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Stark JC, Jaroentomeechai T, Warfel KF, Hershewe JM, DeLisa MP, Jewett MC. Rapid biosynthesis of glycoprotein therapeutics and vaccines from freeze-dried bacterial cell lysates. Nat Protoc 2023:10.1038/s41596-022-00799-z. [PMID: 37328605 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00799-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The advent of distributed biomanufacturing platforms promises to increase agility in biologic production and expand access by reducing reliance on refrigerated supply chains. However, such platforms are not capable of robustly producing glycoproteins, which represent the majority of biologics approved or in development. To address this limitation, we developed cell-free technologies that enable rapid, modular production of glycoprotein therapeutics and vaccines from freeze-dried Escherichia coli cell lysates. Here, we describe a protocol for generation of cell-free lysates and freeze-dried reactions for on-demand synthesis of desired glycoproteins. The protocol includes construction and culture of the bacterial chassis strain, cell-free lysate production, assembly of freeze-dried reactions, cell-free glycoprotein synthesis, and glycoprotein characterization, all of which can be completed in one week or less. We anticipate that cell-free technologies, along with this comprehensive user manual, will help accelerate development and distribution of glycoprotein therapeutics and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C Stark
- Department of Chemistry & Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Thapakorn Jaroentomeechai
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katherine F Warfel
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jasmine M Hershewe
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Matthew P DeLisa
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Simpson-Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Thames AH, Moons SJ, Wong DA, Boltje TJ, Bochner BS, Jewett MC. GlycoCAP: A Cell-Free, Bacterial Glycosylation Platform for Building Clickable Azido-Sialoglycoproteins. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1264-1274. [PMID: 37040463 PMCID: PMC10758250 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Glycan-binding receptors known as lectins represent a class of potential therapeutic targets. Yet, the therapeutic potential of targeting lectins remains largely untapped due in part to limitations in tools for building glycan-based drugs. One group of desirable structures is proteins with noncanonical glycans. Cell-free protein synthesis systems have matured as a promising approach for making glycoproteins that may overcome current limitations and enable new glycoprotein medicines. Yet, this approach has not been applied to the construction of proteins with noncanonical glycans. To address this limitation, we develop a cell-free glycoprotein synthesis platform for building noncanonical glycans and, specifically, clickable azido-sialoglycoproteins (called GlycoCAP). The GlycoCAP platform uses an Escherichia coli-based cell-free protein synthesis system for the site-specific installation of noncanonical glycans onto proteins with a high degree of homogeneity and efficiency. As a model, we construct four noncanonical glycans onto a dust mite allergen (Der p 2): α2,3 C5-azido-sialyllactose, α2,3 C9-azido-sialyllactose, α2,6 C5-azido-sialyllactose, and α2,6 C9-azido-sialyllactose. Through a series of optimizations, we achieve more than 60% sialylation efficiency with a noncanonical azido-sialic acid. We then show that the azide click handle can be conjugated with a model fluorophore using both strain-promoted and copper-catalyzed click chemistry. We anticipate that GlycoCAP will facilitate the development and discovery of glycan-based drugs by granting access to a wider variety of possible noncanonical glycan structures and also provide an approach for functionalizing glycoproteins by click chemistry conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Helms Thames
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Tech B486, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Sam J Moons
- Synvenio B.V., Mercator 3, Nijmegen 6525ED, The Netherlands
| | - Derek A Wong
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Tech B486, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Thomas J Boltje
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen 6525AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Bruce S Bochner
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Tech B486, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
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Hershewe J, Kightlinger W, Jewett MC. Cell-free systems for accelerating glycoprotein expression and biomanufacturing. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 47:977-991. [PMID: 33090335 PMCID: PMC7578589 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-020-02321-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Protein glycosylation, the enzymatic modification of amino acid sidechains with sugar moieties, plays critical roles in cellular function, human health, and biotechnology. However, studying and producing defined glycoproteins remains challenging. Cell-free glycoprotein synthesis systems, in which protein synthesis and glycosylation are performed in crude cell extracts, offer new approaches to address these challenges. Here, we review versatile, state-of-the-art systems for biomanufacturing glycoproteins in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell-free systems with natural and synthetic N-linked glycosylation pathways. We discuss existing challenges and future opportunities in the use of cell-free systems for the design, manufacture, and study of glycoprotein biomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Hershewe
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Technological Institute E136, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA.,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA.,Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Technological Institute E136, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA
| | - Weston Kightlinger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Technological Institute E136, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA.,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA.,Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Technological Institute E136, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Technological Institute E136, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA. .,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, 2170 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA. .,Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Technological Institute E136, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA. .,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, 676 North Saint Clair Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60611-3068, USA. .,Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, 303 East Superior Street, Suite 11-131, Chicago, IL, 60611-2875, USA.
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Jaroentomeechai T, Taw MN, Li M, Aquino A, Agashe N, Chung S, Jewett MC, DeLisa MP. Cell-Free Synthetic Glycobiology: Designing and Engineering Glycomolecules Outside of Living Cells. Front Chem 2020; 8:645. [PMID: 32850660 PMCID: PMC7403607 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycans and glycosylated biomolecules are directly involved in almost every biological process as well as the etiology of most major diseases. Hence, glycoscience knowledge is essential to efforts aimed at addressing fundamental challenges in understanding and improving human health, protecting the environment and enhancing energy security, and developing renewable and sustainable resources that can serve as the source of next-generation materials. While much progress has been made, there remains an urgent need for new tools that can overexpress structurally uniform glycans and glycoconjugates in the quantities needed for characterization and that can be used to mechanistically dissect the enzymatic reactions and multi-enzyme assembly lines that promote their construction. To address this technology gap, cell-free synthetic glycobiology has emerged as a simplified and highly modular framework to investigate, prototype, and engineer pathways for glycan biosynthesis and biomolecule glycosylation outside the confines of living cells. From nucleotide sugars to complex glycoproteins, we summarize here recent efforts that harness the power of cell-free approaches to design, build, test, and utilize glyco-enzyme reaction networks that produce desired glycomolecules in a predictable and controllable manner. We also highlight novel cell-free methods for shedding light on poorly understood aspects of diverse glycosylation processes and engineering these processes toward desired outcomes. Taken together, cell-free synthetic glycobiology represents a promising set of tools and techniques for accelerating basic glycoscience research (e.g., deciphering the "glycan code") and its application (e.g., biomanufacturing high-value glycomolecules on demand).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thapakorn Jaroentomeechai
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - May N. Taw
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Mingji Li
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Alicia Aquino
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Ninad Agashe
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Sean Chung
- Graduate Field of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Matthew P. DeLisa
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- Graduate Field of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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Metabolic engineering of glycoprotein biosynthesis in bacteria. Emerg Top Life Sci 2018; 2:419-432. [PMID: 33525794 DOI: 10.1042/etls20180004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The demonstration more than a decade ago that glycoproteins could be produced in Escherichia coli cells equipped with the N-linked protein glycosylation machinery from Campylobacter jejuni opened the door to using simple bacteria for the expression and engineering of complex glycoproteins. Since that time, metabolic engineering has played an increasingly important role in developing and optimizing microbial cell glyco-factories for the production of diverse glycoproteins and other glycoconjugates. It is becoming clear that future progress in creating efficient glycoprotein expression platforms in bacteria will depend on the adoption of advanced strain engineering strategies such as rational design and assembly of orthogonal glycosylation pathways, genome-wide identification of metabolic engineering targets, and evolutionary engineering of pathway performance. Here, we highlight recent advances in the deployment of metabolic engineering tools and strategies to develop microbial cell glyco-factories for the production of high-value glycoprotein targets with applications in research and medicine.
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Jaroentomeechai T, Stark JC, Natarajan A, Glasscock CJ, Yates LE, Hsu KJ, Mrksich M, Jewett MC, DeLisa MP. Single-pot glycoprotein biosynthesis using a cell-free transcription-translation system enriched with glycosylation machinery. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2686. [PMID: 30002445 PMCID: PMC6043479 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05110-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The emerging discipline of bacterial glycoengineering has made it possible to produce designer glycans and glycoconjugates for use as vaccines and therapeutics. Unfortunately, cell-based production of homogeneous glycoproteins remains a significant challenge due to cell viability constraints and the inability to control glycosylation components at precise ratios in vivo. To address these challenges, we describe a novel cell-free glycoprotein synthesis (CFGpS) technology that seamlessly integrates protein biosynthesis with asparagine-linked protein glycosylation. This technology leverages a glyco-optimized Escherichia coli strain to source cell extracts that are selectively enriched with glycosylation components, including oligosaccharyltransferases (OSTs) and lipid-linked oligosaccharides (LLOs). The resulting extracts enable a one-pot reaction scheme for efficient and site-specific glycosylation of target proteins. The CFGpS platform is highly modular, allowing the use of multiple distinct OSTs and structurally diverse LLOs. As such, we anticipate CFGpS will facilitate fundamental understanding in glycoscience and make possible applications in on demand biomanufacturing of glycoproteins. The ability to produce homogeneous glycoproteins is expected to advance fundamental understanding in glycoscience, but current in vivo-based production systems have several limitations. Here, the authors develop an E. coli extract-based one-pot system for customized production of N-linked glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thapakorn Jaroentomeechai
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jessica C Stark
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, 2170 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA.,Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA
| | - Aravind Natarajan
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Cameron J Glasscock
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Laura E Yates
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Karen J Hsu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd Technological Institute B224, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA
| | - Milan Mrksich
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Michael C Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA. .,Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, 2170 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA. .,Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-3120, USA.
| | - Matthew P DeLisa
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA. .,Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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