The bovine IFN-ω1 is biologically active and secreted at high levels in the yeast Pichia pastoris

Abstract

The gene coding for bIFN-ω1 was isolated from bovine genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Recombinant bIFN-ω1 was expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris and high levels of the recombinant protein (0.4 mg ml−1) were secreted to the culture media. The obtained bIFN-ω1 showed a cross-species antiviral activity on four mammalian cell lines of calf, pig, hamster and human origin, but this activity was absent on Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. A delivery carrier was developed to permit a better release of bIFN-ω1. When compared with a control group, an increase in 6 days in the corpus luteum lifespan was obtained in cyclic ewes following three interferon (IFN) intrauterine administrations on days 9, 10 and 11 post-estrus. In summary, these results demonstrated for the first time that biologically active recombinant bIFN-ω1 was highly secreted by P.pastoris showing antiviral activity in different cell lines and an antiluteolytic effect in cyclic ewes, with no detrimental effects on the animals.