Expression and purification of human interleukin-2 simplified as a fusion with green fluorescent protein in suspended Sf-9 insect cells

A fusion protein of human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) was expressed in insect Sf-9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus derived from the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV). This fusion protein was comprised of a histidine affinity ligand for simplified purification using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), UV-optimized GFP (GFPuv) as a marker, an enterokinase cleavage site for recovery of hIL-2 from the fusion, and the model product hIL-2. Successful production of hIL-2 as a fusion protein (approximately 52,000 Da) with GFPuv was obtained. GFPuv enabled rapid monitoring and quantification of the hIL-2 by simply checking the fluorescence, obviating the need for Western blot and/or ELISA assays during infection and production stages. There was no increased 'metabolic burden' due to the presence of GFPuv in the fusion product. The additional histidine residues at the N-terminus enabled efficient one-step purification of the fusion protein using IMAC. Additional advantages of GFP as a fusion marker were seen, particularly during separation and purification in that hIL-2 containing fractions were identified simply by illumination with UV light. Our results demonstrated that GFP was an effective non-invasive on-line marker for the expression and purification of heterologous protein in the suspended insect cell/baculovirus expression system.     

Quantitative monitoring for secreted production of human interleukin-2 in stable insect Drosophila S2 cells using a green fluorescent protein fusion partner

Human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) production in Escherichia coli and insect cell/baculovirus expression systems can be inefficient. Here we investigated secreted production of hIL-2 fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a versatile fusion partner in optimized stably transfected insect Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells. This nonlytic S2 insect cell expression system employs a plasmid vector and allows for secretion of functional human proteins. We report that, following stable transfection and induction, S2 cells secreted hIL-2 as a fusion protein (approximately 2.3 microg/mL yield), with a secretion efficiency of approximately 90%. Regression analysis indicated a single linear relationship existed between GFP fluorescence and hIL-2 mass in both whole cell and secreted medium samples, indicating that in vivo monitoring and quantification of target foreign protein expression and even secretion is possible using this system. The simple comparative measurement of GFP fluorescence also allowed monitoring of secretion efficiency during periods of high GFP/hIL-2 expression.     

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.     

Purification of recombinant enhanced green fluorescent protein expressed in Escherichia coli with new immobilized metal ion affinity magnetic absorbents

A new immobilized metal ion affinity (IMA) adsorbent containing superparamagnetic nanoparticles and coated with hydrophilic resins are proposed here to improve the purification of His-tagged proteins. The magnetic chelating resin was prepared by radical polymerization of magnetite (Fe3O4), styrene, divinyl benzene (DVB) and glycidyl methacrylate-iminodiacetic acid (GMA-IDA) in ethanol/water medium. IDA is immobilized on magnetite as a ligand and pre-charged Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ as metal ions. To identify the GMA-IDA magnetic particles easily, we named these particles MPGI. The MPGI adsorbent was used to test their suitability for the direct recovery of an intracellular, polyhistidine-tagged protein, enhanced green fluorescent protein [EGFP-(His)(6)], from Escherichia coli lysates in a single step. Parameters influencing the purification efficiencies such as pH, ionic strength and imidazole concentration were optimized to achieve improved separation. The optimal selectively was observed in binding buffer (0.2M NaCl, 0.02M imidazole), washing buffer (0.4M NaCl, 0.03 M imidazole) and elution buffer (0.50M imidazole). The Cu2+-charged MPGI adsorbent had the highest yield and purification factor at 70.4% and 12.3, respectively. The calculated isotherm parameters (Q(m)=53.5 mg/g, K(d)=5.84 mg/mL and Q(m)/K(d)=9.2 mL/g) indicated that the MPGI adsorbent could be used as a suitable adsorbent for EGFP from an aqueous solution.     

In vivo monitoring of intracellular expression of human interleukin-2 using green fluorescent protein fusion partner in Pichia pastoris

The use of Pichia pastoris for protein production was simplified by creation of fusion proteins containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the product of interest. Human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) was used as a model product: GFP enabled clear identification of fusion protein expression and, more importantly, the quantification of hIL-2. Although GFP fusions for bioprocess monitoring have been demonstrated in other hosts, this is its first use in P. pastoris.     

Purification of a recombinant protein produced in a baculovirus expression system by immobilized metal affinity chromatography

Over the past 10 years, the baculovirus-insect cell system has become a powerful and versatile tool for the expression of a variety of heterologous proteins. In order to simplify separation of a cloned protein from the baculovirus-insect expression system, we have cloned a gene encoding for the protein of interest, a structural protein (VP2) of a strain (E/DEL) of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), with a metal ion binding site (His)(5) at its C-terminus. This chimeric protein (VP2H) has been expressed and one-step affinity purified with immobilized metal ions (Ni(+2)). With antigen capture-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AC-ELISA), we determined that the conformation of this chimeric protein was no different from the recombinant wild-type VP2 protein. However, the two proteins (VP2 and VP2H) can be distinguished and resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and detected immunologically following Western blotting. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cell-to-cell trafficking of cucumber mosaic virus movement protein:green fluorescent protein fusion produced by biolistic gene bombardment in tobacco

Previous micro-injection studies showed that some recombinant viral movement proteins and plant proteins produced in and purified from Escherichia coli could traffic from cell to cell. However, the relevance of these findings obtained by micro-injecting proteins produced in E. coli to the real functions of these proteins when produced in planta has been questioned. In this study, specific gene constructs were delivered by biolistic bombardment into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum var Samsun) leaf epidermis for in planta production of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and various fusions between the cucumber mosaic virus 3a movement protein (3a MP) and GFP. Free GFP remained in cells producing it. In contrast, 3a MP:GFP fusion protein moved from approximately half of the cells producing it into neighboring cells. The movement also occurred at 4°C. A mutant 3a MP:GFP was incapable of cell-to-cell movement in all cases. A 3a MP:GUS fusion protein produced in this manner also moved from cell to cell. Our data provide direct evidence that specific viral proteins produced in planta can be transported between cells. Furthermore, our data suggest that the CMV 3a MP contains a signal for transport. Our approach is simple and efficient and has many potential applications in studying plasmodesma-mediated macromolecular transport.     

Purification and characterization of recombinant human interleukin-2 produced in Escherichia coli

Recombinant human interleukin-2 (rIL-2) produced in Escherichia coli was purified to apparent homogeneity by cation exchange chromatography and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The amino acid composition, amino terminal amino acid sequence, and carboxyl terminal amino acid were consistent with those deduced from the cDNA sequence. Besides the molecular species with the amino terminal Ala, the purified preparation contained another species having an additional Met residue at the amino terminus corresponding to the initiation codon AUG. The molar absorption coefficient of rIL-2 was determined to be 9.58 X 10(3) M-1 cm-1 at 280nm in water. Ultracentrifugal analyses revealed that it existed as a monomeric form in 0.1 M NaCl. The apparent sedimentation coefficient (S20,w) was calculated to be 1.8 S.     

Partial recovery of cell membrane-bounded human interleukin-2 fusion protein from insect cell debris by using various detergent extractions

We previously found that the human interleukin-2 (hIL-2) fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) mainly remained in the insect cell debris after disruption due to the highly hydrophobic property of hIL-2 itself. Even though the significant GFPuv/hIL-2 fusion proteins were associated with cell membrane fractions, these were still functionally active. Therefore, to increase the total product yield, we performed partial recovery of the cell membrane-bounded hIL-2 fusion protein from the insoluble cell debris using several non-ionic, zwitterionic, and anionic detergents.     

Single-step purification of recombinant green fluorescent protein on expanded beds of immobilized metal affinity chromatography media

Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) in expanded bed mode is used for purifying recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP) overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The purification is carried out on two different matrices, i.e. Ni²⁺ Streamline™ and Ni²⁺ cross-linked alginate beads. The binding isotherms to both IMAC media followed the Langmuir model. The maximum binding capacity (q_max) of Ni²⁺ Streamline™ and Ni²⁺ cross-linked alginate for the GFP was 1,42,860 FU ml⁻¹ and 18,000 FU ml⁻¹, respectively. The expanded bed column chromatography using Ni²⁺ Streamline™ gave 2.7-fold purification with 89% of GFP recovery, while Ni²⁺ alginate gave 3.1-fold purification with 91% of GFP recovery. SDS-PAGE of purified GFP in both cases showed single band. The results obtained in the expanded bed chromatography are compared with those obtained in packed bed chromatography.     

Purification of human interleukin-4 produced in Escherichia coli

An interleukin-4 (IL4)-encoding cDNA isolated from human splenocytes was used to construct an expression plasmid that directs a high-level synthesis of mature IL4 protein in Escherichia coli. The expression was under the control of the major leftward promoter, pL, of phage lambda and the phage Mu ribosome-binding site. The IL4 protein was present as insoluble inclusion bodies in the bacterial extract. The IL4 could be solubilized in 5 M MgCl2 and was purified to homogeneity by several chromatographic steps. The yield of protein from bacteria ranged between 3 and 5 mg of IL4 protein per gram of wet cells. The specific activity of the recombinant human IL4 was about the same as that of the natural product.     

Localization of Mycoplasma pneumoniae cytadherence-associated protein HMW2 by fusion with green fluorescent protein: implications for attachment organelle structure

The terminal organelle of the cell wall-less pathogenic bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a complex structure involved in adherence, gliding motility and cell division. This membrane-bound extension of the mycoplasma cell possesses a characteristic electron-dense core. A number of proteins having direct or indirect roles in M. pneumoniae cytadherence have been previously localized to the terminal organelle. However, the cytadherence-accessory protein HMW2, which is required for the stabilization of several terminal organelle components, has been refractory to antibody-based approaches to subcellular localization. In the current study, we constructed a sandwich fusion of HMW2 and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and expressed this fusion in wild-type M. pneumoniae and the hmw2- mutant I-2. The fusion protein was produced in both backgrounds at wild-type levels and supported stabilization of proteins HMW1, HMW3 and P65, and haemadsorption function in mutant I-2. Furthermore, the fusion protein was fluorescent and localized specifically to the terminal organelle. However, the EGFP moiety appeared to interfere partially with processes related to cell division, as transformant cells exhibited an increased incidence of bifurcated attachment organelles. These data together with structural predictions suggest that HMW2 is the defining component of the electron-dense core of the terminal organelle.     

Purification of green fluorescent protein overexpressed by a mutant recombinant Escherichia coli

Green fluorescent protein was purified from sonicated recombinant Escherichia coli and its mutant obtained after exposure to UV light. The latter overexpresses green fluorescent protein. The two-step procedure consisted of a two-phase aqueous extraction with PEG/salt and precipitation of the proteins from PEG phase by free Zn2+. The recoveries of green fluorescent protein were 73 and 83% in the cases of recombinant E. coli and its mutant, respectively. The corresponding fold purifications were 24 and 9, respectively. In both cases, the purified protein showed a single band on SDS-PAGE corresponding to 28 kDa.     

绿色荧光蛋白基因原核表达载体的构建及其在昆虫肠道短短芽孢杆菌和苏云金芽孢杆菌中的表达

【目的】构建带有苏云金芽孢杆菌cry3a基因非芽孢依赖启动子和绿色荧光蛋白基因gfp(Green Fluorescent Protein)的原核表达载体,并转化从桑粒肩天牛幼虫肠道分离的两株常驻细菌短短芽孢杆菌CQUBb和苏云金芽孢杆菌CQUBt,以检测cry3a启动子在昆虫肠道常驻菌中的启动子活性,获得GFP标记菌株,为常驻菌在昆虫幼虫肠道中的定殖情况和杀虫工程菌的构建奠定基础。【方法】采用重叠延伸PCR将cry3a基因启动子和gfp基因进行融合,并与pHT304载体连接构建重组质粒pHT3AG,获得的重组质粒以电脉冲转化肠道常驻菌短短芽孢杆菌CQUBb和苏云金芽孢杆菌CQUBt,于可见光和荧光显微镜下观察荧光并通过SDS-PAGE分析重组菌株的蛋白表达情况,然后对重组菌株进行生长动力学分析和稳定性测试。【结果】重组菌在营养期大量组成型表达GFP,经电泳分离在凝胶上出现约29kDa的特异蛋白条带;重组菌生长曲线与出发菌没有显著差异,说明外源质粒未对宿主菌的生长带来明显不利影响;抗性条件下传代30次后两菌株外源质粒稳定性仍可达95%、67%;两个菌株比较,CQUBb比CQUBt质粒转化率高、重组菌GFP表达时间长、表达量大,并且重组菌株稳定性好。【结论】成功地将cry3a基因核心启动子和gfp基因转入桑粒肩天牛幼虫肠道常驻菌,实现了该启动子在Bt之外的菌株中发挥作用,构建了两个GFP标记菌株;重组基因工程菌株表达量大,稳定性好,可以用作昆虫肠道内微生态研究和芽孢杆菌表达系统以及杀虫菌株的构建。     

Purification and analysis of in vivo-differentiated oligodendrocytes expressing the green fluorescent protein

A complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the formation and repair of the central nervous system myelin sheath requires an unambiguous identification and isolation of in vivo-differentiated myelin-forming cells. In order to develop a novel tool for the analysis of in vivo-differentiated oligodendrocytes, we generated transgenic mice expressing a red-shifted variant of the green fluorescent protein under the control of the proteolipid protein promoter. We demonstrate here that green fluorescent protein-derived fluorescence in the central nervous system of 9-day- to 7-week-old mice is restricted to mature oligodendrocytes, as determined by its spatiotemporal appearance and by both immunocytochemical and electrophysiological criteria. Green fluorescent protein-positive oligodendrocytes could easily be visualized in live and fixed tissue. Furthermore, we show that this convenient and reliable identification now allows detailed physiological analyses of differentiated oligodendrocytes in situ. In addition, we developed a novel tissue culture system for in vivo-differentiated oligodendrocytes. Initial data using this system indicate that, for oligodendrocytes isolated after differentiation in vivo, as yet unidentified factors secreted by astrocytes are necessary for survival and/or reappearance of a mature phenotype in culture.     

Use of a green fluorescent protein-based reporter fusion for detection of nitric oxide produced by denitrifiers

To determine if green fluorescent protein could be used as a reporter for detecting nitric oxide production, gfp was fused to nnrS from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.3. nnrS was chosen because its expression requires nitric oxide. The presence of the fusion in R. sphaeroides 2.4.3 resulted in a significant increase in fluorescent intensity of the cells, but only when nitrite reductase was active. Cells lacking nitrite reductase activity and consequently the ability to generate nitric oxide were only weakly fluorescent when grown under denitrification-inducing conditions. One of the R. sphaeroides strains unable to generate nitric oxide endogenously was used as a reporter to detect exogenously produced nitric oxide. Incubation of this strain with sodium nitroprusside, a nitric oxide generator, significantly increased its fluorescence intensity. Mixing of known denitrifiers with the reporter strain also led to significant increases in fluorescence intensity, although the level varied depending on the denitrifier used. The reporter was tested on unknown isolates capable of growing anaerobically in the presence of nitrate, and one of these was able to induce expression of the fusion. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of this isolate placed it within the Thauera aromatica subgroup, which is known to contain denitrifiers. These experiments demonstrate that this green fluorescent protein-based assay provides a useful method for assessing the ability of bacteria to produce nitric oxide.     

Differential localization of protein kinase C delta by phorbol esters and related compounds using a fusion protein with green fluorescent protein

Enzyme localization often plays a controlling role in determining its activity and specificity. Protein kinase C (PKC) has long been known to translocate in response to physiological stimuli as well as to exogenous ligands such as the phorbol esters. We report here that different phorbol derivatives and related ligands, selected for differences in chemical structure and profile of biological activity, induce distinct patterns of redistribution of PKC delta. Localization of a PKC delta-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion construct was monitored in living Chinese hamster ovary cells as a function of ligand, concentration, and time using confocal laser scanning microscopy. delta-PKC-GFP was expressed predominantly in the cytoplasm, with some in the nucleus and perinuclear region. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced plasma membrane translocation followed by slower nuclear membrane translocation. As the concentration of PMA increased, the proportion of nuclear to plasma membrane localization increased markedly. In contrast to PMA, bryostatin 1, a unique activator of PKC that induces a subset of PMA-mediated responses while antagonizing others, at all doses induced almost exclusively nuclear membrane translocation. Like PMA, the complete tumor promoter 12-deoxyphorbol 13-tetradecanoate induced plasma membrane and slower nuclear membrane translocation, whereas the inhibitor of tumor promotion 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate, which differs only in its side chain, induced a distinctive distribution of PKC delta-GFP. Finally, the novel constrained diacylglycerol derivative B8-DL-B8 induced a slow Golgi localization. We speculate that differential control of PKC delta localization may provide an interesting strategy for producing ligands with differential biological consequences.     

Production of human papillomavirus 6b L1 virus-like particles incorporated with enhanced green fluorescent whole protein in silkworm larvae

Using human papillomavirus (HPV) as a subunit vaccine and its manipulation of surface loops is current trending research. Since the atomic model of L1 protein conformations were deciphered, their manipulations of epitopes bring multivalent vaccines. Here, in the present study, we have manipulated antigenic loops of HPV 6b L1 capsid proteins in the amino acid regions 174 ～ 175 (L1:174EGFP) and 348 ～ 349 (L1:348EGFP) with whole enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP), expressed in the silkworm larva using Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) bacmid technology. The expressed proteins were partially purified using sucrose density-gradient centrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The display of EGFP in virus-like particles (VLPs) was confirmed by immuno-fluorescence microscopy, Western blots and immune-transmission electron microscopy (immuno-TEM). There was higher expression of EGFP incorporated L1:174EGFP than L1:348EGFP. Hydrodynamic diameter of VLPs was corroborated by dynamic light scattering, confirming the size of expected range of around 160 nm and substantiating the incorporation of EGFP. From immuno-TEM, each L1:EGFP VLP formed small particles, suggesting that small particles of L1:EGFP fusion protein were aggregated. Our study illustrates that incorporation of whole protein can efficiently form chimeric VLPs, without hindering the conformation. HPV L1 protein accommodated a whole protein on its antigenic loop as a small particle, but an inserted whole protein was unstable.     

Expression of the green fluorescent protein carried by Autographa Californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus in insect cell lines

Summary A recombinant AcMNPV containing the green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene under the polyhedrin promoter (polh) was used to investigate the expression of the gfp gene as well as the production of recombinant extracellular virus in 14 continuous insect cell lines, including Heliothis virescens (BCIRL-HV-AM1), Helicoverpa zea (BCIRL-HZ-AM1), Anticarsia gemmatalis (BCIRL-AG-AM1), Trichoplusia ni (TN-CL1), Spodoptera frugiperda (IPLB-SF21), Spodoptera exigua (BCIRL/AMCY-Se-E1 and BCIRL/AMCY-Se-E5), Bombyx mori (BMN), Sf9 (a clone of IPLB-SF21), and five cell line clones of BCIRL-HV-AM1. The susceptibility of the cell lines to the recombinant virus (AcMNPV.GFP) was ascertained by calculating the mean percentage number of green light-emitting cells as well as by TCID₅₀ titration of extracellular virus with fluorescence as a sign of infection. Of the 14 cell lines tested, all were permissive with varying degrees to Ac-MNPV.GFP, except BCIRL-HV-AMCL2 and BCIRL-HZ-AM1, both grown in serum-containing medium, and BMN, grown in serum-free medium, which were nonpermissive to the virus. Except for BCIRL/AMCY-Se-E1, IPLB-SF21, and four of the five BCIRL-HV-AM1 clones, all the other cell lines (BCIRL-HV-AM1, BCIRL-AG-AM1, TN-CL1, Se-E5, and Sf9) expressed detectable levels of GFP by 48 h postinoculation. The BCIRL/AMCY-Se-E1 and IPLB-SF21 cells, grown in serum-free medium (Ex-Cell 401), expressed detectable levels of GFP at 72 h postinoculation. By contrast, in BCIRL/AMCY-Se-E1 in serum-containing medium (Ex-Cell 401+10% FBS [fetal bovine serum]), GFP was detected at 48 h postinoculation. Furthermore, TN-CL1 cells produced the largest mean percentage number of fluorescent (76.6%) cells in both serum-containing and serum-free medium (64.8%) at 120 h postinoculation. All the BCIRL-HV-AM1 clones showed no GFP expression until 96 h postinoculation, and only then about 1% of the cell population fluoresced. The mean extracellular virus (ECV) production at 120 h postinoculation was highest in BCIRL/AMCY-Se-E5 cells grown in Ex-Cell 401+10% FBS (37.8×10⁶ TCID₅₀/ml) followed by BCIRL-HV-AM1 in TC199-MK (33.4×10⁶ TCID₅₀/ml). Only the BCIRL-HV-AMCL3 clone produced any substantial level of ECV at 120 h postinoculation (16.9×10⁶ TCID₅₀/ml). However, there was no significant correlation between ECV production and the mean percentage number of fluorescent cells. This study provides further information on the susceptibility of 14 insect cell lines to a recombinant AcMNPV containing the green fluorescent protein gene. This information might avail researchers with information to facilitate decisions as to what other cell lines are available for in vitro studies of the gfp gene.     

Purification and characterization of human interleukin-1 alpha produced in Escherichia coli

The production of human interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) in Escherichia coli is described together with a method for its purification. The isolated protein was shown to be pure and physically homogeneous. The in vitro biological activity of IL-1 alpha was tested with the mononuclear-cell factor and the lymphocyte-activating factor assays. The specific activity determined with both assays was about 3 X 10(7) units mg-1 and is similar to that observed with recombinant human IL-1 beta. The purified protein was resolved by chromatofocusing into two species of isoelectric points 5.45 and 5.20 (75% and 25%, respectively, of the total protein). Both species had similar chemical properties and biological activities to the unfractionated protein. The charge difference between the species was attributed to the deamidation of a single Asn or Gln residue.