Abstract
Simulated microgravity (SMG) is regarded as a suitable environment to produce recombinant proteins. This study showed that β-glucuronidase expressing Escherichia coli had higher productivity of recombinant protein and higher plasmid copy number under SMG compared with the normal gravity condition. The cellular changes were analyzed at both transcriptomic and proteomic levels. The upregulation of a group of ribosome/RNA polymerase genes and a cluster of genes involving energy metabolism at transcriptomic level stood out for improved production of recombinant protein under SMG. The protein folding modulators such as chaperones were upregulated at proteomic level, which could be a result of the increased activity of protein synthesis and can help recombinant protein production. Protein export was also strengthened, which was revealed at both transcriptomic and proteomic levels. The results demonstrated that SMG is a favorable environment for recombinant protein production arousing the upregulation of protein synthesis, protein folding, and protein export.
Highlights
Microgravity is a special environmental condition for microorganisms
This study showed that β-glucuronidase expressing Escherichia coli had higher productivity of recombinant protein and higher plasmid copy number under simulated microgravity (SMG) compared with the normal gravity condition
Several studies have found that SMG enhanced the production of recombinant proteins (Navran, 2007; Xiang et al, 2010; Huangfu et al, 2016)
Summary
Microgravity is a special environmental condition for microorganisms. The reduced gravity might elicit a number of distinct physiological variations to microorganisms, such as microbial growth (Rosenzweig et al, 2010), resistance to multiple stresses and antibiotics (Gao et al, 2001; Wilson et al, 2002), and substrate utilizations (Brown et al, 2002). Under the simulated microgravity (SMG), microorganism has a shorter lag phase, a higher growth rate, and a higher cell density compared to the normal gravity (NG) (Baker et al, 2004). Variation in environmental condition was reported to influence the recombinant protein production (Hoffmann and Rinas, 2004; Jamal et al, 2009).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
