Expression of cholera toxin B subunit–lumbrokinase in edible sunflower seeds–the use of transmucosal carrier to enhance its fusion protein's effect on protection of rats and mice against thrombosis

Lumbrokinase (LK) is a group of serine proteases with strong fibrinolytic and thrombolytic activities and is useful for treating diseases caused by thrombus. Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) has been widely used to facilitate antigen delivery by serving as an effective mucosal carrier molecule for the induction of oral tolerance. We investigate here the application of CTB as a transmucosal carrier in enhancing its fusion protein‐LKs effect to protect rats against thrombosis. Thus, in this study, CTB‐LK fusion gene separated by a furin cleavage site was expressed in seeds of Helianthus annuus L. The activity of recombinant protein in seeds of transgenic sunflower was confirmed by Western blot analysis, fibrin plate assays and G_M1‐ganglioside ELISA. The thrombosis model of rats and mice revealed that the oral administration of peeled seeds of sunflower expressing CTB‐LK had a more significant anti‐thrombotic effect on animals compared with that administration of peeled seeds of sunflower expressing LK. It is possible to conclude that CTB can successfully enhance its fusion protein to be absorbed in rats or mice thrombosis model. The use of CTB as a transmucosal carrier in the delivery of transgenic plant‐derived oral therapeutic proteins was supported. In addition, for the purpose of that recombinant CTB‐LK was designed for oral administration, thus the expression of CTB‐LK in edible sunflower seeds eliminated the need for downstream processing of proteins. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:1029–1039, 2014     

Expression,purification, and characterization of recombinant lumbrokinase PI239 in Escherichia coli

Lumbrokinase (LK) is an important fibrinolytic enzyme derived from earthworms. It has been found that LK is composed of a group of isoenzymes. To construct and express the mature peptide of LK PI239 in Escherichia coli, we amplified and optimized the gene of LK which was then cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-22b(?). The recombinant LK (rLK) protein was expressed as inclusion bodies and we have developed a purification process of rLK from these inclusion bodies. A step-down urea concentration strategy was applied to the rLK renaturation process. The purified and renatured rLK apparently ameliorated the conditions of the model thrombosis rats used, and may be developed into a therapeutic agent for thrombotic-associated diseases.     

Production of Fibrinolytic Enzyme in Plastid-Transformed Tobacco Plants

The earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme, which belongs to a group of serine proteases with strong fibrinolytic activity, has been used as an oral drug for prevention and treatment of thrombosis in East Asia. Fibrizyme is a fibrinolytic enzyme isolated from the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Here we report genetic engineering of tobacco plastids with stable integration of the fibrizyme gene into the tobacco chloroplast genome. A plastid transformation vector was constructed by introducing various regulatory elements into fibrizyme cDNA. This vector was delivered by particle bombardment into tobacco leaf explants and plastid-transformed plants were subsequently regenerated into whole plants through several rounds of selection. We confirmed stable integration of the fibrizyme gene into the tobacco plastid genome by PCR and Southern blot analyses. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed that mRNA and protein of recombinant fibrizyme were highly expressed in transformed tobacco plants.     

蚯蚓纤溶酶的纯化及稳定性研究

蚯蚓纤溶酶（ＥＰＡ）抽提液经３０％ ～７０％ 饱和度的（ＮＨ４）２ＳＯ４ 盐析、ＤＥＡＥ—纤维素柱层析、Ｓｅｐｈａｄｅｘ Ｇ－７５葡聚糖凝胶过滤等纯化步骤,得到了具有纤溶活性的洗脱峰,置凝胶电泳后,得到四个活性组分,它们经５０℃保温６ｈ,活力上升６４％ ;在２ ｍ ｏｌ／Ｌ盐酸胍存在时,活力仅保存７．２％ ,当其浓度降低时,活力可恢复至９０％ ;在１％ ＳＤＳ存在时,活力仅保存１２．１％ ,但当ＳＤＳ除去时,活力又可恢复。因此,盐酸胍、ＳＤＳ均为ＥＰＡ 可逆性抑制剂。另外,ＥＰＡ 中含有较高的糖链（占总量的４５％ ）,具有良好的抵抗自水解作用。     

Crystal structure of earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme component B: a novel, glycosylated two-chained trypsin

The earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme (EFE), belonging to a group of serine proteases with strong fibrinolytic activity, has been used in a mixture as an oral drug for prevention and treatment of thrombosis in East Asia. The EFE component b (EFE-b) is one of seven EFE components from Eisenia fetida, and among them it has nearly the highest fibrinolytic activity. Here, we report its crystal structure at a resolution of 2.06A. The structural analysis shows that EFE-b should be classified as a trypsin from earthworm. However, it is distinct from other trypsins. It is a two-chained protease with an N-terminal, pyroglutamated light chain and an N-glycosylated heavy chain. Furthermore, the heavy chain contains a novel structural motif, an eight-membered ring resulting from a disulfide bridge between two neighboring cysteine residues, and a cis peptide bond exists between these two cysteine residues. The crystal structure of EFE-b provides the structural basis for its high level of stability and reveals its complicated post-translational modifications in earthworm. This structure is the first reported for a glycosylated two-chained trypsin, which may provide useful clues to explain the origin and evolution of the chymotrypsin family.     

Cloning and expression of earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme PM(246) in Pichia pastoris

We have cloned, expressed, and purified a novel earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme (EFE) of Lumbricus rubellus in Pichia pastoris. Its cDNA sequence revealed a 747bp region containing an intact ORF that encodes a protein of 246 amino acid residues, designated as EFE PM(246). While EFE PM(246) is distinct, its cDNA shows a high degree of sequence homologies with four other EFE cDNAs registered in GenBank. The recombinant EFE PM(246) was active, showing a fibrinolytic activity of 7.5 x 10(6)U/L in basal salts medium, a higher fibrinolytic activity than those produced in other expression systems. The recombinant EFE PM(246) expressed in basal salts medium was purified by a three-step purification procedure with a recovery rate of about 20%. This is the first report detailing the successful purification of a genetically engineered earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme. The main physiochemical features of the EFE PM(246), including temperature stability, pH resistance, and sensitivity to some protein inhibitors, were also characterized.     

向日葵籽壳黑色素的分离提取及生物活性研究*

目的:天然黑色素安全性高,兼具多种生物活性,深受消费者青睐,发展前景十分广阔。研究向日葵籽壳黑色素制备条件,以及抗氧化和吸附重金属生物活性,为其进一步应用提供理论基础。方法: 采用热碱提取、酸水解、有机溶剂洗涤和反复沉淀法,结合单因素与响应面分析法实现了黑色素的高效制备,利用氯化硝基四氮唑蓝还原法、分光光度法和静态吸附法进行抗氧化活性和吸附活性测定。结果: 成功制备了向日葵籽壳黑色素。提取结果表明最优工艺为氢氧化钠浓度0.11 mol/L、提取温度75.19℃、提取时间181.16 min、料液比为15.77∶1,向日葵籽壳黑色素得率为2.95%,与预测值相近,说明模型拟合良好,该优化工艺准确可行。抗氧化活性测定结果表明,向日葵籽壳黑色素清除超氧阴离子自由基、DPPH自由基的能力和还原力都高于合成型黑色素。吸附活性测定结果表明,向日葵籽壳黑色素对Pb²⁺、Cu²⁺和Cr³⁺的吸附效率高于合成型黑色素。结论: 与其合成型黑色素相比,天然黑色素既可作为着色剂,又兼抗氧化剂和吸附剂,且不亚于合成型黑色素的效果,可用于代替合成型黑色素开发的重要候选。     

Protective effect of composite earthworm powder against diabetic complications via increased fibrinolytic function and improvement of lipid metabolism in ZDF rats

Thrombosis is the leading cause of mortality globally. It is not only a complication but also a risk factor for progression of diabetes. However, alternative oral therapies and prophylaxis with less adverse effect for thrombosis have not been well studied. In this study, composite powder containing earthworm (CEP) was used and its fibrinolytic activity was measured. CEP was found to have a high urokinase-type plasminogen activator like activity in an in vitro assay. It also had significantly shortened euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) at 4 and 24 h after ingestion in Sprague Dawley rats. Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats were used to assess the effect of CEP on diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. After 10 weeks of feeding, CEP significantly shortened ECLT and attenuated HbA1c, hepatic lipid accumulation, and urinary albumin excretion and improved glomerular mesangial matrix score. Therefore, CEP may have beneficial effects on diabetes and diabetic nephropathy.     

蚓激酶在慢性乙型肝炎治疗中的潜在作用

纤连蛋白(FN)是参与乙型肝炎病毒感染和肝脏纤维化的重要分子。 蚓激酶(LK)是从赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia foetide)中提取的一组蛋白水解同工酶,能水解纤维蛋白治疗凝血相关疾病。 从这组同工酶中分离纯化出单一活性成分,在体外可降解纤连蛋白,被命名为蚯蚓纤连蛋白水解酶(EFNase)。 然而,LK 能否预防乙型肝炎病毒感染以及缓解因乙型肝炎导致的肝脏损伤等问题还不清楚。本研究以人肝癌细胞系HepG2.2.15为细胞模型,观察LK 对乙型肝炎表面抗原(HBsAg)或 FN 水平的影响;以 C57BL / 6J-HBV 转基因小鼠为动物模型,探讨 LK 对小鼠血清中 HBsAg、FN、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)水平及肝脏病理改变的影响。结果表明,LK 在体内外均能抑制HBsAg 的生成,降低血清和肝脏FN。与生理盐水处理组相比,LK 改善了肝脏的状态。这些数据为理解LK 作为治疗乙型肝炎的潜在有效药物的治疗作用提供了有价值的信息。     

Processing of transgenic corn seed and its effect on the recovery of recombinant beta-glucuronidase

The tools of plant biotechnology that have been developed to improve agronomic traits are now being applied to generate recombinant protein products for the food, feed, and pharmaceutical industry. This study addresses several processing and protein recovery issues that are relevant to utilizing transgenic corn as a protein production system. The gus gene coding for beta-glucuronidase (rGUS) was stably integrated and expressed over four generations. The accumulation level of rGUS reached 0.4% of total extractable protein. Within the kernel, rGUS was preferentially accumulated in the germ even though a constitutive ubiquitin promoter was used to direct gus expression. Fourth-generation transgenic seed was used to investigate the effect of seed processing on the activity and the recovery of rGUS. Transgenic seed containing rGUS could be stored at an ambient temperature for up to two weeks and for at least three months at 10 degrees C without a significant loss of enzyme activity. rGUS exposed to dry heat was more stable in ground than in whole kernels. The enzyme stability was correlated with the moisture loss of the samples during the heating. Transgenic seed was dry-milled, fractionated, and hexane extracted to produce full-fat and defatted germ fractions. The results of the aqueous extraction of rGUS from ground kernels, full-fat germ, and defatted-germ samples revealed that approximately 10 times more rGUS per gram of solids could be extracted from the ground full-fat germ and defatted-germ than from the kernel samples. The extraction of corn oil from ground germ with hot hexane (60 degrees C) did not affect the extractable rGUS activity. rGUS was purified from ground kernels and full-fat germ extracts by ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size exclusion chromatography. Similar purity and yield of rGUS were obtained from both extracts. Biochemical properties of rGUS purified from transgenic corn seed were similar to those of E. coli GUS.     

A biologically active rhIGF-1 fusion accumulated in transgenic rice seeds can reduce blood glucose in diabetic mice via oral delivery

Human insulin-like growth factor 1(hIGF-1) is essential for cell proliferation and used therapeutically in treating various diseases including diabetes mellitus. Here, we present that a recombinant hIGF-1(rhIGF-1) was expressed fused with the C-terminus of a rice luminal binding protein and accumulated highly in rice seeds, reaching 6.8+/-0.5% of total seed protein. The rhIGF-1 fusion was demonstrated to possess biological activity to stimulate cell proliferation. Importantly, the unprocessed transgenic seeds could significantly increase plasma rhIGF-1 level and reduce blood glucose of diabetic mice via oral delivery. Further studies suggested that transgenic seeds reduced blood glucose of diabetic mice by enhancing islet cells survival and increasing insulin secretion rather than increasing insulin sensitivity. These results indicated the potential of the novel fusion expression system in production and oral delivery of biologically active small peptides for diseases.     

Fractionation of transgenic corn seed by dry and wet milling to recover recombinant collagen‐related proteins

Corn continues to be considered an attractive transgenic host for producing recombinant therapeutic and industrial proteins because of its potential for producing recombinant proteins at large volume and low cost as coproducts of corn seed‐based biorefining. Efforts to reduce production costs have been primarily devoted to increasing accumulation level, optimizing protein extraction conditions, and simplifying the purification. In the present work, we evaluated two grain fractionation methods, dry milling and wet milling, to enrich two recombinant collagen‐related proteins; thereby, reducing the amount and type of corn‐derived impurities in subsequent protein extraction and purification steps. The two proteins were a full‐length human recombinant collagen type I alpha 1(rCIα1) chain with telopeptides and peptide foldon to effect triple helix formation and a 44‐kDa rCIα1 fragment. For each, ～60% of the rCIα1s in the seed was recovered in the dry‐milled germ‐rich fractions making up ca. 25% of the total kernel mass. For wet milling, ～60% of each was recovered in three fractions accounting for 20–25% of the total kernel mass. The rCIα1s in the dry‐milled germ‐rich fractions were enriched three to six times compared with the whole corn kernel, whereas the rCIα1s were enriched 4–10 times in selected wet‐milled fractions. The recovered starch from wet milling was almost free of rCIα1. Therefore, it was possible to generate rCIα1‐enriched fractions by both dry and wet milling along with rCIα1‐free starch using wet milling. Because of its simplicity, the dry milling procedure could be accomplished on‐farm thus minimizing the risk of inadvertent release of viable transgenic seeds. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009     

蚯蚓提取物对小鼠肿瘤动物模型的研究

目的 :研究蚯蚓提取物 (EFE)的免疫活性及抗肿瘤作用。方法 :采用小鼠移植性肿瘤S1 80 肉瘤及Heps肝癌的动物模型观察其肿瘤抑制作用。结果 :EFE对S1 80 肉瘤和Heps肝癌细胞的抑制率分别为 36 97%和 4 8 55% ;结论 :它对小鼠实体瘤细胞有明显的抑制作用 (P <0 0 1 )并提示对小鼠的细胞和体液免疫功能有显著增强作用。     

Effect of processing on the recovery of recombinant beta-glucuronidase (rGUS) from transgenic canola

This study addresses the processing of transgenic canola seed for production of recombinant proteins by using beta-glucuronidase (rGUS) as a model protein. The major processing steps that were investigated included dry and wet grinding of the seed, solvent extraction of canola oil, and protein extraction. rGUS in canola seed was stable for at least 2 weeks of incubation at 38 degrees C and for more than 5 months at 10 degrees C. At 70 degrees C, the residual activity changed inversely to the initial moisture content of the seed. The comparison of wet and dry processing revealed no significant differences in protein recovery. rGUS was stable during the defatting of transgenic canola flakes with hexane at 66 degrees C, whereas 2-propanol extraction at the same temperature reduced the extractable enzyme activity by almost 50%. The particle size of the ground seed was important for the extraction efficiency. A faster extraction and greater protein yield was achieved by extracting particles with an average diameter equal to or smaller than 255 microm. More than 80% rGUS was extracted in one stage with sodium phosphate buffer of pH 7.5.     

钜齿远蚓(Amynthas dancataa)纤溶酶的分离纯化及其若干性质

 以野生型钷齿远蚓为材料,组织匀浆后,经生理盐水抽提,硫酸铵分级沉淀,葡聚糖凝胶过滤和DEAE离子交换层析,得到两种纯的蚯蚓溶酶,具有强烈的溶解纤维蛋白的作用。它们都是糖蛋白,非寡聚酶,分子量分别为23,000、40,000。测定了一个酶的氨基酸组成,它对某些底物的作用,被一些抑制剂抑制的程度,说明它是练氨酸蛋白酶类、胰蛋白酶类酶     

Thrombolytic activity of terrilytin and its effect on the coagulating system of the blood]

The preliminary incubation of fibrinogen with terrilytin in vitro delayed the formation of the clot and accelerated the subsequent lysis. Terrylitin (in vitro) prolonged the recalcification time, lowered the thromboplastic activity and that of fibrinase, and also enhanced the fibrinolytic activity of the blood plasma. In experiments on dogs roentgenovasography revealed a considerable thrombolytic activity of terrilytin following its intravenous infusion to the animals with experimental thrombosis of the femoral veins.     

Mature Amaranthus hypochondriacus seeds contain non-processed 11S precursors

Amaranth is a dicotyledonous plant whose major seed storage proteins are globulins and glutelins. An unique feature of amaranth seeds is the presence of a fraction named albumin-2, that is extractable with water only after an exhaustive extraction of globulins and albumin-1. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that albumin-2 fraction could be constituted by a non-processed 11S globulin (proglobulin). To this end, the gene encoding the amaranth 11S subunit was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Subsequently, the recombinant proglobulin and albumin-2 purified from seeds were treated with a sunflower vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE). A 55 kDa component of albumin-2 was specifically cleaved into 38 and 17-15 kDa polypeptides, as a consequence of this endoproteolytic cleavage a change of the oligomeric state from trimeric to hexameric was observed. Amaranth 11S globulin fraction was not modified under these proteolysis conditions. Using VPE-specific antibodies, it was shown that amaranth expresses a 57 kDa VPE, and that both developing and mature amaranth seeds have VPE activity, although the increase of this activity during amaranth seed development is higher than that observed for sunflower seeds. These results confirm the presence of unprocessed 11S precursors in mature amaranth seeds; this phenomenon cannot, however, be attributed to low VPE activity during developing of amaranth seeds.     

Thrombosis and Oral Contraceptives: Possible Predisposition

The coagulation factors and components of the fibrinolytic system were examined in 31 women with a previous history of phlebographically-verified thrombosis during the use of oral contraceptives of the combined type. Special attention was given to the histochemically-determined fibrinolytic activator content of the wall of biopsy specimens of superficial veins. None of the patients was taking contraceptives at the time of the investigation. Pathological changes, particularly in the fibrinolytic defence system, were found in most of the patients. They may be regarded as predisposed to thrombosis, and one might wonder whether these patients would sooner or later have had their thrombosis even if they had not used contraceptives. The concentration of antithrombin III was normal, indicating that this test is of no value for detecting patients predisposed to thrombosis, who should preferably not take oral contraceptives.     

Expression of functional recombinant human factor IX in milk of mice

Human factor IX is synthesized in the liver and secreted in the blood, where it participates in a group of reactions involving coagulation factors and proteins that permit sanguinary coagulation. In this work two lines of transgenic mice were developed to express the FIX gene in the mammalian glands under control of milk β-casein promoter. The founding females secreted the FIX in their milk (3% total soluble protein). The stable integration of transgene was confirmed by southern blot analysis. The presence of the FIX recombinant protein in the milk of transgenic females was confirmed by western blot and the clotting activity was revealed in blood-clotting assays. The coagulation activity in human blood treated with recombinant FIX increased while the time of coagulation decreased. Our results confirm the production of a large amount of recombinant biologically active FIX in the mammary gland of transgenic mice.     

Enhancing of erythromycin production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharopolyspora erythraea</Emphasis> with common and uncommon oils

The enhancing effect of various concentrations of 18 oils and a silicon antifoam agent on erythromycin production by Saccharopolyspora erythraea was evaluated in a complex medium containing soybean flour and dextrin as the main substrates. The oils used consisted of sunflower, pistachio, cottonseed, melon seed, water melon seed, lard, corn, olive, soybean, hazelnut, rapeseed, sesame, shark, safflower, coconut, walnut, black cherry kernel and grape seed oils. The biomass, erythromycin, dextrin and oil concentrations and the pH value were measured. Also, the kinds and frequencies of fatty acids in the oils were determined. The productivity of erythromycin in the oil-containing media was higher than that of the control medium. However, oil was not suitable as a main carbon source for erythromycin production by S. erythraea. The highest titer of erythromycin was produced in medium containing 55 g/l black cherry kernel oil (4.5 g/l). The titers of erythromycin in the other media were also recorded, with this result: black cherry kernel > water melon seed > melon seed > walnut > rapeseed > soybean > (corn = sesame) > (olive = pistachio = lard = sunflower) > (hazelnut = cotton seed) > grape seed > (shark = safflower = coconut). In media containing various oils, the hyphae of S. erythraea were longer and remained in a vegetative form after 8 days, while in the control medium, spores were formed and hyphae were lysed.