利用噬菌体肽库筛选与HIV-1p24抗原结合的多肽

通过噬菌体展示技术筛选出与HIV-1p24抗原结合的多肽,为用多肽辅助p24抗原检测提供实验基础.以重组p24抗原为靶蛋白,对噬菌体随机七肽库进行三轮筛选,用EUSA鉴定第三轮筛选到的噬菌体克隆与p24重组抗原的结合能力,再对噬菌体克隆进行测序分析,同时研究了ELISA中噬菌体加入量及多种封闭剂对噬菌体特异性结合能力的...     

神经生长因子低亲和力受体(p75NTR)的模拟配基的筛选

人神经生长因子低亲和力受体 (p75NTR)转染R2细胞而建立的R2L1细胞 ,在去血清培养时发生凋亡 ,该作用可被神经生长因子 (NGF)所抑制 .用R2L1和R2两种细胞差式筛选噬菌体随机 7肽库和 1 2肽库 ,获得和p75NTR特异结合的噬菌体 .测定DNA序列后得到有关多肽的氨基酸序列 .7肽库共有序列为C (H D)LP(K M)HPM C ;1 2肽库优势序列为TLPSPLALLTVH .化学合成相应的 2个短肽 .用细胞结合法和ELISA方法证实阳性噬菌体和合成短肽能与p75NTR结合 ,并证实了它们对R2L1细胞去血清培养后的凋亡有抑制作用     

Smooth Muscle-Like Cells Generated from Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Display Marker Gene Expression and Electrophysiological Competence Comparable to Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells

The use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) differentiated toward a smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype may provide an alternative for investigators interested in regenerating urinary tract organs such as the bladder where autologous smooth muscle cells cannot be used or are unavailable. In this study we measured the effects of good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant expansion followed by myogenic differentiation of human MSCs on the expression of a range of contractile (from early to late) myogenic markers in relation to the electrophysiological parameters to assess the functional role of the differentiated MSCs and found that differentiation of MSCs associated with electrophysiological competence comparable to bladder SMCs. Within 1–2 weeks of myogenic differentiation, differentiating MSCs significantly expressed alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA; ACTA2), transgelin (TAGLN), calponin (CNN1), and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC; MYH11) according to qRT-PCR and/or immunofluorescence and Western blot. Voltage-gated Na⁺ current levels also increased within the same time period following myogenic differentiation. In contrast to undifferentiated MSCs, differentiated MSCs and bladder SMCs exhibited elevated cytosolic Ca²⁺ transients in response to K⁺-induced depolarization and contracted in response to K⁺ indicating functional maturation of differentiated MSCs. Depolarization was suppressed by Cd²⁺, an inhibitor of voltage-gated Ca²⁺-channels. The expression of Na⁺-channels was pharmacologically identified as the Na_v1.4 subtype, while the K⁺ and Ca²⁺ ion channels were identified by gene expression of KCNMA1, CACNA1C and CACNA1H which encode for the large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel BK_Ca channels, Ca_v1.2 L-type Ca²⁺ channels and Ca_v3.2 T-type Ca²⁺ channels, respectively. This protocol may be used to differentiate adult MSCs into smooth muscle-like cells with an intermediate-to-late SMC contractile phenotype exhibiting voltage-gated ion channel activity comparable to bladder SMCs which may be important for urological regenerative medicine applications.     

H-Ferritin-Regulated MicroRNAs Modulate Gene Expression in K562 Cells

In a previous study, we showed that the silencing of the heavy subunit (FHC) offerritin, the central iron storage molecule in the cell, is accompanied by a modification in global gene expression. In this work, we explored whether different FHC amounts might modulate miRNA expression levels in K562 cells and studied the impact of miRNAs in gene expression profile modifications. To this aim, we performed a miRNA-mRNA integrative analysis in K562 silenced for FHC (K562^shFHC) comparing it with K562 transduced with scrambled RNA (K562^shRNA). Four miRNAs, namely hsa-let-7g, hsa-let-7f, hsa-let-7i and hsa-miR-125b, were significantly up-regulated in silenced cells. The remarkable down-regulation of these miRNAs, following FHC expression rescue, supports a specific relation between FHC silencing and miRNA-modulation. The integration of target predictions with miRNA and gene expression profiles led to the identification of a regulatory network which includes the miRNAs up-regulated by FHC silencing, as well as91 down-regulated putative target genes. These genes were further classified in 9 networks; the highest scoring network, “Cell Death and Survival, Hematological System Development and Function, Hematopoiesis”, is composed by 18 focus molecules including RAF1 and ERK1/2. We confirmed that, following FHC silencing, ERK1/2 phosphorylation is severely impaired and that RAF1 mRNA is significantly down-regulated. Taken all together, our data indicate that, in our experimental model, FHC silencing may affect RAF1/pERK1/2 levels through the modulation of a specific set of miRNAs and add new insights in to the relationship among iron homeostasis and miRNAs.     

Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-Related Peptides Modulate Tyrosine Hydroxylase Gene Expression in PC12 Cells Through Multiple Adenylate Cyclase-Coupled Receptors

Abstract: We investigated the receptor mechanisms by which vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and related peptides exert their effects on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene expression. VIP, secretin, and peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) each produced increases in TH gene expression, as measured by increases in TH mRNA levels and TH activity. The concentrations at which the effects of these peptides were maximal differed for TH activity and TH mRNA. Moreover, maximal increases in TH activity were 130-140% of control, whereas maximal increases in TH mRNA were 250% of control. The concentration dependence of the increases in TH mRNA in response to the three peptides was analyzed by fitting the data to nonlinear regression models that assume either one or two components to the response. The data for secretin fit best to a model that assumes a single component to the increase in TH mRNA levels. The data derived for PHI and VIP fit best to models that assumed two components to the TH mRNA response. These data suggested that there may be more than one receptor or signal transduction mechanism involved in the response to the various peptides. We examined whether the peptides exerted their effects through common or multiple second messenger systems. The ability of maximally active concentrations of these peptides to stimulate increases in TH mRNA was not additive, indicating that the peptides work through a common receptor or signal transduction pathway. Each peptide stimulated increases in protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Secretin and VIP were ineffective in increasing TH mRNA levels in a PKA-deficient mutant PC12 cell line (A 126-1B2). Moreover, the adenylate cyclase antagonist 2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine prevented the increase in TH mRNA produced by each peptide. Thus, each peptide requires an intact cyclic AMP second messenger pathway to produce changes in TH gene expression, suggesting that the complex pattern of response to VIP and PHI revealed by concentration-response analysis was due to the actions of these peptides at multiple receptors. To evaluate this possibility, we examined the effect of several peptide receptor antagonists on the increase in TH gene expression elicited by VIP, PHI, and secretin. The secretin antagonist secretin (5–27) (20 μM) had no significant effect on VIP or PHI stimulation of TH gene expression, but reduced the effect of secretin. The VIP antagonist VIP (10–28) (20 μM) reduced the effect of VIP on increasing TH mRNA, but had no significant effect on the response of TH mRNA to secretin or PHI. Interestingly, the VIP antagonist [Ac-Tyr¹,D-Phe²]-growth hormone releasing factor [GRF(1–29)] amide (20 μM) potentiated the effect of VIP on elevating TH mRNA levels, but had no effect on secretin-stimulated TH mRNA induction. To determine whether this response was mediated through the cyclic AMP pathway, we examined the effects of the VIP antagonist [Ac-Tyr¹,D-Phe²]-GRF(1–29) amide on VIP stimulation of PKA activity. Although the antagonist had no effect alone, it enhanced stimulation of PKA activity by VIP. Taken together, these findings indicate that VIP and secretin stimulate TH mRNA through different adenylate cyclase-linked receptors and that a second VIP receptor may modulate TH induction by inhibiting VIP stimulation of PKA.     

β2微球蛋白在骨髓基质干细胞的表达

通过流式细胞技术和激光共聚焦显微镜探索骨髓基质干细胞（bone mesenchymal stemcells,BMSCs）β2微球蛋白（beta 2 microglobulin,β2M）的表达情况。取第3代相同状态的SD大鼠骨髓基质干细胞,分为A、B两组,A组为未分化的BMSCs,B组为软骨诱导分化1周的BMSCs,两组均采用流式细胞技术和激光共聚焦显微镜分别从数量和细胞轮廓上检测β2M的表达。流式细胞仪和激光共聚焦显微镜检测结果均表明,未分化BMscs的β2M表达明显低于软骨诱导分化的BMSCs。结果表明,未分化的BMSCs免疫原性较低,处于软骨分化的BMSCs免疫原性明显增强。     

骨髓间充质干细胞和部分肿瘤细胞中Nucleostemin基因的表达

以分离的人胚胎和大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞 (MSCs) ,6种肿瘤细胞株 ,裸鼠肿瘤和转移瘤组织为实验材料 ,以大鼠心肌组织和人胎盘组织为对照 ,探讨nucleostemin基因的表达情况 .RT PCR结果显示 ,nucleostemin基因在MSCs、肿瘤细胞和肿瘤组织中均有不同程度的表达 ,而大鼠心肌和人胎盘组织中无表达 .DNA测序结果证明 ,扩增的PCR产物与GenBank提供的DNA序列完全同源 .SCID裸鼠肿瘤动物模型定量PCR结果证实 ,nucleostemin的mRNA在裸鼠肿瘤组织和转移瘤组织中表达较高 .研究结果表明 ,在细胞中nucleostemin基因不同水平的表达可能与MSCs、肿瘤细胞的增殖和肿瘤的发生、发展与转移有关 .     

Novel Method for Selection of Antimicrobial Peptides from a Phage Display Library by Use of Bacterial Magnetic Particles

Antimicrobial peptides were isolated from a phage display peptide library using bacterial magnetic particles (BacMPs) as a solid support. The BacMPs obtained from “Magnetospirillum magneticum” strain AMB-1 consist of pure magnetite (50 to 100 nm in size) and are covered with a lipid bilayer membrane derived from the invagination of the inner membrane. BacMPs are easily purified from a culture of magnetotactic bacteria by magnetic separation. Approximately 4 × 10¹⁰ PFU of the library phage (complexity, 2.7 × 10⁹) was reacted with BacMPs. The elution of bound phages from BacMPs was performed by disrupting its membrane with phospholipase D treatment. Six candidate peptides, which were highly cationic and could bind onto the BacMP membrane, were obtained. They exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis but not against Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The amino acid substitution of the selected peptide, KPQQHNRPLRHK (peptide 6-7), to enhance the hydrophobicity resulted in obvious antimicrobial activity against all test microorganisms. The present study shows for the first time that a magnetic selection of antimicrobial peptides from the phage display peptide library was successfully achieved by targeting the actual bacterial inner membrane. This BacMP-based method could be a promising approach for a high-throughput screening of antimicrobial peptides targeting a wide range of species.     

噬菌体短肽库的构建及其随机短肽的多样性

噬菌体短肽库是将随机合成的寡核苷酸序列通过与单链噬菌体外壳蛋白基因融合,从而将随机短肽表达于噬菌体的表面。将体外随机化学合成的寡聚核苷酸序列重组到单价噬菌体表达载体,构建了噬菌体短肽库,证明其库容为２×１０￣７集落形成单位（ｃｆｕ）,重组率为９３％。同时将１１个随机克隆进行序列测定,证实其寡聚核苷酸序列和氨基酸的分布几乎是完全随机的,其多样性可以满足特异性短肽筛选的要求。     

Differential Gene Expression Profile Associated with the Abnormality of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia (AA) is generally considered as an immune-mediated bone marrow failure syndrome with defective hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and marrow microenvironment. Previous studies have demonstrated the defective HSCs and aberrant T cellular-immunity in AA using a microarray approach. However, little is known about the overall specialty of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). In the present study, we comprehensively compared the biological features and gene expression profile of BM-MSCs between AA patients and healthy volunteers. In comparison with healthy controls, BM-MSCs from AA patients showed aberrant morphology, decreased proliferation and clonogenic potential and increased apoptosis. BM-MSCs from AA patients were susceptible to be induced to differentiate into adipocytes but more difficult to differentiate into osteoblasts. Consistent with abnormal biological features, a large number of genes implicated in cell cycle, cell division, proliferation, chemotaxis and hematopoietic cell lineage showed markedly decreased expression in BM-MSCs from AA patients. Conversely, more related genes with apoptosis, adipogenesis and immune response showed increased expression in BM-MSCs from AA patients. The gene expression profile of BM-MSCs further confirmed the abnormal biological properties and provided significant evidence for the possible mechanism of the destruction of the bone marrow microenvironment in AA.     

Repair of Ear Cartilage Defects with Allogenic Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rabbits

The study aims to investigate the feasibility of repairing cartilaginous defects with chondrocytes induced from allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) in rabbits’ ear. BMMSCs were isolated and purified from New Zealand rabbits, in vitro amplified, and cultured in chondrocyte induction medium in order to acquire chondrocytes. After 3 weeks of induction, their phenotypes were confirmed as chondrocytes, then they were implanted onto novel polymeric scaffolds made from Poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) embedded with chitosan nonwoven cloth. The experimental group was transplanted with tissue engineering cartilaginous grafts composed of chondrogenetic BMMSC/scaffolds; the scaffold group was treated with scaffolds without cells, while in the control group, nothing was implanted. Specimens were taken at 6, 12, and 18 weeks after implantation, and the healing condition was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and toluidine blue staining. The right and left ears with cartilage defects of eighteen rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. In the experimental group, after 18 weeks of transplantation, the gross observation indicated that the cartilaginous defects were completely repaired by chondrocytes with smooth surface and similar color with the surrounding tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and toluidine blue staining suggested that the defective area was filled with mature cartilage cells with obvious lacunae but without obvious boundaries with the normal cartilage tissue, and that the new cartilage cells were evenly distributed with homogeneously dyed cytoplasm and smaller in size. The chondrocyte induced from allogenic BMMSC can be used to repair cartilage defects in rabbit’s ear.     

抗脐带间充质干细胞表面分子噬菌体ScFv抗体库的构建及初步鉴定

目的：利用噬菌体展示技术构建抗脐带间充质干细胞表面分子噬菌体ScFv抗体库。方法：收集P3代培养的UC-MSCs免疫BALB/c小鼠,提取其脾细胞总RNA,RT-PCR扩增全套VH和VL基因片段,将其先后克隆入噬菌粒pSEX81中,构建成完整的噬菌体ScFv抗体库。结果:构建的噬菌体ScFv抗体库的库容为2×107cfu,ScFv插入重组率为93％,BstN1酶切图谱呈不同多样性。ScFv抗体库经3轮初步筛选后插入重组率达100％,3个克隆出现了相同的酶切图谱,并且随着筛选次数的增加,输出/输入比明显提高,这说明抗体库得到了特异性富集。结论：成功地构建了抗脐带间充质干细胞表面分子噬菌体ScFv抗体库,这为将来筛选特异性抗体和进一步用于间充质干细胞表面特异性分子研究奠定了坚实的基础。     

GDF5基因真核表达载体的构建及其在恒河猴骨髓间充质干细胞中的表达

目的克隆人软骨组织生长分化因子5（GDF5）基因及构建GDF5基因真核表达载体,观察其在恒河猴骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）中的表达情况。方法采用反转录聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）从人胎儿软骨组织克隆hGDF5基因全长cDNA,插入pEGFP-C2载体,构建重组真核表达质粒pEGFP-C2-GDF5。重组质粒脂质体介导法转染MSCs细胞,荧光显微镜观察报告基因的表达,RT-PCR法检测目的基因表达。结果成功克隆人软骨组织GDF5基因和构建GDF5真核表达质粒pEGFP-C2-GDF5,克隆在载体上的基因长度为1505bp,包含全部cDNA编码序列1505bp,测序显示与Genbank上的序列一致。重组质粒转染恒河猴MSCs细胞得到表达,绿色荧光蛋白在转染24h后开始表达,72h达高峰,然后表达逐渐减弱。转染后72h可检测到GDF5mRNA表达。结论人GDF5基因在恒河猴MSCs细胞的成功表达为应用恒河猴模型开展基于细胞的基因疗法修复骨和软骨损伤研究奠定了必要基础。     

补骨脂素对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞成骨及成脂分化的影响

目的:探讨补骨脂素对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞成骨及成脂分化的影响及其可能机制。方法:选取3月龄无特定病原体级健康雌性SD大鼠25只,通过切除卵巢建立绝经大鼠模型。6周后,通过全骨髓贴壁法分离BMSCs并进行原代和传代培养,传至3代后进行成骨和成脂诱导,并按补骨脂素浓度梯度0、5、10、15、20μmol/L进行处理。细胞增殖2周后,通过碱性磷酸酶(ALP)染色实验和油红O染色观察BMSCs成骨和成脂的分化,应用蛋白免疫印迹法测定核心结合蛋白因子RUNX2、骨钙素(OCN)、增强子结合蛋白β(C/EBP-β)、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPAR-γ)的表达。结果:成骨诱导BMSCs在补骨脂素的作用下ALP染色呈阳性反应,且补骨脂素的浓度为15μmol/L时阳性反应最强。RUNX2、OCN蛋白的表达随着补骨脂素浓度的升高而升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。与空白组比较,成脂诱导BMSCs在补骨脂素的作用下油红O染色阳性反应程度出现下降,补骨脂素浓度为20μmol/L时,油红O染色阳性率最低。C/EBP-β、PPAR-γ蛋白的表达均随着补骨脂素浓度的升高而降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:补骨脂素体外可增强BMSCs成骨分化作及抑制BMSCs成脂分化,可能与其调节RUNX2、OCN、C/EBP-β和PPAR-γ蛋白的表达有关。     

短肽库中VEGF受体拮抗剂的筛选及生物学活性鉴定

为获得可溶性血管内皮细胞生长因子受体 (s VEGFR,soluble VEGF receptor)的拮抗剂 ,以固相化可溶性 VEGF受体 s Flt- 1和 s KDR通过生物淘选筛选噬菌体十二肽库 .采用 ELISA及竞争性 ELISA筛选阳性克隆 ,12 5I- VEGF竞争性放射免疫吸附实验进一步鉴定阳性克隆的体外结合活性 .经过 3～ 4轮生物淘选的短肽库有明显富集 .初筛后约 3%的噬菌体克隆可同时结合相应的可溶性受体及人脐静脉内皮细胞 .其中 6个克隆与内皮细胞的结合 ,可以部分地被变性复性处理的原核表达血管内皮细胞生长因子 (VEGF)竞争抑制 .4个噬菌体克隆可竞争性抑制 12 5I- VEGF与可溶性受体的体外结合反应 .两个 KDR阳性克隆 K2 37与 K93可在体外抑制内皮细胞的增殖 .克隆K2 37与 F90可抑制鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管形成 .阳性克隆可作为血管内皮细胞生长因子受体拮抗剂 ,具有良好的应用前景 .     

Effects of BMP-2 and FGF2 on the Osteogenesis of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Hindlimb-Unloaded Rats

Hindlimb unloading, as a simulation of microgravity, decreases the osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from hindlimb femur of rat. We simulated the microgravity by 28-day of hindlimb unloading for male Sprague–Dawley rat, and performed intramuscular injection of BMP-2 and FGF2 at a given interval during hindlimb unloading. Then, the bone marrow (BM) was collected from hindlimb femur of rat. MSCs were isolated from BM, cultured for four passages, and then induced for osteogenesis. The results revealed that the hindlimb unloading decreased the osteogenic potential of MSCs and also the expression of osteoblast gene marker mRNAs in cells induced by osteogenic conditions. Hindlimb unloading for 28 days resulted in the decrease of vinculin-containing focal adhesion in MSCs. During hindlimb unloading, the interval intramuscular injection of BMP-2 or FGF2 alone could increase the osteogenic potential of MSCs and the expression of osteoblast gene marker mRNA. However, the effect of BMP-2 or FGF2 injection alone was significantly lower than that of combination injection of both factors. The further examination showed that the intramuscular injection of BMP-2 promoted the expression of Runx2 mRNA and that the intramuscular injection of FGF2 increased the phosphorylation of ERK and Runx2. Nevertheless, the intramuscular injection of any factor could not increase the formation of vinculin-containing focal adhesions in MSCs. This suggests that BMP-2 should increase the expression of Runx2, and that the activation of Runx2 should be promoted by the FGF2 signaling pathway which activated ERK/Runx2. The activation of this signaling pathway should not lie on the formation of vinculin-containing focal adhesions.     

T7启动子在哺乳类动物细胞中启动外源基因表达的研究

人低密度脂蛋白（LDL）受体基因cDNA和氯霉素已酞转移酶基因（CAT）及PolyA信号序列被克隆进pGEM4载体的T7噬茵体启动子下游,构建成质粒pT7LDLR和pT7CAT．两个重组质粒转化CHO细胞．PCR和CAT酶实验显示：两个基因被T7噬菌体启动子所启动．结果证实真核生物RNA聚合酶能够识别T7启动子,转录外源基因．常用的含有T7启动子的质粒可同时作为原核生物和真核生物的表达载体．     

Chip-Based Comparison of the Osteogenesis of Human Bone Marrow- and Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells under Mechanical Stimulation

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) are considered as an attractive stem cell source for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. We compared human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and hASCs under dynamic hydraulic compression to evaluate and compare osteogenic abilities. A novel micro cell chip integrated with microvalves and microscale cell culture chambers separated from an air-pressure chamber was developed using microfabrication technology. The microscale chip enables the culture of two types of stem cells concurrently, where each is loaded into cell culture chambers and dynamic compressive stimulation is applied to the cells uniformly. Dynamic hydraulic compression (1 Hz, 1 psi) increased the production of osteogenic matrix components (bone sialoprotein, oateopontin, type I collagen) and integrin (CD11b and CD31) expression from both stem cell sources. Alkaline phosphatase and Alrizarin red staining were evident in the stimulated hMSCs, while the stimulated hASCs did not show significant increases in staining under the same stimulation conditions. Upon application of mechanical stimulus to the two types of stem cells, integrin (β1) and osteogenic gene markers were upregulated from both cell types. In conclusion, stimulated hMSCs and hASCs showed increased osteogenic gene expression compared to non-stimulated groups. The hMSCs were more sensitive to mechanical stimulation and more effective towards osteogenic differentiation than the hASCs under these modes of mechanical stimulation.     

Parallel in Vivo and in Vitro Selection Using Phage Display Identifies Protease-dependent Tumor-targeting Peptides

We recently developed activatable cell-penetrating peptides (ACPPs) that target contrast agents to in vivo sites of matrix metalloproteinase activity, such as tumors. Here we use parallel in vivo and in vitro selection with phage display to identify novel tumor-homing ACPPs with no bias for primary sequence or target protease. Specifically, phage displaying a library of ACPPs were either injected into tumor-bearing mice, followed by isolation of cleaved phage from dissected tumor, or isolated based on selective cleavage by extracts of tumor versus normal tissue. Selected sequences were synthesized as fluorescently labeled peptides, and tumor-specific cleavage was confirmed by digestion with tissue extracts. The most efficiently cleaved peptide contained the substrate sequence RLQLKL and labeled tumors and metastases from several cancer models with up to 5-fold contrast. This uniquely identified ACPP was not cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases or various coagulation factors but was efficiently cleaved by plasmin and elastases, both of which have been shown to be aberrantly overexpressed in tumors. The identification of an ACPP that targets tumor expressed proteases without rational design highlights the value of unbiased selection schemes for the development of potential therapeutic agents.