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Buyel JF. Towards a seamless product and process development workflow for recombinant proteins produced by plant molecular farming. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 75:108403. [PMID: 38986726 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Plant molecular farming (PMF) has been promoted as a fast, efficient and cost-effective alternative to bacteria and animal cells for the production of biopharmaceutical proteins. Numerous plant species have been tested to produce a wide range of drug candidates. However, PMF generally lacks a systematic, streamlined and seamless workflow to continuously fill the product pipeline. Therefore, it is currently unable to compete with established platforms in terms of routine, throughput and horizontal integration (the rapid translation of product candidates to preclinical and clinical development). Individual management decisions, limited funding and a lack of qualified production capacity can hinder the execution of such projects, but we also lack suitable technologies for sample handling and data management. This perspectives article will highlight current bottlenecks in PMF and offer potential solutions that combine PMF with existing technologies to build an integrated facility of the future for product development, testing, manufacturing and clinical translation. Ten major bottlenecks have been identified and are discussed in turn: automated cloning and simplified transformation options, reproducibility of bacterial cultivation, bioreactor integration with automated cell handling, options for rapid mid-scale candidate and product manufacturing, interconnection with (group-specific or personalized) clinical trials, diversity of (post-)infiltration conditions, development of downstream processing platforms, continuous process operation, compliance of manufacturing conditions with biosafety regulations, scaling requirements for cascading biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Buyel
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering (IBSE), Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria.
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Xu C, Zhu X, Xu A, Song J, Liang S. Construction and validation of co-expression vector for rice alpha tubulin and microtubule associated protein respectively fused with fluorescent proteins. PeerJ 2024; 12:e18118. [PMID: 39346063 PMCID: PMC11439384 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Microtubule (MT) consists of α-tubulin and β-tubulin. The dynamic instability regulated by various microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) is essential for MT functions. To analyze the interaction between tubulin/MT and MAP in vivo, we usually need tubulin and MAP co-expressed. Here, we constructed a dual-transgene vector expressing rice (Oryza sativa) α-tubulin and MAP simultaneously. To construct this vector, plant expression vector pCambia1301 was used as the plasmid backbone and Gibson assembly cloning technology was used. We first fused and cloned the GFP fragment, α-tubulin open reading frame (ORF), and NOS terminator into the vector pCambia1301 to construct the p35S::GFP-α-tubulin vector that expressed GFP-α-tubulin fusion protein. Subsequently, we fused and cloned the CaMV 35S promoter, mCherry fragment, and NOS terminator into the p35S::GFP-α-tubulin vector to generate the universal dual-transgene expression vector (p35S::GFP-α-tubulin-p35S::mCherry vector). With the p35S::GFP-α-tubulin-p35S::mCherry vector, MAP ORF can be cloned into the site of 5' or 3' terminus of mCherry to co-express GFP-α-tubulin and MAP-mCherry/mCherry-MAP. To validate the availability and universality of the dual-transgene expression vector, a series of putative rice MAP genes including GL7, OsKCBP, OsCLASP, and OsMOR1 were cloned into the vector respectively, transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain, and expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The results indicated that all of the MAPs were co-expressed with α-tubulin and localized to MTs, validating the availability and universality of the vector and that GL7, OsKCBP, OsCLASP, and OsMOR1 might be MAPs. The application of the co-expression vector constructed by us would facilitate studies on the interaction between tubulin/MT and MAP in tobacco transient expression systems or transgenic rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshan Xu
- College of Life Science, Dezhou University, Dezhou, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- College of Life Science, Dezhou University, Dezhou, Shandong, China
| | - Aihong Xu
- College of Ecology, Resources and Environment, Dezhou University, Dezhou, Shandong, China
| | - Jian Song
- College of Life Science, Dezhou University, Dezhou, Shandong, China
| | - Shuxia Liang
- College of Life Science, Dezhou University, Dezhou, Shandong, China
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3
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Beritza K, Watts EC, van der Hoorn RAL. Improving transient protein expression in agroinfiltrated Nicotiana benthamiana. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 243:846-850. [PMID: 38849321 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Agroinfiltration of Nicotiana benthamiana is routinely used in plant science and molecular pharming to transiently express proteins of interest. Here, we discuss four phenomena that should be avoided to improve transient expression. Immune responses can be avoided by depleting immune receptors and employing pathogen-derived effectors; transcript degradation by using silencing inhibitors or RNA interference machinery mutants; endoplasmic reticulum stress by co-expressing chaperones; and protein degradation can be avoided with subcellular targeting, protease mutants and co-expressing protease inhibitors. We summarise the reported increased yields for various recombinant proteins achieved with these approaches and highlight remaining challenges to further improve the efficiency of this versatile protein expression platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Beritza
- The Plant Chemetics Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, OX1 3RB, Oxford, UK
| | - Emma C Watts
- The Plant Chemetics Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, OX1 3RB, Oxford, UK
| | - Renier A L van der Hoorn
- The Plant Chemetics Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, OX1 3RB, Oxford, UK
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Prudhomme N, Pastora R, Thomson S, Zheng E, Sproule A, Krieger JR, Murphy JP, Overy DP, Cossar D, McLean MD, Geddes‐McAlister J. Bacterial growth-mediated systems remodelling of Nicotiana benthamiana defines unique signatures of target protein production in molecular pharming. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:2248-2266. [PMID: 38516995 PMCID: PMC11258984 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The need for therapeutics to treat a plethora of medical conditions and diseases is on the rise and the demand for alternative approaches to mammalian-based production systems is increasing. Plant-based strategies provide a safe and effective alternative to produce biological drugs but have yet to enter mainstream manufacturing at a competitive level. Limitations associated with batch consistency and target protein production levels are present; however, strategies to overcome these challenges are underway. In this study, we apply state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics to define proteome remodelling of the plant following agroinfiltration with bacteria grown under shake flask or bioreactor conditions. We observed distinct signatures of bacterial protein production corresponding to the different growth conditions that directly influence the plant defence responses and target protein production on a temporal axis. Our integration of proteomic profiling with small molecule detection and quantification reveals the fluctuation of secondary metabolite production over time to provide new insight into the complexities of dual system modulation in molecular pharming. Our findings suggest that bioreactor bacterial growth may promote evasion of early plant defence responses towards Agrobacterium tumefaciens (updated nomenclature to Rhizobium radiobacter). Furthermore, we uncover and explore specific targets for genetic manipulation to suppress host defences and increase recombinant protein production in molecular pharming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Prudhomme
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphONCanada
| | | | - Sarah Thomson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphONCanada
| | - Edison Zheng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphONCanada
| | - Amanda Sproule
- Ottawa Research and Development CentreAgriculture and Agri‐Food CanadaOttawaONCanada
| | | | - J. Patrick Murphy
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Prince Edward IslandCharlottetownPECanada
| | - David P. Overy
- Ottawa Research and Development CentreAgriculture and Agri‐Food CanadaOttawaONCanada
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de la Torre F, Medina-Morales B, Blanca-Reyes I, Pascual MB, Ávila C, Cánovas FM, Castro-Rodríguez V. Properties and Functional Analysis of Two Chorismate Mutases from Maritime Pine. Cells 2024; 13:929. [PMID: 38891061 PMCID: PMC11171525 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Through the shikimate pathway, a massive metabolic flux connects the central carbon metabolism with the synthesis of chorismate, the common precursor of the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, as well as other compounds, including salicylate or folate. The alternative metabolic channeling of chorismate involves a key branch-point, finely regulated by aromatic amino acid levels. Chorismate mutase catalyzes the conversion of chorismate to prephenate, a precursor of phenylalanine and tyrosine and thus a vast repertoire of fundamental derived compounds, such as flavonoids or lignin. The regulation of this enzyme has been addressed in several plant species, but no study has included conifers or other gymnosperms, despite the importance of the phenolic metabolism for these plants in processes such as lignification and wood formation. Here, we show that maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton) has two genes that encode for chorismate mutase, PpCM1 and PpCM2. Our investigations reveal that these genes encode plastidial isoenzymes displaying activities enhanced by tryptophan and repressed by phenylalanine and tyrosine. Using phylogenetic studies, we have provided new insights into the possible evolutionary origin of the cytosolic chorismate mutases in angiosperms involved in the synthesis of phenylalanine outside the plastid. Studies based on different platforms of gene expression and co-expression analysis have allowed us to propose that PpCM2 plays a central role in the phenylalanine synthesis pathway associated with lignification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando de la Torre
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Universitario de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (B.M.-M.); (I.B.-R.); (M.B.P.); (C.Á.); (F.M.C.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Vanessa Castro-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Universitario de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (B.M.-M.); (I.B.-R.); (M.B.P.); (C.Á.); (F.M.C.)
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Hernández‐Sánchez I, Rindfleisch T, Alpers J, Dulle M, Garvey CJ, Knox‐Brown P, Miettinen MS, Nagy G, Pusterla JM, Rekas A, Shou K, Stadler AM, Walther D, Wolff M, Zuther E, Thalhammer A. Functional in vitro diversity of an intrinsically disordered plant protein during freeze-thawing is encoded by its structural plasticity. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4989. [PMID: 38659213 PMCID: PMC11043620 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins play a central role in the tolerance of plants and other organisms to dehydration brought upon, for example, by freezing temperatures, high salt concentration, drought or desiccation, and many LEA proteins have been found to stabilize dehydration-sensitive cellular structures. Their conformational ensembles are highly sensitive to the environment, allowing them to undergo conformational changes and adopt ordered secondary and quaternary structures and to participate in formation of membraneless organelles. In an interdisciplinary approach, we discovered how the functional diversity of the Arabidopsis thaliana LEA protein COR15A found in vitro is encoded in its structural repertoire, with the stabilization of membranes being achieved at the level of secondary structure and the stabilization of enzymes accomplished by the formation of oligomeric complexes. We provide molecular details on intra- and inter-monomeric helix-helix interactions, demonstrate how oligomerization is driven by an α-helical molecular recognition feature (α-MoRF) and provide a rationale that the formation of noncanonical, loosely packed, right-handed coiled-coils might be a recurring theme for homo- and hetero-oligomerization of LEA proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itzell Hernández‐Sánchez
- Max‐Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdamGermany
- Present address:
Center for Desert Agriculture, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering DivisionKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)ThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Tobias Rindfleisch
- Max‐Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdamGermany
- Physical BiochemistryUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of InformaticsUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| | - Jessica Alpers
- Max‐Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdamGermany
| | - Martin Dulle
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS‐1) and Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI‐8: Neutron Scattering and Biological Matter)Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHJülichGermany
| | | | - Patrick Knox‐Brown
- Physical BiochemistryUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
- Present address:
Department of Discovery Pharmaceutical SciencesMerck & Co., Inc.South San FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Markus S. Miettinen
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of InformaticsUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Department of Theory and Bio‐SystemsMax Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesPotsdamGermany
| | - Gergely Nagy
- Neutron Scattering DivisionOak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeTennesseeUSA
| | - Julio M. Pusterla
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS‐1) and Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI‐8: Neutron Scattering and Biological Matter)Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHJülichGermany
| | - Agata Rekas
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO)KirraweeNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Keyun Shou
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS‐1) and Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI‐8: Neutron Scattering and Biological Matter)Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHJülichGermany
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO)KirraweeNew South WalesAustralia
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Andreas M. Stadler
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS‐1) and Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI‐8: Neutron Scattering and Biological Matter)Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHJülichGermany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Dirk Walther
- Max‐Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdamGermany
| | - Martin Wolff
- Physical BiochemistryUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Ellen Zuther
- Max‐Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdamGermany
- Present address:
Center of Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research (ZKI‐PH)Robert Koch InstituteBerlinGermany
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Schmidt FJ, Grundmann L, Lahme M, Seidemann M, Schwarze A, Lichtenauer S, Twyman RM, Prüfer D, Noll GA. COL2-dependent photoperiodic floral induction in Nicotiana sylvestris seems to be lost in the N. sylvestris × N. tomentosiformis hybrid N. tabacum. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 14:1249879. [PMID: 38239221 PMCID: PMC10794312 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1249879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Plants are sessile organisms that maximize reproductive success by adapting to their environment. One of the key steps in the reproductive phase of angiosperms is flower development, requiring the perception of multiple endogenous and exogenous signals integrated via a complex regulatory network. Key floral regulators, including the main transcription factor of the photoperiodic pathway (CONSTANS, CO) and the central floral pathway integrator (FLOWERING LOCUS T, FT), are known in many species. Methods and results We identified several CO-like (COL) proteins in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The NtCOL2a/b proteins in the day-neutral plant N. tabacum were most closely related to Arabidopsis CO. We characterized the diurnal expression profiles of corresponding genes in leaves under short-day (SD) and long-day (LD) conditions and confirmed their expression in phloem companion cells. Furthermore, we analyzed the orthologs of NtCOL2a/b in the maternal LD ancestor (N. sylvestris) and paternal, facultative SD ancestor (N. tomentosiformis) of N. tabacum and found that they were expressed in the same diurnal manner. NtCOL2a/b overexpression or knock-out using the CRISPR/Cas9 system did not support a substantial role for the CO homologs in the control of floral transition in N. tabacum. However, NsCOL2 overexpression induced flowering in N. sylvestris under typically non-inductive SD conditions, correlating with the upregulation of the endogenous NsFTd gene. Discussion Our results suggest that NsFTd is transcriptionally regulated by NsCOL2 and that this COL2-dependent photoperiodic floral induction seems to be lost in N. tabacum, providing insight into the diverse genetics of photoperiod-dependent flowering in different Nicotiana species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentin J. Schmidt
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Grundmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Lahme
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Münster, Germany
| | - Marvin Seidemann
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Axel Schwarze
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sophie Lichtenauer
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Dirk Prüfer
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Münster, Germany
| | - Gundula A. Noll
- Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Münster, Germany
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Zahmanova G, Aljabali AAA, Takova K, Minkov G, Tambuwala MM, Minkov I, Lomonossoff GP. Green Biologics: Harnessing the Power of Plants to Produce Pharmaceuticals. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17575. [PMID: 38139405 PMCID: PMC10743837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants are increasingly used for the production of high-quality biological molecules for use as pharmaceuticals and biomaterials in industry. Plants have proved that they can produce life-saving therapeutic proteins (Elelyso™-Gaucher's disease treatment, ZMapp™-anti-Ebola monoclonal antibodies, seasonal flu vaccine, Covifenz™-SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particle vaccine); however, some of these therapeutic proteins are difficult to bring to market, which leads to serious difficulties for the manufacturing companies. The closure of one of the leading companies in the sector (the Canadian biotech company Medicago Inc., producer of Covifenz) as a result of the withdrawal of investments from the parent company has led to the serious question: What is hindering the exploitation of plant-made biologics to improve health outcomes? Exploring the vast potential of plants as biological factories, this review provides an updated perspective on plant-derived biologics (PDB). A key focus is placed on the advancements in plant-based expression systems and highlighting cutting-edge technologies that streamline the production of complex protein-based biologics. The versatility of plant-derived biologics across diverse fields, such as human and animal health, industry, and agriculture, is emphasized. This review also meticulously examines regulatory considerations specific to plant-derived biologics, shedding light on the disparities faced compared to biologics produced in other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergana Zahmanova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (K.T.)
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Alaa A. A. Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan;
| | - Katerina Takova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (K.T.)
| | - George Minkov
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (K.T.)
| | - Murtaza M. Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK;
| | - Ivan Minkov
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, 4108 Markovo, Bulgaria
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Kaldis A, Uddin MS, Guluarte JO, Martin C, Alexander TW, Menassa R. Development of a plant-based oral vaccine candidate against the bovine respiratory pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1251046. [PMID: 37790785 PMCID: PMC10542578 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1251046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) affects feedlot cattle across North America, resulting in economic losses due to animal treatment and reduced performance. In an effort to develop a vaccine candidate targeting a primary bacterial agent contributing to BRD, we produced a tripartite antigen consisting of segments of the virulence factor Leukotoxin A (LktA) and lipoprotein PlpE from Mannheimia haemolytica, fused to a cholera toxin mucosal adjuvant (CTB). This recombinant subunit vaccine candidate was expressed in the leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana plants, with accumulation tested in five subcellular compartments. The recombinant protein was found to accumulate highest in the endoplasmic reticulum, but targeting to the chloroplast was employed for scaling up production due the absence of post-translational modification while still producing feasible levels. Leaves were freeze dried, then orally administered to mice to determine its immunogenicity. Sera from mice immunized with leaf tissue expressing the recombinant antigen contained IgG antibodies, specifically recognizing both LktA and PlpE. These mice also had a mucosal immune response to the CTB+LktA+PlpE protein as measured by the presence of LktA- and PlpE-specific IgA antibodies in lung and fecal material. Moreover, the antigen remained stable at room temperature with limited deterioration for up to one year when stored as lyophilized plant material. This study demonstrated that a recombinant antigen expressed in plant tissue elicited both humoral and mucosal immune responses when fed to mice, and warrants evaluation in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Kaldis
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
| | - Muhammed Salah Uddin
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jose Ortiz Guluarte
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Coby Martin
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor W. Alexander
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Rima Menassa
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Kallam K, Moreno‐Giménez E, Mateos‐Fernández R, Tansley C, Gianoglio S, Orzaez D, Patron N. Tunable control of insect pheromone biosynthesis in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1440-1453. [PMID: 37032497 PMCID: PMC10281601 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Previous work has demonstrated that plants can be used as production platforms for molecules used in health, medicine, and agriculture. Production has been exemplified in both stable transgenic plants and using transient expression strategies. In particular, species of Nicotiana have been engineered to produce a range of useful molecules, including insect sex pheromones, which are valued for species-specific control of agricultural pests. To date, most studies have relied on strong constitutive expression of all pathway genes. However, work in microbes has demonstrated that yields can be improved by controlling and balancing gene expression. Synthetic regulatory elements that provide control over the timing and levels of gene expression are therefore useful for maximizing yields from heterologous biosynthetic pathways. In this study, we demonstrate the use of pathway engineering and synthetic genetic elements for controlling the timing and levels of production of Lepidopteran sex pheromones in Nicotiana benthamiana. We demonstrate that copper can be used as a low-cost molecule for tightly regulated inducible expression. Further, we show how construct architecture influences relative gene expression and, consequently, product yields in multigene constructs. We compare a number of synthetic orthogonal regulatory elements and demonstrate maximal yields from constructs in which expression is mediated by dCas9-based synthetic transcriptional activators. The approaches demonstrated here provide new insights into the heterologous reconstruction of metabolic pathways in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalyani Kallam
- Engineering BiologyEarlham Institute, Norwich Research ParkNorwich, NorfolkUK
| | | | | | - Connor Tansley
- Engineering BiologyEarlham Institute, Norwich Research ParkNorwich, NorfolkUK
| | - Silvia Gianoglio
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), UPV‐CSICValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Orzaez
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP), UPV‐CSICValenciaSpain
| | - Nicola Patron
- Engineering BiologyEarlham Institute, Norwich Research ParkNorwich, NorfolkUK
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Muthamilselvan T, Khan MRI, Hwang I. Assembly of Human Papillomavirus 16 L1 Protein in Nicotiana benthamiana Chloroplasts into Highly Immunogenic Virus-Like Particles. JOURNAL OF PLANT BIOLOGY = SINGMUL HAKHOE CHI 2023; 66:1-10. [PMID: 37360984 PMCID: PMC10078042 DOI: 10.1007/s12374-023-09393-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancers in women, and vaccination against the virus is one of most effective ways to prevent these cancers. Two vaccines made of virus-like particles (VLPs) of HPV L1 proteins are currently commercially available. However, these HPV vaccines are highly expensive, and thus not affordable for women living in developing countries. Therefore, great demand exists to produce a cost-effective vaccine. Here, we investigate the production of self-assembled HPV16 VLPs in plants. We generated a chimeric protein composed of N-terminal 79 amino acid residues of RbcS as a long-transit peptide to target chloroplasts, the SUMO domain, and HPV16 L1 proteins. The chimeric gene was expressed in plants with chloroplast-targeted bdSENP1, a protein that specifically recognizes the SUMO domain and cleaves its cleavage site. This co-expression of bdSENP1 led to the release of HPV16 L1 from the chimeric proteins without any extra amino acid residues. HPV16 L1 purified by heparin chromatography formed VLPs that mimicked native virions. Moreover, the plant-produced HPV16 L1 VLPs elicited strong immune responses in mice without adjuvants. Thus, we demonstrated the cost-effective production of HPV16 VLPs in plants. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12374-023-09393-6.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Md Rezaul Islam Khan
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 Korea
| | - Inhwan Hwang
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 Korea
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12
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Eidenberger L, Kogelmann B, Steinkellner H. Plant-based biopharmaceutical engineering. NATURE REVIEWS BIOENGINEERING 2023; 1:426-439. [PMID: 37317690 PMCID: PMC10030082 DOI: 10.1038/s44222-023-00044-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Plants can be engineered to recombinantly produce high-quality proteins such as therapeutic proteins and vaccines, also known as molecular farming. Molecular farming can be established in various settings with minimal cold-chain requirements and could thus ensure rapid and global-scale deployment of biopharmaceuticals, promoting equitable access to pharmaceuticals. State of the art plant-based engineering relies on rationally assembled genetic circuits, engineered to enable the high-throughput and rapid expression of multimeric proteins with complex post-translational modifications. In this Review, we discuss the design of expression hosts and vectors, including Nicotiana benthamiana, viral elements and transient expression vectors, for the production of biopharmaceuticals in plants. We examine engineering of post-translational modifications and highlight the plant-based expression of monoclonal antibodies and nanoparticles, such as virus-like particles and protein bodies. Techno-economic analyses suggest a cost advantage of molecular farming compared with mammalian cell-based protein production systems. However, regulatory challenges remain to be addressed to enable the widespread translation of plant-based biopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Eidenberger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Kogelmann
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- acib — Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Herta Steinkellner
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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13
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Grzech D, Hong B, Caputi L, Sonawane PD, O’Connor SE. Engineering the Biosynthesis of Late-Stage Vinblastine Precursors Precondylocarpine Acetate, Catharanthine, Tabersonine in Nicotiana benthamiana. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:27-34. [PMID: 36516122 PMCID: PMC9872167 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Vinblastine is a chemotherapy agent produced by the plant Catharanthus roseus in small quantities. Currently, vinblastine is sourced by isolation or semisynthesis. Nicotiana benthamiana is a plant heterologous host that can be used for reconstitution of biosynthetic pathways as an alternative natural product sourcing strategy. Recently, the biosynthesis of the late-stage vinblastine precursors precondylocarpine acetate, catharanthine, and tabersonine have been fully elucidated. However, the large number of enzymes involved in the pathway and the unstable nature of intermediates make the reconstitution of late-stage vinblastine precursor biosynthesis challenging. We used the N. benthamiana chassis and a state-of-art modular vector assembly to optimize the six biosynthetic steps leading to production of precondylocarpine acetate from the central intermediate strictosidine (∼2.7 mg per 1 g frozen tissue). After selecting the optimal regulatory element combination, we constructed four transcriptional unit assemblies and tested their efficiency. Finally, we successfully reconstituted the biosynthetic steps leading to production of catharanthine and tabersonine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagny Grzech
- Department
of Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max Planck
Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Benke Hong
- Department
of Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max Planck
Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Caputi
- Department
of Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max Planck
Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Prashant D. Sonawane
- Department
of Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max Planck
Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Sarah E. O’Connor
- Department
of Natural Product Biosynthesis, Max Planck
Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
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14
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Garcia K, Cloghessy K, Cooney DR, Shelley B, Chakraborty S, Kafle A, Busidan A, Sonawala U, Collier R, Jayaraman D, Ané JM, Pilot G. The putative transporter MtUMAMIT14 participates in nodule formation in Medicago truncatula. Sci Rep 2023; 13:804. [PMID: 36646812 PMCID: PMC9842706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transport systems are crucial in many plant processes, including plant-microbe interactions. Nodule formation and function in legumes involve the expression and regulation of multiple transport proteins, and many are still uncharacterized, particularly for nitrogen transport. Amino acids originating from the nitrogen-fixing process are an essential form of nitrogen for legumes. This work evaluates the role of MtN21 (henceforth MtUMAMIT14), a putative transport system from the MtN21/EamA-like/UMAMIT family, in nodule formation and nitrogen fixation in Medicago truncatula. To dissect this transporter's role, we assessed the expression of MtUMAMIT14 using GUS staining, localized the corresponding protein in M. truncatula root and tobacco leaf cells, and investigated two independent MtUMAMIT14 mutant lines. Our results indicate that MtUMAMIT14 is localized in endosomal structures and is expressed in both the infection zone and interzone of nodules. Comparison of mutant and wild-type M. truncatula indicates MtUMAMIT14, the expression of which is dependent on the presence of NIN, DNF1, and DNF2, plays a role in nodule formation and nitrogen-fixation. While the function of the transporter is still unclear, our results connect root nodule nitrogen fixation in legumes with the UMAMIT family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Garcia
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7619, USA.
| | - Kaylee Cloghessy
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Danielle R Cooney
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7619, USA
| | - Brett Shelley
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Sanhita Chakraborty
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Arjun Kafle
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7619, USA
| | - Aymeric Busidan
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Unnati Sonawala
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Ray Collier
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,Molecular Technologies Department, Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53562, USA
| | | | - Jean-Michel Ané
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Guillaume Pilot
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
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15
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Diwan D, Pajerowska-Mukhtar KM. Preparation and Utilization of a Versatile GFP-Protein Trap-Like System for Protein Complex Immunoprecipitation in Plants. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2690:59-68. [PMID: 37450136 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3327-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Protein complex immunoprecipitation (co-IP) is an in vitro technique used to study protein-protein interaction between two or more proteins. This method relies on affinity purification of recombinant epitope-tagged proteins followed by western blotting detection using tag-specific antibodies for the confirmation of positive interaction. The traditional co-IP method relies on the use of porous beaded support with immobilized antibodies to precipitate protein complexes. However, this method is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and provides lower reproducibility and yield of protein complexes. Here, we describe the implementation of magnetic beads and high-affinity anti-green fluorescent protein (GFP) antibodies to develop an in vitro GFP-protein trap-like system. This highly reproducible system utilizes a combination of small sample size, versatile lysis buffer, and lower amounts of magnetic beads to obtain protein complexes and aggregates that are compatible with functional assays, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry. In addition to protein-protein interactions, this versatile method can be employed to study protein-nucleic acid interactions. This protocol also highlights troubleshooting and includes recommendations to optimize its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danish Diwan
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
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16
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Feng Z, Li X, Fan B, Zhu C, Chen Z. Maximizing the Production of Recombinant Proteins in Plants: From Transcription to Protein Stability. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13516. [PMID: 36362299 PMCID: PMC9659199 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of therapeutic and industrial recombinant proteins in plants has advantages over established bacterial and mammalian systems in terms of cost, scalability, growth conditions, and product safety. In order to compete with these conventional expression systems, however, plant expression platforms must have additional economic advantages by demonstrating a high protein production yield with consistent quality. Over the past decades, important progress has been made in developing strategies to increase the yield of recombinant proteins in plants by enhancing their expression and reducing their degradation. Unlike bacterial and animal systems, plant expression systems can utilize not only cell cultures but also whole plants for the production of recombinant proteins. The development of viral vectors and chloroplast transformation has opened new strategies to drastically increase the yield of recombinant proteins from plants. The identification of promoters for strong, constitutive, and inducible promoters or the tissue-specific expression of transgenes allows for the production of recombinant proteins at high levels and for special purposes. Advances in the understanding of RNAi have led to effective strategies for reducing gene silencing and increasing recombinant protein production. An increased understanding of protein translation, quality control, trafficking, and degradation has also helped with the development of approaches to enhance the synthesis and stability of recombinant proteins in plants. In this review, we discuss the progress in understanding the processes that control the synthesis and degradation of gene transcripts and proteins, which underlie a variety of developed strategies aimed at maximizing recombinant protein production in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziru Feng
- College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xifeng Li
- College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Baofang Fan
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Zhixiang Chen
- College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA
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17
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Shaughnessy J, Chabeda A, Tran Y, Zheng B, Nowak N, Steffens C, DeOliveira RB, Gulati S, Lewis LA, Maclean J, Moss JA, Wycoff KL, Ram S. An optimized Factor H-Fc fusion protein against multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Front Immunol 2022; 13:975676. [PMID: 36110842 PMCID: PMC9468773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.975676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel therapeutics against the global threat of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae are urgently needed. Gonococci evade killing by complement by binding factor H (FH), a key inhibitor of the alternative pathway. FH comprises 20 short consensus repeat (SCR) domains organized as a single chain. Gonococci bind FH through domains 6 and 7, and C-terminal domains 18 through 20. Previously, we showed that a chimeric protein comprising (from the N- to C-terminus) FH domains 18-20 (containing a point mutation in domain 19 to prevent lysis of host cells) fused to human IgG1 Fc (called FH*/Fc1) killed gonococci in a complement-dependent manner and reduced the duration and bacterial burden in the mouse vaginal colonization model of gonorrhea. Considering the N. gonorrhoeae-binding FH domains 18-20 are C-terminal in native FH, we reasoned that positioning Fc N-terminal to FH* (Fc1/FH*) would improve binding and bactericidal activity. Although both molecules bound gonococci similarly, Fc1/FH* displayed a 5-fold lower IC50 (the concentration required for 50% killing in complement-dependent bactericidal assays) than FH*/Fc1. To further increase complement activation, we replaced human IgG1 Fc in Fc1/FH* with Fc from human IgG3, the most potent complement-activating IgG subclass, to obtain Fc3/FH*. Bactericidal activity was further increased ~2.3-fold in Fc3/FH* compared to Fc1/FH*. Fc3/FH* killed (defined by <50% survival) 45/45 (100%) diverse PorB1B-expessing gonococci, but only 2/15 PorB1A-expressing isolates, in a complement-dependent manner. Decreased Fc3/FH* binding accounted for the limited activity against PorB1A strains. Fc3/FH* was efficacious against all four tested PorB1B gonococcal strains in the mouse vaginal colonization model when administered at a dose of 5 µg intravaginally, daily. Furthermore, Fc3/FH* retained bactericidal activity when reconstituted following lyophilization or spray-drying, suggesting feasibility for formulation into intravaginal rings. In conclusion, Fc3/FH* represents a promising prophylactic immunotherapeutic against multidrug-resistant gonococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Aleyo Chabeda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Y. Tran
- Planet Biotechnology, Inc., Hayward, CA, United States
| | - Bo Zheng
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Nancy Nowak
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Carolynn Steffens
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Rosane B. DeOliveira
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sunita Gulati
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Lisa A. Lewis
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - James Maclean
- Planet Biotechnology, Inc., Hayward, CA, United States
| | - John A. Moss
- Oak Crest Institute of Science, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | | | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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18
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Sandoval-Ibáñez O, Rolo D, Ghandour R, Hertle AP, Armarego-Marriott T, Sampathkumar A, Zoschke R, Bock R. De-etiolation-induced protein 1 (DEIP1) mediates assembly of the cytochrome b 6f complex in Arabidopsis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4045. [PMID: 35831297 PMCID: PMC9279372 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31758-7] [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: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The conversion of light energy to chemical energy by photosynthesis requires the concerted action of large protein complexes in the thylakoid membrane. Recent work has provided fundamental insights into the three-dimensional structure of these complexes, but how they are assembled from hundreds of parts remains poorly understood. Particularly little is known about the biogenesis of the cytochrome b6f complex (Cytb6f), the redox-coupling complex that interconnects the two photosystems. Here we report the identification of a factor that guides the assembly of Cytb6f in thylakoids of chloroplasts. The protein, DE-ETIOLATION-INDUCED PROTEIN 1 (DEIP1), resides in the thylakoid membrane and is essential for photoautotrophic growth. Knock-out mutants show a specific loss of Cytb6f, and are defective in complex assembly. We demonstrate that DEIP1 interacts with the two cytochrome subunits of the complex, PetA and PetB, and mediates the assembly of intermediates in Cytb6f biogenesis. The identification of DEIP1 provides an entry point into the study of the assembly pathway of a crucial complex in photosynthetic electron transfer. The Cytb6f complex is a multi-subunit enzyme that couples the two photosystems during the light reactions of photosynthesis. Here the authors show that the thylakoid-localized DEIP1 protein interacts with the PetA and PetB subunits, and is essential for Cytb6f complex assembly in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Sandoval-Ibáñez
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - David Rolo
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Rabea Ghandour
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Alexander P Hertle
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Tegan Armarego-Marriott
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Arun Sampathkumar
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Reimo Zoschke
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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19
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Pinneh EC, van Dolleweerd CJ, Göritzer K, Drake PMW, Ma JK, Teh AY. Multiple gene expression in plants using MIDAS-P, a versatile type II restriction-based modular expression vector. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:1660-1672. [PMID: 35238400 PMCID: PMC9313558 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
MIDAS-P is a plant expression vector with blue/white screening for iterative cloning of multiple, tandemly arranged transcription units (TUs). We have used the MIDAS-P system to investigate the expression of up to five genes encoding three anti-HIV proteins and the reporter gene DsRed in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The anti-HIV cocktail was made up of a broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody (VRC01), a lectin (Griffithsin), and a single-chain camelid nanobody (J3-VHH). Constructs containing different combinations of 3, 4, or 5 TUs encoding different components of the anti-HIV cocktail were assembled. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the genes of interest decreased beyond two TUs. Coexpression of the RNA silencing suppressor P19 dramatically increased the overall mRNA and protein expression levels of each component. The position of individual TUs in 3 TU constructs did not affect mRNA or protein expression levels. However, their expression dropped to non-detectable levels in constructs with four or more TUs each containing the same promoter and terminator elements, with the exception of DsRed at the first or last position in 5 TU constructs. This drop was alleviated by co-expression of P19. In short, the MIDAS-P system is suitable for the simultaneous expression of multiple proteins in one construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C. Pinneh
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George's University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Craig J. van Dolleweerd
- Protein Science & Engineering, Callaghan Innovation, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Kathrin Göritzer
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George's University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Pascal M. W. Drake
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George's University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Julian K‐C. Ma
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George's University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Audrey Y‐H. Teh
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George's University of LondonLondonUK
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20
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Geddes-McAlister J, Prudhomme N, Gutierrez Gongora D, Cossar D, McLean MD. The emerging role of mass spectrometry-based proteomics in molecular pharming practices. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 68:102133. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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21
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Tian C, Zhang Y, Li J, Wang Y. Benchmarking Intrinsic Promoters and Terminators for Plant Synthetic Biology Research. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9834989. [PMID: 37850139 PMCID: PMC10521690 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9834989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The emerging plant synthetic metabolic engineering has been exhibiting great promise to produce either value-added metabolites or therapeutic proteins. However, promoters for plant pathway engineering are generally selected empirically. The quantitative characterization of plant-based promoters is essential for optimal control of gene expression in plant chassis. Here, we used N. benthamiana leaves and BY2 suspension cells to quantitatively characterize a library of plant promoters by transient expression of firefly/Renilla luciferase. We validated the dual-luciferase reporter system by examining the correlation between reporter protein and mRNA levels. In addition, we investigated the effects of terminator-promoter combinations on gene expression and found that the combinations of promoters and terminators resulted in a 326-fold difference between the strongest and weakest performance, as reflected in reporter gene expression. As a proof of concept, we used the quantitatively characterized promoters to engineer the betalain pathway in N. benthamiana. Seven selected plant promoters with different expression strengths were used orthogonally to express CYP76AD1 and DODA, resulting in a final betalain production range of 6.0-362.4 μg/g fresh weight. Our systematic approach not only demonstrates the various intensities of multiple promoter sequences in N. benthamiana and BY2 cells but also adds to the toolbox of plant promoters for plant engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfei Tian
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yong Wang
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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22
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Matsuo K. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the DCL2 and DCL4 genes in Nicotiana benthamiana and its productivity of recombinant proteins. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2022; 41:307-317. [PMID: 34783883 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-021-02809-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE DCL2 and DCL4 genes in Nicotiana benthamiana plants were successfully edited using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Recently, plants have been utilized for recombinant protein production similar to other expression systems, i.e., bacteria, yeast, insect, and mammal cells. However, insufficient amounts of recombinant proteins are often produced in plant cells. The repression of RNA silencing within plant cells could improve production levels of recombinant protein because RNA silencing frequently decomposes mRNAs from transgenes. In this study, the genes dicer-like protein 2 and 4 (NbDCL2 and NbDCL4) were successfully edited to produce double-knockout transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants (dcl2dcl4 plants) using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology. A transient green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene expression assay revealed that the dcl2dcl4 plants accumulated higher amounts of GFP and GFP mRNA than wild type (WT) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 6-knockout N. benthamiana plants (ΔRDR6 plants). Small RNA sequencing also showed that dcl2dcl4 plants accumulated lower amounts of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against the GFP gene than WT plants. The dcl2dcl4 plants might also produce higher amounts of human fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) than WT and ΔRDR6 plants. These observations appear to reflect differences between DCLs and RDR6 in plant cell biological mechanisms. These results reveal that dcl2dcl4 plants would be suitable as platform plants for recombinant protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouki Matsuo
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-17-2-1 Tsukisamu-Higashi, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, 062-8517, Japan.
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Improving Protein Quantity and Quality—The Next Level of Plant Molecular Farming. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031326. [PMID: 35163249 PMCID: PMC8836236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants offer several unique advantages in the production of recombinant pharmaceuticals for humans and animals. Although numerous recombinant proteins have been expressed in plants, only a small fraction have been successfully put into use. The hugely distinct expression systems between plant and animal cells frequently cause insufficient yield of the recombinant proteins with poor or undesired activity. To overcome the issues that greatly constrain the development of plant-produced pharmaceuticals, great efforts have been made to improve expression systems and develop alternative strategies to increase both the quantity and quality of the recombinant proteins. Recent technological revolutions, such as targeted genome editing, deconstructed vectors, virus-like particles, and humanized glycosylation, have led to great advances in plant molecular farming to meet the industrial manufacturing and clinical application standards. In this review, we discuss the technological advances made in various plant expression platforms, with special focus on the upstream designs and milestone achievements in improving the yield and glycosylation of the plant-produced pharmaceutical proteins.
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24
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Spiegel H, Schillberg S, Nölke G. Production of Recombinant Proteins by Agrobacterium-Mediated Transient Expression. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2480:89-102. [PMID: 35616859 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2241-4_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The agroinfiltration of plant tissue is a robust method that allows the rapid and transient expression of recombinant proteins. Using wild-type plants as biomass, agroinfiltration exploits the ability of plants to synthesize even complex multimeric proteins that require oxidative folding and/or post-translational modifications, while avoiding the expensive and time-consuming creation of stably transformed plant lines. Here we describe a generic method for the transient expression of recombinant proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana at the small to medium laboratory scale, including appropriate binary vectors, the design and cloning of expression constructs, the transformation, selection, and cultivation of recombinant Agrobacterium tumefaciens, the infiltration of plants using a syringe or vacuum device, and finally the extraction of recombinant proteins from plant tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Spiegel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Stefan Schillberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Phytopathology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Greta Nölke
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
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25
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Prudhomme N, Krieger JR, McLean MD, Cossar D, Geddes-McAlister J. Proteomic Profiling of Interplay Between Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Nicotiana benthamiana for Improved Molecular Pharming Outcomes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2456:275-286. [PMID: 35612749 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2124-0_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Transient expression of recombinant proteins in plants is being used as a platform for production of therapeutic proteins. Benefits of this system include a reduced cost of drug development, rapid delivery of new products to the market, and an ability to provide safe and efficacious medicines for diseases. Although plant-based production systems offer excellent potential for therapeutic protein production, barriers, such as plant host defense response, exist which negatively impact the yield of product. Here we provide a protocol using tandem mass tags and mass spectrometry-based proteomics to quickly and robustly quantify the change in abundance of host defense proteins produced during the production process. These proteins can then become candidates for genetic manipulation to create host plants with reduced plant defenses capable of producing higher therapeutic protein yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Prudhomme
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Doug Cossar
- PlantForm Corporation Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
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26
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Izadi S, Jalali Javaran M, Rashidi Monfared S, Castilho A. Reteplase Fc-fusions produced in N. benthamiana are able to dissolve blood clots ex vivo. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260796. [PMID: 34847186 PMCID: PMC8631678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Thrombolytic and fibrinolytic therapies are effective treatments to dissolve blood clots in stroke therapy. Thrombolytic drugs activate plasminogen to its cleaved form plasmin, a proteolytic enzyme that breaks the crosslinks between fibrin molecules. The FDA-approved human tissue plasminogen activator Reteplase (rPA) is a non-glycosylated protein produced in E. coli. rPA is a deletion mutant of the wild-type Alteplase that benefits from an extended plasma half-life, reduced fibrin specificity and the ability to better penetrate into blood clots. Different methods have been proposed to improve the production of rPA. Here we show for the first time the transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana of rPA fused to the immunoglobulin fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain on an IgG1, a strategy commonly used to improve the stability of therapeutic proteins. Despite our success on the expression and purification of dimeric rPA-Fc fusions, protein instability results in high amounts of Fc-derived degradation products. We hypothesize that the "Y"- shape of dimeric Fc fusions cause steric hindrance between protein domains and leads to physical instability. Indeed, mutations of critical residues in the Fc dimerization interface allowed the expression of fully stable rPA monomeric Fc-fusions. The ability of rPA-Fc to convert plasminogen into plasmin was demonstrated by plasminogen zymography and clot lysis assay shows that rPA-Fc is able to dissolve blood clots ex vivo. Finally, we addressed concerns with the plant-specific glycosylation by modulating rPA-Fc glycosylation towards serum-like structures including α2,6-sialylated and α1,6-core fucosylated N-glycans completely devoid of plant core fucose and xylose residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Izadi
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mokhtar Jalali Javaran
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Rashidi Monfared
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alexandra Castilho
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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27
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Singh AA, Pillay P, Tsekoa TL. Engineering Approaches in Plant Molecular Farming for Global Health. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9111270. [PMID: 34835201 PMCID: PMC8623924 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111270] [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] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the demonstration of the first plant-produced proteins of medical interest, there has been significant growth and interest in the field of plant molecular farming, with plants now being considered a viable production platform for vaccines. Despite this interest and development by a few biopharmaceutical companies, plant molecular farming is yet to be embraced by ‘big pharma’. The plant system offers a faster alternative, which is a potentially more cost-effective and scalable platform for the mass production of highly complex protein vaccines, owing to the high degree of similarity between the plant and mammalian secretory pathway. Here, we identify and address bottlenecks in the use of plants for vaccine manufacturing and discuss engineering approaches that demonstrate both the utility and versatility of the plant production system as a viable biomanufacturing platform for global health. Strategies for improving the yields and quality of plant-produced vaccines, as well as the incorporation of authentic posttranslational modifications that are essential to the functionality of these highly complex protein vaccines, will also be discussed. Case-by-case examples are considered for improving the production of functional protein-based vaccines. The combination of all these strategies provides a basis for the use of cutting-edge genome editing technology to create a general plant chassis with reduced host cell proteins, which is optimised for high-level protein production of vaccines with the correct posttranslational modifications.
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28
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Opdensteinen P, Dietz SJ, Gengenbach BB, Buyel JF. Expression of Biofilm-Degrading Enzymes in Plants and Automated High-Throughput Activity Screening Using Experimental Bacillus subtilis Biofilms. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:708150. [PMID: 34621728 PMCID: PMC8490750 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.708150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilm-forming bacteria are sources of infections because they are often resistant to antibiotics and chemical removal. Recombinant biofilm-degrading enzymes have the potential to remove biofilms gently, but they can be toxic toward microbial hosts and are therefore difficult to produce in bacteria. Here, we investigated Nicotiana species for the production of such enzymes using the dispersin B-like enzyme Lysobacter gummosus glyco 2 (Lg2) as a model. We first optimized transient Lg2 expression in plant cell packs using different subcellular targeting methods. We found that expression levels were transferable to differentiated plants, facilitating the scale-up of production. Our process yielded 20 mg kg−1 Lg2 in extracts but 0.3 mg kg−1 after purification, limited by losses during depth filtration. Next, we established an experimental biofilm assay to screen enzymes for degrading activity using different Bacillus subtilis strains. We then tested complex and chemically defined growth media for reproducible biofilm formation before converting the assay to an automated high-throughput screening format. Finally, we quantified the biofilm-degrading activity of Lg2 in comparison with commercial enzymes against our experimental biofilms, indicating that crude extracts can be screened directly. This ability will allow us to combine high-throughput expression in plant cell packs with automated activity screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Opdensteinen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - S J Dietz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - B B Gengenbach
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - J F Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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29
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Anand SP, Ding S, Tolbert WD, Prévost J, Richard J, Gil HM, Gendron-Lepage G, Cheung WF, Wang H, Pastora R, Saxena H, Wakarchuk W, Medjahed H, Wines BD, Hogarth M, Shaw GM, Martin MA, Burton DR, Hangartner L, Evans DT, Pazgier M, Cossar D, McLean MD, Finzi A. Enhanced Ability of Plant-Derived PGT121 Glycovariants To Eliminate HIV-1-Infected Cells. J Virol 2021; 95:e0079621. [PMID: 34232070 PMCID: PMC8387047 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00796-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) targeting HIV-1 depends on pleiotropic functions, including viral neutralization and the elimination of HIV-1-infected cells. Several in vivo studies have suggested that passive administration of bNAbs represents a valuable strategy for the prevention or treatment of HIV-1. In addition, different strategies are currently being tested to scale up the production of bNAbs to obtain the large quantities of antibodies required for clinical trials. Production of antibodies in plants permits low-cost and large-scale production of valuable therapeutics; furthermore, pertinent to this work, it also includes an advanced glycoengineering platform. In this study, we used Nicotiana benthamiana to produce different Fc-glycovariants of a potent bNAb, PGT121, with near-homogeneous profiles and evaluated their antiviral activities. Structural analyses identified a close similarity in overall structure and glycosylation patterns of Fc regions for these plant-derived Abs and mammalian cell-derived Abs. When tested for Fc-effector activities, afucosylated PGT121 showed significantly enhanced FcγRIIIa interaction and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against primary HIV-1-infected cells, both in vitro and ex vivo. However, the overall galactosylation profiles of plant PGT121 did not affect ADCC activities against infected primary CD4+ T cells. Our results suggest that the abrogation of the Fc N-linked glycan fucosylation of PGT121 is a worthwhile strategy to boost its Fc-effector functionality. IMPORTANCE PGT121 is a highly potent bNAb and its antiviral activities for HIV-1 prevention and therapy are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. The importance of its Fc-effector functions in clearing HIV-1-infected cells is also under investigation. Our results highlight enhanced Fc-effector activities of afucosylated PGT121 MAbs that could be important in a therapeutic context to accelerate infected cell clearance and slow disease progression. Future studies to evaluate the potential of plant-produced afucosylated PGT121 in controlling HIV-1 replication in vivo are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Priya Anand
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shilei Ding
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - William D. Tolbert
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jérémie Prévost
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie, et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jonathan Richard
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie, et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Hwi Min Gil
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Hirak Saxena
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Warren Wakarchuk
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Bruce D. Wines
- Immune Therapies Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark Hogarth
- Immune Therapies Group, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - George M. Shaw
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Malcom A. Martin
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Dennis R. Burton
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lars Hangartner
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - David T. Evans
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Marzena Pazgier
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Doug Cossar
- PlantForm Corporation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Andrés Finzi
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie, et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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30
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Pan Z, Bajsa‐Hirschel J, Vaughn JN, Rimando AM, Baerson SR, Duke SO. In vivo assembly of the sorgoleone biosynthetic pathway and its impact on agroinfiltrated leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 230:683-697. [PMID: 33460457 PMCID: PMC8048663 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sorgoleone, a hydrophobic compound exuded from root hair cells of Sorghum spp., accounts for much of the allelopathic activity of the genus. The enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of this compound have been identified and functionally characterized. Here, we report the successful assembly of the biosynthetic pathway and the significant impact of in vivo synthesized sorgoleone on the heterologous host Nicotiana benthamiana. A multigene DNA construct was prepared for the expression of genes required for sorgoleone biosynthesis in planta and deployed in N. benthamiana leaf tissues via Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression. RNA-sequencing was conducted to investigate the effects of sorgoleone, via expression of its biosynthesis pathway, on host gene expression. The production of sorgoleone in agroinfiltrated leaves as detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) resulted in the formation of necrotic lesions, indicating that the compound caused severe phytotoxicity to these tissues. RNA-sequencing profiling revealed significant changes in gene expression in the leaf tissues expressing the pathway during the formation of sorgoleone-induced necrotic lesions. Transcriptome analysis suggested that the compound produced in vivo impaired the photosynthetic system as a result of downregulated gene expression for the photosynthesis apparatus and elevated expression of proteasomal genes which may play a major role in the phytotoxicity of sorgoleone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Pan
- Natural Products Utilization Research UnitUS Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceUniversityMS38677USA
| | - Joanna Bajsa‐Hirschel
- Natural Products Utilization Research UnitUS Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceUniversityMS38677USA
| | - Justin N. Vaughn
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Research UnitUSDA, ARSAthensGA30605USA
| | - Agnes M. Rimando
- Natural Products Utilization Research UnitUS Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceUniversityMS38677USA
| | - Scott R. Baerson
- Natural Products Utilization Research UnitUS Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceUniversityMS38677USA
| | - Stephen O. Duke
- Natural Products Utilization Research UnitUS Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceUniversityMS38677USA
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31
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Chiong KT, Cody WB, Scholthof HB. RNA silencing suppressor-influenced performance of a virus vector delivering both guide RNA and Cas9 for CRISPR gene editing. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6769. [PMID: 33762584 PMCID: PMC7990971 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85366-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on further development of the agroinfiltratable Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-based overexpression (TRBO) vector to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 components into plants. First, production of a Cas9 (HcoCas9) protein from a binary plasmid increased when co-expressed in presence of suppressors of gene silencing, such as the TMV 126-kDa replicase or the Tomato bushy stunt virus P19 protein. Such suppressor-generated elevated levels of Cas9 expression translated to efficient gene editing mediated by TRBO-G-3'gGFP expressing GFP and also a single guide RNA targeting the mgfp5 gene in the Nicotiana benthamiana GFP-expressing line 16c. Furthermore, HcoCas9 encoding RNA, a large cargo insert of 4.2 kb, was expressed from TRBO-HcoCas9 to yield Cas9 protein again at higher levels upon co-expression with P19. Likewise, co-delivery of TRBO-HcoCas9 and TRBO-G-3'gGFP in the presence of P19 also resulted in elevated levels percentages of indels (insertions and deletions). These data also revealed an age-related phenomenon in plants whereby the RNA suppressor P19 had more of an effect in older plants. Lastly, we used a single TRBO vector to express both Cas9 and a sgRNA. Taken together, we suggest that viral RNA suppressors could be used for further optimization of single viral vector delivery of CRISPR gene editing parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin T Chiong
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Will B Cody
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shriram Center for Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Herman B Scholthof
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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32
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Qiao Z, Lampugnani ER, Yan XF, Khan GA, Saw WG, Hannah P, Qian F, Calabria J, Miao Y, Grüber G, Persson S, Gao YG. Structure of Arabidopsis CESA3 catalytic domain with its substrate UDP-glucose provides insight into the mechanism of cellulose synthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2024015118. [PMID: 33729990 PMCID: PMC7980446 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2024015118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellulose is synthesized by cellulose synthases (CESAs) from the glycosyltransferase GT-2 family. In plants, the CESAs form a six-lobed rosette-shaped CESA complex (CSC). Here we report crystal structures of the catalytic domain of Arabidopsis thaliana CESA3 (AtCESA3CatD) in both apo and uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose (UDP-Glc)-bound forms. AtCESA3CatD has an overall GT-A fold core domain sandwiched between a plant-conserved region (P-CR) and a class-specific region (C-SR). By superimposing the structure of AtCESA3CatD onto the bacterial cellulose synthase BcsA, we found that the coordination of the UDP-Glc differs, indicating different substrate coordination during cellulose synthesis in plants and bacteria. Moreover, structural analyses revealed that AtCESA3CatD can form a homodimer mainly via interactions between specific beta strands. We confirmed the importance of specific amino acids on these strands for homodimerization through yeast and in planta assays using point-mutated full-length AtCESA3. Our work provides molecular insights into how the substrate UDP-Glc is coordinated in the CESAs and how the CESAs might dimerize to eventually assemble into CSCs in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Qiao
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798
| | - Edwin R Lampugnani
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Xin-Fu Yan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798
| | - Ghazanfar Abbas Khan
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Wuan Geok Saw
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Patrick Hannah
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Feng Qian
- Division of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Genomics, Inc., Shanghai 201202, China
| | - Jacob Calabria
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Yansong Miao
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Gerhard Grüber
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Staffan Persson
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Copenhagen Plant Science Center, University of Copenhagen, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Yong-Gui Gao
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551;
- NTU Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798
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33
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Buyel JF, Stöger E, Bortesi L. Targeted genome editing of plants and plant cells for biomanufacturing. Transgenic Res 2021; 30:401-426. [PMID: 33646510 PMCID: PMC8316201 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00236-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Plants have provided humans with useful products since antiquity, but in the last 30 years they have also been developed as production platforms for small molecules and recombinant proteins. This initially niche area has blossomed with the growth of the global bioeconomy, and now includes chemical building blocks, polymers and renewable energy. All these applications can be described as “plant molecular farming” (PMF). Despite its potential to increase the sustainability of biologics manufacturing, PMF has yet to be embraced broadly by industry. This reflects a combination of regulatory uncertainty, limited information on process cost structures, and the absence of trained staff and suitable manufacturing capacity. However, the limited adaptation of plants and plant cells to the requirements of industry-scale manufacturing is an equally important hurdle. For example, the targeted genetic manipulation of yeast has been common practice since the 1980s, whereas reliable site-directed mutagenesis in most plants has only become available with the advent of CRISPR/Cas9 and similar genome editing technologies since around 2010. Here we summarize the applications of new genetic engineering technologies to improve plants as biomanufacturing platforms. We start by identifying current bottlenecks in manufacturing, then illustrate the progress that has already been made and discuss the potential for improvement at the molecular, cellular and organism levels. We discuss the effects of metabolic optimization, adaptation of the endomembrane system, modified glycosylation profiles, programmable growth and senescence, protease inactivation, and the expression of enzymes that promote biodegradation. We outline strategies to achieve these modifications by targeted gene modification, considering case-by-case examples of individual improvements and the combined modifications needed to generate a new general-purpose “chassis” for PMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany. .,Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - E Stöger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - L Bortesi
- Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD, Geleen, The Netherlands
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34
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Abas L, Kolb M, Stadlmann J, Janacek DP, Lukic K, Schwechheimer C, Sazanov LA, Mach L, Friml J, Hammes UZ. Naphthylphthalamic acid associates with and inhibits PIN auxin transporters. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2020857118. [PMID: 33443187 PMCID: PMC7817115 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020857118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) is a key inhibitor of directional (polar) transport of the hormone auxin in plants. For decades, it has been a pivotal tool in elucidating the unique polar auxin transport-based processes underlying plant growth and development. Its exact mode of action has long been sought after and is still being debated, with prevailing mechanistic schemes describing only indirect connections between NPA and the main transporters responsible for directional transport, namely PIN auxin exporters. Here we present data supporting a model in which NPA associates with PINs in a more direct manner than hitherto postulated. We show that NPA inhibits PIN activity in a heterologous oocyte system and that expression of NPA-sensitive PINs in plant, yeast, and oocyte membranes leads to specific saturable NPA binding. We thus propose that PINs are a bona fide NPA target. This offers a straightforward molecular basis for NPA inhibition of PIN-dependent auxin transport and a logical parsimonious explanation for the known physiological effects of NPA on plant growth, as well as an alternative hypothesis to interpret past and future results. We also introduce PIN dimerization and describe an effect of NPA on this, suggesting that NPA binding could be exploited to gain insights into structural aspects of PINs related to their transport mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindy Abas
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), 1190 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Martina Kolb
- Plant Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Johannes Stadlmann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dorina P Janacek
- Plant Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Kristina Lukic
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Claus Schwechheimer
- Plant Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Leonid A Sazanov
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Lukas Mach
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jiří Friml
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Ulrich Z Hammes
- Plant Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany;
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Kopertekh L, Reichardt S. At-CycD2 Enhances Accumulation of Above-Ground Biomass and Recombinant Proteins in Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:712438. [PMID: 34567027 PMCID: PMC8460762 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.712438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana holds great potential for recombinant protein manufacturing due to its advantages in terms of speed and yield compared to stably transformed plants. To continue improving the quantity of recombinant proteins the plant host will need to be modified at both plant and cellular levels. In attempt to increase leaf mass fraction, we transformed N. benthamiana with the At-CycD2 gene, a positive regulator of the cell cycle. Phenotypic characterization of the T1 progeny plants revealed their accelerated above-ground biomass accumulation and enhanced rate of leaf initiation. In comparison to non-transgenic control the best performing line At-CycD2-15 provided 143 and 140% higher leaf and stem biomass fractions, respectively. The leaf area enlargement of the At-CycD2-15 genotype was associated with the increase of epidermal cell number compensated by slightly reduced cell size. The production capacity of the At-CycD2-15 transgenic line was superior to that of the non-transgenic N. benthamiana. The accumulation of transiently expressed GFP and scFv-TM43-E10 proteins per unit biomass was increased by 138.5 and 156.7%, respectively, compared to the wild type. With these results we demonstrate the potential of cell cycle regulator gene At-CycD2 to modulate both plant phenotype and intracellular environment of N. benthamiana for enhanced recombinant protein yield.
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Beihammer G, Maresch D, Altmann F, Van Damme EJM, Strasser R. Lewis A Glycans Are Present on Proteins Involved in Cell Wall Biosynthesis and Appear Evolutionarily Conserved Among Natural Arabidopsis thaliana Accessions. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:630891. [PMID: 33777069 PMCID: PMC7991798 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.630891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
N-glycosylation is a highly abundant protein modification present in all domains of life. Terminal sugar residues on complex-type N-glycans mediate various crucial biological processes in mammals such as cell-cell recognition or protein-ligand interactions. In plants, the Lewis A trisaccharide constitutes the only known outer-chain elongation of complex N-glycans. Lewis A containing complex N-glycans appear evolutionary conserved, having been identified in all plant species analyzed so far. Despite their ubiquitous occurrence, the biological function of this complex N-glycan modification is currently unknown. Here, we report the identification of Lewis A bearing glycoproteins from three different plant species: Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana benthamiana, and Oryza sativa. Affinity purification via the JIM84 antibody, directed against Lewis A structures on complex plant N-glycans, was used to enrich Lewis A bearing glycoproteins, which were subsequently identified via nano-LC-MS. Selected identified proteins were recombinantly expressed and the presence of Lewis A confirmed via immunoblotting and site-specific N-glycan analysis. While the proteins identified in O. sativa are associated with diverse functions, proteins from A. thaliana and N. benthamiana are mainly involved in cell wall biosynthesis. However, a Lewis A-deficient mutant line of A. thaliana showed no change in abundance of cell wall constituents such as cellulose or lignin. Furthermore, we investigated the presence of Lewis A structures in selected accessions from the 1001 genome database containing amino acid variations in the enzymes required for Lewis A biosynthesis. Besides one relict line showing no detectable levels of Lewis A, the modification was present in all other tested accessions. The data provided here comprises the so far first attempt at identifying Lewis A bearing glycoproteins across different species and will help to shed more light on the role of Lewis A structures in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gernot Beihammer
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Maresch
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friedrich Altmann
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Els J. M. Van Damme
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Glycobiology, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Richard Strasser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Richard Strasser
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Shaughnessy J, Tran Y, Zheng B, DeOliveira RB, Gulati S, Song WC, Maclean JM, Wycoff KL, Ram S. Development of Complement Factor H-Based Immunotherapeutic Molecules in Tobacco Plants Against Multidrug-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583305. [PMID: 33193396 PMCID: PMC7649208 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel therapeutics against the global threat of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae are urgently needed. Gonococci possess several mechanisms to evade killing by human complement, including binding of factor H (FH), a key inhibitor of the alternative pathway. FH comprises 20 short consensus repeat (SCR) domains organized in a head-to-tail manner as a single chain. N. gonorrhoeae binds two regions in FH; domains 6 and 7 and domains 18 through 20. We designed a novel anti-infective immunotherapeutic molecule that fuses domains 18-20 of FH containing a D-to-G mutation in domain 19 at position 1119 (called FH*) with human IgG1 Fc. FH*/Fc retained binding to gonococci but did not lyse human erythrocytes. Expression of FH*/Fc in tobacco plants was undertaken as an alternative, economical production platform. FH*/Fc was expressed in high yields in tobacco plants (300-600 mg/kg biomass). The activities of plant- and CHO-cell produced FH*/Fc against gonococci were similar in vitro and in the mouse vaginal colonization model of gonorrhea. The addition of flexible linkers [e.g., (GGGGS)2 or (GGGGS)3] between FH* and Fc improved the bactericidal efficacy of FH*/Fc 2.7-fold. The linkers also improved PMN-mediated opsonophagocytosis about 11-fold. FH*/Fc with linker also effectively reduced the duration and burden of colonization of two gonococcal strains tested in mice. FH*/Fc lost efficacy: i) in C6-/- mice (no terminal complement) and ii) when Fc was mutated to abrogate complement activation, suggesting that an intact complement was necessary for FH*/Fc function in vivo. In summary, plant-produced FH*/Fc represent promising prophylactic or adjunctive immunotherapeutics against multidrug-resistant gonococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Y Tran
- Planet Biotechnology, Inc., Hayward, CA, United States
| | - Bo Zheng
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Rosane B. DeOliveira
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sunita Gulati
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Wen-Chao Song
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | | | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Poborilova Z, Plchova H, Cerovska N, Gunter CJ, Hitzeroth II, Rybicki EP, Moravec T. Transient protein expression in tobacco BY-2 plant cell packs using single and multi-cassette replicating vectors. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2020; 39:1115-1127. [PMID: 32333151 PMCID: PMC7223956 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-020-02544-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE This is the first evidence that replicating vectors can be successfully used for transient protein expression in BY-2 plant cell packs. Transient recombinant protein expression in plants and recently also plant cell cultures are of increasing interest due to the speed, safety and scalability of the process. Currently, studies are focussing on the design of plant virus-derived vectors to achieve higher amounts of transiently expressed proteins in these systems. Here we designed and tested replicating single and multi-cassette vectors that combine elements for enhanced replication and hypertranslation, and assessed their ability to express and particularly co-express proteins by Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in tobacco BY-2 plant cell packs. Substantial yields of green and red fluorescent proteins of up to ~ 700 ng/g fresh mass were detected in the plant cells along with position-dependent expression. This is the first evidence of the ability of replicating vectors to transiently express proteins in BY-2 plant cell packs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Poborilova
- Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Helena Plchova
- Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Noemi Cerovska
- Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Cornelius J Gunter
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Inga I Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tomas Moravec
- Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Kriechbaum R, Ziaee E, Grünwald‐Gruber C, Buscaill P, van der Hoorn RAL, Castilho A. BGAL1 depletion boosts the level of β-galactosylation of N- and O-glycans in N. benthamiana. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2020; 18:1537-1549. [PMID: 31837192 PMCID: PMC7292537 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Glyco-design of proteins is a powerful tool in fundamental studies of structure-function relationship and in obtaining profiles optimized for efficacy of therapeutic glycoproteins. Plants, particularly Nicotiana benthamiana, are attractive hosts to produce recombinant glycoproteins, and recent advances in glyco-engineering facilitate customized N-glycosylation of plant-derived glycoproteins. However, with exception of monoclonal antibodies, homogenous human-like β1,4-galactosylation is very hard to achieve in recombinant glycoproteins. Despite significant efforts to optimize the expression of β1,4-galactosyltransferase, many plant-derived glycoproteins still exhibit incomplete processed N-glycans with heterogeneous terminal galactosylation. The most obvious suspects to be involved in trimming terminal galactose residues are β-galactosidases (BGALs) from the glycosyl hydrolase family GH35. To elucidate the so far uncharacterized mechanisms leading to the trimming of terminal galactose residues from glycans of secreted proteins, we studied a N. benthamiana BGAL known to be active in the apoplast (NbBGAL1). Here, we determined the NbBGAL1 subcellular localization, substrate specificity and in planta biological activity. We show that NbBGAL1 can remove β1,4- and β1,3-galactose residues on both N- and O-glycans. Transient BGAL1 down-regulation by RNA interference (RNAi) and BGAL1 depletion by genome editing drastically reduce β-galactosidase activity in N. benthamiana and increase the amounts of fully galactosylated complex N-glycans on several plant-produced glycoproteins. Altogether, our data demonstrate that NbBGAL1 acts on galactosylated complex N-glycans of plant-produced glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricarda Kriechbaum
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Esmaiel Ziaee
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
- Department of Food Science and TechnologyCollege of AgricultureShiraz UniversityShirazIran
| | | | - Pierre Buscaill
- The Plant Chemetics LaboratoryDepartment of Plant SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | - Alexandra Castilho
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
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Bamogo PKA, Brugidou C, Sérémé D, Tiendrébéogo F, Djigma FW, Simpore J, Lacombe S. Virus-based pharmaceutical production in plants: an opportunity to reduce health problems in Africa. Virol J 2019; 16:167. [PMID: 31888686 PMCID: PMC6937724 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-019-1263-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developing African countries face health problems that they struggle to solve. The major causes of this situation are high therapeutic and logistical costs. Plant-made therapeutics are easy to produce due to the lack of the safety considerations associated with traditional fermenter-based expression platforms, such as mammalian cells. Plant biosystems are easy to scale up and inexpensive, and they do not require refrigeration or a sophisticated medical infrastructure. These advantages provide an opportunity for plant-made pharmaceuticals to counteract diseases for which medicines were previously inaccessible to people in countries with few resources. MAIN BODY The techniques needed for plant-based therapeutic production are currently available. Viral expression vectors based on plant viruses have greatly enhanced plant-made therapeutic production and have been exploited to produce a variety of proteins of industrial, pharmaceutical and agribusiness interest. Some neglected tropical diseases occurring exclusively in the developing world have found solutions through plant bioreactor technology. Plant viral expression vectors have been reported in the production of therapeutics against these diseases occurring exclusively in the third world, and some virus-derived antigens produced in plants exhibit appropriate antigenicity and immunogenicity. However, all advances in the use of plants as bioreactors have been made by companies in Europe and America. The developing world is still far from acquiring this technology, although plant viral expression vectors may provide crucial help to overcome neglected diseases. CONCLUSION Today, interest in these tools is rising, and viral amplicons made in and for Africa are in progress. This review describes the biotechnological advances in the field of plant bioreactors, highlights factors restricting access to this technology by those who need it most and proposes a solution to overcome these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingdwende Kader Aziz Bamogo
- Interactions Plantes Microorganismes et Environnement (IPME), IRD, CIRAD, Université Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis BP64501, 34394, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie et de Biotechnologies Végétales, Institut de L'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA)/LMI Patho-Bios, 01BP476, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo; Centre de Recherche Biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), Ouagadougou 01, BP, 364, Burkina Faso
| | - Christophe Brugidou
- Interactions Plantes Microorganismes et Environnement (IPME), IRD, CIRAD, Université Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis BP64501, 34394, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie et de Biotechnologies Végétales, Institut de L'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA)/LMI Patho-Bios, 01BP476, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Drissa Sérémé
- Laboratoire de Virologie et de Biotechnologies Végétales, Institut de L'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA)/LMI Patho-Bios, 01BP476, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Fidèle Tiendrébéogo
- Laboratoire de Virologie et de Biotechnologies Végétales, Institut de L'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA)/LMI Patho-Bios, 01BP476, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
| | - Florencia Wendkuuni Djigma
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo; Centre de Recherche Biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), Ouagadougou 01, BP, 364, Burkina Faso
| | - Jacques Simpore
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologie, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo; Centre de Recherche Biomoléculaire Piétro Annigoni (CERBA), Ouagadougou 01, BP, 364, Burkina Faso
| | - Séverine Lacombe
- Interactions Plantes Microorganismes et Environnement (IPME), IRD, CIRAD, Université Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis BP64501, 34394, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
- Laboratoire de Virologie et de Biotechnologies Végétales, Institut de L'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA)/LMI Patho-Bios, 01BP476, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso.
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41
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Tsekoa TL, Singh AA, Buthelezi SG. Molecular farming for therapies and vaccines in Africa. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 61:89-95. [PMID: 31786432 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Local manufacturing of protein-based vaccines and therapies in Africa is limited and contributes to a trade deficit, security of supply concerns and poor access to biopharmaceuticals by the poor. Plant molecular farming is a potential technology solution that has received growing adoption by African scientists attracted by the potential for the competitive cost of goods, safety and efficacy. Plant-made pharmaceutical technologies for veterinary and human vaccination and treatment of non-communicable and infectious diseases are available at different stages of development in Africa. There is also growth in the translation of these technologies to commercial operations. Africa is poised to benefit from the real-world impact of molecular farming in the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsepo L Tsekoa
- NextGen Health and Future Production: Chemistry Clusters, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Advaita Acarya Singh
- NextGen Health and Future Production: Chemistry Clusters, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sindisiwe G Buthelezi
- NextGen Health and Future Production: Chemistry Clusters, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
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Gengenbach BB, Keil LL, Opdensteinen P, Müschen CR, Melmer G, Lentzen H, Bührmann J, Buyel JF. Comparison of microbial and transient expression (tobacco plants and plant-cell packs) for the production and purification of the anticancer mistletoe lectin viscumin. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:2236-2249. [PMID: 31140580 PMCID: PMC6772165 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries. Cancer therapy often involves monoclonal antibodies or small-molecule drugs, but carbohydrate-binding lectins such as mistletoe (Viscum album) viscumin offer a potential alternative treatment strategy. Viscumin is toxic in mammalian cells, ruling them out as an efficient production system, and it forms inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli such that purification requires complex and lengthy refolding steps. We therefore investigated the transient expression of viscumin in intact Nicotiana benthamiana plants and Nicotiana tabacum Bright Yellow 2 plant-cell packs (PCPs), comparing a full-length viscumin gene construct to separate constructs for the A and B chains. As determined by capillary electrophoresis the maximum yield of purified heterodimeric viscumin in N. benthamiana was ~7 mg/kg fresh biomass with the full-length construct. The yield was about 50% higher in PCPs but reduced 10-fold when coexpressing A and B chains as individual polypeptides. Using a single-step lactosyl-Sepharose affinity resin, we purified viscumin to ~54%. The absence of refolding steps resulted in estimated cost savings of more than 80% when transient expression in tobacco was compared with E. coli. Furthermore, the plant-derived product was ~3-fold more toxic than the bacterially produced counterpart. We conclude that plants offer a suitable alternative for the production of complex biopharmaceutical proteins that are toxic to mammalian cells and that form inclusion bodies in bacteria.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/biosynthesis
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Plant Cells/metabolism
- Plant Proteins/biosynthesis
- Plant Proteins/genetics
- Plant Proteins/isolation & purification
- Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics
- Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/isolation & purification
- Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2/biosynthesis
- Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2/genetics
- Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2/isolation & purification
- Nicotiana/genetics
- Nicotiana/metabolism
- Toxins, Biological/biosynthesis
- Toxins, Biological/genetics
- Toxins, Biological/isolation & purification
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin B. Gengenbach
- Integrated Production PlatformsFraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for Molecular BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Linda L. Keil
- Institute for Molecular BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Patrick Opdensteinen
- Integrated Production PlatformsFraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for Molecular BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Catherine R. Müschen
- Integrated Production PlatformsFraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for Molecular BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | | | | | | | - Johannes F. Buyel
- Integrated Production PlatformsFraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for Molecular BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
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Berthold F, Roujol D, Hemmer C, Jamet E, Ritzenthaler C, Hoffmann L, Schmitt-Keichinger C. Inside or outside? A new collection of Gateway vectors allowing plant protein subcellular localization or over-expression. Plasmid 2019; 105:102436. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2019.102436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Matsuo K, Atsumi G. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the RDR6 gene in Nicotiana benthamiana for efficient transient expression of recombinant proteins. PLANTA 2019; 250:463-473. [PMID: 31065786 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03180-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION RDR6 gene knockout Nicotiana benthamiana plant was successfully produced using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The production of recombinant proteins in plants has many advantages, such as safety and reduced costs. However, there are several problems with this technology, especially low levels of protein production. The dysfunction of the RNA silencing mechanism in plant cells would be effective to improve recombinant protein production because the RNA silencing mechanism efficiently degrades transgene-derived mRNAs. Therefore, to overcome this problem, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology was used to develop RNA silencing-related gene knockout transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana. We successfully produced RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 6 (RDR6), one of the most important components of the RNA silencing mechanism-knockout N. benthamiana (ΔRDR6 plants). The ΔRDR6 plants had abnormal flowers and were sterile, as with the Arabidopsis RDR6 mutants. However, a transient gene expression assay showed that the ΔRDR6 plants accumulated larger amounts of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and GFP mRNA than the wild-type (WT) plants. Small RNA sequencing analysis revealed that levels of small interfering RNA against the GFP gene were greatly reduced in the ΔRDR6 plants, as compared to that of the WT plants. These findings demonstrate that the ΔRDR6 plants can express larger amounts of recombinant proteins than WT plants and, therefore, would be useful for recombinant protein production and understanding the contributions of RDR6 to genetic and physiological events in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouki Matsuo
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-17-2-1 Tsukisamu-Higashi, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, 062-8517, Japan.
| | - Go Atsumi
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-17-2-1 Tsukisamu-Higashi, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, 062-8517, Japan
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Kopertekh L, Schiemann J. Enhanced foreign protein accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves co-infiltrated with a TMV vector and plant cell cycle regulator genes. Transgenic Res 2019; 28:411-417. [PMID: 31098823 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-019-00128-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In this short communication, we report that the cell cycle checkpoint genes At-CycD2 and At-CDC27a from Arabidopsis thaliana enhance the transient heterologous protein expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. We selected a well-studied and widely used virus expression vector based on TMV for the delivery of recombinant proteins into the host plant. Co-infiltration of TMV-gfp and binary expression vectors carrying the At-CycD2 and At-CDC27a genes, respectively, resulted in enhanced GFP fluorescence in agroinoculated leaves. These findings corresponded with the observation of (1) higher mRNA levels for TMV and gfp and (2) increased GFP protein accumulation. Furthermore, by co-delivery of the TMV-scFv-TM43-E10 and At-CycD2/At-CDC27a expressing constructs we observed an enhanced amount of the scFv-TM43-E10 antibody fragment compared to the delivery of the TMV-scFv-TM43-E10 alone. We anticipate that this finding might be adapted for enhancing foreign protein production in N. benthamiana as the host plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilya Kopertekh
- Julius Kuehn Institute - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants (JKI), Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology, Erwin-Baur-Str. 27, 06484, Quedlinburg, Germany.
| | - Joachim Schiemann
- Julius Kuehn Institute - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants (JKI), Institute for Biosafety in Plant Biotechnology, Erwin-Baur-Str. 27, 06484, Quedlinburg, Germany
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Kopertekh L, Meyer T, Freyer C, Hust M. Transient plant production of Salmonella Typhimurium diagnostic antibodies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 21:e00314. [PMID: 30847285 PMCID: PMC6389800 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2019.e00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Salmonella Typhimurium is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens worldwide and a major cause of economic losses in the pig production chain. The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains over the past years has led to considerations about an enhanced surveillance of bacterial food contamination. Currently, ELISA is the method of choice for high throughput identification of S. Typhimurium. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay might be improved by application of new diagnostic antibodies. We focused on plant-based expression of candidate diagnostic TM43-E10 antibodies discovered using as antigen the S. Typhimurium OmpD protein. The scFv-TM43-E10 and scFv-Fc-TM43-E10 antibody derivatives have been successfully produced in N. benthamiana using a deconstructed movement-deficient PVX vector supplemented with the γb silencing suppressor from Poa semilatent virus. The plant-made antibodies showed the same antigen-binding specificity as that of the microbial/mammalian cell-produced counterparts and could recognize the OmpD antigen in S. Typhimurium infected plant samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilya Kopertekh
- Julius Kühn-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen, Institut für die Sicherheit biotechnologischer Verfahren bei Pflanzen, Erwin-Baur-Str. 27, 06484, Quedlinburg, Germany
- Corresponding author.
| | - Torsten Meyer
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Spielmannstr. 7, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Cornelia Freyer
- Julius Kühn-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen, Institut für die Sicherheit biotechnologischer Verfahren bei Pflanzen, Erwin-Baur-Str. 27, 06484, Quedlinburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hust
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und Bioinformatik, Abteilung Biotechnologie, Spielmannstr. 7, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
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Buyel JF. Plant Molecular Farming - Integration and Exploitation of Side Streams to Achieve Sustainable Biomanufacturing. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 9:1893. [PMID: 30713542 PMCID: PMC6345721 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Plants have unique advantages over other systems such as mammalian cells for the production of valuable small molecules and proteins. The benefits cited most often include safety due to the absence of replicating human pathogens, simplicity because sterility is not required during production, scalability due to the potential for open-field cultivation with transgenic plants, and the speed of transient expression potentially providing gram quantities of product in less than 4 weeks. Initially there were also significant drawbacks, such as the need to clarify feed streams with a high particle burden and the large quantities of host cell proteins, but efficient clarification is now readily achieved. Several additional advantages have also emerged reflecting the fact that plants are essentially biodegradable, single-use bioreactors. This article will focus on the exploitation of this concept for the production of biopharmaceutical proteins, thus improving overall process economics. Specifically, we will discuss the single-use properties of plants, the sustainability of the production platform, and the commercial potential of different biomass side streams. We find that incorporating these side streams through rational process integration has the potential to more than double the revenue that can currently be achieved using plant-based production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes F. Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Yin JL, Wong WS. Production of santalenes and bergamotene in Nicotiana tabacum plants. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0203249. [PMID: 30608920 PMCID: PMC6319812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Terpenes play an important role in plant-insect relationships, and these relationships can potentially be modified by altering the profile of terpenes emitted from plants using metabolic engineering methods. Transgenic plants generated by employing such methods offer the prospect of low-cost sustainable pest management; in this regard, we used chloroplast targeting and cytosolic mevalonic acid pathway enhancement in this study to investigate the interaction of santalenes and bergamotene with insects. The santalene- and bergamotene-emitting transgenic tobacco plants thus generated were utilized to study host preference in the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae (Sulzer)). The results showed that co-expression of either 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) or truncated HMGR with santalene synthase led to the production of higher amounts of santalenes and bergamotene in transgenic tobacco plants, and that these santalene- and bergamotene-emitting plants were attractive to green peach aphids. We accordingly propose that such transgenic plants may have potential application in pest management as a trap crop to prevent green peach aphid infestation of wild-type tobacco plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Lin Yin
- YMU-HKBU Joint Laboratory of Traditional Natural Medicine, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, China
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Woon-Seng Wong
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore, Singapore
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Sathish S, Preethy KS, Venkatesh R, Sathishkumar R. Rapid enhancement of α-tocopherol content in Nicotiana benthamiana by transient expression of Arabidopsis thaliana Tocopherol cyclase and Homogentisate phytyl transferase genes. 3 Biotech 2018; 8:485. [PMID: 30498659 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1496-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Agrobacterium-mediated transient gene expression have become a method of choice over stable plant genetic transformation. Tocopherols are a family of vitamin E compounds, which are categorized along with tocotrienols occurring naturally in vegetable oils, nuts and leafy green vegetables. This is the first report involving AtTC and AtHPT transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana and this system can be used efficiently for large scale production of vitamin E. Agroinfiltration studies were carried out in N.benthamiana for the expression of Arabidopsis thaliana (At) genes encoding homogentisate phytyltransferase (HPT) and tocopherol cyclase (TC) individually and in combination (HPT + TC). The transgene presence was analyzed by reverse transcription PCR, which showed the presence of both the vitamin E biosynthetic pathway genes. The gene expression analysis was carried out by (reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) RT-qPCR and α-tocopherol content was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The relative gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR confirmed an increased expression pattern where TC + HPT combination recorded the highest of 231 fold, followed by TC gene with 186 fold, whereas the HPT gene recorded 178 fold. The α-tocopherol content in leaves expressing HPT, TC, and HPT + TC was increased by 4.2, 5.9 and 11.3 fold, respectively, as compared to the control. These results indicate that the transient expression of HPT and TC genes has enhanced the vitamin E levels and stable expression of both A. thaliana genes could be an efficient strategy to enhance vitamin E biosynthesis in agricultural crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundararajan Sathish
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641 046 India
| | - Kuppuraj Sree Preethy
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641 046 India
| | - Rajendran Venkatesh
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641 046 India
| | - Ramalingam Sathishkumar
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641 046 India
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Gengenbach BB, Müschen CR, Buyel JF. Expression and purification of human phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (PHACTR1) in plant-based systems. Protein Expr Purif 2018; 151:46-55. [PMID: 29894805 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are a prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality especially in industrialized countries. The human phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (PHACTR1) may be involved in such diseases, but its precise regulatory function remains unclear due to the large number of potential interaction partners. The same phenomenon makes this protein difficult to express in mammalian cells, but it is also an intrinsically disordered protein that likely aggregates when expressed in bacteria due to the absence of chaperones. We therefore used a design of experiments approach to test the suitability of three plant-based systems for the expression of satisfactory quantities of recombinant PHACTR1, namely transient expression in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) BY-2 plant cell packs (PCPs), whole N. benthamiana leaves and BY-2 cell lysate (BYL). The highest yield was achieved using the BYL: up to 120 mg product kg-1 biomass equivalent within 48 h of translation. This was 1.3-fold higher than transient expression in N. benthamiana together with the silencing inhibitor p19, and 6-fold higher than the PCP system. The presence of Triton X-100 in the extraction buffer increased the recovery of PHACTR1 by 2-200-fold depending on the conditions. PHACTR1 was incompatible with biomass blanching and was stable for less than 16 h in raw plant extracts. Purification using a DDK-tag proved inefficient whereas 15% purity was achieved by immobilized metal affinity chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- B B Gengenbach
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstraße 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - C R Müschen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstraße 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - J F Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstraße 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, Worringerweg 1, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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