利用重组杆状病毒在家蚕中表达人血管内皮细胞生长因子

家蚕作为“生物工厂”生产重组蛋白质具有很多优势 .构建携带编码人血管内皮细胞生长因子 (VEGF) 16 5个氨基酸的cDNA的重组杆状病毒 .将此重组病毒接种 5龄家蚕幼虫进行重组蛋白的表达生产 .时相表达分析表明 ,感染后大约 80h时表达水平达到最高 ,而且重组蛋白主要存在于血淋巴中 .从感染的幼虫收集血淋巴并用Nickle亲和层析纯化重组蛋白产物 .定量分析表明 ,每条家蚕幼虫的表达水平高达 4 2 6 μg左右 .通过细胞培养体外分析 ,发现与对照相比 ,加入纯化的重组VEGF(10ng ml和 10 0ng/ml)能够使人HUVEC细胞体外培养细胞数增加 1 8～ 3 3倍 ,说明家蚕幼虫表达的重组VEGF具有完全的生物活性 ,能够诱导内皮细胞在体外分裂增殖 .     

Expression of green fluorescent protein in insect larvae and its application for heterologous protein production

Many eukaryotic proteins have been successfully expressed in insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus derived from the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV). There are, however, disadvantages with this cell-based system when carried out in suspension cultures at high bioreactor volume (e.g., limited oxygen transfer, susceptibility to contamination, high cost). These problems can be avoided by using whole larvae as the "reactors." There are, however, other problems encountered with larvae, one being their inaccessibility for product sampling. To combat this problem, we have investigated the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter molecule in Trichoplusia ni insect larvae. A high production level of GFPuv (1.58 mg per larva, 26% of total protein) was obtained, enabling the rapid and non-invasive monitoring of GFP. Bright green light was emitted directly from the large opaque carcasses ( approximately 30mm) after illumination with UV light. Based on the green light intensity and a correlation between intensity and GFP mass, we determined the optimal harvest time (c.a. approximately 3 days post-infection). In parallel experiments, we expressed human interleukin-2 (IL-2) from another recombinant baculovirus with an almost identical expression profile. Since both GFP and IL-2 were rapidly degraded by protease activity during the fourth day post-infection (another disadvantage with larvae), we found an accurate determination of harvest time was critical. Correspondingly, our results demonstrated that GFP was an effective on-line marker for expression of heterologous protein in insect larvae. (c) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 56: 239-247, 1997.     

Large-scale expression of recombinant cardiac sodium-calcium exchange in insect larvae

Recombinant bovine cardiac sodium-calcium exchange (NCX1) in a baculovirus construct was used to infect cabbage looper larvae (Trichoplusia ni). Infected larvae were homogenized and larvae membrane vesicles were purified. Western blot analysis indicated the presence of recombinant NCX1 protein in vesicles from infected larvae but not in controls. Vesicles from infected larvae expressed high levels of NCX1 activity (1.7 nmol Ca2+/mg protein/s) while vesicles from control larvae had no activity. NCX1 in larvae vesicles was bidirectional. Kinetic analysis yielded a Vmax of 3.6 nmol Ca2+/mg protein/s and a Km for Ca of 4.2 microM. NCX1 activity was inhibited by the exchange inhibitory peptide with an IC50 of 4 microM. These data demonstrate a novel and efficient method for the expression of large amounts of active recombinant NCX1 protein that has general application for expression and analysis of recombinant membrane proteins.     

棉铃虫叉头框蛋白A类似蛋白基因HarmFoxAl的克隆及表达谱分析

【目的】本研究旨在克隆并分析一种棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera叉头框蛋白A (forkhead box protein A, FoxA)类似蛋白基因HarmFoxAl,探讨2-十三烷酮胁迫下棉铃虫中肠中HarmFoxAl的表达情况,为进一步明确棉铃虫FoxA的功能和参与棉铃虫生长发育的调控通路提供依据。【方法】从棉铃虫幼虫中肠中扩增得到HarmFoxAl的cDNA序列,并对其氨基酸序列和蛋白结构进行分析。将HarmFoxAl的ORF序列连接至pET32a载体并转化大肠杆菌Escherichia coli Transetta菌株,IPTG诱导后检测目的蛋白的表达形式,并利用镍柱亲和层析法纯化融合蛋白。通过qPCR检测棉铃虫不同发育阶段(1-6龄幼虫和预蛹),6龄幼虫不同组织(脂肪体、中肠、体壁和头部)以及10 mg/g 2-十三烷酮处理6龄幼虫不同时间后中肠中HarmFoxAl的表达谱。【结果】HarmFoxAl(GenBank登录号:XM021331806)的开放阅读框为669 bp,编码222个氨基酸,蛋白的相对分子质量和等电点分别为25.03 kD和6.34。氨基酸序列分析表明,HarmFoxAl单体蛋白无信号肽、跨膜区和二硫键,核心区域是由4个α螺旋和3个β折叠组成的球状结构。将重组的Transetta (pET32a-HarmFoxAl)菌株用0.5 mmol/L IPTG在25℃条件下诱导5 h,约45 kD的融合蛋白His-HarmFoxAl能以可溶的形式存在于重组菌中,这与预测的分子量(42.8 kD)相一致。发育阶段特异性表达谱表明,HarmFoxAl在棉铃虫1-3龄幼虫期、6龄幼虫期和预蛹期均有表达,且预蛹期的表达量最高。组织表达谱结果表明,该基因在6龄幼虫的脂肪体、中肠和体壁中表达,且脂肪体内的表达量最高,而在头部中不表达。10 mg/g 2-十三烷酮处理棉铃虫6龄幼虫后中肠中HarmFoxAl的表达量显著降低,但随着时间延长其表达量逐渐升高,处理48 h后表达量显著高于对照。【结论】棉铃虫HarmFoxAl在预蛹期和幼虫脂肪体中表达量最高,2-十三烷酮处理幼虫后HarmFoxAl的表达量急速降低后逐渐升高,推测其在棉铃虫变态发育和解毒代谢过程中发挥重要作用。     

Production of Classical Swine Fever Virus Envelope Glycoprotein E2 as Recombinant Polyhedra in Baculovirus-Infected Silkworm Larvae

Although, classical swine fever virus (CSFV) envelope glycoprotein E2 subunit vaccine has been developed using the baculovirus expression system, the expression of viral antigens in baculovirus-infected insect cells is often ineffective. Therefore, an alternative strategy to the traditional baculovirus expression system is needed that is more productive and effective. Here, we report a novel strategy for the large-scale production of a CSFV E2 in the larvae of a baculovirus-infected silkworm, Bombyx mori. We constructed a recombinant B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) that expressed recombinant polyhedra together with the N-terminal 179 amino acids of CSFV E2 (E2ΔC). BmNPV-E2ΔC-infected silkworm larvae expressed native polyhedrin and approximately 44-kDa fusion protein that was detected using both anti-polyhedrin and anti-CSFV E2 antibodies. Electron and confocal microscopy both demonstrated that the recombinant polyhedra contained both the fusion protein and native polyhedrin were morphologically normal and contained CSFV E2ΔC. The CSFV E2ΔC antigen produced in BmNPV-E2ΔC-infected silkworm larvae reached 0.68?mg/ml of hemolymph and 0.53?mg/larva at 6-days post-infection. Six-week-old female BALB/c mice that were immunized with the E2ΔC protein purified from solubilized recombinant polyhedra elicited CSFV E2 antibodies, which indicated that the CSFV E2ΔC protein from recombinant polyhedra was immunogenic. The virus neutralization test showed that the serum from mice that were treated with E2ΔC protein from recombinant polyhedra contained significant levels of virus neutralization activity. These results demonstrate that this strategy can be used for the large-scale production of CSFV E2 antigen.     

Efficient production of canine interferon-alpha in silkworm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bombyx mori</Emphasis> by use of a BmNPV/Bac-to-Bac expression system

We exploited the silkworm Bombyx mori for the production of recombinant canine interferon-alpha (CaIFN-α). The recombinant baculovirus harboring canine interferon gene was rapidly generated by the BmNPV/Bac-to-Bac system that was recently developed. In B. mori-derived cell lines, the expression of the recombinant protein reached maximal levels around 72–96 h post-infection. For the isolation of the expressed recombinant protein from B. mori larvae, the whole bodies of the infected larvae were homogenized, and the expressed protein was purified by affinity chromatography. Based on the fact that the recombinant CaIFN-α showed two bands on the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern, the expressed protein was thought to be glycosylated. The rCaIFN-α yield was about 528 μg per larva, showing that the expression in silkworm was successful. Furthermore, the recombinant protein was proven to be able to inhibit the infection of Madin–Darby canine kidney cells by the vesicular stomatitis virus, indicating that it is biologically active in vitro. The method established in this study provides an efficient way to produce a large amount of CaIFN-α and paves the way for further utilization of this protein as a therapeutic agent or vaccine adjuvant in dogs.     

松墨天牛漆酶基因MaLac1的克隆、原核表达及表达谱分析

【目的】本研究旨在克隆并鉴定松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus内源漆酶基因MaLac1,分析其在松墨天牛不同发育阶段的表达水平,为进一步明确MaLac1功能提供依据。【方法】基于松墨天牛肠道转录组测序数据,通过RACE克隆松墨天牛MaLac1基因的全长cDNA序列,并对其进行生物信息学分析;将该基因与pET-32a载体链接构建表达载体pET-MaLac1,导入大肠杆菌Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3)使其表达;使用qPCR检测MaLac1基因在松墨天牛不同发育阶段(低龄幼虫、老熟幼虫、蛹、雌成虫和雄成虫)肠道中的表达差异。【结果】克隆获得松墨天牛MaLac1的cDNA全长序列(GenBank登录号:KY073340)。MaLac1开放阅读框全长2 067 bp,编码一个含688个氨基酸的蛋白质,预测分子量为78.34 kD,等电点为5.30。SignalP 4.1 Server预测MaLac1在N端包含一个15个氨基酸的信号肽。序列比对分析表明,MaLac1具有典型的昆虫漆酶基因特征,与赤拟谷盗Tribolium castaneum漆酶基因的氨基酸序列一致性达93%。SDS-PAGE检测发现IPTG诱导表达了一条大约78 kD的特异蛋白条带,与推测大小一致。qPCR结果显示,MaLac1在不同发育阶段的松墨天牛肠道中均有表达,其中,在雌成虫肠道中表达量最高,在雄成虫肠道中的次之,在幼虫肠道中的最低。【结论】MaLac1在松墨天牛成虫中表达量显著高于其在幼虫中的,这一结果可能与幼虫和成虫的取食习性差异相关。MaLac1在松墨天牛体内的功能还有待进一步研究。     

家蚕抗真菌因子BmSPI39对球孢白僵菌入侵的表达响应

[目的]制备家蚕Bombyx mori抗真菌因子BmSPI39的多克隆抗体,分析BmSPI39对球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana入侵的表达响应.[方法]利用原核表达和固定化镍离子亲和层析技术获得高纯度的BmSPI39重组蛋白,利用胶内活性染色检测重组蛋白BmSPI39对枯草杆菌Bacillus subti...     

Stable isotope labeling of glycoprotein expressed in silkworms using immunoglobulin G as a test molecule

Silkworms serve as promising bioreactors for the production of recombinant proteins, including glycoproteins and membrane proteins, for structural and functional protein analyses. However, lack of methodology for stable isotope labeling has been a major deterrent to using this expression system for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structural biology. Here we developed a metabolic isotope labeling technique using commercially available silkworm larvae. The fifth instar larvae were infected with baculoviruses for co-expression of recombinant human immunoglobulin G (IgG) as a test molecule, with calnexin as a chaperone. They were subsequently reared on an artificial diet containing ¹⁵N-labeled yeast crude protein extract. We harvested 0.1 mg of IgG from larva with a ¹⁵N-enrichment ratio of approximately 80 %. This allowed us to compare NMR spectral data of the Fc fragment cleaved from the silkworm-produced IgG with those of an authentic Fc glycoprotein derived from mammalian cells. Therefore, we successfully demonstrated that our method enables production of isotopically labeled glycoproteins for NMR studies.     

热胁迫对二化螟幼虫血淋巴细胞内活性氧、HSP90及细胞凋亡的影响

为探讨热激条件下二化螟Chilo suppressalis幼虫体内生理上的保护反应,本研究应用流式细胞术分析了热胁迫对二化螟幼虫血淋巴细胞内活性氧（ROS）、热休克蛋白90（HSP90）的产生和对细胞凋亡的影响。结果表明：暴露于33℃,36℃和39℃的二化螟5龄幼虫的ROS与对照（28℃）相比显著提高,分别增加了1.71,1.69和1.38倍;当温度达到33℃以后,ROS不再显著增加。实时定量PCR结果显示,二化螟HSP90基因在热胁迫诱导下表达。流式细胞术检测表明,HSP90的变化与在mRNA水平上的变化高度一致,热胁迫处理没有造成血淋巴细胞凋亡的显著变化。这些研究结果进一步证明热胁迫产生的ROS激活HSP90基因的表达,HSP90蛋白在保护机体免受ROS引起的伤害中起着重要作用,能够抑制血淋巴细胞凋亡的发生。     

Production of Aujeszky's disease (pseudorabies) virus envelope glycoproteins gB and gC as recombinant polyhedra in baculovirus-infected silkworm larvae

The expression of viral antigens in baculovirus-infected insect cells is often ineffective. As an alternative approach, therefore, we developed the recombinant polyhedra technology, which is an efficient strategy for the production of viral subunit vaccine. Here, we report a strategy for the large-scale production of a pseudorabies virus (PRV) gB or gC in the larvae of a baculovirus-infected silkworm, Bombyx mori. We constructed a recombinant B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) that expressed recombinant polyhedra together with the epitope regions of PRV gB or heparin-binding domains of PRV gC. Recombinant BmNPV-PRV-gB or BmNPV-PRV-gC-infected silkworm larvae expressed native polyhedrin and fusion protein that was detected using both anti-polyhedrin and anti-PRV gB or anti-PRV-gC antibodies. Electron and confocal microscopy demonstrated that the recombinant polyhedra contained both the fusion protein and native polyhedrin with a normal morphology and that the recombinant polyhedra contained PRV gB or gC. The yield of gB or gC antigen produced in BmNPV-PRV-gB or BmNPV-PRV-gC-infected silkworm larvae reached 0.69 or 0.46 mg per larva, respectively, at 6 days post-infection. These results demonstrate that the recombinant polyhedra strategy can be used for the large-scale production of PRV gB or gC antigen.     

Insect larval expression process is optimized by generating fusions with green fluorescent protein.

The insect larvae/baculovirus protein production process was dramatically simplified by expressing fusion proteins containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the product-of-interest. In this case, human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) and chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CAT) were model products. Specifically, our fusion construct was comprised of a histidine affinity ligand for simplified purification using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), the UV-optimized GFP (GFPuv) as a marker, an enterokinase cleavage site for recovery of the product from the fusion, and the product, hIL-2 or CAT. Both the approximately 52 kDa GFPuv/hIL-2 and approximately 63 kDa GFPuv/CAT fusions were expressed in Trichoplusia ni larvae at 9.0 microg-hIL-2 and 24.1 microg-CAT per larva, respectively. The GFP enabled clear identification of the infection process, harvest time, and more importantly, the quantity of product protein. Because the GFP served as a marker, this technique obviates the need for in-process Western analyses (during expression, separation, and purification stages). As a purification marker, GFP facilitated rapid identification of product-containing elution fractions (Cha et al., 1999b), as well as product-containing waste fractions (e.g., cell pellet). Also, because the fluorescence intensity was linear with hIL-2 and CAT, we were able to select the highest-producing larvae. That is, three fold more product was found in the brightest larva compared to the average. Finally, because the GFP is attached to the product protein and the producing larvae can be selected, the infection and production processes can be made semi-continuous or continuous, replacing the current batch process. These advantages should help to enable commercialization of larvae as expression hosts.     

烟草甲谷胱甘肽S-转移酶基因LsGSTe1的表达及其与甲酸乙酯耐受性的关系

【目的】探究烟草甲Lasioderma serricorne谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(glutathione S-transferase, GST)基因LsGSTe1的分子特性和生物学功能。【方法】在烟草甲转录组数据的基础上,利用RT-PCR技术扩增LsGSTe1基因,并进行生物信息学分析;采用qPCR技术检测LsGSTe1在烟草甲不同发育阶段(低龄幼虫、高龄幼虫、蛹、低龄成虫、高龄成虫)及高龄幼虫不同组织(表皮、中肠、脂肪体、马氏管)中的表达水平,以及在甲酸乙酯熏蒸胁迫后的5龄幼虫中的表达变化。进一步采用RNAi技术沉默烟草甲5龄幼虫LsGSTe1基因,通过生物测定分析烟草甲对熏蒸剂甲酸乙酯的敏感性变化。【结果】获得LsGSTe1基因的全长cDNA序列(GenBank登录号:MN480468),开放阅读框长684 bp,编码227个氨基酸,N端和C端均存在催化保守位点。系统发育分析表明该基因属于GSTs的Epsilon家族。qPCR结果表明,LsGSTe1在烟草甲不同发育阶段均有表达,且在高龄幼虫期的表达量较高;表达部位主要在幼虫脂肪体,其次为中肠和表皮,而在马氏管中的表达量最低。LC_(30)(10μL/L)和LC_(50)(20μL/L)浓度的甲酸乙酯对烟草甲5龄幼虫熏蒸胁迫后,LsGSTe1的表达水平显著升高,分别是对照组的2.96和5.80倍。RNAi结果发现,RNAi 48 h和72 h后,LsGSTe1的表达量分别下降了79.9%和83.0%,沉默效率显著;RNAi 72 h后,dsLsGSTe1注射组与对照(dsGFP组)相比,LC_(50)浓度的甲酸乙酯处理5龄幼虫的死亡率明显提高了32.4%。【结论】推测LsGSTe1基因可能参与了烟草甲对甲酸乙酯的代谢与解毒过程。     

High-level expression of human acidic fibroblast growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) using recombinant baculovirus

A hybrid of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus and Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus, which is infectious to both Spodoptera frugiperda and Bombyx mori, was prepared in our previous study. Two recombinant hybrid baculoviruses, carrying cDNAs of human acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors, respectively, were successfully constructed in this study, for the large-scale production of human aFGF and bFGF using silkworm as host. These recombinant viruses were used to inoculate silkworm larvae. After the infection, the recombinant proteins were not found in the hemolymph. Such nonsecretion from cells has also been observed in the established insect cell lines, Sf21 and Tn-5. Tissue distribution analysis indicated that the expressed products were mainly located in fat body and the production of the recombinant aFGF and bFGF was maximal at around 80 h postinfection. Therefore, silkworm larvae infected with recombinant viruses were dissected and fat bodies were collected for the purification of recombinant aFGF and bFGF. The expression levels in both cases were estimated to be as high as approximately 600-700 microg per larva. Furthermore, the recombinant proteins were characterized and their biological activities were evaluated by in vitro bioassay using cell culture.     

Cloning, expression, and localization of a molt-related beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana

A beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase cDNA (CfGlcNAcase) was cloned from the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana. Western blotting analysis of developmental CfGlcNAcase expression revealed high levels of expression of the gene on the last day of the 5th instar larvae and the first day in the 6th instar larvae, followed by a decrease to background levels during the intermolt of the 6th instar. CfGlcNAcase was detected again from the last day of the 6th instar to day 2 of pupal stage. CfGlcNAcase expression was induced by tebufenozide at 24 h post treatment and remained at high levels until 72 h. Immunohistochemical localization analysis of CfGlcNAcase indicated that CfGlcNAcase was present in the molting fluid, epidermis, trachea, and hemolymph in prepupae during the transformation from larva to pupa. CfGlcNAcase cDNA was expressed into a recombinant protein in bacterial and baculovirus systems and the protein expressed in the baculovirus system had a higher chitinolytic activity than in the bacterial system and appeared to be secreted.     

苜蓿夜蛾葡萄糖氧化酶cDNA的克隆、表达及特性研究

【目的】从苜蓿夜蛾Heliothis viriplaca体内克隆葡萄糖氧化酶(Glucose oxidase,GOX)基因cDNA序列,并进行原核表达及活性测定。同时对GOX在不同组织的特异表达及对葡萄糖诱导反应的特性进行研究。【方法】以苜蓿夜蛾为材料提取总RNA,利用RT-PCR和cDNA末端快速扩增技术,扩增苜蓿夜蛾GOX基因全长cDNA序列。利用原核表达载体p ET-21b在大肠杆菌中表达苜蓿夜蛾的GOX基因,并用Ni-NTA亲和层析柱将带His-tag的目的蛋白进行纯化,再利用梯度透析法进行复性,以葡萄糖为底物进行酶的活性测定。同时利用Real-time PCR分析GOX的组织特异性表达和对葡萄糖的诱导反应。【结果】该cDNA序列有2 154个碱基,开放阅读框1 824个碱基,编码607个氨基酸组成的多肽,分子量为67.04 ku,多肽的等电点为5.13。该序列命名为Hv GOX,在Gen Bank的登录号为KT907054。序列分析表明,Hv GOX的氨基酸序列与其他昆虫的GOX氨基酸序列高度同源。该基因在大肠杆菌表达系统中成功地进行了诱导表达,表达出与预测的蛋白分子量相符的融合蛋白。由原核表达载体表达后的蛋白经过变性、纯化和复性后有活性。Real-time PCR结果表明,该基因在苜蓿夜蛾的不同组织均有m RNA水平的特异表达,其中在唾腺中的表达量最高;同时用0.01%、0.1%、1%和10%葡萄糖溶液浸泡的大豆叶喂食的幼虫,幼虫体内的GOX的表达均被诱导,且在10%的浓度时诱导表达量最高。【结论】本研究在苜蓿夜蛾体内获得一个新的葡萄糖氧化酶基因,该结果为进一步研究葡萄糖氧化酶在昆虫体内的生物功能奠定基础。     

GDF-15 is abundantly expressed in plexiform lesions in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and affects proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary endothelial cells

Background

Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive, transforming growth factor-β-related cytokine, which has recently been reported to be elevated in serum of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). The aim of the study was to examine the expression and biological roles of GDF-15 in the lung of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods

GDF-15 expression in normal lungs and lung specimens of PAH patients were studied by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Using laser-assisted micro-dissection, GDF-15 expression was further analyzed within vascular compartments of PAH lungs. To elucidate the role of GDF-15 on endothelial cells, human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC) were exposed to hypoxia and laminar shear stress. The effects of GDF-15 on the proliferation and cell death of HPMEC were studied using recombinant GDF-15 protein.

Results

GDF-15 expression was found to be increased in lung specimens from PAH patients, com-pared to normal lungs. GDF-15 was abundantly expressed in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells with a strong signal in the core of plexiform lesions. HPMEC responded with marked upregulation of GDF-15 to hypoxia and laminar shear stress. Apoptotic cell death of HPMEC was diminished, whereas HPMEC proliferation was either increased or decreased depending of the concentration of recombinant GDF-15 protein.

Conclusions

GDF-15 expression is increased in PAH lungs and appears predominantly located in vascular endothelial cells. The expression pattern as well as the observed effects on proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary endothelial cells suggest a role of GDF-15 in the homeostasis of endothelial cells in PAH patients.     

Insect larvae biofactories as a platform for influenza vaccine production

Increased production capacity is one of the most important priorities for seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. In the present study, we used a baculovirus-insect larvae system (considered small, living biofactories) to improve the production of recombinant influenza virus H1N1 hemagglutinin (HA). Insect larvae produced four-fold more HA protein than insect cells per biomass unit (1 g of fresh larvae weight). A single infected Trichoplusia ni larva produced up to 113 μg of soluble and easily purified recombinant HA, an amount similar to that produced by 1.2×10(8) Sf21 insect cells infected by the same baculovirus. The use of the KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention signal fused to the HA protein further increased recombinant protein production. Larvae-derived HA was immunogenically functional in vaccinated mice, inducing the generation of hemagglutination inhibition antibodies and a protective immune response against a lethal challenge with a highly virulent virus. The productivity, scalability and cost efficiency of small, living biofactories based on insect larvae suggest a broad-based strategy for the production of recombinant subunit vaccines against seasonal or pandemic influenza as an alternative to fermentation technologies.     

棉铃虫激活增强子结合蛋白AP-4基因的原核表达、多克隆抗体制备、表达谱分析及功能鉴定

【目的】激活增强子结合蛋白4(activating enhancer binding protein 4, AP-4)是近年来备受关注的一类功能广泛的转录因子,参与Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的调控。本研究旨在研究棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera HaAP-4基因的原核表达并制备多克隆抗体,明确HaAP-4基因的时空表达谱,初步探究HaAP-4对棉铃虫胆固醇载体蛋白2(sterol carrier protein-2, SCP-2)基因(HaSCP-2)表达的调控作用。【方法】通过PCR扩增棉铃虫HaAP-4基因片段,将其克隆至pET-28a原核表达载体,转化至大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21,经IPTG诱导表达,采用镍柱纯化重组蛋白,免疫新西兰兔制备多克隆抗体。运用RT-qPCR检测HaAP-4基因在棉铃虫不同发育阶段(卵、幼虫、预蛹、蛹和成虫)以及5龄幼虫和预蛹不同组织(中肠、脂肪体、头和表皮)中的表达水平。设计并合成HaAP-4 siRNA,转染棉铃虫Ha细胞,通过RT-qPCR检测和分析使用HaAP-4 siRNA进行RNA干扰后Ha细胞中HaAP-4和HaSCP-2基因 mRNA的表达情况。【结果】成功构建pET-28a-HaAP-4重组表达质粒,在大肠杆菌细胞中获得高效表达的可溶性蛋白,目的蛋白大小约为55 kD,经纯化获得了纯度较高的重组蛋白,免疫新西兰兔成功制备了多克隆抗体,通过Western blotting检测显示抗体具有较好的特异性,ELISA分析表明抗体效价较高。发育阶段特异性表达结果显示,HaAP-4基因在棉铃虫不同发育阶段均有表达,其中在卵期、5龄幼虫期和预蛹期的表达量较高。组织表达结果表明,HaAP-4基因在5龄幼虫和预蛹不同组织中均有表达,且在中肠和头部具有高表达,而在表皮和脂肪体中表达量较低。RNA干扰实验发现,HaAP-4基因的敲降对HaSCP-2基因转录有显著影响,HaSCP-2基因mRNA表达水平下降了约55%。【结论】利用pET-28a原核表达系统能有效地在体外表达可溶性的HaAP-4,并制备了较好的多克隆抗体。RNAi实验结果提示,在中肠内高表达的HaAP-4基因能促进HaSCP-2基因的转录表达,在棉铃虫脂质生理代谢过程中发挥作用。本研究为进一步深入阐明棉铃虫HaAP-4的潜在功能打下了基础。