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A high-level prokaryotic expression system: synthesis of human interleukin 1 alpha and its receptor antagonist.

Synthetic intronless genes, coding for human interleukin 1 alpha (IL 1 alpha) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1ra), have been expressed efficiently in a specially designed prokaryotic vector, pGMCE (a pGEM1 derivative), where the target gene forms the second part of a two-cistron system. The first part of the system is a translation enhancer-containing mini-cistron, whose termination codon overlaps the start codon of the target gene. In the case of the IL1 alpha gene, the high expression level is largely due to the direct efficient translation initiation at the second cistron, whereas with the IL1ra gene in the same system, the proximal translation initiation region (TIR) provides a high level of coupled expression of the target gene. Thus, pGMCE is a potentially versatile vector for direct prokaryotic expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Overexpression of the Bacillus subtilis and circulans xylanases in Escherichia coli.

An efficient expression system for a low-molecular mass xylanase in Escherichia coli has been developed. A gene encoding the mature Bacillus circulans (Bc) xylanase was designed to imitate the frequency of degenerate codons used in E. coli. Appropriate degenerate codons were used to create multiple unique restriction sites for future mutagenesis studies. The synthetic gene was constructed in two stages, both involving ligation of overlapping oligonucleotides. The synthetic Bc gene was then converted to a Bacillus subtilis (Bs) xylanase gene via a single codon substitution (Thr147Ser). The plasmids containing both synthetic genes were further modified for the direct expression in E. coli. Under the control of the lac promoter, recombinant xylanase has been produced at levels as high as 300 mg/liter in soluble form in the cytoplasm. This efficiency represented a dramatic improvement over all previous attempts involving the expression of the natural genes, with the xylanase being secreted in those cases. Characterization of our gene products indicated that the purified recombinant product was correctly processed and enzymatically active.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genes and regulatory sites of the "host-takeover module" in the terminal redundancy of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SPO1.

Early in infection of Bacillus subtilis by bacteriophage SPO1, the synthesis of most host-specific macromolecules is replaced by the corresponding phage-specific biosyntheses. It is believed that this subversion of the host biosynthetic machinery is accomplished primarily by a cluster of early genes in the SPO1 terminal redundancy. Here we analyze the nucleotide sequence of this 11.5-kb "host-takeover module," which appears to be designed for particularly efficient expression. Promoters, ribosome-binding sites, and codon usage statistics all show characteristics known to be associated with efficient function in B. subtilis. The promoters and ribosome-binding sites have additional conserved features which are not characteristic of their host counterparts and which may be important for competition with host genes for the cellular biosynthetic machinery. The module includes 24 genes, tightly packed into 12 operons driven by the previously identified early promoters PE1 to PE12. The genes are smaller than average, with half of them having fewer than 100 codons. Most of their inferred products show little similarity to known proteins, although zinc finger, trans-membrane, and RNA polymerase-binding domains were identified. Transcription-termination and RNase III cleavage sites were found at appropriate locations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional expression of Candida antarctica lipase B in the Escherichia coli cytoplasm--a screening system for a frequently used biocatalyst.

In this paper, we report for the first time the functional expression of lipase B from the yeast Candida antarctica (CalB) in the Escherichia coli cytoplasm. The enzyme possessing three disulfide bonds was functionally expressed in the strain Origami B. Expression under the control of a lac promoter yielded 2 U mg(-1), whereas expression of a thioredoxin-CalB fusion protein yielded 17 U mg(-1). The native enzyme was most efficiently expressed under control of the cspA promoter (11 U mg(-1)). Coexpression of different chaperones led to a strong increase in active protein formation (up to 61 U mg(-1)). A codon-optimized synthetic variant of calb did not show significant effects on functional protein yield. Functional CalB expression was not only achieved in shake flasks but also in microtiter plate scale. Therefore, this CalB expression system is suitable for high-throughput applications, including the screening of large gene libraries as those derived from directed evolution experiments.

Base Sequence↗

Effective gene transfer into regenerating sciatic nerves by adenoviral vectors: potentials for gene therapy of peripheral nerve injury.

Replication defective adenoviral vectors have been demonstrated as an effective method for delivering genes into a variety of cell types and tissues both in vivo and in vitro. Transfecting genes into neuronal cells has proven to be difficult because of their lack of cell division. Since the major problem in neurological disease is the degeneration of the terminally differentiated neuronal cells, the adenoviral vector's ability to transfer genes into differentiated post-mitotic cells makes them advantageous for a gene delivery system for the nervous system. Here we showed that a replication defective recombinant adenovirus carrying the lacZ gene could infect the neuronal stem cells and even the differentiated neuronal cells derived from the central nervous system. The lacZ gene delivered into the neuronal cells was expressed efficiently. In addition, the recombinant virus also infected Schwann cells in intact and injured nerves in vivo. The expression of the lacZ gene lasted for 5 weeks, within which nerve regeneration is accomplished in the rat. Adenoviral vectors might thus be used to modulate Schwann cell gene expression for treating peripheral nerve injury or peripheral neuropathy.

Adenoviridae↗

DNA-binding of androgen receptor overexpressed in mammalian cells.

In order to investigate the DNA-binding properties of the rat androgen receptor (rAR) in mammalian cells after addition of androgens and antiandrogens, we established a gel-shift assay with extract from COS-1 cells (CV-1 cells transformed with the DNA-tumour virus SV40) over-expressing the rAR. First, the rAR was overexpressed in COS-1 cells. Therefore the full-length AR cDNA was inserted immediately downstream from the SV40 early promoter of pECE to generate pECE-AR. Expression of the rAR driven by the SV40 early promoter yields constant and high levels of rAR protein. In addition, the vector contains the SV40 origin of replication for obtaining high copy vector numbers in COS-1 cells. The rAR-containing expression vector was transiently transfected into COS-1 cells using Transfectam Reagent, in order to achieve high transfection efficiency. Expression of biologically active receptor was tested by analyzing the effect of the synthetic androgen R1881 on induction of transiently transfected pMMTV-CAT. Steroid binding assays were carried out to confirm overexpression of biologically active AR and to determine the binding of different hormones and antihormones to AR in COS-1 cells transiently transfected with pECE-AR. Gel-shift experiments performed with whole cell extract of those cells, containing approximately 700 fmol AR/mg protein, and labeled AR-binding GRE (glucocorticoid responsive element) showed that R1881 induced the formation of a protein-GRE complex. Furthermore, the R1881-induced formation of the protein-GRE complex could be completed by addition of unlabeled excess of GRE but not of unspecific oligonucleotides, confirming sequence-specific binding of the R1881-induced protein-GRE complex.

Animals↗

Expression of highly controllable genes in insect cells using a modified tetracycline-regulated gene expression system.

A modified tetracycline-responsive expression system (TRES) for use in insect cells was developed. The TRES contains two components: one encodes a tetracycline-controllable transactivator (tTA) and the other contains a tet operator DNA sequence to drive the luciferase gene. Our results show that the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, an essential part for strong tTA expression in mammalian system, was not functional in insect cells. Thus further modifications were required. Functional tTA was efficiently expressed in Sf9, Sf21, and TN368 cells by the p10 promoter of Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) in plasmid form with virus co-infection. An increase of up to 258-fold of luciferase activity was detected in these cells when both components in modified TRES were co-transfected. In order to further simplify the experiment, tTA, which is driven by the p10 promoter, was inserted into AcMNPV. Luciferase activity was also strongly stimulated by the infection of this tTA expression-recombinant virus with the transfection of a plasmid containing the second TRES component expressing luciferase. The luciferase expressions in these systems, either in plasmids or the tTA gene in virus and luciferase in plasmid, were significantly suppressed by tetracycline. The time course kinetics of tetracycline action to the TRES were further studied. Within a time span of 50 h, the luciferase activities could be fully suppressed or activated, respectively, corresponding to the addition or removal of tetracycline. These experiments have established a well-regulated gene expression system for further broad applications of molecular biological studies in insect cells.

Animals↗

Cell-specific expression controlled by the 5'-flanking region of insulin and chymotrypsin genes.

DNA sequences containing the 5'-flanking regions of the insulin and chymotrypsin genes were linked to the coding sequence of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. The insulin gene recombinant elicits preferential expression of CAT activity when introduced into cells producing insulin; similarly, the chymotrypsin gene recombinant elicits preferential expression in chymotrypsin-producing cells. Sequences located upstream of previously defined transcriptional control elements are essential for efficient expression in both cases.

Acetyltransferases↗

Post-translational modifications distinguish cell surface from Golgi-retained beta 1,4 galactosyltransferase molecules. Golgi localization involves active retention.

beta 1,4 Galactosyltransferase (GalT) is a membrane-bound enzyme localized predominantly to the trans-Golgi cisternae. Our previous studies have shown that the transmembrane domain of bovine GalT plays a critical role in Golgi localization (Teasdale, R.D., D'Agostaro, G. and Gleeson, P.A., J. Biol. Chem., 267, 4084-4096, 1992). Here we have compared the localization and post-translational modifications of full-length bovine GalT with a GalT/hybrid molecule where the transmembrane domain of GalT was replaced with that of the transferrin receptor. GalT/hybrid molecules were expressed on the surface of transfected cells; however, differences were observed in the distribution of the hybrid molecules between transfected COS and murine L cells. In transfected COS cells, the GalT/hybrid protein was expressed efficiently at the cell surface, with little Golgi-localized material, whereas in stable murine L cells, which expressed lower levels of the construct, hybrid molecules were detected both at the cell surface and within the Golgi apparatus. Expression of the GalT constructs in either COS or L cells produced two glycoprotein products which differed in molecular mass by 7 kDa. The difference in size between the two products is due to post-translational modifications which are inhibited by brefeldin A and are therefore likely to occur in the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Very little of the high-molecular-weight species was detected for full-length GalT, whereas it was a major product for the GalT/hybrid protein. Only the higher molecular weight species was expressed at the cell surface. Thus, this additional 7 kDa post-translational modification distinguishes molecules retained within the Golgi apparatus (lower M(r) species) from those transported through the TGN to the cell surface. These studies indicate that (i) the level of expression influences the intracellular distribution of GalT/hybrid molecules and (ii) the localization of full-length GalT involves active retention within the Golgi stack, and not retrieval from later compartments. After treatment of membrane preparations from stable L cell clones with a heterobifunctional cross-linking agent, full-length bovine GalT molecules were found almost exclusively as high-molecular-weight aggregates, suggesting that GalT exists as an oligomer or aggregate. This ability to oligomerize may be a requirement for Golgi retention.

Animals↗

Chemotherapeutic tumour targeting using clostridial spores.

The toxicity associated with conventional cancer chemotherapy is primarily due to a lack of specificity for tumour cells. In contrast, intravenously injected clostridial spores exhibit a remarkable specificity for tumours. This is because, following their administration, clostridial spores become exclusively localised to, and germinate in, the hypoxic/necrotic tissue of tumours. This unique property could be exploited to deliver therapeutic agents to tumours. In particular, genetic engineering could be used to endow a suitable clostridial host with the capacity to produce an enzyme within the tumour which can metabolise a systemically introduced, non-toxic prodrug into a toxic metabolite. The feasibility of this strategy (clostridial-directed enzyme prodrug therapy, CDEPT) has been demonstrated by cloning the Escherichia coli B gene encoding nitroreductase (an enzyme which converts the prodrug CB1954 to a highly toxic bifunctional alkylating agent) into a clostridial expression vector and introducing the resultant plasmid into Clostridium beijerinckii (formerly C. acetobutylicum) NCIMB 8052. The gene was efficiently expressed, with recombinant nitroreductase representing 8% of the cell soluble protein. Following the intravenous injection of the recombinant spores into mice, tumour lysates have been shown, by Western blots, to contain the E. coli-derived enzyme.

Animals↗

Secretion of TEM beta-lactamase with signal sequences isolated from the chromosome of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis.

With TEM beta-lactamase as a reporter gene, a set of expression-secretion-promoting fragments were isolated from the chromosome of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. The fact that only translocated beta-lactamase renders cells resistant to ampicillin allowed direct ampicillin selection with an Escherichia coli vector (pKTH33). The clones showing the greatest ampicillin resistance were subcloned onto a replicon capable of replication in lactic acid bacteria (pVS2), and the nucleotide sequences of the relevant fragments were determined. The structure of the secretion-promoting fragments in general resembled that of gram-positive true signal sequences, with a strongly positively charged N terminus, a long hydrophobic core, and a putative signal peptidase recognition site. The promoterlike sequences preceding the signal sequences matched well with those of previously published lactococcal promoters. In addition to E. coli, the functioning of these expression-secretion cassettes was studied in three gram-positive hosts: Bacillus subtilis, L. lactis, and Lactobacillus plantarum. Efficient expression and secretion of TEM beta-lactamase into the culture medium of each gram-positive host was obtained. Furthermore, when a strain of L. lactis subsp. lactis showing increased sensitivity to lysozyme was compared with a standard laboratory strain, threefold-higher secreted enzyme activities were detected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Generation of hepatitis C virus-like particles by use of a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vector.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major etiologic agent of hepatocellular carcinoma, presently infects approximately 400 million people worldwide, making the development of protective measures against HCV infection a key objective. Here we have generated a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which expresses the HCV structural proteins, by inserting the contiguous Core, E1, and E2 coding region of HCV into the VSV genome. Recombinant VSV expressing HCV Core, E1, and E2 (VSV-HCV-C/E1/E2) grew to high titers in vitro and efficiently expressed the incorporated HCV gene product, which became fully processed into the individual HCV structural proteins. Biochemical and biophysical analysis indicated that the HCV Core, E1, and E2 proteins assembled to form HCV-like particles (HCV-LPs) possessing properties similar to the ultrastructural properties of HCV virions. Mice immunized with VSV-HCV-C/E1/E2 generated cell-mediated immune responses to all of the HCV structural proteins, and humoral responses, particularly to E2, were also readily evident. Our data collectively indicate that engineered VSVs expressing HCV Core, E1, and E2 and/or HCV-LPs represent useful tools in vaccine and immunotherapeutic strategies designed to address HCV infection.

Animals↗

The effect of corn silage particle size and cottonseed hulls on cows in early lactation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of reducing forage particle length (FPL) and the inclusion of cottonseed hulls (CSH) on intake, digestibility, chewing activity, and milk production of cows in early lactation. Sixteen multiparous cows averaging 17 +/- 3 d in milk and 677 +/- 58 kg BW were assigned to one of four 4 x 4 Latin squares. One square contained ruminally cannulated cows to evaluate effects of treatment on rumen fermentation and function. During each of the 23-d periods, cows were offered one of four total mixed rations that differed in particle length (long or short corn silage) and CSH inclusion rate (0 or 8% DM). Dietary treatments were: long no CSH (LGNH), long with CSH (LGH), short no CSH (SHNH), and short with CSH (SHH). Total physically effective NDF content, measured as percentage of NDF greater than 1.18 mm, was similar across diets, but mean particle length decreased with reducing FPL and inclusion of CSH. Dry matter intake was not significantly affected by FPL but was significantly increased with the inclusion of CSH. Decreasing FPL and the inclusion of CSH significantly increased neutral detergent fiber intake. Total chewing activity expressed as minutes per day was unaffected by FPL and the inclusion of CSH. Both eating and ruminating efficiency expressed as minutes per kilogram of neutral detergent fiber intake increased with increasing FPL and decreased with the inclusion of CSH. Milk production did not differ across treatments, but the inclusion of CSH significantly increased percent and yield of milk protein. Reducing FPL tended to reduce percentage milk fat but not yield. Mean ruminal pH was not affected by FPL but was highest on diets containing CSH, even though no treatment effects were observed on total VFA, acetate, or propionate concentration. These resuits indicate that corn silage FPL is a poor predictor of total chewing time and rumen pH but is useful in understanding factors affecting feeding behavior. In addition, the inclusion of CSH, resulted in increased rumination and mean rumen pH even though effects on VFA concentration were not observed.

Animals↗

[Cloning, expression and preliminary application of a alpha-hydroxynitrile lyase from cassave].

alpha-Hydroxynitrile lyase (ME-HNLs, E.C. 4.1.2.3.37) from the cyanogenic crop cassava(Manihot esculentz, Crantz) catalyze the condensation of hydrocyanic acid and aldehydes or ketone into (s)-cyanohydrins, which are valuable starting material for various optically active compounds, such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The cDNA of a ME-HNL were obtained by RT-PCR and cloned. The sequencing result for the cDNA showed that the sequence encoded for the ME-HNL was inconsistent with all those which are published, such as hnl10, hnl24, hnl4. The full sequence analysis demonstrated that the cloned cDNA was about 75.2%, 79.8%, 99.2% homologous to other three reported HNL genes from cassava, respectively, among which the last was the same to the cloned gene except the five base substitution at the site 142, 337, 476, 634 and 636, respectively. The two base substitutions lead to change the amino acid sequence, i.e., Ser113-->Gly113, Phe158-->Tyr158. To construct the recombinant plasmid pET30a-hnl, the cDNA was inserted into an expression vector pET30a. After transformation of pET30a-hnl and induction with IPTG, the ME-HNL was efficiently expressed in E. coli. BL21 (DE3) and reached over 2100 units/L of culture with the specific activity 8.5 u/mg protein. By one simple treatment, incubating 10 minutes at 70 degrees C, the recombinant ME-HNL may be used as an catalyst for production of (S)-mandelonitrile with enantiomeric excess of 95.2% and 98.2% yield.

Aldehyde-Lyases↗

Particle-mediated gene transfer to rat neurons in primary culture.

Gene transfer into neuronal cells provides an important approach to study their function. Particle-mediated gene delivery was used to transfect rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and hippocampal neurons in primary culture with the genes for the enhanced blue and green fluorescent proteins (EBFP and EGFP) under control of the cytomegalovirus promoter. Quantitative analysis of marker protein fluorescence detected expression at 3 h that continued to increase for 48 h. For DRG neurons the optimal expression efficiency of 8+/-2% was obtained 24 h following transfection. In contrast, approximately 2+/-1% of hippocampal neurons in culture expressed EGFP at 3 h which subsequently declined. Co-transfection of DRG cultures with two plasmids produced reliable expression of both genes. Transfected DRG neurons exhibited normal electrophysiological properties, and resting and stimulated intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were unchanged. After transfection, 44% of hippocampal neurons remained in functional synaptic networks as indicated by glutamatergic Ca2+ spiking activity. Particle-mediated gene delivery provided a straightforward, reproducible and efficient method for transfection of neurons in primary culture. Transfected cells were easily identified by EGFP fluorescence, enabling subsequent physiological analysis. Biolistic particle bombardment was well tolerated by peripheral neurons, although caution was required when this method was applied to CNS cultures.

Animals↗

Expression of influenza virus NS2 nonstructural protein in bacteria and localization of NS2 in infected eucaryotic cells.

The nonstructural NS2 protein of influenza A/PR/8/34 virus was efficiently expressed in bacteria, and monospecific antisera were prepared against the bacterially synthesized polypeptide. These antisera were cross-reactive among the NS2 proteins of various influenza A viruses. However, they did not react with the NS2 of influenza B/Lee/40 virus nor with other proteins of influenza A viruses such as NS1. Antisera against NS2 were used to determine that the NS2 protein is localized in the cell nucleus during influenza virus infection, as shown by immunofluorescence microscopy. Cells infected with simian virus 40 recombinants containing the influenza virus NS gene revealed that both the NS1 and NS2 proteins appeared in the nucleus, even in the absence of expression of other influenza virus-specific components.

Animals↗

Expression in Escherichia coli, purification, and spectroscopic characterization of two mutant Bet v 1 proteins.

Bet v 1 is the major birch pollen allergen. A highly efficient expression and purification scheme for mutant forms of this protein was developed on the basis of the pET expression system in order to provide the high quantities of protein needed for spectroscopic and structural work. Bet v 1 (M139L) protein could be purified at high yield (approx. 30 mg from 1 liter of LB medium) in a two-step procedure by the use of metal-affinity chromatography. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography demonstrate the homogeneity and purity of the prepared protein. Spectroscopic methods were used to show that Bet v 1 (M139L) is structurally similar to wild type Bet v 1. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of the nature of amino acid 139 on the thermodynamic behaviour of the protein by replacing the leucine residue by alanine. While there appears to be no global structural effect of this mutation, the thermostability of Bet v 1 is greatly decreased.

Allergens↗

Characterization of the transcriptional potency of sub-elements of the UAS of the yeast PGK gene in a PGK mini-promoter.

The upstream activator (UAS) of the yeast PGK gene comprises three different sequence elements. These are 1) a region of strong protein binding called the YFP, 2) three repeats of the motif CTTCC and 3) an essential activator core (AC) sequence that binds the protein RAP1. To assess the function of each of these elements in transcriptional activation we have inserted them individually and in various combinations into a PGK mini-promoter. This comprises only the transcription initiation elements from the PGK promoter and is inactive in the absence of activator sequences. None of the individual sequence elements was capable of activating the mini-promoter. However either the YFP or the CTTCC boxes in conjunction with the AC box resulted in efficient expression. Transcription levels were not however as high as when all three elements were inserted. These data suggest that the efficiency of PGK transcription depends upon the interactions between three different sequences. Furthermore while RAP1 per se is not a transcriptional activator it can associate promiscuously with other factors to create a functional transcription complex.

Base Sequence↗