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Rauniyar K, Akhondzadeh S, Gąciarz A, Künnapuu J, Jeltsch M. Bioactive VEGF-C from E. coli. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18157. [PMID: 36307539 PMCID: PMC9616921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22960-0] [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: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) stimulates lymphatic vessel growth in transgenic models, via viral gene delivery, and as a recombinant protein. Expressing eukaryotic proteins like VEGF-C in bacterial cells has limitations, as these cells lack specific posttranslational modifications and provisions for disulfide bond formation. However, given the cost and time savings associated with bacterial expression systems, there is considerable value in expressing VEGF-C using bacterial cells. We identified two approaches that result in biologically active Escherichia coli-derived VEGF-C. Expectedly, VEGF-C expressed from a truncated cDNA became bioactive after in vitro folding from inclusion bodies. Given that VEGF-C is one of the cysteine-richest growth factors in humans, it was unclear whether known methods to facilitate correct cysteine bond formation allow for the direct expression of bioactive VEGF-C in the cytoplasm. By fusing VEGF-C to maltose-binding protein and expressing these fusions in the redox-modified cytoplasm of the Origami (DE3) strain, we could recover biological activity for deletion mutants lacking the propeptides of VEGF-C. This is the first report of a bioactive VEGF growth factor obtained from E. coli cells circumventing in-vitro folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushbu Rauniyar
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biocenter 2, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 56 (Viikinkaari 5E), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Soheila Akhondzadeh
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biocenter 2, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 56 (Viikinkaari 5E), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Gąciarz
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Individualized Drug Therapy Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Künnapuu
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biocenter 2, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 56 (Viikinkaari 5E), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michael Jeltsch
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biocenter 2, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 56 (Viikinkaari 5E), 00014 Helsinki, Finland ,grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Individualized Drug Therapy Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland ,grid.452042.50000 0004 0442 6391Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland
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Tully M, Hauptstein N, Licha K, Meinel L, Lühmann T, Haag R. Linear Polyglycerol for N-terminal-selective Modification of Interleukin-4. J Pharm Sci 2021; 111:1642-1651. [PMID: 34728175 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Polymer conjugation to biologics is of key interest to the pharmaceutical industry for the development of potent and long acting biotherapeutics, with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) being the gold standard. Within the last years, unwanted PEG-related side effects (immunological reactions, antibody formation) arose, therefore creating several attempts to establish alternative polymers with similar potential to PEG. In this article, we synthesized N-terminal bioconjugates of the potential therapeutic human interleukin-4 (hIL-4 WT) with linear polyglycerol (LPG) of 10 and 40 kDa and compared it with its PEG analogs of same nominal weights. Polyglycerol is a highly hydrophilic polymer with good biocompatibility and therefore represents an alternative polymer to PEG. Both polymer types resulted in similar conjugation yields, comparable hydrodynamic sizes and an unaltered secondary structure of the protein after modification. LPG- and PEG-bioconjugates remained stable in human plasma, whereas binding to human serum albumin (HSA) decreased after polymer modification. Furthermore, only minor differences in bioactivity were observed between LPG- and PEG-bioconjugates of same nominal weights. The presented findings are promising for future pharmacokinetic evaluation of hIL-4-polymer bioconjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tully
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Niklas Hauptstein
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Kai Licha
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg Germany; Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tessa Lühmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Rainer Haag
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin Germany.
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Jalalirad R. Selective and efficient extraction of recombinant proteins from the periplasm of Escherichia coli using low concentrations of chemicals. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2013; 40:1117-29. [PMID: 23864192 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-013-1307-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Experiments were conducted to determine chemicals at low concentrations, which can be utilized for selective release of periplasmic proteins. It was revealed that 80-100 % of the activity of alpha-amylase, beta-lactamase, and Fab D1.3 was retained in the presence of 0.05 and 0.1 % Triton X-100, 0.1 % Tween 20, 0.1 % DOC, 0.01 % BAC, 0.01 % CTAB, 10 mM EDTA, 1 mM and 10 mM DEA, 10 mM NTA, 0.1 and 1 % SHMP, 200 mM urea, 100-500 mM GndCl, and 1 % solvents (hexane, xylene, toluene, benzene, pyridine and isoamyl alcohol). Performance of these chemicals, recognized as generally safe, for selective release of proteins from the periplasm of Escherichia coli was investigated. DOC was a general and very efficient agent, and at concentrations as low as 0.05, 0.1, and 0.025 %, released beta-lactamase, alpha-amylase, and Fab D1.3 selectively with yield factors of 2.7, 2.3, and 3.6 times greater than osmotic shock procedure, respectively. EDTA (1 and 10 mM) discharged Fab D1.3 with efficiency more than osmotic shock (target protein yield of 110 and 138 %, correspondingly). Isoamyl alcohol (10 % v/v) was effective for periplasmic release of alpha-amylase and particularly Fab D1.3, with target protein yields of 75 and 168 %, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Jalalirad
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK,
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Naglak TJ, Wang HY. Rapid protein release from Escherichia coli by chemical permeabilization under fermentation conditions. Biotechnol Bioeng 2010; 39:732-40. [PMID: 18601005 DOI: 10.1002/bit.260390706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Overall protein release greater than 75% in less than 1 h can be attained by exposing exponentially growing Escherichia coli cells to 0.4 M guanidine plus 0.5% Triton X-100 at 37 degrees C in medium. Cell growth stops immediately upon addition of the chemicals, but the cells are not lysed. Guanidine concentrations lower than 0.2 M, in conjunction with 0.5% Triton X-100, do not release significant intracellular protein, nor do they inhibit cell growth. Under these conditions, the cells undergo an adaptation that confers resistance to protein release by further treatment with guanidine and Triton X-100. Cells treated with 0.2 M guanidine plus 0.5% Triton X-100 display intermediate behavior. Protein release is approximately 35%, and growth is temporarily interrupted by an extended lag phase. Subsequent resumption of cell growth results in resistant cells and no additional protein release. This resistance is shown to be reversible and is most likely due to physiological adaptation rather than genetic mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Naglak
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Makabe K, Asano R, Ito T, Tsumoto K, Kudo T, Kumagai I. Tumor-directed lymphocyte-activating cytokines: refolding-based preparation of recombinant human interleukin-12 and an antibody variable domain-fused protein by additive-introduced stepwise dialysis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 328:98-105. [PMID: 15670756 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.12.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2004] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Integration of lymphocyte-activating cytokines (e.g., interleukin-12: IL-12) to tumor cells offers promise for cancer immunotherapy, but the preparation of such heterodimeric proteins by refolding is difficult because of subunit instability. We achieved the refolding of Escherichia coli-expressed human IL-12 by a stepwise dialysis method, preventing the formation of insoluble aggregates by adding a redox reagent and an aggregation suppressor. We also constructed a tumor-specific IL-12 protein, each subunit of which was fused with one chain of variable domain fragment (Fv) of anticarcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibody T84.66 (aCEA-IL12). Fusion of IL-12 with Fv greatly increased the yield of functional heterodimer. Several assays have indicated that the Fv domain and IL-12 domain of the fused protein had cognate biological activities, and it enhanced the cytotoxicity of T-LAK cells for the cancer cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Makabe
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba-yama 07, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
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Asano R, Kudo T, Makabe K, Tsumoto K, Kumagai I. Antitumor activity of interleukin-21 prepared by novel refolding procedure from inclusion bodies expressed in Escherichia coli. FEBS Lett 2002; 528:70-6. [PMID: 12297282 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03254-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) has recently been identified as a novel 4-helix-bundle type I cytokine possessing a cytokine receptor gamma chain essential for the immune response. We report the preparation and functional characterization of Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant human IL-21 (rIL-21). The rIL-21, expressed as insoluble inclusion bodies in E. coli, was solubilized and then refolded by using a modified dialysis method. The introduction of redox reagents during refolding led to a dramatic increase in the refolding efficiency. Circular dichroism spectrum analysis showed that the refolded rIL-21 had an alpha-helix as a secondary structure, which is a characteristic of type I cytokines. Flow cytometry confirmed previous reports that rIL-21 binds to CD3-activated T cells (T-LAK) and to cell lines Raji, HL60, and Jurkat. rIL-21 stimulated the proliferation of T-LAK but not peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and this effect seems to be identical to that of co-stimulation with anti-CD3 antibody. Growth inhibition assay indicated that enhancement of the cytotoxicity of T-LAK to the human bile duct carcinoma TFK-1 depended on the concentration of rIL-21. Thus, refolded rIL-21 had activity identical to that of authentic IL-21 and enhanced the anti-tumor activity of T-LAK. These conclusions suggest the potential use of the refolded cytokine in adoptive immunotherapy using T-LAK cells and in the discovery of other functions of the cytokine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryutaro Asano
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryomachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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Altmann SW, Kastelein RA. Rational design of a mouse granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor receptor antagonist. J Biol Chem 1995; 270:2233-40. [PMID: 7836455 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.270.5.2233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mouse granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mGM-CSF) proteins with substitutions at residues in the first alpha-helix were examined for biological activity and receptor binding properties. Substitution at the buried residue His15 affected both bioactivity and receptor binding. Of the four surface-exposed positions examined (Arg11, Lys14, Lys20, and Glu21) only substitutions at Glu21 impaired bioactivity. Proteins with charge reversal substitutions at this position were partial agonists and weak antagonists of native mGM-CSF action. All substitutions at Glu21 abrogated high affinity binding. Lys14 and Lys20 substitution proteins showed various receptor binding defects. Qualitative and quantitative measurement of these binding defects identified Lys14 as a residue that interacts specifically with the beta subunit of the mGM-CSF receptor, whereas Lys20 appeared to exist at the GM-R alpha-subunit/GM-R beta-subunit interface as substitutions at this position produce both high and low affinity binding losses. These determinations permitted the design of a more potent mGM-CSF antagonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- S W Altmann
- Department of Molecular Biology, DNAX Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Palo Alto, California 94304-1104
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Bambot SB, Holavanahali R, Lakowicz JR, Carter GM, Rao G. Phase fluorometric sterilizable optical oxygen sensor. Biotechnol Bioeng 1994; 43:1139-45. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.260431119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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High affinity ligand binding is not essential for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor activation. J Biol Chem 1992. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(19)74064-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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10
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Walter M, Cook W, Zhao B, Cameron R, Ealick S, Walter R, Reichert P, Nagabhushan T, Trotta P, Bugg C. Crystal structure of recombinant human interleukin-4. J Biol Chem 1992. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(19)88711-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Cook WJ, Ealick SE, Reichert P, Hammond GS, Le HV, Nagabhushan TL, Trotta PP, Bugg CE. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray investigation of recombinant human interleukin 4. J Mol Biol 1991; 218:675-8. [PMID: 2023241 DOI: 10.1016/0022-2836(91)90253-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Crystals of recombinant human interleukin 4 have been grown from solutions of ammonium sulfate. The crystals are tetragonal, space-group P4(1)2(1)2 or P4(3)2(1)2; the unit cell axes are a = 92.2(1) A and c = 46.4(1) A. The crystals are stable to X-rays for at least three days and diffract beyond 2.8 A resolution. The crystals contain approximately 63% solvent, assuming there is one molecule in the asymmetric unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Cook
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294
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