Enhanced expression of an antibody-targeted plasminogen activator in Escherichia coli by fusion to decorsin

To improve the thrombolytic specificity of plasminogen activators, an antibody-targeted plasminogen activator was constructed consisting of a single-chain variable fragment of a monoclonal antibody SZ-51 raised specifically against human P-selectins on activated platelets and a low molecular weight single-chain urokinase. After fusion to the 3' end of the gene coding for decorsin, originally isolated from the leech Macrobdella decora, expression of the antibody-targeted plasminogen activator gene in E. coli strain Rosetta (DE3) pLysS was greatly enhanced.     

Expression of an antibody-targeted plasminogen activator in Escherichia coli using chemically induced stress responses

A recombinant gene coding for an antibody-targeted urokinase-type plasminogen activator was constructed for the purpose of enhancing the thrombolytic specificity of urokinase. The recombinant gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pTrcHisA, and transformed into Escherichia coli strain Rosetta (DE3). Less than 4 mg of the desired protein l(-1) could be obtained in the form of inclusion bodies. Of various inducers and enhancers of stress responses, the heat-shock enhances, streptomycin, the osmotic stress inducers, D-arabinose and sucrose, and the cold-shock enhancer, tetracycline, simulated the expression of the antibody-targeted plasminogen activator by 2-5-fold.     

Expression of plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor mRNA in human fibroblasts grown on different substrates

mRNA levels for urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) were examined in human diploid (neonatal foreskin) fibroblasts grown in 200-ml microcarrier suspension culture. Four different substrates were used. These included gelatin-coated polystyrene plastic, DEAE-dextran, glass-coated polystyrene plastic and uncoated polystyrene plastic. Our previous studies have shown that culture fluids from diploid fibroblasts grown on DEAE-dextran contained higher levels of plasminogen-dependent fibrinolytic activity than culture fluids from the same cells grown on other substrates. The increased plasminogen activator activity was due largely to elevated amounts of tPA (In Vitro Cell. Develop. Biol. 22: 575–582, 1986). The present study shows that there is a corresponding elevation of tPA mRNA in diploid fibroblasts cultured on DEAE-dextran relative to the other substrates. There does not appear to be any difference in uPA mRNA or in mRNA for PAI-1 or PAI-2 produced by the same cells on the four substrates. These data suggest that the influence of the substrate on plasminogen activator production is mediated at the genetic level.     

Determination of tissue plasminogen activator by an enzyme-immunoassay method

The sensitive assay method of tissue plasminogen activator was established by an enzyme-immunoassay method, and discriminates tissue (nonurokinase) type plasminogen activator from urokinase. The sensitivity was 0.1 ng/assay tube, and the plasma concentration of tissue plasminogen activator in normal healthy subjects was 1.22 +/- 0.25 ng/ml. Distribution of tissue plasminogen activator was examined in normal tissue. A melanoma cell line was employed as cell culture medium for determination of tissue plasminogen activator.     

Regulation of tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in cultured rat Sertoli and Leydig cells

New data are provided to show that (i) rat Sertoli cells produce two types of plasminogen activators, tissue type (tPA) and urokinase type (uPA), and a plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1); (ii) both tPA (but not uPA) and PAI-1 secretion in the culture are modified by FSH, forskolin, dbcAMP, GnRH, PMA and growth factors (EGF and FGF), but not by hCG and androstenedione (△4); (iii) in vitro secretion of tPA and PA-PAI-1 complexes of Sertoli cells are greatly enhanced by presence of Leydig cells which produce negligible tPA but measurable PAI-1 activity;(iv) combination culture of Sertoli and Leydig cells remarkably increases FSH-induced PAI-1 activity and decreases hCG- and forskolin-induced inhibitor activity as compared with that of two cell types cultured alone. These data suggest that rat Sertoli cells, similar to ovarian granulosa cells, are capable of secreting both tPA and uPA, as well as PAI-1. The interaction of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells is essential for the cells to response to     

Oviduct-specific expression of tissue plasminogen activator in laying hens

Egg-laying hens are important candidate bioreactors for pharmaceutical protein production because of the amenability of their eggs for protein expression. In this study, we constructed an oviduct-specific vector containing tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) protein and green fluorescent protein (pL-2.8OVtPAGFP) and assessed its expression in vitro and in vivo. Oviduct epithelial and 3T3 cells were cultured and transfected with pL-2.8OVtPAGFP and pEGP-N1 (control vector), respectively. The pL-2.8OVtPAGFP vector was administered to laying hens via a wing vein and their eggs and tissues were examined for tPA expression. The oviduct-specific vector pL-2.8OVtPAGFP was expressed only in oviduct epithelial cells whereas pEGP-N1 was detected in oviduct epithelial and 3T3 cells. Western blotting detected a 89 kDa band corresponding to tPA in egg white and oviduct epithelial cells, thus confirming expression of the protein. The amount of tPAGFP in eggs ranged 9 to 41 ng/mL on the third day after vector injection. The tPA expressed in egg white and oviduct epithelial cells showed fibrinolytic activity, indicating that the protein was expressed in active form. GFP was observed only in oviducts, with no detection in heart, muscle, liver and intestine. This is the first study to report the expression of tPA in egg white and oviduct epithelial cells using an oviduct-specific vector.     

人组织型纤溶酶原激活剂突变体微小基因的构建

tPA基因全长约36kb,至少由13个内含子分隔为14个外显子。根据tPA的第一、二外显子的编码情况,考虑建立从第二至第六外显子序列在内的tPA微小基因。即将tPA的部分基因组序列与LAtPA cDNA的序列在第六外显子的NarI位点处相连。     

A fed‐batch based cultivation mode in Escherichia coli results in improved specific activity of a novel chimeric‐truncated form of tissue plasminogen activator

Aims

A novel chimeric‐truncated form of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) with improved fibrin affinity and resistance to PAI was successfully produced in CHO expression system during our previous studies. Considering advantages of prokaryotic expression systems, the aim in this study was to produce the novel protein in Escherichia coli (BL21) strain and compare the protein potency in batch and fed‐batch processes.

Methods and Results

The expression cassette for the novel t‐PA was prepared in pET‐28a(+). The E. coli expression procedure was compared in traditional batch and newly developed fed batch, EnBase^® Flo system. The protein was purified in soluble format, and potency results were identified using Chromolize t‐PA Assay Kit. The fed‐batch fermentation mode, coupled with a Ni‐NTA affinity purification procedure under native condition, resulted in higher amounts of soluble protein, and about a 30% of improvement in the specific activity of the resulted recombinant protein (46·66 IU mg^?1) compared to traditional batch mode (35·8 IU mg^?1).

Conclusions

Considering the undeniable advantages of expression in the prokaryotic expression systems such as E. coli for recombinant protein production, applying alternative methods of cultivation is a promising approach. In this study, fed‐batch cultivation methods showed the potential to replace miss‐folded formats of protein with proper folded, soluble form with improved potency.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Escherichia coli expression of recombinant proteins still counts for nearly 40% of marketed biopharmaceuticals. The major drawback of this system is the lack of appropriate post‐translational modifications, which may cause potency loss/decline. Therefore, applying alternative methods of cultivation as investigated here is a promising approach to overcome potency decrease problem in this protein production system.     

Structural basis of the cofactor function of denatured albumin in plasminogen activation by tissue-type plasminogen activator

Certain denatured proteins function as cofactors in the activation of plasminogen by tissue-type plasminogen activator. The present study approached the structural requirements for the cofactor activity of a model protein (human serum albumin). Heat denaturation of 100-230 microM albumin (80 degrees C and 60-90 min) reproducibly yielded aggregates with radius in the range of 10-150 nm. The major determinant of the cofactor potency was the size of the aggregates. The increase of particle size correlated with the cofactor activity, and there was a minimal requirement for the size of the cofactor (about 10 nm radius). Similar to other proteins, the molecular aggregates with cofactor function contained a significant amount of antiparallel intermolecular beta-sheets. Plasmin pre-digestion increased the cofactor efficiency (related to C-terminal lysine exposure) and did not affect profoundly the structure of the aggregates, suggesting a long-lasting and even a self-augmenting cofactor function of the denatured protein.     

Proteomic profiling of proteins associated with urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in a colon cancer cell line using an antisense approach

Expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) strongly correlates with a malignant tumour cell phenotype. In the multistep process of metastasis, uPA binding to uPAR influences different cellular functions. In the present study, a highly metastatic colon cancer cell line, HCT116 was transfected with an expression vector containing a 5' uPAR cDNA fragment in an antisense orientation. This construct was most effective in reducing uPAR cell surface expression as confirmed by flow cytometry analysis. Antisense transfection of HCT116 cells had no effect on proliferation but the following effects were observed: (1) a 1.3-fold decreased adhesion; (2) a two-fold decreased Erk MAP kinase activity; (3) a 2.7-fold decrease in Src kinase activity; (4) a 1.5- and two-fold decrease in uPA cell surface expression and secretion; (5) abrogation of promatrix metalloproteinase-9 secretion; and (6) a complete suppression of plasminogen-dependent matrix degradation. Using proteomic analysis, we demonstrate loss of approximately 200 proteins and quantitative differences in the expression of 141 other proteins in an antisense-clone compared to wild-type and mock-transfected control. Such changes in protein expression with the down-regulation of uPAR may be an important contributor in colon cancer progression and metastasis and may not only provide a basis to develop a proteomic data bank of uPAR-mediated signaling molecules but may also lead to the development of therapeutic approaches for the cure and better management of colon cancer.     

Production of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (htPA) using in vitro cultured transgenic pig mammary gland cells

Abstract

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a protein involved in the breakdown of blood clots. We have previously produced a human tPA (htPA)-overexpressing transgenic pig using a mammary gland-specific promoter. In this study, we have established a transgenic pig mammary gland cell line that produces recombinant htPA. The mammary gland cells grew well and retained their character over long periods of culture. There was no difference in the extent of apoptosis in transgenic cells compared to wild-type mammary gland cells. In addition, the transgenic mammary gland cells expressed and secreted htPA into the conditioned media at a concentration similar to that in milk. This transgenic cell line represents a simple and ethical method for recombinant htPA production.     

促乳素抑制培养的大鼠颗粒细胞中卵泡素介导的组织纤溶酶原激活因子的表达

本文主要是观察促乳素（ＰＲＬ）是否曩体外培养的大鼠颗粒细胞中,组织纤溶酶原激活因子（ｔＰＡ）和Ｉ型纤溶酶原激活因子抑制因子（ＰＡＩ－Ｉ）基因表达间的协调作用。我们采用了多种方法,例如ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ、免疫印迹等,来检测ＰＲＬ对ｔＰＡ和ＰＡＩ－Ｉ基因表达的作用。结果证实：（１）在离体条件下促乳素（ＰＲＬ）能刺激颗粒细胞（ＧＣ）中ＰＡＩ－Ｉ ｍＲＮＡ的合成,而ＦＳＨ无此作用。但ＦＳＨ可与ＰＲＬ协同增加     

Adhesive properties of the purified plasminogen activator Pla of Yersinia pestis

The beta-barrel outer membrane protease Pla from Yersinia pestis is an important virulence factor in plague and enables initiation of the bubonic plague. Pla is a multifunctional protease whose expression also enhances bacterial adherence to extracellular matrix. It has remained uncertain whether the increase in cellular adhesiveness results from modification of the bacterial surface by Pla, or whether the Pla molecule is an adhesin. Pla was purified as a His6-fusion protein from Escherichia coli and reconstituted with lipopolysaccharide to an enzymatically active form. Purified His6-Pla was coated onto fluorescent micro-particles (FMPs) that expressed plasminogen activity. Pla-coated FMPs also bound to laminin and to reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) immobilized on permanox slides, whereas only poor activity was seen with lipopolysaccharide-coated FMPs or bovine serum albumin-coated FMPs. The results show that the Pla molecule has intrinsic adhesive properties and that purified transmembrane proteins coated onto FMPs can be used for functional assays.     

Structure and function of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA)

Full-length tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) cDNA served to construct deletion mutants within the N-terminal "heavy" (H)-chain of the t-PA molecule. The H-chain cDNA consists of an array of structural domains homologous to domains present on other plasma proteins ("finger," "epidermal growth factor," "kringles"). These structural domains have been located on an exon or a set of exons. The endpoints of the deletions nearly coincide with exon-intron junctions of the chromosomal t-PA gene. Recombinant t-PA deletion mutant proteins were obtained after transient expression in mouse Ltk- cells, transfected with SV40-pBR322-derived t-PA cDNA plasmids. It is demonstrated that the serine protease moiety of t-PA and its substrate specificity for plasminogen is entirely contained within the C-terminal "light" (L)-chain of the protein. The presence of cDNA, encoding the t-PA signal peptide preceding the remaining portion of t-PA, suffices to achieve secretion of (mutant) t-PA into the medium. The stimulatory effect of fibrin on the plasminogen activator activity of t-PA was shown to be mediated by the kringle K2 domain and, to a lesser extent, by the finger domain. The other domains on the H-chain, kringle K1, and the epidermal growth-factor-like domain, do not contribute to this property of t-PA. These findings correlate well with the fibrin-binding properties of the rt-PA deletion-mutant proteins, indicating that stimulation of the activity is based on aligning of the substrate plasminogen and its enzyme t-PA on the fibrin matrix. The primary target for endothelial plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) is located within the L-chain of t-PA. Deleting specific segments of t-PA H-chain cDNA and subsequent transient expression in mouse Ltk- cells of t-PA deletion-mutant proteins did not affect the formation of a stable complex between mutant t-PA and PAI.     

重组人糖基化尿型纤溶酶原激活剂中试产品抗原特异性的分析

尿型纤溶酶原激活剂（ｕ－ＰＡ）是新一代的基因工程溶栓药物。建立了重组人糖基化尿型纤溶酶原激活剂的中试生产工艺。中试产品的结构正确性和一致性分析是证明产品质量的重要依据,所以,对三批产品进行了抗原特异性分析。结果,ｕ－ＰＡ三批中试产品ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ显示的蛋白区带与免疫印迹显示的免疫活性区带没有批次判别说明ｕ－ＰＡ三批中试产品表现了一致的ｕ－ＰＡ的免疫原性。     

猕猴精浆纤溶酶原激活因子的来源及在精子获能中的作用

我们的前期工作表明,不育症人精液中纤溶酶原激活因子（plasminogen activator;PA）活性明显升高;给成年办和猕猴注射长效睾酮诱发无精过程中,精液PA含量也伴随上升,为进一步查明PA的来源和对精子的作用,原位杂交检测组织型PA（tPA）,尿激酶型PA（uPA）及PA抑制因子－1（PAI-1)泊mRNAs在成年健康猕附睾、前列腺和精囊中的表达。体外培养猕猴精子,培液中加入uPA、tPA及其底物纤溶酶原（plasminogen）,测试PA对精子活力、顶体反应及激活卵子的影响。结果表明,猕猴附睾、前列腺和精囊均表达tPA、uPA和PAI-1 mRNAs。加入uPA能维持精子的活力,使精子产生超激活运动,诱导顶体反应的发生,并使精子获得激活卵子的能力,这说明猕猴精浆PA除来源于睾丸外,可能主要来源于附睾及附性腺;在体外,uPA,而不是tPA,可能诱导精子获能。     

The kringle domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator inhibits in vivo tumor growth

The two-kringle domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has previously been shown to contain anti-angiogenesis activity. In this study, we explored the potential in vivo anti-tumor effects of the recombinant kringle domain (TK1-2) of human t-PA. Anti-tumor effects of purified Pichia-driven TK1-2 were examined in nude mice models by subcutaneous implantation of human lung (A-549) and colon (DLD-1, HCT-116) cancer cell lines. Mice bearing the tumors were injected with PBS or purified TK1-2 (30 mg/kg) i.p. every day for 22 days. TK1-2 treatment suppressed the A-549, DLD-1, and HCT-116 tumor growth by 85.3%, 52.4%, and 62.5%, respectively. Immunohistological examination of the tumor tissues showed that TK1-2 treatment decreased the vessel density and also the expression of angiogenesis-related factors including angiogenin, VEGF, alpha-SMA, vWF, and TNF-alpha, and increased the apoptotic fraction of cells. TK1-2 neither inhibited in vitro growth of these cancer cells nor affected t-PA-mediated fibrin clot lysis. These results suggest that TK1-2 inhibits the tumor growth by suppression of angiogenesis without interfering with fibrinolysis.     

t-PA突变体真核表达载体的构建及其在COS-7细胞的瞬时表达

根据tPAcDNA的全长序列,设计了扩增tPA信号肽cDNA的引物,并进而获得了信号肽cDNA片段。将其回收纯化后,作为上游引物,结合原有的tPA下游引物,分别以tPA的缺失性原核表达载体pErA,以及后者的点突变体pErA(K)为模板,进行PCR反应,从而使二者各自增加了信号肽部分。进一步将其分别克隆至pcDNA30,构建了相应的真核表达载体pCSRA与pCSRK。酶切及测序结果均证明了构建的正确性。经LIPOFECTAMINE[TM]2000Reagent将其分别转染至COS7细胞,并同时设以pCDNA30为阴性对照。取转染后不同时间培养上清,以FAPA法进行检测。结果表明,上述构建载体的表达产物具有良好的溶圈活性。本实验为tPA突变体在真核细胞的稳定表达奠定了基础 。