A Heterologous Viral Protein Scaffold for Chimeric Antigen Design: An Example PCV2 Virus Vaccine Candidate.

Recombinant vaccines have low-cost manufacturing, regulatory requirements, and reduced side effects compared to attenuated or inactivated vaccines. In the porcine industry, post-weaning multisystemic disease syndrome generates economic losses, characterized by progressive weight loss and weakness in piglets, and it is caused by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). We designed a chimeric antigen (Qm1) to assemble the main exposed epitopes of the Cap-PCV2 protein on the capsid protein of the tobacco necrosis virus (TNV). This design was based on the Cap-N-terminal of an isolated PCV2 virus obtained in Chile. The virus was characterized, and the sequence was clustered within the PCV2 genotype b clade. This chimeric protein was expressed as inclusion bodies in both monomeric and multimeric forms, suggesting a high-molecular-weight aggregate formation. Pigs immunized with Qm1 elicited a strong and specific antibody response, which reduced the viral loads after the PCV2 challenge. In conclusion, the implemented design allowed for the generation of an effective vaccine candidate. Our proposal could be used to express the domains or fragments of antigenic proteins, whose structural complexity does not allow for low-cost production in Escherichia coli. Hence, other antigen domains could be integrated into the TNV backbone for suitable antigenicity and immunogenicity. This work represents new biotechnological strategies, with a reduction in the costs associated with vaccine development.

Characterization, Recombinant Production and Structure-Function Analysis of NvCI, A Picomolar Metallocarboxypeptidase Inhibitor from the Marine Snail Nerita versicolor.

A very powerful proteinaceous inhibitor of metallocarboxypeptidases has been isolated from the marine snail Nerita versicolor and characterized in depth. The most abundant of four, very similar isoforms, NvCla, was taken as reference and N-terminally sequenced to obtain a 372-nucleotide band coding for the protein cDNA. The mature protein contains 53 residues and three disulphide bonds. NvCIa and the other isoforms show an exceptionally high inhibitory capacity of around 1.8 pM for human Carboxypeptidase A1 (hCPA1) and for other A-like members of the M14 CPA subfamily, whereas a twofold decrease in inhibitory potency is observed for carboxypeptidase B-like members as hCPB and hTAFIa. A recombinant form, rNvCI, was produced in high yield and HPLC, mass spectrometry and spectroscopic analyses by CD and NMR indicated its homogeneous, compact and thermally resistant nature. Using antibodies raised with rNvCI and histochemical analyses, a preferential distribution of the inhibitor in the surface regions of the animal body was observed, particularly nearby the open entrance of the shell and gut, suggesting its involvement in biological defense mechanisms. The properties of this strong, small and stable inhibitor of metallocarboxypeptidases envisage potentialities for its direct applicability, as well as leading or minimized forms, in biotechnological/biomedical uses.

Heterologous expression of Cenchritis muricatus protease inhibitor II (CmPI-II) in Pichia pastoris system: Purification, isotopic labeling and preliminary characterization.

Cenchritis muricatus protease inhibitor II (CmPI-II) is a tight-binding serine protease inhibitor of the Kazal family with an atypical broad specificity, being active against several proteases such as bovine pancreatic trypsin, human neutrophil elastase and subtilisin A. CmPI-II 3D structures are necessary for understanding the molecular basis of its activity. In the present work, we describe an efficient and straightforward recombinant expression strategy, as well as a cost-effective procedure for isotope labeling for NMR structure determination purposes. The vector pCM101 containing the CmPI-II gene, under the control of Pichia pastoris AOX1 promoter was constructed. Methylotrophic Pichia pastoris strain KM71H was then transformed with the plasmid and the recombinant protein (rCmPI-II) was expressed in benchtop fermenter in unlabeled or (15)N-labeled forms using ammonium chloride ((15)N, 99%) as the sole nitrogen source. Protein purification was accomplished by sequential cation exchange chromatography in STREAMLINE DirectHST, anion exchange chromatography on Hitrap Q-Sepharose FF and gel filtration on Superdex 75 10/30, yielding high quantities of pure rCmPI-II and (15)N rCmPI-II. Recombinant proteins displayed similar functional features as compared to the natural inhibitor and NMR spectra indicated folded and homogeneously labeled samples, suitable for further studies of structure and protease-inhibitor interactions.

Two variants of the major serine protease inhibitor from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, expressed in Pichia pastoris.

The major protease inhibitor from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus (ShPI-1) is a non-specific inhibitor that binds trypsin and other trypsin-like enzymes, as well as chymotrypsin, and human neutrophil elastase. We performed site-directed mutagenesis of ShPI-1 to produce two variants (rShPI-1/K13L and rShPI/Y15S) that were expressed in Pichia pastoris, purified, and characterized. After a single purification step, 65 mg and 15 mg of protein per liter of culture supernatant were obtained for rShPI-1/K13L and rShPI/Y15S, respectively. Functional studies demonstrated a 100-fold decreased trypsin inhibitory activity as result of the K13L substitution at the reactive (P1) site. This protein variant has a novel tight-binding inhibitor activity of pancreatic elastase and increased activity toward neutrophil elastase in comparison to rShPI-1A. In contrast, the substitution Y15S at P2' site did not affect the Ki value against trypsin, but did reduce activity 10-fold against chymotrypsin and neutrophil elastase. Our results provide two new ShPI-1 variants with modified inhibitory activities, one of them with increased biomedical potential. This study also offers new insight into the functional impact of the P1 and P2' sites on ShPI-1 specificity.

Secretion and assembly of calicivirus-like particles in high-cell-density yeast fermentations: strategies based on a recombinant non-specific BPTI-Kunitz-type protease inhibitor.

The yeast Pichia pastoris is one of the most robust cell factories in use for the large-scale production of biopharmaceuticals with applications in the fields of human and animal health. Recently, intracellular high-level expression of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) capsid protein (VP1) as a self-assembled multipurpose antigen/carrier was established as a production process from P. pastoris. Since recovery of VP1 from the culture media implies technological and economic advantages, the secretion of VP1 variants was undertaken in this work. Conversely, extensive degradation of VP1 was detected. Variations to culture parameters and supplementation with different classes of additives were unable to diminish degradation. Strategies were then conducted during fermentations using a recombinant variant of a non-specific BPTI-Kunitz-type protease inhibitor (rShPI-1A) isolated from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. The presence of the inhibitor in the culture medium at the recombinant protein induction phase, as well as co-culture of the yeast strains expressing VP1 and rShPI-1A, led to VP1 protection from proteolysis and to production of ordered virus-like particles. A yeast strain was also engineered to co-express the rShPI-1A inhibitor and intact VP1. Expression levels up to 116 mg L(-1) of VP1 were reached under these approaches. The antigen was characterized and purified in a single chromatography step, its immunogenic capacity was evaluated, and a detection test for specific antibodies was developed. This work provides feasible strategies for improvements in P. pastoris heterologous protein secretion and is the first report on co-expression of the ShPI-1A with a recombinant product otherwise subjected to proteolytic degradation.

Recombinant expression of ShPI-1A, a non-specific BPTI-Kunitz-type inhibitor, and its protection effect on proteolytic degradation of recombinant human miniproinsulin expressed in Pichia pastoris.

Pichia pastoris is a highly successful system for the large-scale expression of heterologous proteins, with the added capability of performing most eukaryotic post-translational modifications. However, this system has one significant disadvantage - frequent proteolytic degradation by P. pastoris proteases of heterologously expressed proteins. Several methods have been proposed to address this problem, but none has proven fully effective. We tested the effectiveness of a broad specificity protease inhibitor to control proteolysis. A recombinant variant of the BPTI-Kunitz protease inhibitor ShPI-1 isolated from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, was expressed in P. pastoris. The recombinant inhibitor (rShPI-1A), containing four additional amino acids (EAEA) at the N-terminus, was folded similarly to the natural inhibitor, as assessed by circular dichroism. rShPI-1A had broad protease specificity, inhibiting serine, aspartic, and cysteine proteases similarly to the natural inhibitor. rShPI-1A protected a model protein, recombinant human miniproinsulin (rhMPI), from proteolytic degradation during expression in P. pastoris. The addition of purified rShPI-1A at the beginning of the induction phase significantly protected rhMPI from proteolysis in culture broth. The results suggest that a broad specificity protease inhibitor such as rShPI-1A can be used to improve the yield of recombinant proteins secreted from P. pastoris.

Estudio de la estabilidad genética del sistema de expresión de la proteína E del virus dengue 4 en la levadura metilotrófica Pichia pastoris / Study of the genetical stability of the system of expression of protein E of dengue virus 4 in methyltrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

Se realizó el análisis de la estabilidad plasmídica de la levadura metilotrófica Pichia pastoris que expresa la proteína recombinante E del virus dengue 4. Para ello se estimó el número de generaciones desde el proceso de crecimiento en placa petri hasta la propagación en zaranda, así como el proceso de fermentación. Además se determinó en las colonias seleccionadas el patrón de integración por Dot-Blot y secuencia nucleotídica del gen E del virus dengue 4. Este estudio permitió comprobar la conservación e integridad de la secuencia aminoacídica de la proteína E, a pesar de encontrarse cambios genéticos producidos por mecanismos moleculares de la levadura; por otra parte, formó parte del control y chequeo realizado al banco de células primario de levadura que contiene el gen de interés, actualmente utilizado en el proceso de expresión de la proteína E del virus dengue 4

Estudio de la estabilidad genética del sistema de expresión de la proteína E del virus dengue 4 en la levadura metilotrófica Pichia pastoris / Study of the genetical stability of the system of expression of protein E of dengue virus 4 in methyltrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

Se realizó el análisis de la estabilidad plasmídica de la levadura metilotrófica Pichia pastoris que expresa la proteína recombinante E del virus dengue 4. Para ello se estimó el número de generaciones desde el proceso de crecimiento en placa petri hasta la propagación en zaranda, así como el proceso de fermentación. Además se determinó en las colonias seleccionadas el patrón de integración por Dot-Blot y secuencia nucleotídica del gen E del virus dengue 4. Este estudio permitió comprobar la conservación e integridad de la secuencia aminoacídica de la proteína E, a pesar de encontrarse cambios genéticos producidos por mecanismos moleculares de la levadura; por otra parte, formó parte del control y chequeo realizado al banco de células primario de levadura que contiene el gen de interés, actualmente utilizado en el proceso de expresión de la proteína E del virus dengue 4(AU)

Multiple gene copy number enhances insulin precursor secretion in the yeast Pichia pastoris.

We have found a direct relationship between protein production in Pichia pastoris and the number of introduced synthetic genes of miniproinsulin (MPI), fused to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pre-pro alpha factor used as secretion signal, and inserted between the alcohol oxidase 1 (AOX1) promoter and terminator sequences. Two consecutive approaches were followed to increase the number of integrated cassettes: the head-to-tail expression cassette multimerization procedure and re-transformation with a dominant selection marker. This increased expression from 19 to 250 mg l(-1) when about 11 copies have been integrated. Further, the correct position of one of the disulphide bridges of the purified molecule was verified by digestion with Glu-C endoprotease, followed by mass spectrometry of the isolated fragments.

[Study of the genetical stability of the system of expression of protein E of dengue virus 4 in methyltrophic yeast Pichia pastoris]. / Estudio de la estabilidad genética del sistema de expresión de la proteína E del virus dengue 4 en la levadura metilotrófica Pichia pastoris.

The plasmidic stability of methyltrophic yeast Pichia pastoris expressing the recombinant protein E of dengue virus 4 was analyzed. To this end, the number of generations from the growth process in petri plaque to the propagation in zaranda was estimated, as well as the fermentation process. Besides, in the selected colonies the integration pattern was determined by Dot-Blot and neuclotide sequence of the gene E of dengue virus 4. This study allowed to prove the conservation and integrity of the aminoacid sequence of protein E, despite the genetic changes produced by molecular yeast mechanisms. On the other hand, it was also part of the control and checking of the primary bank of yeast cells that contains the gene of interest used at present in the process of expression of protein E of dengue virus 4.

Improving the expression of mini-proinsulin in Pichia pastoris.

Increased expression of recombinant mini-proinsulin in Pichia pastoris in 2.5 l bioreactors was achieved by increasing the cultivation pH from 5.1 to 6.3, by decreasing the temperature from 28 to 22 degrees C, and by periodical addition of ammonium sulfate and EDTA to the culture broth. Using this procedure, mini-proinsulin reached nearly 0.3 g l(-1) in the culture supernatant after 160 h of growth.

Modeling of mini-proinsulin production in Pichia pastoris using the AOX promoter.

An unstructured model based on mass balance equations for a recombinant methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris MutS (Methanol Utilization Slow) strain expressing the mini-proinsulin (MPI), was successfully established in quasi-steady state fed-batch fermentations with varying total quantity of biomass in a 7 l fermenter. The model describes the relationships between the total biomass and induction time, both in the batch and fed-batch phases. In addition, good correlations were obtained when the total quantity of MPI was correlated with the total biomass, demonstrating that the product of interest is associated with growth in the methanol phase. The parameters of the fermentation model obtained are similar to those reported by other researchers.