Isolation of plasmid DNA from cell lysates by aqueous two-phase systems

This work presents a study of the partitioning of a plasmid vector containing the cystic fibrosis gene in polyethylene glycol (PEG)/salt (K2HPO4) aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). The plasmid was extracted from neutralized alkaline lysates using PEG with molecular weights varying from 200 to 8000. The effects of the lysate mass loaded to the ATPS (20, 40, and 60% w/w) and of the plasmid concentration in the lysate were evaluated. The performance of the process was determined by qualitative and quantitative assays, carefully established to overcome the strong interference of impurities (protein, genomic DNA, RNA), salt, and PEG. Plasmid DNA partitioned to the top phase when PEG molecular weight was lower than 400. The bottom phase was preferred when higher PEG molecular weights were used. Aqueous two-phase systems with PEG 300, 600, and 1000 were chosen for further studies on the basis of plasmid and RNA agarose gel analysis and protein quantitation. The recovery yields were found to be proportional to the plasmid concentration in the lysate. The best yields (>67%) were obtained with PEG 1000. These systems (with 40 and 60% w/w of lysate load) were able to separate the plasmid from proteins and genomic DNA, but copartitioning of RNA with the plasmid was observed. Aqueous two-phase systems with PEG 300 concentrated both plasmid and proteins in the top phase. The best system for plasmid purification used PEG 600 with a 40% (w/w) lysate load. In this system, RNA was found mostly in the interphase, proteins were not detected in the plasmid bottom phase and genomic DNA was reduced 7.5-fold.     

Aqueous two phase extraction of invertase from baker's yeast: Effect of process parameters on partitioning

Invertase (β-d-fructofuronoside fructohydrolase) is an industrially important enzyme useful for the hydrolysis of sucrose. The potential of aqueous two phase extraction for the isolation and purification of invertase from crude baker's yeast is explored. Influence of the process parameters such as type of phase forming salts, PEG molecular weight, concentration of salt and polymer, tie line length and volume ratio on partitioning of invertase was studied. PEG 3350/magnesium sulphate system was found most suitable for the extraction which has resulted in favorable pH (5 ± 0.2) for the enzyme extraction. Polymer and salt concentration were found to significantly affect the degree of purification and enzyme recovery of invertase. The purity of ∼8.81 fold was obtained compared to crude extract with recovery of 77% at the standardized process conditions. Overall results demonstrated the feasibility of aqueous two phase extraction for the isolation and purification of invertase without the need of multiple steps.     

Role of polymer–protein interaction on partitioning pattern of bovine pancreatic trypsinogen and alpha-chymotrypsinogen in polyethyleneglycol/sodium tartrate aqueous two-phase systems

The partitioning pattern of bovine trypsinogen (TRPz) and alpha-chymotrypsinogen (ChTRPz) was investigated in a low impact aqueous two-phase system formed by polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and sodium tartrate (NaTart) pH 5.00. ChTRPz exhibited higher partition coefficients than TRPz did in all the assayed systems. The decrease in PEG molecular weight and the increase in tie line length were observed to displace the partitioning equilibrium of both proteins to the top phase, while phase volume ratios in the range 0.5–1.5 showed not to affect protein partitioning behaviour. Systems formed by PEG of molecular weight 600 with composition corresponding to a high tie line length (PEG 12.93%, w/w and NaTart 21.20%, w/w) are able to recover most of both zymogens in the polymer-enriched phase. A crucial role of PEG–protein interaction in the partitioning mechanism was evidenced by isothermal calorimetric titrations. The major content of highly exposed tryptophan rests, present in ChTRPz molecule, could be considered to be determinant of its higher partition coefficient due to a selective charge transfer interaction with PEG molecule. A satisfactory correlation between partition coefficient and protein surface hydrophobicity was observed in systems formed with PEGs of molecular weight above 4000, this finding being relevant in the design of an extraction process employing aqueous two-phase systems.     

Influence of partition parameters on a recombinant antigen of Schistosoma mansoni expressed on E. coli using poly(ethylene glycol)–hydroxypropyl starch aqueous two-phase system

This work describes the partition of a Schistosoma mansoni tegumental antigen produced by a recombinant Escherichia coli strain using an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and purified hydroxypropyl-starch (Reppal PES 100). The effects of the polymer molecular weight, tie line length and pH on antigen partitioning were investigated. The detection of the antigen in both phases was determined by ELISA. The system composed of PEG 8000 (5.1% w/w) and Reppal PES 100 (13.0% w/w) led to a yield of 92% and a purification factor of 12 concerning the antigen in the PEG-rich phase. It was observed that antigen partition in ATPSs was strongly affected by the pH and tie line length. In addition, it was possible in a single step, to remove the cell debris, which precipitated at the interface of the system.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of a Schistosoma mansoni recombinant protein from an Escherichia coli extract in aqueous two-phase system

This work describes the partition of a Schistosoma mansoni tegumental antigen produced by a recombinant Escherichia coli strain using an aqueous two-phase system composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and potassium phosphate. The effects of the polymer molecular weight, tie line length and pH on antigen partitioning were investigated. The detection of the antigen in both phases were determined by ELISA. The system composed of PEG 3550 (19.7% w/w) and potassium phosphate (17.7% w/w) led to a yield of 59% and an antigen purification factor of 3 in the PEG-rich phase. It was observed that the antigen partition in ATPS was strongly affected by the pH value and tie line length. In addition, it was possible in a single step, to remove the cell debris, that precipitated at the interface of the system.     

Partial purification of penicillin acylase from Escherichia coli in poly(ethylene glycol)–sodium citrate aqueous two-phase systems

Studies on the partition and purification of penicillin acylase from Escherichia coli osmotic shock extract were performed in poly(ethylene glycol)–sodium citrate systems. Partition coefficient behavior of the enzyme and total protein are similar to those described in other reports, increasing with pH and tie line length and decreasing with PEG molecular weight. However, some selectivity could be attained with PEG 1000 systems and long tie line at pH 6.9. Under these conditions 2.6-fold purification with 83% yield were achieved. Influence of pH on partition shows that is the composition of the system and not the net charge of the enzyme that determines the behaviour in these conditions. Addition of NaCl to PEG 3350 systems significantly increases the partition of the enzyme. Although protein partition also increased, purification conditions were possible with 1.5 M NaCl where 5.7-fold purification and 85% yield was obtained. This was possible due to the higher hydrophobicity of the enzyme compared to that of most contaminants proteins.     

Partitioning of glycomacropeptide in aqueous two-phase systems

The partition behavior of glycomacropeptide (GMP) was determined in polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium citrate aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). It was found that the partitioning of GMP depends on PEG molar mass, tie line length, pH, NaCl concentration and temperature. The obtained data indicates that GMP is preferentially partitioned into the PEG phase without addition of NaCl at pH 8.0. Larger tie line lengths and higher temperatures favor GMP partition to the PEG phase. Furthermore, it was verified that PEG molar mass and concentration have a slight effect on GMP partition. The increase in the molar mass of PEG induces a reduction of the protein solubility in the top PEG rich phase, being shown that the use of PEG1500 is beneficial for the extraction of GMP. A protein recovery higher than 85% was obtained in the top phase of these systems, clearly demonstrating its suitability as a starting point for the separation of GMP.     

Novel approach towards recovery of glycosaminoglycans from tannery wastewater

Poly ethylene glycol (PEG)-poly acrylic acid (PAA) based aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was selected as a practical model to recover glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from tannery wastewater. The influence of PEG molecular weight, tie line length (TLL), pH, temperature and NaCl concentration on the partition coefficient of glycosaminoglycans from tannery wastewater was studied. Partition coefficient of glycosaminoglycan decreases on increase of PEG molecular weight, NaCl concentration and temperature, whereas it increases with increase of pH. In the PEG-rich phase, increased partitioning of GAGs was observed with increase in TLL. The partitioning of GAGs was better in PEG 4000 at pH 8.0, 20 °C with a yield of 91.50%. This study demonstrates the potential application of ATPS processes for the recovery of GAGs from complex biological suspensions.     

Potential Aqueous Two‐Phase Processes for the Primary Recovery of Colored Protein from Microbial Origin

The primary recovery of c‐phycocyanin and b‐phycoerythrin from Spirulina maxima and Porphyridium cruentum, respectively, using an established extraction strategy was selected as a practical model system to study the generic application of polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐phosphate aqueous two‐phase systems (ATPS). The generic practical implementation of ATPS extraction was evaluated for the recovery of colored proteins from microbial origin. A comparison of the influence of system parameters, such as PEG molecular mass, concentration of PEG as well as salt, system pH and volume ratio, on the partition behavior of c‐phycocyanin and b‐phycoerythrin was carried out to determine under which conditions target colored protein and contaminants concentrate to opposite phases. One‐stage processes are proposed for the primary recovery of the colored proteins. PEG1450‐phosphate ATPS extraction (volume ratio (V_R) equal to 0.3, tie‐line length (TLL) of 34 % w/w and system pH 7.0) for the recovery of c‐phycocyanin from Spirulina maxima resulted in a primary recovery process that produced a protein purity of 2.1 ± 0.2 (defined as the relationship of 620 nm to 280 nm absorbance) and a product yield of 98 % [w/w]. PEG1000‐phosphate ATPS extraction (i.e., V_R = 1.0, PEG 1000, TLL 50 % w/w and system pH 7.0) was preferred for the recovery of b‐phycoerythrin from Porphyridium cruentum, which resulted in a protein purity of 2.8 ± 0.2 (defined as the relationship of 545 nm to 280 nm absorbance) and a product yield of 82 % [w/w]. The purity of c‐phycocyanin and b‐phycoerythrin from the crude extract increased 3‐ and 4‐fold, respectively, after ATPS. The results reported herein demonstrated the benefits of the practical generic application of ATPS for the primary recovery of colored proteins from microbial origin as a first step for the development of purification processes.     

Partitioning studies of α-lactalbumin in environmental friendly poly (ethylene glycol)—citrate salt aqueous two phase systems

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) formed by polymer and salt have been utilized to enrich the desired biomolecule into one of the phase with higher yield and purity. The eco-friendly, biodegradable poly ethylene glycol (PEG) and different citrate salts were chosen as ATPS phase components to investigate the partitioning behavior of α-lactalbumin (α-La). System factors and process parameters such as type and concentration of salt, molecular weight and concentration of PEG, pH, temperature and the effect of additives were studied and the results are discussed in detail. PEG 1000–tri-potassium citrate system yields high partition coefficient of 20 with a better yield of 98 % in the top phase. The addition of NaCl as an additive and acidic pH lowers the yield of α-La in the top phase. Influence of phase volume ratio (V _r) on partitioning was studied and found that the partition coefficient remains almost constant along the tie line. High yield was achieved at a V _r of 3.5 at the tie line length of 50.63 (%, w/w).     

Partial purification of α-amylase from culture supernatant of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> in aqueous two-phase systems

A study was made of the partition and purification of -amylase from a culture supernatant of Bacillus subtilis in the polyethylene glycol (PEG)—citrate aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). Factors that influenced the partition of the protein in this system, including the molecular weight of the PEG, the tie line length of ATPS, the pH value and the sodium chloride concentration, were investigated. Purification of -amylase was attained with a purification factor (PF) of 1.8 and 90% yield at pH 6.0 in a PEG1000-citrate ATPS with short tie line length. By utilizing the salt-out effect of neutral salt, the purification of -amylase was further improved to 2.0 of PF and 80% yield in a PEG3350-citrate ATPS with 4% sodium chloride.     

Technical improvement in the purification of enzymes from red algae using an aqueous two-phase partitioning system

The effective elimination of phycobiliproteins from crude enzyme preparation of the red alga Caloglossa continua (Okamura) King et Puttock (Ceramiales, Florideophyceae) was investigated in an aqueous two‐phase partitioning system (ATPS) by changing the concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ammonium sulfate (AS). The phycobiliproteins shifted from the AS‐rich lower phase to the PEG‐rich upper phase in high PEG and AS concentrations. The best ATPS condition for the elimination of phycobiliproteins from the lower phase was obtained by the combination of 20% (weight/volume; w/v) PEG and 16% (w/v) AS. However, the recovery of aldolase and mannitol‐1‐phos‐phatase activities was significantly reduced. For purification of the enzymes, a combination of 15% (w/v) PEG and 16% (w/v) AS was the best ATPS condition, because a high specific activity and recovery of the enzymes were obtained. Under these conditions, 98% of the phycobiliproteins were removed from the lower phase. Therefore, the ATPS proved to be a very useful method as a first step in the purification of enzymes from red algae.     

Aqueous two-phase extraction for protein recovery from corn extracts

Corn has been used as an expression host for several recombinant proteins with potential for large-scale production. Cost-effective downstream initial recovery, separation and concentration remain a challenge. Aqueous two-phase (ATP) partitioning has been used to recover and concentrate proteins from fermentation broths and offers advantages for integration of those steps with biomass removal. To examine the applicability of ATP partitioning to recombinant protein purification from corn endosperm and germ, ATP system parameters including poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecular weight (MW), phase-forming salt, tie line length (TLL), and pH were manipulated to control partitioning of extracted native proteins from each fraction. Moderate PEG MW, reduction of phase ratio, and added NaCl effected complete recovery of the hydrophobic model protein lysozyme in the top phase with ca. 5x enrichment and illustrates a favorable match of recombinant protein characteristics, expression host, and separation method. Furthermore, integration of protein extraction with the partitioning reduced the load of contaminating host proteins relative to the more traditional separate steps of extraction followed by partitioning. Performance of the integrated partitioning was hindered by endosperm solids loading, whereas for germ, which has ca. 35x higher aqueous soluble protein, the limit was protein solubility. For more hydrophilic model proteins (the model being cytochrome c), effective separation required further reduction of PEG MW to effect more partitioning of host proteins to the top phase and enrichment of the model protein in the lower phase. The combination of PEG MW of 1450 with 8.5 wt.% NaCl addition (Na(2)SO(4) as the phase-forming salt) provided for complete recovery of cytochrome c in the lower phase with enrichment of 9x (germ) and 5x (endosperm). As a result of lower-phase recovery, the advantage of simultaneous removal of solids is lost. The lower solubility of native endosperm proteins results in higher purity for the same enrichment.     

Partitioning features of bovine trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin in polyethyleneglycol-sodium citrate aqueous two-phase systems

The partitioning of bovine trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin--proteases of similar physico-chemical properties--in different polyethyleneglycol/sodium citrate aqueous two-phase systems was investigated. The effect of different factors such as polyethyleneglycol molecular weight, pH, tie line length, temperature and the presence of an inorganic salt on the protein partition coefficient were analysed. Both a decrease in PEG molecular weight and an increase in pH led to a higher partition coefficient for both enzymes. Aqueous two-phase systems formed by PEG of molecular weight 3350 and citrate pH 5.2 showed the best separation capability which was enhanced in presence of sodium chloride 3%. The transfer of both proteins to the top phase was associated with negative enthalpic and entropic changes.     

Application of TMA-PEG to promote C-phycocyanin extraction from S. platensis in the PEG ATPS

A novel aqueous two phase system (ATPS) using trimethylamine-polyethylene glycols (TMA-PEG) to promote the extraction of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) from S.platensis was introduced. The purity of C-PC (EP) obtained in the ATPS of PEG1000/Na₃PO₄ was increased 2.1 times by the addition of TMA-PEG1000. The purification factor was enhanced from 2.9 to 10.1 when 65% TMA-PEG1000 was added in the system. The ATPS operation must be carried out in the pH range of 6.0-7.0 and at temperatures less than 35 °C for maintaining the stability of C-PC. The partition coefficient and recovery ratio of C-PC increased with the increasing concentration of TMA-PEG. The system parameters like TMA-PEG1000 content, tie line length (TLL), pH, temperature and phase volume ratio (V_r) were screened and optimized using the fractional factorial design and Box-Behnken experiment design. The optimized system is composed of 11.8% PEG1000/TMA-PEG1000 (w/w), 64.42% TMA-PEG1000 (w/w PEG1000) and 9.5% Na₃PO₄ (w/w) with 38.19% TLL (w/w) and 0.89 V_r at pH 6.5 and 25 °C. The obtained value of EP was 5.21 in one-stage ATPS and 6.7 in two-stage ATPS. The recovery ratio of C-PC in the new ATPS extraction system was more than 97%.     

Direct purification of Burkholderia Pseudomallei lipase from fermentation broth using aqueous two-phase systems

An aqueous two-phase purification process was employed for the recovery of Burkholderia pseudomallei lipase from fermentation broth. The partition behavior of B. pseudomallei lipase was investigated with various parameters such as phase composition, tie-line length (TLL), volume ratio (V_R), sample loading, system pH, and addition of neutral salts. Optimum conditions for the purification of lipase were obtained in polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000-potassium phosphate system using TLL of 42.2% (w/w), with VR of 2.70, and 1% (w/w) NaCl addition at pH 7 for 20% (w/w) crude load. Based on this system, the purification factor of lipase was enhanced to 12.42 fold, with a high yield of 93%. Hence, the simplicity and effectiveness of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) in the purification of lipase were proven in this study.     

Removal of RNA impurities by tangential flow filtration in an RNase-free plasmid DNA purification process

Addition of animal-derived ribonuclease A to degrade RNA impurities is not recommended in the manufacture of pharmaceutical-grade plasmid DNA. Tangential flow filtration (TFF) takes advantage of the significant size difference between RNA and plasmid DNA to remove RNA in the permeate while plasmid remains in the retentate, in an RNase-free plasmid purification process. Operating conditions including transmembrane pressure, membrane pore size, conductivity of the diafiltration buffer, and plasmid load on the membrane were investigated to maximize RNA clearance. Although direct TFF of clarified lysate removed substantial amounts of RNA, the RNA levels left in the retentate were still significant. Calcium chloride is a potent precipitant of high-molecular-weight RNA. The addition of calcium chloride to the clarified lysate combined with the clearance of low-molecular-weight RNA by TFF resulted in complete RNA removal and high plasmid recovery.     

Purification of plasmid DNA using a multicompartment electrolyser separated by ultrafilter membranes

A simple, scalable method for purification of plasmid DNA is described. Plasmid DNA was released from Escherichia coli JM109 by lysis (1% SDS, 0.2 M NaOH). Then a neutralization solution (3 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 4.8) was added to precipitate genomic DNA and protein. After the clarification of the lysate, the supernatant was placed in a multicompartment electrolyser separated by ultrafilter membranes to remove the remaining contamination (RNA, genomic DNA and protein). A recovery of 75%±2% of total plasmid DNA was obtained after 60 min electrophoresis with a field strength of 8 V cm^–1 using cells at 30 g l^–1 (quantified by dry cell weight). Genomic DNA, RNA and protein were undetectable in the purified plasmid DNA solution.     

Rotavirus-like particles primary recovery from insect cells in aqueous two-phase systems

Virus-like particles have a wide range of applications, including vaccination, gene therapy, and even as nanomaterials. Their successful utilization depends on the availability of selective and scalable methods of product recovery and purification that integrate effectively with upstream operations. In this work, a strategy based on aqueous two phase system (ATPS) was developed for the recovery of double-layered rotavirus-like particles (dlRLP) produced by the insect cell-baculovirus expression system. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecular mass, PEG and salt concentrations, and volume ratio (Vr, volume of top phase/volume of bottom phase) were evaluated in order to determine the conditions where dlRLP and contaminants concentrated to opposite phases. Two-stage ATPS consisting of PEG 400-phosphate with a Vr of 13.0 and a tie-line length (TLL) of 35% (w/w) at pH 7.0 provided the best conditions for processing highly concentrated crude extract from disrupted cells (dlRLP concentration of 5 microg/mL). In such conditions intracellular dlRLP accumulated in the top phase (recovery of 90%), whereas cell debris remained in the interface. Furthermore, dlRLP from culture supernatants accumulated preferentially in the interface (recovery of 82%) using ATPS with a Vr of 1.0, pH of 7.0, PEG 3350 (10.1%, w/w) and phosphate (10.9%, w/w). The purity of dlRLP from culture supernatant increased up to 55 times after ATPS. The use of ATPS resulted in a recovery process that produced dlRLP with a purity between 6 and 11% and an overall product yield of 85% (w/w), considering purification from intracellular and extracellular dlRLP. Overall, the strategy proposed in this study is simpler than traditional methods for recovering dlRLP, and represents a scalable and economically viable alternative for production processes of vaccines against rotavirus infection with significant scope for generic commercial application.