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Li Z, You L, Zhang Q, Yu Y, Tan A. A Targeted In-Fusion Expression System for Recombinant Protein Production in Bombyx mori. Front Genet 2022; 12:816075. [PMID: 35058975 PMCID: PMC8763709 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.816075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an economically important insect that synthesizes large amounts of silk proteins in its silk gland to make cocoons. In recent years, germline transformation strategies advanced the bioengineering of the silk gland as an ideal bioreactor for mass production of recombinant proteins. However, the yield of exogenous proteins varied largely due to the random insertion and gene drift caused by canonical transposon-based transformation, calling for site-specific and stable expression systems. In the current study, we established a targeted in-fusion expression system by using the transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-mediated targeted insertion to target genomic locus of sericin, one of the major silk proteins. We successfully generated chimeric Sericin1-EGFP (Ser-2A-EGFP) transformant, producing up to 3.1% (w/w) of EGFP protein in the cocoon shell. With this strategy, we further expressed the medically important human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) and the protein yield in both middle silk glands, and cocoon shells reached to more than 15-fold higher than the canonical piggyBac-based transgenesis. This natural Sericin1 expression system provides a new strategy for producing recombinant proteins by using the silkworm silk gland as the bioreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqian Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lang You
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Qichao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ye Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Anjiang Tan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Mulberry Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, The Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, China
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2
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Hernández G, Osnaya VG, Pérez-Martínez X. Conservation and Variability of the AUG Initiation Codon Context in Eukaryotes. Trends Biochem Sci 2019; 44:1009-1021. [PMID: 31353284 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Selection of the translation initiation site (TIS) is a crucial step during translation. In the 1980s Marylin Kozak performed key studies on vertebrate mRNAs to characterize the optimal TIS consensus sequence, the Kozak motif. Within this motif, conservation of nucleotides in crucial positions, namely a purine at -3 and a G at +4 (where the A of the AUG is numbered +1), is essential for TIS recognition. Ever since its characterization the Kozak motif has been regarded as the optimal sequence to initiate translation in all eukaryotes. We revisit here published in silico data on TIS consensus sequences, as well as experimental studies from diverse eukaryotic lineages, and propose that, while the -3A/G position is universally conserved, the remaining variability of the consensus sequences enables their classification as optimal, strong, and moderate TIS sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greco Hernández
- Translation and Cancer Laboratory, Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, National Institute of Cancer (Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, INCan), 22 San Fernando Avenue, Tlalpan, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Vincent G Osnaya
- Translation and Cancer Laboratory, Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, National Institute of Cancer (Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, INCan), 22 San Fernando Avenue, Tlalpan, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Xochitl Pérez-Martínez
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cell Physiology Institute (Instituto de Fisiología Celular), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
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Motokawa Y, Kokubo M, Kuwabara N, Tatematsu KI, Sezutsu H, Takahashi H, Sakakura K, Chikamatsu K, Takeda S. Melanoma antigen family A4 protein produced by transgenic silkworms induces antitumor immune responses. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:2512-2518. [PMID: 29563979 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.5703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical trials with the aim of developing tumor antigen (TA)-specific cancer vaccines against a number of malignancies have focused on the identification of TAs presented by tumor cells and recognized by T cells. In the present study, the TA melanoma antigen family A4 (MAGE-A4) protein was produced using a transgenic (TG) silkworm system. Using in vitro stimulation, it was subsequently determined whether MAGE-A4 protein induced MAGE-A4-specific T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors. TG silkworm lines expressing a MAGE-A4 gene under an upstream activating sequence (UAS) were mated with those expressing a yeast transcription activator protein (GAL4) at the middle silk glands (MSGs) and embryos that harbored both the GAL4 and UAS constructs were selected. Recombinant MAGE-A4 protein was extracted from the MSGs of TG silkworms and evaluated using SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis. It was observed that MAGE-A4 produced by the TG silkworm system successfully induced MAGE-A4-specific CD4+ T cell responses. Furthermore, MAGE-A4-specific CD4+ T cells recognized antigen-presenting cells when pulsed with a MAGE-A4+ tumor cell lysate. The present data suggests that recombinant tumor antigen production using the TG silkworm system may be a novel tool in the preparation of cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Motokawa
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Division of Molecular Science, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma 376-8515, Japan
| | - Michifumi Kokubo
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Division of Molecular Science, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma 376-8515, Japan
| | - Nobuo Kuwabara
- Gunma Sericultural Technology Center, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8570, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichiro Tatematsu
- Transgenic Silkworm Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- Transgenic Silkworm Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8634, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Takahashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Koichi Sakakura
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Chikamatsu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Shigeki Takeda
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Division of Molecular Science, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma 376-8515, Japan
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4
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Co-expression of BirA with biotin bait achieves in vivo biotinylation of overexpressed stable N-glycosylated sRAGE in transgenic silkworms. Sci Rep 2017; 7:356. [PMID: 28336960 PMCID: PMC5428419 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00420-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we demonstrated the expression of the N-glycosylated extracellular ligand binding domain of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in middle silk glands (MSGs) of transgenic silkworms using the GAL4/UAS system. Over 1 mg of sRAGE was obtained from one transgenic silkworm. sRAGE purified from the silkworm exhibited good stability and maintained specific ligand-binding ability. In addition, N-glycan analysis of sRAGE revealed that N-glucan completely lacked potentially allergenic fucose. Moreover, co-expression of biotin ligase (BirA) with C-terminal BioEase-tagged sRAGE in MSGs resulted in efficient biotinylation of sRAGE after addition of biotin bait. C-terminal biotinylated sRAGE could be immobilized onto a solid surface in one direction through binding to streptavidin without any loss of ability. The dissociation constant of sRAGE with fructose-BSA, a typical RAGE ligand, was 7.25 × 10−7 M, consistent with that on the mammalian cell surface. Thus, we developed a novel, innovative silkworm expression system for efficient expression of recombinant sRAGE, which could serve as a basis for the elucidation of RAGE-ligand interactions and facilitate the search for new ligands and inhibitors.
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Kavanaugh SI, Tsai PS. Functional Authentication of a Novel Gastropod Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Reveals Unusual Features and Evolutionary Insight. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160292. [PMID: 27467252 PMCID: PMC4964986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like molecule was previously identified in a gastropod, Aplysia californica, and named ap-GnRH. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA of a putative ap-GnRH receptor (ap-GnRHR) and functionally authenticated this receptor as a bona fide ap-GnRHR. This receptor contains two potential translation start sites, each accompanied by a Kozak sequence, suggesting the translation of a long and a short form of the receptor is possible. The putative ap-GnRHR maintains the conserved structural motifs of GnRHR-like receptors and shares 45% sequence identity with the octopus GnRHR. The expression of the putative ap-GnRHR short form is ubiquitous in all tissues examined, whereas the long form is only expressed in parts of the central nervous system, osphradium, small hermaphroditic duct, and ovotestis. The cDNA encoding the long or the short receptor was transfected into the Drosophila S2 cell line and subject to a radioreceptor assay using 125I-labeled ap-GnRH as the radioligand. Further, the transfected cells were treated with various concentrations of ap-GnRH and measured for the accumulation of cAMP and inositol monophosphate (IP1). Radioreceptor assay revealed that only the long receptor bound specifically to the radioligand. Further, only the long receptor responded to ap-GnRH with an increased accumulation of IP1, but not cAMP. Our studies show that despite the more prevalent expression of the short receptor, only the long receptor is the functional ap-GnRHR. Importantly, this is only the second report on the authentication of a protostome GnRHR, and based on the function and the phylogenetic grouping of ap-GnRHR, we suggest that this receptor is more similar to protostome corazonin receptors than chordate GnRHRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott I. Kavanaugh
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Pei-San Tsai
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Hatakeyama M, Yatomi J, Sumitani M, Takasu Y, Sekiné K, Niimi T, Sezutsu H. Knockout of a transgene by transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) in the sawfly, Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera) and the ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera). INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 25:24-31. [PMID: 26496859 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are efficient tools for targeted genome editing and have been utilized in a number of insects. Here, we demonstrate the gene disruption (knockout) caused by TALENs targeting a transgene, 3xP3-driven enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), that is integrated in the genome of two species, the sawfly Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera) and the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera). Messenger RNAs of TALENs targeting the sequences adjacent to the chromophore region were microinjected into the eggs/embryos of each species. In At. rosae, when microinjection was performed at the posterior end of eggs, 15% of G(0) individuals showed a somatic mosaic phenotype for eye EGFP fluorescence. Three-quarters of the somatic mosaics produced EGFP-negative G(1) progeny. When eggs were injected at the anterior end, 63% of the G(0) individuals showed somatic mosaicism, and 17% of them produced EGFP-negative G(1) progeny. In H. axyridis, 25% of posterior-injected and 8% of anterior-injected G(0) individuals produced EGFP-negative G(1) progeny. In both species, the EGFP-negative progeny retained the EGFP gene, and various deletions were detected in the target sequences, indicating that gene disruption was successfully induced. Finally, for both species, 18-21% of G(0) founders produced gene knockout progeny sufficient for establishing knockout strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hatakeyama
- Division of Insect Sciences, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - J Yatomi
- Laboratory of Sericulture & Entomoresources, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan
| | - M Sumitani
- Genetically Modified Organism Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Y Takasu
- Genetically Modified Organism Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - K Sekiné
- Division of Insect Sciences, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - T Niimi
- Laboratory of Sericulture & Entomoresources, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan
| | - H Sezutsu
- Genetically Modified Organism Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Japan
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Sumitani M, Sakurai T, Kasashima K, Kobayashi S, Uchino K, Kanzaki R, Tamura T, Sezutsu H. Establishment of a specific cell death induction system in Bombyx mori by a transgene with the conserved apoptotic regulator, mouse Bcl-2-associated X protein (mouse Bax). INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 24:671-680. [PMID: 26426866 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The induction of apoptosis in vivo is a useful tool for investigating the functions and importance of particular tissues. B-cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2-associated X protein (Bax) functions as a pro-apoptotic factor and induces apoptosis in several organisms. The Bax-mediated apoptotic system is widely conserved from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans. In order to establish a tissue-specific cell death system in the domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori, we constructed a transgenic silkworm that overexpressed mouse Bax (mBax) in particular tissues by the Gal4-upstream activation sequence system. We found that the expression of mBax induced specific cell death in the silk gland, fat body and sensory cells. Fragmentation of genomic DNA was observed in the fat body, which expressed mBax, thereby supporting apoptotic cell death in this tissue. Using this system, we also demonstrated that specific cell death in sensory cells attenuated the response to the sex pheromone bombykol. These results show that we successfully established a tissue-specific cell death system in vivo that enabled specific deficiencies in particular tissues. The inducible cell death system may provide useful means for industrial applications of the silkworm and possible utilization for other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sumitani
- Genetically Modified Organism Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - T Sakurai
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Kasashima
- Division of Functional Biochemistry Department of Biochemistry, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - S Kobayashi
- Genetically Modified Organism Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - K Uchino
- Genetically Modified Organism Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - R Kanzaki
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Tamura
- Genetically Modified Organism Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - H Sezutsu
- Genetically Modified Organism Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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8
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Tada M, Tatematsu KI, Ishii-Watabe A, Harazono A, Takakura D, Hashii N, Sezutsu H, Kawasaki N. Characterization of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody produced by transgenic silkworms (Bombyx mori). MAbs 2015; 7:1138-50. [PMID: 26261057 PMCID: PMC4966511 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2015.1078054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to the successful use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in the treatment of various diseases, systems for expressing recombinant mAbs using transgenic animals or plants have been widely developed. The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is a highly domesticated insect that has recently been used for the production of recombinant proteins. Because of their cost-effective breeding and relatively easy production scale-up, transgenic silkworms show great promise as a novel production system for mAbs. In this study, we established a transgenic silkworm stably expressing a human-mouse chimeric anti-CD20 mAb having the same amino acid sequence as rituximab, and compared its characteristics with rituximab produced by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (MabThera®). The anti-CD20 mAb produced in the transgenic silkworm showed a similar antigen-binding property, but stronger antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and weaker complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) compared to MabThera. Post-translational modification analysis was performed by peptide mapping using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. There was a significant difference in the N-glycosylation profile between the CHO- and the silkworm-derived mAbs, but not in other post-translational modifications including oxidation and deamidation. The mass spectra of the N-glycosylated peptide revealed that the observed biological properties were attributable to the characteristic N-glycan structures of the anti-CD20 mAbs produced in the transgenic silkworms, i.e., the lack of the core-fucose and galactose at the non-reducing terminal. These results suggest that the transgenic silkworm may be a promising expression system for the tumor-targeting mAbs with higher ADCC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Tada
- a Division of Biological Chemistry and Biologicals; National Institute of Health Sciences ; Tokyo , Japan
| | - Ken-ichiro Tatematsu
- b Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit; National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences ; Ibaraki , Japan
| | - Akiko Ishii-Watabe
- a Division of Biological Chemistry and Biologicals; National Institute of Health Sciences ; Tokyo , Japan
| | - Akira Harazono
- a Division of Biological Chemistry and Biologicals; National Institute of Health Sciences ; Tokyo , Japan
| | - Daisuke Takakura
- a Division of Biological Chemistry and Biologicals; National Institute of Health Sciences ; Tokyo , Japan.,c Manufacturing Technology Research Association of Biologics ; Kobe , Japan
| | - Noritaka Hashii
- a Division of Biological Chemistry and Biologicals; National Institute of Health Sciences ; Tokyo , Japan
| | - Hideki Sezutsu
- b Transgenic Silkworm Research Unit; National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences ; Ibaraki , Japan
| | - Nana Kawasaki
- a Division of Biological Chemistry and Biologicals; National Institute of Health Sciences ; Tokyo , Japan
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