctional protein isoforms.

Industrial production of heterologous proteins by fed-batch cultures of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This review concerns the issues involved in the industrial development of fed-batch culture processes with Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains producing heterologous proteins. Most of process development considerations with fed-batch recombinant cultures are linked to the reliability and reproducibility of the process for manufacturing environments where quality assurance and quality control aspects are paramount. In this respect, the quality, safety and efficacy of complex biologically active molecules produced by recombinant techniques are strongly influenced by the genetic background of the host strain, genetic stability of the transformed strain and production process factors. An overview of the recent literature of these culture-related factors is coupled with our experience in yeast fed-batch process development for producing various therapeutic grade proteins. The discussion is based around three principal topics: genetics, microbial physiology and fed-batch process design. It includes the fundamental aspects of yeast strain physiology, the nature of the recombinant product, quality control aspects of the biological product, features of yeast expression vectors, expression and localization of recombinant products in transformed cells and fed-batch process considerations for the industrial production of Saccharomyces cerevisiae recombinant proteins. It is our purpose that this review will provide a comprehensive understanding of the fed-batch recombinant production processes and challenges commonly encountered during process development.

Amplification of large artificial chromosomes

Yeast artificial chromosome cloning is an attractive technology for genomic mapping studies because very large DNA segments can be readily propagated. However, detailed analyses often require the extensive application of blotting-hybridization techniques because artificial chromosomes are normally present at only one copy per haploid genome. We have developed a cloning vector and host strain that alleviate this problem by permitting copy number amplification of artificial chromosomes. The vector includes a conditional centromere that can be turned on or off by changing the carbon source. Strong selective pressure for extra copies of the artificial chromosome can be applied by selecting for the expression of a heterologous thymidine kinase gene. When this system was used, artificial chromosomes ranging from about 100 to 600 kilobases in size were readily amplified 10- to 20-fold. The selective conditions did not induce obvious rearrangements in any of the clones tested. Reactivation of the centromere in amplified artificial chromosome clones resulted in stable maintenance of an elevated copy number for 20 generations. Applications of copy number control to various aspects of artificial chromosome analysis are addressed.