U.S. patent application number 17/217752 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-13 for modification of rna-related enzymes for enhanced production.
The applicant listed for this patent is Translate Bio, Inc.. Invention is credited to Frank DeRosa, Michael Heartlein, Bettina Strack-Logue.
Application Number | 20220010347 17/217752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005869384 |
Filed Date | 2022-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220010347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Strack-Logue; Bettina ; et
al. |
January 13, 2022 |
MODIFICATION OF RNA-RELATED ENZYMES FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTION
Abstract
The present invention provides, among other things, methods and
compositions for large-scale production of capped mRNA using
SUMO-Guanylyl Transferase fusion protein.
Inventors: |
Strack-Logue; Bettina;
(Lexington, MA) ; DeRosa; Frank; (Lexington,
MA) ; Heartlein; Michael; (Lexington, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Translate Bio, Inc. |
Lexington |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005869384 |
Appl. No.: |
17/217752 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16165372 |
Oct 19, 2018 |
10995354 |
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17217752 |
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15294249 |
Oct 14, 2016 |
10144942 |
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16165372 |
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62241350 |
Oct 14, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 2319/95 20130101;
C12N 15/62 20130101; C07K 14/47 20130101; C07K 2319/35 20130101;
C12N 9/1241 20130101; C12P 19/34 20130101; C12Y 207/0705
20130101 |
International
Class: |
C12P 19/34 20060101
C12P019/34; C12N 9/12 20060101 C12N009/12; C07K 14/47 20060101
C07K014/47; C12N 15/62 20060101 C12N015/62 |
Claims
1.-6. (canceled)
7. A fusion protein, wherein the fusion protein comprises guanylyl
transferase and a small ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein
comprising 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 7.
8. The fusion protein of claim 7, wherein the guanylyl transferase
comprises SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 7.
9.-10. (canceled)
11. The fusion protein of claim 7, wherein the fusion protein has
comparable phosphatase activity, guanylyl transferase activity and
methylation activity relative to a wild-type guanylyl transferase
protein.
12. A vector encoding a fusion protein comprising guanylyl
transferase protein and a small ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO)
protein.
13. The vector of claim 12, wherein the vector comprises SEQ ID NO:
1 and SEQ ID NO: 2.
14. The vector of claim 12, wherein the vector comprises SEQ ID NO:
1, SEQ ID NO: 2, and SEQ ID NO: 3.
15. The vector of claim 12, wherein the vector comprises SEQ ID NO:
4 and SEQ ID NO: 3.
16. A method to produce a guanylyl transferase by fermentation,
comprising: a) culturing in a fermentation medium a microorganism
that is transformed with at least one recombinant nucleic acid
molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a guanylyl
transferase fusion protein that has an amino acid sequence that is
at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 7; and b)
collecting a product produced from the step of culturing.
17. (canceled)
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the guanylyl transferase fusion
protein has comparable phosphatase activity, guanylyl transferase
activity and methylation activity relative to a wild-type guanylyl
transferase protein.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the guanylyl transferase fusion
protein comprises a small ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO)
protein.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the guanylyl transferase fusion
protein comprises SEQ ID NO: 8.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the SUMO protein is bound to
the guanylyl transferase by a covalent link.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the covalent link is between
the SUMO protein and a large subunit of the guanylyl
transferase.
23. The method of claim 16, wherein the fermentation medium is
selected from the group consisting of Terrific Broth, Cinnabar,
2.times.YT and LB.
24. The method of claim 16, wherein the microorganism is a
bacterium.
25. The method of claim 16, wherein the nucleic acid sequence
encoding the guanylyl transferase is at least 90% identical to SEQ
ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 3.
26. The method of claim 16, wherein the recombinant nucleic acid
molecule further comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a small
ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the nucleic acid sequence
encoding a small ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein is at least
90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1.
28. The method of claim 16, wherein the product is a guanylyl
transferase.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the product is a guanylyl
transferase fusion protein that further comprises a small
ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein.
30. (canceled)
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/165,372, filed Oct. 19, 2018, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/294,249, filed
Oct. 14, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,144,942, issued Dec. 4, 2018,
which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
62/241,350, filed Oct. 14, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0002] The present specification makes reference to a Sequence
Listing (submitted electronically as a .txt file named
"SL_SHR-1187US" on Oct. 14, 2016. The .txt file was generated Oct.
14, 2016 and is 28,402 bytes in size. The entire contents of the
Sequence Listing are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Messenger RNA ("mRNA") therapy is becoming an increasingly
important approach for the treatment of a variety of diseases.
Effective mRNA therapy requires effective delivery of the mRNA to
the patient and efficient production of the protein encoded by the
mRNA within the patient's body. To optimize mRNA delivery and
protein production in vivo, a proper cap are typically required at
the 5' end of the construct, which protects the mRNA from
degradation and facilitates successful protein translation.
Therefore, the large-scale production of enzymes capable of capping
mRNA is particularly important for producing mRNA for therapeutic
applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides improved methods for
effective production of enzymes capable of capping mRNA. The
present invention is, in part, based on the surprising discovery
that modifying a guanylyl transferase (GT) with a SUMO tag makes it
possible to produce GT on the large scale needed for producing
capped mRNA for therapeutic applications.
[0005] Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides methods
of producing a capped RNA or RNA analog oligonucleotide, wherein a
fusion protein facilitates the steps of transferring and
methylating a guanylyl molecule to the 5' end of the RNA or RNA
analog oligonucleotide.
[0006] In some embodiments, the fusion protein comprises a guanylyl
transferase and a small ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein. In
some embodiments, the guanylyl transferase comprises SEQ ID NO: 6
and SEQ ID NO: 7 and the SUMO protein comprises SEQ ID NO: 1. In
some embodiments, the fusion protein comprises SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ
ID NO: 7.
[0007] In some embodiments, the one end of the RNA or RNA analog
oligonucleotide is the 5' end.
[0008] In some embodiments, the fusion protein has comparable
phosphatase activity, guanylyl transferase activity and methylation
activity relative to a wild-type guanylyl transferase protein.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides fusion
proteins, wherein a fusion protein comprises guanylyl transferase
and a small ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein.
[0010] In some embodiments, the guanylyl transferase comprises SEQ
ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7 and the SUMO protein comprises SEQ ID NO:
1. In some embodiments, the guanylyl transferase comprises a large
subunit and a small subunit. In some embodiments, the SUMO protein
is covalently linked and co-expressed with the large subunit. In
some embodiments, the fusion protein has comparable phosphatase
activity, guanylyl transferase activity and methylation activity
relative to a wild-type guanylyl transferase protein.
[0011] In another aspect, the present invention provides vectors
encoding a fusion protein comprising guanylyl transferase protein
and a small ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein.
[0012] In some embodiments, the vector comprises SEQ ID NO: 5 and
SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the vector comprises SEQ ID NO:
5, SEQ ID NO: 2, and SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, the vector
comprises SEQ ID NO: 4 and SEQ ID NO: 3.
[0013] In another aspect, the present invention provides methods to
produce a guanylyl transferase by fermentation, comprising: a)
culturing in a fermentation medium a microorganism that is
transformed with at least one recombinant nucleic acid molecule
comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a guanylyl transferase
that has an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical SEQ
ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7; and b) collecting a product produced
from the step of culturing.
[0014] In some embodiments, the guanylyl transferase comprises a
guanylyl transferase fusion protein. In some embodiments, the
guanylyl transferase fusion protein has comparable phosphatase
activity, guanylyl transferase activity and methylation activity
relative to a wild-type guanylyl transferase protein. In some
embodiments, the guanylyl transferase fusion protein comprises a
small ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein. In some embodiments,
the guanylyl transferase fusion protein comprises SEQ ID NO: 8.
[0015] In some embodiments, the SUMO protein is bound to the
guanylyl transferase by a covalent link. In some embodiments, the
covalent link is between the SUMO protein and a large subunit of
the guanylyl transferase.
[0016] In some embodiments, the fermentation medium is selected
from the group consisting of Terrific Broth, Cinnabar, 2.times.YT
and LB. In some embodiments, the microorganism is a bacterium.
[0017] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence encoding the
guanylyl transferase is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2 and
SEQ ID NO: 3.
[0018] In some embodiments, the recombinant nucleic acid molecule
further comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a small
ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein. In some embodiments, the
nucleic acid sequence encoding a small ubiquitin-like molecule
(SUMO) protein is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 5.
[0019] In some embodiments, the product is a guanylyl transferase.
In some embodiments, the product is a guanylyl transferase
comprises a guanylyl transferase fusion protein. In some
embodiments, the guanylyl transferase fusion protein further
comprises a small ubiquitin-like molecule (SUMO) protein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0020] The drawings are for illustration purposes and are in no way
limiting.
[0021] FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of exemplary mRNA capped
structures present in various embodiments of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 demonstrates exemplary yield of soluble SUMO-GT
protein produced by fermentation compared to that of GT protein
produced via the shake flask method.
DEFINITIONS
[0023] In order for the present invention to be more readily
understood, certain terms are first defined. Additional definitions
for the following terms and other terms are set forth throughout
the specification.
[0024] Approximately: As used herein, the term "approximately" or
"about," as applied to one or more values of interest, refers to a
value that is similar to a stated reference value. In certain
embodiments, the term "approximately" or "about" refers to a range
of values that fall within 25%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%,
13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or less in
either direction (greater than or less than) of the stated
reference value unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident from
the context (except where such number would exceed 100% of a
possible value).
[0025] Batch culture: As used herein, the term "batch culture"
refers to a method of culturing cells in which all the components
that will ultimately be used in culturing the cells, including the
medium (see definition of "medium" below) as well as the cells
themselves, are provided at the beginning of the culturing process.
Thus, a batch culture typically refers to a culture allowed to
progress from inoculation to conclusion without refeeding the
cultured cells with fresh medium. A batch culture is typically
stopped at some point and the cells and/or components in the medium
are harvested and optionally purified.
[0026] Biologically active: As used herein, the phrase
"biologically active" refers to a characteristic of any substance
that has activity in a biological system (e.g., cell culture,
organism, etc.). For instance, a substance that, when administered
to an organism, has a biological effect on that organism, is
considered to be biologically active. Biological activity can also
be determined by in vitro assays (for example, in vitro enzymatic
assays such as sulfate release assays). In particular embodiments,
where a protein or polypeptide is biologically active, a portion of
that protein or polypeptide that shares at least one biological
activity of the protein or polypeptide is typically referred to as
a "biologically active" portion. In some embodiments, a protein is
produced and/or purified from a cell culture system, which displays
biologically activity when administered to a subject. In some
embodiments, a protein requires further processing in order to
become biologically active. In some embodiments, a protein requires
posttranslational modification such as, but is not limited to,
glycosylation (e.g., sialyation), farnysylation, cleavage, folding,
formylglycine conversion and combinations thereof, in order to
become biologically active. In some embodiments, a protein produced
as a proform (i.e. immature form), may require additional
modification to become biologically active.
[0027] Bioreactor: As used herein, the term "bioreactor" refers to
a vessel used for the growth of a host cell culture. A bioreactor
can be of any size so long as it is useful for the culturing of
mammalian cells. Typically, a bioreactor will be at least 1 liter
and may be 10, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000, 8000, 10,000,
12,0000 liters or more, or any volume in between. Internal
conditions of a bioreactor, including, but not limited to pH,
osmolarity, CO2 saturation, O2 saturation, temperature and
combinations thereof, are typically controlled during the culturing
period. A bioreactor can be composed of any material that suitable
for holding cells in media under the culture conditions of the
present invention, including glass, plastic or metal. In some
embodiments, a bioreactor may be used for performing animal cell
culture. In some embodiments, a bioreactor may be used for
performing mammalian cell culture. In some embodiments, a
bioreactor may be used with cells and/or cell lines derived from
such organisms as, but not limited to, mammalian cell, insect
cells, bacterial cells, yeast cells and human cells. In some
embodiments, a bioreactor is used for large-scale cell culture
production and is typically at least 100 liters and may be 200,
500, 1000, 2500, 5000, 8000, 10,000, 12,0000 liters or more, or any
volume in between. One of ordinary skill in the art will be aware
of and will be able to choose suitable bioreactors for use in
practicing the present invention.
[0028] Cell density: As used herein, the term "cell density" refers
to that number of cells present in a given volume of medium.
[0029] Cell culture or culture: As used herein, these terms refer
to a cell population that is gown in a medium under conditions
suitable to survival and/or growth of the cell population. As will
be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art, these terms as used
herein may refer to the combination comprising the cell population
and the medium in which the population is grown.
[0030] Cultivation: As used herein, the term "cultivation" or
grammatical equivalents refers to a process of maintaining cells
under conditions favoring growth or survival. The terms
"cultivation" and "cell culture" or any synonyms are used
inter-changeably in this application.
[0031] Culture vessel: As used herein, the term "culture vessel"
refers to any container that can provide an aseptic environment for
culturing cells. Exemplary culture vessels include, but are not
limited to, glass, plastic, or metal containers.
[0032] Expression: As used herein, "expression" of a nucleic acid
sequence refers to one or more of the following events: (1)
production of an RNA template from a DNA sequence (e.g., by
transcription); (2) processing of an RNA transcript (e.g., by
splicing, editing, 5' cap formation, and/or 3' end formation); (3)
translation of an RNA into a polypeptide or protein; and/or (4)
post-translational modification of a polypeptide or protein.
[0033] Fed-batch culture: As used herein, the term "fed-batch
culture" refers to a method of culturing cells in which additional
components are provided to the culture at some time subsequent to
the beginning of the culture process. The provided components
typically comprise nutritional supplements for the cells which have
been depleted during the culturing process. A fed-batch culture is
typically stopped at some point and the cells and/or components in
the medium are harvested and optionally purified.
[0034] Homology: As used herein, the term "homology" refers to the
overall relatedness between polymeric molecules, e.g., between
nucleic acid molecules (e.g., DNA molecules and/or RNA molecules)
and/or between polypeptide molecules. In some embodiments,
polymeric molecules are considered to be "homologous" to one
another if their sequences are at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%,
50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identical.
In some embodiments, polymeric molecules are considered to be
"homologous" to one another if their sequences are at least 25%,
30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%,
95%, or 99% similar.
[0035] Identity: As used herein, the term "identity" refers to the
overall relatedness between polymeric molecules, e.g., between
nucleic acid molecules (e.g., DNA molecules and/or RNA molecules)
and/or between polypeptide molecules. Calculation of the percent
identity of two nucleic acid sequences, for example, can be
performed by aligning the two sequences for optimal comparison
purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in one or both of a first
and a second nucleic acid sequences for optimal alignment and
non-identical sequences can be disregarded for comparison
purposes). In certain embodiments, the length of a sequence aligned
for comparison purposes is at least 30%, at least 40%, at least
50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at
least 95%, or substantially 100% of the length of the reference
sequence. The nucleotides at corresponding nucleotide positions are
then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by
the same nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second
sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position. The
percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the
number of identical positions shared by the sequences, taking into
account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which needs
to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The
comparison of sequences and determination of percent identity
between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical
algorithm. For example, the percent identity between two nucleotide
sequences can be determined using the algorithm of Meyers and
Miller (CABIOS, 1989, 4: 11-17), which has been incorporated into
the ALIGN program (version 2.0) using a PAM120 weight residue
table, a gap length penalty of 12 and a gap penalty of 4. The
percent identity between two nucleotide sequences can,
alternatively, be determined using the GAP program in the GCG
software package using an NWSgapdna.CMP matrix. Various other
sequence alignment programs are available and can be used to
determine sequence identity such as, for example, Clustal.
[0036] Integrated Viable Cell Density: As used herein, the term
"integrated viable cell density" refers to the average density of
viable cells over the course of the culture multiplied by the
amount of time the culture has run. Assuming the amount of
polypeptide and/or protein produced is proportional to the number
of viable cells present over the course of the culture, integrated
viable cell density is a useful tool for estimating the amount of
polypeptide and/or protein produced over the course of the
culture.
[0037] Isolated: As used herein, the term "isolated" refers to a
substance and/or entity that has been (1) separated from at least
some of the components with which it was associated when initially
produced (whether in nature and/or in an experimental setting),
and/or (2) produced, prepared, and/or manufactured by the hand of
man. Isolated substances and/or entities may be separated from
about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%,
about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%,
about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%,
or more than about 99% of the other components with which they were
initially associated. In some embodiments, isolated agents are
about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%,
about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%,
or more than about 99% pure. As used herein, a substance is "pure"
if it is substantially free of other components. As used herein,
calculation of percent purity of isolated substances and/or
entities should not include excipients (e.g., buffer, solvent,
water, etc.)
[0038] Medium: As used herein, the term "medium" refer to a
solution containing nutrients which nourish growing cells.
Typically, these solutions provide essential and non-essential
amino acids, vitamins, energy sources, lipids, and trace elements
required by the cell for minimal growth and/or survival. The
solution may also contain components that enhance growth and/or
survival above the minimal rate, including hormones and growth
factors. In some embodiments, medium is formulated to a pH and salt
concentration optimal for cell survival and proliferation. In some
embodiments, medium may be a "chemically defined medium"--a
serum-free media that contains no proteins, hydrolysates or
components of unknown composition. In some embodiment, chemically
defined medium is free of animal-derived components and all
components within the medium have a known chemical structure. In
some embodiments, medium may be a "serum based medium"--a medium
that has been supplemented with animal derived components such as,
but not limited to, fetal calf serum, horse serum, goat serum,
donkey serum and/or combinations thereof.
[0039] Nucleic acid: As used herein, the term "nucleic acid," in
its broadest sense, refers to a compound and/or substance that is
or can be incorporated into an oligonucleotide chain. In some
embodiments, a nucleic acid is a compound and/or substance that is
or can be incorporated into an oligonucleotide chain via a
phosphodiester linkage. In some embodiments, "nucleic acid" refers
to individual nucleic acid residues (e.g., nucleotides and/or
nucleosides). In some embodiments, "nucleic acid" refers to an
oligonucleotide chain comprising individual nucleic acid residues.
As used herein, the terms "oligonucleotide" and "polynucleotide"
can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, "nucleic acid"
encompasses RNA as well as single and/or double-stranded DNA and/or
cDNA. Furthermore, the terms "nucleic acid," "DNA," "RNA," and/or
similar terms include nucleic acid analogs, i.e., analogs having
other than a phosphodiester backbone. For example, the so-called
"peptide nucleic acids," which are known in the art and have
peptide bonds instead of phosphodiester bonds in the backbone, are
considered within the scope of the present invention. The term
"nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence" includes all
nucleotide sequences that are degenerate versions of each other
and/or encode the same amino acid sequence. Nucleotide sequences
that encode proteins and/or RNA may include introns. Nucleic acids
can be purified from natural sources, produced using recombinant
expression systems and optionally purified, chemically synthesized,
etc. Where appropriate, e.g., in the case of chemically synthesized
molecules, nucleic acids can comprise nucleoside analogs such as
analogs having chemically modified bases or sugars, backbone
modifications, etc. A nucleic acid sequence is presented in the 5'
to 3' direction unless otherwise indicated. The term "nucleic acid
segment" is used herein to refer to a nucleic acid sequence that is
a portion of a longer nucleic acid sequence. In many embodiments, a
nucleic acid segment comprises at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or
more residues. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid is or comprises
natural nucleosides (e.g., adenosine, thymidine, guanosine,
cytidine, uridine, deoxyadenosine, deoxythymidine, deoxyguanosine,
and deoxycytidine); nucleoside analogs (e.g., 2-aminoadenosine,
2-thiothymidine, inosine, pyrrolo-pyrimidine, 3-methyl adenosine,
5-methylcytidine, C-5 propynyl-cytidine, C-5 propynyl-uridine,
2-aminoadenosine, C5-bromouridine, C5-fluorouridine,
C5-iodouridine, C5-propynyl-uridine, C5-propynyl-cytidine,
C5-methylcytidine, 2-aminoadenosine, 7-deazaadenosine,
7-deazaguanosine, 8-oxoadenosine, 8-oxoguanosine,
O(6)-methylguanine, and 2-thiocytidine); chemically modified bases;
biologically modified bases (e.g., methylated bases); intercalated
bases; modified sugars (e.g., 2'-fluororibose, ribose,
2'-deoxyribose, arabinose, and hexose); and/or modified phosphate
groups (e.g., phosphorothioates and 5'-N-phosphoramidite linkages).
In some embodiments, the present invention is specifically directed
to "unmodified nucleic acids," meaning nucleic acids (e.g.,
polynucleotides and residues, including nucleotides and/or
nucleosides) that have not been chemically modified in order to
facilitate or achieve delivery.
[0040] Perfusion process: As used herein, the term "perfusion
process" refers to a method of culturing cells in which additional
components are provided continuously or semi-continuously to the
culture subsequent to the beginning of the culture process. The
provided components typically comprise nutritional supplements for
the cells which have been depleted during the culturing process. A
portion of the cells and/or components in the medium are typically
harvested on a continuous or semi-continuous basis and are
optionally purified. Typically, a cell culture process involving a
perfusion process is referred to as "perfusion culture." Typically,
nutritional supplements are provided in a fresh medium during a
perfusion process. In some embodiments, a fresh medium may be
identical or similar to the base medium used in the cell culture
process. In some embodiments, a fresh medium may be different than
the base medium but containing desired nutritional supplements. In
some embodiments, a fresh medium is a chemically-defined
medium.
[0041] Seeding: As used herein, the term "seeding" refers to the
process of providing a cell culture to a bioreactor or another
vessel for large scale cell culture production. In some embodiments
a "seed culture" is used, in which the cells have been propagated
in a smaller cell culture vessel, i.e. Tissue-culture flask,
Tissue-culture plate, Tissue-culture roller bottle, etc., prior to
seeding. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the cells may have
been frozen and thawed immediately prior to providing them to the
bioreactor or vessel. The term refers to any number of cells,
including a single cell.
[0042] Subject: As used herein, the term "subject" means any
mammal, including humans. In certain embodiments of the present
invention the subject is an adult, an adolescent or an infant. Also
contemplated by the present invention are the administration of the
pharmaceutical compositions and/or performance of the methods of
treatment in-utero.
[0043] Vector: As used herein, "vector" refers to a nucleic acid
molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it
is associated. In some embodiment, vectors are capable of
extra-chromosomal replication and/or expression of nucleic acids to
which they are linked in a host cell such as a eukaryotic and/or
prokaryotic cell. Vectors capable of directing the expression of
operatively linked genes are referred to herein as "expression
vectors."
[0044] Viable cell density: As used herein, the term "viable cell
density" refers to the number of living cells per unit volume.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] The present invention provides, among other things, methods
and compositions for large-scale production of capped mRNA using
SUMO-Guanylyl Transferase fusion protein.
[0046] Various aspects of the invention are described in further
detail in the following subsections. The use of subsections is not
meant to limit the invention. Each subsection may apply to any
aspect of the invention. In this application, the use of "or" means
"and/or" unless stated otherwise.
SUMO-Guanylyl Transferase Fusion Protein
[0047] Small Ubiquitin-Like Modifier (SUMO)
[0048] As used herein, a SUMO tag is any protein or a portion of a
protein that can substitute for at least partial activity of a SUMO
protein.
[0049] SUMO proteins are small proteins that are covalently
attached to and detached from other proteins in order to modify the
functions of those proteins. The modification of a protein with a
SUMO protein is a post-translational modification involved in
various cellular processes such as nuclear-cytosolic transport,
transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, protein stability, response
to stress and progression through the cell cycle. There are at
least 4 SUMO paralogs in vertebrates, designated SUMO-1, SUMO-2,
SUMO-3, and SUMO-4. SUMO-2 and SUMO-3 are structurally and
functionally very similar and are distinct from SUMO-1. The amino
acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) spans amino acids 3-92 of a typical
wild-type or naturally occurring SUMO-3 protein is shown in Table
1. In addition, a codon optimized DNA sequence encoding the SUMO-3
protein is also provided in Table 1, as SEQ ID NO: 5.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier SUMO-3 Protein
EEKPKEGVKTENDHINLKVAGQDGSVVQFKIKRHTPLSKLMKAY sequence
CERQGLSMRQIRFRFDGQPINETDTPAQLEMEDEDTIDVFQQQTGG (SEQ ID NO: 1)
SUMO-3 DNA GAAGAGAAACCGAAAGAGGGCGTTAAGACCGAGAATGACCAC sequence
ATTAACCTGAAGGTCGCTGGTCAAGATGGCAGCGTGGTGCAGT
TTAAGATCAAGCGTCACACGCCGTTGAGCAAGCTGATGAAGGC
TTACTGCGAGCGTCAGGGTCTGAGCATGCGTCAGATCCGCTTTC
GTTTCGATGGCCAGCCGATCAATGAGACTGACACCCCAGCGCA ACTGG (SEQ ID NO:
5)
[0050] Thus, in some embodiments, a SUMO protein is a human SUMO-3
protein (SEQ ID NO: 1). In some embodiments, the SUMO protein may
be another SUMO paralog, such as SUMO-1, SUMO-2 or SUMO-4. In some
embodiments, a suitable replacement protein may be a homologue or
an analogue of human SUMO-3 protein. For example, a homologue or an
analogue of SUMO-3 protein may be a modified SUMO-3 protein
containing one or more amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or
insertions as compared to a wild-type or naturally-occurring SUMO-3
protein (e.g. SEQ ID NO: 1), while retaining substantial SUMO-3
protein activity. Thus, in some embodiments, an enzyme suitable for
the present invention is substantially homologous to a wild-type or
naturally-occurring SUMO-3 protein (SEQ ID NO: 1). In some
embodiments, an enzyme suitable for the present invention has an
amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%,
85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more
identical to SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, an enzyme suitable
for the present invention is substantially identical to a wild-type
or naturally-occurring SUMO-3 protein (SEQ ID NO: 1). In some
embodiments, a protein suitable for the present invention contains
a fragment or a portion of a SUMO protein. In some embodiments, the
SUMO protein comprises human SUMO-1, human SUMO-2, human SUMO-3,
any one of Arabidopsis Zhalania SUMO-1 through SUMO-8, tomato SUMO,
any one of Xenopus laevis SUMO-1 through SUMO-3, Drosophila
melanogasler Smt3, Caenorhabdilis elegans SMO-1,
Schizosaccharomyces pombe Pmt3, malarial parasite Plasmodium
falciparum SUMO, mold Aspergillus nidulans SUMO, an equivalent
thereof, a homologue thereof, or a combination thereof.
[0051] In some embodiments, the SUMO protein is encoded by a
nucleic acid derived from an organism selected from the group
consisting of human, mouse, insect, plant, yeast, and other
eukaryotic organisms. In some embodiments, the SUMO protein is
encoded by a nucleic acid derived from an organism selected from
the group consisting of Homo sapiens, Arabidopsis Zhalania, tomato,
Xenopus laevis, Drosophila melanogasler, Caenorhabdilis elegans,
Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Plasmo diumfalciparum, or Aspergillus
nidulans. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid suitable for the
present invention has an sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%,
75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or
more identical to SEQ ID NO: 5. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid
suitable for the present invention is substantially identical to a
nucleic acid encoding a wild-type or naturally-occurring SUMO-3
protein (SEQ ID NO: 5).
[0052] Guanylyl Transferase (GT)
[0053] As used herein, a GT protein is any protein or portion of a
protein that can substitute for at least partial activity of
naturally-occurring Guanylyl Transferase (GT) protein. As used
herein, the terms "a GT protein" and "a GT enzyme" and grammatical
equivalents are used interchangeably.
[0054] GT is an enzyme derived from the Vaccinia Virus system that
facilitates the transfer and methylation of a guanylyl molecule to
the 5' end of a messenger RNA molecule. This process, known as mRNA
capping, is highly regulated and important for the creation of
stable and mature mRNA able to undergo translation during protein
synthesis. The GT enzyme comprises a heterodimer that includes a
"large subunit" (D1, about 97 kDa) and a "small subunit (D12, about
33 kDa). GT provides three enzymatic functions: phosphatase
activity (cleavage of the nascent 5' triphosphate of mRNA to a
diphosphate), guanylyl transferase activity (incorporation of a GTP
molecule to the 5' end of the mRNA moiety) and methylation activity
(incorporation of a methyl group at the N.sup.7 position of the
guanylyl base). The amino acid sequence of the large subunit (SEQ
ID NO: 6) and small subunit (SEQ ID NO: 7) of a typical wild-type
or naturally occurring GT protein are shown in Table 2. In
addition, codon optimized DNA sequences encoding the large and
small subunits of GT are also provided in Table 2, as SEQ ID NO: 2
and SEQ ID NO: 3, respectively.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Guanylyl Transferase Large subunit
MDANVVSSSTIATYIDALAKNASELEQRSTAYEINNELELVFIKPPL (Protein sequence)
ITLTNVVNISTIQESFIRFTVTNKEGVKIRTKIPLSKVHGLDVKNVQL
VDAIDNIVWEKKSLVTENRLHKECLLRLSTEERHIFLDYKKYGSSI
RLELVNLIQAKTKNFTIDFKLKYFLGSGAQSKSSLLHAINHPKSRPN
TSLEIEFTPRDNETVPYDELIKELTTLSRHIFMASPENVILSPPINAPI
KTFMLPKQDIVGLDLENLYAVTKTDGIPITIRVTSNGLYCYFTHLG
YIIRYPVKRIIDSEVVVFGEAVKDKNWTVYLIKLIEPVNAINDRLEE
SKYVESKLVDICDRIVFKSKKYEGPFTTTSEVVDMLSTYLPKQPEG
VILFYSKGPKSNIDFKIKKENTIDQTANVVFRYMSSEPIIFGESSIFVE
YKKFSNDKGFPKEYGSGKIVLYNGVNYLNNIYCLEYINTHNEVGI
KSVVVPIKFIAEFLVNGEILKPRIDKTMKYINSEDYYGNQHNIIVEH
LRDQSIKIGDIFNEDKLSDVGHQYANNDKFRLNPEVSYFTNKRTRG
PLGILSNYVKTLLISMYCSKTFLDDSNKRKVLAIDFGNGADLEKYF
YGEIALLVATDPDADAIARGNERYNKLNSGIKTKYYKFDYIQETIR
SDTFVSSVREVFYFGKFNIIDWQFAIHYSFHPRHYATVMNNLSELT
ASGGKVLITTMDGDKLSKLTDKKTFIIHKNLPSSENYMSVEKIADD
RIVVYNPSTMSTPMTEYIIKKNDIVRVFNEYGFVLVDNVDFATIIER
SKKFINGASTMEDRPSTRNFFELNRGAIKCEGLDVEDLLSYYVVY VFSKR (SEQ ID NO: 6)
Small subunit MDEIVKNIREGTHVLLPFYETLPELNLSLGKSPLPSLEYGANYFLQI
(Protein sequence) SRVNDLNRMPTDMLKLFTHDIMLPESDLDKVYEILKINSVKYYGR
STKADAVVADLSARNKLFKRERDAIKSNNHLTENNLYISDYKMLT
FDVFRPLFDFVNEKYCIIKLPTLFGRGVIDTMRIYCSLFKNVRLLKC
VSDSWLKDSAIMVASDVCKKNLDLFMSHVKSVTKSSSWKDVNSV
QFSILNNPVDTEFINKFLEFSNRVYEALYYVHSLLYSSMTSDSKSIE NKHQRRLVKLLL (SEQ
ID NO: 7) Large subunit AGATGGAAGATGAAGATACCATCGACGTCTTTCAGCAACAGAC
(DNA sequence) CGGTGGTATGGATGCTAACGTCGTTAGCAGCAGCACCATTGCG
ACTTACATTGATGCACTGGCCAAAAACGCATCTGAGCTTGAGC
AGCGCAGCACCGCCTACGAGATCAATAACGAATTGGAGCTGGT
TTTCATTAAACCGCCGCTGATCACGCTGACGAACGTCGTGAAC
ATTAGCACGATTCAAGAGAGCTTTATTCGTTTCACCGTTACCAA
TAAAGAAGGCGTGAAGATCCGTACCAAGATTCCGCTGAGCAAA
GTGCATGGTCTGGACGTGAAAAATGTGCAGCTGGTTGATGCGA
TCGATAACATCGTGTGGGAGAAGAAATCTTTGGTCACGGAAAA
TCGTCTGCACAAGGAATGTCTGCTGCGTCTGTCAACCGAAGAA
CGCCACATCTTCCTGGACTACAAGAAGTATGGTTCCAGCATCCG
TCTGGAACTGGTGAACCTGATTCAGGCAAAGACCAAGAACTTC
ACCATTGACTTCAAACTGAAGTATTTCCTGGGCTCTGGTGCACA
GAGCAAATCCAGCTTGTTGCACGCGATTAACCATCCGAAGAGC
CGTCCGAATACGAGCCTGGAGATCGAATTCACGCCGCGTGATA
ACGAAACCGTTCCGTACGATGAGCTGATTAAAGAACTGACGAC
GTTGAGCCGCCACATCTTTATGGCCAGCCCGGAAAACGTGATC
CTTAGCCCGCCTATCAATGCGCCGATTAAAACCTTTATGTTACC
GAAACAAGACATTGTGGGTCTGGACCTGGAAAACCTGTACGCG
GTCACCAAAACGGACGGCATTCCGATCACGATTCGTGTTACCA
GCAATGGTCTGTACTGCTATTTCACTCATTTGGGCTATATCATT
CGTTATCCGGTGAAACGCATCATTGATTCTGAGGTTGTCGTTTT
CGGCGAAGCAGTCAAGGACAAGAATTGGACTGTGTACCTGATC
AAATTGATTGAACCGGTTAACGCCATCAATGACCGCCTGGAAG
AGTCGAAATATGTTGAAAGCAAACTGGTGGATATTTGTGATCG
TATCGTGTTCAAGAGCAAGAAATATGAAGGCCCGTTCACCACG
ACCAGCGAAGTTGTTGACATGCTGAGCACCTATCTGCCGAAAC
AACCTGAGGGTGTGATTCTGTTTTACTCCAAGGGTCCGAAGAG
CAACATTGATTTCAAAATCAAGAAAGAGAATACCATTGATCAG
ACCGCCAACGTTGTGTTCCGCTATATGTCCAGCGAGCCTATCAT
TTTCGGTGAGTCGAGCATCTTTGTTGAATACAAAAAGTTTAGCA
ACGATAAGGGTTTTCCGAAAGAATACGGTTCCGGTAAGATTGT
GTTGTACAACGGCGTCAATTATCTGAACAACATCTACTGTCTGG
AGTACATCAATACCCATAACGAAGTTGGCATTAAGTCTGTTGTC
GTCCCGATCAAATTCATCGCGGAGTTCCTGGTTAACGGTGAGAT
TCTGAAGCCGCGTATTGATAAAACTATGAAATACATTAACTCC
GAAGATTACTACGGTAATCAGCATAACATCATCGTCGAGCACT
TGCGTGATCAAAGCATTAAGATCGGTGACATCTTTAACGAAGA
TAAGCTGAGCGATGTAGGCCACCAGTATGCGAACAATGACAAA
TTTCGCCTGAATCCGGAAGTCAGCTACTTTACGAATAAGCGCAC
CCGTGGTCCACTGGGTATCCTGAGCAATTATGTTAAAACCCTGT
TGATTTCCATGTACTGCTCCAAAACGTTCCTGGACGACAGCAAC
AAGCGCAAAGTTCTGGCGATCGACTTCGGTAATGGTGCCGATC
TGGAGAAGTACTTTTATGGTGAGATCGCATTGCTGGTTGCTACC
GACCCGGATGCAGATGCGATCGCCCGTGGCAACGAGCGTTACA
ATAAGCTGAATAGCGGTATCAAGACCAAATACTACAAATTCGA
CTATATTCAAGAGACGATCCGCTCGGACACCTTTGTATCCAGCG
TGCGTGAGGTGTTTTACTTCGGTAAATTCAACATCATTGACTGG
CAATTCGCCATTCACTATAGCTTTCACCCACGCCACTATGCGAC
GGTCATGAACAACCTGTCTGAGCTGACCGCGAGCGGCGGTAAA
GTTCTGATCACCACGATGGACGGTGACAAGCTGTCTAAACTGA
CCGACAAAAAGACCTTCATTATTCACAAAAATCTCCCGTCGAG
CGAGAATTACATGTCCGTCGAAAAGATTGCGGACGACCGTATT
GTTGTCTACAACCCGAGCACTATGTCGACCCCAATGACCGAGT
ATATCATCAAAAAGAATGACATTGTGCGTGTCTTTAATGAATAC
GGTTTTGTGCTGGTCGACAACGTCGATTTTGCGACCATCATCGA
GAGAAGCAAGAAATTCATTAATGGCGCTTCTACGATGGAAGAT
CGCCCGAGCACGCGTAACTTCTTTGAGCTGAATCGTGGCGCGA
TTAAGTGCGAGGGCCTGGACGTCGAGGATCTGCTGTCGTATTA
CGTGGTTTATGTGTTTAGCAAACGTTAATGA (SEQ ID NO: 2) Small subunit
ATGGACGAAATTGTCAAGAATATCCGTGAAGGTACCCACGTTT (DNA sequence)
TACTGCCATTCTACGAGACGCTGCCGGAACTGAACCTGAGCCT
GGGTAAAAGCCCTCTGCCGAGCCTGGAGTATGGTGCGAACTAT
TTTCTGCAGATTTCCCGTGTAAACGATTTGAACCGCATGCCGAC
GGACATGCTGAAACTGTTCACCCACGACATCATGCTGCCGGAA
TCTGATCTGGATAAAGTTTACGAGATCTTGAAAATCAATTCAGT
GAAGTACTATGGCCGTAGCACCAAGGCCGATGCGGTGGTCGCA
GACCTGAGCGCGCGTAACAAACTGTTTAAACGTGAACGTGACG
CAATTAAGAGCAATAACCATCTGACCGAGAACAATTTGTACAT
CAGCGACTACAAGATGTTGACTTTTGACGTGTTTCGTCCGCTGT
TCGACTTTGTTAATGAGAAATACTGCATTATCAAGCTGCCGACG
TTGTTTGGTCGCGGCGTCATTGATACGATGCGCATTTACTGCTC
TCTCTTCAAGAATGTGCGCCTGCTGAAGTGTGTCTCCGACAGCT
GGCTGAAAGATAGCGCTATTATGGTTGCGAGCGACGTGTGTAA
AAAGAACCTGGATCTGTTCATGAGCCACGTGAAGAGCGTTACC
AAAAGCAGCAGCTGGAAAGACGTTAACAGCGTCCAGTTCTCCA
TTCTGAATAACCCGGTCGATACCGAGTTTATCAACAAGTTCCTT
GAATTCAGCAATCGCGTTTATGAGGCCCTGTATTACGTTCATAG
CCTGCTGTATAGCTCCATGACCTCTGATAGCAAATCGATCGAGA
ATAAACACCAACGTCGTCTGGTGAAACTGCTGCTGTAATGA (SEQ ID NO: 3)
[0055] Thus, in some embodiments, a GT enzyme is a heterodimer
comprising large and small subunits (SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7,
respectively). In some embodiments, the GT enzyme of the invention
may be a homologue or analogue of one or the other of the GT large
and small subunits. For example, a homologue or analogue of GT
protein may be a modified GT protein containing one or more amino
acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions as compared to SEQ
ID NO: 6 and/or SEQ ID NO: 7, while retaining substantial GT
protein activity. Thus, in some embodiments, an enzyme suitable for
the present invention is substantially homologous to the GT protein
large and small subunits (SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7). In some
embodiments, an enzyme suitable for the present invention has an
amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%,
85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more
identical to SEQ ID NO: 6. In some embodiments, an enzyme suitable
for the present invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%,
55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%,
96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical to SEQ ID NO: 7. In some
embodiments, an enzyme suitable for the present invention is
substantially identical to the large and small subunits of GT (SEQ
ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 7). In some embodiments, an enzyme suitable
for the present invention contains a fragment or a portion of a GT
protein.
[0056] In some embodiments, the GT protein is encoded by a nucleic
acid derived from an virus selected from the group consisting of
Vaccinia virus, Rabbitpox virus, Cowpox virus, Taterapox virus,
Monkeypox virus, Variola major virus, Camelpox virus, Ectromelia
virus, Variola minor virus, Orthopox virus, Raccoonpox virus,
Skunkpox virus, Volepox virus, Yoka pox virus, Swinepox virus, Yaba
monkey tumor virus, Deerpox virus, Myxoma virus, Tanapox virus,
Goatpox virus, Rabbit fibroma virus, Lumpy skin disease virus,
Sheeppox virus, Eptesipox virus, Squirrelpox virus, Molluscum
contagiosum virus, Cotia virus, Orf virus, Bovine popular
stomatitis virus, Pseudocowpox virus, Canarypox virus, Pidgeonpox
virus, Penguinpox virus, and Fowlpox virus. In some embodiments,
nucleic acids suitable for the present invention have a sequence at
least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%,
94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical to SEQ ID NO: 2. In
some embodiments, nucleic acids suitable for the present invention
have a sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,
90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical
to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments, nucleic acids suitable for
the present invention are substantially identical to a nucleic acid
encoding a GT protein (SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 3).
[0057] SUMO-GT Fusion
[0058] As used herein, a SUMO-GT fusion protein is any protein or
portion of a protein that comprises a SUMO protein covalently
linked to a Guanylyl Transferase (GT) protein, wherein the fusion
protein can substitute for at least partial activity of
naturally-occurring Guanylyl Transferase (GT) protein. As used
herein, the terms "a SUMO-GT fusion protein" and "a SUMO-GT fusion
enzyme" and grammatical equivalents are used interchangeably. An
exemplary amino acid sequence of the fusion of SUMO and the GT
large subunit (SEQ ID NO: 8) are shown in Table 3. In addition, an
exemplary DNA sequence encoding the fusion of SUMO and the GT large
subunit is also provided in Table 3, as SEQ ID NO: 4.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 SUMO-GT Fusion SUMO-GT large
ATGGGCCATCATCATCACCATCACGGCAGCCTGCAAGAAGAGA subunit DNA
AACCGAAAGAGGGCGTTAAGACCGAGAATGACCACATTAACCT construct with His
GAAGGTCGCTGGTCAAGATGGCAGCGTGGTGCAGTTTAAGATC tag and linker
AAGCGTCACACGCCGTTGAGCAAGCTGATGAAGGCTTACTGCG
AGCGTCAGGGTCTGAGCATGCGTCAGATCCGCTTTCGTTTCGAT
GGCCAGCCGATCAATGAGACTGACACCCCAGCGCAACTGGAGA
TGGAAGATGAAGATACCATCGACGTCTTTCAGCAACAGACCGG
TGGTATGGATGCTAACGTCGTTAGCAGCAGCACCATTGCGACTT
ACATTGATGCACTGGCCAAAAACGCATCTGAGCTTGAGCAGCG
CAGCACCGCCTACGAGATCAATAACGAATTGGAGCTGGTTTTC
ATTAAACCGCCGCTGATCACGCTGACGAACGTCGTGAACATTA
GCACGATTCAAGAGAGCTTTATTCGTTTCACCGTTACCAATAAA
GAAGGCGTGAAGATCCGTACCAAGATTCCGCTGAGCAAAGTGC
ATGGTCTGGACGTGAAAAATGTGCAGCTGGTTGATGCGATCGA
TAACATCGTGTGGGAGAAGAAATCTTTGGTCACGGAAAATCGT
CTGCACAAGGAATGTCTGCTGCGTCTGTCAACCGAAGAACGCC
ACATCTTCCTGGACTACAAGAAGTATGGTTCCAGCATCCGTCTG
GAACTGGTGAACCTGATTCAGGCAAAGACCAAGAACTTCACCA
TTGACTTCAAACTGAAGTATTTCCTGGGCTCTGGTGCACAGAGC
AAATCCAGCTTGTTGCACGCGATTAACCATCCGAAGAGCCGTC
CGAATACGAGCCTGGAGATCGAATTCACGCCGCGTGATAACGA
AACCGTTCCGTACGATGAGCTGATTAAAGAACTGACGACGTTG
AGCCGCCACATCTTTATGGCCAGCCCGGAAAACGTGATCCTTA
GCCCGCCTATCAATGCGCCGATTAAAACCTTTATGTTACCGAAA
CAAGACATTGTGGGTCTGGACCTGGAAAACCTGTACGCGGTCA
CCAAAACGGACGGCATTCCGATCACGATTCGTGTTACCAGCAA
TGGTCTGTACTGCTATTTCACTCATTTGGGCTATATCATTCGTTA
TCCGGTGAAACGCATCATTGATTCTGAGGTTGTCGTTTTCGGCG
AAGCAGTCAAGGACAAGAATTGGACTGTGTACCTGATCAAATT
GATTGAACCGGTTAACGCCATCAATGACCGCCTGGAAGAGTCG
AAATATGTTGAAAGCAAACTGGTGGATATTTGTGATCGTATCGT
GTTCAAGAGCAAGAAATATGAAGGCCCGTTCACCACGACCAGC
GAAGTTGTTGACATGCTGAGCACCTATCTGCCGAAACAACCTG
AGGGTGTGATTCTGTTTTACTCCAAGGGTCCGAAGAGCAACATT
GATTTCAAAATCAAGAAAGAGAATACCATTGATCAGACCGCCA
ACGTTGTGTTCCGCTATATGTCCAGCGAGCCTATCATTTTCGGT
GAGTCGAGCATCTTTGTTGAATACAAAAAGTTTAGCAACGATA
AGGGTTTTCCGAAAGAATACGGTTCCGGTAAGATTGTGTTGTAC
AACGGCGTCAATTATCTGAACAACATCTACTGTCTGGAGTACAT
CAATACCCATAACGAAGTTGGCATTAAGTCTGTTGTCGTCCCGA
TCAAATTCATCGCGGAGTTCCTGGTTAACGGTGAGATTCTGAAG
CCGCGTATTGATAAAACTATGAAATACATTAACTCCGAAGATT
ACTACGGTAATCAGCATAACATCATCGTCGAGCACTTGCGTGA
TCAAAGCATTAAGATCGGTGACATCTTTAACGAAGATAAGCTG
AGCGATGTAGGCCACCAGTATGCGAACAATGACAAATTTCGCC
TGAATCCGGAAGTCAGCTACTTTACGAATAAGCGCACCCGTGG
TCCACTGGGTATCCTGAGCAATTATGTTAAAACCCTGTTGATTT
CCATGTACTGCTCCAAAACGTTCCTGGACGACAGCAACAAGCG
CAAAGTTCTGGCGATCGACTTCGGTAATGGTGCCGATCTGGAG
AAGTACTTTTATGGTGAGATCGCATTGCTGGTTGCTACCGACCC
GGATGCAGATGCGATCGCCCGTGGCAACGAGCGTTACAATAAG
CTGAATAGCGGTATCAAGACCAAATACTACAAATTCGACTATA
TTCAAGAGACGATCCGCTCGGACACCTTTGTATCCAGCGTGCGT
GAGGTGTTTTACTTCGGTAAATTCAACATCATTGACTGGCAATT
CGCCATTCACTATAGCTTTCACCCACGCCACTATGCGACGGTCA
TGAACAACCTGTCTGAGCTGACCGCGAGCGGCGGTAAAGTTCT
GATCACCACGATGGACGGTGACAAGCTGTCTAAACTGACCGAC
AAAAAGACCTTCATTATTCACAAAAATCTCCCGTCGAGCGAGA
ATTACATGTCCGTCGAAAAGATTGCGGACGACCGTATTGTTGTC
TACAACCCGAGCACTATGTCGACCCCAATGACCGAGTATATCA
TCAAAAAGAATGACATTGTGCGTGTCTTTAATGAATACGGTTTT
GTGCTGGTCGACAACGTCGATTTTGCGACCATCATCGAGAGAA
GCAAGAAATTCATTAATGGCGCTTCTACGATGGAAGATCGCCC
GAGCACGCGTAACTTCTTTGAGCTGAATCGTGGCGCGATTAAG
TGCGAGGGCCTGGACGTCGAGGATCTGCTGTCGTATTACGTGG
TTTATGTGTTTAGCAAACGTTAATGA (SEQ ID NO: 4) SUMO-GT large
MGHHHHHHGSLQEEKPKEGVKTENDHINLKVAGQDGSVVQFKIK subunit protein
RHTPLSKLMKAYCERQGLSMRQIRFRFDGQPINETDTPAQLEMED with His tag and
EDTIDVFQQQTGGMDANVVSSSTIATYIDALAKNASELEQRSTAY linker
EINNELELVFIKPPLITLTNVVNISTIQESFIRFTVTNKEGVKIRTKIPL
SKVHGLDVKNVQLVDAIDNIVWEKKSLVTENRLHKECLLRLSTEE
RHIFLDYKKYGSSIRLELVNLIQAKTKNFTIDFKLKYFLGSGAQSKS
SLLHAINHPKSRPNTSLEIEFTPRDNETVPYDELIKELTTLSRHIFMA
SPENVILSPPINAPIKTFMLPKQDIVGLDLENLYAVTKTDGIPITIRV
TSNGLYCYFTHLGYIIRYPVKRIIDSEVVVFGEAVKDKNWTVYLIK
LIEPVNAINDRLEESKYVESKLVDICDRIVFKSKKYEGPFTTTSEVV
DMLSTYLPKQPEGVILFYSKGPKSNIDFKIKKENTIDQTANVVFRY
MSSEPIIFGESSIFVEYKKFSNDKGFPKEYGSGKIVLYNGVNYLNNI
YCLEYINTHNEVGIKSVVVPIKFIAEFLVNGEILKPRIDKTMKYINSE
DYYGNQHNIIVEHLRDQSIKIGDIFNEDKLSDVGHQYANNDKFRL
NPEVSYFTNKRTRGPLGILSNYVKTLLISMYCSKTFLDDSNKRKVL
AIDFGNGADLEKYFYGEIALLVATDPDADAIARGNERYNKLNSGI
KTKYYKFDYIQETIRSDTFVSSVREVFYFGKFNIIDWQFAIHYSFHP
RHYATVMNNLSELTASGGKVLITTMDGDKLSKLTDKKTFIIHKNL
PSSENYMSVEKIADDRIVVYNPSTMSTPMTEYIIKKNDIVRVFNEY
GFVLVDNVDFATIIERSKKFINGASTMEDRPSTRNFFELNRGAIKCE GLDVEDLLSYYVVYVFSKR
(SEQ ID NO: 8)
[0059] In some embodiments, the SUMO-GT fusion protein comprises
SEQ ID NO: 8. In some embodiments, the SUMO-GT fusion protein is a
heterodimer comprising SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 7. In some
embodiments, the GT enzyme of the invention may be a homologue or
analogue of one or the other of the GT large and small subunits.
For example, a homologue or analogue of the SUMO-GT fusion protein
may be a modified SUMO-GT fusion protein containing one or more
amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions as compared
to SEQ ID NO: 8 and/or SEQ ID NO: 7, while retaining substantial GT
protein activity. Thus, in some embodiments, a SUMO-GT fusion
protein suitable for the present invention is substantially
homologous to the heterodimer comprising the GT small subunit (SEQ
ID NO: 7) and the fusion of SUMO and the GT large subunit (SEQ ID
NO: 8). In some embodiments, an enzyme suitable for the present
invention has an amino acid sequence at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%,
70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,
99% or more identical to SEQ ID NO: 8 and SEQ ID NO: 7. In some
embodiments, an enzyme suitable for the present invention is
substantially identical to the heterodimer comprising the GT small
subunit (SEQ ID NO: 7) and the fusion of SUMO and the GT large
subunit (SEQ ID NO: 8). In some embodiments, an enzyme suitable for
the present invention contains a fragment or a portion of a GT
protein covalently bound to a SUMO protein.
Production of SUMO-GT Fusion Protein
[0060] Host Cells
[0061] As used herein, the term "host cells" refers to cells that
can be used to produce a SUMO-GT fusion protein. In particular,
host cells are suitable for producing a SUMO-GT fusion protein at a
large scale. In some embodiments, host cells are able to produce
SUMO-GT fusion protein in an amount of or greater than about 5
picogram/cell/day (e.g., greater than about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35,
40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100
picogram/cell/day). In some embodiments, host cells are able to
produce SUMO-GT fusion protein in an amount ranging from about
5-100 picogram/cell/day (e.g., about 5-90 picogram/cell/day, about
5-80 picogram/cell/day, about 5-70 picogram/cell/day, about 5-60
picogram/cell/day, about 5-50 picogram/cell/day, about 5-40
picogram/cell/day, about 5-30 picogram/cell/day, about 10-90
picogram/cell/day, about 10-80 picogram/cell/day, about 10-70
picogram/cell/day, about 10-60 picogram/cell/day, about 10-50
picogram/cell/day, about 10-40 picogram/cell/day, about 10-30
picogram/cell/day, about 20-90 picogram/cell/day, about 20-80
picogram/cell/day, about 20-70 picogram/cell/day, about 20-60
picogram/cell/day, about 20-50 picogram/cell/day, about 20-40
picogram/cell/day, about 20-30 picogram/cell/day).
[0062] Suitable host cells can be derived from a variety of
organisms, including, but not limited to, bacteria, yeast, insects,
plants, birds (e.g., avian systems), amphibians, and mammals. In
some embodiments, host cells are non-mammalian cells. Non-limiting
examples of non-mammalian host cells suitable for the present
invention include cells and cell lines derived from Escherichia
coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus
lichenifonnis, Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridia perfringens,
Clostridia difficile for bacteria; Pichia pastoris, Pichia
methanolica, Pichia angusta, Schizosacccharomyces pombe,
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Yarrowia lipolytica for yeast;
Sodoptera frugiperda, Trichoplusis ni, Drosophila melangoster and
Manduca sexta for insects; and and Xenopus Laevis from
amphibian.
[0063] In some embodiments, host cells are mammalian cells. Any
mammalian cell susceptible to cell culture, and to expression of
polypeptides, may be utilized in accordance with the present
invention as a host cell. Non-limiting examples of mammalian cells
that may be used in accordance with the present invention include
human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK293), HeLa cells; BALB/c mouse
myeloma line (NSO/l, ECACC No: 85110503); human retinoblasts
(PER.C6 (CruCell, Leiden, The Netherlands)); monkey kidney CV1 line
transformed by SV40 (COS-7, ATCC CRL 1651); human fibrosarcomacell
line (e.g., HT-1080); human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells
subcloned for growth in suspension culture, Graham et al., J. Gen
Virol., 36:59 (1977)); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK, ATCC CCL
10); Chinese hamster ovary cells +/-DHFR (CHO, Urlaub and Chasin,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:4216 (1980)); mouse sertoli cells
(TM4, Mather, Biol. Reprod., 23:243-251 (1980)); monkey kidney
cells (CV1 ATCC CCL 70); African green monkey kidney cells
(VERO-76, ATCC CRL-1 587); human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa,
ATCC CCL 2); canine kidney cells (MDCK, ATCC CCL 34); buffalo rat
liver cells (BRL 3A, ATCC CRL 1442); human lung cells (W138, ATCC
CCL 75); human liver cells (Hep G2, HB 8065); mouse mammary tumor
(MMT 060562, ATCC CCL51); TRI cells (Mather et al., Annals N.Y.
Acad. Sci., 383:44-68 (1982)); MRC 5 cells; FS4 cells; a human
hepatoma line (Hep G2), human cell line CAP and AGELHN, and
Glycotope's panel.
[0064] Additionally, any number of available hybridoma cell lines
may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. One
skilled in the art will appreciate that hybridoma cell lines might
have different nutrition requirements and/or might require
different culture conditions for optimal growth and polypeptide or
protein expression, and will be able to modify conditions as
needed.
[0065] Expression Vectors
[0066] Various nucleic acid constructs can be used to express
SUMO-GT fusion protein described herein in host cells. A suitable
vector construct typically includes, in addition to SUMO-GT fusion
protein-encoding sequences (also referred to as SUMO-GT fusion
transgene), regulatory sequences, gene control sequences,
promoters, non-coding sequences and/or other appropriate sequences
for expression of the protein and, optionally, for replication of
the construct. Typically, the coding region is operably linked with
one or more of these nucleic acid components.
[0067] "Regulatory sequences" typically refer to nucleotide
sequences located upstream (5' non-coding sequences), within, or
downstream (3' non-coding sequences) of a coding sequence, and
which influence the transcription, RNA processing or stability, or
translation of the associated coding sequence. Regulatory sequences
may include promoters, enhancers, 5' untranslated sequences,
translation leader sequences, introns, and 3' untranslated
sequences such as polyadenylation recognition sequences. Sometimes,
"regulatory sequences" are also referred to as "gene control
sequences."
[0068] "Promoter" typically refers to a nucleotide sequence capable
of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional
RNA. In general, a coding sequence is located 3' to a promoter
sequence. The promoter sequence consists of proximal and more
distal upstream elements, the latter elements often referred to as
enhancers. Accordingly, an "enhancer" is a nucleotide sequence that
can stimulate promoter activity and may be an innate element of the
promoter or a heterologous element inserted to enhance the level or
tissue-specificity of a promoter. Promoters may be derived in their
entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements
derived from different promoters found in nature, or even comprise
synthetic nucleotide segments. It is understood by those skilled in
the art that different promoters may direct the expression of a
gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of
development, or in response to different environmental
conditions.
[0069] The "3' non-coding sequences" typically refer to nucleotide
sequences located downstream of a coding sequence and include
polyadenylation recognition sequences and other sequences encoding
regulatory signals capable of affecting mRNA processing or gene
expression. The polyadenylation signal is usually characterized by
affecting the addition of polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3' end of
the mRNA precursor.
[0070] The "translation leader sequence" or "5' non-coding
sequences" typically refers to a nucleotide sequence located
between the promoter sequence of a gene and the coding sequence.
The translation leader sequence is present in the fully processed
mRNA upstream of the translation start sequence. The translation
leader sequence may affect processing of the primary transcript to
mRNA, mRNA stability or translation efficiency.
[0071] Typically, the term "operatively linked" refers to the
association of two or more nucleic acid fragments on a single
nucleic acid fragment so that the function of one is affected by
the other. For example, a promoter is operatively linked with a
coding sequence when it is capable of affecting the expression of
that coding sequence (i.e., that the coding sequence is under the
transcriptional control of the promoter). Coding sequences can be
operatively linked to regulatory sequences in sense or antisense
orientation.
[0072] The coding region of a transgene may include one or more
silent mutations to optimize codon usage for a particular cell
type. For example, the codons of an SUMO-GT fusion transgene may be
optimized for expression in a bacterial cell. In some embodiments,
the codons of an SUMO-GT fusion transgene may be optimized for
expression in an E. coli cell. In some embodiments, the codons of
an SUMO-GT fusion transgene may be optimized for expression in a
mammalian cell. In some embodiments, the codons of an SUMO-GT
fusion transgene may be optimized for expression in a human
cell.
[0073] Optionally, a construct may contain additional components
such as one or more of the following: a splice site, an enhancer
sequence, a selectable marker gene under the control of an
appropriate promoter, an amplifiable marker gene under the control
of an appropriate promoter, and a matrix attachment region (MAR) or
other element known in the art that enhances expression of the
region where it is inserted.
[0074] Once transfected or transduced into host cells, a suitable
vector can express extrachromosomally (episomally) or integrate
into the host cell's genome.
[0075] In some embodiments, a DNA construct that integrates into
the cell's genome, it need include only the transgene nucleic acid
sequences. In that case, the express of the transgene is typically
controlled by the regulatory sequences at the integration site.
Optionally, it can include additional various regulatory sequences
described herein.
[0076] Culture Medium and Conditions
[0077] The term "medium" and "culture medium" as used herein refers
to a general class of solution containing nutrients suitable for
maintaining and/or growing cells in vitro. Typically, medium
solutions provide, without limitation, essential and nonessential
amino acids, vitamins, energy sources, lipids, and trace elements
required by the cell for at least minimal growth and/or survival.
In other embodiments, the medium may contain an amino acid(s)
derived from any source or method known in the art, including, but
not limited to, an amino acid(s) derived either from single amino
acid addition(s) or from a peptone or protein hydrolysate
addition(s) (including animal or plant source(s)). Vitamins such
as, but not limited to, Biotin, Pantothenate, Choline Chloride,
Folic Acid, Myo-Inositol, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin,
Vitamin B12, Thiamine, Putrescine and/or combinations thereof.
Salts such as, but not limited to, CaCl.sub.2, KCl, MgCl.sub.2,
NaCl, Sodium Phosphate Monobasic, Sodium Phosphate Dibasic, Sodium
Selenite, CuSO.sub.4, ZnCl.sub.2 and/or combinations thereof. Fatty
acids such as, but not limited to, Arachidonic Acid, Linoleic Acid,
Oleic Acid, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, as well as
Methyl-beta-Cyclodextrin and/or combinations thereof). In some
embodiments, medium comprises additional components such as
glucose, glutamine, Na-pyruvate, insulin or ethanolamine, a
protective agent such as Pluronic F68. In some embodiments, the
medium may also contain components that enhance growth and/or
survival above the minimal rate, including hormones and growth
factors. Medium may also comprise one or more buffering agents. The
buffering agents may be designed and/or selected to maintain the
culture at a particular pH (e.g., a physiological pH, (e.g., pH 6.8
to pH 7.4)). A variety of buffers suitable for culturing cells are
known in the art and may be used in the methods. Suitable buffers
(e.g., bicarbonate buffers, HEPES buffer, Good's buffers, etc.) are
those that have the capacity and efficiency for maintaining
physiological pH despite changes in carbon dioxide concentration
associated with cellular respiration. The solution is preferably
formulated to a pH and salt concentration optimal for cell survival
and proliferation.
[0078] In some embodiments, medium may be a chemically defined
medium. As used herein, the term "chemically-defined nutrient
medium" refers to a medium of which substantially all of the
chemical components are known. In some embodiments, a chemically
defined nutrient medium is free of animal-derived components. In
some cases, a chemically-defined medium comprises one or more
proteins (e.g., protein growth factors or cytokines.) In some
cases, a chemically-defined nutrient medium comprises one or more
protein hydrolysates. In other cases, a chemically-defined nutrient
medium is a protein-free media, i.e., a serum-free media that
contains no proteins, hydrolysates or components of unknown
composition.
[0079] Typically, a chemically defined medium can be prepared by
combining various individual components such as, for example,
essential and nonessential amino acids, vitamins, energy sources,
lipids, salts, buffering agents, and trace elements, at
predetermined weight or molar percentages or ratios. Exemplary
serum-free, in particular, chemically-defined media are described
in US Pub. No. 2006/0148074, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0080] In some embodiments, a chemically defined medium suitable
for the present invention is a commercially available medium such
as, but not limited to, Terrific Broth, Cinnabar, 2.times.YT or LB.
In some embodiments, a chemically defined medium suitable for the
present invention is a mixture of one or more commercially
available chemically defined mediums. In various embodiments, a
suitable medium is a mixture of two, three, four, five, six, seven,
eight, nine, ten, or more commercially available chemically defined
media. In some embodiments, each individual commercially available
chemically defined medium (e.g., such as those described herein)
constitutes, by weight, 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 20%,
25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,
90%, 95%, or more, of the mixture. Ratios between each individual
component medium may be determined by relative weight percentage
present in the mixture. In some embodiments, protein expression is
increased with the addition of IPTG to repress the promoter.
[0081] In some embodiments, a chemically defined medium may be
supplemented by one or more animal derived components. Such animal
derived components include, but are not limited to, fetal calf
serum, horse serum, goat serum, donkey serum, human serum, and
serum derived proteins such as albumins (e.g., bovine serum albumin
or human serum albumin).
[0082] The present invention provides a method of producing SUMO-GT
fusion protein at a large scale. Typical large-scale procedures for
producing a fusion polypeptide of interest include batch cultures
and fed-batch cultures. Batch culture processes traditionally
comprise inoculating a large-scale production culture with a seed
culture of a particular cell density, growing the cells under
conditions (e.g., suitable culture medium, pH, and temperature)
conducive to cell growth, viability, and/or productivity,
harvesting the culture when the cells reach a specified cell
density, and purifying the expressed polypeptide. Fed-batch culture
procedures include an additional step or steps of supplementing the
batch culture with nutrients and other components that are consumed
during the growth of the cells. In some embodiments, a large-scale
production method according to the present invention uses a
fed-batch culture system.
[0083] Purification of Expressed SUMO-GT Fusion Protein
[0084] Various methods may be used to purify or isolate SUMO-GT
fusion protein produced according to various methods described
herein. In some embodiments, the expressed SUMO-GT fusion protein
is secreted into the medium and thus cells and other solids may be
removed, as by centrifugation or filtering for example, as a first
step in the purification process. Alternatively or additionally,
the expressed SUMO-GT fusion protein is bound to the surface of the
host cell. In this embodiment, the host cells (for example,
bacterials cells) expressing the polypeptide or protein are lysed
for purification. Lysis of host cells (e.g., bacterials cells) can
be achieved by any number of means well known to those of ordinary
skill in the art, including physical disruption by glass beads and
exposure to high pH conditions.
[0085] The SUMO-GT fusion protein may be isolated and purified by
standard methods including, but not limited to, chromatography
(e.g., ion exchange, affinity, size exclusion, and hydroxyapatite
chromatography), gel filtration, centrifugation, or differential
solubility, ethanol precipitation or by any other available
technique for the purification of proteins (See, e.g., Scopes,
Protein Purification Principles and Practice 2nd Edition,
Springer-Verlag, New York, 1987; Higgins, S. J. and Hames, B. D.
(eds.), Protein Expression: A Practical Approach, Oxford Univ
Press, 1999; and Deutscher, M. P., Simon, M. I., Abelson, J. N.
(eds.), Guide to Protein Purification: Methods in Enzymology
(Methods in Enzymology Series, Vol 182), Academic Press, 1997, all
incorporated herein by reference). For immunoaffinity
chromatography in particular, the protein may be isolated by
binding it to an affinity column comprising antibodies that were
raised against that protein and were affixed to a stationary
support. Protease inhibitors such as phenyl methyl sulfonyl
fluoride (PMSF), leupeptin, pepstatin or aprotinin may be added at
any or all stages in order to reduce or eliminate degradation of
the polypeptide or protein during the purification process.
Protease inhibitors are particularly desired when cells must be
lysed in order to isolate and purify the expressed polypeptide or
protein.
[0086] Solubility
[0087] Various methods may be used to determine the solubility of a
protein in an expression system. In an exemplary method, bacteria
are spun down and resuspended in a mild lysis buffer containing 1%
IGEPAL and protease inhibitors. Lysis is supported by repeated
freezing and thawing the bacteria. Soluble and insoluble fraction
are separated by centrifigation. To determine the total amount of
recombinant protein the same volume of bacterial culture is spun
down and lysed in the same amount of lysis buffer containing 1%
IGEPAL and 0.1% SDS. Soluble and total protein are analyzed by
SDS-PAGE, with western blotting if necessary. In some embodiments,
the expression system is E. coli. In some embodiments, solubility
of GT is improved when it has been produced as a fusion protein. In
some embodiments, the fusion protein is a SUMO-GT fusion protein.
In some embodiments, the SUMO-GT fusion protein has increased
solubility compared to the non-fusion GT protein. In some
embodiments, the increased solubility of the SUMO-GT fusion protein
compared to the non-fusion GT protein is observed during shake
flask production of the SUMO-GT fusion protein. In some
embodiments, the increased solubility of the SUMO-GT fusion protein
compared to the non-fusion GT protein is observed during
fermentation production of the SUMO-GT fusion protein.
Use of SUMO-GT Fusion in mRNA Capping
[0088] Production of Capped mRNAs
[0089] According to the present invention, a SUMO-GT fusion protein
described herein may be used to produce capped mRNAs by in vitro
transcription. Various in vitro transcription assays are available
in the art and can be used to practice the present invention. For
example, in vitro transcription was originally developed by Krieg
and Melton (METHODS ENZYMOL., 1987, 155: 397-415) for the synthesis
of RNA using an RNA phage polymerase. Typically these reactions
include at least a phage RNA polymerase (T7, T3 or SP6), a DNA
template containing a phage polymerase promoter, nucleotides (ATP,
CTP, GTP and UTP), and a buffer containing a magnesium salt. RNA
synthesis yields may be optimized by increasing nucleotide
concentrations, adjusting magnesium concentrations and by including
inorganic pyrophosphatase (U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,555; Gurevich, et
al., ANAL. BIOCHEM. 195: 207-213 (1991); Sampson, J. R. and
Uhlenbeck, O. C., PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA. 85, 1033-1037 (1988);
Wyatt, J. R., et al., BIOTECHNIQUES, 11: 764-769 (1991)). The RNA
synthesized in these reactions is usually characterized by a 5'
terminal nucleotide that has a triphosphate at the 5' position of
the ribose. Typically, depending on the RNA polymerase and promoter
combination used, this nucleotide is a guanosine, although it can
be an adenosine (see e.g., Coleman, T. M., et al., NUCLEIC ACIDS
RES., 32: e14 (2004)). In these reactions, all four nucleotides are
typically included at equimolar concentrations and none of them is
limiting.
[0090] Some embodiment of the invention are batch reactions--that
is, all components are combined and then incubated at about
37.degree. C. to promote the polymerization of the RNA until the
reaction terminates. Typically, a batch reaction is used for
convenience and to obtain as much RNA as needed from such reactions
for their experiments. In some embodiments, a "fed-batch" system
(see, e.g., JEFFREY A. KERN, BATCH AND FED-BATCH STRATEGIES FOR
LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION OF RNA BY IN VITRO TRANSACTION (University
of Colorado) (1997)) is used to increase the efficiency of the in
vitro transcription reaction. All components are combined, but then
additional amounts of some of the reagents are added over time,
such as the nucleotides and magnesium, to try to maintain constant
reaction conditions. In addition, in some embodiments, the pH of
the reaction may be held at 7.4 by monitoring it over time and
adding KOH as needed.
[0091] To synthesize a capped RNA by in vitro transcription, a cap
analog (e.g., N-7 methyl GpppG; i.e., m.sup.7GpppG) is included in
the transcription reaction. In some embodiments, the cap analog
will be incorporated at the 5' terminus by the enzyme guanylyl
transferase. In some embodiments, the guanylyl transferase is a
fusion protein. In some embodiments, the guanylyl transferase
fusion protein formed when a guanylyl transferase is covalently
linked to a SUMO protein. In some embodiments, the cap analog will
be incorporated only at the 5' terminus because it does not have a
5' triphosphate. In some embodiments using a T7, T3 and SP6 RNA
polymerase, the +1 nucleotide of their respective promoters is
usually a G residue and if both GTP and m.sup.7GpppG are present in
equal concentrations in the transcription reaction, then they each
have an equal chance of being incorporated at the +1 position. In
some embodiments, m.sup.7GpppG is present in these reactions at
several-fold higher concentrations than the GTP to increase the
chances that a transcript will have a 5' cap. In some embodiments,
a mMESSAGE mMACHINE.RTM. kit (Cat. #1344, Ambion, Inc.) is used
according to manufacturer's instructions, where it is recommended
that the cap to GTP ratio be 4:1 (6 mM: 1.5 mM). In some
embodiments, as the ratio of the cap analog to GTP increases in the
reaction, the ratio of capped to uncapped RNA increases
proportionally. Considerations of capping efficiency must be
balanced with considerations of yield. Increasing the ratio of cap
analog to GTP in the transcription reaction produces lower yields
of total RNA because the concentration of GTP becomes limiting when
holding the total concentration of cap and GTP constant. Thus, the
final RNA yield is dependent on GTP concentration, which is
necessary for the elongation of the transcript. The other
nucleotides (ATP, CTP, UTP) are present in excess.
[0092] In particular embodiments, mRNA are synthesized by in vitro
transcription from a plasmid DNA template encoding a gene of
choice. In some embodiments, in vitro transcription includes
addition of a 5' cap structure, Cap1 (FIG. 1B), which has a
2'-O-methyl residue at the 2' OH group of the ribose ring of base
1, by enzymatic conjugation of GTP via a guanylyl transferase. In
some embodiments, in vitro transcription includes addition of a 5'
cap structure, Cap0 (FIG. 1A), which lacks the 2'-O-methyl residue,
by enzymatic conjugation of GTP via a guanylyl transferase. In some
embodiments, in vitro transcription includes addition of a 5' cap
of any of the cap structures disclosed herein by enzymatic
conjugation of GTP via a guanylyl transferase.
[0093] Capping Efficiency
[0094] The present invention significantly increases capping
efficiency. In some embodiments, the use of a SUMO-GT fusion
protein in an in vitro capping assay results in at least about 70%,
75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% capped mRNA. In some
embodiments, the use of a SUMO-GT fusion protein in an in vitro
capping assay results in substantially 100% capped mRNA. In some
embodiments, the use of a SUMO-GT fusion protein in an in vitro
capping assay results in increase of mRNA capping efficiency by at
least about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 1-fold,
1.5-fold, 2-fold, 2.5-fold, 3-fold, 3.5-fold, 4-fold, 4.5-fold, or
5-fold as compared to a control assay using a non-fusion GT protein
but under otherwise identical conditions.
[0095] In addition, the present invention permits large-scale
production of capped mRNA with high efficiency. In some
embodiments, capped mRNA is produced at a scale of or greater than
1 gram, 5 grams, 10 grams, 15 grams, 20 grams, 25 grams, 30 grams,
35 grams, 40 grams, 45 grams, 50 grams, 75 grams, 100 grams, 150
grams, 200 grams, 250 grams, 300 grams, 350 grams, 400 grams, 450
grams, 500 grams, 550 grams, 600 grams, 650 grams, 700 grams, 750
grams, 800 grams, 850 grams, 900 grams, 950 grams, 1 kg, 2.5 kg, 5
kg, 7.5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg, 50 kg, 75 kg, or 100 kg per batch.
[0096] Methods of estimating capping efficiency are known in the
art. For example, the T7 RNA polymerase can be incubated with a cap
dinucleotide, all four ribonucleotide triphosphates,
[.alpha.-.sup.32P]GTP, and a short DNA template in which G is the
first ribonucleotide specified after the promoter (see Grudzien, E.
et al. "Novel cap analogs for in vitro synthesis of mRNA with high
translation efficiency", RNA, 10: 1479-1487 (2004)). Any nucleotide
on the 5' side of a G residue acquires a .sup.32P-labeled
3'-phosphate group after RNase T2 digestion by nearest-neighbor
transfer. Anion exchange chromatography is then used to resolve
labeled nucleoside 3'-monophosphates, resulting from internal
positions in the RNA, from 5'-terminal products. 5'-terminal
products are of two types. Uncapped RNAs yield labeled guanosine
5'-triphosphate 3'-monophosphate (p3Gp*; in which * indicates the
labeled phosphate group). Capped RNAs yield various 5'-terminal
structures, depending on the nature of the cap analog used
(m.sup.7Gp3Gp* and Gp3 m.sup.7Gp* when the cap analog is
m.sup.7Gp3G).
[0097] Improved methods of directly quantitating mRNA capping
efficiency in a sample (e.g., a representative aliquot sample from
an in vitro synthesis reaction) are provided in WO 2014/152673,
which is incorporated herein by reference. Some embodiments
comprise the use of a cap specific binding substance under
conditions that permit the formation of a complex between the cap
specific binding substance and the capped mRNA. The formation of a
complex between the cap specific binding substance and the capped
mRNA allows quantitative determination of the amount of the complex
(i.e., capped mRNAs) relative to a positive control of capped
products or negative control of uncapped products. In other words,
binding indicates the amount of capped mRNA targets in the sample
and the capping efficiency in a reaction from which the sample is
derived. Thus, in some embodiments, the step of quantitatively
determining the amount of the complex comprises performing an ELIS
A-type assay wherein the cap specific binding substance is an
antibody or other protein that specifically binds an mRNA cap.
Complex formation can be quantified by addition of a detection
agent specific for the cap specific binding substance (e.g., a goat
anti-mouse antibody that binds a mouse anti-m.sup.7G antibody) and
which produces a signal directly proportional to the amount of
capped mRNA. Embodiments of the invention may be used to quantify
the capping efficiency of a wide variety of RNA species, including
in vitro transcribed mRNA, isolated eukaryotic mRNA, and viral
RNA.
[0098] Additional improved methods of directly quantitating mRNA
capping efficiency in a sample (e.g., a representative aliquot
sample from an in vitro synthesis reaction) are provided in WO
2014/152659, which is incorporated herein by reference. Some
embodiments of the invention comprise chromatographic methods of
quantitating mRNA capping efficiency. These methods are based in
part on the insights that the versatility of enzymatic manipulation
can be used to increase the resolution of chromatographic
separation of polynucleotides. Thus, by amplifying the power of
chromatographic separation through enzymatic manipulation,
embodiments of the invention increase the efficiency, quality and
throughput of quantitation. For example, not only can the
chromatographic methods described herein quantitate capping
efficiency, they can also provide information on the modification
of the cap (e.g., methylation status at particular cap positions).
Thus, embodiments of the invention can simultaneously quantitate
capping efficiency and the efficiency of cap modification (e.g.,
methlylation efficiency). This quantification provides important
characterization of an mRNA drug product that has significant
impact on the protein production.
[0099] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to
the following examples. They should not, however, be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention. All literature citations are
incorporated by reference.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: SUMO-GT Construct Design
[0100] A new construct incorporating a small ubiquitin-like
modifier (SUMO) tag covalently linked and co-expressed with the
large subunit faction of a guanylyl transferase (GT) heterodimer
was synthesized.
TABLE-US-00004 Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) DNA: (SEQ ID
NO: 5) GAAGAGAAACCGAAAGAGGGCGTTAAGACCGAGAATGACCACATTAACCTGAAGG
TCGCTGGTCAAGATGGCAGCGTGGTGCAGTTTAAGATCAAGCGTCACACGCCGTTGA
GCAAGCTGATGAAGGCTTACTGCGAGCGTCAGGGTCTGAGCATGCGTCAGATCCGC
TTTCGTTTCGATGGCCAGCCGATCAATGAGACTGACACCCCAGCGCAACTGG Guanylyl
transferase (GT) large subunit DNA: (SEQ ID NO: 2)
AGATGGAAGATGAAGATACCATCGACGTCTTTCAGCAACAGACCGGTGGTATGGAT
GCTAACGTCGTTAGCAGCAGCACCATTGCGACTTACATTGATGCACTGGCCAAAAAC
GCATCTGAGCTTGAGCAGCGCAGCACCGCCTACGAGATCAATAACGAATTGGAGCT
GGTTTTCATTAAACCGCCGCTGATCACGCTGACGAACGTCGTGAACATTAGCACGAT
TCAAGAGAGCTTTATTCGTTTCACCGTTACCAATAAAGAAGGCGTGAAGATCCGTAC
CAAGATTCCGCTGAGCAAAGTGCATGGTCTGGACGTGAAAAATGTGCAGCTGGTTG
ATGCGATCGATAACATCGTGTGGGAGAAGAAATCTTTGGTCACGGAAAATCGTCTG
CACAAGGAATGTCTGCTGCGTCTGTCAACCGAAGAACGCCACATCTTCCTGGACTAC
AAGAAGTATGGTTCCAGCATCCGTCTGGAACTGGTGAACCTGATTCAGGCAAAGAC
CAAGAACTTCACCATTGACTTCAAACTGAAGTATTTCCTGGGCTCTGGTGCACAGAG
CAAATCCAGCTTGTTGCACGCGATTAACCATCCGAAGAGCCGTCCGAATACGAGCCT
GGAGATCGAATTCACGCCGCGTGATAACGAAACCGTTCCGTACGATGAGCTGATTA
AAGAACTGACGACGTTGAGCCGCCACATCTTTATGGCCAGCCCGGAAAACGTGATC
CTTAGCCCGCCTATCAATGCGCCGATTAAAACCTTTATGTTACCGAAACAAGACATT
GTGGGTCTGGACCTGGAAAACCTGTACGCGGTCACCAAAACGGACGGCATTCCGAT
CACGATTCGTGTTACCAGCAATGGTCTGTACTGCTATTTCACTCATTTGGGCTATATC
ATTCGTTATCCGGTGAAACGCATCATTGATTCTGAGGTTGTCGTTTTCGGCGAAGCA
GTCAAGGACAAGAATTGGACTGTGTACCTGATCAAATTGATTGAACCGGTTAACGCC
ATCAATGACCGCCTGGAAGAGTCGAAATATGTTGAAAGCAAACTGGTGGATATTTG
TGATCGTATCGTGTTCAAGAGCAAGAAATATGAAGGCCCGTTCACCACGACCAGCG
AAGTTGTTGACATGCTGAGCACCTATCTGCCGAAACAACCTGAGGGTGTGATTCTGT
TTTACTCCAAGGGTCCGAAGAGCAACATTGATTTCAAAATCAAGAAAGAGAATACC
ATTGATCAGACCGCCAACGTTGTGTTCCGCTATATGTCCAGCGAGCCTATCATTTTCG
GTGAGTCGAGCATCTTTGTTGAATACAAAAAGTTTAGCAACGATAAGGGTTTTCCGA
AAGAATACGGTTCCGGTAAGATTGTGTTGTACAACGGCGTCAATTATCTGAACAACA
TCTACTGTCTGGAGTACATCAATACCCATAACGAAGTTGGCATTAAGTCTGTTGTCG
TCCCGATCAAATTCATCGCGGAGTTCCTGGTTAACGGTGAGATTCTGAAGCCGCGTA
TTGATAAAACTATGAAATACATTAACTCCGAAGATTACTACGGTAATCAGCATAACA
TCATCGTCGAGCACTTGCGTGATCAAAGCATTAAGATCGGTGACATCTTTAACGAAG
ATAAGCTGAGCGATGTAGGCCACCAGTATGCGAACAATGACAAATTTCGCCTGAAT
CCGGAAGTCAGCTACTTTACGAATAAGCGCACCCGTGGTCCACTGGGTATCCTGAGC
AATTATGTTAAAACCCTGTTGATTTCCATGTACTGCTCCAAAACGTTCCTGGACGAC
AGCAACAAGCGCAAAGTTCTGGCGATCGACTTCGGTAATGGTGCCGATCTGGAGAA
GTACTTTTATGGTGAGATCGCATTGCTGGTTGCTACCGACCCGGATGCAGATGCGAT
CGCCCGTGGCAACGAGCGTTACAATAAGCTGAATAGCGGTATCAAGACCAAATACT
ACAAATTCGACTATATTCAAGAGACGATCCGCTCGGACACCTTTGTATCCAGCGTGC
GTGAGGTGTTTTACTTCGGTAAATTCAACATCATTGACTGGCAATTCGCCATTCACTA
TAGCTTTCACCCACGCCACTATGCGACGGTCATGAACAACCTGTCTGAGCTGACCGC
GAGCGGCGGTAAAGTTCTGATCACCACGATGGACGGTGACAAGCTGTCTAAACTGA
CCGACAAAAAGACCTTCATTATTCACAAAAATCTCCCGTCGAGCGAGAATTACATGT
CCGTCGAAAAGATTGCGGACGACCGTATTGTTGTCTACAACCCGAGCACTATGTCGA
CCCCAATGACCGAGTATATCATCAAAAAGAATGACATTGTGCGTGTCTTTAATGAAT
ACGGTTTTGTGCTGGTCGACAACGTCGATTTTGCGACCATCATCGAGAGAAGCAAGA
AATTCATTAATGGCGCTTCTACGATGGAAGATCGCCCGAGCACGCGTAACTTCTTTG
AGCTGAATCGTGGCGCGATTAAGTGCGAGGGCCTGGACGTCGAGGATCTGCTGTCG
TATTACGTGGTTTATGTGTTTAGCAAACGTTAATGA Guanylyl transferase (GT)
small subunit DNA: (SEQ ID NO: 3)
ATGGACGAAATTGTCAAGAATATCCGTGAAGGTACCCACGTTTTACTGCCATTCTAC
GAGACGCTGCCGGAACTGAACCTGAGCCTGGGTAAAAGCCCTCTGCCGAGCCTGGA
GTATGGTGCGAACTATTTTCTGCAGATTTCCCGTGTAAACGATTTGAACCGCATGCC
GACGGACATGCTGAAACTGTTCACCCACGACATCATGCTGCCGGAATCTGATCTGGA
TAAAGTTTACGAGATCTTGAAAATCAATTCAGTGAAGTACTATGGCCGTAGCACCAA
GGCCGATGCGGTGGTCGCAGACCTGAGCGCGCGTAACAAACTGTTTAAACGTGAAC
GTGACGCAATTAAGAGCAATAACCATCTGACCGAGAACAATTTGTACATCAGCGAC
TACAAGATGTTGACTTTTGACGTGTTTCGTCCGCTGTTCGACTTTGTTAATGAGAAAT
ACTGCATTATCAAGCTGCCGACGTTGTTTGGTCGCGGCGTCATTGATACGATGCGCA
TTTACTGCTCTCTCTTCAAGAATGTGCGCCTGCTGAAGTGTGTCTCCGACAGCTGGCT
GAAAGATAGCGCTATTATGGTTGCGAGCGACGTGTGTAAAAAGAACCTGGATCTGT
TCATGAGCCACGTGAAGAGCGTTACCAAAAGCAGCAGCTGGAAAGACGTTAACAGC
GTCCAGTTCTCCATTCTGAATAACCCGGTCGATACCGAGTTTATCAACAAGTTCCTTG
AATTCAGCAATCGCGTTTATGAGGCCCTGTATTACGTTCATAGCCTGCTGTATAGCTC
CATGACCTCTGATAGCAAATCGATCGAGAATAAACACCAACGTCGTCTGGTGAAAC
TGCTGCTGTAATGA SUMO-GT large subunit DNA construct with His tag and
linker: (SEQ ID NO: 4)
ATGGGCCATCATCATCACCATCACGGCAGCCTGCAAGAAGAGAAACCGAAAGAGGG
CGTTAAGACCGAGAATGACCACATTAACCTGAAGGTCGCTGGTCAAGATGGCAGCG
TGGTGCAGTTTAAGATCAAGCGTCACACGCCGTTGAGCAAGCTGATGAAGGCTTACT
GCGAGCGTCAGGGTCTGAGCATGCGTCAGATCCGCTTTCGTTTCGATGGCCAGCCGA
TCAATGAGACTGACACCCCAGCGCAACTGGAGATGGAAGATGAAGATACCATCGAC
GTCTTTCAGCAACAGACCGGTGGTATGGATGCTAACGTCGTTAGCAGCAGCACCATT
GCGACTTACATTGATGCACTGGCCAAAAACGCATCTGAGCTTGAGCAGCGCAGCAC
CGCCTACGAGATCAATAACGAATTGGAGCTGGTTTTCATTAAACCGCCGCTGATCAC
GCTGACGAACGTCGTGAACATTAGCACGATTCAAGAGAGCTTTATTCGTTTCACCGT
TACCAATAAAGAAGGCGTGAAGATCCGTACCAAGATTCCGCTGAGCAAAGTGCATG
GTCTGGACGTGAAAAATGTGCAGCTGGTTGATGCGATCGATAACATCGTGTGGGAG
AAGAAATCTTTGGTCACGGAAAATCGTCTGCACAAGGAATGTCTGCTGCGTCTGTCA
ACCGAAGAACGCCACATCTTCCTGGACTACAAGAAGTATGGTTCCAGCATCCGTCTG
GAACTGGTGAACCTGATTCAGGCAAAGACCAAGAACTTCACCATTGACTTCAAACT
GAAGTATTTCCTGGGCTCTGGTGCACAGAGCAAATCCAGCTTGTTGCACGCGATTAA
CCATCCGAAGAGCCGTCCGAATACGAGCCTGGAGATCGAATTCACGCCGCGTGATA
ACGAAACCGTTCCGTACGATGAGCTGATTAAAGAACTGACGACGTTGAGCCGCCAC
ATCTTTATGGCCAGCCCGGAAAACGTGATCCTTAGCCCGCCTATCAATGCGCCGATT
AAAACCTTTATGTTACCGAAACAAGACATTGTGGGTCTGGACCTGGAAAACCTGTAC
GCGGTCACCAAAACGGACGGCATTCCGATCACGATTCGTGTTACCAGCAATGGTCTG
TACTGCTATTTCACTCATTTGGGCTATATCATTCGTTATCCGGTGAAACGCATCATTG
ATTCTGAGGTTGTCGTTTTCGGCGAAGCAGTCAAGGACAAGAATTGGACTGTGTACC
TGATCAAATTGATTGAACCGGTTAACGCCATCAATGACCGCCTGGAAGAGTCGAAA
TATGTTGAAAGCAAACTGGTGGATATTTGTGATCGTATCGTGTTCAAGAGCAAGAAA
TATGAAGGCCCGTTCACCACGACCAGCGAAGTTGTTGACATGCTGAGCACCTATCTG
CCGAAACAACCTGAGGGTGTGATTCTGTTTTACTCCAAGGGTCCGAAGAGCAACATT
GATTTCAAAATCAAGAAAGAGAATACCATTGATCAGACCGCCAACGTTGTGTTCCGC
TATATGTCCAGCGAGCCTATCATTTTCGGTGAGTCGAGCATCTTTGTTGAATACAAA
AAGTTTAGCAACGATAAGGGTTTTCCGAAAGAATACGGTTCCGGTAAGATTGTGTTG
TACAACGGCGTCAATTATCTGAACAACATCTACTGTCTGGAGTACATCAATACCCAT
AACGAAGTTGGCATTAAGTCTGTTGTCGTCCCGATCAAATTCATCGCGGAGTTCCTG
GTTAACGGTGAGATTCTGAAGCCGCGTATTGATAAAACTATGAAATACATTAACTCC
GAAGATTACTACGGTAATCAGCATAACATCATCGTCGAGCACTTGCGTGATCAAAGC
ATTAAGATCGGTGACATCTTTAACGAAGATAAGCTGAGCGATGTAGGCCACCAGTA
TGCGAACAATGACAAATTTCGCCTGAATCCGGAAGTCAGCTACTTTACGAATAAGCG
CACCCGTGGTCCACTGGGTATCCTGAGCAATTATGTTAAAACCCTGTTGATTTCCAT
GTACTGCTCCAAAACGTTCCTGGACGACAGCAACAAGCGCAAAGTTCTGGCGATCG
ACTTCGGTAATGGTGCCGATCTGGAGAAGTACTTTTATGGTGAGATCGCATTGCTGG
TTGCTACCGACCCGGATGCAGATGCGATCGCCCGTGGCAACGAGCGTTACAATAAG
CTGAATAGCGGTATCAAGACCAAATACTACAAATTCGACTATATTCAAGAGACGAT
CCGCTCGGACACCTTTGTATCCAGCGTGCGTGAGGTGTTTTACTTCGGTAAATTCAA
CATCATTGACTGGCAATTCGCCATTCACTATAGCTTTCACCCACGCCACTATGCGAC
GGTCATGAACAACCTGTCTGAGCTGACCGCGAGCGGCGGTAAAGTTCTGATCACCA
CGATGGACGGTGACAAGCTGTCTAAACTGACCGACAAAAAGACCTTCATTATTCAC
AAAAATCTCCCGTCGAGCGAGAATTACATGTCCGTCGAAAAGATTGCGGACGACCG
TATTGTTGTCTACAACCCGAGCACTATGTCGACCCCAATGACCGAGTATATCATCAA
AAAGAATGACATTGTGCGTGTCTTTAATGAATACGGTTTTGTGCTGGTCGACAACGT
CGATTTTGCGACCATCATCGAGAGAAGCAAGAAATTCATTAATGGCGCTTCTACGAT
GGAAGATCGCCCGAGCACGCGTAACTTCTTTGAGCTGAATCGTGGCGCGATTAAGTG
CGAGGGCCTGGACGTCGAGGATCTGCTGTCGTATTACGTGGTTTATGTGTTTAGCAA
ACGTTAATGA Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) protein: (SEQ ID
NO: 1) EEKPKEGVKTENDHINLKVAGQDGSVVQFKIKRHTPLSKLMKAYCERQGLSMRQIRFRF
DGQPINETDTPAQLEMEDEDTIDVFQQQTGG Guanylyl transferase (GT) large
subunit protein: (SEQ ID NO: 6)
MDANVVSSSTIATYIDALAKNASELEQRSTAYEINNELELVFIKPPLITLTNVVNISTIQES
FIRFTVTNKEGVKIRTKIPLSKVHGLDVKNVQLVDAIDNIVWEKKSLVTENRLHKECLLR
LSTEERHIFLDYKKYGSSIRLELVNLIQAKTKNFTIDFKLKYFLGSGAQSKSSLLHAINHP
KSRPNTSLEIEFTPRDNETVPYDELIKELTTLSRHIFMASPENVILSPPINAPIKTFMLPKQD
IVGLDLENLYAVTKTDGIPITIRVTSNGLYCYFTHLGYIIRYPVKRIIDSEVVVFGEAVKDK
NWTVYLIKLIEPVNAINDRLEESKYVESKLVDICDRIVFKSKKYEGPFTTTSEVVDMLST
YLPKQPEGVILFYSKGPKSNIDFKIKKENTIDQTANVVFRYMSSEPIIFGESSIFVEYKKFS
NDKGFPKEYGSGKIVLYNGVNYLNNIYCLEYINTHNEVGIKSVVVPIKFIAEFLVNGEILK
PRIDKTMKYINSEDYYGNQHNIIVEHLRDQSIKIGDIFNEDKLSDVGHQYANNDKFRLNP
EVSYFTNKRTRGPLGILSNYVKTLLISMYCSKTFLDDSNKRKVLAIDFGNGADLEKYFY
GEIALLVATDPDADAIARGNERYNKLNSGIKTKYYKFDYIQETIRSDTFVSSVREVFYFG
KFNIIDWQFAIHYSFHPRHYATVMNNLSELTASGGKVLITTMDGDKLSKLTDKKTFIIHK
NLPSSENYMSVEKIADDRIVVYNPSTMSTPMTEYIIKKNDIVRVFNEYGFVLVDNVDFAT
IIERSKKFINGASTMEDRPSTRNFFELNRGAIKCEGLDVEDLLSYYVVYVFSKR Guanylyl
transferase (GT) small subunit protein: (SEQ ID NO: 7)
MDEIVKNIREGTHVLLPFYETLPELNLSLGKSPLPSLEYGANYFLQISRVNDLNRMPTDM
LKLFTHDIMLPESDLDKVYEILKINSVKYYGRSTKADAVVADLSARNKLFKRERDAIKS
NNHLTENNLYISDYKMLTFDVFRPLFDFVNEKYCIIKLPTLFGRGVIDTMRIYCSLFKNV
RLLKCVSDSWLKDSAIMVASDVCKKNLDLFMSHVKSVTKSSSWKDVNSVQFSILNNPV
DTEFINKFLEFSNRVYEALYYVHSLLYSSMTSDSKSIENKHQRRLVKLLL SUMO-GT large
subunit protein with His tag and linker: (SEQ ID NO: 8)
MGHHHHHHGSLQEEKPKEGVKTENDHINLKVAGQDGSVVQFKIKRHTPLSKLMKAYC
ERQGLSMRQIRFRFDGQPINETDTPAQLEMEDEDTIDVFQQQTGGMDANVVSSSTIATYI
DALAKNASELEQRSTAYEINNELELVFIKPPLITLTNVVNISTIQESFIRFTVTNKEGVKIRT
KIPLSKVHGLDVKNVQLVDAIDNIVWEKKSLVTENRLHKECLLRLSTEERHIFLDYKKY
GSSIRLELVNLIQAKTKNFTIDFKLKYFLGSGAQSKSSLLHAINHPKSRPNTSLEIEFTPRD
NETVPYDELIKELTTLSRHIFMASPENVILSPPINAPIKTFMLPKQDIVGLDLENLYAVTKT
DGIPITIRVTSNGLYCYFTHLGYIIRYPVKRIIDSEVVVFGEAVKDKNWTVYLIKLIEPVNA
INDRLEESKYVESKLVDICDRIVFKSKKYEGPFTTTSEVVDMLSTYLPKQPEGVILFYSKG
PKSNIDFKIKKENTIDQTANVVFRYMSSEPIIFGESSIFVEYKKFSNDKGFPKEYGSGKIVL
YNGVNYLNNIYCLEYINTHNEVGIKSVVVPIKFIAEFLVNGEILKPRIDKTMKYINSEDYY
GNQHNIIVEHLRDQSIKIGDIFNEDKLSDVGHQYANNDKFRLNPEVSYFTNKRTRGPLGI
LSNYVKTLLISMYCSKTFLDDSNKRKVLAIDFGNGADLEKYFYGEIALLVATDPDADAI
ARGNERYNKLNSGIKTKYYKFDYIQETIRSDTFVSSVREVFYFGKFNIIDWQFAIHYSFHP
RHYATVMNNLSELTASGGKVLITTMDGDKLSKLTDKKTFIIHKNLPSSENYMSVEKIAD
DRIVVYNPSTMSTPMTEYIIKKNDIVRVFNEYGFVLVDNVDFATIIERSKKFINGASTMED
RPSTRNFFELNRGAIKCEGLDVEDLLSYYVVYVFSKR
Example 2: Production of SUMO-GT Protein
[0101] Shake Flask
[0102] Production of SUMO-GT fusion protein can be performed
according to standard methods and procedures. For example, to test
and compare expression of the GT and SUMO-GT fusion proteins, a
single colony of the E. coli Rosetta strain (Novagen) containing
each of the SUMO-eGFP plasmids was inoculated into 5 ml of
Luria-Bertani (LB) media containing 100 .mu.g/ml Kanamycin and 30
.mu.g/ml chloramphenicol. This strain is derived from the lambda
DE3 lysogen strain and carries a chromosomal copy of the
IPTG-inducible T7 RNA polymerase along with tRNAs on a pACYC-based
plasmid. The cells were grown at 37.degree. C. overnight with
shaking at 250 rpm. The next morning the overnight culture was
transferred into 100 ml fresh medium to permit exponential growth.
When the OD600 value reached -0.6-0.7, protein expression was
induced by addition of 1 mM IPTG
(isopropropyl-.beta.-D-thiogalactopyranoside), followed by
prolonged cultivation at either 37.degree. C. for 3 hours or
20.degree. C. overnight (about 15 hours).
[0103] After the E. coli cells were harvested from LB medium (100
ml) by centrifugation (8,000.times.g for 10 min at 4.degree. C.),
the cell pellets were suspended in 6 ml of lysis buffer (PBS
containing 300 mM NaCl, 10 mM imidazole, 0.1% Triton XlOO and 1 mM
PMSF, pH 8.0). The cells were lysed by sonication (at 50% output
for 5.times.30 second pulses). The sonication was conducted with
the tube jacketed in wet ice and 1 min intervals between the pulse
cycles to prevent heating. After the lysates were incubated with
DNase and RNase (each at 40 .mu.g/ml) for 15 min to digest nucleic
acids, they were centrifuged at 20,000 g for 30 min at 4.degree.
C., and the supernatant (soluble protein fractions) was collected.
The pellets was washed once with 6 ml of the lysis buffer to
further extract the soluble fraction; the wash (6 ml) was combined
with previous extract (6 ml) to make final volume of 12 ml for the
soluble protein sample.
[0104] Insoluble protein samples were prepared from E. coli
inclusion bodies. Briefly, after the extract containing soluble
proteins were removed, the pellets containing inclusion bodies were
suspended in the denaturing solubilization buffer (Novagen) that
contained 50 mM CAPS (pH 11.0), 0.3% N-laurylsarcosine, and 1 mM
DTT and incubated for 20 min at room temperature with shaking. The
extract (insoluble protein fraction) was obtained by high-speed
centrifugation (80,000.times.g for 20 min at 4.degree. C.).
[0105] For detection of expressed proteins using SDS-PAGE, 5 .mu.l
of the samples prepared above were mixed with 3 .mu.l of SDSPAGE
sample buffer containing SDS and .beta.-mercaptoethanol and were
heated at 95.degree. C. for 5 min to facilitate denaturation and
reduction of proteins. Proteins were visualized using 15%
SDS-polyacrylamide gels with Tris-Glycine running buffer and
Coomassie blue staining.
[0106] Fermentation
[0107] The substantial increase in the solubility of the final
SUMO-GT complexed enzyme was also reproduced by fermentation.
Fermentation was performed according to standard methods and
procedures. For example, fermentation methods for production of
SUMO-GT fusion protein comprised cell lysis, Immobilized Metal
Affinity Chromatography (IMAC), Cation Exchange Chromatography,
Anion Exchange Chromatography, and Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF)
formulation. Quality testing of the SUMO-GT fusion protein that
resulted from fermentation comprised Reducing SDS PAGE to determine
purity and identity, Reverse-Phase HPLC to determine purity, A280
measurement of concentration and Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL)
assay to test for endotoxin.
[0108] As shown in FIG. 2, the yield of soluble SUMO-GT protein
produced by fermentation is comparable to that of GT protein
produced via the shake flask method.
EQUIVALENTS
[0109] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many
equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described
herein. The scope of the present invention is not intended to be
limited to the above Description, but rather is as set forth in the
following claims:
Sequence CWU 1
1
8190PRTArtificial Sequencechemically synthesized polypeptide 1Glu
Glu Lys Pro Lys Glu Gly Val Lys Thr Glu Asn Asp His Ile Asn1 5 10
15Leu Lys Val Ala Gly Gln Asp Gly Ser Val Val Gln Phe Lys Ile Lys
20 25 30Arg His Thr Pro Leu Ser Lys Leu Met Lys Ala Tyr Cys Glu Arg
Gln 35 40 45Gly Leu Ser Met Arg Gln Ile Arg Phe Arg Phe Asp Gly Gln
Pro Ile 50 55 60Asn Glu Thr Asp Thr Pro Ala Gln Leu Glu Met Glu Asp
Glu Asp Thr65 70 75 80Ile Asp Val Phe Gln Gln Gln Thr Gly Gly 85
9022588DNAArtificial Sequencechemically synthesized oligonucleotide
2agatggaaga tgaagatacc atcgacgtct ttcagcaaca gaccggtggt atggatgcta
60acgtcgttag cagcagcacc attgcgactt acattgatgc actggccaaa aacgcatctg
120agcttgagca gcgcagcacc gcctacgaga tcaataacga attggagctg
gttttcatta 180aaccgccgct gatcacgctg acgaacgtcg tgaacattag
cacgattcaa gagagcttta 240ttcgtttcac cgttaccaat aaagaaggcg
tgaagatccg taccaagatt ccgctgagca 300aagtgcatgg tctggacgtg
aaaaatgtgc agctggttga tgcgatcgat aacatcgtgt 360gggagaagaa
atctttggtc acggaaaatc gtctgcacaa ggaatgtctg ctgcgtctgt
420caaccgaaga acgccacatc ttcctggact acaagaagta tggttccagc
atccgtctgg 480aactggtgaa cctgattcag gcaaagacca agaacttcac
cattgacttc aaactgaagt 540atttcctggg ctctggtgca cagagcaaat
ccagcttgtt gcacgcgatt aaccatccga 600agagccgtcc gaatacgagc
ctggagatcg aattcacgcc gcgtgataac gaaaccgttc 660cgtacgatga
gctgattaaa gaactgacga cgttgagccg ccacatcttt atggccagcc
720cggaaaacgt gatccttagc ccgcctatca atgcgccgat taaaaccttt
atgttaccga 780aacaagacat tgtgggtctg gacctggaaa acctgtacgc
ggtcaccaaa acggacggca 840ttccgatcac gattcgtgtt accagcaatg
gtctgtactg ctatttcact catttgggct 900atatcattcg ttatccggtg
aaacgcatca ttgattctga ggttgtcgtt ttcggcgaag 960cagtcaagga
caagaattgg actgtgtacc tgatcaaatt gattgaaccg gttaacgcca
1020tcaatgaccg cctggaagag tcgaaatatg ttgaaagcaa actggtggat
atttgtgatc 1080gtatcgtgtt caagagcaag aaatatgaag gcccgttcac
cacgaccagc gaagttgttg 1140acatgctgag cacctatctg ccgaaacaac
ctgagggtgt gattctgttt tactccaagg 1200gtccgaagag caacattgat
ttcaaaatca agaaagagaa taccattgat cagaccgcca 1260acgttgtgtt
ccgctatatg tccagcgagc ctatcatttt cggtgagtcg agcatctttg
1320ttgaatacaa aaagtttagc aacgataagg gttttccgaa agaatacggt
tccggtaaga 1380ttgtgttgta caacggcgtc aattatctga acaacatcta
ctgtctggag tacatcaata 1440cccataacga agttggcatt aagtctgttg
tcgtcccgat caaattcatc gcggagttcc 1500tggttaacgg tgagattctg
aagccgcgta ttgataaaac tatgaaatac attaactccg 1560aagattacta
cggtaatcag cataacatca tcgtcgagca cttgcgtgat caaagcatta
1620agatcggtga catctttaac gaagataagc tgagcgatgt aggccaccag
tatgcgaaca 1680atgacaaatt tcgcctgaat ccggaagtca gctactttac
gaataagcgc acccgtggtc 1740cactgggtat cctgagcaat tatgttaaaa
ccctgttgat ttccatgtac tgctccaaaa 1800cgttcctgga cgacagcaac
aagcgcaaag ttctggcgat cgacttcggt aatggtgccg 1860atctggagaa
gtacttttat ggtgagatcg cattgctggt tgctaccgac ccggatgcag
1920atgcgatcgc ccgtggcaac gagcgttaca ataagctgaa tagcggtatc
aagaccaaat 1980actacaaatt cgactatatt caagagacga tccgctcgga
cacctttgta tccagcgtgc 2040gtgaggtgtt ttacttcggt aaattcaaca
tcattgactg gcaattcgcc attcactata 2100gctttcaccc acgccactat
gcgacggtca tgaacaacct gtctgagctg accgcgagcg 2160gcggtaaagt
tctgatcacc acgatggacg gtgacaagct gtctaaactg accgacaaaa
2220agaccttcat tattcacaaa aatctcccgt cgagcgagaa ttacatgtcc
gtcgaaaaga 2280ttgcggacga ccgtattgtt gtctacaacc cgagcactat
gtcgacccca atgaccgagt 2340atatcatcaa aaagaatgac attgtgcgtg
tctttaatga atacggtttt gtgctggtcg 2400acaacgtcga ttttgcgacc
atcatcgaga gaagcaagaa attcattaat ggcgcttcta 2460cgatggaaga
tcgcccgagc acgcgtaact tctttgagct gaatcgtggc gcgattaagt
2520gcgagggcct ggacgtcgag gatctgctgt cgtattacgt ggtttatgtg
tttagcaaac 2580gttaatga 25883867DNAArtificial Sequencechemically
synthesized oligonucleotide 3atggacgaaa ttgtcaagaa tatccgtgaa
ggtacccacg ttttactgcc attctacgag 60acgctgccgg aactgaacct gagcctgggt
aaaagccctc tgccgagcct ggagtatggt 120gcgaactatt ttctgcagat
ttcccgtgta aacgatttga accgcatgcc gacggacatg 180ctgaaactgt
tcacccacga catcatgctg ccggaatctg atctggataa agtttacgag
240atcttgaaaa tcaattcagt gaagtactat ggccgtagca ccaaggccga
tgcggtggtc 300gcagacctga gcgcgcgtaa caaactgttt aaacgtgaac
gtgacgcaat taagagcaat 360aaccatctga ccgagaacaa tttgtacatc
agcgactaca agatgttgac ttttgacgtg 420tttcgtccgc tgttcgactt
tgttaatgag aaatactgca ttatcaagct gccgacgttg 480tttggtcgcg
gcgtcattga tacgatgcgc atttactgct ctctcttcaa gaatgtgcgc
540ctgctgaagt gtgtctccga cagctggctg aaagatagcg ctattatggt
tgcgagcgac 600gtgtgtaaaa agaacctgga tctgttcatg agccacgtga
agagcgttac caaaagcagc 660agctggaaag acgttaacag cgtccagttc
tccattctga ataacccggt cgataccgag 720tttatcaaca agttccttga
attcagcaat cgcgtttatg aggccctgta ttacgttcat 780agcctgctgt
atagctccat gacctctgat agcaaatcga tcgagaataa acaccaacgt
840cgtctggtga aactgctgct gtaatga 86742844DNAArtificial
Sequencechemically synthesized oligonucleotide 4atgggccatc
atcatcacca tcacggcagc ctgcaagaag agaaaccgaa agagggcgtt 60aagaccgaga
atgaccacat taacctgaag gtcgctggtc aagatggcag cgtggtgcag
120tttaagatca agcgtcacac gccgttgagc aagctgatga aggcttactg
cgagcgtcag 180ggtctgagca tgcgtcagat ccgctttcgt ttcgatggcc
agccgatcaa tgagactgac 240accccagcgc aactggagat ggaagatgaa
gataccatcg acgtctttca gcaacagacc 300ggtggtatgg atgctaacgt
cgttagcagc agcaccattg cgacttacat tgatgcactg 360gccaaaaacg
catctgagct tgagcagcgc agcaccgcct acgagatcaa taacgaattg
420gagctggttt tcattaaacc gccgctgatc acgctgacga acgtcgtgaa
cattagcacg 480attcaagaga gctttattcg tttcaccgtt accaataaag
aaggcgtgaa gatccgtacc 540aagattccgc tgagcaaagt gcatggtctg
gacgtgaaaa atgtgcagct ggttgatgcg 600atcgataaca tcgtgtggga
gaagaaatct ttggtcacgg aaaatcgtct gcacaaggaa 660tgtctgctgc
gtctgtcaac cgaagaacgc cacatcttcc tggactacaa gaagtatggt
720tccagcatcc gtctggaact ggtgaacctg attcaggcaa agaccaagaa
cttcaccatt 780gacttcaaac tgaagtattt cctgggctct ggtgcacaga
gcaaatccag cttgttgcac 840gcgattaacc atccgaagag ccgtccgaat
acgagcctgg agatcgaatt cacgccgcgt 900gataacgaaa ccgttccgta
cgatgagctg attaaagaac tgacgacgtt gagccgccac 960atctttatgg
ccagcccgga aaacgtgatc cttagcccgc ctatcaatgc gccgattaaa
1020acctttatgt taccgaaaca agacattgtg ggtctggacc tggaaaacct
gtacgcggtc 1080accaaaacgg acggcattcc gatcacgatt cgtgttacca
gcaatggtct gtactgctat 1140ttcactcatt tgggctatat cattcgttat
ccggtgaaac gcatcattga ttctgaggtt 1200gtcgttttcg gcgaagcagt
caaggacaag aattggactg tgtacctgat caaattgatt 1260gaaccggtta
acgccatcaa tgaccgcctg gaagagtcga aatatgttga aagcaaactg
1320gtggatattt gtgatcgtat cgtgttcaag agcaagaaat atgaaggccc
gttcaccacg 1380accagcgaag ttgttgacat gctgagcacc tatctgccga
aacaacctga gggtgtgatt 1440ctgttttact ccaagggtcc gaagagcaac
attgatttca aaatcaagaa agagaatacc 1500attgatcaga ccgccaacgt
tgtgttccgc tatatgtcca gcgagcctat cattttcggt 1560gagtcgagca
tctttgttga atacaaaaag tttagcaacg ataagggttt tccgaaagaa
1620tacggttccg gtaagattgt gttgtacaac ggcgtcaatt atctgaacaa
catctactgt 1680ctggagtaca tcaataccca taacgaagtt ggcattaagt
ctgttgtcgt cccgatcaaa 1740ttcatcgcgg agttcctggt taacggtgag
attctgaagc cgcgtattga taaaactatg 1800aaatacatta actccgaaga
ttactacggt aatcagcata acatcatcgt cgagcacttg 1860cgtgatcaaa
gcattaagat cggtgacatc tttaacgaag ataagctgag cgatgtaggc
1920caccagtatg cgaacaatga caaatttcgc ctgaatccgg aagtcagcta
ctttacgaat 1980aagcgcaccc gtggtccact gggtatcctg agcaattatg
ttaaaaccct gttgatttcc 2040atgtactgct ccaaaacgtt cctggacgac
agcaacaagc gcaaagttct ggcgatcgac 2100ttcggtaatg gtgccgatct
ggagaagtac ttttatggtg agatcgcatt gctggttgct 2160accgacccgg
atgcagatgc gatcgcccgt ggcaacgagc gttacaataa gctgaatagc
2220ggtatcaaga ccaaatacta caaattcgac tatattcaag agacgatccg
ctcggacacc 2280tttgtatcca gcgtgcgtga ggtgttttac ttcggtaaat
tcaacatcat tgactggcaa 2340ttcgccattc actatagctt tcacccacgc
cactatgcga cggtcatgaa caacctgtct 2400gagctgaccg cgagcggcgg
taaagttctg atcaccacga tggacggtga caagctgtct 2460aaactgaccg
acaaaaagac cttcattatt cacaaaaatc tcccgtcgag cgagaattac
2520atgtccgtcg aaaagattgc ggacgaccgt attgttgtct acaacccgag
cactatgtcg 2580accccaatga ccgagtatat catcaaaaag aatgacattg
tgcgtgtctt taatgaatac 2640ggttttgtgc tggtcgacaa cgtcgatttt
gcgaccatca tcgagagaag caagaaattc 2700attaatggcg cttctacgat
ggaagatcgc ccgagcacgc gtaacttctt tgagctgaat 2760cgtggcgcga
ttaagtgcga gggcctggac gtcgaggatc tgctgtcgta ttacgtggtt
2820tatgtgttta gcaaacgtta atga 28445220DNAArtificial
Sequencechemically synthesized oligonucleotide 5gaagagaaac
cgaaagaggg cgttaagacc gagaatgacc acattaacct gaaggtcgct 60ggtcaagatg
gcagcgtggt gcagtttaag atcaagcgtc acacgccgtt gagcaagctg
120atgaaggctt actgcgagcg tcagggtctg agcatgcgtc agatccgctt
tcgtttcgat 180ggccagccga tcaatgagac tgacacccca gcgcaactgg
2206844PRTArtificial Sequencechemically synthesized polypeptide
6Met Asp Ala Asn Val Val Ser Ser Ser Thr Ile Ala Thr Tyr Ile Asp1 5
10 15Ala Leu Ala Lys Asn Ala Ser Glu Leu Glu Gln Arg Ser Thr Ala
Tyr 20 25 30Glu Ile Asn Asn Glu Leu Glu Leu Val Phe Ile Lys Pro Pro
Leu Ile 35 40 45Thr Leu Thr Asn Val Val Asn Ile Ser Thr Ile Gln Glu
Ser Phe Ile 50 55 60Arg Phe Thr Val Thr Asn Lys Glu Gly Val Lys Ile
Arg Thr Lys Ile65 70 75 80Pro Leu Ser Lys Val His Gly Leu Asp Val
Lys Asn Val Gln Leu Val 85 90 95Asp Ala Ile Asp Asn Ile Val Trp Glu
Lys Lys Ser Leu Val Thr Glu 100 105 110Asn Arg Leu His Lys Glu Cys
Leu Leu Arg Leu Ser Thr Glu Glu Arg 115 120 125His Ile Phe Leu Asp
Tyr Lys Lys Tyr Gly Ser Ser Ile Arg Leu Glu 130 135 140Leu Val Asn
Leu Ile Gln Ala Lys Thr Lys Asn Phe Thr Ile Asp Phe145 150 155
160Lys Leu Lys Tyr Phe Leu Gly Ser Gly Ala Gln Ser Lys Ser Ser Leu
165 170 175Leu His Ala Ile Asn His Pro Lys Ser Arg Pro Asn Thr Ser
Leu Glu 180 185 190Ile Glu Phe Thr Pro Arg Asp Asn Glu Thr Val Pro
Tyr Asp Glu Leu 195 200 205Ile Lys Glu Leu Thr Thr Leu Ser Arg His
Ile Phe Met Ala Ser Pro 210 215 220Glu Asn Val Ile Leu Ser Pro Pro
Ile Asn Ala Pro Ile Lys Thr Phe225 230 235 240Met Leu Pro Lys Gln
Asp Ile Val Gly Leu Asp Leu Glu Asn Leu Tyr 245 250 255Ala Val Thr
Lys Thr Asp Gly Ile Pro Ile Thr Ile Arg Val Thr Ser 260 265 270Asn
Gly Leu Tyr Cys Tyr Phe Thr His Leu Gly Tyr Ile Ile Arg Tyr 275 280
285Pro Val Lys Arg Ile Ile Asp Ser Glu Val Val Val Phe Gly Glu Ala
290 295 300Val Lys Asp Lys Asn Trp Thr Val Tyr Leu Ile Lys Leu Ile
Glu Pro305 310 315 320Val Asn Ala Ile Asn Asp Arg Leu Glu Glu Ser
Lys Tyr Val Glu Ser 325 330 335Lys Leu Val Asp Ile Cys Asp Arg Ile
Val Phe Lys Ser Lys Lys Tyr 340 345 350Glu Gly Pro Phe Thr Thr Thr
Ser Glu Val Val Asp Met Leu Ser Thr 355 360 365Tyr Leu Pro Lys Gln
Pro Glu Gly Val Ile Leu Phe Tyr Ser Lys Gly 370 375 380Pro Lys Ser
Asn Ile Asp Phe Lys Ile Lys Lys Glu Asn Thr Ile Asp385 390 395
400Gln Thr Ala Asn Val Val Phe Arg Tyr Met Ser Ser Glu Pro Ile Ile
405 410 415Phe Gly Glu Ser Ser Ile Phe Val Glu Tyr Lys Lys Phe Ser
Asn Asp 420 425 430Lys Gly Phe Pro Lys Glu Tyr Gly Ser Gly Lys Ile
Val Leu Tyr Asn 435 440 445Gly Val Asn Tyr Leu Asn Asn Ile Tyr Cys
Leu Glu Tyr Ile Asn Thr 450 455 460His Asn Glu Val Gly Ile Lys Ser
Val Val Val Pro Ile Lys Phe Ile465 470 475 480Ala Glu Phe Leu Val
Asn Gly Glu Ile Leu Lys Pro Arg Ile Asp Lys 485 490 495Thr Met Lys
Tyr Ile Asn Ser Glu Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Asn Gln His Asn 500 505 510Ile
Ile Val Glu His Leu Arg Asp Gln Ser Ile Lys Ile Gly Asp Ile 515 520
525Phe Asn Glu Asp Lys Leu Ser Asp Val Gly His Gln Tyr Ala Asn Asn
530 535 540Asp Lys Phe Arg Leu Asn Pro Glu Val Ser Tyr Phe Thr Asn
Lys Arg545 550 555 560Thr Arg Gly Pro Leu Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Tyr
Val Lys Thr Leu Leu 565 570 575Ile Ser Met Tyr Cys Ser Lys Thr Phe
Leu Asp Asp Ser Asn Lys Arg 580 585 590Lys Val Leu Ala Ile Asp Phe
Gly Asn Gly Ala Asp Leu Glu Lys Tyr 595 600 605Phe Tyr Gly Glu Ile
Ala Leu Leu Val Ala Thr Asp Pro Asp Ala Asp 610 615 620Ala Ile Ala
Arg Gly Asn Glu Arg Tyr Asn Lys Leu Asn Ser Gly Ile625 630 635
640Lys Thr Lys Tyr Tyr Lys Phe Asp Tyr Ile Gln Glu Thr Ile Arg Ser
645 650 655Asp Thr Phe Val Ser Ser Val Arg Glu Val Phe Tyr Phe Gly
Lys Phe 660 665 670Asn Ile Ile Asp Trp Gln Phe Ala Ile His Tyr Ser
Phe His Pro Arg 675 680 685His Tyr Ala Thr Val Met Asn Asn Leu Ser
Glu Leu Thr Ala Ser Gly 690 695 700Gly Lys Val Leu Ile Thr Thr Met
Asp Gly Asp Lys Leu Ser Lys Leu705 710 715 720Thr Asp Lys Lys Thr
Phe Ile Ile His Lys Asn Leu Pro Ser Ser Glu 725 730 735Asn Tyr Met
Ser Val Glu Lys Ile Ala Asp Asp Arg Ile Val Val Tyr 740 745 750Asn
Pro Ser Thr Met Ser Thr Pro Met Thr Glu Tyr Ile Ile Lys Lys 755 760
765Asn Asp Ile Val Arg Val Phe Asn Glu Tyr Gly Phe Val Leu Val Asp
770 775 780Asn Val Asp Phe Ala Thr Ile Ile Glu Arg Ser Lys Lys Phe
Ile Asn785 790 795 800Gly Ala Ser Thr Met Glu Asp Arg Pro Ser Thr
Arg Asn Phe Phe Glu 805 810 815Leu Asn Arg Gly Ala Ile Lys Cys Glu
Gly Leu Asp Val Glu Asp Leu 820 825 830Leu Ser Tyr Tyr Val Val Tyr
Val Phe Ser Lys Arg 835 8407287PRTArtificial Sequencechemically
synthesized polypeptide 7Met Asp Glu Ile Val Lys Asn Ile Arg Glu
Gly Thr His Val Leu Leu1 5 10 15Pro Phe Tyr Glu Thr Leu Pro Glu Leu
Asn Leu Ser Leu Gly Lys Ser 20 25 30Pro Leu Pro Ser Leu Glu Tyr Gly
Ala Asn Tyr Phe Leu Gln Ile Ser 35 40 45Arg Val Asn Asp Leu Asn Arg
Met Pro Thr Asp Met Leu Lys Leu Phe 50 55 60Thr His Asp Ile Met Leu
Pro Glu Ser Asp Leu Asp Lys Val Tyr Glu65 70 75 80Ile Leu Lys Ile
Asn Ser Val Lys Tyr Tyr Gly Arg Ser Thr Lys Ala 85 90 95Asp Ala Val
Val Ala Asp Leu Ser Ala Arg Asn Lys Leu Phe Lys Arg 100 105 110Glu
Arg Asp Ala Ile Lys Ser Asn Asn His Leu Thr Glu Asn Asn Leu 115 120
125Tyr Ile Ser Asp Tyr Lys Met Leu Thr Phe Asp Val Phe Arg Pro Leu
130 135 140Phe Asp Phe Val Asn Glu Lys Tyr Cys Ile Ile Lys Leu Pro
Thr Leu145 150 155 160Phe Gly Arg Gly Val Ile Asp Thr Met Arg Ile
Tyr Cys Ser Leu Phe 165 170 175Lys Asn Val Arg Leu Leu Lys Cys Val
Ser Asp Ser Trp Leu Lys Asp 180 185 190Ser Ala Ile Met Val Ala Ser
Asp Val Cys Lys Lys Asn Leu Asp Leu 195 200 205Phe Met Ser His Val
Lys Ser Val Thr Lys Ser Ser Ser Trp Lys Asp 210 215 220Val Asn Ser
Val Gln Phe Ser Ile Leu Asn Asn Pro Val Asp Thr Glu225 230 235
240Phe Ile Asn Lys Phe Leu Glu Phe Ser Asn Arg Val Tyr Glu Ala Leu
245 250 255Tyr Tyr Val His Ser Leu Leu Tyr Ser Ser Met Thr Ser Asp
Ser Lys 260 265 270Ser Ile Glu Asn Lys His Gln Arg Arg Leu Val Lys
Leu Leu Leu 275 280 2858946PRTArtificial Sequencechemically
synthesized polypeptide 8Met Gly His His His His His His Gly Ser
Leu Gln Glu Glu Lys Pro1 5 10 15Lys Glu Gly Val Lys Thr Glu Asn Asp
His Ile Asn Leu Lys Val Ala 20 25 30Gly Gln Asp Gly Ser Val Val Gln
Phe Lys Ile Lys Arg His Thr Pro 35 40 45Leu Ser Lys Leu Met Lys Ala
Tyr Cys Glu Arg Gln Gly Leu Ser Met 50 55 60Arg Gln Ile Arg Phe Arg
Phe Asp Gly Gln Pro Ile Asn Glu Thr Asp65 70 75 80Thr Pro Ala Gln
Leu Glu Met Glu Asp Glu Asp
Thr Ile Asp Val Phe 85 90 95Gln Gln Gln Thr Gly Gly Met Asp Ala Asn
Val Val Ser Ser Ser Thr 100 105 110Ile Ala Thr Tyr Ile Asp Ala Leu
Ala Lys Asn Ala Ser Glu Leu Glu 115 120 125Gln Arg Ser Thr Ala Tyr
Glu Ile Asn Asn Glu Leu Glu Leu Val Phe 130 135 140Ile Lys Pro Pro
Leu Ile Thr Leu Thr Asn Val Val Asn Ile Ser Thr145 150 155 160Ile
Gln Glu Ser Phe Ile Arg Phe Thr Val Thr Asn Lys Glu Gly Val 165 170
175Lys Ile Arg Thr Lys Ile Pro Leu Ser Lys Val His Gly Leu Asp Val
180 185 190Lys Asn Val Gln Leu Val Asp Ala Ile Asp Asn Ile Val Trp
Glu Lys 195 200 205Lys Ser Leu Val Thr Glu Asn Arg Leu His Lys Glu
Cys Leu Leu Arg 210 215 220Leu Ser Thr Glu Glu Arg His Ile Phe Leu
Asp Tyr Lys Lys Tyr Gly225 230 235 240Ser Ser Ile Arg Leu Glu Leu
Val Asn Leu Ile Gln Ala Lys Thr Lys 245 250 255Asn Phe Thr Ile Asp
Phe Lys Leu Lys Tyr Phe Leu Gly Ser Gly Ala 260 265 270Gln Ser Lys
Ser Ser Leu Leu His Ala Ile Asn His Pro Lys Ser Arg 275 280 285Pro
Asn Thr Ser Leu Glu Ile Glu Phe Thr Pro Arg Asp Asn Glu Thr 290 295
300Val Pro Tyr Asp Glu Leu Ile Lys Glu Leu Thr Thr Leu Ser Arg
His305 310 315 320Ile Phe Met Ala Ser Pro Glu Asn Val Ile Leu Ser
Pro Pro Ile Asn 325 330 335Ala Pro Ile Lys Thr Phe Met Leu Pro Lys
Gln Asp Ile Val Gly Leu 340 345 350Asp Leu Glu Asn Leu Tyr Ala Val
Thr Lys Thr Asp Gly Ile Pro Ile 355 360 365Thr Ile Arg Val Thr Ser
Asn Gly Leu Tyr Cys Tyr Phe Thr His Leu 370 375 380Gly Tyr Ile Ile
Arg Tyr Pro Val Lys Arg Ile Ile Asp Ser Glu Val385 390 395 400Val
Val Phe Gly Glu Ala Val Lys Asp Lys Asn Trp Thr Val Tyr Leu 405 410
415Ile Lys Leu Ile Glu Pro Val Asn Ala Ile Asn Asp Arg Leu Glu Glu
420 425 430Ser Lys Tyr Val Glu Ser Lys Leu Val Asp Ile Cys Asp Arg
Ile Val 435 440 445Phe Lys Ser Lys Lys Tyr Glu Gly Pro Phe Thr Thr
Thr Ser Glu Val 450 455 460Val Asp Met Leu Ser Thr Tyr Leu Pro Lys
Gln Pro Glu Gly Val Ile465 470 475 480Leu Phe Tyr Ser Lys Gly Pro
Lys Ser Asn Ile Asp Phe Lys Ile Lys 485 490 495Lys Glu Asn Thr Ile
Asp Gln Thr Ala Asn Val Val Phe Arg Tyr Met 500 505 510Ser Ser Glu
Pro Ile Ile Phe Gly Glu Ser Ser Ile Phe Val Glu Tyr 515 520 525Lys
Lys Phe Ser Asn Asp Lys Gly Phe Pro Lys Glu Tyr Gly Ser Gly 530 535
540Lys Ile Val Leu Tyr Asn Gly Val Asn Tyr Leu Asn Asn Ile Tyr
Cys545 550 555 560Leu Glu Tyr Ile Asn Thr His Asn Glu Val Gly Ile
Lys Ser Val Val 565 570 575Val Pro Ile Lys Phe Ile Ala Glu Phe Leu
Val Asn Gly Glu Ile Leu 580 585 590Lys Pro Arg Ile Asp Lys Thr Met
Lys Tyr Ile Asn Ser Glu Asp Tyr 595 600 605Tyr Gly Asn Gln His Asn
Ile Ile Val Glu His Leu Arg Asp Gln Ser 610 615 620Ile Lys Ile Gly
Asp Ile Phe Asn Glu Asp Lys Leu Ser Asp Val Gly625 630 635 640His
Gln Tyr Ala Asn Asn Asp Lys Phe Arg Leu Asn Pro Glu Val Ser 645 650
655Tyr Phe Thr Asn Lys Arg Thr Arg Gly Pro Leu Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn
660 665 670Tyr Val Lys Thr Leu Leu Ile Ser Met Tyr Cys Ser Lys Thr
Phe Leu 675 680 685Asp Asp Ser Asn Lys Arg Lys Val Leu Ala Ile Asp
Phe Gly Asn Gly 690 695 700Ala Asp Leu Glu Lys Tyr Phe Tyr Gly Glu
Ile Ala Leu Leu Val Ala705 710 715 720Thr Asp Pro Asp Ala Asp Ala
Ile Ala Arg Gly Asn Glu Arg Tyr Asn 725 730 735Lys Leu Asn Ser Gly
Ile Lys Thr Lys Tyr Tyr Lys Phe Asp Tyr Ile 740 745 750Gln Glu Thr
Ile Arg Ser Asp Thr Phe Val Ser Ser Val Arg Glu Val 755 760 765Phe
Tyr Phe Gly Lys Phe Asn Ile Ile Asp Trp Gln Phe Ala Ile His 770 775
780Tyr Ser Phe His Pro Arg His Tyr Ala Thr Val Met Asn Asn Leu
Ser785 790 795 800Glu Leu Thr Ala Ser Gly Gly Lys Val Leu Ile Thr
Thr Met Asp Gly 805 810 815Asp Lys Leu Ser Lys Leu Thr Asp Lys Lys
Thr Phe Ile Ile His Lys 820 825 830Asn Leu Pro Ser Ser Glu Asn Tyr
Met Ser Val Glu Lys Ile Ala Asp 835 840 845Asp Arg Ile Val Val Tyr
Asn Pro Ser Thr Met Ser Thr Pro Met Thr 850 855 860Glu Tyr Ile Ile
Lys Lys Asn Asp Ile Val Arg Val Phe Asn Glu Tyr865 870 875 880Gly
Phe Val Leu Val Asp Asn Val Asp Phe Ala Thr Ile Ile Glu Arg 885 890
895Ser Lys Lys Phe Ile Asn Gly Ala Ser Thr Met Glu Asp Arg Pro Ser
900 905 910Thr Arg Asn Phe Phe Glu Leu Asn Arg Gly Ala Ile Lys Cys
Glu Gly 915 920 925Leu Asp Val Glu Asp Leu Leu Ser Tyr Tyr Val Val
Tyr Val Phe Ser 930 935 940Lys Arg945
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