Expression of human calmodulin cDNA in Escherichia coli and characterization of the protein

A cDNA done of human calmodulin, isolated from liver, was subclonedinto the expression vector pKK233-2. The resulting expressionplasmid, designated pCWCaMl, produced human calmodulin in EscherichiacoliSG5. The cDNA was sequenced using novel primers designedfor use in plasmid-sequenclng protocols with pKK233-2 and pKK223-3.The expressed calmodulin was purified and subjected to NMR analysiswhich revealed a structure essentially the same as natural calmodulinisolated from human tissue. The activation of myosin light chainkinase by the genetically engineered human calmodulin and bovinebrain calmodulin was studied and found to be comparable to ahigh degree. The expressed calmodulin appears to be comparableto normal calmodulin and can be used for she-directed mutagenesisand structure/function investigations.     

新型异亮氨酸双加氧酶及其重组大肠杆菌合成羟基异亮氨酸

异亮氨酸双加氧酶（IDO）可特异性的转化底物L-异亮氨酸（L-Ile）生成4-羟基-L-异亮氨酸（4-HIL）,该产物具有促进胰岛素分泌的功能,可用于抗糖尿病、降胆固醇等。本研究结合了酶标显色和薄层层析（TLC）的方法从自然界中筛到了具有IDO活性的菌株,并将该菌株中的目的基因ido克隆到大肠杆菌中,获得重组表达菌株,并且验证该菌具有IDO的转化功能。本研究优化了转化反应体系和条件,同时通过30℃过夜温育菌体细胞的方法,使该菌株全细胞转化合成4-HIL的产率达到85%以上。     

A new recombinant procoagulant protein derived from the cDNA encoding human factor VIII

We have constructed new B domain deletion derivatives of humanfactor Vm (FVm) by manipulating the cDNA using recombinant DNAtechniques. One of these new derivatives, FVIII II, in whichamino acids 771(pro)–1666(asp) have been deleted, no longercontains the protease cleavage site at amino acid position 1648(arg)–1649(glu) known to be involved in the initial step ofFVin processing. We have expressed this molecule in both babyhamster kidney (BHK) 21 cells using the vaccinia virus (VV)expression system and have established Chinese hamster ovary(CHO) derived permanent cell lines expressing either recombinant(r)FVIII or FVIII II AD. The characteristics of FVIII II ADhave been compared to those of rFVIII and/or plasma derived(pd) FVIII. FVIII II All has the following properties: (i) itexhibits FVDI procoagulant activity; (ii) it is expressed at5-fold higher levels than is the complete molecule in comparablesystems; (iii) it migrates for the most part as a single majorband on SDS-PAGE, hi contrast to the complete molecule; (iv)it is activated to a greater extent by thrombin than is eitherrFVm or pdFVIII; and (v) it retains the ability to bind vonWillebrand factor (vWf).     

Effect of yeast extract on the expression of thioredoxin–human parathyroid hormone from recombinant Escherichia coli

Terrific broth, a complex medium containing a high content of yeast extract, was chosen to cultivate recombinant Escherichia coli with the plasmid encoding the fusion protein gene of thioredoxin (Trx) and human parathyroid hormone (hPTH). The volumetric yield of Trx–hPTH fusion protein in the culture with Terrific broth reached about 800 mg L^?1 after optimization. It was found that high content of yeast extract in Terrific broth promoted cell growth and Trx–hPTH fusion protein production. However, the more interesting fact was confirmed that high content of yeast extract was also responsible for the high‐level expression of Trx–hPTH fusion protein without specific inducer addition. Further studies indicated that the expression levels of Trx–hPTH fusion protein without specific inducer addition varied greatly with the content and the source of yeast extract contained in the media. Considering that some proteins are toxic to the host and their continuous expression may result in decreasing plasmid stability and protein yields, one should be cautious in selecting yeast extract in media for cultivating E. coli with plasmids carrying toxic genes under T7 control. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Processing of N-terminal unnatural amino acids in recombinant human interferon-beta in Escherichia coli

Incorporation of unnatural amino acids into recombinant proteins represents a powerful tool for protein engineering and protein therapeutic development. While the processing of the N-terminal methionine (Met) residues in proteins is well studied, the processing of unnatural amino acids used for replacing the N-terminal Met remains largely unknown. Here we report the effects of the penultimate residue (the residue after the initiator Met) on the processing of two unnatural amino acids, L-azidohomoalanine (AHA) and L-homopropargylglycine (HPG), at the N terminus of recombinant human interferon-beta in E. coli. We have identified specific amino acids at the penultimate position that can be used to efficiently retain or remove N-terminal AHA or HPG. Retention of N-terminal AHA or HPG can be achieved by choosing amino acids with large side chains (such as Gln, Glu, and His) at the penultimate position, while Ala can be selected for the removal of N-terminal AHA or HPG. Incomplete processing of N-terminal AHA and HPG (in terms of both deformylation and cleavage) was observed with Gly or Ser at the penultimate position.     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白7成熟蛋白在悬浮CHO-S细胞中的稳定表达

目的在悬浮CHO-S细胞中稳定表达重组人骨形态发生蛋白7(recombinant human bone morphgenetic protein7,rhBMP7)成熟蛋白。方法应用RT-PCR技术从BALB/c乳鼠股骨组织扩增mbmp7基因,克隆至质粒pMD18-T,通过定点突变3个氨基酸编码序列(G266S、S287N、D359E),得到重组克隆质粒pMD18-mbmp7_m3;将mbmp7_m3克隆至表达载体pCHO1. 0,构建重组表达质粒pCHO-mbmp7_m3,转染CHO-S细胞,利用嘌呤霉素和甲氨蝶呤进行两轮加压筛选,有限稀释法筛选单克隆细胞,ELISA法检测rhBMP7成熟蛋白的表达。结果从乳鼠股骨组织扩增的cDNA经测序与GenBank中登录的序列完全一致,点突变后测序与设计完全一致。获得了稳定表达rhBMP7成熟蛋白的单克隆细胞株,最高表达量为202 ng/mL。结论成功利用改造的mbmp7基因在CHO-S细胞中表达了rhBMP7成熟蛋白,为后续该制品工艺开发及产业化奠定了基础。     

重组大肠杆菌1,2,4-丁三醇合成途径的平衡优化

1,2,4-丁三醇(1,2,4-butantriol,BT)属于非天然化学品,是军工材料1,2,4-丁三醇三硝酸酯的前体。在重组大肠杆菌中,木糖经脱氢、脱水、脱羧和还原合成BT。但途径各反应不平衡使得中间代谢物积累限制菌体生长和产物合成。本研究首先通过CRISPR/Cas9敲除基因yjh G和yqh D构建无本底表达宿主菌,随后利用不同启动子组合调节BT合成途径中基因xdh、yjh G和yqh D的表达。结果发现,以P_inv表达醇脱氢酶基因yqh D使BT产量达到14.4g/L;以P_tac表达脱氢酶基因xdh和P_{rrn HP1}表达脱水酶基因yjh G的组合方式,BT产量达到15.6g/L,比对照菌株KXW3009分别增加5.9%和14.7%。本研究通过对中间代谢物木糖酸合成和代谢的组合优化,促进了BT的合成,为后续研究提供了借鉴。     

Biosynthesis of the vitamin E compound delta-tocotrienol in recombinant Escherichia coli cells

The biosynthesis of natural products in a fast growing and easy to manipulate heterologous host system, such as Escherichia coli, is of increasing interest in biotechnology. This procedure allows the investigation of complex natural product biosynthesis and facilitates the engineering of pathways. Here we describe the cloning and the heterologous expression of tocochromanol (vitamin E) biosynthesis genes in E. coli. Tocochromanols are synthesized solely in photosynthetic organisms (cyanobacteria, algae, and higher green plants). For recombinant tocochromanol biosynthesis, the genes encoding hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (hpd), geranylgeranylpyrophosphate synthase (crtE), geranylgeranylpyrophosphate reductase (ggh), homogentisate phytyltransferase (hpt), and tocopherol-cyclase (cyc) were cloned in a stepwise fashion and expressed in E. coli. Recombinant E. coli cells were cultivated and analyzed for tocochromanol compounds and their biosynthesis precursors. The expression of only hpd from Pseudomonas putida or crtE from Pantoea ananatis resulted in the accumulation of 336 mg L(-1) homogentisate and 84 microg L(-1) geranylgeranylpyrophosphate in E. coli cultures. Simultaneous expression of hpd, crtE, and hpt from Synechocystis sp. under the control of single tac-promoter resulted in the production of methyl-6-geranylgeranyl-benzoquinol (67.9 microg g(-1)). Additional expression of the tocopherol cyclase gene vte1 from Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in the novel formation of a vitamin E compound-delta-tocotrienol (15 microg g(-1))-in E. coli.     

The amino acid sequences in the C-terminal region of glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferases determine their soluble expression in Escherichia coli

Two similar genes, dnmL and rmbA in Streptomyces peucetius, which encode for glucose-1-phosphate (G-1-P) thymidylyltransferases were expressed in Escherichia coli under similar conditions. While RmbA was expressed in soluble form, DnmL was found as insoluble aggregates in inclusion bodies. The difference in expression of these similar proteins led to investigate into the amino acid sequences of these proteins by sequence alignment, hydrophobicity scale and homology modeling. These analyses showed that the two proteins are different only in the C-terminal sequences. Deletion of C-terminal sequence of DnmL increased the expression level of truncated DnmL. Substitution of C-terminal sequence of DnmL with RmbA also expressed the recombinant protein in soluble form. Finally, mutation of six amino acids in DnmL rendered the protein expressed in soluble form. These results suggested that the soluble expression of the thymidylyltransferases lies in the C-terminal sequences. In conclusion, these methods of protein engineering will be a rational tool for enhancing solubility of proteins expressed in E.coli.     

The hierarchy of mutations influencing the folding of antibody domains in Escherichia coli

In a systematic study of the periplasmic folding of antibodyfragments in Escherichia coli, we have analysed the expressionof an aggregation-prone and previously non-functional anti-phosphorylcholineantibody, T15, as a model system and converted it to a functionalmolecule. Introduction of heavy chain framework mutations previouslyfound to improve the folding of a related antibody led to improvedfolding of T15 fragments and improved physiology of the hostE.coli cells. Manipulation of the complementarity determiningregions (CDR) of the framework-mutated forms of T15 furtherimproved folding and bacterial host physiology, but no improvementwas seen in the wild type, suggesting the existence of a hierarchyin sequence positions leading to aggregation. Rational mutagenesisof the T15 light chain led to the production of functional T15fragments for the first time, with increased levels of functionalprotein produced from V_H manipulated constructs. We proposethat a hierarchical analysis of the primary amino acid sequence,as we have described, provides guidelines on how correctly folding,functional antibodies might be achieved and will allow furtherdelineation of the decisive structural factors and pathwaysfavouring protein aggregation.     

High-yield expression in Escherichia coli of soluble human alpha-hemoglobin complexed with its molecular chaperone

The alpha-subunits of human hemoglobin (Hb) have been more difficult to express than beta-chains owing to the high instability of alpha-chains. Here, we describe the production in Escherichia coli of a soluble recombinant alpha-Hb with human alpha-hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP), its molecular chaperone. To succeed in this expression, we have constructed a vector pGEX-alpha-AHSP which contains two cassettes arranged in tandem in the same orientation permitting to express alpha-hemoglobin and human AHSP. While the GST-alpha-Hb alone was expressed in E.coli as insoluble protein, even after adding lysate containing recombinant AHSP, the expression vector pGEX-alpha-AHSP permits the co-expression of soluble GST-alpha-Hb and GST-AHSP. The alpha-Hb, produced at a high yield of 12 to 20 mg per liter of culture, was then purified as a complex with its chaperone. Biochemical and biophysical properties of recombinant AHSP/recombinant alpha-Hb complex were similar to those of recombinant AHSP/native alpha-Hb complex as assessed by UV/visible and CO or O(2) binding properties. This co-expression technique can be use to study the interaction between a molecular chaperone and its target protein and, more generally, this system would be particularly interesting for the study of partner proteins when one or both proteins are individually unstable.     

Aqueous two‐phase systems for the recovery of a recombinant viral coat protein from Escherichia coli

In this study the use of an aqueous two‐phase system (ATPS) following the direct chemical extraction of a recombinant viral coat protein, from the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli, is evaluated. The driving force is the need to establish an economically‐viable process for the manufacture of a vaccine against human papilloma infection. The partition behaviour of recombinant L1 protein, the major structural protein of the virus, and DNA was investigated in a polyethylene glycol (PEG)–phosphate system. An evaluation of system parameters including PEG molecular mass and the concentrations of PEG and phosphate was conducted, to estimate conditions under which the L1 protein and DNA partition to opposite phases. ATPS extraction comprising a volume ratio of 1.00, PEG 1000 (18.0%(w/w)) and phosphate (15.0%(w/w)) provided the conditions for accumulation of DNA into the bottom phase and concentration of L1 protein into the opposite phase (ie partition coefficient of DNA; ln K_DNA < 0.0 and partition coefficient of L1; ln K_L1 > 2.5). The findings reported here demonstrate the potential of ATPS to recover recombinant protein released from E coli by direct chemical extraction. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Apomyoglobin as a molecular recognition surface: expression, reconstitution and crystallization of recombinant porcine myoglobin in Escherichia coli

Recombinant porcine myoglobin has been produced in Escherichiacoli using the cII fusion expression system of Nagai and Th?gersen[Nature, 309, 810–812 (1984)]. After processing and reconstitutionwith haem, the protein is gel-electrophoretically and spectrophotometricallyindistinguishable from native pig myoglobin. Large crystalsof both native and recombinant porcine myoglobin were grownfrom 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.1, 80% ammonium sulphate.The crystals belong to space group C2 (a = 156.9 ?, b = 42.0?, c = 92.2 ?, ß = 127.9?) and diffract to a nominal2.5 ? resolution. We plan to explore apomyoglobin as a bindingsurface in studies combining site-directed mutagenesis and X-rayanalysis. These experiments will be extended by studying thebinding of haem analogues to the mutant apoproteins.     

融合蛋白FliC-Pfs25在trxB和gor基因双突变大肠埃希菌中的表达

目的检测恶性疟原虫表面蛋白25(Plasmodium falciparum surface protein 25,Pfs25)与鼠伤寒沙门菌1相鞭毛蛋白(phase 1 flagellin of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium,FliC)的融合蛋白FliC-Pfs25,在硫氧还蛋白还原酶基因(thioredoxin reductase gene,trxB)和谷胱甘肽还原酶基因(glutathione reductase gene,gor)双突变大肠埃希菌Origami2(DE3)中的表达。方法将含有Pfs25和FliC基因的重组质粒pET28a(+)-fliC-pfs25转化Origami2(DE3),IPTG诱导表达融合蛋白FliC-Pfs25,破菌上清经Ni-Sepharose纯化,纯化产物进行SDS-PAGE及Western blot鉴定。将纯化的融合蛋白配制成不同的疫苗制剂免疫BALB/c小鼠,ELISA法检测小鼠免疫血清中抗Pfs25抗体水平。结果融合蛋白FliC-Pfs25在Origami2(DE3)中以可溶性形式表达;纯化的融合蛋白可被两个抗Pfs25的单抗mAb 1A6和mAb 4D10识别;融合蛋白与铝佐剂结合在小鼠中激发出抗Pfs25的抗体应答,但Origami2(DE3)表达的FliCPfs25与抗Pfs25单抗的反应以及在小鼠中激发抗Pfs25抗体的能力,均弱于大肠埃希菌BL21(DE3)表达的FliCPfs25。结论融合蛋白FliC-Pfs25在大肠埃希菌Origami2(DE3)中成功获得表达,但trxB和gor两个基因的突变未显示出能够提高该融合蛋白在大肠埃希菌中的表达量。     

Autophosphorylation of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in Escherichia coli

When the catalytic (rC) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK) is expressed in Escherichia coli, it is autophosphorylated at four sites, Ser10, Ser139, Ser338 and Thr197 (49). Three of these sites, Ser10, Ser338 and Thr197, are also found in the mammalian enzyme. To understand the functional importance of these phosphorylation sites, each was replaced with Ala, Glu or Asp. The expression, solubility and phosphorylation state of each mutant protein was characterized by immunoprecipitation following in vivo labeling with 32Pi. When possible, isoforms were resolved and kinetic properties were measured. The two stable phosphorylation sites in the mammalian enzyme, Ser338 and Thr197, were shown to play different roles. Ser338, which stabilizes a turn near the C-terminus, is important for stability. Both rC(S338A) and rC(S338E) were very labile; however, the kinetic properties of rC(S338E) were similar to the wild-type catalytic subunit (C-subunit). Ser338 most likely helps to anchor the C-terminus to the surface of the small lobe. Thr197 is in the activation loop near the cleft interface. Mutagenesis of T197 caused a significant loss of catalytic activity with increases in Kms for both peptide and MgATP, as well as a small decrease in k(cat) indicating that this phosphate is important for the correct orientation of catalytic residues at the active site. Replacement of Ser139, positioned at the beginning of the E-helix, with Ala had no effect on the kinetic parameters, stability or phosphorylation at the remaining sites. In contrast, mutation of Ser10, located at the beginning of the A-helix, produced mostly insoluble, inactive, unphosphorylated protein, suggesting that this region, though far removed from the active site, is structurally important at least for the expression of soluble phosphoprotein in E.coli. Since the mutation of active site residues as well as deletion mutants generate underphosphorylated proteins, these phosphorylations in E.coli all result from autophosphorylation.      

A new method for the extracellular production of recombinant thermolysin by co-expressing the mature sequence and pro-sequence in Escherichia coli

Thermolysin, a representative zinc metalloproteinase from Bacillus thermoproteolyticus, is synthesized as inactive pre-proenzyme and receives autocatalytic cleavage of the peptide bond linking the pro- and mature sequences. The conventional expression method for recombinant thermolysin requires the autocatalytic cleavage, so that production of a mutant thermolysin is affected by its autocatalytic digestion activity. In this study, we have established a new expression method that does not require the autocatalytic cleavage. The mature sequence of thermolysin containing an NH(2)-terminal pelB leader sequence and the pre-prosequence of thermolysin were co-expressed constitutively in Escherichia coli as independent polypeptides under the original promoter sequences in the npr gene which encodes thermolysin. Unlike the conventional expression method, not only the wild-type thermolysin but also mutant thermolysins [E143A (Glu143 is replaced with Ala), N112A, N112D, N112E, N112H, N112K and N112R] were produced into the culture medium. The wild-type enzyme expressed in the present method was indistinguishable from that expressed in the conventional method based on autocatalytic cleavage, as assessed by hydrolysis of N-[3-(2-furyl)acryloyl]-glycyl-L-leucine amide and N-carbobenzoxy-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester. The present method should be useful especially for preparation of active-site mutants of thermolysin, which might have suppressed autocatalytic digestion activity. The results also demonstrate clearly that the covalent linking between the pro- and mature sequences is not necessary for the proper folding of the mature sequence by the propeptide in thermolysin.     

Expression and characterization of an active and thermally more stable recombinant antifreeze polypeptide from ocean pout, Macrozoarces americanus, in Escherichia coli improved expression by the modification of the secondary structure of the mRNA

The cDNA clone coding for the ocean pout antifreeze polypeptide(AFP) was modified to improve translation of its mRNA in Escherichiacoli. A recombinant AFP (rAFP), MetLys-AFP-Lys, was expressedsuccessfully using the XPL promoter, and constituted 1–2%of total bacterial proteins. The rAFP was purified to homogeneityfrom the soluble fractions of bacterial extracts. Its identitywas confirmed by amino acid analysis, automated Edman degradation,immuno-blot and activity measurements. Although the rAFP isindistinguishable from the authentic AFP in its secondary structure,thermal hysteretic activity and the alteration of ice crystalstructure, it is, however, thermally more stable ({small tilde}4.5°Cincrease in T_m) and is more effective in inhibiting ice growthalong the a-axis. These investigations indicate that the extraamino acids in rAFP significantly improve the thermal stabilityand ice-binding activity of the polypeptide.     

Purification and renaturation of recombinant human lymphotoxin (tumour necrosis factor beta) expressed in Escherichia coli as inclusion bodies

High level expression of recombinant human tumour necrosis factor β (rh TNF-β) in Escherichia coli results in the formation of two portions of protein, namely soluble active protein and insoluble protein which is inactive and aggregates in the form of inclusion bodies (IBs). In this study, a procedure for purification and renaturation of rh TNF-β from inclusion bodies has been designed and verified experimentally with a product purity of more than 90% and a recovery of about 30%. The procedure includes washing of IBs with specific wash buffer (Triton X-100/EDTA/lysozyme/PMSF), their solubilization with 8 mol dm^?3 alkaline urea, purification with ion-exchange columns, refolding with renaturation buffer and finally concentration and desalination with an ultrafiltration membrane. The characteristics of the renatured protein were identical with those of purified protein from the soluble fraction as demonstrated by (1) SDS-PAGE, (2) cytotoxic activity on mouse L929 cells, (3) N-terminal amino acid sequence, and (4) gel filtration chromatography.     

Glu659Leu substitution of recombinant HIV fusion inhibitor C52L induces soluble expression in Escherichia coli with equivalent anti-HIV potency

The C-peptides used to prevent HIV infection, such as T20 and C34, are chemically synthesized, making them costly drugs. The sensitivity of peptides to protease also restricts their clinical application. We showed previously that C52L, a recombinant peptide produced in bacteria, is a potent anti-HIV C-peptide, although most of the peptide accumulates in inclusion bodies. Here we applied leucine and glutamine scanning mutagenesis to the heptad-repeat of C52L to produce an optimized variant of C52L that is potent and soluble when expressed in bacteria. We present that the substitution of Asn656 and Glu659 with leucine (peptide L14 and L15, respectively) can increase the helical content of this peptide. These substitutions also result in soluble expression. We measured the inhibitory activities of these mutant peptides against laboratory-adapted HIV-1 strains and found that L15 and its parental peptide C52L have equivalent anti-HIV activities. Moreover, L15 was found to be more stable to proteinase K digestion than C52L. Thus, we show that the L15 peptide can be expressed in a soluble state and exhibits potent anti-HIV activity. This peptide may be further developed as an anti-HIV therapeutic and/or microbicide for the prevention of HIV sexual transmission.