Gene synthesis and functional expression of a protein exhibiting monodomain IgG Fc binding

A gene encoding a bacterial IgG Fc binding domain was designedand synthesized. The synthetic DNA fragment was cloned 3' toan inducible trpE promoter such that expression of the genein Escherichia coli produced abundant Fc binding protein fusedto the first seven amino acids of the trpE protein. The recombinantprotein contained a single Fc binding domain and demonstratedefficient binding to'human IgG in Western blot analysis. Thisprotein degraded rapidly following cell lysis in the absenceof protease inhibitors, but could be effectively protected bythe addition of protease inhibitor. After purification of theprotein by IgG affinity chromatography, IgG Fc binding abilitywas retained for at least 24 h at either 23 or 37°C andon heating for 15 min at temperatures up to 65°C. No immunoprecipitationwas observed in interactions between the monodomain Fc bindingprotein and IgG molecules. Unlike staphylococcal protein A,no detectable binding of the monodomain IgG Fc binding proteinwas observed to either IgM or IgA. Truncated proteins, expressedfrom a series of 3' deletions of the synthetic gene, were usedto estimate the minimum portion of a monodomain Fc binding proteinthat retained Fc binding ability.     

Production and properties of a factor X-cellulose-binding domain fusion protein

A fusion protein, FX–CBD_Cex, which comprises factor Xwith a cellulose-binding domain (CBD_Cex) fused to its C-terminus,was produced in BHK cells. It was purified from the culturemedium by affinity chromatography on cellulose. FX–CBD_Cexcould be activated to FXa–CBD_Cex with Russell viper venom.FXa–CBD_Cex was as active as FXa against a chromogenicsubstrate and against proteins containing the Ile–Glu–Gly–Argsequence hydrolysed by FXa. FXa–CBD_Cex retained its activitywhen adsorbed to cellulose.     

Characterization of the DNA binding domain of the mouse IRF-2 protein

The DNA binding domain of the interferon regulatory factor-2protein (IRF-2) has been produced and characterized, -chymotrypsindigestion of the purified IRF-2 protein bound to a syntheticbinding site yields a peptide fragment of 14 K in molecularweight. N-terminal analysis of this peptide fragment showedthat its sequence is the same as that of the intact IRF-2. Apeptide fragment of {small tilde} 14 K, IRF-2(113), which correspondsto the N-terminal 113 amino acids of the intact IRF-2 protein,has been expressed in a functional form in Escherichia coli.The first methionine was processed during the expression andthe purified IRF-2(113) thus contains 112 amino acids. DNaseI footprinting and gel retardation assaying showed that IRF-2(113)binds to a synthetic DNA having the consensus binding site andto the upstream regulatory sequence of the IFN-ß geneas intact IRF-2 does. These results showed that this peptidefragment, IRF-2(113), may be a good material for investigationof the DNA binding domain of IRF-2 and of the DNA–proteininteraction.     

A33scFv-green fluorescent protein, a recombinant single-chain fusion protein for tumor targeting

Chemical conjugates of monoclonal antibodies with fluorophores or enzymes have long been used for diagnostic purposes and experimental therapeutic approaches. Recombinant technology allows for the design and expression of tailored genuine fusion proteins, providing defined molecules as to size, molar ratios of the functional components and stability. The production of functional protein, however, is often limited or impossible due to refolding and solubility problems. Here, we report on the production of a soluble recombinant fusion construct, A33scFv-green fluorescent protein (A33scFv::GFP) in Pichia pastoris. A33scFv is a single-chain antibody recognizing the A33 antigen, which is expressed by approximately 95% of colorectal carcinomas and has become a focus of pre-clinical and clinical investigation. The fusion partner GFP was selected both as an experimental tool for functional studies of the A33 antigen and as a potential diagnostic for colon cancer detection and therapy planning. Pichia pastoris yeast strains were transformed with A33scFv::GFP cDNA under the methanol-inducible AOX1 promotor. The construct was properly expressed and secreted into culture supernatants as a soluble protein, which was bifunctional without additional renaturation or solubilization steps. The crude protein solution was purified by affinity chromatography. Surface plasmon resonance, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy on sections of normal and cancerous colon tissue revealed specific binding and the applicability of this fusion protein for diagnostic purposes. In addition, the biodistribution of A33scFv::GFP was analyzed in mice bearing A33-positive tumor xenografts, confirming specific tumor targeting.     

Common molecular scaffold for two unrelated RGD molecules

The sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) is importantfor recognition of cell adhesion proteins by cell surface receptors(integrins). This tripeptide sequence is present in a numberof proteins including fibronectin, vitronectin, von Willebrandfactor and fibrinogen. Specific and selective binding of theRGD sequence by different receptors suggests that the conformationalorientation of the tripeptide is critical for stereochemicalrecognition. The crystal structures of two proteins that containthe RGD signal were determined: (i) the cell-binding type IIImodule of fibronectin (FNm,0) and (ii) an anti-receptor antibodyfragment (OPG2) that is a functional RGD ligand mimic with anRYD recognition site in the variable (VH) domain. Both of thesemodules are folded into ß-barrels with two layersof antiparaJlel ß-sheets enclosing a hydrophobiccore.Since these molecules each contain the RGD (RYD) sequence, thereis a unique opportunity for direct structural comparison. Thecomparison has defined a common molecular scaffold in thesetwo unrelated molecules. Within this framework, the RGD (RYD)sites are located in structurally related loops in the two modules,i.e. at one end of the scaffold in a long loop connecting thelast two strands in one of the pVsheets. This shared scaffoldis used for the stereochemical presentation of the RGD sitefor receptor recognition.     

Cellulose-binding domains: potential for purification of complex proteins

The endoglucanase CenA and the exoglucanase Cex from Cellulomonasfimi each contain a discrete cellulose-binding domain (CBD),at the amino-terminus or carboxyl-terminus respectively. Thegene fragment encoding the CBD can be fused to the gene of aprotein of interest. Using this approach hybrid proteins canbe engineered which bind reversibly to cellulose and exhibitthe biological activity of the protein partner. Alkaline phosphatase(PhoA) from Escherichia coli, and a ß-glucosidase(Abg) from an Agrobacterium sp. are dimeric proteins. The fusionpolypeptides CenA-PhoA and Abg-CBC_cex are sensitive to proteolysisat the junctions between the fusion partners. Proteolysis resultsin a mixture of homo- and heterodimers; these bind to celluloseif one or both of the monomers carry a CBD, e.g. CenA-PhoA/CenA-PhoAand CenA-PhoA/PhoA. CBD fusion polypeptides could be used inthis way to purify polypeptides which associate with the fusionpartner.     

A novel technique for containerless protein crystallization

Heterogeneous nucleation, which is often detrimental to theproduction of suitable crystals for X-ray diffraction, can beinduced by the contact of a crystallization sample with thewalls of its supporting vessel. A novel method for creatinga ‘containerless’ environment for the growth ofprotein crystals is described. Contact between the containerwalls and a crystallization drop is eliminated by suspendingthe drop between two oils of different density: one of higherand the other of lower density than that of water and the commonprecipitating agents. A number of proteins were crystallizedin 2&10 µl drops using this procedure. It was foundthat the number of crystals obtained in such suspended dropswas reduced significantly compared with the number of crystalsobtained in trials where the crystallization drop was situatedat the bottom of a vial under a single layer of oil. This methodhas potential in controlling heterogeneous nucleation.     

A single Fc binding domain-alkaline phosphatase gene fusion expresses a protein with both IgG binding ability and alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity

A recombinant gene fusion was created and cloned using a previouslyconstructed gene encoding a monodomain IgG Fc binding proteinand the gene coding for bacterial alkaline phosphatase. Theconstruct was able to express and secrete a fusion protein thatexhibited both IgG binding and alkaline phosphatase enzymaticactivities. Greater than 60% of the protein demonstrating bothbiological activities was detected from periplasmic space preparations.Nanogram concentrations of the Fc binding-alkaline phosphatasefusion protein allowed primary IgG antibody detection withoutthe use of conjugated secondary antibodies. Removal of the domaincoding for alkaline phosphatase resulted in decreased resistanceof the protein to proteolytic degradation and the loss of IgGFc binding ability. Using affinity-purified fusion protein,the specificity of binding to IgG, IgM and IgA was examined;binding was strong to IgG and barely detectable against IgMor IgA. Affinity for binding of the fusion protein to IgG (k_d= 6.7 x10^-8 M) was determined to be equal to or greater thanpreviously reported for protein A.     

Mammalian cell transient expression of tissue factor for the production of antigen

We describe a mammalian cell expression system used to rapidlyproduce microgram quantities of a membrane protein used as animraunogen. A fusion protein expression vector was constructedwhich contained the signal sequence and 27 amino acids of theHerpes simplex virus glycoprotein D (gD), followed by a factorVIII (fVIII) thrombin cleavage site and the mature tissue factor(TF) sequence. This fusion protein was transiently expressedand then purified using an antibody to gD. The purified fusionprotein, gDTF, was incubated with thrombin to remove the gD-fVIIImoiety and the resulting rTF served as antigen for the generationof TF-specific antibodies. The antibodies produced were thenused for a comparison of the turnover rates of the constitutivelyand transiently produced fusion protein. In addition, sensitivityto glycosidases indicated that the transiently and constitutivelyproduced recombinant proteins do not contain identical carbohydratestructures.     

Development of a screening platform for directed evolution using the reef coral fluorescent protein ZsGreen as a solubility reporter

Soluble proteins, with high expression levels, are preferred candidates for structural and functional studies. In cases of low expression, aggregation or inclusion body formation, time-consuming searches for optimal expression or refolding conditions are required. We have developed a high-throughput solubility engineering and screening platform for proteins that are expressed in an insoluble form in Escherichia coli with the aim of obtaining a broad spectrum of best hits with increased solubility in difficult to express target proteins. This process has been developed using error-prone PCR to introduce random base changes in genes of interest. Expression of mutated proteins in fusion with the reef coral fluorescent protein ZsGreen as a solubility marker has enabled the selection of more soluble variants. We have used a colony picker to achieve high-throughput selection of E.coli expressing more soluble target protein-ZsGreen fusions, with increased fluorescence. The whole process enables us to complete one round of mutation, screening and analysis of 20,000 potential soluble clones within approximately 8 weeks. We describe the development of the methods using different model proteins and show one example, the kinase domain from the human EphB2 receptor, as a successful application of the whole platform.     

Mutational analysis supports a structural model for the cell cycle protein kinase p34

Structural models for the eukaryotic cell cycle control proteinp34 from human, S.pombe and S.cerevisiae have been derived fromthe crystallographic coordinates of the cAMP-dependent proteinkinase (cAPK) catalytic subunit (active conformation) and comparedwith the structure of Inactive CDK2 apoenzyme. Differences betweenthe p34 and cAPK catalytic sites provide a possible explanationfor their different substrate specificities. The p34 modelslocalize Tyrl5 and Thrl4 close to the sites of catalysis andsubstrate recognition where their phosphorylatlon could inhibitp34 kinase activity either by blocking MgATP or substrate binding.The conserved sequences PSTAIRE and LYLIFEFL are both closeto the catalytic site and accessible on the protein surfaceavailable to mediate interactions with other proteins. It ispredicted that p34 has an active-site cleft composed almostentirely of sequences common to all protein kinases and sequencesunique to the p34 protein family. Genetic and biochemical analysesof p34 have shown that it interacts extensively with a numberof other proteins. The model allows the relative dispositionof these sites of mutation to each other and to the sites ofcatalysis and substrate recognition to be appreciated. Surfaceregions on p34 that are important for function have been identified.These sites identify residues that may interact with p13^SUCL,cydin, plO7^WEEL and p80^cdc25     

N-Glycosidase-carbohydrate-binding module fusion proteins as immobilized enzymes for protein deglycosylation

A carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) was fused to the N-termini of mannosyl-glycoprotein endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (EndoF1) and peptide N-glycosidase F (PNGaseF), two glycosidases from Chryseobacterium meningosepticum that are used to remove N-linked glycans from glycoproteins. The fusion proteins CBM-EndoF1 and CBM-PNGaseF also carry a hexahistidine tag for purification by immobilized metal affinity chromatography after production by Escherichia coli. CBM-EndoF1 is as effective as native EndoF1 at deglycosylating RNaseB; the glycans released by both enzymes are identical. Like native PNGaseF, CBM-PNGaseF is active on denatured but not on native RNaseB. Both fusion proteins are as active on RNaseB when immobilized on cellulose as they are in solution. They retain activity in the immobilized state for at least 1 month at 4 degrees C. The hexahistidine tag can be removed with thrombin, leaving the CBM as the only affinity tag. The CBM can be removed with factor Xa if required.     

Toxicity-based selection of Escherichia coli mutants for functional recombinant protein production: application to an antibody fragment

We propose a novel approach to the selection of Escherichia coli bacterial strains improved for the production of recombinant functional proteins. This approach is based on aggregation-induced toxicity of recombinant proteins. We show that selection of clones displaying a reduced toxicity is an efficient means of isolating bacteria producing recombinant protein with reduced aggregation in favour of correct folding. For an efficient selection, we found that time of toxicity induction must be precisely determined and recombinant protein must be expressed as a fusion with a protein whose activity is easily detectable on plates, thus allowing elimination of non-productive mutants. Choosing the expression to the periplasmic space of an scFv fragment fused to the N-terminus of alkaline phosphatase as a model, we selected chromosomal mutations that reduce aggregation-induced toxicity and showed that they concomitantly improve production of a functional recombinant hybrid. The effects of the mutations isolated could then be cumulated with those of other strategies used for recombinant scFv production. Thus, we could ensure a 6- to 16-fold increase in production of a functional scFv-PhoA hybrid. This is the first report demonstrating the possibility of directly selecting on agar plates E.coli strains improved for functional recombinant protein production from a large bacterial mutant library.     

A new expression system for protein crystallization using trimeric coiled-coil adaptors

We repeatedly experienced difficulties in obtaining pure protein of a defined oligomeric state when expressing domains that consist partially or entirely of coiled coils. We therefore modified an established expression vector, pASK-IBA, to generate N- and C-terminal fusions of the cloned domain in heptad register with the GCN4 leucine zipper. GCN4 is a well-characterized coiled coil, for which stable dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric forms exist. To test this expression system, we produced a series of constructs derived from the trimeric autotransporter adhesin STM3691 of Salmonella (SadA), which has a highly repetitive structure punctuated by coiled-coil regions. The constructs begin and end with predicted coiled-coil segments of SadA, each fused in the correct heptad register to the trimeric form of GCN4, GCN4pII. All constructs were expressed at high levels, trimerized either natively or after refolding from inclusion bodies, and yielded crystals that diffracted to high resolution. Thus, fusion to GCN4pII allows for the efficient expression and crystallization of proteins containing trimeric coiled coils. The structure of short constructs can be solved conveniently by molecular replacement using the known GCN4 structure as a search model. The system can be adapted for constructs with dimeric or tetrameric coiled coils, using the corresponding GCN4 variants.     

A novel affinity protein selection system based on staphylococcal cell surface display and flow cytometry

Here we describe the first reported use of a Gram-positive bacterial system for the selection of affinity proteins from large combinatorial libraries displayed on the surface of Staphylococcus carnosus. An affibody library of 3 x 10(9) variants, based on a 58 residue domain from staphylococcal protein A, was pre-enriched for binding to human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) using one cycle of phage display and thereafter transferred to the staphylococcal host ( approximately 10(6) variants). The staphylococcal-displayed library was subjected to three rounds of flow-cytometric sorting, and the selected clones were screened and ranked by on-cell analysis for binding to TNF-alpha and further characterized using biosensor analysis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The successful sorting yielded three different high-affinity binders (ranging from 95 pM to 2.2 nM) and constitutes the first selection of a novel affinity protein using Gram-positive bacterial display. The method combines the simplicity of working with a bacterial host with the advantages of displaying recombinant proteins on robust Gram-positive bacteria as well as using powerful flow cytometry in the selection and characterization process.     

Design of four-helix bundle protein as a candidate for HIV vaccine

To be efficient, a synthetic vaccine should contain differentT and B cell epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)antigens, and the B epitope regions in the vaccine and in theHIV should be conformationally similar. We have suggested previouslythe construction of vaccines in the form of a protein with apredetermined tertiary structure, namely a four--helix bundle.Antigenic determinants of cellular and humoral immunity areblocks for the vaccine design. From experimentally studied HIV-1T and B cell epitopes, we constructed a sequence of a four-helixprotein TBI (T and B cell epitopes containing immunogen). Thegene of the protein was synthesized and the protein was producedin C600 Escherichia coli cells under recA promoter from Proteusmirabelis. CD spectroscopy of the protein demonstrated that30% of amino acid residues adopt an -helical conformation. Miceimmunized with TBI have shown both humoral and cellular immuneresponses to HIV-1. The obtained data show that the design ofTBI was successful. The synthesized gene structure makes possiblefurther reconstruction and improvement of the protein vaccinestructure.     

Cloning and expression in E.coli of a synthetic gene for the bacteriocidal protein caltrin/seminalplasmin

A synthetic gene coding for the bacteriocidal protein caltrin/seminalplasminwas constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusionwith ß-galactosidase. The gene was designed with arecognition site for the plasma protease, Factor X_a, coded forimmediately prior to the N-terminus of caltrin. The ß-galactosidase-caltrinfusion protein was cleaved with Factor X_a to give caltrin, whichwas identified by its size on SDS-PAGE, its ability to reactwith an antiserum raised to the N-terminal nonapeptide of caltrinand its N-terminal amino acid sequence. After partial purification,synthetic caltrin was found to be active in an assay involvinginhibition of growth of E.coli.     

Hydrophobic regions on protein surfaces: definition based on hydration shell structure and a quick method for their computation

The hydrophobic part of the solvent-accessible surface of atypical monomeric globular protein consists of a single, largeinterconnected region formed from faces of apolar atoms andconstituting –60% of the solvent-accessible surface area.Therefore, the direct delineation of the hydrophobic surfacepatches on an atom-wise basis is impossible. Experimental dataindicate that, in a two-state hydration model, a protein canbe considered to be unified with its first hydration shell inits interaction with bulk water. We show that, if the surfacearea occupied by water molecules bound at polar protein atomsas generated by AUTOSOL is removed, only about two-thirds ofthe hydrophobic part of the protein surface remains accessibleto bulk solvent. Moreover, the organization of the hydrophobicpart of the solvent-accessible surface experiences a drasticchange, such that the single interconnected hydrophobic regiondisintegrates into many smaller patches, i.e. the physical definitionof a hydrophobic surface region as unoccupied by first hydrationshell water molecules can distinguish between hydrophobic surfaceclusters and small interconnecting channels. It is these remaininghydrophobic surface pieces that probably play an important rolein intraand intermolecular recognition processes such as ligandbinding, protein folding and protein–protein associationin solution conditions. These observations have led to the developmentof an accurate and quick analytical technique for the automaticdetermination of hydrophobic surface patches of proteins. Thistechnique is not aggravated by the limiting assumptions of themethods for generating explicit water hydration positions. Formationof the hydrophobic surface regions owing to the structure ofthe first hydration shell can be computationally simulated bya small radial increment in solvent-accessible polar atoms,followed by calculation of the remaining exposed hydrophobicpatches. We demonstrate that a radial increase of 0.35–0.50Å resembles the effect of tightly bound water on the organizationof the hydrophobic part of the solvent-accessible surface.     

Analysis of disuiphide bridge function in recombinant bovine prolactin using site-specific mutagenesis and renaturation under mild alkaline conditions: a crucial role for the central disuiphide bridge in the mitogenic activity of the hormone

We have previously described a method for isolating Escherichiacoli-produced methionyl bovine prolactin (Met-bPRL) and itsrenaturation using thioredoxin. This report describes an alternativerenaturation procedure in which extracted Met-bPRL is incubatedin air at pH 10 and 20°C. Within 1 h of such treatment essentiallyall of the reduced Met-bPRL was converted to the oxidized form;this was accompanied by an increase to full mitogenic activityin the Nb2 cell bioassay. It was also found that, to minimizecontamination by high mol. wt Met-bPRL derivatives, it is essentialto have a reducing agent (dithiothreitol) present during disruptionof the bacteria and to extract the protein at neutral pH. Thecontribution of each of the three disuiphide bridges in bPRLto its bioactivity was studied with Met-bPRL variants, preparedvia site-specific mutagenesis, in which cysteines were replacedby serines to prevent disulphide bond formation. Variants lackingthe C4–C11 bridge, the C191–C199 bridge or boththese terminal bridges were as mitogenic as authentic bPRL.(Variants lacking the C191–C199 bridge had markedly increasedsolubility in the presence of deoxycholate.) In contrast, variantslacking the C58–C174 bridge had greatly reduced bioactivity,indicating that integrity of the large disulphide loop is crucialto the hormone's mitogenic activity.