C-terminal Histidine Tag Research Articles

Polyaminated, acetylated and stop codon readthrough of recombinant Francisella tularensis universal stress protein in Escherichia coli.

Recombinant Francisella tularensis universal stress protein with a C-terminal histidine-tag (rUsp/His6) was expressed in Escherichia coli. Endogenous F. tularensis Usp has a predicted molecular mass of 30 kDa, but rUsp/His6 had an apparent molecular weight of 33 kDa based on Western blot analyses. To determine the source of the higher molecular weight for rUsp/His6, post translational modifications were examined. Tryptic peptides of purified rUsp/His6 were subjected to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and fragmentation spectra were searched for acetylated lysines and polyaminated glutamines. Of the 24 lysines in rUsp/His6, 10 were acetylated (K63, K68, K72, K129, K175, K201, K208, K212, K233, and K238) and three of the four glutamines had putrescine, spermidine and spermine adducts (Q55, Q60 and Q267). The level of post-translational modification was substoichiometric, eliminating the possibility that these modifications were the sole contributor to the 3 kDa extra mass of rUsp/His6. LC-MS/MS revealed that stop codon readthrough had occurred resulting in the unexpected addition of 20 extra amino acids at the C-terminus of rUsp/His6, after the histidine tag. Further, the finding of polyaminated glutamines in rUsp/His6 indicated that E. coli is capable of transglutaminase activity.

Expression and detergent free purification and reconstitution of the plant plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter SOS1 overexpressed in Pichia pastoris

The plant plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter SOS1 (Salt Overlay Sensitive 1) of Arabidopsis thaliana is the major transporter extruding Na+ out of cells in exchange for an intracellular H+. The sodium extrusion process maintains a low intracellular Na+ concentration and thereby facilitates salt tolerance. A. thaliana SOS1 consists of 1146 amino acids, with the first 450 in a N-terminal membrane transport domain and the balance forming a cytosolic regulatory domain. For studies on characterization of the protein, two different constructs of SOS1 comprising of the residues 28 to 460 and 28 to 990 were cloned and overexpressed in methylotropic yeast strain of Pichia pastoris with a C-terminal histidine tag using the expression vector pPICZA. Styrene malic acid copolymers (SMA) were used as a cost-effective alternative to detergent for solubilization and isolation of this membrane protein. Immobilized Ni2+-ion affinity chromatography was used to purify the expressed protein resulting in a yield of ~0.6–2 mg of SOS1 per liter of Pichia pastoris culture. The SMA purified protein containing amino acids 28 to 990 was directly reconstituted into liposomes for determination of Na+ transport activity and was functionally active. However, similar reconstitution with amino acids 28–460 did not yield a functional protein. Other results have shown that the truncated SOS1 protein at amino acid 481 is active, which infers the presence of an element between residues 461–481 which is necessary for SOS1 activity. This region contains several conserved segments that may be important in SOS1 structure and function.

Production of a kinesin-related recombinant protein (Lbk39) from Leishmania braziliensis by Leishmania tarentolae promastigotes and its application in the serodiagnosis of leishmaniasis

The leishmaniases are multifactorial zoonotic diseases requiring a multidisciplinary One Health approach for diagnosis and control. For leishmaniasis diagnosis, here we describe production of a new recombinant protein based on a kinesin-related gene of Leishmania braziliensis (Lbk39), which shows 59% amino acid identity to the L. infantum homologue. The Lbk39 gene was synthesized, inserted into the pLEXSY-sat2 vector and transfected into L. tarentolae cells by electroporation. Culturing was carried out, and the secreted recombinant protein with a C-terminal histidine tag purified using nickel affinity chromatography on the culture supernatant, yielding a final product at 0.4 mg/mL. An indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was standardised using sera from 74 Brazilian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis and 11 with visceral leishmaniasis. Optimal ELISA conditions were established for the Lbk39 antigen in comparison with a crude extract from L. braziliensis. The sensitivity, specificity analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were determined with a significance level of 5%. The ROC curve showed a good accuracy with an area under curve (AUC) = 0.967, p < 0.001 (0.941–0.993) for CL patients and an AUC = 100 (100-100) for VL patients. The values of sensitivity and specificity were 88 and 98% for CL and 100 and 100% for VL, respectively. The study showed good production and expression of the target protein and has generated a potential new antigen for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis.

Production of a Recombinant Peptide (Lasioglossin LL ΙΙΙ) and Assessment of Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity

The use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as biopreservative to replace chemical preservatives has become of interest among consumers. Current approaches of production and purification of AMPs are time-consuming and costly and may kill the producing host cells. In this study a recombinant peptide was patterned from Lasioglossin LL ΙΙΙ which is found naturally in the venom of eusocial bee, this recombinant peptide was produced to inhibit food microbial degradation with the least possible costs. The synthesis of this peptide in the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli, has facilitated the production and purification of this additive. The pET based expression system for production of a recombinant form of Lasioglossin LL ΙΙΙ using E. coli as a host was developed. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of recombinant peptide were determined. A C-terminal poly histidine tag was used to facilitate purification by standard methods using Ni2+ affinity chromatography. The average yield of the recombinant peptide was 0.7 g/L. The findings showed great antimicrobial function of the peptide. The antioxidant activity of the peptide was lower than Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) synthesized antioxidant as a common antioxidant but the antioxidant potential of the peptide along with the antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens have shown promising benefits of the peptide. These results demonstrated that pET expression system is appropriate for the rapid and simple isolation of recombinant lasioglossin LL ΙΙΙ from E. coli and the recombinant peptide could be used as a natural preservative source. However, further studies need to be carried out to check the effect of this peptide on more microorganisms.

Formation of an Efficient Energy Transfer Complex between Quantum Dots and Exiguobacterium sibiricum Retinal Protein via the Histidine-Cysteine Anchor

Resonance energy transfer in self-assembled hybrid structures formed by water-soluble semiconductor CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QD) with a cysteine shell and the Exiguobacterium sibiricum retinal protein (ESR) in three modifications, with and without a 6-membered C-terminal histidine tag, and with both the histidine tag and C-terminal cysteine residue. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that nonradiative energy transfer from QD onto the ESR protein depends on the strength of intermolecular interactions in the hybrid complex. A shift from electrostatic interactions in the QD-ESR donor-acceptor pair to coordinate bond with an additional disulfide bond resulted in an increase of the energy transfer efficiency from 40 to over 90%. The proposed method to produce noncovalent conjugates from QDs and light-sensitive proteins can be a promising one for biomedical applications, as well as for the development of new solar energy accumulation systems.

Lysines residing in putative Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) motifs regulate fate and function of 37 KDa laminin receptor

There is a putative precursor to mature receptor relationship between 37 Laminin Receptor (LR) and 67 LR. As such, the pair are frequently referred to as a single entity, the 37/67 kDa Laminin Receptor (37/67 LR) and 67 LR was identified as a laminin binding entity. 37/67 LR has been of clinical interest for many years, as 37/67 LR is a prognostic indicator for many cancers including breast, lung, colon, and prostate. However, the genesis of 67 LR is controversial, and confounded by its stability under SDS-PAGE conditions, a lack of splice variants, and the existence of post-translational modifications that cannot account for the mass discrepancy between 37 and 67 LR. In the present work, we mutated potential SUMO motif sites (Lysine residues) in 37 LR and generated a series of 37 LR-expressing plasmids with a C-terminal histidine tag. We report an inability to detect 67 LR formation, suggesting that SUMOylation does not appear to directly occur at the lysine residues proposed. However, the work revealed that these lysine mutations still appear to be important and can impact the fate and function of 37 LR, by impairing half-life and steady state pre-mRNA levels. These results suggest that the Lys residues within putative SUMO motifs of 37 LR are important for 37 LR function.

Development of Escherichia coli Asparaginase II for Immunosensing: A Trade-Off between Receptor Density and Sensing Efficiency.

The clinical success of Escherichia colil-asparaginase II (EcAII) as a front line chemotherapeutic agent for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is often compromised because of its silent inactivation by neutralizing antibodies. Timely detection of silent immune response can rely on immobilizing EcAII, to capture and detect anti-EcAII antibodies. Having recently reported the use of a portable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing device to detect anti-EcAII antibodies in undiluted serum from children undergoing therapy for ALL (Aubé et al., ACS Sensors2016, 1 (11), 1358–1365), here we investigate the impact of the quaternary structure and the mode of immobilization of EcAII onto low-fouling SPR sensor chips on the sensitivity and reproducibility of immunosensing. We show that the native tetrameric structure of EcAII, while being essential for activity, is not required for antibody recognition because monomeric EcAII is equally antigenic. By modulating the mode of immobilization, we observed that low-density surface coverage obtained upon covalent immobilization allowed each tetrameric EcAII to bind up to two antibody molecules, whereas high-density surface coverage arising from metal chelation by N- or C-terminal histidine-tag reduced the sensing efficiency to less than one antibody molecule per tetramer. Nonetheless, immobilization of EcAII by metal chelation procured up to 10-fold greater surface coverage, thus resulting in increased SPR sensitivity and allowing reliable detection of lower analyte concentrations. Importantly, only metal chelation achieved highly reproducible immobilization of EcAII, providing the sensing reproducibility that is required for plasmonic sensing in clinical samples. This report sheds light on the impact of multiple factors that need to be considered to optimize the practical applications of plasmonic sensors.

Expression of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense Antigens in Leishmania tarentolae. Potential for Use in Rapid Serodiagnostic Tests (RDTs).

The development of rapid serodiagnostic tests for sleeping sickness and other diseases caused by kinetoplastids relies on the affordable production of parasite-specific recombinant antigens. Here, we describe the production of recombinant antigens from Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.b. gambiense) in the related species Leishmania tarentolae (L. tarentolae), and compare their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity to native antigens currently used in diagnostic kits against a panel of human sera. A number of T.b. gambiense protein antigen candidates were chosen for recombinant expression in L. tarentolae based on current diagnostics in field use and recent findings on immunodiagnostic antigens found by proteomic profiling. In particular, the extracellular domains of invariant surface glycoprotein 65 (ISG65), variant surface glycoproteins VSG LiTat 1.3 and VSG LiTat 1.5 were fused with C-terminal histidine tags and expressed as soluble proteins in the medium of cultured, recombinant L. tarentolae. Using affinity chromatography, on average 10 mg/L of recombinant protein was purified from cultures and subsequently tested against a panel of sera from sleeping sickness patients from controls, i.e. persons without sleeping sickness living in HAT endemic countries. The evaluation on sera from 172 T.b. gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) patients and from 119 controls showed very high diagnostic potential of the two recombinant VSG and the rISG65 fragments with areas under the curve between 0.97 and 0.98 compared to 0.98 and 0.99 with native VSG LiTat 1.3 and VSG LiTat 1.5 (statistically not different). Evaluation on sera from 78 T.b. rhodesiense HAT patients and from 100 controls showed an acceptable diagnostic potential of rISG65 with an area under the curve of 0.83. These results indicate that a combination of these recombinant antigens has the potential to be used in next generation rapid serodiagnostic tests. In addition, the L. tarentolae expression system enables simple, cheap and efficient production of recombinant kinetoplatid proteins for use in diagnostic, vaccine and drug discovery research that does not rely on animal use to generate materials.

Structural and functional characterisation of ferret interleukin-2

While the ferret is a valuable animal model for a number of human viral infections, such as influenza, Hendra and Nipah, evaluating the cellular immune response following infection has been hampered by the lack of a number of species-specific immunological reagents. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is one such key cytokine. Ferret recombinant IL-2 incorporating a C-terminal histidine tag was expressed and purified and the three-dimensional structure solved and refined at 1.89 Å by X-ray crystallography, which represents the highest resolution and first non-human IL-2 structure. While ferret IL-2 displays the classic cytokine fold of the four-helix bundle structure, conformational flexibility was observed at the second helix and its neighbouring region in the bundle, which may result in the disruption of the spatial arrangement of residues involved in receptor binding interactions, implicating subtle differences between ferret and human IL-2 when initiating biological functions. Ferret recombinant IL-2 stimulated the proliferation of ferret lymph node cells and induced the expression of mRNA for IFN-γ and Granzyme A.

Expression of the Thermobifida fusca xylanase Xyn11A in Pichia pastoris and its characterization.

BackgroundXylan is a major component of plant cells and the most abundant hemicellulose. Xylanases degrade xylan into monomers by randomly cleaving β-1,4-glycosidic bonds in the xylan backbone, and have widespread potential applications in various industries. The purpose of our study was to clone and express the endoxylanase gene xynA of Thermobifida fusca YX in its native form and with a C-terminal histidine (His) tag in Pichia pastoris X-33. We analyzed and compared these two forms of the protein and examined their potential applications in various industries.ResultsThe xynA gene from T. fusca YX was successfully cloned and expressed using P. pastoris X-33. We produced a recombinant native form of the protein (rXyn11A) and a C-terminal His-tagged form of the desired protein (rXyn11A-(His)6). The specific activities of rXyn11A and rXyn11A-(His)6 in culture supernatants approached 149.4 and 133.4 U/mg, respectively. These activities were approximately 4- and 3.5-fold higher than those for the non-recombinant wild-type Xyn11A (29.3 U/mg). Following purification, the specific activities of rXyn11A and rXyn11A-(His)6 were 557.35 and 515.84 U/mg, respectively. The specific activity of rXyn11A was 8% higher than that of rXyn11A-(His)6. Both recombinant xylanases were optimally active at 80°C and pH 8.0, and exhibited greater than 60% activity between pH 6–9 and 60–80°C. They exhibited similar pH stability, while rXyn11A exhibited better thermostability; N-glycosylation enhanced the thermostability of both recombinant xylanases. The products of beechwood xylan hydrolyzed by both xylanases included xylobiose, xylotriose, xylotetraose and xylopentaose.ConclusionsThe C-terminal His tag had adverse effects when added to the Xyn11A protein. The thermostability of both recombinant xylanases was enhanced by N-glycosylation. Their stabilities at a high pH and temperature indicate their potential for application in various industries.

Improvement of a Sulfolobus-E. coli shuttle vector for heterologous gene expression in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius.

A Sulfolobus-E. coli shuttle vector for an efficient expression of the target gene in S. acidocaldarius strain was constructed. The plasmid-based vector pSM21 and its derivative pSM21N were generated based on the pUC18 and Sulfolobus cryptic plasmid pRN1. They carried the S. solfataricus P2 pyrEF gene for the selection marker, a multiple cloning site (MCS) with C-terminal histidine tag, and a constitutive promoter of the S. acidocaldarius gdhA gene for strong expression of the target gene, as well as the pBR322 origin and ampicillin-resistant gene for E. coli propagation. The advantage of pSM21 over other Sulfolobus shuttle vectors is that it contains a MCS and a histidine tag for the simple and easy cloning of a target gene as well as one-step purification by histidine affinity chromatography. For successful expression of the foreign genes, two genes from archaeal origins (PH0193 and Ta0298) were cloned into pSM21N and the functional expression was examined by enzyme activity assay. The recombinant PH0193 was successfully expressed under the control of the gdhA promoter and purified from the cultures by His-tag affinity chromatography. The yield was approximately 1 mg of protein per liter of cultures. The enzyme activity measurements of PH0913 and Ta0298 revealed that both proteins were expressed as an active form in S. acidocaldarius. These results indicate that the pSM21N shuttle vector can be used for the functional expression of foreign archaeal genes that form insoluble aggregates in the E. coli system.

DNA-launched sindbis virus based replicon encoding the yellow fever virus ED-lll protein

Background: Yellow fever virus (YFV) is a positive sense singlestranded RNA virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes and is endemic in the tropical regions of Africa and South America. The World Health Organization has estimated the annual prevalence of yellow fever to be 200 000 cases, of which more than 90% is attributed toAfrica.Althoughhighlyefficacious liveattenuatedvaccines are available, use of the vaccines in immunocompromised individuals are contra-indicated and, although rare, vaccineassociated viscerotropic adverse events have been reported. Hence development of a safer alternative that can complement the use of the live vaccines would have application. The aim of this study was to prepare a DNA-launched Sindbis based replicon encoding the ED-lll protein of YFV and to characterize the expression of the ED-lll protein in transfected cells prior to evaluation as a candidate vaccine in an animal model. Methods & Materials: The gene encoding wild-type Asibi strain YFV ED-lll protein was codon optimized and synthesized by GenScript. The gene was cloned into a DNA based expression system carrying the Sindbis genome and designated pSinED-lll. The pSinED-lll replicon was purified and utilized for the transfection of BHK21cells. A similarly constructedDNA launchedSindbis replicon expressing a reporter gene, green fluorescing protein, was used as a transfection control. Transfected BHK cellswere assayed 24hours post-transfection for the expression of the ED-lll protein using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Anti-his6 mouse monoclonal antibodies were used to detect the C-terminal histidine tag. In addition, sera obtained from mice immunized with bacterially expressed ED-lll, and shown to have an IgG antibody response to ED-lll, were used to detect ED-lll protein in transfected cells. Results: The presence of the gene encoding the ED-lll protein in the construct was confirmed by PCR and sequencing using primers flanking the cloning site. The detection of the C-terminal histidine tag and the ED-lll protein in an indirect IFA confirmed the expression of YFV ED-lll protein in mammalian cells. Conclusion: IFA confirmed the expression of ED-lll protein from pSinED-lll. Therefore the immunogenicity of the DNA-launched Sindbis virus based replicon will be evaluated using mice.

Structural characterization of a novel autonomous cohesin fromRuminococcus flavefaciens

Ruminococcus flavefaciens is a cellulolytic bacterium found in the rumen of herbivores and produces one of the most elaborate and variable cellulosome systems. The structure of an R. flavefaciens protein (RfCohG, ZP_06142108), representing a freestanding (non-cellulosomal) type III cohesin module, has been determined. A selenomethionine derivative with a C-terminal histidine tag was crystallized and diffraction data were measured to 2.44 Å resolution. Its structure was determined by single-wavelength anomalous dispersion, revealing eight molecules in the asymmetric unit. RfCohG exhibits the most complex among all known cohesin structures, possessing four α-helical elements and a topographical protuberance on the putative dockerin-binding surface.

Biochemical Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA Repair Enzymes - Nfo, XthA and Nei2.

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is a human disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Treatment of TB requires long-term courses of multi-drug therapies to eliminate subpopulations of bacteria, which sometimes persist against antibiotics. Therefore, understanding of the mechanism of Mtb antibiotic-resistance is extremely important.During infection, Mtb overcomes a variety of body defense mechanisms, including treatment with the reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen. The bases in DNA molecule are susceptible to the damages caused by reactive forms of intermediate compounds of oxygen and nitrogen. Most of this damage is repaired by the base excision repair (BER) pathway. In this study, we aimed to biochemically characterize three Mtb DNA repair enzymes of BER pathway.MethodsXthA, nfo, and nei genes were identified in mycobacteria by homology search of genomic sequences available in the GenBank database. We used standard methods of genetic engineering to clone and sequence Mtb genes, which coded Nfo, XthA and Nei2 repair enzymes. The protein products of Mtb genes were expressed and purified in Escherichia coli using affinity tags. The enzymatic activity of purified Nfo, XthA, and Nei2 proteins were measured using radioactively labeled DNA substrates containing various modified residues.ResultsThe genes end (Rv0670), xthA (Rv0427c), and nei (Rv3297) were PCR amplified using genomic DNA of Mtb H37Rv with primers that contain specific restriction sites. The amplified products were inserted into pET28c(+) expression vector in such a way that the recombinant proteins contain C-terminal histidine tags. The plasmid constructs were verified by sequencing and then transformed into the Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) strain. Purification of recombinant proteins was performed using Ni2+ ions immobilized affinity column, coupled with the fast performance liquid chromatography machine AKTA. Identification of the isolated proteins was performed by protein mass spectrometry by ion trap tandem MS/MS on nLC-ESI-Ion-Trap platform. Biochemical characterization of DNA repair protein-catalyzed activity was carried out by measuring apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease, DNA glycosylase, exonuclease, and 3′-repair diesterase functions. In addition, effect of the opposite base and the influence of metal ion cofactors were measured.ConclusionResults of the ongoing study will help us define the role of DNA repair enzymes in the emergence of mutations in the mycobacterial genome and, possibly, the origins of multi-drug resistance in mycobacteria.

Purification of the goldfish membrane progestin receptor α (mPRα) expressedin yeast Pichia pastoris

Membrane progestin receptors (mPRs) are key mediators of rapid, nongenomic actions of progestins on plasma membranes. We established a procedure for the expression and purification of recombinant goldfish mPRα using the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris. In P. pastoris, the recombinant protein, which carried C-terminal histidine and c-Myc tags, was expressed in an active form as the receptor for maturation-inducing steroids of fish. Expressed proteins were bound reversibly with a high affinity (Kd = 9.4 nM) at a single binding site that could be saturated. After solubilization of mPRα with n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside (DDM) from yeast membranes, the recombinant protein was purified using three different columns: first it was affinity-purified over nickel-nitrilotriaceticacid (Ni-NTA), then bound to a cellulose resin with free amino groups and finally to a column with affinity for the c-Myc epitope. The identity of the purified protein was verified by MALDI-TOF/MS analysis and its capacity to bind progestin remained. Expression and purification of mPRα protein in its functional form will enable the screening of ligands and the determination of its three dimensional structure.

Characterization of Halophilic Acyl-CoA Thioesterase from Chromohalobacter salexigens for Use in Biofuel Production

Acyl-CoA thioesterases are enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of acyl-CoAs at thioester linkages to form free fatty acids and coenzyme A. These enzymes, along with lipases, have a wide spectrum of use in industrial applications including the production of fatty acids from oil-producing microorganisms for use as biofuel feed-stocks. This technology coupled with an increasing interest in sustainable biofuels has led researchers to investigate algae based systems of fuel production. Since a number of marine algae that are being evaluated for biofuel production prefer moderately halophilic environments, it follows that thioesterases/lipases originating from a halophilic organism may be best suited for use with a marine algae-based biofuel system. Recent studies have shown increased production of free fatty acids in Escherichia coli and cyanobacteria following overexpression of recombinant, leaderless thioesterase I (TesA) from E. coli. A homolog of TesA from the moderate halophilic bacterium Chromohalobacter salexigens has been identified, cloned, and recombinantly expressed in E. coli strains BL21 and M15. Because previous studies indicated that histidine tag position alters TesA substrate specificity, three different recombinant versions of the C. salexigens TesA were produced for this study; an N-terminal histidine-tagged enzyme, a C-terminal histidine-tagged enzyme, and one in which the N-terminal histidine-tag was removed via DAPase digestion. Introduction of a C-terminal histidine tag shifted substrate preference to shorter (<C10) carbon chain lengths, while introduction of an N-terminal tag resulted in overall reduced activity. Finally, removal of the N-terminal tag restored overall activity levels while slightly increasing enzyme preference for longer (C10/C12) carbon chain substrates. Given the requirement of lipolytic activity to generate free fatty acids for biofuel synthesis, this study has important implications for the use of thioesterases/lipases in marine algae based biofuel systems.

Immunotherapeutic potential of recombinant ESAT-6 protein in mouse model of experimental tuberculosis

Recent understanding of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis allows the possible application of immunotherapy for the treatment of tuberculosis. Therapies that would upregulate the host antimycobacterial immune response and/or attenuate T-cell suppressive and macrophage-deactivating cytokines may prove to be useful in the treatment of tuberculosis. ESAT6, 6-kDa early secreted antigenic target, is a potent protective antigen and is considered as major target for long-lived memory cells. In the present study the immunotherapeutic potential of ESAT-6 has been evaluated in mouse model of experimental tuberculosis. In the present study the ESAT-6 protein was cloned in Escherichia coli using pET23a(+) plasmid and purified by Ni2+-NTA chromatography. Further, the immunotherapeutic potential of the recombinant ESAT-6 (in terms of CFU enumeration in the target organs and histopathological analysis of lungs) was evaluated against experimental tuberculosis. The recombinant ESAT-6 with C-terminal histidine-tag and free N-terminus mimics the natural form of ESAT-6 has been successfully cloned and purified. The recombinant ESAT-6 protein adjuvanted with dimethyl dioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) moderately reduced the bacterial load in the target organs of infected mice. Further, the formulation (ESAT-6-DDA) was able to act synergistically when given in combination with antituberculosis drugs. This recombinant ESAT-6 showed good immunotherapeutic potential against experimental tuberculosis and can be used as an adjunct to the conventional antituberculosis chemotherapy.

The Use of Immobilized Cytochrome P4502C9 in PMMA-Based Plug Flow Bioreactors for the Production of Drug Metabolites

Cytochrome P450 enzymes play a key role in the metabolism of pharmaceutical agents. To determine metabolite toxicity, it is necessary to obtain P450 metabolites from various pharmaceutical agents. Here, we describe a bioreactor that is made by immobilizing cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) to a poly(methyl methacrylate) surface and, as an alternative to traditional chemical synthesis, can be used to biosynthesize P450 metabolites in a plug flow bioreactor. As part of the development of the CYP2C9 bioreactor, we have studied two different methods of attachment: (1) coupling via the N-terminus using N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide and (2) using the Ni(II) chelator 1-acetato-4-benzyl-triazacyclononane to coordinate the enzyme to the surface using a C-terminal histidine tag. Additionally, the propensity for metabolite production of the CYP2C9 proof-of-concept bioreactors as a function of enzyme attachment conditions (e.g., time and enzyme concentration) was examined. Our results show that the immobilization of CYP2C9 enzymes to a PMMA surface represents a viable and alternative approach to the preparation of CYP2C9 metabolites for toxicity testing. Furthermore, the basic approach can be adapted to any cytochrome P450 enzyme and in a high-throughput, automated process.

Functional expression and characterization of sesquiterpene synthases from Artemisia annua L. using transient expression system in Nicotiana benthamiana

Artemisia annua L. produces a number of sesquiterpene synthases, which catalyze the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate to various sesquiterpenes. The cDNAs encoding amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS), a key enzyme in the artemisinin biosynthesis, and epi-cedrol synthase (ECS), a complex sesquiterpene cyclization synthase, were cloned into Cowpea mosaic virus-based viral vector (pEAQ-HT) with Kozak consensus motif and C-terminal histidine tag. The plasmids were transformed into Agrobacterium LBA4404 and, agroinfiltrated into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves along with vector (pJL3:p19) containing Tomato bushy stunt virus post-transcriptional gene silencing suppressor. Quantitative PCR was carried out to measure the transcript levels at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days post-infiltration (dpi). The highest relative expression was observed at 9 dpi for both genes. Transiently expressed recombinant proteins of ADS and ECS were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blot. Recombinant proteins were extracted from 9 dpi leaves and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography using histidine tag, which produced yields of 90 and 96 mg kg⁻¹ fresh weight of leaves for ADS and ECS, respectively. Activities of the purified enzymes were assayed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for product identification and quantification using valencene as internal standard. The recombinant ADS and ECS converted farnesyl diphosphate into amorpha-4,11-diene (97 %) and epi-cedrol (96 %) as the major products, respectively. The purified enzymes exhibited the specific activity of 0.002 and 0.01 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein for ADS and ECS, respectively. The apparent k(cat) values were 2.1 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ and 11 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ for ADS and ECS, respectively. Agroinfiltration of leaves of Nicotiana bentamiana can be used to produce recombinant biosynthetic enzymes as exemplified by two sesquiterpene synthases from Artemisia annua in relatively high yields.

Efficient expression and purification of recombinant human m-calpain using an Escherichia coli expression system at low temperature

Calpain belongs to the superfamily of Ca(2+)-regulated cysteine proteases, which are indispensable to the regulation of various cellular functions. Of the 15 mammalian calpain isoforms, µ- and m-calpains are the best characterized. Both µ- and m-calpain are ubiquitously expressed and exist as heterodimers, containing a distinct 80-kDa catalytic subunit (CAPN1 and CAPN2, respectively) and the common, 30-kDa regulatory subunit (CAPNS1). To date, various expression systems have been developed for producing recombinant calpains for use in structural and physiological studies, however Escherichia coli systems have proven incompatible with large-scale preparation of calpain, with the exception of rat m-calpain. Here, we have established a highly efficient method to purify active recombinant human m-calpain using an E. coli expression system at low temperature (22°C). This was achieved by co-expressing CAPN2 with a C-terminal histidine-tag, and CAPNS1, lacking the first Gly-repeated region at the N-terminal. After three sequential passes through a chromatographic column, ~5 mg of human m-calpain was homogenously purified from 1 l of E. coli culture. Proteins were stable for several months. This is the first report of efficient, large-scale purification of recombinant human m-calpain using an E. coli expression system.