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Morganti L, Chura-Chambi RM. Using High Pressure and Alkaline pH for Refolding. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2617:177-187. [PMID: 36656524 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2930-7_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The expression of recombinant proteins as insoluble inclusion bodies (IB) has the advantage to separate insoluble aggregates from soluble bacterial molecules, thus obtaining proteins with a high degree of purity. Even aggregated, the proteins in IB often present native-like secondary and tertiary structures, which can be maintained as long as solubilization is carried out in non-denaturing condition. High pressure solubilizes IB by weakening hydrophobic interactions, while alkaline pH solubilizes aggregates by electrostatic repulsion. The combination of high pressure and alkaline pH is effective for IB solubilization at a mild, non-denaturing condition, which is useful for subsequent refolding. Here, we describe the expression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli using a rich medium to obtain high expression levels, bacterial lysis, and washing of the IB to obtain products of high purity, and, finally, the solubilization and high yield of refolded proteins using high pressure and alkaline pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia Morganti
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Courrol DDS, da Silva CCF, Prado LG, Chura-Chambi RM, Morganti L, de Souza GO, Heinemann MB, Isaac L, Conte FP, Portaro FCV, Rodrigues-da-Silva RN, Barbosa AS. Leptolysin, a Leptospira secreted metalloprotease of the pappalysin family with broad-spectrum activity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:966370. [PMID: 36081769 PMCID: PMC9445424 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.966370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular proteolytic enzymes are produced by a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, and contribute to host colonization by modulating virulence. Here, we present a first characterization of leptolysin, a Leptospira metalloprotease of the pappalysin family identified in a previous exoproteomic study. Comparative molecular analysis of leptolysin with two other pappalysins from prokaryotes, ulilysin and mirolysin, reveals similarities regarding calcium, zinc, and arginine -binding sites conservation within the catalytic domain, but also discloses peculiarities. Variations observed in the primary and tertiary structures may reflect differences in primary specificities. Purified recombinant leptolysin of L. interrogans was obtained as a ~50 kDa protein. The protease exhibited maximal activity at pH 8.0 and 37°C, and hydrolytic activity was observed in the presence of different salts with maximum efficiency in NaCl. Substrate specificity was assessed using a small number of FRET peptides, and showed a marked preference for arginine residues at the P1 position. L. interrogans leptolysin proteolytic activity on proteinaceous substrates such as proteoglycans and plasma fibronectin was also evaluated. All proteins tested were efficiently degraded over time, confirming the protease´s broad-spectrum activity in vitro. In addition, leptolysin induced morphological alterations on HK-2 cells, which may be partially attributed to extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Hemorrhagic foci were observed in the dorsal skin of mice intradermally injected with leptolysin, as a plausible consequence of ECM disarray and vascular endothelium glycocalyx damage. Assuming that leptospiral proteases play an important role in all stages of the infectious process, characterizing their functional properties, substrates and mechanisms of action is of great importance for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luan Gavião Prado
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Biotechnology, Energy and Nuclear Research Institute (IPEN)-CNEN/SP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ligia Morganti
- Center of Biotechnology, Energy and Nuclear Research Institute (IPEN)-CNEN/SP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gisele Oliveira de Souza
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Bryan Heinemann
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lourdes Isaac
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Paiva Conte
- Pilot Plant Implementation Project, Immunobiological Technology Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Angela Silva Barbosa
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Angela Silva Barbosa,
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Chura-Chambi RM, Farah CS, Morganti L. Human growth hormone inclusion bodies present native-like secondary and tertiary structures which can be preserved by mild solubilization for refolding. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:164. [PMID: 35978337 PMCID: PMC9382763 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01887-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Native-like secondary structures and biological activity have been described for proteins in inclusion bodies (IBs). Tertiary structure analysis, however, is hampered due to the necessity of mild solubilization conditions. Denaturing reagents used for IBs solubilization generally lead to the loss of these structures and to consequent reaggregation due to intermolecular interactions among exposed hydrophobic domains after removal of the solubilization reagent. The use of mild, non-denaturing solubilization processes that maintain existing structures could allow tertiary structure analysis and increase the efficiency of refolding. RESULTS In this study we use a variety of biophysical methods to analyze protein structure in human growth hormone IBs (hGH-IBs). hGH-IBs present native-like secondary and tertiary structures, as shown by far and near-UV CD analysis. hGH-IBs present similar λmax intrinsic Trp fluorescence to the native protein (334 nm), indicative of a native-like tertiary structure. Similar fluorescence behavior was also obtained for hGH solubilized from IBs and native hGH at pH 10.0 and 2.5 kbar and after decompression. hGH-IBs expressed in E. coli were extracted to high yield and purity (95%) and solubilized using non-denaturing conditions [2.4 kbar, 0.25 M arginine (pH 10), 10 mM DTT]. After decompression, the protein was incubated at pH 7.4 in the presence of the glutathione-oxidized glutathione (GSH-GSSG) pair which led to intramolecular disulfide bond formation and refolded hGH (81% yield). CONCLUSIONS We have shown that hGH-IBs present native-like secondary and tertiary structures and that non-denaturing methods that aim to preserve them can lead to high yields of refolded protein. It is likely that the refolding process described can be extended to different proteins and may be particularly useful to reduce the pH required for alkaline solubilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Chuck Shaker Farah
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ligia Morganti
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Chura-Chambi RM, Prieto-da-Silva ARDB, Di Lela MM, Oliveira JE, Abreu PEA, Meireles LR, de Andrade Junior HF, Morganti L. High level SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid refolding using mild condition for inclusion bodies solubilization: Application of high pressure at pH 9.0. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262591. [PMID: 35113919 PMCID: PMC8812862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid (N) is the most abundant viral protein expressed in host samples and is an important antigen for diagnosis. N is a 45 kDa protein that does not present disulfide bonds. Intending to avoid non-specific binding of SARS-CoV-2 N to antibodies from patients who previously had different coronaviruses, a 35 kDa fragment of N was expressed without a conserved motif in E. coli as inclusion bodies (N122-419-IB). Culture media and IB washing conditions were chosen to obtain N122-419-IB with high yield (370 mg/L bacterial culture) and protein purity (90%). High pressure solubilizes protein aggregates by weakening hydrophobic and ionic interactions and alkaline pH promotes solubilization by electrostatic repulsion. The association of pH 9.0 and 2.4 kbar promoted efficient solubilization of N122-419-IB without loss of native-like tertiary structure that N presents in IB. N122-419 was refolded with a yield of 85% (326 mg/L culture) and 95% purity. The refolding process takes only 2 hours and the protein is ready for use after pH adjustment, avoiding the necessity of dialysis or purification. Antibody binding of COVID-19-positive patients sera to N122-419 was confirmed by Western blotting. ELISA using N122-419 is effective in distinguishing between sera presenting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from those who do not. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed condition for IB solubilization is one of the mildest described. It is possible that the refolding process can be extended to a wide range of proteins with high yields and purity, even those that are sensible to very alkaline pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Matheus Martins Di Lela
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João Ezequiel Oliveira
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Regina Meireles
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo,SP, Brazil
| | | | - Ligia Morganti
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Siqueira Silva M, Moreira Tavares AP, Leomil Coelho LF, Morganti Ferreira Dias LE, Chura-Chambi RM, Guimarães da Fonseca F, Ferreira Sales MG, Costa Figueiredo E. Rational selection of hidden epitopes for a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor in the recognition of heat-denatured dengue NS1 protein. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 191:113419. [PMID: 34144470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Rational selection of predicted peptides to be employed as templates in molecular imprinting was carried out for the heat-denatured non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of dengue virus (DENV). Conservation analysis among 301 sequences of Brazilian isolates of DENV and zika virus (ZIKV) NS1 was carried out by UniProtKB, and peptide selection was based on in silico data of the conservational, structural and immunogenic properties of the sequences. The selected peptide (from dengue 1 NS1) was synthesized and employed as a template in the electropolymerization of polyaminophenol-imprinted films on the surface of carbon screen-printed electrodes. Heat denaturation of the protein was carried out prior to analysis, in order to expose its internal hidden epitopes. After removal of the template, the molecularly imprinted cavities were able to rebind to the whole denatured protein as determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This label-free sensor was efficient to distinguish the NS1 of DENV from the NS1 of ZIKV. Additionally, the sensor was also selective for dengue NS1, in comparison with human serum immunoglobulin G and human serum albumin. Additionally, the device was able to detect the DENV NS1 at concentrations from 50 to 200 μg L-1 (RSD below 5.04%, r = 0.9678) in diluted human serum samples. The calculated LOD and LOQ were, respectively, 29.3 and 88.7 μg L-1 and each sensor could be used for six sequential cycles with the same performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Siqueira Silva
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Federal University of Alfenas, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Patricia Moreira Tavares
- BioMark@ISEP, School of Engineering of the Polytechnic School of Porto, 4200-072, Paranhos, Portugal; BioMark@UC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luiz Felipe Leomil Coelho
- Laboratory of Vaccines, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Center of Biotechnology, Institute of Energetic and Nuclear Research, IPEN-CNEN/SP, 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Goreti Ferreira Sales
- BioMark@ISEP, School of Engineering of the Polytechnic School of Porto, 4200-072, Paranhos, Portugal; BioMark@UC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Eduardo Costa Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Analyses, Federal University of Alfenas, 37130-001, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
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Amaral MP, Coirada FC, de Souza Apostolico J, Tomita N, Fernandes ER, Santos Souza HF, Chura-Chambi RM, Morganti L, Boscardin SB, Rosa DS. Prime-boost with Chikungunya virus E2 envelope protein combined with Poly (I:C) induces specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Current Research in Immunology 2021; 2:23-31. [PMID: 35492391 PMCID: PMC9040086 DOI: 10.1016/j.crimmu.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus transmitted to humans mainly by the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. CHIKV illness is characterized by fever and long-lasting arthritic symptoms, and in some cases it is a deadly disease. The CHIKV envelope E2 (E2CHIKV) glycoprotein is crucial for virus attachment to the cell. Furthermore, E2CHIKV is the immunodominant protein and the main target of neutralizing antibodies. To date, there is no available prophylactic vaccine or specific treatment against CHIKV infection. Here, we designed and produced a DNA vaccine and a recombinant protein containing a consensus sequence of E2CHIKV. C57BL/6 mice immunized twice with the E2CHIKV recombinant protein in the presence of the adjuvant Poly (I:C) induced the highest E2CHIKV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses, while the immunization with the homologous DNA vaccine pVAX-E2CHIKV was able to induce specific IFN-γ producing cells. The heterologous prime-boost strategy was also able to induce specific cellular and humoral immune responses that were, in general, lower than the responses induced by the homologous E2CHIKV recombinant protein immunization. Furthermore, recombinant E2CHIKV induced the highest titers of neutralizing antibodies. Collectively, we believe this is the first report to analyze E2CHIKV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses after immunization with E2CHIKV recombinant protein and DNA pVAX-E2CHIKV vaccine platforms. There is no current licensed vaccine available against CHIKV. CHIKV Envelope E2 (E2CHIKV) protein is a promising antigen to a vaccine candidate. Evaluation of vaccine platforms, adjuvants and strategies were performed. Homologous E2CHIKV + Poly (I:C) induced the highest humoral and cellular responses. Recombinant E2CHIKV + Poly (I:C) immunized mice presented the highest sera neutralization capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Pires Amaral
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Caroline Coirada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Souza Apostolico
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
- Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii), INCT, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nádia Tomita
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edgar Ruz Fernandes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Higo Fernando Santos Souza
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Biotechnology Center - Institute of Energetic and Nuclear Research (IPEN-CNEN/SP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ligia Morganti
- Biotechnology Center - Institute of Energetic and Nuclear Research (IPEN-CNEN/SP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvia Beatriz Boscardin
- Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii), INCT, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniela Santoro Rosa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
- Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii), INCT, São Paulo, Brazil
- Corresponding author. Rua Botucatu, 862 – 4° andar, 04023-062 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Oliveira PN, Courrol DS, Chura-Chambi RM, Morganti L, Souza GO, Franzolin MR, Wunder EA, Heinemann MB, Barbosa AS. Inactivation of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 by pathogenic Leptospira. Microb Pathog 2020; 150:104704. [PMID: 33347965 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Leptospires are aerobic, Gram-negative spirochetes with a high invasive capacity. Pathogenic leptospires secrete proteases that inactivate a variety of host's proteins including molecules of the extracellular matrix and of the human complement system. This strategy, used by several pathogens of medical importance, contributes to bacterial invasion and immune evasion. In the current work we present evidence that Leptospira proteases also target human cathelicidin (LL-37), an antimicrobial peptide that plays an important role in the innate immune response. By using six Leptospira strains, four pathogenic and two saprophytic, we demonstrated that proteases present in the supernatants of pathogenic strains were capable of degrading LL-37 in a time-dependent manner, whereas proteolytic degradation was not observed with the supernatants of the two saprophytic strains. Inactivation of LL-37 was prevented by using the 1,10-phenanthroline inhibitor, thus suggesting the involvement of metalloproteinases in this process. In addition, the antibacterial activity of LL-37 against two Leptospira strains was evaluated. Compared to the saprophytic strain, a greater resistance of the pathogenic strain to the action of the peptide was observed. Our data suggest that the capacity to inactivate the host defense peptide LL-37 may be part of the virulence arsenal of pathogenic Leptospira, and we hypothesize that its inactivation by the bacteria may influence the outcome of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila N Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ligia Morganti
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gisele O Souza
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Elsio A Wunder
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marcos B Heinemann
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angela S Barbosa
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Pereira LR, Alves RPDS, Sales NS, Andreata-Santos R, Venceslau-Carvalho AA, Pereira SS, Castro-Amarante MF, Rodrigues-Jesus MJ, Favaro MTDP, Chura-Chambi RM, Morganti L, Ferreira LCDS. Enhanced Immune Responses and Protective Immunity to Zika Virus Induced by a DNA Vaccine Encoding a Chimeric NS1 Fused With Type 1 Herpes Virus gD Protein. Front Med Technol 2020; 2:604160. [PMID: 35047887 PMCID: PMC8757838 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.604160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a globally-distributed flavivirus transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes, usually causing mild symptoms that may evolve to severe conditions, including neurological alterations, such as neonatal microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Due to the absence of specific and effective preventive methods, we designed a new subunit vaccine based on a DNA vector (pgDNS1-ZIKV) encoding the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) genetically fused to the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) glycoprotein D (gD) protein. Recombinant plasmids were replicated in Escherichia coli and the expression of the target protein was confirmed in transfected HEK293 cells. C57BL/6 and AB6 (IFNAR1-/-) mice were i.m. immunized by electroporation in order to evaluate pgDNS1-ZIKV immunogenicity. After two doses, high NS1-specific IgG antibody titers were measured in serum samples collected from pgDNS1-ZIKV-immunized mice. The NS1-specific antibodies were capable to bind the native protein expressed in infected mammalian cells. Immunization with pgDNS1-ZIKV increased both humoral and cellular immune responses regarding mice immunized with a ZIKV NS1 encoding vaccine. Immunization with pgDNS1-ZIKV reduced viremia and morbidity scores leading to enhanced survival of immunodeficient AB6 mice challenged with a lethal virus load. These results give support to the use of ZIKV NS1 as a target antigen and further demonstrate the relevant adjuvant effects of HSV-1 gD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennon Ramos Pereira
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rúbens Prince dos Santos Alves
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natiely Silva Sales
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Robert Andreata-Santos
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aléxia Adrianne Venceslau-Carvalho
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samuel Santos Pereira
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Fernanda Castro-Amarante
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mônica Josiane Rodrigues-Jesus
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marianna Teixeira de Pinho Favaro
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ligia Morganti
- Biotechnology Center, Institute of Energy and Nuclear Research (IPEN), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luís Carlos de Souza Ferreira
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: Luís Carlos de Souza Ferreira
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Meireles LR, da Silva AMF, Carvalho CA, Kesper N, Galisteo AJ, Soares CP, Araujo DB, Durigon EL, Oliveira DBL, Morganti L, Chura-Chambi RM, de Andrade HF. Natural versus Recombinant Viral Antigens in SARS-CoV-2 Serology: Challenges in Optimizing Laboratory Diagnosis of COVID-19. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2020; 75:e2290. [PMID: 33331401 PMCID: PMC7690966 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2020/e2290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES COVID-19 is a public health emergency of international concern whose detection in recovered asymptomatic patients is dependent on accurate diagnosis as it enables the estimation of the susceptibility of the population to the infection. This demand has resulted in the development of several commercial assays employing recombinant proteins, but the results of these assays are not reliable as they do not involve comparison with natural viral antigens. We independently used the SARS-CoV-2 whole viral antigen (WVA) and recombinant nucleocapsid protein (rNP) to develop in-house ELISAs for IgG detection; the results of these ELISAs were then compared to obtain reliable results. METHODS WVA and rNP ELISAs were performed on COVID-19 negative sera from patients before the pandemic in Brazil, and on RT-qPCR-positive or SARS-CoV-2-IgG against rNP and IgG against WVA-positive samples from recently infected patients in Sao Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS Both ELISAs detected a large fraction of infected patients but exhibited certain drawbacks. Higher signals and lower numbers of false-negatives were observed in rNP ELISA; however, a higher fraction of false-positives was observed in control groups. A high number of false-negatives was observed with WVA ELISA. Correlating the results of rNP and WVA ELISAs resulted in improved performance for COVID-19 diagnosis. CONCLUSION The choice of antigen is an important aspect in optimizing the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19. The use of rNP ELISA for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies seems promising, but comparison of the results with those of WVA ELISA is crucial for accurate test development prior to commercialization. IgG serology using several assays, and with the spectral patterns of SARS-CoV-2, resulted in confusing information that must be clarified before the establishment of diagnostic serology criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Regina Meireles
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- *Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | - Angélica Moura Freixeira da Silva
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Camila Aparecida Carvalho
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Norival Kesper
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Andrés Jimenez Galisteo
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Camila Pereira Soares
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo (ICB-USP), Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Danielle Bastos Araujo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo (ICB-USP), Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Edison Luiz Durigon
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo (ICB-USP), Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- Plataforma Cientifica Pasteur - USP, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Danielle Bruna Leal Oliveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo (ICB-USP), Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Lígia Morganti
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN/SP), Centro de Biotecnologia, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN/SP), Centro de Biotecnologia, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Heitor Franco de Andrade
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
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Chura-Chambi RM, da Silva CMR, Pereira LR, Bartolini P, Ferreira LCDS, Morganti L. Protein refolding based on high hydrostatic pressure and alkaline pH: Application on a recombinant dengue virus NS1 protein. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211162. [PMID: 30682103 PMCID: PMC6347194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we evaluated the association of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and alkaline pH as a minimally denaturing condition for the solubilization of inclusion bodies (IBs) generated by recombinant proteins expressed by Escherichia coli strains. The method was successfully applied to a recombinant form of the dengue virus (DENV) non-structural protein 1 (NS1). The minimal pH for IBs solubilization at 1 bar was 12 while a pH of 10 was sufficient for solubilization at HHP: 2.4 kbar for 90 min and 0.4 kbar for 14 h 30 min. An optimal refolding condition was achieved by compression of IBs at HHP and pH 10.5 in the presence of arginine, oxidized and reduced glutathiones, providing much higher yields (up to 8-fold) than association of HHP and GdnHCl via an established protocol. The refolded NS1, 109 ± 9.5 mg/L bacterial culture was recovered mainly as monomer and dimer, corresponding up to 90% of the total protein and remaining immunologically active. The proposed conditions represent an alternative for the refolding of immunologically active recombinant proteins expressed as IBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cleide Mara Rosa da Silva
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lennon Ramos Pereira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paolo Bartolini
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis Carlos de Souza Ferreira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ligia Morganti
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Rosa da Silva CM, Chura-Chambi RM, Ramos Pereira L, Cordeiro Y, de Souza Ferreira LC, Morganti L. Association of high pressure and alkaline condition for solubilization of inclusion bodies and refolding of the NS1 protein from zika virus. BMC Biotechnol 2018; 18:78. [PMID: 30541520 PMCID: PMC6291932 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-018-0486-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Proteins in inclusion bodies (IBs) present native-like secondary structures. However, chaotropic agents at denaturing concentrations, which are widely used for IB solubilization and subsequent refolding, unfold these secondary structures. Removal of the chaotropes frequently causes reaggregation and poor recovery of bioactive proteins. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and alkaline pH are two conditions that, in the presence of low level of chaotropes, have been described as non-denaturing solubilization agents. In the present study we evaluated the strategy of combination of HHP and alkaline pH on the solubilization of IB using as a model an antigenic form of the zika virus (ZIKV) non-structural 1 (NS1) protein. Results Pressure-treatment (2.4 kbar) of NS1-IBs at a pH of 11.0 induced a low degree of NS1 unfolding and led to solubilization of the IBs, mainly into monomers. After dialysis at pH 8.5, NS1 was refolded and formed soluble oligomers. High (up to 68 mg/liter) NS1 concentrations were obtained by solubilization of NS1-IBs at pH 11 in the presence of arginine (Arg) with a final yield of approximately 80% of total protein content. The process proved to be efficient, quick and did not require further purification steps. Refolded NS1 preserved biological features regarding reactivity with antigen-specific antibodies, including sera of ZIKV-infected patients. The method resulted in an increase of approximately 30-fold over conventional IB solubilization-refolding methods. Conclusions The present results represent an innovative non-denaturing protein refolding process by means of the concomitant use of HHP and alkaline pH. Application of the reported method allowed the recovery of ZIKV NS1 at a condition that maintained the antigenic properties of the protein. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12896-018-0486-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleide Mara Rosa da Silva
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Lennon Ramos Pereira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes ,1374, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Farmácia, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Luís Carlos de Souza Ferreira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes ,1374, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ligia Morganti
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil.
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Chura-Chambi RM, Fraga TR, da Silva LB, Yamamoto BB, Isaac L, Barbosa AS, Morganti L. Leptospira interrogans thermolysin refolded at high pressure and alkaline pH displays proteolytic activity against complement C3. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 19:e00266. [PMID: 29992100 PMCID: PMC6036645 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2018.e00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Enzymes from the thermolysin family are crucial factors in the pathogenesis of several diseases caused by bacteria and are potential targets for therapeutic interventions. Thermolysin encoded by the gene LIC13322 of the causative agent of leptospirosis, Leptospira interrogans, was shown to cleave proteins from the Complement System. However, the production of this recombinant protein using traditional refolding processes with high levels of denaturing reagents for thermolysin inclusion bodies (TL-IBs) solubilization results in poor recovery and low proteolytic activity probably due to improper refolding of the protein. Based on the assumption that leptospiral proteases play a crucial role during infection, the aim of this work was to obtain a functional recombinant thermolysin for future studies on the role of these metalloproteases on leptospiral infection. The association of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and alkaline pH was utilized for thermolysin refolding. Incubation of a suspension of TL-IBs at HHP and a pH of 11.0 is non-denaturing but effective for thermolysin solubilization. Soluble protein does not reaggregate by dialysis to pH 8.0. A volumetric yield of 46 mg thermolysin/L of bacterial culture and a yield of near 100% in relation to the total thermolysin present in TL-IBs were obtained. SEC-purified thermolysin suffers fragmentation, likely due to autoproteolysis and presents proteolytic activity against complement C3 α-chain, possibly by a generation of a C3b-like molecule. The proteolytic activity of thermolysin against C3 was time and dose-dependent. The experience gained in this study shall help to establish efficient HHP-based processes for refolding of bioactive proteins from IBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Rodrigues Fraga
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Imunologia, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ludmila Bezerra da Silva
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, CEP 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Bernardi Yamamoto
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, CEP 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lourdes Isaac
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Imunologia, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Angela Silva Barbosa
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, CEP 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ligia Morganti
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Chura-Chambi RM, Arcuri HA, Lino F, Versati N, Palma MS, Favaro DC, Morganti L. Structural studies of the protein endostatin in fusion with BAX BH3 death domain, a hybrid that presents enhanced antitumoral activity. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2016; 64:356-363. [PMID: 27144384 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Endostatin (ES) is an antiangiogenic protein that exhibits antitumor activity in animal models. However, the activity observed in animals was not observed in human clinical trials. ES-BAX is a fusion protein composed of two functional domains: ES, which presents specificity and is internalized by activated endothelial cells and the proapoptotic BH3 domain of the protein BAX, a peptide inductor of cellular death when internalized. We have previously shown (Chura-Chambi et al., Cell Death Dis, 5, e1371, 2014) that ES-BAX presents improved antitumor activity in relation to wild-type ES. Secondary and tertiary structures of ES-BAX are similar to ES, as indicated by homology-modeling studies and molecular dynamics simulations. Tryptophan intrinsic fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy corroborate these data. 15 N HSQC NMR indicates that ES-BAX is structured, but some ES residues have suffered chemical shift perturbations, suggesting that the BH3 peptide interacts with some parts of the ES protein. ES and ES-BAX present similar stability to thermal denaturation. The production of stable hybrid proteins can be a new approach to the development of therapeutic agents presenting specificity for tumoral endothelium and improved antitumor effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helen Andrade Arcuri
- Departamento de Imunologia Clínica e Alergia da Faculdade de Medicina da USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe Lino
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natan Versati
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mario Sergio Palma
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, UNESP, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denize C Favaro
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ligia Morganti
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Lemke LS, Chura-Chambi RM, Rodrigues D, Cussiol JRR, Malavasi NV, Alegria TGP, Netto LES, Morganti L. Investigation on solubilization protocols in the refolding of the thioredoxin TsnC from Xylella fastidiosa by high hydrostatic pressure approach. Protein Expr Purif 2014; 106:72-7. [PMID: 25448595 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The lack of efficient refolding methodologies must be overcome to take full advantage of the fact that bacteria express high levels of aggregated recombinant proteins. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) impairs intermolecular hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, dissociating aggregates, which makes HHP a useful tool to solubilize proteins for subsequent refolding. A process of refolding was set up by using as a model TsnC, a thioredoxin that catalyzes the disulfide reduction to a dithiol, a useful indication of biological activity. The inclusion bodies (IB) were dissociated at 2.4 kbar. The effect of incubation of IB suspensions at 1-800 bar, the guanidine hydrochloride concentration, the oxidized/reduced glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratios, and the additives in the refolding buffer were analyzed. To assess the yields of fully biologically active protein obtained for each tested condition, it was crucial to analyze both the TsnC solubilization yield and its enzymatic activity. Application of 2.4 kbar to the IB suspension in the presence of 9 mM GSH, 1mM GSSG, 0.75 M guanidine hydrochloride, and 0.5M arginine with subsequent incubation at 1 bar furnished high refolding yield (81%). The experience gained in this study shall help to establish efficient HHP-based protein refolding processes for other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Simoni Lemke
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Chura-Chambi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniella Rodrigues
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jose Renato Rosa Cussiol
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalia Vallejo Malavasi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Geronimo Pires Alegria
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis Eduardo Soares Netto
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ligia Morganti
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil.
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15
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Rodrigues D, Farinha-Arcieri LE, Ventura AM, Chura-Chambi RM, Malavasi NV, Lemke LS, Guimarães JS, Ho PL, Morganti L. Effect of pressure on refolding of recombinant pentameric cholera toxin B. J Biotechnol 2014; 173:98-105. [PMID: 24445168 PMCID: PMC7114129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2013.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The production of recombinant proteins is an essential tool for the expansion of modern biological research and biotechnology. The expression of heterologous proteins in Escherichia coli often results in an incomplete folding process that leads to the accumulation of inclusion bodies (IB), aggregates that hold a certain degree of native-like secondary structure. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) impairs intermolecular hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, leading to dissociation of aggregates under non-denaturing conditions and is therefore a useful tool to solubilize proteins for posterior refolding. Cholera toxin (CT) is composed of a non-toxic pentamer of B subunits (CTB), a useful adjuvant in vaccines, and a toxic subunit A (CTA). We studied the process of refolding of CTB using HHP. HHP was shown to be effective for dissociation of CTB monomers from IB. Posterior incubation at atmospheric pressure of concentrated CTB (1mg/ml) is necessary for the association of the monomers. Pentameric CTB was obtained when suspensions of CTB IB were compressed at 2.4kbar for 16h in the presence of Tween 20 and incubated at 1bar for 120h. Soluble and biologically active pentameric CTB was obtained, with a yield of 213mg CTB/liter of culture. The experience gained in this study can be important to improve the refolding of proteins with quaternary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rodrigues
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN - CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L E Farinha-Arcieri
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia do Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A M Ventura
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia do Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R M Chura-Chambi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN - CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - N V Malavasi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN - CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L S Lemke
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN - CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J S Guimarães
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN - CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P L Ho
- Instituto Butantan, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L Morganti
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN - CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil.
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16
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Malavasi NV, Rodrigues DB, Chammas R, Chura-Chambi RM, Barbuto JAM, Balduino K, Nonogaki S, Morganti L. Continuous and high-level in vivo delivery of endostatin from recombinant cells encapsulated in TheraCyte immunoisolation devices. Cell Transplant 2009; 19:269-77. [PMID: 19951460 DOI: 10.3727/096368909x480927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endostatin (ES) is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis and tumor growth. Continuous ES delivery of ES improves the efficacy and potency of the antitumoral therapy. The TheraCyte system is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) semipermeable membrane macroencapsulation system for implantation of genetically engineered cells specially designed for the in vivo delivery of therapeutic proteins, such as ES, which circumvents the problem of limited half-life and variation in circulating levels. In order to enable neovascularization at the tissues adjacent to the devices prior to ES secretion by the cells inside them, we designed a scheme in which empty TheraCyte devices were preimplanted SC into immunodeficient mice. Only after healing (17 days later) were Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing ES injected into the preimplanted devices. In another model for device implantation, the cells expressing ES where loaded into the immunoisolation devices prior to implantation into the animals, and the TheraCyte were then immediately implanted SC into the mice. Throughout the 2-month study, constant high ES levels of up to 3.7 microg/ml were detected in the plasma of the mice preimplanted with the devices, while lower but also constant levels of ES (up to 2.1 microg/ml plasma) were detected in the mice that had received devices preloaded with the ES-expressing cells. Immunohistochemistry using anti-ES antibody showed reaction within the device and outside it, demonstrating that ES, secreted by the confined recombinant cells, permeated through the membrane and reached the surrounding tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- N V Malavasi
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares-IPEN-CNEN/SP, Centro de Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Yonamine CM, Prieto-da-Silva ARB, Magalhães GS, Rádis-Baptista G, Morganti L, Ambiel FC, Chura-Chambi RM, Yamane T, Camillo MAP. Cloning of serine protease cDNAs from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom gland and expression of a functional Gyroxin homologue in COS-7 cells. Toxicon 2009; 54:110-20. [PMID: 19341755 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2008] [Revised: 03/10/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Gyroxin is one of main serine proteases of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, representing about 2% of the protein content in the crude venom. It is a 33 kDa glycoprotein with 3.8% by weight of sugar moiety. This toxin induces hemotoxicity in mice and a neurological condition called barrel rotation syndrome. In the present work, we report the molecular cloning of five new nucleotide sequences from a cDNA library of the venom glands of a single specimen of C. d. terrificus. These sequences have been analyzed in silico with respect to their cDNA organization and similarity with other snake venom serine proteases (SVSPs). We also describe a rapid and efficient method for screening vectors for mammalian cell expression, based on the fact that SVSPs are difficult-to-express toxins due to the presence of several disulfide bonds and glycosylation in their structures. Thus, one of the Gyroxin cDNAs was subcloned into pSectag2 HygroA and pED vectors and used to transfect COS-7 cells. Expression of the functional recombinant Gyroxin isoform was achieved with this cell line with esterase activity in the conditioned culture medium, as revealed by immunoblot of secreted protein and standard anti-crotalic serum from Butantan Institute.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Yonamine
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN - CNEN, Cidade Universitaria, Av. Prof Lineu Prestes 2242, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo - SP, Brazil.
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18
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Chura-Chambi RM, Tornieri PH, Spencer PJ, Nascimento PA, Mathor MB, Morganti L. High-level synthesis of recombinant murine endostatin in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Protein Expr Purif 2004; 35:11-6. [PMID: 15039060 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2004.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2003] [Revised: 12/30/2003] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Endostatin, a carboxy-terminal fragment of collagen XVIII, has been shown to act as an anti-angiogenic agent that specifically inhibits proliferation of endothelial cells and growth of various primary tumors. Here, we describe the expression by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells of murine endostatin and of a tagged-fusion protein, (his)6-met-endostatin. A dicistronic mRNA expression vector was utilized in which endostatin cDNA was inserted upstream of the amplifiable marker gene, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). After transfection of the expression vectors, stepwise increments in methotrexate levels in the culture medium were applied, promoting gene amplification and increasing expression levels of the proteins of interest. The expression level of secreted native endostatin was about 78 microg/mL while the one for secreted (his)6-met-endostatin was about 114 microg/mL, for the best expressing clones. Characterization of physico-chemical and immunological activities of the proteins was performed using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The biological activities of recombinant endostatins were tested with a cow pulmonary artery endothelial (C-PAE) cell proliferation assay. Both recombinant endostatin and (his)6-met-endostatin inhibited, in a dose-dependent fashion, growth of C-PAE cells stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Chura-Chambi
- Molecular Biology Center, National Nuclear Energy Commission (IPEN-CNEN), Travessa R, 400, Cidade Universitária, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil
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