hK-Fc融合蛋白的改良、表达及其生物活性的分析

为了延长人激肽释放酶(hK)的血清半衰期,提高分泌蛋白的产率,制备了重组激肽释放酶-IgG1 Fc融合蛋白(hK'-Fc)。采用PCR扩增hK基因和IgG1的Fc序列,用鼠源信号肽序列替换hK基因原有的信号肽序列,构建改良型融合蛋白hK'-Fc以及天然型融合蛋白hK-Fc的表达载体,转染中国仓鼠卵巢细胞(CHO)细胞,筛选稳定分泌融合蛋白的细胞株,通过Western blotting鉴定信号肽改造效果,利用Protein A+G亲合层析柱纯化融合蛋白,酶学实验检测融合蛋白的体外活性。结果表明:成功构建了pcDNA-hK'-Fc以及pcDNA-hK-Fc重组表达载体;获得了稳定表达融合蛋白的细胞株,产量达11mg/L以上;信号肽改造后融合蛋白的分泌效率提高约5～10倍;融合蛋白能水解其特异性的底物S-2266,具有生物学活性。本研究为进一步探讨融合蛋白的体内半衰期打下了坚实基础,也为研制治疗脑梗塞疗效更好的第二代hK蛋白和其他药用蛋白的改良提供新的线索。     

EH-L-Fc在CHO细胞中的表达、纯化及活性分析

目的:为延长重组新蛭素(EH)的半衰期,制备通过连接肽连接的重组新蛭素与IgG1Fc的融合蛋白EH-LFc,并对其进行功能分析。方法:采用重叠PCR技术构建Eh-L-Fc融合基因,克隆至表达载体pcDNA3.1,用脂质体将重组表达载体转染至中国仓鼠卵巢细胞(CHO)中,G418抗性筛选稳定克隆株;Western印迹检测培养上清中EH-LFc蛋白的表达,用有限稀释法对G418抗性筛选出的混合克隆单克隆化,通过Protein A亲和层析柱纯化融合蛋白,Lowry法检测蛋白浓度,SDS-PAGE、HPLC法检测目的蛋白纯度,质谱法分析相对分子质量,凝血因子Ⅹa裂解融合蛋白后采用纤维蛋白凝块法测定其抗凝活性。结果:构建了重组表达载体pcDNA3.1-Eh-L-Fc,并获得稳定表达EHL-Fc的细胞株。表达产物的相对分子质量为72 168,HPLC检测亲和层析获得的EH-L-Fc纯度达93.9%。完整的EH-L-Fc无抗凝活性,经凝血因子Ⅹa裂解后其抗凝比活性为96.6 ATU/mg。结论:获得稳定表达EH-L-Fc的CHO细胞株和较高纯度的重组融合蛋白,且该重组融合蛋白经凝血因子Ⅹa裂解后可释放抗凝活性。EH-L-Fc融合蛋白的获得为研究新蛭素的长效剂型奠定了重要基础。     

人组织激肽释放酶成熟蛋白在大肠杆菌中的高效表达

将编码人组织激肽释放酶成熟蛋白的基因片段扩增并分别克隆到原核表达载体pET2 8(b)及分泌型表达载体pET2 0 (b)中 ,使其C端融合 6×HisTag序列 .转化不同受体菌 ,IPTG诱导表达后利用SDS PAGE、免疫印记等方法对重组蛋白进行分析 .在 6株基因工程菌株中 ,均表达出分子量约30kD的激肽释放酶融合蛋白 ,其中激肽释放酶在pET2 8载体中的表达水平高于pET2 0载体 .pET2 8和pET2 0载体表达的重组激肽释放酶蛋白分别占菌体总蛋白约 2 6 %和 10 % .Western印迹分析表明 ,目的蛋白可与抗人血清KK单克隆抗体发生特异性反应 .未经纯化的激肽释放酶融合蛋白具有一定的水解苯甲酰精胺酸乙酯 (BAEE)的能力 .在大肠杆菌中获得了人组织激肽释放酶的高效表达 ,表达产物具有免疫原性和生物活力 ,这为研究其生物功能和开发基因工程药物奠定基础     

人sApo2L-Fc的分子构建及其在CHO细胞中的表达

目的：构建人sApo2L-Fc分子,在中国仓鼠卵巢细胞（CHO）中表达有生物学活性的人Apo2L-Fc融合蛋白。 方法：将sApo2L-Fc基因克隆入pcDNA3.1（+）表达载体,重组质粒转化大肠杆菌DH5α。挑取阳性克隆扩大培养,提取质粒进行酶切鉴定;采用脂质体法将重组质粒转入CHO细胞,经G418加压筛选、ELISA检测,挑选表达较高的阳性转化子扩大培养;表达的sApo2L-Fc融合蛋白经Protein A亲和柱纯化,纯化产物用SDS-PAGE、Western Blotting检测样品的分子量及免疫原性,用L929细胞进行生物活性测定。 结果：酶切鉴定及测序显示重组子构建与预想一致;ELISA证实了sApo2L-Fc融合蛋白在CHO细胞中的表达;SDS-PAGE检测到纯化产物的分子量与理论分子量相符;在同样的位置,Western Blotting显示阳性;L929细胞测定：纯化产物的生物学活性达1.0×105IU/mg。 结论：构建了sApo2L-Fc的表达载体,并成功地在CHO中表达,表达的sApo2L-Fc融合蛋白具有生物学活性。     

HBV PreS2+S/IFN-α融合基因真核表达载体的构建及其表达

构建含HBV PrdS2+S和IFN-α融合基因的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1.S2S/IFN-α并在真核细胞中进行表达.应用重叠延伸剪切技术(splicing by overlapping extension,简称SOE)经两次PCR获得嵌合基因片段S2S/IFN-α,回收后直接克隆到pcDNA3.1 V5/His TOPO TA克隆载体,得到真核重组载体pcDNA3.1.S2S/IFN-α.然后用脂质体法转染Vero E6细胞.对重组载体进行了限制性酶切及PCR鉴定,证明连接正确;经间接免疫荧光检测证实该重组载体能在真核细胞中表达插入的外源性基因编码的融合蛋白.真核表达载体pcDNA3.1.S2S/IFN-α的成功构建及在Vero E6细胞中的有效表达,为进一步探讨HBV感染的特异性免疫治疗提供了实验依据.     

IFN-λ1在HEK293T细胞中表达纯化及活性检测

[目的]构建IFN-λ1真核表达质粒,利用人胚胎肾HEK293T细胞表达系统,获得具有良好生物学活性的IFN-λ1重组蛋白。[方法]将IFN-λ1目的基因克隆到pcDNA3.1+载体NheⅠ与XhoⅠ多克隆位点构建pcDNA3.1-IFN-λ1分泌表达质粒,并将其转染到HEK293T细胞中;采用Ni-NTA亲和层析方法分离纯化重组蛋白,SDS-PAGE和蛋白免疫印迹(Western Blotting)检测IFN-λ1的表达与纯度;采用qPCR、WB结合显微镜观察检测IFN-λ1的生物学活性。[结果]IFN-λ1真核表达质粒构建正确,而且能够在HEK293T细胞中分泌表达重组蛋白,分离纯化的IFN-λ1能够有效地诱导ISG15、ISG54、ISG56、OAS1、TNFα、MX1和TRAIL等凋亡相关基因的表达,激活p38促凋亡信号通路,抑制水泡性口炎病毒对BHK-21细胞的感染。[结论]成功构建了pcDNA3.1-IFN-λ1真核表达质粒,能够在HEK293T细胞中分泌表达IFN-λ1重组蛋白;分离纯化的IFN-λ1重组蛋白具有潜在的抗肿瘤和抗病毒生物学活性,为进一步研究IFN-λ1的功能和临床应用奠定了基础。     

人组织激肽释放酶基因在哺乳动物细胞中的表达

克隆人胰腺组织激肽释放酶基因 (hKK) ,构建融合荧光蛋白基因的真核表达载体 ,在CHO细胞中表达 ,为开发激肽释放酶基因工程产品以及开展基因治疗高血压研究奠定了基础。提取人胰腺组织总RNA后 ,RT PCR扩增KK ,构建中间载体KSKK。从KSKK中切出激肽释放酶基因 ,插入真核表达载体pEGFP C2 ,构建出激肽释放酶带有荧光蛋白报告基因的表达载体pEGC KK ,测序分析后转染CHO细胞 ,荧光显微镜观察激肽释放酶基因表达。并进行SDS PAGE及Westernblot分析。成功克隆激肽释放酶基因 ,并在CHO细胞获得表达 ,克隆的人组织激肽释放酶基因可用于激肽释放酶基因工程产品开发以及基因治疗研究。     

HBV PreS2 S/IFN-α融合基因真核表达载体的构建及其表达

构建含HBVPrdS2 S和IFN α融合基因的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1.S2S/IFN α并在真核细胞中进行表达。应用重叠延伸剪切技术 (splicingbyoverlappingextension ,简称SOE)经两次PCR获得嵌合基因片段S2S/IFN α ,回收后直接克隆到 pcDNA3.1V5 /HisTOPOTA克隆载体 ,得到真核重组载体pcDNA3.1.S2S/IFN α。然后用脂质体法转染VeroE6细胞。对重组载体进行了限制性酶切及PCR鉴定 ,证明连接正确 ;经间接免疫荧光检测证实该重组载体能在真核细胞中表达插入的外源性基因编码的融合蛋白。真核表达载体pcDNA3.1.S2S/IFN α的成功构建及在VeroE6细胞中的有效表达 ,为进一步探讨HBV感染的特异性免疫治疗提供了实验依据     

人酪氨酸蛋白激酶Lyn的真核表达、纯化及鉴定

[目的]构建含人酪氨酸蛋白激酶Lyn基因的载体并进行真核表达、纯化和研究其对细胞增殖的影响。[方法]提取人Hela细胞总RNA,用RT-PCR方法获得Lyn基因并克隆至pcDNA3.1(-)载体。经双酶切、PCR和测序方法鉴定后,将重组质粒瞬时转染HEK 293T细胞表达目的蛋白,应用组氨酸标签镍离子螯合磁珠纯化融合蛋白,通过Western Blot检测蛋白的表达及纯化,并用CCK-8法检测过表达Lyn后细胞增殖能力的变化。[结果]成功构建真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1(-)-Lyn并进行瞬时表达和蛋白纯化,CCK-8法检测过表达Lyn的HEK 293T细胞的增殖能力显著性下降(P0.01)。[结论]Lyn在HEK 293T细胞中成功瞬时表达及纯化,并可以使细胞的增殖能力受到明显抑制,为稳定表达和深入研究其生物学功能及作用机制奠定基础。     

IκBα缺失突变体真核表达载体的构建、表达及其生物活性检测

旨在构建缺失N端前36个氨基酸的IκBα突变体真核表达载体,并对其表达及生物学活性进行检测.从人源子宫颈癌细胞HeLa中提取总RNA,利用RT-PCR的方法获得IκBα缺失突变体的cDNA,将其克隆至真核表达载体pcDNA3.1/myc-His A中,构建重组载体pcDNA3.1-IκBαΔN.通过PCR方法、NcoⅠ酶切以及核酸测序分析对其进行鉴定;采用Western Blot检测IκBα缺失突变体蛋白在HeLa细胞中的表达.将pcDNA3.1-IκBαΔN和pNF-κB-Luc共转染 HeLa细胞,经TNF-α诱导后,利用萤光素酶报告系统来检测重组载体对NF-αB的抑制活性.结果表明,经PCR方法、NcoⅠ酶切鉴定及核酸测序分析后,证实成功构建了重组载体pcDNA3.1-IκBαΔN;IκBα缺失突变体蛋白在HeLa细胞中高效表达,并对NF-κB有显著的抑制活性(P＜0.01).因此,真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-IκBαΔN构建成功,为一步研究NF-κB信号传导通路及其相关疾病提供有效的分子工具.     

Biochemical characterization of human kallikrein 8 and its possible involvement in the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins

Human kallikrein 8 (KLK8) is a member of the human kallikrein gene family of serine proteases, and its protein, hK8, has recently been suggested to serve as a new ovarian cancer marker. To gain insights into the physiological role of hK8, the active recombinant enzyme was obtained in a pure state for biochemical and enzymatic characterizations. hK8 had trypsin-like activity with a strong preference for Arg over Lys in the P1 position, and its activity was inhibited by typical serine protease inhibitors. The protease degraded casein, fibronectin, gelatin, collagen type IV, fibrinogen, and high-molecular-weight kininogen. hK8 also converted human single-chain tissue-type plasminogen activator (65 kDa) to its two-chain form (32 and 33 kDa) by specifically cleaving the peptide bond Arg275-Ile276. This conversion resulted in a drastic increase in the activity of the activator toward the fluorogenic substrate Pyr-Gly-Arg-MCA and plasminogen in the absence of fibrin. Our findings suggest that hK8 may be implicated in ECM protein degradation in the area surrounding hK8-producing cells.     

The human kallikrein protein 5 (hK5) is enzymatically active,glycosylated and forms complexes with two protease inhibitors in ovarian cancer fluids

The kallikrein family is a group of 15 serine protease genes clustered on chromosome 19q13.4. Binding of kallikreins to protease inhibitors is an important mechanism for regulating their enzymatic activity and may have potential clinical applications. Human kallikrein gene 5 (KLK5) is a member of this family and encodes for a secreted serine protease (hK5). This kallikrein was shown to be differentially expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in diverse malignancies. Our objective was to study the enzymatic activity and the interaction of recombinant hK5 protein with protease inhibitors. Recombinant hK5 protein was produced in yeast and mammalian expression systems and purified by chromatography. HPLC fractionation, followed by ELISA-type assays, immunoblotting and radiolabeling experiments were performed to detect the possible interactions between hK5 and proteinase inhibitors in serum. Enzymatic deglycosylation was performed to examine the glycosylation pattern of the protein. The enzymatic activity of hK5 was tested using trypsin and chymotrypsin-specific synthetic fluorogenic substrates. In serum and ascites fluid, in addition to the free ( approximately 40 kDa) form, hK5 forms complexes with alpha(1)-antitrypsin and alpha(2)-macroglobulin. These complexes were detected by hybrid ELISA-type assays using hK5-specific coating antibodies and inhibitor detection antibodies. The ability of hK5 to bind to these inhibitors was further verified in vitro. Spiking of serum samples with 125I-labeled hK5 results in the distribution of the protein in two higher molecular mass (bound) forms, in addition to the unbound form. The hK5 mature enzyme is active and shows trypsin, but not chymotrypsin-like, activity. The pro-form of hK5 is not active. Recombinant hK5 shows a higher than predicted molecular mass due to glycosylation. hK5 is partially complexed with alpha(1)-antitrypsin and alpha(2)-macroglobulin in serum and ascites fluid of ovarian cancer patients. The recombinant protein is glycosylated and its mature form shows trypsin-like activity.     

Expression and enzymatic characterization of recombinant human kallikrein 14

Human kallikrein 14 (KLK14) is a member of the human kallikrein gene family of serine proteases, and its protein, hK14, has recently been suggested to serve as a new ovarian and breast cancer marker. To gain insights into hK14's physiological functions, the active recombinant enzyme was obtained in an enzymatically pure state for biochemical and enzymatic characterizations. We studied its substrate specificity and behavior to various protease inhibitors, and identified candidate physiological substrates. hK14 had trypsin-like activity with a strong preference for Arg over Lys in the P1 position, and its activity was inhibited by typical serine protease inhibitors. The protease degraded casein, fibronectin, gelatin, collagen type I, collagen type IV, fibrinogen, and high-molecular-weight kininogen. Furthermore, it rapidly hydrolyzed insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). These findings suggest that hK14 may be implicated in tumor progression in ovarian carcinoma.     

Enzymatic profiling of human kallikrein 14 using phage-display substrate technology

The human KLK14 gene is one of the newly identified serine protease genes belonging to the human kallikrein family, which contains 15 members. KLK14 , like all other members of the human kallikrein family, is predicted to encode for a secreted serine protease already found in various biological fluids. This new kallikrein is mainly expressed in prostate and endocrine tissues, but its function is still unknown. Recent studies have demonstrated that KLK14 gene expression is up-regulated in prostate and breast cancer tissues, and that higher expression levels correlate with more aggressive tumors. In this work, we used phage-display substrate technology to study the substrate specificity of hK14. A phage-displayed random pentapeptide library with exhaustive diversity was screened with purified recombinant hK14. Highly specific and sensitive substrates were selected from the library. We show that hK14 has dual activity, trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like, with a preference for cleavage after arginine residues. A SwissProt database search with selected sequences identified six potential human protein substrates for hK14. Two of them, laminin alpha-5 and collagen IV, which are major components of the extracellular matrix, have been demonstrated to be hydrolyzed efficiently by hK14.     

Human tissue kallikrein 9: production of recombinant proteins and specific antibodies

Human tissue kallikreins (genes, KLKs; proteins, hKs) are a subgroup of hormonally regulated serine proteases. Two tissue kallikreins, namely hK2 and hK3 (prostate-specific antigen, PSA), are currently used as serological biomarkers of prostate cancer. Human tissue kallikrein 9 (KLK9) is a newly identified member of the tissue kallikrein gene family. Recent reports have indicated that KLK9 mRNA is differentially expressed in ovarian and breast cancer and has prognostic value. Here, we report the production of recombinant hK9 (classic form) using prokaryotic and mammalian cells and the generation of polyclonal antibodies. Total testis tissue mRNA was reverse-transcribed to cDNA, amplified, cloned into a pET/200 TOPO plasmid vector, and transformed into E. coli cells. hK9 was purified and used as an immunogen to generate polyclonal antibodies. Full-length KLK9 cDNA was also cloned in the vector pcDNA3.1 and was expressed in CHO cells. The identity of hK9 was confirmed by mass spectrometry. hK9 rabbit antiserum displayed no cross-reactivity with other tissue kallikreins and could specifically recognize E. coli- and CHO-derived hK9 on Western blots. hK9 was mainly detected in testis and seminal vesicles by Western blotting. The reagents generated here will help to define the physiological role of this tissue kallikrein and its involvement in human disease.     

Biochemical and enzymatic characterization of human kallikrein 5 (hK5), a novel serine protease potentially involved in cancer progression

Human kallikrein 5 (KLK5) is a member of the human kallikrein gene family of serine proteases. Preliminary results indicate that the protein, hK5, may be a potential serological marker for breast and ovarian cancer. Other studies implicate hK5 with skin desquamation and skin diseases. To gain further insights on hK5 physiological functions, we studied its substrate specificity, the regulation of its activity by various inhibitors, and identified candidate physiological substrates. After producing and purifying recombinant hK5 in yeast, we determined the k(cat)/K(m) ratio of the fluorogenic substrates Gly-Pro-Arg-AMC and Gly-Pro-Lys-AMC, and showed that it has trypsin-like activity with strong preference for Arg over Lys in the P1 position. The serpins alpha(2)-antiplasmin and antithrombin were able to inhibit hK5 with an inhibition constant (k(+2)/K(i)) of 1.0 x 10(-) (2)and 4.2 x 10(-4) m(-1) min(-1), respectively. No inhibition was observed with the serpins alpha(1)-antitrypsin and alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin, although alpha(2)-macroglobulin partially inhibited hK5 at high concentrations. We also demonstrated that hK5 can efficiently digest the extracellular matrix components, collagens type I, II, III, and IV, fibronectin, and laminin. Furthermore, our results suggest that hK5 can potentially release (a) angiostatin 4.5 from plasminogen, (b) "cystatin-like domain 3" from low molecular weight kininogen, and (c) fibrinopeptide B and peptide beta15-42 from the Bbeta chain of fibrinogen. hK5 could also play a role in the regulation of the binding of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 to vitronectin. Our findings suggest that hK5 may be implicated in tumor progression, particularly in invasion and angiogenesis, and may represent a novel therapeutic target.     

Human kallikrein 10, a predictive marker for breast cancer

Our laboratory is involved in identifying genes that can be used as early diagnostic or prognostic markers in breast cancer. We previously identified a gene (NES1) that is expressed in normal but not in transformed mammary epithelial cells (MECs). NES1 is located on chromosome 19q13.4 within the kallikrein locus and thus was designated as human kallikrein 10 (hK10), although we have been unable to detect any protease activity. Importantly, hK10 expression is decreased in a majority of breast cancer cell lines. Transfection of hK10 into hK10-negative breast cancer cells reduces the tumorigenicity. Using methylation-specific PCR and subsequent sequencing, we demonstrate a strong correlation between hypermethylation of hK10 and loss of mRNA expression. Further analysis showed that essentially 100% of normal breast specimens had hK10 expression, whereas 46% of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and the majority of infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) samples lacked the hK10 mRNA. Importantly, hK10-negative DCIS diagnosed at the time of biopsy were subsequently diagnosed as IDC at the time of definitive surgery. It has been shown that hK10 protein expression is regulated by steroids. In addition to breast cancers, hK10 is downregulated in cervical cancer, prostate cancer and acute lymphocytic leukemia, whereas it is upregulated in ovarian cancers. These results point to the paradoxical role of hK10 in human cancers and underscore the importance of further studies of this kallikrein.     

Human kallikrein 10 expression in normal tissues by immunohistochemistry.

The normal epithelial cell-specific 1 (NES1) gene (official name kallikrein gene 10, KLK10) was recently cloned and encodes for a putative secreted serine protease (human kallikrein 10, hK10). Several studies have confirmed that hK10 shares many similarities with the other kallikrein members at the DNA, mRNA, and protein levels. The enzyme was found in biological fluids, tissue extracts, and serum. Here we report the first detailed immunohistochemical (IHC) localization of hK10 in normal human tissues. We used the streptavidin-biotin method with two hK10-specific antibodies, a polyclonal rabbit and a monoclonal mouse antibody, developed in house. We analyzed 184 paraffin blocks from archival, current, and autopsy material, prepared from almost every normal human tissue. The staining pattern, the distribution of the immunostaining, and its intensity were studied in detail. Previously, we reported the expression of another novel human kallikrein, hK6, by using similar techniques. The IHC expression of hK10 was generally cytoplasmic and not organ-specific. A variety of normal human tissues expressed the protein. Glandular epithelia constituted the main immunoexpression sites, with representative organs being the breast, prostate, kidney, epididymis, endometrium, fallopian tubes, gastrointestinal tract, bronchus, salivary glands, bile ducts, and gallbladder. The choroid plexus epithelium, the peripheral nerves, and some neuroendocrine organs (including the islets of Langerhans, cells of the adenohypophysis, the adrenal medulla, and Leydig cells) expressed the protein strongly and diffusely. The spermatic epithelium of the testis expressed the protein moderately. A characteristic immunostaining was observed in Hassall's corpuscles of the thymus, oxyphilic cells of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and chondrocytes. Comparing these results with those of hK6, we observed that both kallikreins had a similar IHC expression pattern.