Intracellular protein delivery using QRPL - A vacuolar targeting signal on carboxypeptidase Y

The signal peptide sequence is known to increase transport efficiency to organelles in eukaryotic cells. In this study, we focus on the signal peptide of the vacuolar protein for vacuolar targeting. The signal peptide sequence QRPL of carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) was inserted inside the interest protein that does not locate in the vacuole for vacuolar targeting. We constructed recombinant strains MBTL-Q-DJ1 and MBTL-Q-DJ2 containing QRPL and green florescent protein (GFP) or aldehyde dehydrogenase 6 (ALD6), respectively. The protein location was then confirmed by confocal microscopy. Fascinatingly, the green fluorescent protein that contains QRPL inside the sequence could be expressed faster than its natural form (within 1 h after induction). Also, the aldehyde removal activity of ALD6 protein in the recombinant yeast was then analyzed by measuring the luminescent intensity in Vibrio fischeri. We confirmed that MBTL-Q-DJ2 containing ALD6 protein has the aldehydes-reducing ability, and in particular, the highest efficiency showed at 500 μg/μL of vacuolar enzyme. In summary, the signal peptide QRPL could be used not only to transport proteins accurately to vacuole but also to improve the protein activity and shorten the induction time.

Cell blocking: An enhancement of foodborne pathogen detection by fluorescent signals of recombinant yeasts

Cell blocking (CB) technique has been widely applied in many studies since the last century. In our research, this technique was mostly used to study the enhancement of the vacuolar response-based system that could detect Shigella sp. and Salmonella sp. investigated in previous studies. The recombinant yeast cells were blocked by mixing with agarose gel on a 96-wells plate, then storing this plate in -80 °C before using. The optimal conditions for the new system, such as agarose concentration, maximum storage time, were also established. Finally, the efficiency of the vacuolar response-based system was improved, and this system could be used as a portable detector for the foodborne pathogen.