Molecular cloning, structural modeling and production of recombinant Aspergillus terreusl. asparaginase in Escherichia coli

A Structural In Silico Analysis of the Immunogenicity of L-Asparaginase from Penicillium cerradense

L-asparaginase is an essential drug used to treat acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), a cancer of high prevalence in children. Several adverse reactions associated with L-asparaginase have been observed, mainly caused by immunogenicity and allergenicity. Some strategies have been adopted, such as searching for new microorganisms that produce the enzyme and applying protein engineering. Therefore, this work aimed to elucidate the molecular structure and predict the immunogenic profile of L-asparaginase from Penicillium cerradense, recently revealed as a new fungus of the genus Penicillium and producer of the enzyme, as a motivation to search for alternatives to bacterial L-asparaginase. In the evolutionary relationship, L-asparaginase from P. cerradense closely matches Aspergillus species. Using in silico tools, we characterized the enzyme as a protein fragment of 378 amino acids (39 kDa), including a signal peptide containing 17 amino acids, and the isoelectric point at 5.13. The oligomeric state was predicted to be a homotetramer. Also, this L-asparaginase presented a similar immunogenicity response (T- and B-cell epitopes) compared to Escherichia coli and Dickeya chrysanthemi enzymes. These results suggest a potentially useful L-asparaginase, with insights that can drive strategies to improve enzyme production.

In vitro and in silico analysis unravelled clinically desirable attributes of Bacillus altitudinis L-asparaginase

AIMS

To identify a marine L-asparaginase with clinically desirable attributes and characterize the shortlisted candidate through in silico tools.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Marine bacterial strains (number = 105) isolated from marine crabs were evaluated through a stepwise strategy incorporating the crucial attributes for therapeutic safety. The results demonstrated the potential of eight bacterial species for extracellular L-asparaginase production. However, only one isolate (Bacillus altitudinis CMFRI/Bal-2) showed clinically desirable attributes, viz. extracellular production, type-II nature, lack of concurrent L-glutaminase and urease activities, and presence of ansZ (functional gene for clinical type). The enzyme production was 22.55 ± 0.5 µM/mg protein/min within 24 h without optimization. The enzyme also showed good activity and stability in pH 7-8 and temperature 37°C, predicting the functioning inside the human body. The Michealis-Menten constant (Km) was 14.75 µM. Detailed in silico analysis based on functional gene authenticating the results of in vitro characterization and predicted the nonallergenic characteristic of the candidate. Docking results proved the higher affinity of the shortlisted candidate to L-asparagine than L-glutamine and urea.

CONCLUSION

Comprehensively, the study highlighted B. altitudinis type II asparaginase as a competent candidate for further research on clinically safe asparaginases.

Rational engineering and insight for a L-glutaminase activity reduced type II L-asparaginase from Bacillus licheniformis and its antileukemic activity in vitro

Type II L-asparaginase (ASNase) has been approved by the FDA for treating acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), but its therapeutic effect is limited by low catalytic efficiency and L-glutaminase (L-Gln) activity. This study utilized free energy based molecular dynamics calculations to identify residues associated with substrate binding in Bacillus licheniformis L-asparaginase II (BLASNase) with high catalytical activity. After saturation and combination mutagenesis, the mutant LGT (74 L/75G/111 T) with intensively reduced l-glutamine catalytic activity was generated. The l-glutamine/L-asparagine activity (L-Gln/L-Asn) of LGT was only 6.6 % of parent BLASNase, whereas the L-asparagine (L-Asn) activity was preserved >90 %. Furthermore, structural comparison and molecular dynamics calculations indicated that the mutant LGT had reduced binding ability and affinity towards l-glutamine. To evaluate its effect on acute leukemic cells, LGT was supplied in treating MOLT-4 cells. The experimental results demonstrated that LGT was more cytotoxic and promoted apoptosis compared with commercial Escherichia coli ASNase. Overall, our findings firstly provide insights into reducing l-glutamine activity without impacting L-asparagine activity for BLASNase to possess remarkable potential for anti-leukemia therapy.

Heterologous expression of fungal L-asparaginase: a systematic review

Aim: To review the available literature about heterologous expression of fungal L-asparaginase (L-ASNase). Materials & methods: A search was conducted across PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science databases; 4172 citations were identified and seven articles were selected. Results: The results showed that heterologous expression of fungal L-ASNase was performed mostly in bacterial expression systems, except for a study that expressed L-ASNase in a yeast system. Only three publications reported the purification and characterization of the enzyme. Conclusion: The information reported in this systematic review can contribute significantly to the recognition of the importance of biotechnological techniques for L-ASNase production.

Assessment of structural behaviour of a new L-asparaginase and SAXS data-based evidence for catalytic activity in its monomeric form

The present study reports the structural and functional characterization of a new glutaminase-free recombinant L-asparaginase (PrASNase) from Pseudomonas resinovorans IGS-131. PrASNase showed substrate specificity to L-asparagine, and its kinetic parameters, Km, Vmax, and kcat were 9.49 × 10-3 M, 25.13 IUmL-1 min-1, and 3.01 × 103 s-1, respectively. The CD spectra showed that PrASNase consisted of 18.5 % helix, 21.5 % antiparallel sheets, 4.2 % parallel sheets, 14 % turns, and rest other structures. FTIR was used for the functional characterization, and molecular docking predicted that the substrate interacts with serine, alanine, and glutamine in the binding pocket of PrASNase. Differing from known asparaginases, structural characterization by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) unambiguously revealed PrASNase to exist as a monomer in solution at low temperatures and oligomerized to a higher state with temperature rise. Through SAXS studies and enzyme assay, PrASNase was found to be mostly monomer and catalytically active at 37 °C. Furthermore, this glutaminase-free PrASNase showed killing effects against WIL2-S and TF-1.28 cells with IC50 of 7.4 μg.mL-1 and 5.6 μg.mL-1, respectively. This is probably the first report with significant findings of fully active L-asparaginase in monomeric form using SAXS and AUC and demonstrated the potential of PrASNase in inhibiting cancerous cells, making it a potential therapeutic candidate.

Engineering and Expression Strategies for Optimization of L-Asparaginase Development and Production

Genetic engineering for heterologous expression has advanced in recent years. Model systems such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Pichia pastoris are often used as host microorganisms for the enzymatic production of L-asparaginase, an enzyme widely used in the clinic for the treatment of leukemia and in bakeries for the reduction of acrylamide. Newly developed recombinant L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) may have a low affinity for asparagine, reduced catalytic activity, low stability, and increased glutaminase activity or immunogenicity. Some successful commercial preparations of L-ASNase are now available. Therefore, obtaining novel L-ASNases with improved properties suitable for food or clinical applications remains a challenge. The combination of rational design and/or directed evolution and heterologous expression has been used to create enzymes with desired characteristics. Computer design, combined with other methods, could make it possible to generate mutant libraries of novel L-ASNases without costly and time-consuming efforts. In this review, we summarize the strategies and approaches for obtaining and developing L-ASNase with improved properties.

l-Asparaginase Type II from Fusarium proliferatum: Heterologous Expression and In Silico Analysis

The search for new drug-producing microorganisms is one of the most promising situations in current world scientific scenarios. The use of molecular biology as well as the cloning of protein and compound genes is already well established as the gold standard method of increasing productivity. Aiming at this increase in productivity, this work aims at the cloning, purification and in silico analysis of l-asparaginase from Fusarium proliferatum in Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) protein expression systems. The l-asparaginase gene (NCBI OQ439985) has been cloned into Pichia pastoris strains. Enzyme production was analyzed via the quantification of aspartic B-hydroxamate, followed by purification on a DEAE FF ion exchange column. The in silico analysis was proposed based on the combined use of various technological tools. The enzymatic activity found intracellularly was 2.84 IU/g. A purification factor of 1.18 was observed. The in silico analysis revealed the position of five important amino acid residues for enzymatic activity, and likewise, it was possible to predict a monomeric structure with a C-score of 1.59. The production of the enzyme l-asparaginase from F. proliferatum in P. pastoris was demonstrated in this work, being of great importance for the analysis of new methodologies in search of the production of important drugs in therapy.

Response surface methodology based optimized production, purification, and characterization of L-asparaginase from Fusarium foetens

L-asparaginase is used as one of the prime chemotherapeutic agents to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. L-asparaginase obtained from bacteria exhibits hypersensitive reactions including various side effects. The present work aimed to optimize growth parameters for maximum production of L-asparaginase by Fusarium foetens through response surface methodology, its purification, and characterization. The optimization of L-asparaginase production by Fusarium foetens was initially done through a one-factor-at-a-time method. L-asparaginase production was further optimized using a central composite design based response surface methodology. The maximum L-asparaginase activity of 12.83 IU/ml was obtained under the following growth conditions; temperature-27.5 °C, pH-8, inoculum concentration-1.5 × 10⁶ spores/ml, and incubation period-7 days. In comparison with the unoptimized growth conditions (4.58 IU/ml), the optimization led to a 2.65-fold increase in the L-asparaginase activity. The L-asparaginase from Fusarium foetens was purified 15.60-fold, with a yield of 39.89% using DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. After purification, the L-asparaginase activity was determined to be 127.26 IU/ml and the specific activity was found to be 231.38 IU/mg. The molecular mass was estimated to be approximately 37 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme showed optimum activity at pH 5, and a temperature of 40 °C. The enzyme showed 100% specificity towards L-asparagine and no activity towards L-glutamine. Its activity was enhanced by Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Mg², while it was inhibited by β-mercaptoethanol and EDTA. The Km and Vmax of the purified L-asparaginase were found to be 23.82 mM and 210.3 IU/ml respectively. The results suggest that Fusarium foetens could be a potent candidate for the bioprocessing of L-asparaginase at a large scale.

Current state of molecular and metabolic strategies for the improvement of L-asparaginase expression in heterologous systems

Heterologous expression of L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) has become an important area of research due to its clinical and food industry applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular and metabolic strategies that can be used to optimize the expression of L-ASNase in heterologous systems. This article describes various approaches that have been employed to increase enzyme production, including the use of molecular tools, strain engineering, and in silico optimization. The review article highlights the critical role that rational design plays in achieving successful heterologous expression and underscores the challenges of large-scale production of L-ASNase, such as inadequate protein folding and the metabolic burden on host cells. Improved gene expression is shown to be achievable through the optimization of codon usage, synthetic promoters, transcription and translation regulation, and host strain improvement, among others. Additionally, this review provides a deep understanding of the enzymatic properties of L-ASNase and how this knowledge has been employed to enhance its properties and production. Finally, future trends in L-ASNase production, including the integration of CRISPR and machine learning tools are discussed. This work serves as a valuable resource for researchers looking to design effective heterologous expression systems for L-ASNase production as well as for enzymes production in general.

A new extracellular glutaminase and urease-free L-asparaginase from Meyerozyma guilliermondii

L-Asparaginase (L-ASNase) is a potent chemotherapeutic drug employed to treat leukemia and lymphoma. Currently, L-ASNases for therapeutic use are obtained from Escherichia coli and Dickeya chrysanthemi (Erwinia chrysanthemi). Despite their therapeutic potential, enzymes from bacteria are subject to inducing immune responses, resulting in a higher number of side effects. Eukaryote producers, such as fungi, may provide therapeutic alternatives through enzymes that induce relatively less toxicity and immune responses. Additional expected benefits from yeast-derived enzymes include higher activity and stability in physiological conditions. This work describes the new potential therapeutic candidate L-ASNase from the yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii. A statistical approach (full factorial central composite design) was used to optimize L-ASNase production, considering L-asparagine and glucose concentration, pH of the medium, and cultivation time as independent factors. In addition, the crude enzymes were biochemically characterized, in terms of temperature and optimal pH, thermostability, pH stability, and associated glutaminase or urease activities. Our results showed that enzyme production increased after supplementing a pH 4.0 medium with 1.0% L-asparagine and 0.5% glucose during 75 h of cultivation. Under these optimized conditions, L-ASNase production reached 26.01 U mL-1, which is suitable for scale-up studies. The produced L-ASNase exhibits maximal activity at 37 °C and pH 7.0 and is highly stable under physiological conditions. In addition, M. guilliermondii L-ASNase has no associated glutaminase or urease activities, demonstrating its potential as a promising antineoplastic agent.

[Approaches for improving L-asparaginase expression in heterologous systems]

L-asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) is one of the most demanded enzymes used in the pharmaceutical industry as a drug and in the food industry to prevent the formation of toxic acrylamide. Researchers aimed to improve specific activity and reduce side effects to create safer and more potent enzyme products. However, protein modifications and heterologous expression remain problematic in the production of asparaginases from different species. Heterologous expression in optimized producer strains is rationally organized; therefore, modified and heterologous protein expression is enhanced, which is the main strategy in the production of asparaginase. This strategy solves several problems: incorrect protein folding, metabolic load on the producer strain and codon misreading, which affects translation and final protein domains, leading to a decrease in catalytic activity. The main approaches developed to improve the heterologous expression of L-asparaginases are considered in this paper.

Insights into the Distribution and Functional Properties of l-Asparaginase in the Archaeal Domain and Characterization of Picrophilus torridus Asparaginase Belonging to the Novel Family Asp2like1

l-Asparaginase catalyzes the hydrolysis of l-asparagine to aspartic acid and ammonia and is used in the medical and food industries. In this investigation, from the proteomes of 176 archaeal organisms (with completely sequenced genomes), 116 homologs of l-asparaginase were obtained from 86 archaeal organisms segregated into Asp1, Asp2, IaaA, Asp2like1, and Asp2like2 families based on the conserved domain. The similarities and differences in the structure of selected representatives from each family are discussed. From the two novel archaeal l-asparaginase families Asp2like1 and Asp2like2, a representative of Asp2like1 family Picrophilus torridus asparaginase (PtAsp2like1) was characterized in detail to find its suitability in therapeutics. PtAsp2like1 was a glutaminase-free asparaginase that showed the optimum activity at 80 °C and pH 10.0. The Km of PtAsp2like1 toward substrate l-asparagine was 11.69 mM. This study demonstrates the improved mapping of asparaginases in the archaeal domain, facilitating future focused research on archaeal asparaginases for therapeutic applications.

A systematic approach to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) for the treatment of glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. We have developed a novel treatment option for glaucoma based on a real-time IOP-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and packed in a therapeutic contact lens to reduce the IOP. First, 1.6 nmole nitric oxide was produced from the genetic chassis, which was optimized for isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction in a T7 expression system. For biosafety concerns to human being, the csgAD genes responsible for curli biofilm formation in E. coli were co-expressed with NOS in the designated NOSAD strain to strengthen the adherence of cells to the contact lens, thereby preventing the contamination into the eyes. Moreover, NOSAD is a diaminopimelic acid (DAP) auxotrophic strain, which cannot survive without supplementation of DAP and reached the critical consideration of biosafety to the environment. We also demonstrated that the nitric oxide diffusion was 3.6-times enhanced from penetration into the aqueous humor of porcine eyes. The deformation ratio of the contact lens was correlated to the change of IOP by using a digital image correlation (DIC) system in a porcine eye model. The novel systematic approach provides an alternative treatment for glaucoma patients in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

L-Asparaginase from Penicillium sizovae Produced by a Recombinant Komagataella phaffii Strain

L-asparaginase is an important enzyme in the pharmaceutical field used as treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia due to its ability to hydrolyze L-asparagine, an essential amino acid synthesized by normal cells, but not by neoplastic cells. Adverse effects of L-asparaginase formulations are associated with its glutaminase activity and bacterial origin; therefore, it is important to find new sources of L-asparaginase produced by eukaryotic microorganisms with low glutaminase activity. This work aimed to identify the L-asparaginase gene sequence from Penicillium sizovae, a filamentous fungus isolated from the Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado) soil with low glutaminase activity, and to biosynthesize higher yields of this enzyme in the yeast Komagataella phaffii. The L-asparaginase gene sequence of P. sizovae was identified by homology to L-asparaginases from species of Penicillium of the section Citrina: P. citrinum and P. steckii. Partial L-asparaginase from P. sizovae, lacking the periplasmic signaling sequence, was cloned, and expressed intracellularly with highest enzymatic activity achieved by a MUT⁺ clone cultured in BMM expression medium; a value 5-fold greater than that obtained by native L-asparaginase in P. sizovae cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first literature report of the heterologous production of an L-asparaginase from a filamentous fungus by a yeast.

Recent Developments in Industrial Mycozymes: A Current Appraisal

Fungi, being natural decomposers, are the most potent, ubiquitous and versatile sources of industrial enzymes. About 60% of market share of industrial enzymes is sourced from filamentous fungi and yeasts. Mycozymes (myco-fungus; zymes-enzymes) are playing a pivotal role in several industrial applications and a number of potential applications are in the offing. The field of mycozyme production, while maintaining the old traditional methods, has also witnessed a sea change due to advents in recombinant DNA technology, optimisation protocols, fermentation technology and systems biology. Consolidated bioprocessing of abundant lignocellulosic biomass and complex polysaccharides is being explored at an unprecedented pace and a number of mycozymes of diverse fungal origins are being explored using suitable platforms. The present review attempts to revisit the current status of various mycozymes, screening and production strategies and applications thereof.

Characterization of a Novel L-Asparaginase from Mycobacterium gordonae with Acrylamide Mitigation Potential

L-asparaginase (E.C.3.5.1.1) is a well-known agent that prevents the formation of acrylamide both in the food industry and against childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in clinical settings. The disadvantages of L-asparaginase, which restrict its industrial application, include its narrow range of pH stability and low thermostability. In this study, a novel L-asparaginase from Mycobacterium gordonae (GmASNase) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). GmASNase was found to be a tetramer with a monomeric size of 32 kDa, sharing only 32% structural identity with Helicobacter pylori L-asparaginases in the Protein Data Bank database. The purified GmASNase had the highest specific activity of 486.65 IU mg⁻¹ at pH 9.0 and 50 °C. In addition, GmASNase possessed superior properties in terms of stability at a wide pH range of 5.0–11.0 and activity at temperatures below 40 °C. Moreover, GmASNase displayed high substrate specificity towards L-asparagine with Km, kcat, and kcat/Km values of 6.025 mM, 11,864.71 min⁻¹ and 1969.25 mM⁻¹min⁻¹, respectively. To evaluate its ability to mitigate acrylamide, GmASNase was used to treat potato chips prior to frying, where the acrylamide content decreased by 65.09% compared with the untreated control. These results suggest that GmASNase is a potential candidate for applications in the food industry.

Recombinant expression of insoluble enzymes in Escherichia coli: a systematic review of experimental design and its manufacturing implications

Recombinant enzyme expression in Escherichia coli is one of the most popular methods to produce bulk concentrations of protein product. However, this method is often limited by the inadvertent formation of inclusion bodies. Our analysis systematically reviews literature from 2010 to 2021 and details the methods and strategies researchers have utilized for expression of difficult to express (DtE), industrially relevant recombinant enzymes in E. coli expression strains. Our review identifies an absence of a coherent strategy with disparate practices being used to promote solubility. We discuss the potential to approach recombinant expression systematically, with the aid of modern bioinformatics, modelling, and ‘omics’ based systems-level analysis techniques to provide a structured, holistic approach. Our analysis also identifies potential gaps in the methods used to report metadata in publications and the impact on the reproducibility and growth of the research in this field.

Sequencing and characterization of an L-asparaginase gene from a new species of Penicillium section Citrina isolated from Cerrado

The enzyme L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) is used in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The preparations of this enzyme for clinical use are derived from bacterial sources and its use is associated with serious adverse reactions. In this context, it is important to find new sources of L-ASNase. In this work, the Placket-Burman Experimental Design (PBD) was used to determine the influence of the variables on the L-ASNase production then it was followed by a 2^8-4 Factorial Fractional Design (FFD). The results obtained from PBD have shown a range of L-ASNase activity, from 0.47 to 1.77 U/gcell and the results obtained from FFD have showed a range of L-ASNase activity, from 1.10 to 2.36 U/gcell. L-proline and ammonium sulfate were identified as of significant positive variables on this production enzyme by Penicillium cerradense sp. nov. The precise identification of this new species was confirmed by morphological characteristics and sequence comparisons of the nuclear 18S-5.8S-28S partial nrDNA including the ITS1 and ITS2 regions, RNA polymerase II, β-tubulin and calmodulin genomic regions. The genetic sequence coding for the L-ASNase was obtained after carrying out a full genome sequencing. The L-ASNase expressed by P. cerradense sp. nov may have promising antineoplastic properties.

L-asparaginase production review: bioprocess design and biochemical characteristics

In the past decades, the production of biopharmaceuticals has gained high interest due to its great sensitivity, specificity, and lower risk of negative effects to patients. Biopharmaceuticals are mostly therapeutic recombinant proteins produced through biotechnological processes. In this context, L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, L-ASNase (E.C. 3.5.1.1)) is a therapeutic enzyme that has been abundantly studied by researchers due to its antineoplastic properties. As a biopharmaceutical, L-ASNase has been used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), and other lymphoid malignancies, in combination with other drugs. Besides its application as a biopharmaceutical, this enzyme is widely used in food processing industries as an acrylamide mitigation agent and as a biosensor for the detection of L-asparagine in physiological fluids at nano-levels. The great demand for L-ASNase is supplied by recombinant enzymes from Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi. However, production processes are associated to low yields and proteins associated to immunogenicity problems, which leads to the search for a better enzyme source. Considering the L-ASNase pharmacological and food importance, this review provides an overview of the current biotechnological developments in L-ASNase production and biochemical characterization aiming to improve the knowledge about its production. KEY POINTS: • Microbial enzyme applications as biopharmaceutical and in food industry • Biosynthesis process: from the microorganism to bioreactor technology • Enzyme activity and kinetic properties: crucial for the final application.

Studies on the recombinant production and anticancer activity of thermostable L- asparaginase I from Pyrococcus abyssi

L-Asparaginase catalysing the breakdown of L-Asparagine to L-Aspartate and ammonia is an enzyme of therapeutic importance in the treatment of cancer, especially the lymphomas and leukaemia. The present study describes the recombinant production, properties and anticancer potential of enzyme from a hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi. There are two genes coding for asparaginase in the genome of this organism. A 918 bp gene encoding 305 amino acids was PCR amplified and cloned in BL21 (DE3) strain of E. coli using pET28a (+) plasmid. The production of recombinant enzyme was induced under 0.5mM IPTG, purified by selective heat denaturation and ion exchange chromatography. Purified enzyme was analyzed for kinetics, in silico structure and anticancer properties. The recombinant enzyme has shown a molecular weight of 33 kDa, specific activity of 1175 U/mg, KM value 2.05mM, optimum temperature and pH 80°C and 8 respectively. No detectable enzyme activity found when L-Glutamine was used as the substrate. In silico studies have shown that the enzyme exists as a homodimer having Arg11, Ala87, Thr110, His112, Gln142, Leu172, and Lys232 being the putative active site residues. The free energy change calculated by molecular docking studies of enzyme and substrate was found as ∆G - 4.5 kJ/mole indicating the affinity of enzyme with the substrate. IC50 values of 5U/mL to 7.5U/mL were determined for FB, caco2 cells and HepG2 cells. A calculated amount of enzyme (5U/mL) exhibited 78% to 55% growth inhibition of caco2 and HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the recombinant enzyme produced and characterized in the present study offers a good candidate for the treatment of cancer. The procedures adopted in the present study can be prolonged for in vivo studies.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant L-asparaginase: Large scale production, purification, and cytotoxicity on THP-1, MDA-MB-231, A549, Caco2 and HCT-116 cell lines

In previous studies Pseudomonas aeruginosal-ASNase complete coding sequence gene, 984 bp (GenBank accession number KU161101.2) was isolated by PCR, cloned into pET28a(+) vector, expressed in E. coli DE3(BL21) pLysS, purified to apparent homogeneity and biochemically characterized. In the present work we highlight large scale production, affinity purification of the recombinant enzyme, effect of osmolytes on the stability of the l-ASNase and cytotoxicity on different cancer cell lines. Successful overexpression was achieved in E. coli as a 6-His-Tag fusion protein after 18 h of induction with lactose at a concentration of 2 g/L in fermentation medium and at 37 °C. The recombinant enzyme was purified to homogeneity using Ni²⁺ chelated Fast Flow Sepharose resin with 19758.8 specific activity and 10.28 purification fold. With respect to the effect of osmolytes on the stability of the purified enzyme, the majority of the tested osmolytes namely 5% maltose, 5% mannitol, 30% glycerol and 5% BSA were found to increase the stability of the recombinant l-ASNase as compared to the free enzyme. Triple negative breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231 treated with recombinant l-ASNase showed significant morphological changes and the IC₅₀ of the purified enzyme was found to be 3.1 IU. Human leukemia cell line, THP-1 treated with l-ASNase showed apoptotic bodies and morphological changes with IC₅₀ of the purified enzyme 1.75 IU. Moreover, the purified recombinant l-ASNase was found to induced cytotoxic effects on colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, Caco-2 with IC₅₀ of 68.28 IU. Results of apoptosis assay on THP-1 cells revealed that the purified l-ASNase induced early and late apoptosis at 14.16% and 7.56 respectively as compared to the control untreated cells.

Development of Processes for Recombinant L-Asparaginase II Production by Escherichia coli Bl21 (De3): From Shaker to Bioreactors

Since 1961, L-asparaginase has been used to treat patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia. It rapidly depletes the plasma asparagine and deprives the blood cells of this circulating amino acid, essential for the metabolic cycles of cells. In the search for viable alternatives to produce L-asparaginase, this work aimed to produce this enzyme from Escherichia coli in a shaker and in a 3 L bioreactor. Three culture media were tested: defined, semi-defined and complex medium. L-asparaginase activity was quantified using the β-hydroxamate aspartic acid method. The defined medium provided the highest L-asparaginase activity. In induction studies, two inducers, lactose and its analog IPTG, were compared. Lactose was chosen as an inducer for the experiments conducted in the bioreactor due to its natural source, lower cost and lower toxicity. Batch and fed-batch cultures were carried out to reach high cell density and then start the induction. Batch cultivation provided a final cell concentration of 11 g L-1 and fed-batch cultivation produced 69.90 g L-1 of cells, which produced a volumetric activity of 43,954.79 U L-1 after lactose induction. L-asparaginase was produced in a shaker and scaled up to a bioreactor, increasing 23-fold the cell concentration and thus, the enzyme productivity.

Bacillus sonorensis L. Asparaginase: Cloning, Expression in E. coli and Characterization

L-asparaginases (L-ASNases; EC 3.5.1.1) are aminohydrolases that catalyze the hydrolysis of L-asparagine (L-Asn) to L-aspartic acid and ammonia, resulting in the death of acute lymphoblastic leukemic cells and other blood cancer cells. In this study, Bacillus sonorensis (accession number MK523484) uncharacterized L-ASNase gene (accession number MN562875) was isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloned into pET28a (+) vector, and expressed in Escherichia coli as a cytosolic protein. The recombinant enzyme was purified by affinity chromatography at 23.79-fold and 49.37% recovery. Denaturing polyacrylamide gel (10%) analysis of the purified enzyme resulted in a single protein band at 36 kDa that immunoreacted strongly with 6His-tag monoclonal antibody. The purified enzyme exhibited optimal activity at 45 °C and pH 7.0 and retained 92% and 85% of its initial activity after incubation for 60 min at 37 °C and 45 °C, respectively. The purified enzyme exhibited substrate specificity toward L-asparagine and low glutaminase activity (15.72%) toward L-glutamine at a concentration of 10 mM. The Km and Vmax values were 2.004 mM and 3723 µmol min^1-, respectively.

Highly efficient Pyrococcus furiosus recombinant L-asparaginase with no glutaminase activity: Expression, purification, functional characterization, and cytotoxicity on THP-1, A549 and Caco-2 cell lines

L-Asparaginase (L-ASNase EC 3.5.1.1) is considered as an important biopharmaceutical drug enzyme in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In the present study, Pyrococcus furiosus L-ASNase gene was cloned into pET26b (+), expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) pLysS, and purified to homogeneity using Ni2+ chelated Fast Flow Sepharose resin with 5.7 purification fold and 23.9% recovery. The purified enzyme exhibited a molecular weight of ~33,660 Da on SDS-PAGE and showed maximal activity at 50 °C and pH 8.0. It retained 98.3% and 60.7% initial activity after 60 min at 37 °C and 50 °C, respectively. The recombinant enzyme showed highest substrate specificity towards L-ASNase substrate, while no detectable specificity was observed for l-glutamine, urea, and acrylamide at 10 mM concentration. The Km and Vmax of the purified recombinant enzyme as calculated using Lineweaver-Burk plot were determined to be 1.623 mM and 105 μmol min-1 mg-1, respectively. Human leukemia cell line THP-1 treated with recombinant L-ASNase showed significant morphological changes, and the IC50 of the purified enzyme was found to be 0.8 IU. Moreover, the purified recombinant L-ASNase induced cytotoxic effects on lung adenocarcinoma A549 and colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cell lines with IC50 of 1.78 IU and 30 IU, respectively.

Functional and structural evaluation of the antileukaemic enzyme L-asparaginase II expressed at low temperature by different Escherichia coli strains

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) affects lymphoblastic cells and is the most common neoplasm during childhood. Among the pharmaceuticals used in the treatment protocols for ALL, Asparaginase (ASNase) from Escherichia coli (EcAII) is an essential biodrug. Meanwhile, the use of EcAII in neoplastic treatments causes several side effects, such as immunological reactions, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, depression, and coagulation abnormalities. Commercial EcAII is expressed as a recombinant protein, similar to novel enzymes from different organisms; in fact, EcAII is a tetrameric enzyme with high molecular weight (140 kDa), and its overexpression in recombinant systems often results in bacterial cell death or the production of aggregated or inactive EcAII protein, which is related to the formation of inclusion bodies. On the other hand, several commercial expression strains have been developed to overcome these expression issues, but no studies on a systematic evaluation of the E. coli strains aiming to express recombinant asparaginases have been performed to date. In this study, we evaluated eleven expression strains at a low temperature (16 °C) with different characteristics to determine which is the most appropriate for asparaginase expression; recombinant wild-type EcAII (rEcAII) was used as a prototype enzyme and the secondary structure content, oligomeric state, aggregation and specific activity of the enzymes were assessed. Structural analysis suggested that a correctly folded tetrameric rEcAII was obtained using ArcticExpress (DE3), a strain that co-express chaperonins, while all other strains produced poorly folded proteins. Additionally, the enzymatic assays showed high specific activity of proteins expressed by ArcticExpress (DE3) when compared to the other strains used in this work.

Expression of a recombinant bacterial L-asparaginase in human cells

Objective

l-Asparaginase (ASNase) is an enzyme used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). As the therapeutic ASNases has bacterial origin, severe side effects are associated with its use, among them hypersensitivity and inactivation of the enzyme. In this context, the objective of this work was to produce a recombinant ASNase of bacterial origin in human cells in order to determine the presence and consequences of potential post-translational modifications on the enzyme.

Results

Recombinant ASNase was expressed in human cells with a molecular weight of 60 kDa, larger than in Escherichia coli, which is 35 kDa. N-glycosylation analysis demonstrated that the increased molecular weight resulted from the addition of glycans to the protein by mammalian cells. The glycosylated ASNase presented in vitro activity at physiological pH and temperature. Given that glycosylation can act to reduce antigenicity by masking protein epitopes, our data may contribute to the development of an alternative ASNase in the treatment of ALL in patients who demonstrate side effects to currently marketed enzymes.

Expression, purification, and characterization of asparaginase II from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Escherichia coli

l-asparaginase catalyzes the conversion of l-asparagine to l-aspartate and ammonium. This protein is an important therapeutic enzyme used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In this study, the asparaginase II-encoding gene ASP3 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was cloned into the expression vector pET28a in-fusion with a 6x histidine tag and was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. The protein was expressed at a high level (225.6 IU/g cells) as an intracellular and soluble molecule and was purified from the supernatant by nickel affinity chromatography. The enzyme showed very low activity against l-glutamine. The denaturing electrophoresis analysis indicated that the recombinant protein had a molecular mass of ∼38 kDa. The native enzyme was a tetramer with a molecular mass of approximately 178 kDa. The enzyme preparation showed antitumor activity against the K562 and Jurkat cell lines comparable or even superior to the E. coli commercial asparaginase.

Highly efficient novel recombinant L-asparaginase with no glutaminase activity from a new halo-thermotolerant Bacillus strain

Introduction: The bacterial enzyme has gained more attention in therapeutic application because of the higher substrate specificity and longer half-life. L-asparaginase is an important enzyme with known antineoplastic effect against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods: Novel L-asparaginase genes were identified from a locally isolated halo-thermotolerant Bacillus strain and the recombinant enzymes were overexpressed in modified E. coli strains, Origami^TM B and BL21. In addition, the biochemical properties of the purified enzymes were characterized, and the enzyme activity was evaluated at different temperatures, pH, and substrate concentrations. Results: The concentration of pure soluble enzyme obtained from Origami strain was ~30 mg/L of bacterial culture, which indicates the significant improvement compared to L-asparaginase produced by E. coli BL21 strain. The catalytic activity assay on the identified L-asparaginases (ansA1 and ansA3 genes) from Bacillus sp. SL-1 demonstrated that only ansA1 gene codes an active and stable homologue (ASPase A1) with high substrate affinity toward L-asparagine. The K_cat and K_m values for the purified ASPase A1 enzyme were 23.96^s-1 and 10.66 µM, respectively. In addition, the recombinant ASPase A1 enzyme from Bacillus sp. SL-1 possessed higher specificity to L-asparagine than L-glutamine. The ASPase A1 enzyme was highly thermostable and resistant to the wide range of pH 4.5-10. Conclusion: The biochemical properties of the novel ASPase A1 derived from Bacillus sp. SL-l indicated a great potential for the identified enzyme in pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Isolation, Purification, Characterisation and Application of L-ASNase: A Review

BACKGROUND

L-ASNase (L-asparagine aminohydrolase EC 3.5.1.1) is used for the conversion of L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia and also it was found as an agent of chemotherapeutic property according to recent patents. It is known as an anti-cancer agent and recently it has received an immense attention. Various microorganisms have the ability to secrete the L-ASNase. It is famous world-wide as anti-tumor medicine for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphosarcoma. L-ASNase helps in deamination of Asparagine and Glutamine.

SOURCE

L-ASNase mainly found in two bacterial sources; Escherichia coli and Erwinia carotovora. Isolation from plants: Endophytes were also a great source of L-ASNase. It was isolated from four types of plants named as; C. citratus, O. diffusa, M. koengii, and also P. bleo.

APPLICATIONS

L-ASNase is used as a potential anti-tumor medicine. It plays a very much essential role for the growth of tumor cells. Tumor cells require a lot of asparagine for their growth. But ASNase converts to aspartate and ammonia from asparagine. So the tumor cell does not proliferate and fails to survive. The L-ASNase is used as the medicine for the major type of cancer like acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), brain. It also used as a medicine for central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and also for neuroblastoma. Two types of L-ASNase have been found.

CONCLUSION

L-ASNase becomes a powerful anti-tumor medicine and researchers should develop a potent strain of asparaginase which can produce asparaginase in the industrial level. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry and food industry on a broader scale.

Highly efficient novel recombinant L-asparaginase with no glutaminase activity from a new halo-thermotolerant Bacillus strain

Introduction: The bacterial enzyme has gained more attention in therapeutic application because of the higher substrate specificity and longer half-life. L-asparaginase is an important enzyme with known antineoplastic effect against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Methods: Novel L-asparaginase genes were identified from a locally isolated halo-thermotolerant Bacillus strain and the recombinant enzymes were overexpressed in modified E. coli strains, Origami^TM B and BL21. In addition, the biochemical properties of the purified enzymes were characterized, and the enzyme activity was evaluated at different temperatures, pH, and substrate concentrations.

Results: The concentration of pure soluble enzyme obtained from Origami strain was ~30 mg/L of bacterial culture, which indicates the significant improvement compared to L-asparaginase produced by E. coli BL21 strain. The catalytic activity assay on the identified L-asparaginases (ansA1 and ansA3 genes) from Bacillus sp. SL-1 demonstrated that only ansA1 gene codes an active and stable homologue (ASPase A1) with high substrate affinity toward L-asparagine. The K_cat and K_m values for the purified ASPase A1 enzyme were 23.96^s-1 and 10.66 µM, respectively. In addition, the recombinant ASPase A1 enzyme from Bacillus sp. SL-1 possessed higher specificity to L-asparagine than L-glutamine. The ASPase A1 enzyme was highly thermostable and resistant to the wide range of pH 4.5–10.

Conclusion: The biochemical properties of the novel ASPase A1 derived from Bacillus sp. SL-l indicated a great potential for the identified enzyme in pharmaceutical and industrial applications.