A favorable solubility partner for the recombinant expression of streptavidin

Recombinant streptavidin is extremely difficult to express at high levels in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli without the formation of inclusion bodies. Fusing a solubility enhancing partner to an aggregation prone protein is a widely used tool to circumvent inclusion body formation. Here, we use streptavidin as a target protein to test the properties of N-terminal fragments of translation initiation factor IF2 from E. coli as a solubility partner. Domain I (residue 1-158) of IF2 is superior to the well-established solubility partners maltose-binding protein (MBP) and NusA for soluble expression of active streptavidin. The number of active streptavidin molecules isolated by chromatography is increased threefold when domain I is used as solubility partner as compared to MBP or NusA. The relatively small size, high expressivity, and extreme solubility make domain I of IF2 an ideal partner for streptavidin and may also prevent other recombinant proteins such as ScFv antibodies from being expressed as insoluble aggregates in the cytoplasm of E. coli.     

E. coli expression of a soluble, active single-chain antibody variable fragment containing a nuclear localization signal

Single-chain antibody variable fragment (scFv) proteins consist of an antibody heavy chain variable sequence joined via a flexible linker to a light chain variable sequence. Prior work has shown that ScFv 18-2 binds the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and sensitizes cancer cells to radiation following nuclear microinjection. A potential clinical delivery strategy is based on modification of the scFv so that it can be taken up into cells and imported to the nucleus. This will require development of an expression system for a nuclear localization signal (NLS)-tagged scFv derivative. We found, however, that addition of the highly basic NLS severely compromised expression in the host–vector system used for the parental scFv. After testing a variety of host strains, fusion partners, and NLS sequences and placements, successful expression was obtained with a construct containing a stabilizing N-terminal maltose binding protein tag and a single, optimized, C-terminal NLS moiety. Amylose affinity-purified ScFv 18-2 NLS protein was stable to storage at 4 °C in the presence of glycerol or trehalose, bound selectively to an epitope peptide, and was cleavable at an engineered Factor Xa protease site. Following lipid-mediated uptake into cultured cells, NLS-tagged ScFv 18-2, unlike the parental ScFv 18-2, localized predominantly in the cell nucleus.     

抗人VEGF受体Ⅱ基因Ⅲ区单链抗体基因的构建和表达

采用RT-PCR技术从分泌抗人血管内皮生长因子受体Ⅱ（kinase insert domaincontaining receptor,KDR）基因Ⅲ区单克隆抗体Ycom1D3的杂交瘤细胞中克隆出VH和VL可变区基因,通过重叠延伸拼接（spliceoverlap extension）PCR方法在V_H和V_L基因之间引入柔性短肽（Gly₄Ser）₃,体外构建Ycom1D3单链抗体基因Ycom1D3-ScFv）,将其克隆至pAYZ表达载体,在大肠杆菌中表达。SDS-PAGE和Westernblot分析结果表明,Ycom1D3-ScFv在E.coli 16C9中获得表达,重组蛋白的相对分子量为30kD,与预期结果一致。表达产物主要以不溶性包涵体形式存在,经过溶解包涵体,TALON 金属亲合层析基质（TALON metal affinity resin）纯化和体外复性过程,获得了高纯度的单链抗体片段。流式细胞分析结果证实该单链抗体可与人脐静脉内皮细胞结合,保留了鼠源单抗与KDR抗原的特异性结合活性。抗KDRⅢ单链抗体基因Ycom1D3-ScFv的成功构建和功能性表达为靶向诊断治疗及进一步基因工程改造奠定了基础。     

Enhanced transport of plant‐produced rabies single‐chain antibody‐RVG peptide fusion protein across an in cellulo blood–brain barrier device

The biomedical applications of antibody engineering are developing rapidly and have been expanded to plant expression platforms. In this study, we have generated a novel antibody molecule in planta for targeted delivery across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Rabies virus (RABV) is a neurotropic virus for which there is no effective treatment after entry into the central nervous system. This study investigated the use of a RABV glycoprotein peptide sequence to assist delivery of a rabies neutralizing single‐chain antibody (ScFv) across an in cellulo model of human BBB. The 29 amino acid rabies virus peptide (RVG) recognizes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR) at neuromuscular junctions and the BBB. ScFv and ScFv‐RVG fusion proteins were produced in Nicotiana benthamiana by transient expression. Both molecules were successfully expressed and purified, but the ScFv expression level was significantly higher than that of ScFv‐RVG fusion. Both ScFv and ScFv‐RVG fusion molecules had potent neutralization activity against RABVin cellulo. The ScFv‐RVG fusion demonstrated increased binding to nAchR and entry into neuronal cells, compared to ScFv alone. Additionally, a human brain endothelial cell line BBB model was used to demonstrate that plant‐produced ScFv‐RVG^P fusion could translocate across the cells. This study indicates that the plant‐produced ScFv‐RVG^P fusion protein was able to cross the in celluloBBB and neutralize RABV.     

IgG‐single chain Fv fusion protein therapeutic for alzheimer's disease: Expression in CHO cells and pharmacokinetics and brain delivery in the rhesus monkey

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) directed against the Abeta amyloid peptide of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are potential new therapies for AD, since these antibodies disaggregate brain amyloid plaque. However, the MAb is not transported across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). To enable BBB transport, a single chain Fv (ScFv) antibody against the Abeta peptide of AD was re‐engineered as a fusion protein with the MAb against the human insulin receptor (HIR). The HIRMAb acts as a molecular Trojan horse to ferry the ScFv therapeutic antibody across the BBB. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were stably transfected with a tandem vector encoding the heavy and light chains of the HIRMAb–ScFv fusion protein. A high secreting line was isolated following methotrexate amplification and dilutional cloning. The HIRMAb–ScFv fusion protein in conditioned serum‐free medium was purified by protein A affinity chromatography. The fusion protein was stable as a liquid formulation, and retained high‐affinity binding of both the HIR and the Abeta amyloid peptide. The HIRMAb–ScFv fusion protein was radiolabeled with the ¹²⁵I‐Bolton–Hunter reagent, followed by measurement of the pharmacokinetics of plasma clearance and brain uptake in the adult Rhesus monkey. The HIRMAb–ScFv fusion protein was rapidly cleared from plasma and was transported across the primate BBB in vivo. In conclusion, the HIRMAb–ScFv fusion protein is a new class of antibody‐based therapeutic for AD that has been specifically engineered to cross the human BBB. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 105: 627–635. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

抗人肿瘤坏死因子-α单链抗体与其配体的相互作用

为了在大肠杆菌中表达纯化抗人 TNF- α单链抗体并检测其结合活性与中和活性 .利用GST融合蛋白系统在大肠杆菌中表达抗人 TNF- α单链抗体 E6Sc Fv;分离包含体后进行变性和复性 ,再用亲和层析法进行纯化 ;用 ELISA法和酵母双杂交系统检测 E6Sc Fv与配体的结合 ;用 L92 9细胞检测 E6Sc Fv对人 TNF- α细胞毒作用的中和活性 .经变性 ,复性与亲和层析 ,E6Sc Fv被纯化 ,在 SDS- PAGE上为单一蛋白带 ;体外结合与中和实验表明 ,表达纯化的 E6Sc Fv可与人 TNF-α结合并中和其细胞毒活性 ;进一步用酵母双杂交系统证明当表达于细胞内时 ,E6Sc Fv仍保持了与TNF-α相结合的能力 .     

The soluble expression of the human renin binding protein using fusion partners: A comparison of ubiquitin,thioredoxin, maltose binding protein and NusA

human renin binding protein (hRnBp), showingN-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase activity, was over-expressed inE. coli, but was mainly present as an inclusion body. To improve its solubility and activity, ubiquitin (Ub), thioredoxin (Trx), maltose binding protein (MBP) and NusA, were used as fusion partners. The comparative solubilities of the fusion proteins were, from most to least soluble: NusA, MBP, Trx, Ub. Only the MBP fusion did not significantly reduce the activity of hRnBp, but enhanced the stability. The Origami (DE3), permitting a more oxidative environment for the cytoplasm inE. coli, helped to increase its functional activity.     

卵巢癌抗独特型单链抗体3D_5ScFv的高效表达

对 3D5卵巢癌抗独特型单链抗体进行原核系统的高效表达 .采用DNA重组技术 ,将 3D5ScFv克隆到原核表达载体pTMF中 ,重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL2 1(DE3) ;IPTG诱导表达 ,SDS PAGE鉴定蛋白质的分子量约为 2 8kD ;通过直接ELISA、竞争抑制实验和Western印迹分别检测其活性 .3D5ScFv以包涵体的形式获得高效表达 ,占菌体总蛋白 36 % ,变性复性后蛋白的纯度大于 90 % ,表达蛋白能与卵巢癌抗体OC12 5特异性结合 ,并能有效抑制卵巢癌抗原CA 12 5与卵巢癌抗体OC 12 5的特异性的结合 .3D5ScFv在原核系统中获得了高效表达 ,并具有较好的活性 ,为抗独特型抗体的人源化改造提供必要的元件     

Expression of single chain antibodies (ScFvs) for c-myc oncoprotein in recombinant Escherichia coli membranes by using the ice-nucleation protein of Pseudomonas syringae

The ice nucleation protein (INP) is a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchored outer membrane protein found in certain Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, the INP from Pseudomonas syringae was applied as a fusion partner with the single chain antibody fragment (ScFv) against the human oncoprotein c-myc. Two new plasmids pNinaZ-myc and pNinaZScFv-BsaA1 were constructed and cloned into Escherichia coli JM109. The expression of the fusion protein was successfully demonstrated in the cloned cells. The fusion proteins had no effect on the viability of the host cells. Ice nucleation activity measurements and flow cytometry studies were followed to investigate the membrane expression of the fusion protein.     

重组抗HER2 ScFv/tBid 基因的表达对SGC7901胃癌细胞的促凋亡作用

目的：构建重组抗HER2 ScFv/tBid载体并观察其对胃癌SGC7901细胞的促凋亡作用。 方法： 将重组抗HER2 ScFv/tBid基因克隆入真核表达载体pCMV中,转染SGC7901细胞,用RT-PCR方法检测目的基因在mRNA水平的表达,间接免疫荧光法检测目的蛋白表达和细胞形态学变化,通过细胞计数检测转染目的基因后对细胞生长的影响,通过检测细胞周期来观察其促凋亡作用。 结果：转染SGC7901细胞后,检测出目的蛋白的表达。细胞计数发现细胞的增殖被明显抑制。细胞周期分析有明显的凋亡峰出现,说明重组抗HER2 ScFv/tBid表达后有促凋亡作用。 结论： 重组抗HER2 ScFv/tBid基因可以在转染的SGC7901细胞中表达,并且可抑制转染细胞的生长,诱导细胞发生凋亡。     

鼠抗人纤维蛋白单链抗体-尿激酶杂合基因的构建及其在中国仓鼠卵巢细胞中的表达

采用 DNA重组技术构建了表达鼠抗人纤维蛋白单链抗体与低分子量尿激酶融合基因的真核表达载体。通过磷酸钙共沉淀法 ,将该表达载体转染到中国仓鼠卵巢细胞二氢叶酸还原酶基因缺陷株 ( CHO- dhfr-)中 ,利用选择培养基筛选出稳定表达的细胞株 ,溶解圈法测定融合蛋白的表达水平为每 1 0 6细胞每天 5 8IU。该融合蛋白保留了与纤维蛋白的结合活性和溶解纤维蛋白的溶纤活性。SDS- PAGE,Western印迹法分析证明融合蛋白的相对分子质量约为 70× 1 0 3     

Fusion Protein Strategy to Increase Expression and Solubility of Hypervariable Region of VP2 Protein of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus in Escherichia coli

Infectious bursal disease is one of the most important viral diseases in the young chickens. VP2 protein is the major host protective immunogen of the virus. A hypervariable region is present in VP2 protein (hvVP2) that contains immunodominant epitops. The high hydrophobicity of hvVP2 region causes protein aggregation in Escherichia coli (E. coli). The objective of the present study was to improve the expression and the solubility of the hvVP2 protein in E. coli. The effects of fusion partners on the solubility of hvVP2 protein were studied. The protein was expressed in forms of unfused and N-terminally fused to GST and NusA. The results showed that the unfused hvVP2 protein was expressed in very low level. But, N-terminally fused hvVP2 protein to GST (glutathione-S-transferase) and NusA (N utilization substance A) showed significantly enhanced protein expression. The fusion of GST and hvVP2 was produced in aggregated form while in the presence of NusA, the hvVP2 protein was expressed in a soluble form. The NusA-hvVP2 protein was detected by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, 1A6, in antigen-capture ELISA. In conclusion, the NusA protein is a suitable fusion partner to improve expression and solubility of the hvVP2 protein in E. coli.     

柑桔溃疡病菌重组单链抗体的高效表达及活性检测

运用PCR方法扩增利用核糖体展示技术筛选的抗柑桔溃疡病菌(Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.citri,XAC)的单链抗体(ScFv95)基因片段,将单链抗体基因重组到原核表达载体pET30a( )中,构建单链抗体高效表达载体pET30a( )-XAC-ScFv。再将pET30a( )-XAC-ScFv质粒转化进大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)后诱导表达,并对表达产物进行纯化、复性及活性检测。获得了抗XAC单链抗体的高效表达蛋白,以包涵体形式存在的表达蛋白大小约32kDa。包涵体蛋白经过变性、纯化和复性后,初步获得有功能的单链抗体。同时用Biacore分析XAC-ScFv-95与XAC LPS作用,结果表明复性后的XAC-ScFv-95具有较高的亲和力,从而为柑桔溃疡病菌XAC的免疫诊断和防治研究提供了新的工具和途径。     

The solubility and stability of recombinant proteins are increased by their fusion to NusA

The new bacterial vector pETM60 enables the expression of His-tagged recombinant proteins fused to the C-terminus of NusA through a TEV protease recognition sequence. Three sequences coding for two protein domains (Xklp3A and Tep3Ag) and one membrane-bound viral protein (E8R) could not be expressed in a soluble form in bacteria. Their GST-fusions were mostly soluble but quickly degraded during purification. The same sequences cloned in pETM60 were efficiently purified by metal affinity and recovered soluble after the removal of the fusion partner. The NusA-fused constructs enabled to yield 13-20mg of fusion protein per litre of culture and 2.5-5mg of pure protein per litre of culture. Structural analysis indicated that the purified proteins were monodispersed and correctly folded. NusA has been used to raise antibodies that have been successfully used for Western blot and immunoprecipitation of NusA fusion proteins.     

卵巢癌抗独特型单链抗体的人源化——抗独特型微抗体的构建与表达

为了降低人抗鼠抗体反应 ,获得满意的免疫原性 ,将模拟人卵巢癌抗原的抗独特型单链抗体人源化 .采用重叠PCR和基因工程的技术 ,将 6B11ScFv基因的轻链和重链颠倒 ,成为 6B11VL VH.再与人IgG1铰链区和CH3区的基因进行融合 (VL VH CH3) ,构建抗独特型微抗体的原核表达载体 .转化E .coliBL2 1(DE3)后用IPTG诱导表达 .经SDS PAGE分离显示 ,在 5 0kD左右处有一诱导蛋白带 .不连续非变性凝胶电泳显示 ,表达产物分子量为 10 0kD左右 .采用ELISA、竞争抑制实验、West ern印迹对其进行活性测定 .结果表明 ,人源化的抗独特型微抗体具有特异性双价结合卵巢癌单克隆抗体COC16 6 9和识别人免疫球蛋白IgG1的活性 ,成功地将鼠源的scFv的人源化     

The novel Fh8 and H fusion partners for soluble protein expression in Escherichia coli: a comparison with the traditional gene fusion technology

The Escherichia coli host system is an advantageous choice for simple and inexpensive recombinant protein production but it still presents bottlenecks at expressing soluble proteins from other organisms. Several efforts have been taken to overcome E. coli limitations, including the use of fusion partners that improve protein expression and solubility. New fusion technologies are emerging to complement the traditional solutions. This work evaluates two novel fusion partners, the Fh8 tag (8 kDa) and the H tag (1 kDa), as solubility enhancing tags in E. coli and their comparison to commonly used fusion partners. A broad range comparison was conducted in a small-scale screening and subsequently scaled-up. Six difficult-to-express target proteins (RVS167, SPO14, YPK1, YPK2, Frutalin and CP12) were fused to eight fusion tags (His, Trx, GST, MBP, NusA, SUMO, H and Fh8). The resulting protein expression and solubility levels were evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis before and after protein purification and after tag removal. The Fh8 partner improved protein expression and solubility as the well-known Trx, NusA or MBP fusion partners. The H partner did not function as a solubility tag. Cleaved proteins from Fh8 fusions were soluble and obtained in similar or higher amounts than proteins from the cleavage of other partners as Trx, NusA or MBP. The Fh8 fusion tag therefore acts as an effective solubility enhancer, and its low molecular weight potentially gives it an advantage over larger solubility tags by offering a more reliable assessment of the target protein solubility when expressed as a fusion protein.     

Mn-SOD与抗癌胚抗原单链抗体基因的融合及高效表达

将Ｍｎ－ＳＯＤ与抗癌胚抗原（ＣＥＡ）单链抗体基因（Ｓｃ－Ｆｖ ｇｅｎｅ）融合,重组到含Ｔ７启动子的表达载体ｐＥＴ－２２ｂ（＋）中,构建表达质粒ｐＥＴＭｎ－ＳＯＤ－ＳｃＦｖ,并转化大肠杆菌ＢＬ２１（ＤＥ３）,进行高效表达,表达物占菌体可溶性总蛋白的２４％。ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和蛋白质和迹图谱显示表达物分子量为４５ｋＤ与融合基因编码蛋白质的理论值相符。该蛋白质在大肠杆菌中为泌型表达有利于纯化。ＲＩＡ测定表     

Preparation and characterization of recombinant protein ScFv(CD11c)-TRP2 for tumor therapy from inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli

Dendritic cells (DCs)-based immunotherapy represents an approach to the prevention and treatment of cancers. Targeting antigens to receptors on DCs can be expected to enhance immune response. We have constructed an expression vector pET32a(+)-ScFv(CD11c)-TRP2 based on a single-chain antibody fragment (ScFv) that targets the high affinity receptor CD11c which is expressed on murine DCs. The 3'-terminal end of the ScFv was ligated to the gene for MHC class I molecule-recognized peptide from mouse tyrosine-related protein 2 (TRP2). Using this vector, we have expressed and purified ScFv(CD11c)-TRP2, a fusion protein that could target TRP2 peptide to CD11c on DCs in vivo to elicit anti-tumor responses. This fusion protein was expressed in inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and was refolded and purified on-column effectively by immobilized metal affinity chromatography using His-tag. Flow cytometry assays showed the specific binding ability of ScFv(CD11c)-TRP2 to DCs, which could be blocked by a hamster anti-mouse CD11c produced by N418 hybridoma. Further studies demonstrated that ScFv(CD11c)-targeted TRP2 peptide processed by DCs was capable of stimulating T cells proliferation. Thus, this fusion protein provides a basis for further research in cancer therapy in vivo.     

A single-chain antibody/epitope system for functional analysis of protein-protein interactions

Protein-protein interactions play a critical role in cellular processes such as signal transduction. Although many methods for identifying the binding partners of a protein of interest are available, it is currently difficult or impossible to assess the functional consequences of a specific interaction in vivo. To address this issue, we propose to modify proteins by addition of an artificial protein binding interface, thereby forcing them to interact in the cell in a pairwise fashion and allowing the functional consequences to be determined. For this purpose, we have developed an artificial binding interface consisting of a anti-Myc single-chain antibody (ScFv) and its peptide epitope. We found that the binding of an ScFv derived from anti-Myc monoclonal antibody 9E10 was relatively weak in vivo, so we selected an improved clone, 3DX, by in vitro mutagenesis and phage display. 3DX bound well to its epitope in a yeast two-hybrid system, and GST-fused 3DX also bound to several Myc-tagged proteins in mammalian cells. In vivo binding was relatively insensitive to the position of the ScFv in a fusion protein, but was improved by including multiple tandem copies of the Myc epitope in the binding partner. To test the system, we successfully replaced the SH3 domain-mediated interaction between the Abl tyrosine kinase and adaptor proteins Crk and Nck with an engineered interaction between 3DX and multiple Myc tags. We expect that this approach, which we term a functional interaction trap, will be a powerful proteomic tool for investigating protein-protein interactions.     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a cell-permeable superoxide dismutase targeted to lung adenocarcinoma cells. Inhibition cell proliferation through the Akt/p27kip1 pathway

In clinical oncology, many trials with superoxide dismutase (SOD) have failed to demonstrate antitumor ability and in many cases even caused deleterious effects because of low tumor-targeting ability. In the current research, the Nostoc commune Fe-SOD coding sequence was amplified from genomic DNA. In addition, the single chain variable fragment (ScFv) was constructed from the cDNA of an LC-1 hybridoma cell line secreting anti-lung adenocarcinoma monoclonal antibody. After modification, the SOD and ScFv were fused and co-expressed, and the resulting fusion protein produced SOD and LC-1 antibody activity. Tracing SOD-ScFv by fluorescein isothiocyanate and superoxide anions (O2*-) in SPC-A-1 cells showed that the fusion protein could recognize and enter SPC-A-1 cells to eliminate O2*-. The lower oxidative stress resulting from the decrease in cellular O2*- delayed the cell cycle at G1 and significantly slowed SPC-A-1 cell growth in association with the dephosphorylation of the serine-threonine protein kinase Akt and expression of p27kip1. The tumor-targeting fusion protein resulting from this research overcomes two disadvantages of SODs previously used in the clinical setting, the inability to target tumor cells or permeate the cell membrane. These findings lay the groundwork for development of an efficient antitumor drug targeted by the ScFv.