Improved expression of human interleukin-2 in high-cell-density fermentor cultures of Escherichia coli K-12 by a phosphotransacetylase mutant

A fluoroacetate-resistant mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 (MM-294) accumulated less acetate in the medium during growth to high cell density in fermentor cultures and was shown to be defective in its phosphotransacetylase activity. The mutant had an improved ability to continue growing during induction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) synthesis, and in fermentor cultures it gave a higher level of specific IL-2 accumulation than its parent during expression under control of the temperature-sensitive pL promoter. In flask cultures at lower cell density, the mutant again produced less acetate than the parent, although both showed a much lower level of acetate accumulation than that seen in fermentors at high cell density. Both showed a higher specific expression level of IL-2 in flask cultures, and there was a greater difference between the mutant and its parent in the final extent of specific IL-2 accumulation in fermentor cultures compared with flask cultures. Thus, the concentration of acetate in the medium, which was much higher in fermentor cultures (greater than or equal to 300 mM after 5 h of induction) than in flask cultures (less than or equal to mM) of the parent organism, was a significant factor in limiting expression of the heterologous protein product, IL-2. The acetate kinase-phosphotransacetylase pathway was therefore a major source of acetate formation in these cultures. Blocking this pathway improved accumulation of IL-2 and did not slow growth.     

Improved expression of human interleukin-2 in high-cell-density fermentor cultures of Escherichia coli K-12 by a phosphotransacetylase mutant.

A fluoroacetate-resistant mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 (MM-294) accumulated less acetate in the medium during growth to high cell density in fermentor cultures and was shown to be defective in its phosphotransacetylase activity. The mutant had an improved ability to continue growing during induction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) synthesis, and in fermentor cultures it gave a higher level of specific IL-2 accumulation than its parent during expression under control of the temperature-sensitive pL promoter. In flask cultures at lower cell density, the mutant again produced less acetate than the parent, although both showed a much lower level of acetate accumulation than that seen in fermentors at high cell density. Both showed a higher specific expression level of IL-2 in flask cultures, and there was a greater difference between the mutant and its parent in the final extent of specific IL-2 accumulation in fermentor cultures compared with flask cultures. Thus, the concentration of acetate in the medium, which was much higher in fermentor cultures (greater than or equal to 300 mM after 5 h of induction) than in flask cultures (less than or equal to mM) of the parent organism, was a significant factor in limiting expression of the heterologous protein product, IL-2. The acetate kinase-phosphotransacetylase pathway was therefore a major source of acetate formation in these cultures. Blocking this pathway improved accumulation of IL-2 and did not slow growth.     

Strain improvement to enhance the production of recombinant penicillin acylase in high-cell-density Escherichia coli cultures

Using fed-batch operation for high-cell-density cultivation, efforts are frequently made for optimization of culture parameters, particularly feeding strategy. The current study also emphasized the importance of selecting strains for the production of recombinant proteins in high-cell-density cultures. With Escherichia coli penicillin acylase (PAC) as a target protein, the host/vector system of MDdeltaP7 harboring pTrcKnPAC2902 and pKS12 was designed for optimization of fed-batch cultivation for recombinant protein production. The host, MDdeltaP7, potentially had a high translational and periplasmic processing efficiency for pac expression. On the other hand, the vector, pTrcKnPAC2902, was genetically constructed for pac overexpression. Coexistence of the other vector, pKS12, significantly enhanced PAC production by improving cell physiology and reducing the amount of inclusion body formation upon pac overexpression. An extremely high volumetric PAC activity at 37,500 U/L was obtained with the use of the developed host/vector system under optimum fed-batch culture conditions.     

Polycationic amino acid tags enhance soluble expression of Candida antarctica lipase B in recombinant Escherichia coli

Lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) is a popular enzyme used as an ingredient in detergents and biocatalyst in many biochemical reactions. Lipase is usually expressed in Escherichia coli as an inactive inclusion body and at a low level. In this study, Candida antarctica lipase B (CalB) was fused with various polycationic amino acid tags and expressed in E. coli in order to increase a soluble expression level. By induction with 1.0 mM IPTG, the authentic and fused CalBs were expressed at 27-56% of total protein. The 10-arginine and 10-lysine tags fused at the C-terminal of CalB significantly increased the solubility of CalB by five- to ninefold, relative to the case of the authentic CalB expressed in a recombinant E. coli Origami 2? (DE3) strain. Among a series of the C-terminal poly-arginine tags, the recombinant CalB combined with the 10-arginine tag (CalB-R10) possessed the highest lipase specific activity of 9.5 ± 0.03 U/mg protein, corresponding to a fourfold enhancement compared with the authentic CalB.     

A two-stage glycine supplementation strategy enhances the extracellular expression of sortase A in Escherichia coli

Sortase A (SrtA) is a transpeptidase widely used in protein engineering. In this study, the enhancement of the extracellular expression of SrtA in Escherichia coli was investigated using a combined strategy based on the PelB signal peptide and chemical additives. First, glycine was identified to be the best additive for promoting the release of SrtA from the periplasm to the medium. Then, the effect of glycine concentration on cell growth and SrtA production was investigated, and a two-stage supplementation strategy was developed in order to control the impairment of cell growth and to achieve the maximum production of secretory SrtA. The results showed that when 0.5% glycine was added to the medium at the beginning of cell growth and 1% glycine was added at the end of the exponential phase, the extracellular yield of SrtA was 228.0 mg/L and the enzyme activity was 100.4 U/mL at the end of fermentation; these values were 5.3- and 8.6-fold higher, respectively, than those attained in the control culture without any additives. This result represents the highest yield of extracellular SrtA ever reported and demonstrates a promising process for the production of SrtA for large-scale industrial application.     

Optimisation of the mRNA secondary structure to improve the expression of interleukin-24 (IL-24) in Escherichia coli

Interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a novel cytokine selectively inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells but with little effect on normal cells. However, IL-24 is difficult to express in Escherichia coli. In this study, we optimised the secondary structure of the translation initiation region using computational approach to obtain non-fusion recombinant IL-24 (nrIL-24). The Gibbs free energy of the region was decreased from ?22 to ?9.07 kcal mol^?1, potentially promoting a loose secondary structure formation and improving the translation initiation efficiency. As a result, the expression of nrIL-24 was increased to 26 % of the total cellular protein from being barely initially detectable. nrIL-24 showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of A375 cells but had little effect on normal human cells. These results demonstrate that this method in increasing nrIL-24 expression is effective and efficient.     

A novel binary expression vector for production of human IL-10 in Escherichia coli and Bifidobacterium longum

A novel expression vector (pLR) driven by hup promoter and Bifidobacterium β-galactosidase signal peptide was constructed. The pLR vector was used for the expression of the optimized human IL-10 synthetic gene in Escherichia coli and Bifidobacterium longum. In both microorganisms, rhIL-10 was in a soluble form in total extract cells. The recombinant hIL-10 was partially processed in E. coli, whereas in Bifidobacterium all rhIL-10 was found in the mature form.     

Acceleration effect of amino acid supplementation on glycerol assimilation by Escherichia coli in minimal medium

Growth of Escherichia coli BL21 in a glycerol minimal medium was accelerated following supplementation with trace amounts of amino acid (0.35 mM). Of 12 amino acids tested, Arg and Ser gave the highest response, increasing cell growth by 63 and 53 %, respectively, compared to control cells. The ability of amino acids to accelerate cell growth was “switch-like” and was achieved by promoting glycerol utilization, which may be applied to shorten the long lag-phase when glycerol is used as carbon source. Acceleration of cell growth following amino acid supplementation was also observed using lactose minimal medium.     

Effects of medium quality on the expression of human interleukin-2 at high cell density in fermentor cultures of Escherichia coli K-12

We examined the ability of transformed Escherichia coli cells in fermentor cultures to accumulate interleukin-2 (IL-2) intracellularly under temperature-regulated control of the phage lambda pL promoter. Induction of expression was undertaken at different culture optical densities, and specific IL-2 accumulation was found to decrease with increasing cell density at induction. Induction at higher culture optical densities was also accompanied by decreased growth during induction and increased acetate accumulation in the culture medium. Experiments were undertaken to study the effect of replacing spent medium by perfusion with fresh medium both before induction and during IL-2 expression at high cell density. Improved IL-2 expression was seen only when perfusion was continued past 1.6 h after the start of induction, and it was accompanied by a significant reduction in acetate buildup. Further improvements were not seen when perfusion was continued beyond hour 3 of induction. Replenishing medium components and decreasing the concentration of diffusible inhibitors before induction did not alleviate acetate buildup, growth limitation, or limitation of IL-2 synthesis. These results suggested that accumulation of diffusible inhibitors such as acetate during induction may be a significant factor limiting IL-2 expression in high-density cultures, but other factors intrinsic to the organism or the protein also played a major role.     

Effect of amino acid supplementation on the synthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by recombinant pha Sa + Escherichia coli

The effect of different amino acid supplements to the basal medium on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) accumulation by recombinant pha _Sa ⁺ Escherichia coli (ATCC: PTA-1579) harbouring the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-synthesizing genes from Streptomyces aureofaciens NRRL 2209 was studied. With the exception of glycine and valine, all other amino acid supplements brought about enhancement of PHB accumulation. In particular, cysteine, isoleucine or methionine supplementation increased PHB accumulation by 60, 45 and 61% respectively by the recombinant E. coli as compared with PHB accumulation by this organism in the basal medium. The effect of co-ordinated addition of assorted combinations of these three amino acids on PHB accumulation was studied using a 2³ factorial design. The three-factor interaction analyses revealed that the effect of the three amino acids on PHB accumulation by the recombinant E. coli was in the order of cysteine > methionine > isoleucine. The defined medium supplemented with cysteine, methionine and isoleucine at the concentration of 150 mgl^–1 each and glycerol as the carbon source was the optimum medium that resulted in the accumulation of about 52% PHB of cell dry weight.     

Lysophosphatidic acid induces interleukin-13 (IL-13) receptor alpha2 expression and inhibits IL-13 signaling in primary human bronchial epithelial cells

Interleukin-13 (IL-13), a Th2 cytokine, plays a pivotal role in pathogenesis of bronchial asthma via IL-13 receptor alpha1 (IL-13Ralpha1) and IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Ralpha). Recent studies show that a decoy receptor for IL-13, namely IL-13Ralpha2, mitigates IL-13 signaling and function. This study provides evidence for regulation of IL-13Ralpha2 production and release and IL-13-dependent signaling by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs). LPA treatment of HBEpCs in at imedependent fashion increased IL-13Ralpha2 gene expression without altering the mRNA levels of IL-13Ralpha1 and IL-4Ralpha. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml, 4 h) or transfection of c-Jun small interference RNA or an inhibitor of JNK attenuated LPA-induced IL-13Ralpha2 gene expression and secretion of soluble IL-13Ralpha2. Overexpression of catalytically inactive mutants of phospholipase D (PLD) 1 or 2 attenuated LPA-induced IL-13Ralpha2 gene expression and protein secretion as well as phosphorylation of JNK. Pretreatment of HBEpCs with 1 microM LPA for 6 h attenuated IL-13-but not IL-4-induced phosphorylation of STAT6. Transfection of HBEpCs with IL-13Ralpha2 small interference RNA blocked the effect of LPA on IL-13-induced phosphorylation of STAT6. Furthermore, pretreatment with LPA (1 microM, 6 h) attenuated IL-13-induced eotaxin-1 and SOCS-1 gene expression. These results demonstrate that LPA induces IL-13Ralpha2 expression and release via PLD and JNK/AP-1 signal transduction and that pretreatment with LPA down-regulates IL-13 signaling in HBEpCs. Our data suggest a novel mechanism of regulation of IL-13Ralpha2 and IL-13 signaling that may be of physiological relevance to airway inflammation and remodeling.     

大肠埃希菌—双歧杆菌穿梭表达载体的构建及白介素-10基因的表达

目的构建能够在大肠埃希菌和双歧杆菌中穿梭表达目的基因的载体,并用此载体在大肠埃希菌和双歧杆菌中表达人白介素-10基因（hIL-10）的蛋白产物;为hIL-10基因重组双歧杆菌治疗炎症性肠病做前期准备。方法以质粒pDG7为模板扩增pMB1片段,构建表达质粒pET28B1。用PCR法扩增hIL-10基因,将此目的基因以及pET28B1经酶切后用连接酶连接,形成重组质粒pET28B1-hIL10。pET28B1-IL10转染大肠埃希菌BL21和长双歧杆菌。最后用Western blot检测hIL-10基因在大肠埃希菌和长双歧杆菌中的表达情况。结果pET28B1-hIL10阳性克隆扩增后提取质粒并进行基因测序,结果显示插入片段为hIL-10,序列正确且无突变。hIL-10基因在大肠埃希菌、长双歧杆菌中的诱导表达产物通过Western blot检测验证为IL-10蛋白,显示该hIL-10表达载体在大肠埃希菌阳性克隆中经诱导可高量表达,在长双歧杆菌体中有少量表达。结论成功构建质粒pET28B1,该质粒能够在大肠埃希菌和双歧杆菌中穿梭表达目的基因hIL-10。     

Effects of medium quality on the expression of human interleukin-2 at high cell density in fermentor cultures of Escherichia coli K-12.

We examined the ability of transformed Escherichia coli cells in fermentor cultures to accumulate interleukin-2 (IL-2) intracellularly under temperature-regulated control of the phage lambda pL promoter. Induction of expression was undertaken at different culture optical densities, and specific IL-2 accumulation was found to decrease with increasing cell density at induction. Induction at higher culture optical densities was also accompanied by decreased growth during induction and increased acetate accumulation in the culture medium. Experiments were undertaken to study the effect of replacing spent medium by perfusion with fresh medium both before induction and during IL-2 expression at high cell density. Improved IL-2 expression was seen only when perfusion was continued past 1.6 h after the start of induction, and it was accompanied by a significant reduction in acetate buildup. Further improvements were not seen when perfusion was continued beyond hour 3 of induction. Replenishing medium components and decreasing the concentration of diffusible inhibitors before induction did not alleviate acetate buildup, growth limitation, or limitation of IL-2 synthesis. These results suggested that accumulation of diffusible inhibitors such as acetate during induction may be a significant factor limiting IL-2 expression in high-density cultures, but other factors intrinsic to the organism or the protein also played a major role.     

A novel expression system of domain I of human beta2 glycoprotein I in Escherichia coli

Background  

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), characterised by recurrent miscarriage and thrombosis, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Domain I (DI) of human beta 2 glycoprotein I (β₂GPI) is thought to contain crucial antibody binding epitopes for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), which are critical to the pathogenesis of APS. Expressing this protein in bacteria could facilitate studies investigating how this molecule interacts with aPL.     

Design and expression of a diphtheria toxin hybrid protein and human interleukin-2 gene in Escherichia coli]

Recombinant fusion proteins consist of the N-terminal 488 or 513 amino acids of diphtheria toxin joined to human interleukin 2. Initially those fusion proteins were expressed in E. coli under the control of the tox promotor. Western blot analyses showed that E. coli strains bearing the hybrid genes produce 68 kDa or 72 kDa fusion proteins that retain the immunological determinants of both the diphtheria toxin component and the interleukin 2 component. The fusion protein with mol. mass 72 kDa was partially purified by affinity chromatography. The expression of the fusion proteins under the control of the strong promotors was increased (100-fold for tac- promotor) compared to that under the control of the tox promotor. DT-IL2 might be a useful cytotoxic agent in the treatment of diseases involving IL2 receptor-positive cells, such as allograft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, multiple sclerosis et al.     

Influence of acetic acid on the growth of Escherichia coli K12 during high-cell-density cultivation in a dialysis reactor

High-cell-density cultivations of Escherichia coli K12 in a dialysis reactor with controlled levels of dissolved oxygen were carried out with different carbon sources: glucose and glycerol. Extremely high cell concentrations of 190 g/l and 180 g/l dry cell weight were obtained in glucose medium and in glycerol medium respectively. Different behaviour was observed in the formation of acetic acid in these cultivations. In glucose medium, acetic acid was formed during the earlier phase of cultivation. However, in glycerol medium, acetic acid formation started later and was particularly rapid at the end of the cultivation. In order to estimate the influence of acetic acid during these high-cell-density cultivations, the inhibitory effect of acetic acid on cell growth was investigated under different culture conditions. It was found that the inhibition of cell growth by acetic acid in the fermentor was much less than that in a shaker culture. On the basis of the results obtained in these investigations of the inhibitory effect of acetic acid, and the mathematical predictions of cell growth in a dialysis reactor, the influence of acetic acid on high-cell-density cultivation is discussed. Received: 20 May 1997 / Received revision: 12 August 1997 / Accepted: 25 August 1997     

Reassignment of a rare sense codon to a non-canonical amino acid in Escherichia coli

The immutability of the genetic code has been challenged with the successful reassignment of the UAG stop codon to non-natural amino acids in Escherichia coli. In the present study, we demonstrated the in vivo reassignment of the AGG sense codon from arginine to l-homoarginine. As the first step, we engineered a novel variant of the archaeal pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) able to recognize l-homoarginine and l-N⁶-(1-iminoethyl)lysine (l-NIL). When this PylRS variant or HarRS was expressed in E. coli, together with the AGG-reading tRNA^Pyl_CCU molecule, these arginine analogs were efficiently incorporated into proteins in response to AGG. Next, some or all of the AGG codons in the essential genes were eliminated by their synonymous replacements with other arginine codons, whereas the majority of the AGG codons remained in the genome. The bacterial host''s ability to translate AGG into arginine was then restricted in a temperature-dependent manner. The temperature sensitivity caused by this restriction was rescued by the translation of AGG to l-homoarginine or l-NIL. The assignment of AGG to l-homoarginine in the cells was confirmed by mass spectrometric analyses. The results showed the feasibility of breaking the degeneracy of sense codons to enhance the amino-acid diversity in the genetic code.     

Cortisol stimulates system A amino acid transport and SNAT2 expression in a human placental cell line (BeWo)

Both placental system A activity and fetal plasma cortisol concentrations are associated with intrauterine growth retardation, but it is not known if these factors are mechanistically related. Previous functional studies using hepatoma cells and fibroblasts produced conflicting results regarding the regulation of system A by cortisol. Using the b30 BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line, we investigated the regulation of system A by cortisol. System A function was analyzed using methyl amino isobutyric acid (MeAIB) transcellular transport studies. Transporter expression [system A transporter (SNAT)1/2] was studied at the mRNA and protein levels using Northern and Western blotting, respectively. Localization was carried out using immunocytochemistry. The [(14)C]MeAIB transfer rate across BeWo monolayers after preincubation with cortisol for 24 h was significantly increased compared with control. This was associated with a relocalization of the SNAT2 transporter at lower cortisol levels and significant upregulation of mRNA and protein expression levels at cortisol levels >1 microM. This is the first study to show functional and molecular regulation of system A by cortisol in BeWo cells. It is also the first study to identify which system A isoform is regulated. These results suggest that cortisol may be involved in upregulation of system A in the placenta to ensure sufficient amino acid supply to the developing fetus.