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Wan X, Link AJ, Brynildsen MP. Translational Fusion to Hmp Improves Heterologous Protein Expression. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020358. [PMID: 35208816 PMCID: PMC8879370 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavohemoglobins, which are widely distributed in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, play key roles in oxygen (O2) transport and nitric oxide (·NO) defense. Hmp is the flavohemoglobin of Escherichia coli, and here we report that the translational fusion of Hmp to the N-terminus of heterologous proteins increases their expression in E. coli. The effect required the fusion of the proteins, and was independent of both the O2-binding and catalytic activity of Hmp. Increased expression was at the translational level, likely to be downstream of initiation, and we observed that as little as the first 100 amino acids of Hmp were sufficient to boost protein production. These data demonstrate the potential of Hmp as an N-terminal fusion tag to increase protein yield, and suggest that the utility of bacterial hemoglobins to biotechnology goes beyond their O2 transport and ·NO detoxification capabilities.
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Dai K, Yang Z, Ma X, Chang YF, Cao S, Zhao Q, Huang X, Wu R, Huang Y, Xia J, Yan Q, Han X, Ma X, Wen X, Wen Y. Deletion of Polyamine Transport Protein PotD Exacerbates Virulence in Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis in the Form of Non-biofilm-generated Bacteria in a Murine Acute Infection Model. Virulence 2021; 12:520-546. [PMID: 33525975 PMCID: PMC7872090 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1878673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyamines are small, polycationic molecules with a hydrocarbon backbone and multiple amino groups required for optimal cell growth. The potD gene, belonging to the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transport system potABCD, encodes the bacterial substrate-binding subunit of the polyamine transport system, playing a pivotal role in bacterial metabolism and growth. The swine pathogen Glaesserella parasuis possesses an intact pot operon, and the studies presented here mainly examined the involvement of PotD in Glaesserella pathogenesis. A potD-deficient mutant was constructed using a virulent G. parasuis strain SC1401 by natural transformation; immuno-electron microscopy was used to identify the subcellular location of native PotD protein; an electron microscope was adopted to inspect biofilm and bacterial morphology; immunofluorescence technique was employed to study cellular adhesion, the levels of inflammation and apoptosis. The TSA++-pre-cultured mutant strain showed a significantly reduced adhesion capacity to PK-15 and MLE-12 cells. Likewise, we also found attenuation in virulence using murine models focusing on the clinical sign, H&E, and IFA for inflammation and apoptosis. However, when the mutant was grown in TSB++, virulence recovered to normal levels, along with a high level of radical oxygen species formation in the host. The expression of PotD could actively stimulate the production of ROS in Raw 264.7. Our data suggested that PotD from G. parasuis has a high binding potential to polyamine, and is essential for the full bacterial virulence within mouse models. However, the virulence of the potD mutant is highly dependent on its TSA++ culture conditions rather than on biofilm-formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Dai
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ma
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Yung-Fu Chang
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University , NY, USA
| | - Sanjie Cao
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaobo Huang
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Wu
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Huang
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Xia
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Qigui Yan
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Xinfeng Han
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoping Ma
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Xintian Wen
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
| | - Yiping Wen
- Research Center of Swine Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University , Chengdu, China
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Ruan A, Ren C, Quan S. Conversion of the molecular chaperone Spy into a novel fusion tag to enhance recombinant protein expression. J Biotechnol 2020; 307:131-138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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4
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Dai K, Ma X, Yang Z, Chang YF, Cao S, Zhao Q, Huang X, Wu R, Huang Y, Yan Q, Han X, Ma X, Wen X, Wen Y. Polyamine Transport Protein PotD Protects Mice against Haemophilus parasuis and Elevates the Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines of Macrophage via JNK-MAPK and NF-κB Signal Pathways through TLR4. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040216. [PMID: 31847381 PMCID: PMC6963478 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The potD gene, belonging to the well-conserved ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transport system potABCD, encodes the bacterial substrate-binding subunit of the polyamine transport system. In this study, we found PotD in Haemophilus (Glaesserella) parasuis could actively stimulate both humoral immune and cellular immune responses and elevate lymphocyte proliferation, thus eliciting a Th1-type immune response in a murine immunity and infection model. Stimulation of Raw 264.7 macrophages with PotD validated that Toll-like receptor 4, rather than 2, participated in the positive transcription and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL–1β, IL–6, and TNF–α using qPCR and ELISA. Blocking signal-regulated JNK–MAPK and RelA(p65) pathways significantly decreased PotD-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Overall, we conclude that vaccination of PotD could induce both humoral and cellular immune responses and provide immunoprotection against H. parasuis challenge. The data also suggest that Glaesserella PotD is a novel pro-inflammatory mediator and induces TLR4-dependent pro-inflammatory activity in Raw 264.7 macrophages through JNK–MAPK and RelA(p65) pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Dai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Xiaoyu Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Zhen Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Yung-Fu Chang
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 14850, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.-F.C.); (Y.W.); Tel.: +1-607-253-3675 (Y.-F.C.); +86-135-5006-2555 (Y.W.)
| | - Sanjie Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Qin Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Xiaobo Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Rui Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Yong Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Qigui Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Xinfeng Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Xiaoping Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Xintian Wen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Yiping Wen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (K.D.); (X.M.); (Z.Y.); (S.C.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (R.W.); (Y.H.); (Q.Y.); (X.H.); (X.M.); (X.W.)
- Correspondence: (Y.-F.C.); (Y.W.); Tel.: +1-607-253-3675 (Y.-F.C.); +86-135-5006-2555 (Y.W.)
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Paraskevopoulou V, Falcone FH. Polyionic Tags as Enhancers of Protein Solubility in Recombinant Protein Expression. Microorganisms 2018; 6:microorganisms6020047. [PMID: 29882886 PMCID: PMC6027335 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms6020047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the introduction of recombinant protein expression in the second half of the 1970s, the growth of the biopharmaceutical field has been rapid and protein therapeutics has come to the foreground. Biophysical and structural characterisation of recombinant proteins is the essential prerequisite for their successful development and commercialisation as therapeutics. Despite the challenges, including low protein solubility and inclusion body formation, prokaryotic host systems and particularly Escherichia coli, remain the system of choice for the initial attempt of production of previously unexpressed proteins. Several different approaches have been adopted, including optimisation of growth conditions, expression in the periplasmic space of the bacterial host or co-expression of molecular chaperones, to assist correct protein folding. A very commonly employed approach is also the use of protein fusion tags that enhance protein solubility. Here, a range of experimentally tested peptide tags, which present specific advantages compared to protein fusion tags and the concluding remarks of these experiments are reviewed. Finally, a concept to design solubility-enhancing peptide tags based on a protein’s pI is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Paraskevopoulou
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Franco H Falcone
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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6
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Evaluation of rice tetraticopeptide domain-containing thioredoxin as a novel solubility-enhancing fusion tag in Escherichia coli. J Biosci Bioeng 2018; 125:160-167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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7
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Zhang C, Sun W, Tan M, Dong M, Liu W, Gao T, Li L, Xu Z, Zhou R. The Eukaryote-Like Serine/Threonine Kinase STK Regulates the Growth and Metabolism of Zoonotic Streptococcus suis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:66. [PMID: 28326294 PMCID: PMC5339665 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Like eukaryotes, bacteria express one or more serine/threonine kinases (STKs) that initiate diverse signaling networks. The STK from Streptococcus suis is encoded by a single-copy stk gene, which is crucial in stress response and virulence. To further understand the regulatory mechanism of STK in S. suis, a stk deletion strain (Δstk) and its complementary strain (CΔstk) were constructed to systematically decode STK characteristics by applying whole transcriptome RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and phosphoproteomic analysis. Numerous genes were differentially expressed in Δstk compared with the wild-type parental strain SC-19, including 320 up-regulated and 219 down-regulated genes. Particularly, 32 virulence-associated genes (VAGs) were significantly down-regulated in Δstk. Seven metabolic pathways relevant to bacterial central metabolism and translation are significantly repressed in Δstk. Phosphoproteomic analysis further identified 12 phosphoproteins that exhibit differential phosphorylation in Δstk. These proteins are associated with cell growth and division, glycolysis, and translation. Consistently, phenotypic assays confirmed that the Δstk strain displayed deficient growth and attenuated pathogenicity. Thus, STK is a central regulator that plays an important role in cell growth and division, as well as S. suis metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, China
| | - Wen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, China
| | - Meifang Tan
- Veterinary Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences Nanchang, China
| | - Mengmeng Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, China
| | - Wanquan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Gao
- Veterinary Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China; Cooperative Innovation Center of Sustainable Pig ProductionWuhan, China
| | - Zhuofei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China; Cooperative Innovation Center of Sustainable Pig ProductionWuhan, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityWuhan, China; Cooperative Innovation Center of Sustainable Pig ProductionWuhan, China
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8
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Pandey A, Shin K, Patterson RE, Liu XQ, Rainey JK. Current strategies for protein production and purification enabling membrane protein structural biology. Biochem Cell Biol 2016; 94:507-527. [PMID: 27010607 PMCID: PMC5752365 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2015-0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins are still heavily under-represented in the protein data bank (PDB), owing to multiple bottlenecks. The typical low abundance of membrane proteins in their natural hosts makes it necessary to overexpress these proteins either in heterologous systems or through in vitro translation/cell-free expression. Heterologous expression of proteins, in turn, leads to multiple obstacles, owing to the unpredictability of compatibility of the target protein for expression in a given host. The highly hydrophobic and (or) amphipathic nature of membrane proteins also leads to challenges in producing a homogeneous, stable, and pure sample for structural studies. Circumventing these hurdles has become possible through the introduction of novel protein production protocols; efficient protein isolation and sample preparation methods; and, improvement in hardware and software for structural characterization. Combined, these advances have made the past 10-15 years very exciting and eventful for the field of membrane protein structural biology, with an exponential growth in the number of solved membrane protein structures. In this review, we focus on both the advances and diversity of protein production and purification methods that have allowed this growth in structural knowledge of membrane proteins through X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Pandey
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Kyungsoo Shin
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Robin E. Patterson
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Xiang-Qin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Jan K. Rainey
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
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Han MJ. Exploring the proteomic characteristics of the Escherichia coli B and K-12 strains in different cellular compartments. J Biosci Bioeng 2016; 122:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2015.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kang YS, Song JA, Han KY, Lee J. Escherichia coli EDA is a novel fusion expression partner to improve solubility of aggregation-prone heterologous proteins. J Biotechnol 2015; 194:39-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2014.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Costa S, Almeida A, Castro A, Domingues L. Fusion tags for protein solubility, purification and immunogenicity in Escherichia coli: the novel Fh8 system. Front Microbiol 2014. [PMID: 24600443 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00063.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins are now widely produced in diverse microbial cell factories. The Escherichia coli is still the dominant host for recombinant protein production but, as a bacterial cell, it also has its issues: the aggregation of foreign proteins into insoluble inclusion bodies is perhaps the main limiting factor of the E. coli expression system. Conversely, E. coli benefits of cost, ease of use and scale make it essential to design new approaches directed for improved recombinant protein production in this host cell. With the aid of genetic and protein engineering novel tailored-made strategies can be designed to suit user or process requirements. Gene fusion technology has been widely used for the improvement of soluble protein production and/or purification in E. coli, and for increasing peptide's immunogenicity as well. New fusion partners are constantly emerging and complementing the traditional solutions, as for instance, the Fh8 fusion tag that has been recently studied and ranked among the best solubility enhancer partners. In this review, we provide an overview of current strategies to improve recombinant protein production in E. coli, including the key factors for successful protein production, highlighting soluble protein production, and a comprehensive summary of the latest available and traditionally used gene fusion technologies. A special emphasis is given to the recently discovered Fh8 fusion system that can be used for soluble protein production, purification, and immunogenicity in E. coli. The number of existing fusion tags will probably increase in the next few years, and efforts should be taken to better understand how fusion tags act in E. coli. This knowledge will undoubtedly drive the development of new tailored-made tools for protein production in this bacterial system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Costa
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga, Portugal ; Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge Porto, Portugal
| | - André Almeida
- Hitag Biotechnology, Lad., Biocant, Parque Technologico de Cantanhede Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - António Castro
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge Porto, Portugal
| | - Lucília Domingues
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga, Portugal
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Costa S, Almeida A, Castro A, Domingues L. Fusion tags for protein solubility, purification and immunogenicity in Escherichia coli: the novel Fh8 system. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:63. [PMID: 24600443 PMCID: PMC3928792 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins are now widely produced in diverse microbial cell factories. The Escherichia coli is still the dominant host for recombinant protein production but, as a bacterial cell, it also has its issues: the aggregation of foreign proteins into insoluble inclusion bodies is perhaps the main limiting factor of the E. coli expression system. Conversely, E. coli benefits of cost, ease of use and scale make it essential to design new approaches directed for improved recombinant protein production in this host cell. With the aid of genetic and protein engineering novel tailored-made strategies can be designed to suit user or process requirements. Gene fusion technology has been widely used for the improvement of soluble protein production and/or purification in E. coli, and for increasing peptide's immunogenicity as well. New fusion partners are constantly emerging and complementing the traditional solutions, as for instance, the Fh8 fusion tag that has been recently studied and ranked among the best solubility enhancer partners. In this review, we provide an overview of current strategies to improve recombinant protein production in E. coli, including the key factors for successful protein production, highlighting soluble protein production, and a comprehensive summary of the latest available and traditionally used gene fusion technologies. A special emphasis is given to the recently discovered Fh8 fusion system that can be used for soluble protein production, purification, and immunogenicity in E. coli. The number of existing fusion tags will probably increase in the next few years, and efforts should be taken to better understand how fusion tags act in E. coli. This knowledge will undoubtedly drive the development of new tailored-made tools for protein production in this bacterial system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Costa
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga, Portugal ; Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge Porto, Portugal
| | - André Almeida
- Hitag Biotechnology, Lad., Biocant, Parque Technologico de Cantanhede Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - António Castro
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge Porto, Portugal
| | - Lucília Domingues
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga, Portugal
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13
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PotD protein stimulates biofilm formation by Escherichia coli. Biotechnol Lett 2013; 35:1099-106. [PMID: 23539287 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-013-1184-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In natural environments bacteria often adopt a biofilm-growth mode. PotD is a spermidine/putrescine-binding periplasmic protein belonging to polyamine transport system and we have examined its role during biofilm formation and for planktonic growth in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) strains that either over-express PotD (PotD+), or under-express it (PotDi) and also in a control strain with vector pET26b(+) (PotD0). The three strains displayed similar growth in planktonic growth-mode, but over expression of PotD protein greatly stimulated the formation of biofilms, while less biofilm formed by strain PotDi in comparison to strain PotD0. The expressions of five genes, recA, sfiA, groEL, groES, and gyrA, were increasingly expressed in PotD+ biofilm cells. Thus, PotD is likely to change the rate of polyamine synthesis, which stimulates the expression of SOS genes and biofilm formation.
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14
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Nara JM, Pimenta DC, Abe CM, Abreu PAE, Moraes CTP, Freitas NC, Elias WP, Piazza RMF. Low-molecular mass comparative proteome of four atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates showing different adherence patterns. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 35:539-49. [PMID: 22768807 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2012.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Revised: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 06/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) are heterogeneous in terms of serotypes, adherence patterns and the presence of non-locus of enterocyte effacement virulence factors. In this study, the low-molecular mass proteomes of four representative aEPEC, comprising three different adhesion phenotypes (localized-like, aggregative and diffuse) and one non-adherent isolate, were analyzed and compared by 2D gel electrophoresis and LC-MS/MS. By mass spectrometry, a total of 59 proteins were identified according to their annotated function, with most of them being involved in metabolism, protection, and transport; some of them still classified as hypothetical proteins. Thus, in this comparative proteomic analysis of low-molecular mass extracted proteins from different aEPEC isolates, the proteins identified are mainly involved in key metabolic pathways. Also, the majority of the hypothetical and filamentous proteins identified in the isolates studied are products of genes originally identified in the genome of enterohemorrhagic E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia M Nara
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Song JA, Lee DS, Park JS, Han KY, Lee J. The N-domain of Escherichia coli phosphoglycerate kinase is a novel fusion partner to express aggregation-prone heterologous proteins. Biotechnol Bioeng 2011; 109:325-35. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.23320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Revised: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Song JA, Lee DS, Park JS, Han KY, Lee J. A novel Escherichia coli solubility enhancer protein for fusion expression of aggregation-prone heterologous proteins. Enzyme Microb Technol 2011; 49:124-30. [PMID: 22112398 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2011.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Revised: 03/22/2011] [Accepted: 04/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Through the proteome analysis of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), we previously identified the stress-responsive protein, arsenate reductase (ArsC), that showed a high cytoplasmic solubility and a folding capacity even in the presence of stress-inducing reagents. In this study, we used ArsC as an N-terminal fusion partner to synthesize nine aggregation-prone proteins as water-soluble forms. As a result, solubility of the aggregation-prone proteins increased dramatically by the fusion of ArsC, due presumably to its tendency to facilitate the folding of target proteins. Also, we evaluated and confirmed the efficacy of ArsC-fusion expression in making the fusion-expressed target proteins have their own native function or structure. That is, the self-assembly function of human ferritin light chain, l-arginine-degrading function of arginine deiminase, and the correct secondary structure of human granulocyte colony stimulating factor were clearly observed through transmission electron microscope analysis, colorimetric enzyme activity assay, and circular dichroism, respectively. It is strongly suggested that ArsC can be in general an efficient fusion expression partner for the production of soluble and active heterologous proteins in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Am Song
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Anam-Dong 5-1, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul 136-713, Republic of Korea
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Han MJ, Lee JW, Lee SY. Understanding and engineering of microbial cells based on proteomics and its conjunction with other omics studies. Proteomics 2011; 11:721-43. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201000411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2010] [Revised: 09/05/2010] [Accepted: 09/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Han MJ, Lee SY, Koh ST, Noh SG, Han WH. Biotechnological applications of microbial proteomes. J Biotechnol 2010; 145:341-9. [PMID: 20045032 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2009.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2009] [Revised: 11/21/2009] [Accepted: 12/23/2009] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Advances in proteomic technologies have led to the creation of large-scale proteome databases that can be used to elucidate invaluable information on the dynamics of the metabolic, signaling and regulatory networks and to aid understanding of physiological changes. In particular, proteomics can have practical applications, for example, through the identification of proteins that may be potential targets for the biotechnology industry, and through the extension of our understanding of the physiological action of these proteins. In this review, we describe proteomic approaches for the discovery of targets that have potential biotechnological applications. These targets include promoters, chaperones, soluble fusion partners, anchoring motifs, and excretion fusion partners. In addition, we discuss the potential applications of proteomic techniques for the design of future bioprocesses and the optimization of existing ones. Successful applications of proteomic information have proven to have enormous value for both scientific and practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mee-Jung Han
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Dongyang University, # 1 Gyochon-dong, Punggi-eup, Yeongju, Gyeongbuk 750-711, Republic of Korea.
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Kolaj O, Spada S, Robin S, Wall JG. Use of folding modulators to improve heterologous protein production in Escherichia coli. Microb Cell Fact 2009; 8:9. [PMID: 19173718 PMCID: PMC2642769 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-8-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2008] [Accepted: 01/27/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the fundamental importance of E. coli in the manufacture of a wide range of biotechnological and biomedical products, extensive process and/or target optimisation is routinely required in order to achieve functional yields in excess of low mg/l levels. Molecular chaperones and folding catalysts appear to present a panacea for problems of heterologous protein folding in the organism, due largely to their broad substrate range compared with, e.g., protein-specific mutagenesis approaches. Painstaking investigation of chaperone overproduction has, however, met with mixed - and largely unpredictable - results to date. The past 5 years have nevertheless seen an explosion in interest in exploiting the native folding modulators of E. coli, and particularly cocktails thereof, driven largely by the availability of plasmid systems that facilitate simultaneous, non-rational screening of multiple chaperones during recombinant protein expression. As interest in using E. coli to produce recombinant membrane proteins and even glycoproteins grows, approaches to reduce aggregation, delay host cell lysis and optimise expression of difficult-to-express recombinant proteins will become even more critical over the coming years. In this review, we critically evaluate the performance of molecular chaperones and folding catalysts native to E. coli in improving functional production of heterologous proteins in the bacterium and we discuss how they might best be exploited to provide increased amounts of correctly-folded, active protein for biochemical and biophysical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Kolaj
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences and Materials and Surface Science Institute, University of Limerick, National Technology Park, Limerick, Ireland.
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Seo HS, Kim SE, Han KY, Park JS, Kim YH, Sim SJ, Lee J. Functional fusion mutant of Candida antarctica lipase B (CalB) expressed in Escherichia coli. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2008; 1794:519-25. [PMID: 19159700 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2008.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2008] [Revised: 11/18/2008] [Accepted: 12/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Candida antarctica lipase B (CalB) was functionally expressed in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli Origami(DE3) with the N-terminus fusion of E. coli endogenous proteins. The previously-identified stress responsive proteins through comparative proteome analyses such as malate dehydrogenase (Mdh), spermidine/putrescine-binding periplasmic protein (PotD), and FKBP-type peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIases) (SlyD) dramatically increased the solubility of CalB in E. coli cytoplasm when used as N-terminus fusion partners. We demonstrated that Mdh, PotD, and SlyD were powerful solubility enhancers that presumably facilitated the protein folding of CalB. Moreover, among the various fusion mutants, Mdh-CalB showed the highest hydrolytic activity and was as biologically active as standard CalB. Similarly to the previous report, the electrophoretic properties of CalB indicate that CalB seems to form dimer-based oligomer structures. We evaluated the structural compatibility between the fusion partner protein and CalB, which seems to be of crucial importance upon the bioactive dimer formation of CalB and might affect the substrate accessibility to the enzyme active site, thereby determining the biological activities of the fusion mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyuk-Seong Seo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Anam-Dong 5-1, Sungbuk-Gu, Seoul 136-713, South Korea
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