U.S. patent application number 17/554128 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-12 for novel recombinant factor c and method for producing the same, and method for measuring endotoxin.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEIKAGAKU CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SEIKAGAKU CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Shun-ichiro KAWABATA, Hikaru MIZUMURA, Toshio ODA.
Application Number | 20220145280 17/554128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220145280 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MIZUMURA; Hikaru ; et
al. |
May 12, 2022 |
NOVEL RECOMBINANT FACTOR C AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND
METHOD FOR MEASURING ENDOTOXIN
Abstract
A horseshoe crab Factor C protein having activity of Factor C,
wherein the horseshoe crab is selected from Tachypleus tridentatus,
Limulus polyphemus, and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, and wherein
the horseshoe crab Factor C protein is produced through being
recombinantly expressed from a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44
cell or HEK cell.
Inventors: |
MIZUMURA; Hikaru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; ODA; Toshio; (Tokyo, JP) ; KAWABATA;
Shun-ichiro; (Fukuoka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SEIKAGAKU CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SEIKAGAKU CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Appl. No.: |
17/554128 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16399386 |
Apr 30, 2019 |
11236318 |
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17554128 |
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15983725 |
May 18, 2018 |
10982202 |
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16399386 |
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14650767 |
Jun 9, 2015 |
10144923 |
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PCT/JP2013/083082 |
Dec 10, 2013 |
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15983725 |
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International
Class: |
C12N 9/64 20060101
C12N009/64; G01N 33/579 20060101 G01N033/579; G01N 33/569 20060101
G01N033/569 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 10, 2012 |
JP |
2012-269840 |
Claims
1. A horseshoe crab Factor C protein having activity of Factor C,
wherein the horseshoe crab is selected from the group consisting of
Tachypleus tridentatus, and Limulus polyphemus, wherein the Factor
C protein is produced through being recombinantly expressed from a
Chinese Hamster Ovary cell, secreted into a culture supernatant and
recovered from the culture supernatant, and wherein the Factor C
protein contains (.alpha.-2,3)-linked terminal sialic acid in a
greater amount, as compared with a corresponding Factor C protein
recombinantly expressed using Sf9 as a host cell.
2. The horseshoe crab Factor C protein according to claim 1, which
has a molecular weight of 115 kDa to 130 kDa, as measured through
SDS-PAGE under a non-reducing condition.
3. An endotoxin assay kit comprising the Factor C protein according
to claim 1 and one or more elements.
4. A method for measuring endotoxin in a test specimen using an
endotoxin assay agent comprising the Factor C protein according to
claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
16/399,386 filed Apr. 30, 2019, which is a Continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/983,725 filed May 18, 2018, now U.S.
Pat. No. 10,982,202, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/650,767 filed Jun. 9, 2015, now U.S. Pat.
No. 10,144,923, which is National Stage of International
Application No. PCT/JP2013/083082 filed Dec. 10, 2013, claiming
priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-269840 filed
Dec. 10, 2012, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a novel recombinant Factor
C, to a method for producing the recombinant Factor C, and to a
method for measuring endotoxin.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Endotoxin is a lipopolysaccharide which is present in the
outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and is known as a strong
pyrogen. It is also known that even a very small amount of
endotoxin causes various pathological conditions via bacterial
infection. Such conditions include not only fever but also release
of an inflammatory cytokine concomitant with activation of
macrophages, induction of endotoxin shock, and the like. Therefore,
detection of endotoxin is essential in pharmaceutical products such
as an injection, water, medical devices, and the like. From another
aspect, endotoxin is a conceivable main cause for a shock involved
in an infection with a Gram-negative bacterium. Thus, the presence
of infection and a therapeutic effect can be determined through a
blood endotoxin analysis.
[0004] Meanwhile, it has been known that the American horseshoe
crab (Limulus polyphemus) undergoes blood clotting when it is
infected with a Gram-negative bacterium. This phenomenon has been
conventionally employed for the detection of endotoxin.
[0005] Specifically, there is known a method for measuring
endotoxin by use of a hematocyte extract of a horseshoe crab (i.e.
an amebocyte lysate of a horseshoe crab, hereinafter also referred
to simply as a lysate) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).
This method is called a "limulus test," which employs a cascade
reaction of a variety of proteins present in the lysate, which
reaction occurs via contact between endotoxin and the lysate. FIG.
1 shows the scheme of the cascade reaction.
[0006] When endotoxin comes into contact with the lysate, Factor C,
which is a serine protease zymogen present in the lysate, is
activated to thereby form activated Factor C. The thus-formed
activated Factor C activates Factor B present in the lysate, to
thereby form activated Factor B. The thus-formed activated Factor B
activates Pro-clotting enzyme present in the lysate, to thereby
form a corresponding Clotting enzyme.
[0007] The Clotting enzyme hydrolyzes a specific site of a
coagulogen molecule present in the lysate, thereby coagulin gel is
formed, and thus the lysate is coagulated. Thus, endotoxin can be
measured through measuring the lysate coagulation reaction.
[0008] Alternatively, endotoxin may also be measured through
coloring reaction between the Clotting enzyme and a synthetic
substrate. For example, the Clotting enzyme acts on
t-butoxycarbonyl-leucyl-glycyl-arginyl-pNA (Boc-Leu-Gly-Arg-pNA),
which is a synthetic substrate, to hydrolyze the amino bonds
thereof, and thereby pNA is released. Thus, when the synthetic
substrate has been added to the reaction system, endotoxin can be
measured through measuring the absorbance (at 405 nm) of the
coloring substance (pNA).
[0009] Furthermore, it is known that a cascade reaction system can
be reconstituted by use of Factor C, Factor B, and Pro-clotting
enzyme, which are purified from a lysate of the Japanese horseshoe
crab (Non-Patent Document 2).
[0010] However, for using such a lysate, or Factor C, Factor B, and
Pro-clotting enzyme purified from the lysate, horseshoe crabs must
be caught and blood must be recovered there from. Hence, from the
viewpoint of protection of biological resources, difficulty is
encountered in supply of such ingredients in an inexhaustible
manner. Under such circumstances, there is demand for a technique
that can produce these ingredients by genetic engineering, to
thereby reconstitute a cascade reaction system.
[0011] For example, there is known a case where Factor C, Factor B,
and Pro-clotting enzyme were expressed in insect cells as host
cells, to thereby reconstitute a cascade reaction system (Patent
Documents 1 and 2). However, it has been reported that since the
reconstituted system contains sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate,
or calcium chloride in the reaction system, the cascade reaction is
suppressed (Patent Document 1).
[0012] Alternatively, there is known a case of using mammalian
cells as host cells, wherein Factor C derived from the Singaporean
horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) was expressed in
COS-1, which is a cell line derived from African green monkey
kidney cells, as host cells. However, it has been reported that
when COS-1 was used as a host, the expressed Factor C was insoluble
(Non-Patent Documents 3 and 4). That is, there has never been known
a case where functional Factor C is produced using mammalian cells
as host cells.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0013] Patent Document 1: WO 2008/004674, pamphlet
[0014] Patent Document 2: WO 2012/118226, pamphlet
Non-Patent Documents
[0015] Non-Patent Document 1: Iwanaga S., Curr. Opin. Immunol.
February; 5(1): 74-82 (1993)
[0016] Non-Patent Document 2: Nakamura T., et al., J. Biochem.
March; 99(3): 847-57 (1986)
[0017] Non-Patent Document 3: Roopashree S. Dwarakanath, et al.,
Biotechnology letters 19(4): 357-361 (1997)
[0018] Non-Patent Document 4: Jing Wang, Bow Ho and Jeak L. Ding,
Biotechnology letters 23: 71-76 (2001)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0019] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel
recombinant horseshoe crab Factor C, and a method for producing the
recombinant Factor C.
[0020] Meanwhile, injections to be administered in vivo generally
contain a variety of salts (ions). In production of such
injections, detection of endotoxin is obligated by the
pharmacopoeia of the relevant country. Under such circumstances, in
an aspect, another object of the present invention is to provide a
reconstituted cascade reaction system which is not susceptible to
reaction inhibition even in the presence of a salt (ion).
Means for Solving the Problems
[0021] The present inventors have found that a recombinant
horseshoe crab Factor C can be produced by use of human cells or
Chinese hamster cells as host cells, and that endotoxin can be
measured by use of the thus-produced recombinant Factor C while
reaction inhibition in the presence of a salt (ion) is mitigated.
The present invention has been accomplished on the basis of these
findings.
[0022] Accordingly, the present invention encompasses the following
modes.
[1]
[0023] A horseshoe crab Factor C having activity of Factor C.
[1.1.1]
[0024] The above-described Factor C, which contains sialic
acid.
[1.1.2]
[0025] The above-described Factor C, which contains (.alpha.-2,3)
linked terminal sialic acid.
[1.1.3]
[0026] The above-described Factor C, which contains (.alpha.-2,3)
linked terminal sialic acid in a greater amount, as compared with a
native Factor C.
[1.1.4]
[0027] The above-described Factor C, which contains (.alpha.-2,3)
linked terminal sialic acid in a greater amount, as compared with a
horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host cell.
[1.1.5]
[0028] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
reactivity in lectin blotting by use of Maackia amurensis
agglutinin, as compared with a native Factor C.
[1.1.6]
[0029] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
reactivity in lectin blotting by use of Maackia amurensis
agglutinin, as compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in
Sf9 as a host cell.
[1.2.1]
[0030] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 10% or higher in the presence of 21 mM sodium
citrate.
[1.2.2]
[0031] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 20% or higher in the presence of 21 mM sodium
citrate.
[1.2.3]
[0032] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 25% or higher in the presence of 52 mM sodium hydrogen
carbonate.
[1.2.4]
[0033] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 35% or higher in the presence of 52 mM sodium hydrogen
carbonate.
[1.2.5]
[0034] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 25% or higher in the presence of 214 mM sodium
chloride.
[1.2.6]
[0035] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 35% or higher in the presence of 214 mM sodium
chloride.
[1.2.7]
[0036] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 15% or higher in the presence of 16 mM magnesium
sulfate.
[1.2.8]
[0037] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 25% or higher in the presence of 16 mM magnesium
sulfate.
[1.2.9]
[0038] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 35% or higher in the presence of 2.5 mM calcium
chloride.
[1.2.10]
[0039] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 45% or higher in the presence of 2.5 mM calcium
chloride.
[1.2.11]
[0040] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 21 mM sodium citrate, as
compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host
cell and/or a native Factor C.
[1.2.12]
[0041] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 52 mM sodium
hydrogencarbonate, as compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C
expressed in Sf9 as a host cell and/or a native Factor C.
[1.2.13]
[0042] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 214 mM sodium chloride, as
compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host
cell and/or a native Factor C.
[1.2.14]
[0043] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 16 mM magnesium sulfate, as
compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host
cell and/or a native Factor C.
[1.2.15]
[0044] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 2.5 mM calcium chloride, as
compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host
cell and/or a native Factor C.
[1.3.1]
[0045] The Factor C, which is a protein shown in the following (A),
(B), (C), or (D):
[0046] (A) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO: 2;
[0047] (B) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO:2 but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion,
or addition of one or several amino acid residues, and having
activity of Factor C;
[0048] (C) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO: 4;
[0049] (D) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO:4 but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion,
or addition of one or several amino acid residues, and having
activity of Factor C.
[1.3.2]
[0050] The Factor C, which is a protein shown in the following (A)
or (B):
[0051] (A) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO: 2;
[0052] (B) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO:2 but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion,
or addition of one or several amino acid residues, and having
activity of Factor C.
[1.4]
[0053] The above-described Factor C, which is a recombinant
protein.
[1.5.1]
[0054] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 115 kDa to 140 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[1.5.2]
[0055] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 115 kDa to 130 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[1.5.3]
[0056] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 120 kDa to 130 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[1.5.4]
[0057] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 120 kDa to 128 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[1.5.5]
[0058] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 127 kDa.+-.5 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[1.5.6]
[0059] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 128 kDa.+-.2 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[1.5.7]
[0060] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 127 kDa.+-.2 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[1.5.8]
[0061] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 126 kDa.+-.2 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[1.5.9]
[0062] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 127 kDa.+-.1 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[1.6]
[0063] The above-described Factor C, which is water-soluble.
[1.7]
[0064] The above-described Factor C, which is a culture supernatant
containing Factor C.
[1.8]
[0065] The above-described Factor C, which has the following
characteristics (1) to (3):
[0066] (1) having activity of Factor C;
[0067] (2) having a molecular weight of 115 kDa to 130 kDa, as
measured through SDS-PAGE under a non-reducing condition; and
[0068] (3) exhibiting a residual activity of 10% or higher in the
presence of 21 mM sodium citrate.
[2]
[0069] A method for producing a horseshoe crab Factor C, the method
comprising expressing the horseshoe crab Factor C in a mammalian
cell as a host cell.
[2.1.1]
[0070] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is a
mammalian cell other than COS-1.
[2.1.2]
[0071] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is a
cell of a mammal selected from the group consisting of a primate
and a rodent.
[2.1.3]
[0072] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is a
primate cell.
[2.1.4]
[0073] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is a
rodent cell.
[2.1.5]
[0074] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is a
cell of a mammal selected from the group consisting of a primate
and a rodent, other than monkey.
[2.1.6]
[0075] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is a
Chinese hamster cell or a human cell.
[2.1.7]
[0076] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is a
Chinese hamster cell.
[2.1.8]
[0077] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is a
human cell.
[2.1.9]
[0078] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is
CHO or HEK.
[2.1.10]
[0079] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is
CHO.
[2.1.11]
[0080] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is
HEK.
[2.1.12]
[0081] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is
CHO DG44 or HEK293.
[2.1.13]
[0082] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is
CHO DG44.
[2.1.14]
[0083] The above-described method, wherein the mammalian cell is
HEK293.
[2.2.1]
[0084] The above-described method, wherein the Factor C is a
protein shown in the following (A), (B), (C), or (D):
[0085] (A) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO: 2;
[0086] (B) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO:2 but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion,
or addition of one or several amino acid residues, and having
activity of Factor C;
[0087] (C) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO: 4;
[0088] (D) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO:4 but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion,
or addition of one or several amino acid residues, and having
activity of Factor C.
[2.2.2]
[0089] The above-described method, wherein the Factor C is a
protein shown in the following (A) or (B):
[0090] (A) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO: 2;
[0091] (B) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO:2 but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion,
or addition of one or several amino acid residues, and having
activity of Factor C.
[3]
[0092] A horseshoe crab Factor C producible by the above-described
method.
[3.1]
[0093] The above-described Factor C, which has activity of Factor
C.
[3.2.1]
[0094] The above-described Factor C, which contains sialic
acid.
[3.2.2]
[0095] The above-described Factor C, which contains (.alpha.-2,3)
linked terminal sialic acid.
[3.2.3]
[0096] The above-described Factor C, which contains (.alpha.-2,3)
linked terminal sialic acid in a greater amount, as compared with a
native Factor C.
[3.2.4]
[0097] The above-described Factor C, which contains (.alpha.-2,3)
linked terminal sialic acid in a greater amount, as compared with a
horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host cell.
[3.2.5]
[0098] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
reactivity in lectin blotting by use of Maackia amurensis
agglutinin, as compared with a native Factor C.
[3.2.6]
[0099] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
reactivity in lectin blotting by use of Maackia amurensis
agglutinin, as compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in
Sf9 as a host cell.
[3.3.1]
[0100] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 10% or higher in the presence of 21 mM sodium
citrate.
[3.3.2]
[0101] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 20% or higher in the presence of 21 mM sodium
citrate.
[3.3.3]
[0102] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 25% or higher in the presence of 52 mM sodium hydrogen
carbonate.
[3.3.4]
[0103] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 35% or higher in the presence of 52 mM sodium hydrogen
carbonate.
[3.3.5]
[0104] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 25% or higher in the presence of 214 mM sodium
chloride.
[3.3.6]
[0105] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 35% or higher in the presence of 214 mM sodium
chloride.
[3.3.7]
[0106] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 15% or higher in the presence of 16 mM magnesium
sulfate.
[3.3.8]
[0107] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 25% or higher in the presence of 16 mM magnesium
sulfate.
[3.3.9]
[0108] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 35% or higher in the presence of 2.5 mM calcium
chloride.
[3.3.10]
[0109] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a residual
activity of 45% or higher in the presence of 2.5 mM calcium
chloride.
[3.3.11]
[0110] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 21 mM sodium citrate, as
compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host
cell and/or a native Factor C.
[3.3.12]
[0111] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 52 mM sodium
hydrogencarbonate, as compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C
expressed in Sf9 as a host cell and/or a native Factor C.
[3.3.13]
[0112] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 214 mM sodium chloride, as
compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host
cell and/or a native Factor C.
[3.3.14]
[0113] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 16 mM magnesium sulfate, as
compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host
cell and/or a native Factor C.
[3.3.15]
[0114] The above-described Factor C, which exhibits a higher
residual activity in the presence of 2.5 mM calcium chloride, as
compared with a horseshoe crab Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host
cell and/or a native Factor C.
[3.4]
[0115] The above-described Factor C, which is a recombinant
protein.
[3.5.1]
[0116] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 115 kDa to 140 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[3.5.2]
[0117] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 115 kDa to 130 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[3.5.3]
[0118] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 120 kDa to 130 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[3.5.4]
[0119] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 120 kDa to 128 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[3.5.5]
[0120] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 127 kDa.+-.5 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[3.5.6]
[0121] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 128 kDa.+-.2 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[3.5.7]
[0122] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 127 kDa.+-.2 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[3.5.8]
[0123] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 126 kDa.+-.2 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[3.5.9]
[0124] The above-described Factor C, which has a molecular weight
of 127 kDa.+-.1 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[3.6]
[0125] The above-described Factor C, which is water-soluble.
[3.7]
[0126] The above-described Factor C, which is a culture supernatant
containing Factor C.
[4]
[0127] An endotoxin assay agent containing the above-described
Factor C.
[4.1]
[0128] The above-described assay agent, which further contains a
horseshoe crab Factor B and a horseshoe crab Pro-clotting
enzyme.
[4.2]
[0129] The above-described assay agent, wherein the Factor B is a
protein shown in the following (E) or (F) and the Pro-clotting
enzyme is a protein shown in the following (G) or (H):
[0130] (E) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO: 6;
[0131] (F) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO:6 but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion,
or addition of one or several amino acid residues, and having
activity of Factor B;
[0132] (G) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO: 8;
[0133] (H) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO:8 but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion,
or addition of one or several amino acid residues, and having
activity of Pro-clotting enzyme.
[5]
[0134] An endotoxin assay kit comprising the above-described assay
agent.
[6]
[0135] A method for measuring endotoxin in a test specimen, the
method comprising a step of mixing the above-described assay agent
and the test specimen, and a step of measuring the progress of a
cascade reaction.
[6.1.1]
[0136] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains an ion.
[6.1.2]
[0137] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains a cation.
[6.1.3]
[0138] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains a metal ion.
[6.1.4]
[0139] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains an alkali metal ion or an alkaline earth metal ion.
[6.1.5]
[0140] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains an alkali metal ion.
[6.1.6]
[0141] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains an alkaline earth metal ion.
[6.2.1]
[0142] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains one or more kinds of ions selected from the group
consisting of sodium ion, potassium ion, calcium ion, and magnesium
ion.
[6.2.2]
[0143] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains sodium ion.
[6.2.3]
[0144] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains potassium ion.
[6.2.4]
[0145] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains calcium ion.
[6.2.5]
[0146] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains magnesium ion.
[6.3.1]
[0147] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the ion in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the cation derived from the test specimen becomes
1 mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system
after mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.3.2]
[0148] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the ion in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the cation derived from the test specimen becomes
2 mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system
after mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.3.3]
[0149] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the ion in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the cation derived from the test specimen becomes
5 mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system
after mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.3.4]
[0150] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the ion in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the cation derived from the test specimen becomes
10 mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system
after mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.3.5]
[0151] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the ion in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the cation derived from the test specimen becomes
20 mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system
after mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.3.6]
[0152] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the ion in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the cation derived from the test specimen becomes
50 mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system
after mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.3.7]
[0153] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the ion in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the cation derived from the test specimen becomes
100 mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system
after mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.4]
[0154] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen is an
injection.
[6.5.1]
[0155] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains one or more kinds of salts selected from the group
consisting of sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, sodium
hydrogencarbonate, sodium citrate, calcium chloride, potassium
chloride, sodium iothalamate, calcium disodium edetate, and
dihydrogen sodium phosphate.
[6.5.2]
[0156] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains sodium chloride.
[6.5.3]
[0157] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains magnesium sulfate.
[6.5.4]
[0158] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains sodium hydrogencarbonate.
[6.5.5]
[0159] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains sodium citrate.
[6.5.6]
[0160] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains calcium chloride.
[6.5.7]
[0161] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains potassium chloride.
[6.5.8]
[0162] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains sodium iothalamate.
[6.5.9]
[0163] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains calcium disodium edetate.
[6.5.10]
[0164] The above-described method, wherein the test specimen
contains dihydrogen sodium phosphate.
[6.6.1]
[0165] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the salt in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the salt derived from the test specimen becomes 1
mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system after
mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.6.2]
[0166] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the salt in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the salt derived from the test specimen becomes 2
mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system after
mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.6.3]
[0167] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the salt in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the salt derived from the test specimen becomes 5
mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system after
mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.6.4]
[0168] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the salt in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the salt derived from the test specimen becomes 10
mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system after
mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.6.5]
[0169] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the salt in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the salt derived from the test specimen becomes 20
mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system after
mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.6.6]
[0170] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the salt in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the salt derived from the test specimen becomes 50
mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system after
mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.6.7]
[0171] The above-described method, wherein the contained amount of
the salt in the test specimen is such an amount that the
concentration of the salt derived from the test specimen becomes
100 mM or higher, as a final concentration in the reaction system
after mixing the test specimen with the assay agent.
[6.7]
[0172] The above-described method, which further comprises a step
of adding, to the reaction system, a substrate for detecting the
progress of the cascade reaction.
[6.8]
[0173] The above-described method, which further comprises a step
of calculating the amount of endotoxin in the test specimen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0174] FIG. 1 A chart showing a cascade reaction system of the
limulus test.
[0175] FIG. 2 A photograph showing the results of western blotting
of four types of Factor C (Sf9, CHO, HEK, and TAL) derived from
Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), under
non-reducing conditions.
[0176] FIG. 3 A photograph (SDS-PAGE) showing the molecular weight
of each of a native Factor C (TAL) derived from Japanese horseshoe
crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) and a recombinant Factor C (CHO).
[0177] FIG. 4 A scheme of measuring the activity of Factor C.
[0178] FIG. 5 A chart showing a reconstituted cascade reaction
system.
[0179] FIG. 6 A table and a graph showing the activity of the four
types of Factor C (Sf9, CHO, HEK, and TAL) derived from Japanese
horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus).
[0180] FIG. 7 A table and a graph showing the activity inhibition
by injections of the four types of Factor C (Sf9, CHO, HEK, and
TAL) derived from Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus
tridentatus).
[0181] FIG. 8 Alignment of Factor C of Tachypleus tridentatus
(TtFC; SEQ ID NO: 2) and Factor C of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda
(834CrID4; SEQ ID NO: 4) (continued to FIG. 9). Consensus sequences
which can undergo N-type sugar chain (N-linked sugar chain)
modification are underlined.
[0182] FIG. 9 Alignment of Factor C of Tachypleus tridentatus
(TtFC; SEQ ID NO: 2) and Factor C of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda
(834CrID4; SEQ ID NO: 4) (continued from FIG. 8). Consensus
sequences which can undergo N-type sugar chain (N-linked sugar
chain) modification are underlined.
[0183] FIG. 10 A schematic representation of reaction sites between
Factor C and specific antibodies under reducing and non-reducing
conditions.
[0184] FIG. 11 A photograph (SDS-PAGE) showing the molecular weight
of the four types of purified Factor C derived from Japanese
horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus).
[0185] FIG. 12 A photograph (western blotting) showing the
molecular weight of the four types of purified Factor C derived
from Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus).
[0186] FIG. 13 A photograph (western blotting) showing the results
of removal of N-type sugar chain, by glycopeptidase F, from the
four types of purified Factor C derived from Japanese horseshoe
crab (Tachypleus tridentatus).
[0187] FIG. 14 (a) A photograph (lectin blotting) showing the
results of detection of N-type sugar chain of the four types of
purified Factor C derived from Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus
tridentatus); (b) a table showing the biding specificity of lectin;
and (c) a schematic representation of N-type sugar chain structures
of a recombinant Factor C, assumed by the experimental results and
reports by documents.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0188] In the present invention, a series of reactions wherein
endotoxin activates Factor C to generate active-type Factor C; the
active-type Factor C activates Factor B to generate active-type
Factor B; and the active-type Factor B activates Pro-clotting
enzyme to generate a corresponding Clotting enzyme; may be referred
to as "cascade reaction". In the present invention, Factor C,
Factor B, and Pro-clotting enzyme may be collectively referred to
as "factor". In the present invention, a cascade reaction system
constituted by combining the factors may be referred to as
"reconstituted system". In such a reconstituted system, an effect
of a contaminant contained in an amebocyte lysate of a horseshoe
crab, e.g. Factor G, on the cascade reaction can be eliminated.
(1) Factor C of the Present Invention
[0189] The Factor C of the present invention is a Factor C derived
from a horseshoe crab. The Factor C of the present invention is a
recombinant protein. The term "recombinant protein" refers to a
protein obtained through introduction of a gene encoding the
protein into a host cell and heterologous expression of the gene.
The Factor C of the present invention has activity of Factor C.
[0190] Examples of the horseshoe crab include Tachypleus
tridentatus (Japanese horseshoe crab), Limulus polyphemus (American
horseshoe crab), Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Southeast Asian
(Singaporean) horseshoe crab), and Tachypleus gigas (Southeast
Asian horseshoe crab). Among them, Tachypleus tridentatus (Japanese
horseshoe crab) and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Southeast Asian
(Singaporean) horseshoe crab) are preferred as a Factor C source.
Furthermore, among them, Tachypleus tridentatus (Japanese horseshoe
crab) is more preferred as a Factor C source. The amino acid
sequence of the Factor C derived from Tachypleus tridentatus is
shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. The nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding
the Factor C derived from Tachypleus tridentatus is shown in SEQ ID
NO: 1. The amino acid sequence of the Factor C derived from
Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda is shown in SEQ ID NO: 4. The
nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding the Factor C derived from
Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda is shown in SEQ ID NO: 3.
[0191] The Factor C of the present invention may undergo N-type
sugar chain (N-linked sugar chain) modification. The term "N-type
sugar chain" refers to a sugar chain which is linked to an
asparagine residue of a protein. In the Factor C derived from
Tachypleus tridentatus and the Factor C derived from
Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, the amino acid residues which can
undergo N-type sugar chain modification are conserved. FIGS. 8 and
9 show alignments and consensus sequences (Asn-Xaa-Ser/Thr, wherein
Xaa represents any amino acid residue) which can undergo N-type
sugar chain modification of both types of Factor C. Thus, in
particular, the Factor C derived from Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda
is thought to be a suitable Factor C as with the Factor C derived
from Tachypleus tridentatus.
[0192] The Factor C of the present invention may contain a sialic
acid. Examples of the sialic acid include N-acetylneuraminic acid
(Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). The expression
"containing a sialic acid" refers to the state that a sialic acid
is linked to the Factor C of the present invention. The sialic acid
may be linked to Factor C directly or indirectly. In one case, a
sugar chain containing a sialic acid may be linked to Factor C,
whereby the sialic acid may be indirectly linked to Factor C. The
sialic acid may be, for example, an (.alpha.-2,3)-linked sialic
acid, more specifically, an (.alpha.-2,3)-linked terminal sialic
acid. The term "(.alpha.-2,3)-linked sialic acid" refers to a
sialic acid linked to a sugar via (.alpha.-2,3) glycoside linkage.
The term "(.alpha.-2,3)-linked terminal sialic acid" refers to a
sialic acid which is linked to a sugar via (.alpha.-2,3) glycoside
linkage and which is located at a terminus of the sugar chain. An
example of the sugar chain is an N-type sugar chain (N-linked sugar
chain). The sialic acid may be added to Factor C through, for
example, expression of Factor C in a host cell which can add a
sialic-acid-containing sugar chain to a protein through
modification after translation. Examples of such a host cell
include mammalian cells. Sialic acid may be detected through, for
example, sugar chain analysis. Sugar chain analysis may be carried
out through a known technique. For example, sugar chain analysis
can be carried out by using lectin or a sugar-chain-recognizing
antibody. Specifically, for example, an (.alpha.-2,3)-linked
terminal sialic acid can be specifically detected through lectin
blotting using Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAM).
[0193] The Factor C of the present invention may contain sialic
acid in a greater amount, as compared with a control Factor C. The
expression "containing sialic acid in a greater amount, as compared
with a control Factor C" refers to the state that the amount of
sialic acid linked to the Factor C of the present invention is
greater than the amount of sialic acid linked to the control Factor
C, in terms of the amount by mole of sialic acid per molecule of
Factor C. For example, the amount of sialic acid linked to the
Factor C of the present invention may be 1.1 times or greater, 1.2
times or greater, 1.3 times or greater, 1.5 times or greater, 2.0
times or greater, 2.5 times or greater, or 3.0 times or greater
than the amount of sialic acid linked to the control Factor C, in
terms of the amount by mole of sialic acid per molecule of Factor
C.
[0194] Examples of the control Factor C include a recombinant
Factor C expressed in insect cell Sf9, and a native Factor C. The
expression "Factor C expressed in Sf9 as a host cell" refers to
Factor C obtainable through expression of a gene encoding Factor C
consisting of the same amino acid sequence as that of the Factor C
of the present invention, in SF9 as a host cell. The term "native
Factor C" refers to Factor C isolated and purified from a horseshoe
crab lysate. The native Factor C may be Factor C isolated and
purified from a lysate of a horseshoe crab from which the Factor C
of the present invention is derived. That is, specifically, for
example, when the Factor C of the present invention is a
recombinant Factor C of Tachypleus tridentatus or a variant
thereof, the native Factor C may be Factor C isolated and purified
from a lysate of Tachypleus tridentatus.
[0195] Whether or not "the Factor C of the present invention
contains sialic acid in a greater amount, as compared with a
control Factor C" may be determined through comparison between the
sialic acid amount of the Factor C of the present invention and
that of the control Factor C. The amount of sialic acid may be
determined through, for example, sugar chain analysis. Sugar chain
analysis may be carried out through a known technique. For example,
sugar chain analysis can be carried out by using lectin or a
sugar-chain-recognizing antibody. Specifically, for example, an
(.alpha.-2,3)-linked terminal sialic acid can be specifically
quantitated through lectin blotting using Maackia amurensis
agglutinin (MAM). It can be confirmed that the higher the
reactivity in lectin blotting using MAM, the greater the amount of
(.alpha.-2,3)-linked terminal sialic acid, and that is, the greater
amount of (.alpha.-2,3)-linked terminal sialic acid the Factor C
contains. In other words, the Factor C of the present invention may
exhibit higher reactivity, as compared with the control Factor C,
in lectin blotting using MAM. The expression "exhibit higher
reactivity, as compared with the control Factor C, in lectin
blotting using MAM" refers to the state that, when the equiamount
of the Factor C of the present invention and the control Factor C
are subjected to lectin blotting using MAM, the detection intensity
(such as the extent of coloring) of the spot attributed to the
Factor C of the present invention is higher than that of the spot
attributed to the control Factor C.
[0196] The Factor C of the present invention may have no His-tag
added to the C-terminus. Also, the Factor C of the present
invention may have no V5-tag added to the C-terminus. Also, the
Factor C of the present invention may have no peptide added to the
C-terminus. Also, the Factor C of the present invention may have no
peptide added to the N-terminus. Also, the Factor C of the present
invention may have no peptide added to any of the N-terminus and
the C-terminus.
[0197] So long as the Factor C of the present invention has
activity of Factor C, the Factor C may be a variant of any of the
aforementioned horseshoe crab Factor C proteins (e.g., a protein
having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4). Such a
variant includes, for example, a homologue and an artificially
modified product of the aforementioned Factor C. Notably, the amino
acid sequence of the variant is not necessarily found in an actual
horseshoe crab. That is, the Factor C "of a horseshoe crab or
derived from a horseshoe crab" includes a variant of Factor C found
in a horseshoe crab and having an amino acid sequence which is not
found in any horseshoe crab.
[0198] The activity of Factor C refers to such an activity that the
Factor C is activated in the presence of endotoxin to convert
Factor B into activated Factor B. Whether "the Factor C of the
present invention has activity of Factor C" can be confirmed, for
example, by combining the Factor C of the present invention with a
suitable Factor B and a suitable Pro-clotting enzyme in the
presence of endotoxin, and detecting the progress of the cascade
reaction. Specifically, the protein of SEQ ID NO: 6 and the protein
of SEQ ID NO: 8 may be used as a suitable Factor B and a suitable
Pro-clotting enzyme, respectively. The progress of the cascade
reaction may be determined by use of the below-mentioned substrate
for detection.
[0199] So long as the Factor C of the present invention has
activity of Factor C, the Factor C of the present invention may be
a protein having the amino acid sequence of the above-mentioned
Factor C such as the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4,
but which includes substitution, deletion, insertion, or addition
of one or several amino acid residues. Although the meaning of the
term "one or several" varies depending on the positions of the
amino acid residues in the three-dimensional structure of the
protein and the types of the amino acid residues, the term
specifically refers to preferably 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 10,
still more preferably 1 to 5, particularly preferably 1 to 3. The
substitution, deletion, insertion, or addition of one or several
amino acid residues is a conservative variation where the function
of the protein is appropriately maintained. A typical conservative
variation is conservative substitution. Conservative substitution
is a variation among Phe, Trp, and Tyr, in the case where the
substitution occurs at an aromatic amino acid residue; a variation
among Leu, Ile, and Val, in the case where the substitution occurs
at a hydrophobic amino acid residue; a variation between Gln and
Asn, in the case where the substitution occurs at a polar amino
acid residue; a variation among Lys, Arg, and His, in the case
where the substitution occurs at a basic amino acid residue; a
variation between Asp and Glu, in the case where the substitution
occurs at an acidic amino acid residue; or a variation between Ser
and Thr, in the case where the substitution occurs at an amino acid
residue having a hydroxyl group. Specific examples of the
substitution which can be recognized as conservative substitution
include a substitution of Ala by Ser or Thr; a substitution of Arg
by Gln, His, or Lys; a substitution of Asn by Glu, Gln, Lys, His,
or Asp; a substitution of Asp by Asn, Glu, or Gln; a substitution
of Cys by Ser or Ala; a substitution of Gln by Asn, Glu, Lys, His,
Asp, or Arg; a substitution of Glu by Gly, Asn, Gln, Lys, or Asp; a
substitution of Gly by Pro; a substitution of His by Asn, Lys, Gln,
Arg, or Tyr; a substitution of Ile by Leu, Met, Val, or Phe; a
substitution of Leu by Ile, Met, Val, or Phe; a substitution of Lys
by Asn, Glu, Gln, His, or Arg; a substitution of Met by Ile, Leu,
Val, or Phe; a substitution of Phe by Trp, Tyr, Met, Ile, or Leu; a
substitution of Ser by Thr or Ala; a substitution of Thr by Ser or
Ala; a substitution of Trp by Phe or Tyr; a substitution of Tyr by
His, Phe, or Trp; and a substitution of Val by Met, Ile, or Leu.
The aforementioned substitution, deletion, insertion, addition, or
the like of an amino acid residue(s) also encompasses naturally
occurring variations such as those based on individual differences
between horseshoe crabs and the strain and species of the horseshoe
crabs, from which the gene is derived.
[0200] The Factor C of the present invention may also be a protein
which has a homology or identity of 80% or higher, preferably 90%
or higher, more preferably 95% or higher, still more preferably 97%
or higher, particularly preferably 99% or higher with respect to
the entire amino acid sequence of Factor C (e.g., the entire amino
acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4) and which has activity of
Factor C.
[0201] The gene encoding the Factor C of the present invention is
not particularly limited, so long as the gene codes for the
aforementioned Factor C of the present invention. The gene encoding
the Factor C of the present invention may be a DNA encoding a
protein having activity of Factor C, wherein the DNA fragment is
hybridized with a probe prepared from a known gene sequence, e.g.,
with the complementary sequence to the entirety or a part of the
nucleotide sequence shown SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3, under stringent
conditions. As used herein, the term "stringent conditions"
generally refer to the conditions under which a specific hybrid is
formed but a non-specific hybrid is not formed. An example of such
conditions is conditions under which DNAs having a high homology,
e.g., a homology of 80% or higher, preferably 90% or higher, more
preferably 95% or higher, still more preferably 97% or higher,
particularly preferably 99% or higher, are hybridized with each
other, and DNAs having a homology lower than the above level are
not hybridized with each other. Another example of the conditions
is conditions generally employed in washing of southern
hybridization; i.e., washing once, preferably 2 to 3 times, at
temperature and salt concentration corresponding to 60.degree. C.,
1.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS, preferably 60.degree. C., 0.1.times.SSC,
0.1% SDS, more preferably 68.degree. C., 0.1.times.SSC, 0.1%
SDS.
[0202] In the gene encoding the Factor C of the present invention,
any codon may be substituted by its equivalent codon. For example,
the codon combination of the gene encoding the Factor C of the
present invention may be modified such that the codon combination
is optimized for expression in a mammalian cell. The optimization
may be performed through employment of, for example, a conventional
contract service. Notably, the gene encoding the Factor C of the
present invention may be a variant of a DNA in which the codon
combination is optimized for expression in a mammalian cell.
[0203] The above descriptions about the variants of genes and
proteins may also be applied mutatis mutandis to Factor B,
Pro-clotting enzyme, and gene encoding the same.
[0204] The Factor C of the present invention may have a molecular
weight of 115 kDa to 140 kDa, 115 kDa to 130 kDa, 120 kDa to 130
kDa, or 120 kDa to 128 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition. Also, the Factor C of the present invention
may have a molecular weight of 127 kDa.+-.5 kDa, 128 kDa.+-.2 kDa,
127 kDa.+-.2 kDa, 126 kDa.+-.2 kDa, or 127 kDa.+-.1 kDa, as
measured through SDS-PAGE under a non-reducing condition. Also, the
Factor C of the present invention may have a molecular weight of
128 kDa or 126 kDa, as measured through SDS-PAGE under a
non-reducing condition.
[0205] The Factor C of the present invention may have low
susceptibility to inhibition of activity by an ion. The expression
"low susceptibility to inhibition of activity by an ion" refers to
the state that the Factor C of the present invention exhibits a
high residual activity in the presence of an ion, as compared with
a control Factor C. Examples of the control Factor C include a
recombinant Factor C expressed in insect cell Sf9 and a native
Factor C. The meaning of the expression "exhibiting a high residual
activity" is not particularly limited, so long as the residual
activity of the Factor C of the present invention is higher than
that of the control Factor C. The expression "exhibiting a high
residual activity" may refer to, for example, the state that the
residual activity of the Factor C of the present invention is 1.1
times or higher, 1.2 times or higher, 1.3 times or higher, 1.5
times or higher, 2.0 times or higher, 2.5 times or higher, or 3.0
times or higher than the residual activity of the control Factor C.
Specific examples of "low susceptibility to inhibition of activity
by an ion" include such a property that the Factor C of the present
invention exhibits a higher residual activity in the presence of 21
mM sodium citrate, as compared with the control Factor C; such a
property that the Factor C of the present invention exhibits a
higher residual activity in the presence of 52 mM sodium
hydrogencarbonate, as compared with the control Factor C; such a
property that the Factor C of the present invention exhibits a
higher residual activity in the presence of 214 mM sodium chloride,
as compared with the control Factor C; such a property that the
Factor C of the present invention exhibits a higher residual
activity in the presence of 16 mM magnesium sulfate, as compared
with the control Factor C; and such a property that the Factor C of
the present invention exhibits a higher residual activity in the
presence of 2.5 mM calcium chloride, as compared with the control
Factor C. Specific examples of "low susceptibility to inhibition of
activity by an ion" further include such a property that the Factor
C of the present invention exhibits a residual activity of 10% or
higher or 20% or higher in the presence of 21 mM sodium citrate, as
compared with the control Factor C; such a property that the Factor
C of the present invention exhibits a residual activity of 25% or
higher or 35% or higher in the presence of 52 mM sodium
hydrogencarbonate, as compared with the control Factor C; such a
property that the Factor C of the present invention exhibits a
residual activity of 25% or higher or 35% or higher in the presence
of 214 mM sodium chloride, as compared with the control Factor C;
such a property that the Factor C of the present invention exhibits
a residual activity of 15% or higher or 25% or higher in the
presence of 16 mM magnesium sulfate, as compared with the control
Factor C; and such a property that the Factor C of the present
invention exhibits a residual activity of 35% or higher or 45% or
higher in the presence of 2.5 mM calcium chloride, as compared with
the control Factor C. The Factor C of the present invention may
have any one of the above properties singly or two or more of the
above properties in combination. The "residual activity" is defined
as a relative reactivity (%) observed for a measurement specimen
(endotoxin concentration: 0.05 EU/mL) prepared by adding endotoxin
to an ion-containing test specimen, with respect to the reactivity
observed for another measurement specimen (endotoxin concentration:
0.05 EU/mL) prepared by adding endotoxin to injection water as
100%, in the assay system shown in FIG. 4.
[0206] The Factor C of the present invention may be water-soluble.
As used herein, the term "water-soluble" refers to the state that,
when the Factor C of the present invention is expressed in an
appropriate host cell, the thus-expressed Factor C is detected in a
soluble fraction. The expression "detected in a soluble fraction"
may refer to the state that 20% or more, 50% or more, 80% or more,
90% or more, or 95% or more of the expressed Factor C is detected
in a soluble fraction.
[0207] (2) Method for Producing the Factor C of the Present
Invention
[0208] The Factor C of the present invention may be produced
through, for example, expression in a mammalian cell as a host.
That is, the present invention provides a method for producing a
horseshoe crab Factor C, the method comprising expressing the
horseshoe crab Factor C in a mammalian cell as a host cell. This
method may also be referred to as "the production method of the
present invention." The Factor C producible through production
method of the present invention is an embodiment of the Factor C of
the present invention.
[0209] The mammalian cell is not particularly limited, so long as
the cell can functionally express a horseshoe crab Factor C. The
term "functional expression" refers to the state that the expressed
Factor C exhibits activity of Factor C. Specifically, the mammalian
cell may be a cell other than COS-1 cell. The mammalian cell is
preferably a cell of a mammal selected from the group consisting of
a rodent and a primate. Examples of the rodent include, but are not
particularly limited to, Chinese hamster, hamster, mouse, rat, and
guinea pig. Of these, Chinese hamster is preferred. Examples of the
Chinese hamster cell include Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line.
Examples of CHO include CHO DG44 and CHO K1. Examples of the
primate include, but are not particularly limited to, human,
monkey, and chimpanzee. The primate may be a primate other than
monkey. Of these, human is preferred. Examples of the human cell
include human embryo kidney (HEK) cell line. Examples of HEK
include HEK293.
[0210] When the mammalian cell retains a gene encoding Factor C,
the cell can express Factor C. The gene encoding Factor C may be
retained in the mammalian cell, such that it can be expressed under
the control of a promoter which functions in the cell. In the
mammalian cell, the gene encoding Factor C, for example, may be
present on a vector such as a plasmid which undergoes autonomous
replication outside a chromosome, or may be introduced to a
chromosome. The technique of introducing the gene encoding Factor C
into a mammalian cell is not particularly limited. Examples of the
vector which undergoes autonomous replication outside a chromosome
include pCA7 (Makoto Takeda, et al., J. Viol. 79(22): 14346-54
(2005)). Alternatively, the gene encoding Factor C may be
introduced to a chromosome of a mammalian cell by use of pCI-Neo
Vector (product of Promega). The mammalian cell may retain one copy
of, or two or more copies of the gene encoding Factor C.
[0211] The culture conditions under which a mammalian cell is
cultured are not particularly limited, so long as the mammalian
cell can proliferate. Conditions generally employed in culturing
mammalian cells may be employed, after appropriate modification has
been performed, if needed. A culture medium which is generally
employed in culturing mammalian cells may be employed as the
culture medium in the invention. Specifically, an RPMI 1640 medium
(product of Sigma) or a DMEM medium (product of Sigma) may be used.
Culturing can be performed, for example, as static culture at
36.degree. C. to 38.degree. C. under feeding of 5% CO.sub.2.
[0212] Whether or not Factor C has been functionally expressed can
be confirmed by measuring activity of Factor C. Expression of
Factor C may also be confirmed by measuring the amount of mRNA
formed via transcription of a gene encoding Factor C, or detecting
Factor C through western blotting by use of an antibody.
[0213] The expressed Factor C can be recovered as a solution
containing Factor C, and can be used as a component of the
endotoxin assay agent of the present invention. The solution
containing Factor C may be, for example, a culture broth, a culture
supernatant, a disrupted cell extract, a mixture thereof, or the
like. Factor C may be used after being purified to a desired
extent, or may be used without any purification. In the present
invention, even when a cell culture supernatant containing
expressed Factor C is used as it is without any purification,
satisfactory endotoxin assay performance can be attained.
Purification of Factor C may be performed through, for example, a
known protein purification technique. Examples of such a technique
include ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration
chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic
interaction chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, and so
forth. In the case where a tag such as His-tag has been added to
Factor C, the Factor C may be purified through affinity
chromatography based on affinity to the tag. A solution containing
Factor C may be used after being filtered by means of a filter. For
example, a 0.22-.mu.m filter can be used as the filter.
(3) Endotoxin Assay Agent of the Present Invention
[0214] The Factor C of the present invention may be used in
endotoxin assay. That is, the present invention provides an
endotoxin assay agent containing the Factor C of the present
invention. This endotoxin assay agent may also be referred to as an
"endotoxin assay agent of the present invention." The endotoxin
assay agent of the present invention may further contain a factor
or factors other than Factor C, depending on the mode of endotoxin
assay.
[0215] For example, the Factor C of the present invention may be
used in combination with Factor B and Pro-clotting enzyme, for
endotoxin assay. In other words, an embodiment of the endotoxin
assay agent of the present invention is an endotoxin assay agent
containing the Factor C of the present invention, Factor B, and
Pro-clotting enzyme. In this case, endotoxin can be measured by
detecting Clotting enzyme, which is the final product of the
cascade reaction. The Factor B and the Pro-clotting enzyme
contained in the embodiment of the endotoxin assay agent of the
present invention may also be referred to as the "Factor B of the
present invention" and the "Pro-clotting enzyme of the present
invention", respectively.
[0216] Alternatively, endotoxin can be measured by detecting an
intermediate stage of the cascade reaction. In this case, it is
sufficient that the endotoxin assay agent of the present invention
contains a factor or factors involved in from the start of the
cascade reaction to the relevant intermediate stage. Specifically,
for example, when endotoxin is measured by detecting the activated
Factor C, which is an intermediate of the cascade reaction, it is
sufficient that the endotoxin assay agent of the present invention
contains Factor C.
[0217] The Factor B of the present invention is a Factor B derived
from a horseshoe crab. The Pro-clotting enzyme of the present
invention is a Pro-clotting enzyme derived from a horseshoe crab.
Examples of the horseshoe crab include Tachypleus tridentatus
(Japanese horseshoe crab), Limulus polyphemus (American horseshoe
crab), Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Southeast Asian (Singaporean)
horseshoe crab), and Tachypleus gigas (Southeast Asian horseshoe
crab). Among them, Tachypleus tridentatus (Japanese horseshoe crab)
is preferred as a source of Factor B and Pro-clotting enzyme.
[0218] The amino acid sequence of the Factor B of Tachypleus
tridentatus and that of the Pro-clotting enzyme of Tachypleus
tridentatus are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 6 and 8, respectively. The
nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding the Factor B of Tachypleus
tridentatus and that of a gene encoding the Pro-clotting enzyme of
Tachypleus tridentatus are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 5 and 7,
respectively.
[0219] The Factor B of the present invention may be a variant of
any of the aforementioned horseshoe crab Factor B proteins (e.g., a
protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 6), so
long as the variant has activity of Factor B. Such a variant
includes, for example, a homologue and an artificially modified
product of the aforementioned Factor B. The gene encoding the
Factor B of the present invention is not particularly limited, so
long as the gene codes for the Factor B of the present invention.
The above descriptions about the variants of Factor C and the gene
encoding Factor C may also be applied mutatis mutandis to the
variants of Factor B and the gene encoding Factor B.
[0220] The activity of Factor B refers to such an activity that the
Factor B is activated in the presence of activated Factor C to
convert Pro-clotting enzyme into the activated form thereof, i.e.
the corresponding Clotting enzyme. Whether "the Factor B of the
present invention has activity of Factor B" can be confirmed, for
example, by combining the Factor B of the present invention with a
suitable Factor C and a suitable Pro-clotting enzyme in the
presence of endotoxin, and detecting the progress of the cascade
reaction. Specifically, the protein of SEQ ID NO: 2 and the protein
of SEQ ID NO: 8 may be used as a suitable Factor C and a suitable
Pro-clotting enzyme, respectively. The progress of the cascade
reaction may be determined by use of the below-mentioned substrate
for detection.
[0221] The Pro-clotting enzyme of the present invention may be a
variant of any of the aforementioned horseshoe crab Pro-clotting
enzymes (e.g., a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in
SEQ ID NO: 8), so long as the variant has activity of Pro-clotting
enzyme. Such a variant includes, for example, a homologue and an
artificially modified product of the aforementioned Pro-clotting
enzyme. The gene encoding the Pro-clotting enzyme of the present
invention is not particularly limited, so long as the gene codes
for the Pro-clotting enzyme of the present invention. The above
descriptions about the variants of Factor C and the gene encoding
Factor C may also be applied mutatis mutandis to the variants of
Pro-clotting enzyme and the gene encoding Pro-clotting enzyme.
[0222] The activity of Pro-clotting enzyme is such an activity that
the Pro-clotting enzyme is converted into the activated form
thereof, i.e. the corresponding Clotting enzyme, in the presence of
activated Factor B, to react with the below-mentioned substrate for
detection. The activity of reacting with the detection substrate
refers to, for example, an activity of reacting with a coagulogen
to induce coagulation, or an activity of reacting with the
below-described substrate represented by X-Y-Z (wherein X
represents a protection group, Y represents a peptide, and Z
represents a dye linked to Y via amide bond), to thereby release
dye Z (e.g., an activity of reacting with Boc-Leu-Gly-Arg-pNA, to
thereby release pNA). Whether "the Pro-clotting enzyme of the
present invention has the activity of Pro-clotting enzyme" can be
confirmed, for example, by combining the Pro-clotting enzyme of the
present invention with a suitable Factor C and a suitable Factor B
in the presence of endotoxin, and detecting the progress of the
cascade reaction. Specifically, the protein of SEQ ID NO: 2 and the
protein of SEQ ID NO: 6 may be used as a suitable Factor C and a
suitable Factor B, respectively. The progress of the cascade
reaction may be measured by use of the below-mentioned substrate
for detection.
[0223] So long as the Factor B of the present invention and the
Pro-clotting enzyme of the present invention has activity of Factor
B and activity of Pro-clotting enzyme, respectively, the Factor B
of the present invention and/or the Pro-clotting enzyme of the
present invention may have any peptide or the like added thereto.
Examples of such a peptide include tag sequences such as His-tag
and V5-tag. Similar to Factor C of the present invention, the
Factor B of the present invention and/or the Pro-clotting enzyme of
the present invention may have no His-tag added to the C-terminus;
may have no V5-tag added to the C-terminus; may have no peptide
added to the C-terminus; may have no peptide added to the
N-terminus; or may have no peptide added to any of the N-terminus
and the C-terminus.
[0224] In the gene encoding the Factor B of the present invention
and/or the gene encoding the Pro-clotting enzyme of the present
invention, any codon may be substituted by its equivalent codon.
For example, the codon combination of the gene encoding the Factor
B of the present invention and/or the gene encoding the
Pro-clotting enzyme of the present invention may be modified such
that the codon combination is optimized for expression in a host
cell. An example of DNA which code for Factor B of SEQ ID NO: 6 and
whose codon combination is optimized for expression in an insect
cell is a DNA of SEQ ID NO: 9. Notably, the gene encoding the
Factor B of the present invention and/or the gene encoding the
Pro-clotting enzyme of the present invention may be a variant of a
DNA in which the codon combination is optimized for expression in a
host cell.
[0225] The Factor B of the present invention and the Pro-clotting
enzyme of the present invention may each be a native protein or a
recombinant protein.
[0226] A native Factor B and a native Pro-clotting enzyme may each
be obtained from the hematocyte extract of the aforementioned
various horseshoe crabs. These factors may be used after being
purified to a desired extent. Purification may be performed
through, for example, a known technique (Nakamura T. et al., J.
Biochem. 1986 Mar; 99(3): 847-57).
[0227] The recombinant Factor B and the recombinant Pro-clotting
enzyme may each be obtained through expression in a host cell. The
host cell is not particularly limited, so long as a factor of
interest can be expressed. For example, a host cell generally
employed for heterologous protein expression may be used. Examples
of the host cell include insect cells, animal cells, plant cells,
yeast cells, and bacterial cells. Among them, an eukaryotic cell is
preferred from the viewpoint of modification after translation.
Specifically, an insect cell and an animal cell are more
preferred.
[0228] Examples of the animal cells include mammalian cells. In the
case where an animal cell such as a mammalian cell is used, the
above descriptions about production of the Factor C of the present
invention may also be applied mutatis mutandis to production of the
Factor B and the Pro-clotting enzyme.
[0229] Examples of the insect cells include Sf9, Sf21, SF+, and
High-Five. Of these, Sf9 is preferred as the insect cell.
[0230] The technique for expressing a factor of interest in an
insect cell as a host is not particularly limited, so long as the
factor can be expressed. For example, techniques generally employed
for heterologous protein expression may be suitably used. For
example, a factor of interest can be expressed by infecting an
insect cell with a virus into which a gene encoding the factor has
been incorporated (the technique being called a "virus method").
Also, for example, a factor of interest can be expressed by
incorporating into an insect cell a vector into which a gene
encoding the factor has been incorporated, to thereby incorporate
the gene into a chromosome of the host cell (the technique being
called a "stably expressing cell line method").
<Virus Method>
[0231] The virus employed in the virus method is not particularly
limited, so long as an insect cell can be infected with the virus,
to thereby express a factor of interest. A virus generally employed
for protein expression in insect cells may be suitably used.
Examples of such viruses include Baculovirus. Baculovirus is
preferably Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV). Examples of NPV include
Autographa californica NPV (AcNPV) and Bombyx mori NPV (BmNPV). NPV
is preferably AcNPV.
[0232] Incorporation of a nucleic acid into a virus may be
performed through a conventional method. For example, incorporation
of a nucleic acid into a virus may be performed through homologous
recombination by use of a transfer vector. Examples of the transfer
vector include pPSC8 (product of Protein Sciences), pFastBac
(product of Life technologies corporation), and pVL1393 (product of
Pharmingen). Among them, pPSC8 is a preferable transfer vector.
[0233] An insect cell can be infected, through a conventional
technique, with the virus into which a gene encoding a factor of
interest has been incorporated, to thereby obtain the insect cell
which retain the virus and express the factor.
<Stably Expressing Cell Line Method>
[0234] Through incorporation of a gene encoding a factor of
interest into a chromosome of an insect cell, a stably expressing
cell line which stably expresses the factor can be established. The
method of establishing the stably expressing cell line is not
particularly limited, and a conventional technique may be employed.
For example, a stably expressing cell line can be established by
use of pIZ-V5 (product of Life Technologies Corporation), according
to a user's instruction attached thereto.
[0235] The conditions under which an insect cell is cultured are
not particularly limited, so long as the insect cell can
proliferate. Conditions generally employed in culturing insect
cells may be employed, after appropriate modification has been
performed, if needed. A culture medium which is generally employed
in culturing insect cells may be employed as the culture medium in
the invention. Examples of such a culture medium include a
commercially available serum-free medium for culturing insect
cells. Specifically, an Sf900III serum-free medium (product of Life
Technologies Corporation) or the like may be suitably used.
Culturing can be performed, for example, as shaking culture at
27.degree. C. to 28.degree. C.
[0236] Whether or not a factor of interest has been expressed can
be confirmed by measuring activity of the factor. Expression of a
factor of interest may also be confirmed by measuring the amount of
mRNA formed via transcription of a gene encoding the factor, or
detecting the factor through western blotting by use of an
antibody.
[0237] The expressed factor can be recovered as a solution
containing the factor, and can be used as a component of the
endotoxin assay agent of the present invention. The solution
containing the factor may be, for example, a culture broth, a
culture supernatant, a disrupted cell extract, a mixture thereof,
or the like. The factor may be used after being purified to a
desired extent, or may be used without any purification. In the
present invention, even when a cell culture supernatant containing
the expressed factor is used as it is without any purification,
satisfactory endotoxin assay performance can be attained.
Purification of the factor may be performed through, for example, a
known protein purification technique. Examples of such a technique
include ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration
chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic
interaction chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, and so
forth. In the case where a tag such as His-tag has been added to
the factor, the factor may be purified through affinity
chromatography based on affinity to the tag. A solution containing
the factor may be used after being filtered by means of a filter.
For example, a 0.22-.mu.m filter can be used as the filter.
[0238] In the case each factor is produced through the virus
method, the virus is preferably removed. The method of removing
virus is not particularly limited, and a conventional technique may
be employed. For example, the virus may be removed by means of a
hollow fiber filtration membrane having a pore size of 500 kDa.
[0239] In the present invention, the Factor C of the present
invention, the Factor B of the present invention, and the
Pro-clotting enzyme of the present invention may be separately
expressed in individually established expression cells.
[0240] The endotoxin assay agent of the present invention may
contain, for example, only the Factor C of the present invention.
Alternatively, the agent may contain, for example, only the Factor
C of the present invention, the Factor B of the present invention,
and the Pro-clotting enzyme of the present invention.
[0241] The endotoxin assay agent of the present invention may
further contain a substrate for detecting the progress of the
cascade reaction. As used herein, such a substrate may be referred
to as a detection substrate.
[0242] Examples of the detection substrate include coagulogen.
Coagulogen is a detection substrate with respect to Clotting
enzyme, which is the final product of the cascade reaction. When
coagulogen comes into contact with Clotting enzyme, a coagulated
product, coagulin, is formed. The progress of the coagulation
reaction can be determined by measuring the turbidity of the
reaction mixture. Coagulogen can be recovered from a hematocyte
extract of a horseshoe crab (i.e., lysate). Since the nucleotide
sequence of the gene encoding coagulogen has been determined
(Miyata et al, Protein Nucleic acid Enzyme, extra issue, No. 29; p.
30-43; 1986), coagulogen can also be produced genetically according
to a conventional technique.
[0243] The detection substrate may be a synthetic substrate. The
synthetic substrate is not particularly limited, so long as it has
a property suitable for detection of the cascade reaction. Examples
of the "property suitable for detection of the cascade reaction"
include a property for detecting the presence of Clotting enzyme
and a property for detecting an intermediate stage of the cascade
reaction. Examples of the "property for detecting the presence of
Clotting enzyme" include a property of coloring by catalytic
reaction with the Clotting enzyme and a property of generating
fluorescence by catalytic reaction with the Clotting enzyme.
Examples of the "property for detecting an intermediate stage of
the cascade reaction" include a property of coloring by catalytic
reaction of a cascade reaction intermediate such as activated
Factor C and a property of generating fluorescence by catalytic
reaction of a cascade reaction intermediate such as activated
Factor C. Examples of the synthetic substrate include a substrate
represented by formula X-Y-Z (wherein X represents a protection
group, Y represents a peptide, and Z represents a dye linked to Y
via amide bond). When endotoxin is present in the reaction system,
an amide linkage Y-Z is cleaved by the catalytic reaction of
Clotting enzyme or an intermediate, which is yielded by the cascade
reaction, to release the dye Z, whereby coloring occurs or
fluorescence is generated. The protective group X is not
particularly limited, and a known protective group for peptide may
be suitably used. Examples of such a protective group include a
t-butoxycarbonyl group and a benzoyl group. The dye Z is not
particularly limited, and it may be a dye detectable under visible
light or may be a fluorescent dye. Examples of the dye Z include
p-nitroaniline (pNA), 7-methoxycoumarin-4-acetic acid (MCA),
2,4-dinitroaniline (DNP), and Dansyl dyes. Examples of the peptide
Y include Leu-Gly-Arg (LGR), Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg (IEGR) (SEQ ID NO:
10), Val-Pro-Arg (VPR), and Asp-Pro-Arg (DPR). A synthetic
substrate which reacts with the Clotting enzyme or the intermediate
may be appropriately selected as the synthetic substrate in
accordance with the mode of endotoxin assay. For example, from the
viewpoint of substrate specificity, a substrate comprising LGR as
peptide Y can be suitably used for detecting the Clotting enzyme,
and a substrate comprising VPR or DPR as peptide Y can be suitably
used for detecting activated Factor C. The released dye Z may be
determined through a technique in accordance with the property of
the target dye.
[0244] The endotoxin assay agent of the present invention may
further contain an additional component other than the relevant
factors and a detection substrate, so long as the assay agent can
be used for endotoxin assay. The additional component is not
particularly limited, and it may be selected in consideration of
storage stability, handling easiness, stability of the factors and
detection substrate, and so forth.
[0245] The endotoxin assay agent of the present invention may be
formulated into any preparation such as solid, liquid, or gel. In
the formulation process, additives such as an excipient, a binder,
a disintegrant, a lubricant, a flavor/corrigent, a diluent, and a
solvent, which are generally used in formulation, may be used. The
endotoxin assay agent of the present invention as is may be used
for endotoxin assay. Alternatively, the assay agent may be used for
endotoxin assay after being diluted with or dispersed or dissolved
in water, physiological saline, buffer, etc. Needless to say, the
endotoxin assay agent of the present invention also encompasses
such diluted, dispersed, dissolved, or similarly processed form of
the agent.
[0246] In the endotoxin assay agent of the present invention, the
factors and other components may be present as a mixture or present
separately. For example, the factors may be mixed at any
proportions in formulation, or individual factors may be formulated
separately.
[0247] The concentrations of the factors and other components
contained in the endotoxin assay agent of the present invention are
not particularly limited. However, each concentration is preferably
adjusted so as to fall within the below-mentioned suitable
concentration range for assaying endotoxin. The concentration of
each factor in the endotoxin assay agent of the present invention
(as a solution prepared before contact with a test specimen) may
be, for example, 5 to 200 .mu.g/mL, and is preferably 20 to 100
.mu.g/mL, more preferably 40 to 80 .mu.g/mL, particularly
preferably about 60 .mu.g/mL. Also, the concentration of each
factor in the endotoxin assay agent of the present invention may be
adjusted in accordance with the method of producing the factor.
When Factor C is produced with a rodent cell as a host, the
concentration of Factor C in the endotoxin assay agent of the
present invention (as a solution prepared before contact with a
test specimen) can also be, for example, 5 to 200 .mu.g/mL, 10 to
50 .mu.g/mL, or 15 to 40 .mu.g/mL. When Factor C is produced with a
primate cell as a host, the concentration of Factor C in the
endotoxin assay agent of the present invention (as a solution
prepared before contact with a test specimen) can also be, for
example, 5 to 200 .mu.g/mL, 50 to 150 .mu.g/mL, or 80 to 120
.mu.g/mL. The above-exemplified concentrations may be calculated,
for example, on the assumption that all the protein species present
in the filtrate of a culture supernatant which has been obtained
through expression of a factor of interest via the
above-exemplified technique consists of the factor of interest.
[0248] The endotoxin assay agent of the present invention may be
provided as an endotoxin assay kit. The endotoxin assay kit is not
particularly limited, so long as the kit comprises the endotoxin
assay agent of the present invention. The endotoxin assay kit may
further comprise, for example, one or more elements selected from
an endotoxin standard, a reaction container (e.g., a tube or a
microplate), an instruction, and the like.
(4) Endotoxin Assay Method of the Present Invention
[0249] When a test specimen contains endotoxin, the cascade
reaction proceeds by mixing the endotoxin assay agent of the
present invention with the test specimen. Through measuring the
progress of the cascade reaction, endotoxin contained in the test
specimen can be measured. That is, the present invention provides a
method for measuring endotoxin present in a test specimen, the
method comprising a step of mixing the endotoxin assay agent of the
present invention and the test specimen, and a step of measuring
the progress of a cascade reaction. The method is also referred to
as the "endotoxin assay method of the present invention."
[0250] In an embodiment of the endotoxin assay method of the
present invention (hereinafter may be referred to as the "first
embodiment"), all the factors are mixed with the test specimen. In
the first embodiment, the factors contained the endotoxin assay
agent of the present invention may be contained in the reaction
system from the start of the step of mixing the endotoxin assay
agent of the present invention with the test specimen, or may be
successively added to the reaction system.
[0251] For example, the step of mixing the endotoxin assay agent of
the present invention with the test specimen may comprise the
following steps (A) to (C):
[0252] (A) a step of adding the Factor C of the present invention
to the reaction system;
[0253] (B) a step of adding the Factor B of the present invention
to the reaction system; and
[0254] (C) a step of adding the Pro-clotting enzyme to the reaction
system.
[0255] The steps (A) to (C) may be performed separately, partially
simultaneously, or totally simultaneously. The steps (A) to (C) may
be performed in any order. For example, the step (B) may be
performed after the step (A), and the step (C) may be performed
after the step (B).
[0256] In the first embodiment, the progress of the cascade
reaction can be measured by adding a detection substrate to the
reaction system and measuring the response (coloring, coagulation,
etc.) of the substrate. The detection substrate may be contained in
the reaction system from the start of the step of mixing the
endotoxin assay agent of the present invention with the test
specimen, or may be added to the reaction system during the
progress of the step or after completion of the step. Needless to
say, the first embodiment also encompasses an endotoxin assay
method employing the endotoxin assay agent of the present invention
which contains a detection substrate in advance.
[0257] In the endotoxin assay method of the present invention, so
long as the cascade reaction proceeds when the test specimen
contains endotoxin, the Factor B and the Pro-clotting enzyme of the
present invention per se are not need to be in contact with the
test specimen. That is, another embodiment of the endotoxin assay
method of the present invention (hereinafter may be referred to as
a "second embodiment") is a method for measuring endotoxin present
in a test specimen, the method comprising the following steps (A)
to (D):
[0258] (A) a step of mixing the Factor C of the present invention
with the test specimen;
[0259] (B) a step of mixing the Factor B of the present invention
with the Factor C after mixing of step (A);
[0260] (C) a step of mixing the Pro-clotting enzyme of the present
invention with the Factor B after mixing of step (B); and
[0261] (D) a step of measuring the progress of a cascade
reaction.
[0262] In the second embodiment, the steps (A) to (D) may be
performed separately, partially simultaneously, or totally
simultaneously. For example, step A may be initiated, and then the
Factor B and the Pro-clotting enzyme may be added to the reaction
system during the progress of the step A or after completion of
step A. Also, step B may be initiated, and then the Pro-clotting
enzyme may be added to the reaction system during the progress of
the step B or after completion of step B. Alternatively, all three
factors may be incorporated into the reaction system from the start
of step A. Still alternatively, the Factor C after the contact of
step A may be recovered and used in step B, or the Factor B after
the contact of step B may be recovered and used in step C.
[0263] In the second embodiment, the progress of the cascade may be
measured by adding a detection substrate to the reaction system and
measuring the response (coloring, coagulation, etc.) of the
substrate. The detection substrate may be contained in the reaction
system from the start of step A, or may be added to the reaction
system during the progress of any step or after completion of any
step.
[0264] Alternatively, endotoxin can be measured by detecting an
intermediate stage of the cascade reaction. Specifically, endotoxin
can be measured by detecting activated Factor C, which is an
intermediate of the cascade reaction. That is, still another
embodiment of the endotoxin assay method of the present invention
(hereinafter may be referred to as a "third embodiment") may be a
method for measuring endotoxin present in a test specimen, the
method comprising a step of mixing the Factor C of the present
invention with the test specimen and a step of detecting activated
Factor C. In the third embodiment, the activated Factor C can be
detected by adding a detection substrate to the reaction system and
measuring the response (coloring, etc.) of the substrate. The
detection substrate may be contained in the reaction system from
the start of the step of mixing the Factor C of the present
invention with a test specimen, or may be added to the reaction
system during the progress of the step or after completion of the
step.
[0265] The endotoxin assay method of the present invention, so long
as the cascade reaction proceeds when the test specimen contains
endotoxin, may further comprise any other arbitrary step. For
example, the endotoxin assay method of the present invention may
comprise a step of adding a detection substrate to the reaction
system, or a step of mixing Clotting enzyme or an intermediate,
which was yielded by the cascade reaction, with the detection
substrate. Also, for example, the endotoxin assay method of the
present invention may comprise a step of calculating the endotoxin
level of the test specimen based on the reaction of the detection
substrate.
[0266] In the endotoxin assay method of the present invention,
reaction is preferably carried out in an aqueous medium such as
water or a buffer.
[0267] In the assay method of the present invention, the
concentration of each factor in the reaction mixture is not
particularly limited, so long as the cascade reaction proceeds when
the test specimen contains endotoxin. The concentration of each
factor may be appropriately tuned in accordance with properties of
the factor and so forth. For example, the concentration of each
factor, as a final concentration, may be, for example, 2.5 to 100
.mu.g/mL, and is preferably 10 to 50 .mu.g/mL, more preferably 20
to 40 .mu.g/mL, particularly preferably about 30 .mu.g/mL. Also,
the concentration of each factor in the reaction mixture may be
adjusted in accordance with the method of producing the factor.
When Factor C is produced with a rodent cell as a host, the
concentration of Factor C in the reaction mixture, as a final
concentration, may also be, for example, 2.5 to 100 .mu.g/mL, 5 to
25 .mu.g/mL, or 7.5 to 20 .mu.g/mL. When Factor C is produced with
a primate cell as a host, the concentration of Factor C in the
reaction mixture, as a final concentration, may also be, for
example, 2.5 to 100 .mu.g/mL, 25 to 75 .mu.g/mL, or 40 to 60
.mu.g/mL. The above-exemplified concentrations may be calculated,
for example, on the assumption that all the protein species present
in the filtrate of a culture supernatant which has been obtained
through expression of a factor of interest via the
above-exemplified technique consists of the factor of interest.
[0268] In the assay method of the present invention, the
concentration of the detection substrate in the reaction mixture is
not particularly limited, so long as the cascade reaction proceeds
when the test specimen contains endotoxin. The concentration of the
detection substrate may be appropriately tuned in accordance with
properties of the detection substrate and so forth. In the case
where the detection substrate is a synthetic substrate, the
concentration of the detection substrate is, for example, generally
0.001 mM to 100 mM, preferably 0.01 mM to 10 mM, as a final
concentration.
[0269] In any embodiment, so long as the cascade reaction proceeds
when the test specimen contains endotoxin, the reaction system may
further contain any other arbitrary component, in addition to the
factors, the detection substrate, and the test specimen.
[0270] The pH of the reaction mixture is not particularly limited,
so long as the cascade reaction proceeds when the test specimen
contains endotoxin. The pH of the reaction mixture may be
appropriately tuned in accordance with properties of the factors.
The pH of the reaction mixture is, for example, generally 5 to 10,
preferably 7 to 8.5.
[0271] The reaction temperature is not particularly limited, so
long as the cascade reaction proceeds when the test specimen
contains endotoxin. The reaction temperature may be appropriately
tuned in accordance with properties of the factors. The reaction
temperature is, for example, generally 10.degree. C. to 80.degree.
C., preferably 20.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. For example, the
reaction temperature may be 37.degree. C.
[0272] The reaction time is not particularly limited. The reaction
time may be appropriately tuned in accordance with various
conditions such as properties of the factors and reaction
temperature. The reaction time is, for example, generally 5 minutes
to 2 hours, preferably 15 minutes to 90 minutes. The reaction time
may be, for example, 30 minutes to 40 minutes.
[0273] In any embodiment, the test specimen, the factors, and other
components may be further added singly or in any combination to the
reaction system during the course of reaction. These components may
be added once or a plurality of times, or in a continuous manner.
The reaction conditions may be constant from the start to the end
of the reaction, or may be varied in the course of the
reaction.
[0274] The progress of the cascade reaction attributable to the
presence of endotoxin can be measured by measuring the response
(coloring, coagulation, etc.) of the detection substrate, whereby
endotoxin in the test specimen can be measured. The response
(coloring, coagulation, etc.) of the detection substrate may be
measured through a technique in accordance with the property of the
detection substrate employed.
[0275] In the case of quantitatively measuring endotoxin,
correlation data between endotoxin level and the extent of response
(coloring, coagulation, etc.) of the detection substrate are
obtained by use of an endotoxin standard sample with known
concentration, and then the amount of endotoxin present in the
specimen can be quantitatively determined on the basis of the
obtained correlation data. The correlation data is, for example, a
calibration curve. The quantitation may be carried out through a
kinetic method or an end-point method.
[0276] The test specimen which can be subjected to endotoxin assay
is not particularly limited. Examples of the specimen include water
for medical use, pharmaceutical products, infusion solutions, blood
products, medical apparatuses, medical instruments, cosmetics,
foods and beverages, environmental specimens (e.g., air, river
water, and soil), biological specimens (e.g., blood, body fluid,
and tissue), native proteins, recombinant proteins, nucleic acids,
and saccharides. The test specimen may be, for example, an
injection. An injection refers to an agent that can be administered
to the biological body via injection. Such an injection is not
necessarily fluid during commercial distribution, and may be a
lyophilized product. The test specimen itself, or an extract or
wash liquid thereof may be mixed, dispersed, or dissolved in the
reaction system, to thereby be subjected to endotoxin assay.
[0277] As described above, the Factor C of the present invention
may have low susceptibility to inhibition of activity by an ion.
Thus, in an embodiment of the present invention, endotoxin present
in a test specimen containing an ion can be suitably measured.
[0278] In other words, the test specimen of the invention may be a
test specimen containing an ion. The expression "containing an ion"
refers to the state that the test specimen contains a substance
which is present in the form of an ion during endotoxin assay. That
is, "ion" referred to in the present invention may be species which
are present inherently in an ionized form in the test specimen, or
may be species which are present inherently in a salt form in the
test specimen but are ionized during endotoxin assay. The type of
ions is not particularly limited. An example of the ion is a
cation, and an example of the cation is a metal ion. Examples of
the metal ion include an alkali metal ion and an alkaline earth
metal ion. Specific examples of the alkali metal ion and the
alkaline earth metal ion include sodium ion, potassium ion, calcium
ion, and magnesium ion. The contained amount of the ion in the test
specimen may be such an amount that, for example, the concentration
of the cation derived from the test specimen becomes 1 mM or
higher, 2 mM or higher, 5 mM or higher, 10 mM or higher, 20 mM or
higher, 50 mM or higher, or 100 mM or higher, as a final
concentration in the reaction system after mixing the test specimen
with the endotoxin assay agent. Specific examples of the salt
include sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, sodium
hydrogencarbonate, sodium citrate, calcium chloride, potassium
chloride, sodium iothalamate, calcium disodium edetate, and
dihydrogen sodium phosphate. The contained amount of the salt in
the test specimen may be such an amount that, for example, the
concentration of the salt derived from the test specimen becomes 1
mM or higher, 2 mM or higher, 5 mM or higher, 10 mM or higher, 20
mM or higher, 50 mM or higher, or 100 mM or higher, as a final
concentration in the reaction system after mixing the test specimen
with the endotoxin assay agent. The test specimen may contain one
kind of ion (or salt) or two or more kinds of ions (or salts).
EXAMPLES
[0279] The present invention will next be described more
particularly by way of examples. However, these are merely examples
of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is
not limited to these.
1. Preparation of Factor C proteins
(1) Expression of Factor C in Insect Cells (Sf9)
[0280] In this section, Factor C was prepared by use of insect cell
Sf9 as a host in the following manner.
[0281] A DNA encoding Factor C of Japanese horseshoe crab,
Tachypleus tridentatus, was inserted between the EcoRV recognition
site and the MluI recognition site of pIZ-V5 (product of Life
Technologies Corporation), which is a vector for expression in
insect cells, to thereby construct a Factor C expression plasmid.
The nucleotide sequence of the DNA is shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, and
the amino acid sequence of Factor C encoded by the DNA is shown in
SEQ ID NO: 2 (the same applies throughout the Example).
[0282] The Factor C expression plasmid was introduced into cultured
Sf9 cells through transfection by use of Celfectin reagent (product
of Life Technologies Corporation). The Sf9 cells were statically
cultured at 28.degree. C. in an Sf900 III serum-free medium
(product of Life Technologies Corporation) containing 300 to 600
.mu.g/mL Zeocin (product of Life Technologies Corporation), whereby
Sf9 strains into which the genome the expression plasmid had been
incorporated were selected.
[0283] Candidates for Sf9 in which the Factor C gene had been
stably expressed were isolated through the cloning cylinder
technique, and a plurality of Sf9 cell lines was cloned. The
thus-obtained clones were individually cultured, to thereby obtain
culture supernatants. Secretion of the recombinant Factor C protein
in each culture supernatant was confirmed through western blotting
by use of an anti-Factor C antibody (2C12 antibody; Yoshiki Miura,
et al., J. Biochem. 112: 476-481 (1992)). Also, activity of Factor
C (property of being activated by endotoxin) in the culture
supernatant was confirmed through activity measurement by use of a
synthetic substrate Boc-LGR-pNA. Notably, the procedure of activity
measurement is described in "4. Activity measurement" below (the
same applies throughout the Example). Based on the results of
western blotting and activity measurement, an Sf9 cell line highly
expressing Factor C was selected.
[0284] The Sf9 cell line highly expressing Factor C was
suspension-cultured (28.degree. C.) in an Sf900 III medium
containing 1.times. penicillin/streptomycin (product of Life
Technologies Corporation) and 50 .mu.g/mL Zeocin to a later phase
of the logarithmic growth phase (6 to 8.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL).
Then, the culture was centrifuged (3,000.times.g, 30 minutes,
4.degree. C.), to thereby recover a culture supernatant. The
supernatant was filtered through a 0.22-.mu.m filter, and the
thus-recovered fraction (i.e. filtrate) was employed as recombinant
Factor C (Sf9).
(2) Expression of Factor C in Mammalian Cells (CHO DG44)
[0285] In this section, Factor C was prepared by use of CHO DG44,
which is a Chinese hamster ovary cell line, as a host through the
following procedure.
[0286] A DNA encoding Factor C of Japanese horseshoe crab,
Tachypleus tridentatus, was inserted between the EcoRI recognition
site and the XbaI recognition site of pCI-neo (product of Promega),
which is a vector for expression in mammalian cells, to thereby
construct a Factor C expression plasmid. A kozak sequence (GCCACC)
was added just before the start codon of Factor C.
[0287] The Factor C expression plasmid and a dhfr expression
plasmid were incorporated into cultured CHO DG44 cells through
simultaneous transfection using a lipofection reagent
(Lipofectamine LTX) (product of Life Technologies Corporation). The
CHO DG44 cells were statically cultured at 37.degree. C. under
feeding of 5% CO.sub.2 in an RPMI 1640 medium (5% dialyzed serum,
containing 1.times. penicillin/streptomycin) (product of Sigma)
added with 1 mg/mL Geneticin (product of Life Technologies
Corporation), whereby CHO DG44 strains into which the genome the
expression plasmids had been incorporated were selected.
[0288] Fifteen days after the simultaneous transfection, MTX
(methotrexate) (product of Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was
added to the culture medium. The MTX concentration was elevated
stepwise from 50 nM to 5,000 nM over three months, and CHO DG44
cell lines highly expressing Factor C were selected as polyclones.
Effective amplification of the incorporated Factor C gene by virtue
of MTX was confirmed by detecting Factor C in a culture supernatant
through western blotting using a 2C12 antibody, and quantitating
the transcriptional amount of mRNA of Factor C through real-time
PCR.
[0289] The group of polyclonal CHO DG44 cell lines highly
expressing Factor C was diluted by the medium to obtain a cell
concentration of 0.5 cells/well, and the dilute was inoculated to a
96-well plate. From about 10 to 20 days after inoculation, the
formed cell colonies were successively subjected to expansion
culture, whereby CHO DG44 cell lines highly expressing Factor C
were cloned. The transcriptional amount of mRNA of Factor C was
confirmed through real-time PCR. The amount of Factor C protein
secreted to the medium was confirmed through western blotting using
a 2C12 antibody. The Factor C activity (property of being activated
by endotoxin) in the culture supernatant was confirmed through
activity measurement using a synthetic substrate Boc-LGR-pNA. Based
on these results, a monoclonal CHO DG44 cell line highly expressing
Factor C was selected.
[0290] The CHO DG44 cell line highly expressing Factor C
(monoclonal) was conditioned in a serum-free complete synthetic
medium containing 5 .mu.M MTX and thus floated. The cell line was
grown at 37.degree. C. under feeding of 5% CO.sub.2 to a later
phase of the logarithmic growth phase. The thus-obtained floating
culture broth was centrifuged (3,000.times.g, 30 minutes, 4.degree.
C.), to thereby recover a culture supernatant. The supernatant was
filtered through a 0.22-.mu.m filter, and the thus-recovered
fraction (i.e. filtrate) was employed as recombinant Factor C
(CHO).
(3) Expression of Factor C in Mammalian Cells (HEK293)
[0291] In this section, Factor C was prepared by use of HEK293,
which is a human embryo kidney cell line, as a host through the
following procedure.
[0292] A DNA encoding Factor C of a Japanese horseshoe crab,
Tachypleus tridentatus, was inserted between the EcoRI recognition
site and the XhoI recognition site of pCA7 (Makoto Takeda, et al.,
J. Viol. 79 (22): 14346-54 (2005)), which is a vector for
expression in mammalian cells, to thereby construct a Factor C
expression plasmid. A kozak sequence (GCCACC) was added just before
the start codon of Factor C.
[0293] The Factor C expression plasmid was incorporated into
cultured HEK293 cells through transfection using polyethylenimine
(product of Sigma) (Hashiguti et al., Expression of Recombinant
Protein Using Cultured Human Cells--Standard Protocol by 293-type
cells-, PSSJ Archives, 1, e017 (2008); available on the world wide
web at pssj.jp/archives/Protocol/Expression/293_01/293_01_01.html.
HEK293 cells were statically cultured in a DMEM medium (containing
10% fetal bovine serum and 2mM L-glutamine) (product of Sigma) at
37.degree. C. under feeding of 5% CO.sub.2 without replacement of
the medium. Four days after transfection, the culture broth was
recovered, and was centrifuged (3,300.times.g, 30 minutes,
4.degree. C.), to thereby recover a culture supernatant. The
supernatant was filtered through a 0.22-.mu.m filter, and the
thus-recovered fraction (i.e. filtrate) was employed as recombinant
Factor C (HEK).
(4) Preparation of Native Factor C (Derived from Amebocyte of
Tachypleus tridentatus)
[0294] A fraction containing Factor B and Factor C was recovered
from an amebocyte extract of Japanese horseshoe crab, Tachypleus
tridentatus, through column chromatography by use of dextran
sulfate resin (Takanori Nakamura, et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 154:
511-521 (1986)). The fraction (5 mL) was subjected to gel
filtration by means of a column (.PHI.2.2 cm.times.97 cm) filled
with Sepharose CL6B gel (product of GE Healthcare). Gel filtration
was performed under almost the same conditions as employed in a
known technique (Jeak Ling Ding and Bow Ho, U.S. Pat. No.
5,712,144; Jeak L. Ding, et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1202:
149-156). The flow rate was adjusted to 15 mL/h, and 50 mM Tris
buffer (pH 8.0) containing 154 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, and 5% DMSO was
employed as a solvent.
[0295] Gel filtration eluted fractions (3.7 mL/tube, 150 tubes)
were subjected to SDS-PAGE followed by CBB staining and western
blotting using a 2C12 antibody, and activity measurement using a
synthetic substrate Boc-LGR-pNA, whereby fractions containing
Factor C protein were identified. These fractions containing the
purified Factor C protein were employed as native Factor C
(TAL).
2. Preparation of Recombinant Factor B and Recombinant Pro-Clotting
Enzyme
[0296] A DNA encoding Factor B of Japanese horseshoe crab,
Tachypleus tridentatus, was inserted between the EcoRV recognition
site and the MluI recognition site of pIZ-V5 (product of Life
Technologies Corporation), which is a vector for expression in
insect cells, to thereby construct a Factor B expression plasmid.
The nucleotide sequence of the DNA is shown in SEQ ID NO: 9, and
the amino acid sequence of Factor B encoded by the DNA is shown in
SEQ ID NO: 6. Notably, the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
9 is a nucleotide sequence optimized for expression in insect
cells.
[0297] A DNA encoding Pro-clotting enzyme of Japanese horseshoe
crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, was inserted between the EcoRV
recognition site and the MluI recognition site of pIZ-V5 (product
of Life Technologies Corporation), which is a vector for expression
in insect cells, to thereby construct a Pro-clotting enzyme
expression plasmid. The nucleotide sequence of the DNA is shown in
SEQ ID NO: 7, and the amino acid sequence of Pro-clotting enzyme
encoded by the DNA is shown in SEQ ID NO: 8.
[0298] Through the same method as employed in the case of Factor C,
the expression plasmids were each incorporated into Sf9 cells,
high-expression clones were selected, and culture supernatants
thereof were prepared. The culture supernatants were individually
filtered through a 0.22-.mu.m filter, and the obtained fractions
(i.e. filtrates) were employed as a recombinant Factor B and a
recombinant Pro-clotting enzyme. Recovery of the factors was
confirmed through western blotting employing an antibody specific
to each factor and activity measurement.
3. Comparison of Molecular Weights of Factor C Proteins (1)
[0299] The molecular weights of the above-prepared four types of
Factor C proteins were compared with one another through SDS-PAGE
and western blotting.
[0300] Firstly, each Factor C in an amount shown in FIG. 2 was
subjected to SDS-PAGE under a non-reducing condition employing a 5
to 20% gradient gel. In FIG. 2, Sf9, CHO, and HEK denote the Factor
C expressed in Sf9 cells, CHO DG44 cells, and HEK293 cells,
respectively, and TAL refers to native Factor C (hereinafter the
same applies). Notably, Factor C is cleaved into an H chain and an
L chain under reducing conditions. In the present Example, SDS-PAGE
was carried out under a non-reducing condition in order to compare
the molecular weights of Factor C in an intact state.
[0301] After SDS-PAGE, proteins were transferred to a PVDF membrane
(product of Bio RAD) by means of a semi-dry blotter. The PVDF
membrane was recovered and blocked with 5% skim milk, and then
sequentially treated with a primary antibody (2C12 antibody) and a
secondary antibody (HRP-labeled anti-mouse goat antibody) (product
of Dako). Bands attributed to Factor C were made to emit light with
a detection reagent, SuperSignal West Dura (product of Thermo
Scientific), and the light emission was recorded by a CCD
camera.
[0302] The four types of Factor C were found to have different
molecular weights, and the molecular weight was the greatest in the
case of CHO, followed by TAL, HEK, and Sf9 in the descending order
(FIG. 2).
[0303] Regarding Singaporean horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius
rotundicauda, it has been reported that all of the native Factor C
protein purified from an amebocyte extract, and recombinant Factor
C proteins produced in insect cells Sf9 and S2, and in African
green monkey kidney cell line COS-1 as a host cell have the same
molecular weight of 132 kDa (Jeak Ling Ding and Bow Ho, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,712,144, and Jeak L. Ding, et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta
1202: 149-156 (1993) (for native Factor C protein); Jing Wang, et
al., J. Biol. Chem. 277(39): 36363-72 (2002) (for Sf9 and S2); and
Roopashree S. Dwarakanath, et al., Biotechnology letters 19(4):
357-361 (1997) (for COS-1)).
[0304] Thus, among the above-prepared four types of Factor C, the
molecular weight of each of CHO and TAL was correctly measured.
Firstly, recombinant Factor C (CHO) was purified in a manner
similar to that employed in the case of native Factor C (TAL).
Then, electrophoresis (15% gel, LMW Marker kit (product of GE
Healthcare)) was performed under the same conditions as employed in
a known technique (Jeak Ling Ding and Bow Ho, U.S. Pat. No.
5,712,144; and Jeak L. Ding, et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1202:
149-156), and the molecular weight of each Factor C was then
determined through Ferguson plotting. As a result, recombinant
Factor C (CHO) was found to have a molecular weight of 126 kDa, and
native Factor C (TAL) was found to have a molecular weight of 123
kDa (FIG. 3). Thus, native Factor C (TAL) and recombinant Factor C
(CHO) derived from Japanese horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus,
were found to have a molecular weight smaller than that of the
Factor C derived from Singaporean horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius
rotundicauda (132 kDa).
[0305] The difference in molecular weight among the above-prepared
four types of Factor C is conceived to be attributed to the
difference in post-translation modification (sugar chain
modification) depending on the type of host cells employed. For
example, it has been known that sialic acid is linked to the N-type
sugar chain after translation in mammalian cells, whereby a
recombinant protein produced in mammalian cells has dimensions
larger than those of a recombinant protein produced in insect cells
(Robert L. Harrison and Donald L. Jarvis, Methods in Molecular
Biology 338: 341-356 (2007)). This supports the results of the
present Example (FIG. 2).
4. Activity Measurement
[0306] Each of the above-prepared four types of Factor C was
combined with other factors, and activity measurement was carried
out through the following procedure. FIG. 4 shows the scheme of
activity measurement.
[0307] As shown in FIG. 4, common materials other than Factor C (a
recombinant Factor B, a recombinant Pro-clotting enzyme, a
synthetic substrate Boc-LGR-pNA, and Tris buffer) were mixed
together, to thereby prepare a common liquid mixture. To the common
liquid mixture, Factor C in an amount specified in FIG. 6 was
added, and the total volume was adjusted to 50 .mu.L. The
thus-obtained mixture was mixed with 50 .mu.L of a specimen (water
containing United States Pharmacopoeia standard endotoxin (USP-RSE)
(product of Seikagaku corporation)), and the resultant mixture was
heated at 37.degree. C. for 30 minutes. In this assay system,
Factor C is activated by endotoxin, to thereby form activated
Factor C; Factor B is activated by the activated Factor C, to
thereby form activated Factor B; Pro-clotting enzyme was activated
by the activated Factor B, to thereby form a corresponding Clotting
enzyme; and the Clotting enzyme cleaves a synthetic substrate
Boc-LGR-pNA, whereby p-nitroaniline is released (FIG. 5). The
change in absorbance (A 405 nm) attributed to formation of
p-nitroaniline was measured in a time-dependent manner, and the
absorbance change rate per unit time (mAbs/min) was calculated and
employed as Factor C activity. The Measurement was conducted thrice
for each sample.
[0308] In the above assay system, the final concentration of each
factor was as follows: recombinant Factor B 30 .mu.g/mL,
recombinant Pro-clotting enzyme 30 .mu.g/mL, recombinant Factor C
(Sf9) 11.3 .mu.g/mL, recombinant Factor C (CHO) 12 .mu.g/mL,
recombinant Factor C (HEK) 51.5 .mu.g/mL, and Factor C (TAL) 0.25
.mu.g/mL. The above-exemplified concentrations (except for the case
of TAL) were calculated, on the assumption that all the protein
species present in the sample (i.e. filtrate) prepared through
expression of a factor of interest consisted of the factor of
interest. The Factor C (TAL) concentration was measured after
purification of Factor C (TAL).
[0309] As a result, reconstituted systems each exhibiting almost
equivalent activity were successfully constituted for the four
types of Factor C (FIG. 6). In each reconstituted system, the
activity was increased with an increase in endotoxin concentration
(0.05 and 0.1 EU/mL) of a specimen.
[0310] The recombinant Factor C derived from Carcinoscorpius
rotundicauda and produced in mammalian cell COS-1 (132 kDa) is
reported to be recovered in an insoluble fraction (Roopashree S.
Dwarakanath, et al., Biotechnology letters 19(4): 357-361 (1997);
and Jing Wang, Bow Ho and Jeak L. Ding, Biotechnology letters 23:
71-76 (2001)). Also, the recombinant Factor C derived from
Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda and produced in insect cell S2 (132
kDa) is reported to exhibit no protease activity in response to
endotoxin (Jing Wang, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 277(39): 36363-72
(2002)). Lack of activity of the latter Factor C (produced in S2)
is thought to be attributed to the difference in sugar chain
structure from the native Factor C derived from Carcinoscorpius
rotundicauda and the recombinant Factor C produced in insect cell
Sf9, due to difference in reactivity to lectin.
[0311] Meanwhile, in the present Example, it was found that the
recombinant Factor C derived from Tachypleus tridentatus (Sf9, CHO,
and HEK) exhibited an endotoxin-dependent activity, even though the
molecular weight thereof differs from that of native Factor C
(TAL); i.e., even though the sugar chain structure thereof differs
from that of native Factor C (TAL).
5. Inhibition of Activity by Injection
[0312] Endotoxin is a strong immune reaction-inducing substance.
Thus, when an injection contaminated with endotoxin is administered
to the body, a grave side effect occurs. Therefore, in production
of injections, detection of endotoxin by use of a limulus amebocyte
lysate reagent is obligated by the pharmacopoeia of the relevant
country, to thereby confirm no endotoxin contamination.
[0313] Thus, the above-prepared four types of Factor C were
compared in terms of reactivity to endotoxin in various
injections.
[0314] As a control specimen, injection water containing endotoxin
(endotoxin concentration: 0.05 EU/mL) was used. Measurement
specimens used were as follows: 4-fold dilute of 10 w/v % sodium
chloride injection (10% sodium chloride injection, product of
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.); 16-fold dilute of 0.5 M magnesium
sulfate injection (Mg sulfate corrective injection 1 mEq/mL,
product of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); undiluted solution of
physiological saline (Otsuka isotonic sodium chloride solution,
product of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.); 8-fold dilute of 7 w/v
% sodium hydrogencarbonate injection (Meylon injection 7%, product
of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.); 8-fold dilute of 10 w/v %
sodium citrate injection (sodium citrate injection for transfusion,
product of Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.); 100-fold dilute
of 0.5 M calcium chloride injection (Ca chloride corrective
injection 1 mEq/mL, product of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.);
undiluted solution of Ringer's solution (Ringer's solution "Fuso",
product of Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.); and 16-fold
dilute of sodium iothalamate injection (Conray 400 injection,
product of Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.), each spiked with endotoxin
(endotoxin concentration: 0.05 EU/mL). When the measurement
specimen was 8-fold dilute of 10 w/v % sodium citrate injection,
the final sodium citrate concentration was about 21 mM. When the
measurement specimen was 8-fold dilute of 7 w/v % sodium
hydrogencarbonate injection, the final sodium hydrogencarbonate
concentration was about 52 mM. When the measurement specimen was
4-fold dilute of 10 w/v % sodium chloride injection, the final
sodium chloride concentration was about 214 mM. When the
measurement specimen was undiluted solution of physiological
saline, the final sodium chloride concentration was about 77 mM.
When the measurement specimen was 16-fold dilute of 0.5 M magnesium
sulfate injection, the final magnesium sulfate concentration was
about 16 mM. When the measurement specimen was 100-fold dilute of
0.5 M calcium chloride injection, the final calcium chloride
concentration was about 2.5 mM. Activity of Factor C was measured
through the procedure shown in FIG. 4. A residual activity was
defined as a relative reactivity (%) for endotoxin in an injection
specimen, with respect to the reactivity for endotoxin in the
corresponding control specimen as 100%. The measurement was carried
out four times for each injection specimen.
[0315] FIG. 7 shows the results. When a typical injection was
employed as a measurement specimen, reaction with endotoxin was
inhibited, as compared with the case in which injection water was
used. The degree of inhibition varied in accordance with the type
of injection and the type of host for expressing Factor C.
Recombinant Factor C (CHO) and recombinant Factor C (HEK) showed a
tendency to have low susceptibility to reaction inhibition to all
the tested injections, as compared with native Factor C (TAL).
Particularly, recombinant Factor C (CHO) exhibited the highest
residual activity in many cases. In contrast, recombinant Factor C
(Sf9) was most susceptible to reaction inhibition in many
injections (7 injections except sample No. 6).
[0316] The test results indicate that Factor C expressed in
mammalian cells can have low susceptibility to activity inhibition
by ions. Such a property is particularly advantageous for detection
of endotoxin contamination in production of injections.
6. Preparation of L Chain-Specific Factor C Protein Antibody
[0317] A Factor C protein is known to be present as a single chain
(Full chain) under non-reducing conditions, and to be cleaved into
two chains (H chain and L chain) under reducing conditions. The
anti-Factor C monoclonal antibody (2C12 antibody) is reported to
recognize the Full chain and the H chain (Yoshiki Miura, et al., J.
Biochem. 112: 476-481(1992)). Thus, a peptide antigen present in
the L chain was produced. A rabbit was immunized with the peptide
antigen through a conventional method, whereby a polyclonal
antibody which can recognize the L chain and the Full chain (FCL
antibody) was produced (FIG. 10).
7. Purification of Recombinant Factor C Proteins
[0318] According to the method employed in "(4) Preparation of
native Factor C (derived from Tachypleus tridentatus)" of "1.
Preparation of Factor C proteins", three types of recombinant
Factor C proteins were purified from culture supernatants of
mammalian cells (CHO DG44, and HEK293) and insect cells (Sf9).
Briefly, each supernatant (100 to 300 mL) was subjected to column
chromatography by use of dextran sulfate resin, and elution
fractions containing the corresponding recombinant Factor C were
isolated through gel filtration. Purification of the recombinant
Factor C proteins was confirmed through SDS-PAGE and CBB staining,
western blotting employing the 2C12 antibody, and activity
measurement.
8. Comparison of Molecular Weights of Factor C Proteins (2)
[0319] The molecular weights of the above-purified four types of
Factor C proteins were compared again with one another through
SDS-PAGE and western blotting.
[0320] The four types of purified Factor C proteins, derived from a
native horseshoe crab (TAL), a culture supernatant of CHO DG44
(CHO), a culture supernatant of HEK293 (HEK), and a culture
supernatant of Sf9 (Sf9), were applied to a single gel (15% gel)
for SDS-PAGE, and subjected to CBB staining (FIG. 11). Each of the
four types of purified Factor C proteins presented as a single
chain (Full chain) under non-reducing conditions, and was cleaved
into two chains (H chain and L chain) under reducing conditions.
After transfer to the PVDF membrane, western blotting was performed
by use of the 2C12 antibody and the FCL antibody (FIG. 12). In
relation to antibody recognition sites (FIG. 10), the 2C12 antibody
specifically recognized the Full chain and the H chain, and the FCL
antibody specifically recognized the Full chain and the L chain.
The CBB-stained bands shown in FIG. 11 were identified to bands
derived from Factor C. Regarding molecular weight of Factor C, CHO
had the largest molecular weight; TAL and HEK had almost the same
molecular weight; and Sf9 has the smallest molecular weight, in all
cases of the Full chain under non-reducing conditions and of the
H-chain and L chain under reducing conditions.
[0321] In order to more precisely compare the molecular weights of
the four types of purified Factor C, electrophoresis (15% gel, LMW
marker (product of GE Healthcare)) was performed under the same
conditions as employed in a known technique (Jeak Ling Ding and Bow
Ho, U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,144; and Jeak L. Ding, et al., Biochem.
Biophys. Acta 1202: 149-156), followed by CBB staining, and the
molecular weights were then determined through Ferguson
plotting.
[0322] Table 1 shows the results. Under non-reducing conditions,
TAL had a molecular weight of 124 kDa, which is almost equivalent
to 123 kDa reported by the reference. The molecular weight of CHO
was higher, 128 kDa, and that of HEK was 124 kDa, which is
equivalent to that of TAL. The molecular weight of Sf9 was 109 kDa,
which is smaller than that of TAL. As a result, when recombinant
Factor C was expressed in insect cells (Sf9), the molecular weight
thereof was found to be smaller than that of native Factor C (TAL),
whereas when recombinant Factor C was expressed in mammalian cells
(CHO, HEK), the molecular weight thereof was found to be equivalent
to or larger than that of native Factor C (TAL). This tendency was
also confirmed in the case of the H chain or the L chain under
reducing conditions.
[0323] The molecular weight of native Factor C derived from
Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Singaporean horseshoe crab) and that
of recombinant Factor C thereof obtained via gene expression in
insect cells have been reported to be the same value, 132 kDa,
under non-reducing conditions. The four types of purified Factor C
derived from Tachypleus tridentatus (Japanese horseshoe crab) and
obtained in the present Example were found to have a molecular
weight smaller than 132 kDa (Table 1).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Species of Mol. wt. (kDa) horseshoe crab
Source Full H L Reference Tachypleus Natural 124 85 42 Present
Example tridentatus lysate Tachypleus CHO 128 88 43 Present Example
tridentatus DG44 Tachypleus HEK293 124 85 42 Present Example
tridentatus Tachypleus Sf9 109 75 39 Present Example tridentatus
Tachypleus Natural 123 80 43 Takanori Nakamura, tridentatus lysate
et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 154: 511-521 (1986) Carcinoscorpius
Natural 132 80 52 Jeak L. Ding, et al., rotundicauda lysate
Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1202: 149-156 (1993) Carcinoscorpus Sf9 132
No No Jing Wang, et al, rotundicauda (+baculo data data J. Biol.
Chem. virus) 277 (39): 36363-72 (2002) Carcinoscorpius S2 132 No No
Jing Wang, et al, rotundicauda data data J. Biol. Chem. 277 (39):
36363-72 (2002)
9. Confirmation of N-Type Sugar Chain Modification
[0324] The genes employed in the present Example for expressing the
recombinant Factor C were sequences all derived from Tachypleus
tridentatus, and the expression plasmids were designed so that no
tag was added to any terminus of each sequence. Therefore, the
translated amino acid sequences of the four types of Factor C
obtained in the present Example are thought to be the same one. In
addition, the partial sequences of the N-terminal amino acid
residues of the recombinant Factor C (HEK, Sf9) were determined.
These amino acid sequences are identical to the sequence of the
native Factor C of Tachypleus tridentatus, reported by the
reference (data not shown).
[0325] Generally, the molecular weight of protein is thought to
vary considerably by modification after translation. In addition,
it has also been reported that the structure of an N-type sugar
chain added to protein through modification after translation
differs between the case of insect cells and the case of mammalian
cells. Thus, in order to confirm whether the above-observed
difference in molecular weight among the purified Factor C proteins
is attributed to the difference in N-type sugar chain structure,
the Factor C proteins each were treated with glycopeptidase F. This
enzyme is known to cleave and remove an N-type sugar chain added to
protein. Therefore, when the purified Factor C proteins have the
same molecular weight after treatment with the enzyme, N-type sugar
chain is conceived to induce the difference in molecular weight
among the Factor C proteins.
[0326] According to an attached instruction, each purified Factor C
protein (1 .mu.g) was treated with 1 mU glycopeptidase F (product
of Takara) under modification conditions in the presence of SDS and
a reducing agent. The thus-treated samples were separated through
SDS-PAGE, and then analyzed through western blotting. FIG. 13 shows
the results. In all cases of the four types of Factor C, the
molecular weight of H chain decreased by the glycopeptidase
treatment and became the same value. By contrast, although the
molecular weight of L chain decreased after the glycopeptidase
treatment in all cases of the four types of Factor C, the molecular
weight became the same value only in the cases of CHO, HEK, and
TAL. Specifically, among four types of L chains, the L chain of the
Factor C derived from Sf9 was found to have a molecular weight
larger than that of the other three cases, after the glycopeptidase
treatment. Therefore, in the L chain of the Factor C derived from
Sf9, a certain modification other than N-type sugar chain
modification was conceived to occur, after translation.
[0327] Thus, the aforementioned analysis indicates that the
difference in mode of N-type sugar chain after translation plays a
main role in providing the difference in molecular weight of Factor
C.
10. Analysis of N-Type Sugar Chain of Factor C
[0328] In N-type sugar chain modification of a protein in mammalian
cells, sugar molecules are stepwise added to an asparagine residue
of the protein, and eventually, a sugar chain containing terminal
sialic acid (i.e., complex-type) is formed. In contrast, in insect
cells, sialic acid is not generally added, and a sugar chain having
a mannose terminus (i.e., paucimannose-type) is formed (Robert L.
Harrison and Donald L. Jarvis, Methods in Molecular Biology 338:
341-356 (2007)). In order to confirm the difference in N-type sugar
chain structure among the four types of purified Factor C proteins,
lectin blotting was performed by use of various lectins such as
terminal sialic acid-specific lectins (e.g., Maackia amurensis
agglutinin (MAM) and Sambucus sieboldiana agglutinin (SSA)).
[0329] Dilution series (100, 25, and 6 ng) samples of each of the
four types of purified Factor C and bovine fetuin protein as a
positive control were dot-blotted onto a nitrocellulose membrane,
and the membrane was blocked with 3% BSA. Then, the membrane was
sequentially reacted with biotin-labeled lectin (product of J-Oil
Mills, Inc.) and streptavidin-labeled HRP (product of Thermo
Scientific). Light emission attributed to decomposition of the HRP
substrate (product of Thermo Scientific) was detected. Instead of
lectin, a 2C12 anti-Factor C antibody was used as a control, to
thereby confirm that the same amounts of four types of Factor C
were blotted.
[0330] FIG. 14(a) shows the results of lectin blotting, and FIG.
14(b) shows the binding specificity of lectins employed. Lens
culinaris agglutinin (LCA) (fucose-specific lectin) and Canavalia
ensiformis agglutinin (Con A) (bi-antenna-type, high-mannose-type,
and complex-type sugar chain-specific lectin) were bonded to all
the samples; i.e., four types of Factor C and fetuin. In contrast,
MAM ((.alpha.-2,3)-linked terminal sialic acid-specific lectin) was
strongly bonded to CHO and less strongly bonded to HEK. TAL and
fetuin have almost the same weak reactivity, but did not react with
Sf9. SSA ((.alpha.-2,6)-linked terminal sialic acid-specific
lectin) reacted with HEK, TAL, and fetuin, but did not react with
CHO and Sf9.
[0331] The above analysis indicates that the N-type sugar chain of
recombinant Factor C expressed in mammalian cells (CHO and HEK)
contains (.alpha.-2,3)-linked terminal sialic acid, and that the
N-type sugar chain of recombinant Factor C expressed in insect
cells (Sf9) contains no (.alpha.-2,3)-linked terminal sialic acid.
FIG. 14(c) shows schematic structures of the N-type sugar chain of
recombinant Factor C, estimated by the results of the above
experiments and reports by the reference. The results of the above
experiments support that the difference in mode of N-type sugar
chain modification after translation is mainly attributed to the
difference in molecular weight of Factor C.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0332] According to the present invention, a recombinant horseshoe
crab Factor C can be efficiently produced. In an embodiment of the
present invention, endotoxin present in a test specimen containing
an ion can be measured, while inhibition of reaction is
reduced.
Sequence Listing
[0333] SEQ ID NO: 1: DNA sequence of the Factor C gene of Japanese
horseshoe crab [0334] SEQ ID NO: 2: Amino acid sequence of the
Factor C of Japanese horseshoe crab [0335] SEQ ID NO: 3: DNA
sequence of the Factor C gene of Southeast Asian (Singaporean)
horseshoe crab [0336] SEQ ID NO: 4: Amino acid sequence of the
Factor C of Southeast Asian (Singaporean) horseshoe crab [0337] SEQ
ID NO: 5: DNA sequence of the Factor B gene of Japanese horseshoe
crab [0338] SEQ ID NO: 6: Amino acid sequence of the Factor B of
Japanese horseshoe crab [0339] SEQ ID NO: 7: DNA sequence of the
Pro-clotting enzyme gene of Japanese horseshoe crab [0340] SEQ ID
NO: 8: Amino acid sequence of the Pro-clotting enzyme of Japanese
horseshoe crab [0341] SEQ ID NO: 9: DNA sequence of a Factor B gene
of Japanese horseshoe crab, the gene having a codon optimized for
expression in insect cells [0342] SEQ ID NO: 10: Peptide sequence
Sequence CWU 1
1
1013060DNATachypleus tridentatusCDS(1)..(3060) 1atg gtc tta gcg tcg
ttt ttg gtg tct ggt tta gtt cta ggg ata cta 48Met Val Leu Ala Ser
Phe Leu Val Ser Gly Leu Val Leu Gly Ile Leu1 5 10 15gcc caa caa atg
cgt cca gtt cag tcc aga gga gta gat ctg ggc ttg 96Ala Gln Gln Met
Arg Pro Val Gln Ser Arg Gly Val Asp Leu Gly Leu 20 25 30tgt gat gaa
acg agg ttc gag tgt aag tgt gga gat cca ggc tat gtg 144Cys Asp Glu
Thr Arg Phe Glu Cys Lys Cys Gly Asp Pro Gly Tyr Val 35 40 45ttc aac
gtc cct atg aaa caa tgc acg tac ttc tat cga tgg agg cct 192Phe Asn
Val Pro Met Lys Gln Cys Thr Tyr Phe Tyr Arg Trp Arg Pro 50 55 60tat
tgt aaa cca tgt gat gac ctg gag gct aag gac att tgt cca aag 240Tyr
Cys Lys Pro Cys Asp Asp Leu Glu Ala Lys Asp Ile Cys Pro Lys65 70 75
80tac aaa cga tgt caa gag tgt aag gct ggt ctt gat agt tgt gtt act
288Tyr Lys Arg Cys Gln Glu Cys Lys Ala Gly Leu Asp Ser Cys Val Thr
85 90 95tgt cca cct aac aaa tat ggt act tgg tgt agc ggt gaa tgt caa
tgt 336Cys Pro Pro Asn Lys Tyr Gly Thr Trp Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Gln
Cys 100 105 110aag aat gga ggt atc tgt gac cag agg aca gga gct tgt
acc tgt cgt 384Lys Asn Gly Gly Ile Cys Asp Gln Arg Thr Gly Ala Cys
Thr Cys Arg 115 120 125gac aga tat gaa gga gcg cac tgt gaa att ctc
aaa ggt tgt cct ctt 432Asp Arg Tyr Glu Gly Ala His Cys Glu Ile Leu
Lys Gly Cys Pro Leu 130 135 140ctt cca tcg gat tct caa gtt cag gaa
gtc aga aac cca cca gat aat 480Leu Pro Ser Asp Ser Gln Val Gln Glu
Val Arg Asn Pro Pro Asp Asn145 150 155 160ccc caa act att gac tac
agc tgt tca cca ggg ttc aag ctt aaa ggc 528Pro Gln Thr Ile Asp Tyr
Ser Cys Ser Pro Gly Phe Lys Leu Lys Gly 165 170 175gtg gca cga att
agc tgt ctc cca aat gga cag tgg agt agc ttt cca 576Val Ala Arg Ile
Ser Cys Leu Pro Asn Gly Gln Trp Ser Ser Phe Pro 180 185 190ccc aaa
tgt att cga gaa tgt gcc aag gtt tca tct cca gaa cac ggg 624Pro Lys
Cys Ile Arg Glu Cys Ala Lys Val Ser Ser Pro Glu His Gly 195 200
205aaa gtg aat gct cct agt ggc aat atg ata gaa ggg gct act tta cgg
672Lys Val Asn Ala Pro Ser Gly Asn Met Ile Glu Gly Ala Thr Leu Arg
210 215 220ttc tca tgt gat agt ccc tac tac ttg att ggt caa gaa aca
tta acc 720Phe Ser Cys Asp Ser Pro Tyr Tyr Leu Ile Gly Gln Glu Thr
Leu Thr225 230 235 240tgc cag ggt aat ggt cag tgg agt gga caa ata
cca caa tgt aag aag 768Cys Gln Gly Asn Gly Gln Trp Ser Gly Gln Ile
Pro Gln Cys Lys Lys 245 250 255ttg gtc ttc tgt cct gac ctt gat cct
gta aac cat gct gaa cac cag 816Leu Val Phe Cys Pro Asp Leu Asp Pro
Val Asn His Ala Glu His Gln 260 265 270gtt aaa att ggt gtg gaa caa
aaa tat ggt cag ttt cct caa ggc act 864Val Lys Ile Gly Val Glu Gln
Lys Tyr Gly Gln Phe Pro Gln Gly Thr 275 280 285gaa gtg acc tat acg
tgt tcg ggt aac tac ttc ttg atg ggt ttt aac 912Glu Val Thr Tyr Thr
Cys Ser Gly Asn Tyr Phe Leu Met Gly Phe Asn 290 295 300acc tta aaa
tgt aac cct gat ggg tcc tgg tca gga tca cag cca tcc 960Thr Leu Lys
Cys Asn Pro Asp Gly Ser Trp Ser Gly Ser Gln Pro Ser305 310 315
320tgt gtt aaa gtg gca gac aga gag gtc gac tgt gac agt aaa gct gta
1008Cys Val Lys Val Ala Asp Arg Glu Val Asp Cys Asp Ser Lys Ala Val
325 330 335gac ttc ttg gat gat gtt ggt gaa cct gtc agg atc cac tgt
cct gct 1056Asp Phe Leu Asp Asp Val Gly Glu Pro Val Arg Ile His Cys
Pro Ala 340 345 350ggc tgt tct ttg aca gct ggt act gtg tgg ggt aca
gcc ata tac cac 1104Gly Cys Ser Leu Thr Ala Gly Thr Val Trp Gly Thr
Ala Ile Tyr His 355 360 365gaa ctt tcc tca gtg tgt cgt gca gcc atc
cat gct ggc aag ctt cca 1152Glu Leu Ser Ser Val Cys Arg Ala Ala Ile
His Ala Gly Lys Leu Pro 370 375 380aac tct gga ggg gcg gtg cat gta
gtg aac aat ggc ccc tac tcg gac 1200Asn Ser Gly Gly Ala Val His Val
Val Asn Asn Gly Pro Tyr Ser Asp385 390 395 400ttt ctg ggt agt gac
ctg aat ggg ata aaa tcg gaa gag ttg aag tct 1248Phe Leu Gly Ser Asp
Leu Asn Gly Ile Lys Ser Glu Glu Leu Lys Ser 405 410 415ctt gcc cgc
agt ttt cga ttt gat tat gtc agt tca tcc aca gca ggt 1296Leu Ala Arg
Ser Phe Arg Phe Asp Tyr Val Ser Ser Ser Thr Ala Gly 420 425 430aga
tca gga tgt cct gat gga tgg ttt gag gta gaa gag aac tgt gtg 1344Arg
Ser Gly Cys Pro Asp Gly Trp Phe Glu Val Glu Glu Asn Cys Val 435 440
445tac gtt aca tca aaa cag aga gcc tgg gaa aga gct caa ggt gtg tgt
1392Tyr Val Thr Ser Lys Gln Arg Ala Trp Glu Arg Ala Gln Gly Val Cys
450 455 460acc aat atg gct gct cgt ctt gct gtg cta gac aaa gat cta
att ccg 1440Thr Asn Met Ala Ala Arg Leu Ala Val Leu Asp Lys Asp Leu
Ile Pro465 470 475 480agt tcc ttg act gag act cta cga ggg aaa ggg
tta aca acc aca tgg 1488Ser Ser Leu Thr Glu Thr Leu Arg Gly Lys Gly
Leu Thr Thr Thr Trp 485 490 495ata gga ttg cac aga cta gat gct gag
aag ccc ttt gtt tgg gag cta 1536Ile Gly Leu His Arg Leu Asp Ala Glu
Lys Pro Phe Val Trp Glu Leu 500 505 510atg gat cgt agt aat gtg gtt
ctg aat gat aac cta aca ttc tgg gcc 1584Met Asp Arg Ser Asn Val Val
Leu Asn Asp Asn Leu Thr Phe Trp Ala 515 520 525tct ggc gaa cct gga
aat gaa act aac tgt gta tat ctg gac atc cga 1632Ser Gly Glu Pro Gly
Asn Glu Thr Asn Cys Val Tyr Leu Asp Ile Arg 530 535 540gat cag ctg
cag cct gtg tgg aaa acc aag tca tgt ttt cag ccc tca 1680Asp Gln Leu
Gln Pro Val Trp Lys Thr Lys Ser Cys Phe Gln Pro Ser545 550 555
560agc ttt gct tgc atg atg gat ttg tca gac aga aat aaa gcc aaa tgc
1728Ser Phe Ala Cys Met Met Asp Leu Ser Asp Arg Asn Lys Ala Lys Cys
565 570 575gat gac cct gga cca ctg gaa aat gga cac gcc aca ctt cat
gga caa 1776Asp Asp Pro Gly Pro Leu Glu Asn Gly His Ala Thr Leu His
Gly Gln 580 585 590agt att gat ggg ttc tat gct ggt tct tct ata agg
tac agc tgt gag 1824Ser Ile Asp Gly Phe Tyr Ala Gly Ser Ser Ile Arg
Tyr Ser Cys Glu 595 600 605gtt ctc cac tac ctc agt gga act gag acc
gta act tgt aca aca aat 1872Val Leu His Tyr Leu Ser Gly Thr Glu Thr
Val Thr Cys Thr Thr Asn 610 615 620ggc aca tgg agt gct cct aaa cct
cga tgt atc aaa gtc atc acc tgc 1920Gly Thr Trp Ser Ala Pro Lys Pro
Arg Cys Ile Lys Val Ile Thr Cys625 630 635 640caa aac cct cct gta
cca tca tat ggt tct gtg gaa atc aaa ccc cca 1968Gln Asn Pro Pro Val
Pro Ser Tyr Gly Ser Val Glu Ile Lys Pro Pro 645 650 655agt cgg aca
aac tcg atc agt cgt gtt ggg tca cct ttc ttg agg ttg 2016Ser Arg Thr
Asn Ser Ile Ser Arg Val Gly Ser Pro Phe Leu Arg Leu 660 665 670cca
cgg tta ccc ctc cca tta gcc aga gca gcc aaa cct cct cca aaa 2064Pro
Arg Leu Pro Leu Pro Leu Ala Arg Ala Ala Lys Pro Pro Pro Lys 675 680
685cct aga tcc tca caa ccc tct act gtg gac ttg gct tct aaa gtt aaa
2112Pro Arg Ser Ser Gln Pro Ser Thr Val Asp Leu Ala Ser Lys Val Lys
690 695 700cta cct gaa ggt cat tac cgg gta ggg tct cga gcc att tac
acg tgc 2160Leu Pro Glu Gly His Tyr Arg Val Gly Ser Arg Ala Ile Tyr
Thr Cys705 710 715 720gag tcg aga tac tac gaa cta ctt gga tct caa
ggc aga aga tgt gac 2208Glu Ser Arg Tyr Tyr Glu Leu Leu Gly Ser Gln
Gly Arg Arg Cys Asp 725 730 735tct aat gga aac tgg agt ggt cgg ccc
gct agc tgt att cca gtt tgt 2256Ser Asn Gly Asn Trp Ser Gly Arg Pro
Ala Ser Cys Ile Pro Val Cys 740 745 750gga cgg tca gac tct cct cgt
tct cct ttc atc tgg aat ggg aat tct 2304Gly Arg Ser Asp Ser Pro Arg
Ser Pro Phe Ile Trp Asn Gly Asn Ser 755 760 765aca gaa ata ggt cag
tgg ccg tgg cag gca gga atc tct cga tgg ctt 2352Thr Glu Ile Gly Gln
Trp Pro Trp Gln Ala Gly Ile Ser Arg Trp Leu 770 775 780gca gac cac
aat atg tgg ttt ctc cag tgt gga gga tcc cta ttg aat 2400Ala Asp His
Asn Met Trp Phe Leu Gln Cys Gly Gly Ser Leu Leu Asn785 790 795
800gag aaa tgg atc gtc act gct gcc cac tgt gtc acc tac tct gct act
2448Glu Lys Trp Ile Val Thr Ala Ala His Cys Val Thr Tyr Ser Ala Thr
805 810 815gct gag ata att gat ccc agt cag ttt aaa atc tat ctg ggc
aag tac 2496Ala Glu Ile Ile Asp Pro Ser Gln Phe Lys Ile Tyr Leu Gly
Lys Tyr 820 825 830tac cgt gat gac agt aga gac gat gac tac gta caa
gta aga gag gct 2544Tyr Arg Asp Asp Ser Arg Asp Asp Asp Tyr Val Gln
Val Arg Glu Ala 835 840 845ctc gag atc cac gta aat cct aac tac gac
ccc ggc aat ctc aac ttt 2592Leu Glu Ile His Val Asn Pro Asn Tyr Asp
Pro Gly Asn Leu Asn Phe 850 855 860gac ata gcc cta att caa ctg aaa
act cct gtt act ttg aca aca cga 2640Asp Ile Ala Leu Ile Gln Leu Lys
Thr Pro Val Thr Leu Thr Thr Arg865 870 875 880gtc caa cca atc tgt
ctg cct act gac atc aca aca aga gaa cac ttg 2688Val Gln Pro Ile Cys
Leu Pro Thr Asp Ile Thr Thr Arg Glu His Leu 885 890 895aag gag gga
aca tta gca gtg gtg aca ggt tgg ggt ttg aat gaa aac 2736Lys Glu Gly
Thr Leu Ala Val Val Thr Gly Trp Gly Leu Asn Glu Asn 900 905 910aac
aca tat tca gag atg att caa caa gct gtg cta cct gtt gtt gca 2784Asn
Thr Tyr Ser Glu Met Ile Gln Gln Ala Val Leu Pro Val Val Ala 915 920
925gca agc acc tgt gaa gag ggg tac aag gaa gca gac tta cca ctg aca
2832Ala Ser Thr Cys Glu Glu Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ala Asp Leu Pro Leu Thr
930 935 940gta aca gag aac atg ttc tgt gca ggt tac aag aag gga cgt
tat gat 2880Val Thr Glu Asn Met Phe Cys Ala Gly Tyr Lys Lys Gly Arg
Tyr Asp945 950 955 960gcc tgc agt ggg gac agt gga gga cca tta gtg
ttt gct gat gat tcc 2928Ala Cys Ser Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Val
Phe Ala Asp Asp Ser 965 970 975cgt acc gaa agg cgg tgg gtc ttg gaa
ggg att gtc agc tgg ggc agt 2976Arg Thr Glu Arg Arg Trp Val Leu Glu
Gly Ile Val Ser Trp Gly Ser 980 985 990ccc agt gga tgt ggc aag gct
aac cag tat ggg ggc ttc act aaa gtt 3024Pro Ser Gly Cys Gly Lys Ala
Asn Gln Tyr Gly Gly Phe Thr Lys Val 995 1000 1005aac gtt ttt cta
tca tgg att agg cag ttc att tga 3060Asn Val Phe Leu Ser Trp Ile Arg
Gln Phe Ile 1010 101521019PRTTachypleus tridentatus 2Met Val Leu
Ala Ser Phe Leu Val Ser Gly Leu Val Leu Gly Ile Leu1 5 10 15Ala Gln
Gln Met Arg Pro Val Gln Ser Arg Gly Val Asp Leu Gly Leu 20 25 30Cys
Asp Glu Thr Arg Phe Glu Cys Lys Cys Gly Asp Pro Gly Tyr Val 35 40
45Phe Asn Val Pro Met Lys Gln Cys Thr Tyr Phe Tyr Arg Trp Arg Pro
50 55 60Tyr Cys Lys Pro Cys Asp Asp Leu Glu Ala Lys Asp Ile Cys Pro
Lys65 70 75 80Tyr Lys Arg Cys Gln Glu Cys Lys Ala Gly Leu Asp Ser
Cys Val Thr 85 90 95Cys Pro Pro Asn Lys Tyr Gly Thr Trp Cys Ser Gly
Glu Cys Gln Cys 100 105 110Lys Asn Gly Gly Ile Cys Asp Gln Arg Thr
Gly Ala Cys Thr Cys Arg 115 120 125Asp Arg Tyr Glu Gly Ala His Cys
Glu Ile Leu Lys Gly Cys Pro Leu 130 135 140Leu Pro Ser Asp Ser Gln
Val Gln Glu Val Arg Asn Pro Pro Asp Asn145 150 155 160Pro Gln Thr
Ile Asp Tyr Ser Cys Ser Pro Gly Phe Lys Leu Lys Gly 165 170 175Val
Ala Arg Ile Ser Cys Leu Pro Asn Gly Gln Trp Ser Ser Phe Pro 180 185
190Pro Lys Cys Ile Arg Glu Cys Ala Lys Val Ser Ser Pro Glu His Gly
195 200 205Lys Val Asn Ala Pro Ser Gly Asn Met Ile Glu Gly Ala Thr
Leu Arg 210 215 220Phe Ser Cys Asp Ser Pro Tyr Tyr Leu Ile Gly Gln
Glu Thr Leu Thr225 230 235 240Cys Gln Gly Asn Gly Gln Trp Ser Gly
Gln Ile Pro Gln Cys Lys Lys 245 250 255Leu Val Phe Cys Pro Asp Leu
Asp Pro Val Asn His Ala Glu His Gln 260 265 270Val Lys Ile Gly Val
Glu Gln Lys Tyr Gly Gln Phe Pro Gln Gly Thr 275 280 285Glu Val Thr
Tyr Thr Cys Ser Gly Asn Tyr Phe Leu Met Gly Phe Asn 290 295 300Thr
Leu Lys Cys Asn Pro Asp Gly Ser Trp Ser Gly Ser Gln Pro Ser305 310
315 320Cys Val Lys Val Ala Asp Arg Glu Val Asp Cys Asp Ser Lys Ala
Val 325 330 335Asp Phe Leu Asp Asp Val Gly Glu Pro Val Arg Ile His
Cys Pro Ala 340 345 350Gly Cys Ser Leu Thr Ala Gly Thr Val Trp Gly
Thr Ala Ile Tyr His 355 360 365Glu Leu Ser Ser Val Cys Arg Ala Ala
Ile His Ala Gly Lys Leu Pro 370 375 380Asn Ser Gly Gly Ala Val His
Val Val Asn Asn Gly Pro Tyr Ser Asp385 390 395 400Phe Leu Gly Ser
Asp Leu Asn Gly Ile Lys Ser Glu Glu Leu Lys Ser 405 410 415Leu Ala
Arg Ser Phe Arg Phe Asp Tyr Val Ser Ser Ser Thr Ala Gly 420 425
430Arg Ser Gly Cys Pro Asp Gly Trp Phe Glu Val Glu Glu Asn Cys Val
435 440 445Tyr Val Thr Ser Lys Gln Arg Ala Trp Glu Arg Ala Gln Gly
Val Cys 450 455 460Thr Asn Met Ala Ala Arg Leu Ala Val Leu Asp Lys
Asp Leu Ile Pro465 470 475 480Ser Ser Leu Thr Glu Thr Leu Arg Gly
Lys Gly Leu Thr Thr Thr Trp 485 490 495Ile Gly Leu His Arg Leu Asp
Ala Glu Lys Pro Phe Val Trp Glu Leu 500 505 510Met Asp Arg Ser Asn
Val Val Leu Asn Asp Asn Leu Thr Phe Trp Ala 515 520 525Ser Gly Glu
Pro Gly Asn Glu Thr Asn Cys Val Tyr Leu Asp Ile Arg 530 535 540Asp
Gln Leu Gln Pro Val Trp Lys Thr Lys Ser Cys Phe Gln Pro Ser545 550
555 560Ser Phe Ala Cys Met Met Asp Leu Ser Asp Arg Asn Lys Ala Lys
Cys 565 570 575Asp Asp Pro Gly Pro Leu Glu Asn Gly His Ala Thr Leu
His Gly Gln 580 585 590Ser Ile Asp Gly Phe Tyr Ala Gly Ser Ser Ile
Arg Tyr Ser Cys Glu 595 600 605Val Leu His Tyr Leu Ser Gly Thr Glu
Thr Val Thr Cys Thr Thr Asn 610 615 620Gly Thr Trp Ser Ala Pro Lys
Pro Arg Cys Ile Lys Val Ile Thr Cys625 630 635 640Gln Asn Pro Pro
Val Pro Ser Tyr Gly Ser Val Glu Ile Lys Pro Pro 645 650 655Ser Arg
Thr Asn Ser Ile Ser Arg Val Gly Ser Pro Phe Leu Arg Leu 660 665
670Pro Arg Leu Pro Leu Pro Leu Ala Arg Ala Ala Lys Pro Pro Pro Lys
675 680 685Pro Arg Ser Ser Gln Pro Ser Thr Val Asp Leu Ala Ser Lys
Val Lys 690 695 700Leu Pro Glu Gly His Tyr Arg Val Gly Ser Arg Ala
Ile Tyr Thr Cys705 710 715 720Glu Ser Arg Tyr Tyr Glu Leu Leu Gly
Ser Gln Gly Arg Arg Cys Asp 725 730 735Ser Asn Gly Asn Trp Ser Gly
Arg Pro Ala Ser Cys Ile Pro Val Cys 740 745 750Gly Arg Ser Asp Ser
Pro Arg Ser Pro Phe Ile Trp Asn Gly Asn Ser 755 760 765Thr Glu Ile
Gly Gln Trp Pro Trp Gln Ala Gly Ile Ser Arg Trp Leu 770 775 780Ala
Asp His Asn Met Trp Phe Leu Gln Cys Gly Gly Ser Leu Leu Asn785 790
795 800Glu Lys Trp Ile Val Thr Ala Ala His Cys Val Thr Tyr Ser Ala
Thr 805 810 815Ala Glu Ile Ile Asp Pro Ser Gln Phe Lys Ile Tyr Leu
Gly Lys Tyr
820 825 830Tyr Arg Asp Asp Ser Arg Asp Asp Asp Tyr Val Gln Val Arg
Glu Ala 835 840 845Leu Glu Ile His Val Asn Pro Asn Tyr Asp Pro Gly
Asn Leu Asn Phe 850 855 860Asp Ile Ala Leu Ile Gln Leu Lys Thr Pro
Val Thr Leu Thr Thr Arg865 870 875 880Val Gln Pro Ile Cys Leu Pro
Thr Asp Ile Thr Thr Arg Glu His Leu 885 890 895Lys Glu Gly Thr Leu
Ala Val Val Thr Gly Trp Gly Leu Asn Glu Asn 900 905 910Asn Thr Tyr
Ser Glu Met Ile Gln Gln Ala Val Leu Pro Val Val Ala 915 920 925Ala
Ser Thr Cys Glu Glu Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ala Asp Leu Pro Leu Thr 930 935
940Val Thr Glu Asn Met Phe Cys Ala Gly Tyr Lys Lys Gly Arg Tyr
Asp945 950 955 960Ala Cys Ser Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Val Phe
Ala Asp Asp Ser 965 970 975Arg Thr Glu Arg Arg Trp Val Leu Glu Gly
Ile Val Ser Trp Gly Ser 980 985 990Pro Ser Gly Cys Gly Lys Ala Asn
Gln Tyr Gly Gly Phe Thr Lys Val 995 1000 1005Asn Val Phe Leu Ser
Trp Ile Arg Gln Phe Ile 1010 101533060DNACarcinoscorpius
rotundicaudaCDS(1)..(3060) 3atg gtc tta gcg tcg ttt ttg gtg tct ggt
tta gtt cta ggg cta cta 48Met Val Leu Ala Ser Phe Leu Val Ser Gly
Leu Val Leu Gly Leu Leu1 5 10 15gcc caa aaa atg cgc cca gtt cag tcc
aaa gga gta gat cta ggc ttg 96Ala Gln Lys Met Arg Pro Val Gln Ser
Lys Gly Val Asp Leu Gly Leu 20 25 30tgt gat gaa acg agg ttc gag tgt
aag tgt ggc gat cca ggc tat gtg 144Cys Asp Glu Thr Arg Phe Glu Cys
Lys Cys Gly Asp Pro Gly Tyr Val 35 40 45ttc aac att cca gtg aaa caa
tgt aca tac ttt tat cga tgg agg ccg 192Phe Asn Ile Pro Val Lys Gln
Cys Thr Tyr Phe Tyr Arg Trp Arg Pro 50 55 60tat tgt aaa cca tgt gat
gac ctg gag gct aag gat att tgt cca aag 240Tyr Cys Lys Pro Cys Asp
Asp Leu Glu Ala Lys Asp Ile Cys Pro Lys65 70 75 80tac aaa cga tgt
caa gag tgt aag gct ggt ctt gat agt tgt gtt act 288Tyr Lys Arg Cys
Gln Glu Cys Lys Ala Gly Leu Asp Ser Cys Val Thr 85 90 95tgt cca cct
aac aaa tat ggt act tgg tgt agc ggt gaa tgt cag tgt 336Cys Pro Pro
Asn Lys Tyr Gly Thr Trp Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Gln Cys 100 105 110aag
aat gga ggt atc tgt gac cag agg aca gga gct tgt gca tgt cgt 384Lys
Asn Gly Gly Ile Cys Asp Gln Arg Thr Gly Ala Cys Ala Cys Arg 115 120
125gac aga tat gaa ggg gtg cac tgt gaa att ctc aaa ggt tgt cct ctt
432Asp Arg Tyr Glu Gly Val His Cys Glu Ile Leu Lys Gly Cys Pro Leu
130 135 140ctt cca tcg gat tct cag gtt cag gaa gtc aga aat cca cca
gat aat 480Leu Pro Ser Asp Ser Gln Val Gln Glu Val Arg Asn Pro Pro
Asp Asn145 150 155 160ccc caa act att gac tac agc tgt tca cca ggg
ttc aag ctt aag ggt 528Pro Gln Thr Ile Asp Tyr Ser Cys Ser Pro Gly
Phe Lys Leu Lys Gly 165 170 175atg gca cga att agc tgt ctc cca aat
gga cag tgg agt aac ttt cca 576Met Ala Arg Ile Ser Cys Leu Pro Asn
Gly Gln Trp Ser Asn Phe Pro 180 185 190ccc aaa tgt att cga gaa tgt
gcc atg gtt tca tct cca gaa cat ggg 624Pro Lys Cys Ile Arg Glu Cys
Ala Met Val Ser Ser Pro Glu His Gly 195 200 205aaa gtg aat gct ctt
agt ggt gat atg ata gaa ggg gct act tta cgg 672Lys Val Asn Ala Leu
Ser Gly Asp Met Ile Glu Gly Ala Thr Leu Arg 210 215 220ttc tca tgt
gat agt ccc tac tac ttg att ggt caa gaa aca tta acc 720Phe Ser Cys
Asp Ser Pro Tyr Tyr Leu Ile Gly Gln Glu Thr Leu Thr225 230 235
240tgt cag ggt aat ggt cag tgg aat gga cag ata cca caa tgt aag aac
768Cys Gln Gly Asn Gly Gln Trp Asn Gly Gln Ile Pro Gln Cys Lys Asn
245 250 255ttg gtc ttc tgt cct gac ctg gat cct gta aac cat gct gaa
cac aag 816Leu Val Phe Cys Pro Asp Leu Asp Pro Val Asn His Ala Glu
His Lys 260 265 270gtt aaa att ggt gtg gaa caa aaa tat ggt cag ttt
cct caa ggc act 864Val Lys Ile Gly Val Glu Gln Lys Tyr Gly Gln Phe
Pro Gln Gly Thr 275 280 285gaa gtg acc tat acg tgt tcg ggt aac tac
ttc ttg atg ggt ttt gac 912Glu Val Thr Tyr Thr Cys Ser Gly Asn Tyr
Phe Leu Met Gly Phe Asp 290 295 300acc tta aaa tgt aac cct gat ggg
tct tgg tca gga tca cag cca tcc 960Thr Leu Lys Cys Asn Pro Asp Gly
Ser Trp Ser Gly Ser Gln Pro Ser305 310 315 320tgt gtt aaa gtg gca
gac aga gag gtc gac tgt gac agt aaa gct gta 1008Cys Val Lys Val Ala
Asp Arg Glu Val Asp Cys Asp Ser Lys Ala Val 325 330 335gac ttc ttg
gat gat gtt ggt gaa cct gtc agg atc cac tgt cct gct 1056Asp Phe Leu
Asp Asp Val Gly Glu Pro Val Arg Ile His Cys Pro Ala 340 345 350ggc
tgt tct ttg aca gct ggt act gtg tgg ggt aca gcc ata tac cat 1104Gly
Cys Ser Leu Thr Ala Gly Thr Val Trp Gly Thr Ala Ile Tyr His 355 360
365gaa ctt tcc tca gtg tgt cgt gca gcc atc cat gct ggc aag ctt cca
1152Glu Leu Ser Ser Val Cys Arg Ala Ala Ile His Ala Gly Lys Leu Pro
370 375 380aac tct gga gga gcg gtg cat gtt gtg aac aat ggc ccc tac
tcg gac 1200Asn Ser Gly Gly Ala Val His Val Val Asn Asn Gly Pro Tyr
Ser Asp385 390 395 400ttt ctg ggt agt gac ctg aat ggg ata aaa tcg
gaa gag ttg aag tct 1248Phe Leu Gly Ser Asp Leu Asn Gly Ile Lys Ser
Glu Glu Leu Lys Ser 405 410 415ctt gcc cgg agt ttc cga ttc gat tat
gtc cgt tcc tcc aca gca ggt 1296Leu Ala Arg Ser Phe Arg Phe Asp Tyr
Val Arg Ser Ser Thr Ala Gly 420 425 430aaa tca gga tgt cct gat gga
tgg ttt gag gta gac gag aac tgt gtg 1344Lys Ser Gly Cys Pro Asp Gly
Trp Phe Glu Val Asp Glu Asn Cys Val 435 440 445tac gtt aca tca aaa
cag aga gcc tgg gaa aga gct caa ggt gtg tgt 1392Tyr Val Thr Ser Lys
Gln Arg Ala Trp Glu Arg Ala Gln Gly Val Cys 450 455 460acc aat atg
gct gct cgt ctt gct gtg ctg gac aaa gat gta att cca 1440Thr Asn Met
Ala Ala Arg Leu Ala Val Leu Asp Lys Asp Val Ile Pro465 470 475
480aat tcg ttg act gag act cta cga ggg aaa ggg tta aca acc acg tgg
1488Asn Ser Leu Thr Glu Thr Leu Arg Gly Lys Gly Leu Thr Thr Thr Trp
485 490 495ata gga ttg cac aga cta gat gct gag aag ccc ttt att tgg
gag tta 1536Ile Gly Leu His Arg Leu Asp Ala Glu Lys Pro Phe Ile Trp
Glu Leu 500 505 510atg gat cgt agt aat gtg gtt ctg aat gat aac cta
aca ttc tgg gcc 1584Met Asp Arg Ser Asn Val Val Leu Asn Asp Asn Leu
Thr Phe Trp Ala 515 520 525tct ggc gaa cct gga aat gaa act aac tgt
gta tat atg gac atc caa 1632Ser Gly Glu Pro Gly Asn Glu Thr Asn Cys
Val Tyr Met Asp Ile Gln 530 535 540gat cag ttg cag tct gtg tgg aaa
acc aag tca tgt ttt cag ccc tca 1680Asp Gln Leu Gln Ser Val Trp Lys
Thr Lys Ser Cys Phe Gln Pro Ser545 550 555 560agt ttt gct tgc atg
atg gat ctg tca gac aga aat aaa gcc aaa tgc 1728Ser Phe Ala Cys Met
Met Asp Leu Ser Asp Arg Asn Lys Ala Lys Cys 565 570 575gat gat cct
gga tca ctg gaa aat gga cac gcc aca ctt cat gga caa 1776Asp Asp Pro
Gly Ser Leu Glu Asn Gly His Ala Thr Leu His Gly Gln 580 585 590agt
att gat ggg ttc tat gct ggt tct tct ata agg tac agc tgt gag 1824Ser
Ile Asp Gly Phe Tyr Ala Gly Ser Ser Ile Arg Tyr Ser Cys Glu 595 600
605gtt ctc cac tac ctc agt gga act gaa acc gta act tgt aca aca aat
1872Val Leu His Tyr Leu Ser Gly Thr Glu Thr Val Thr Cys Thr Thr Asn
610 615 620ggc aca tgg agt gct cct aaa cct cga tgt atc aaa gtc atc
acc tgc 1920Gly Thr Trp Ser Ala Pro Lys Pro Arg Cys Ile Lys Val Ile
Thr Cys625 630 635 640caa aac ccc cct gta cca tca tat ggt tct gtg
gaa atc aaa ccc cca 1968Gln Asn Pro Pro Val Pro Ser Tyr Gly Ser Val
Glu Ile Lys Pro Pro 645 650 655agt cgg aca aac tcg ata agt cgt gtt
ggg tca cct ttc ttg agg ttg 2016Ser Arg Thr Asn Ser Ile Ser Arg Val
Gly Ser Pro Phe Leu Arg Leu 660 665 670cca cgg tta ccc ctc cca tta
gct aga gca gcc aaa cct cct cca aaa 2064Pro Arg Leu Pro Leu Pro Leu
Ala Arg Ala Ala Lys Pro Pro Pro Lys 675 680 685cct aga tcc tca caa
ccc tct act gtg gac ttg gct tct aaa gtt aaa 2112Pro Arg Ser Ser Gln
Pro Ser Thr Val Asp Leu Ala Ser Lys Val Lys 690 695 700cta cct gaa
ggt cat tac cgg gta ggg tct cga gcc atc tac acg tgc 2160Leu Pro Glu
Gly His Tyr Arg Val Gly Ser Arg Ala Ile Tyr Thr Cys705 710 715
720gag tcg aga tac tac gaa cta ctt gga tct caa ggc aga aga tgt gac
2208Glu Ser Arg Tyr Tyr Glu Leu Leu Gly Ser Gln Gly Arg Arg Cys Asp
725 730 735tct aat gga aac tgg agt ggt cgg cca gcg agc tgt att cca
gtt tgt 2256Ser Asn Gly Asn Trp Ser Gly Arg Pro Ala Ser Cys Ile Pro
Val Cys 740 745 750gga cgg tca gac tct cct cgt tct cct ttt atc tgg
aat ggg aat tct 2304Gly Arg Ser Asp Ser Pro Arg Ser Pro Phe Ile Trp
Asn Gly Asn Ser 755 760 765aca gaa ata ggt cag tgg ccg tgg cag gca
gga atc tct aga tgg ctt 2352Thr Glu Ile Gly Gln Trp Pro Trp Gln Ala
Gly Ile Ser Arg Trp Leu 770 775 780gca gac cac aat atg tgg ttt ctc
cag tgt gga gga tct cta ttg aat 2400Ala Asp His Asn Met Trp Phe Leu
Gln Cys Gly Gly Ser Leu Leu Asn785 790 795 800gag aaa tgg atc gtc
act gct gcc cac tgt gtc acc tac tct gct act 2448Glu Lys Trp Ile Val
Thr Ala Ala His Cys Val Thr Tyr Ser Ala Thr 805 810 815gct gag att
att gac ccc aat cag ttt aaa atg tat ctg ggc aag tac 2496Ala Glu Ile
Ile Asp Pro Asn Gln Phe Lys Met Tyr Leu Gly Lys Tyr 820 825 830tac
cgt gat gac agt aga gac gat gac tat gta caa gta aga gag gct 2544Tyr
Arg Asp Asp Ser Arg Asp Asp Asp Tyr Val Gln Val Arg Glu Ala 835 840
845ctt gag atc cac gtg aat cct aac tac gac ccc ggc aat ctc aac ttt
2592Leu Glu Ile His Val Asn Pro Asn Tyr Asp Pro Gly Asn Leu Asn Phe
850 855 860gac ata gcc cta att caa ctg aaa act cct gtt act ttg aca
aca cga 2640Asp Ile Ala Leu Ile Gln Leu Lys Thr Pro Val Thr Leu Thr
Thr Arg865 870 875 880gtc caa cca atc tgt ctg cct act gac atc aca
aca aga gaa cac ttg 2688Val Gln Pro Ile Cys Leu Pro Thr Asp Ile Thr
Thr Arg Glu His Leu 885 890 895aag gag gga aca tta gca gtg gtg aca
ggt tgg ggt ttg aat gaa aac 2736Lys Glu Gly Thr Leu Ala Val Val Thr
Gly Trp Gly Leu Asn Glu Asn 900 905 910aac acc tat tca gag acg att
caa caa gct gtg cta cct gtt gtt gca 2784Asn Thr Tyr Ser Glu Thr Ile
Gln Gln Ala Val Leu Pro Val Val Ala 915 920 925gcc agc acc tgt gaa
gag ggg tac aag gaa gca gac tta cca ctg aca 2832Ala Ser Thr Cys Glu
Glu Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ala Asp Leu Pro Leu Thr 930 935 940gta aca gag
aac atg ttc tgt gca ggt tac aag aag gga cgt tat gat 2880Val Thr Glu
Asn Met Phe Cys Ala Gly Tyr Lys Lys Gly Arg Tyr Asp945 950 955
960gcc tgc agt ggg gac agt gga gga cct tta gtg ttt gct gat gat tcc
2928Ala Cys Ser Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Val Phe Ala Asp Asp Ser
965 970 975cgt acc gaa agg cgg tgg gtc ttg gaa ggg att gtc agc tgg
ggc agt 2976Arg Thr Glu Arg Arg Trp Val Leu Glu Gly Ile Val Ser Trp
Gly Ser 980 985 990ccc agt gga tgt ggc aag gcg aac cag tac ggg ggc
ttc act aaa gtt 3024Pro Ser Gly Cys Gly Lys Ala Asn Gln Tyr Gly Gly
Phe Thr Lys Val 995 1000 1005aac gtt ttc ctg tca tgg att agg cag
ttc att tga 3060Asn Val Phe Leu Ser Trp Ile Arg Gln Phe Ile 1010
101541019PRTCarcinoscorpius rotundicauda 4Met Val Leu Ala Ser Phe
Leu Val Ser Gly Leu Val Leu Gly Leu Leu1 5 10 15Ala Gln Lys Met Arg
Pro Val Gln Ser Lys Gly Val Asp Leu Gly Leu 20 25 30Cys Asp Glu Thr
Arg Phe Glu Cys Lys Cys Gly Asp Pro Gly Tyr Val 35 40 45Phe Asn Ile
Pro Val Lys Gln Cys Thr Tyr Phe Tyr Arg Trp Arg Pro 50 55 60Tyr Cys
Lys Pro Cys Asp Asp Leu Glu Ala Lys Asp Ile Cys Pro Lys65 70 75
80Tyr Lys Arg Cys Gln Glu Cys Lys Ala Gly Leu Asp Ser Cys Val Thr
85 90 95Cys Pro Pro Asn Lys Tyr Gly Thr Trp Cys Ser Gly Glu Cys Gln
Cys 100 105 110Lys Asn Gly Gly Ile Cys Asp Gln Arg Thr Gly Ala Cys
Ala Cys Arg 115 120 125Asp Arg Tyr Glu Gly Val His Cys Glu Ile Leu
Lys Gly Cys Pro Leu 130 135 140Leu Pro Ser Asp Ser Gln Val Gln Glu
Val Arg Asn Pro Pro Asp Asn145 150 155 160Pro Gln Thr Ile Asp Tyr
Ser Cys Ser Pro Gly Phe Lys Leu Lys Gly 165 170 175Met Ala Arg Ile
Ser Cys Leu Pro Asn Gly Gln Trp Ser Asn Phe Pro 180 185 190Pro Lys
Cys Ile Arg Glu Cys Ala Met Val Ser Ser Pro Glu His Gly 195 200
205Lys Val Asn Ala Leu Ser Gly Asp Met Ile Glu Gly Ala Thr Leu Arg
210 215 220Phe Ser Cys Asp Ser Pro Tyr Tyr Leu Ile Gly Gln Glu Thr
Leu Thr225 230 235 240Cys Gln Gly Asn Gly Gln Trp Asn Gly Gln Ile
Pro Gln Cys Lys Asn 245 250 255Leu Val Phe Cys Pro Asp Leu Asp Pro
Val Asn His Ala Glu His Lys 260 265 270Val Lys Ile Gly Val Glu Gln
Lys Tyr Gly Gln Phe Pro Gln Gly Thr 275 280 285Glu Val Thr Tyr Thr
Cys Ser Gly Asn Tyr Phe Leu Met Gly Phe Asp 290 295 300Thr Leu Lys
Cys Asn Pro Asp Gly Ser Trp Ser Gly Ser Gln Pro Ser305 310 315
320Cys Val Lys Val Ala Asp Arg Glu Val Asp Cys Asp Ser Lys Ala Val
325 330 335Asp Phe Leu Asp Asp Val Gly Glu Pro Val Arg Ile His Cys
Pro Ala 340 345 350Gly Cys Ser Leu Thr Ala Gly Thr Val Trp Gly Thr
Ala Ile Tyr His 355 360 365Glu Leu Ser Ser Val Cys Arg Ala Ala Ile
His Ala Gly Lys Leu Pro 370 375 380Asn Ser Gly Gly Ala Val His Val
Val Asn Asn Gly Pro Tyr Ser Asp385 390 395 400Phe Leu Gly Ser Asp
Leu Asn Gly Ile Lys Ser Glu Glu Leu Lys Ser 405 410 415Leu Ala Arg
Ser Phe Arg Phe Asp Tyr Val Arg Ser Ser Thr Ala Gly 420 425 430Lys
Ser Gly Cys Pro Asp Gly Trp Phe Glu Val Asp Glu Asn Cys Val 435 440
445Tyr Val Thr Ser Lys Gln Arg Ala Trp Glu Arg Ala Gln Gly Val Cys
450 455 460Thr Asn Met Ala Ala Arg Leu Ala Val Leu Asp Lys Asp Val
Ile Pro465 470 475 480Asn Ser Leu Thr Glu Thr Leu Arg Gly Lys Gly
Leu Thr Thr Thr Trp 485 490 495Ile Gly Leu His Arg Leu Asp Ala Glu
Lys Pro Phe Ile Trp Glu Leu 500 505 510Met Asp Arg Ser Asn Val Val
Leu Asn Asp Asn Leu Thr Phe Trp Ala 515 520 525Ser Gly Glu Pro Gly
Asn Glu Thr Asn Cys Val Tyr Met Asp Ile Gln 530 535 540Asp Gln Leu
Gln Ser Val Trp Lys Thr Lys Ser Cys Phe Gln Pro Ser545 550 555
560Ser Phe Ala Cys Met Met Asp Leu Ser Asp Arg Asn Lys Ala Lys Cys
565 570 575Asp Asp Pro Gly Ser Leu Glu Asn Gly His Ala Thr Leu His
Gly Gln 580 585 590Ser Ile Asp Gly Phe Tyr Ala Gly Ser Ser Ile Arg
Tyr Ser Cys Glu 595 600 605Val Leu His Tyr Leu Ser Gly Thr Glu Thr
Val Thr Cys Thr Thr Asn 610 615 620Gly Thr Trp Ser Ala Pro Lys Pro
Arg Cys Ile Lys Val Ile Thr Cys625
630 635 640Gln Asn Pro Pro Val Pro Ser Tyr Gly Ser Val Glu Ile Lys
Pro Pro 645 650 655Ser Arg Thr Asn Ser Ile Ser Arg Val Gly Ser Pro
Phe Leu Arg Leu 660 665 670Pro Arg Leu Pro Leu Pro Leu Ala Arg Ala
Ala Lys Pro Pro Pro Lys 675 680 685Pro Arg Ser Ser Gln Pro Ser Thr
Val Asp Leu Ala Ser Lys Val Lys 690 695 700Leu Pro Glu Gly His Tyr
Arg Val Gly Ser Arg Ala Ile Tyr Thr Cys705 710 715 720Glu Ser Arg
Tyr Tyr Glu Leu Leu Gly Ser Gln Gly Arg Arg Cys Asp 725 730 735Ser
Asn Gly Asn Trp Ser Gly Arg Pro Ala Ser Cys Ile Pro Val Cys 740 745
750Gly Arg Ser Asp Ser Pro Arg Ser Pro Phe Ile Trp Asn Gly Asn Ser
755 760 765Thr Glu Ile Gly Gln Trp Pro Trp Gln Ala Gly Ile Ser Arg
Trp Leu 770 775 780Ala Asp His Asn Met Trp Phe Leu Gln Cys Gly Gly
Ser Leu Leu Asn785 790 795 800Glu Lys Trp Ile Val Thr Ala Ala His
Cys Val Thr Tyr Ser Ala Thr 805 810 815Ala Glu Ile Ile Asp Pro Asn
Gln Phe Lys Met Tyr Leu Gly Lys Tyr 820 825 830Tyr Arg Asp Asp Ser
Arg Asp Asp Asp Tyr Val Gln Val Arg Glu Ala 835 840 845Leu Glu Ile
His Val Asn Pro Asn Tyr Asp Pro Gly Asn Leu Asn Phe 850 855 860Asp
Ile Ala Leu Ile Gln Leu Lys Thr Pro Val Thr Leu Thr Thr Arg865 870
875 880Val Gln Pro Ile Cys Leu Pro Thr Asp Ile Thr Thr Arg Glu His
Leu 885 890 895Lys Glu Gly Thr Leu Ala Val Val Thr Gly Trp Gly Leu
Asn Glu Asn 900 905 910Asn Thr Tyr Ser Glu Thr Ile Gln Gln Ala Val
Leu Pro Val Val Ala 915 920 925Ala Ser Thr Cys Glu Glu Gly Tyr Lys
Glu Ala Asp Leu Pro Leu Thr 930 935 940Val Thr Glu Asn Met Phe Cys
Ala Gly Tyr Lys Lys Gly Arg Tyr Asp945 950 955 960Ala Cys Ser Gly
Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Val Phe Ala Asp Asp Ser 965 970 975Arg Thr
Glu Arg Arg Trp Val Leu Glu Gly Ile Val Ser Trp Gly Ser 980 985
990Pro Ser Gly Cys Gly Lys Ala Asn Gln Tyr Gly Gly Phe Thr Lys Val
995 1000 1005Asn Val Phe Leu Ser Trp Ile Arg Gln Phe Ile 1010
101551203DNATachypleus tridentatusCDS(1)..(1203) 5atg acg tgg ata
tgt gtg ata acg ttg ttt gct ctg gct tct gct acg 48Met Thr Trp Ile
Cys Val Ile Thr Leu Phe Ala Leu Ala Ser Ala Thr1 5 10 15ttg ggt aac
aaa gtt agt aga gtg ggg gtc ctc ttc ccc aag aca cgg 96Leu Gly Asn
Lys Val Ser Arg Val Gly Val Leu Phe Pro Lys Thr Arg 20 25 30aac gac
aat gag tgt aca gca aga ggg gga ttg aaa gga tcc tgc aaa 144Asn Asp
Asn Glu Cys Thr Ala Arg Gly Gly Leu Lys Gly Ser Cys Lys 35 40 45tcc
ctc ata gac tgt cct agt gtc ttg gct acg ttg aag gac agt ttt 192Ser
Leu Ile Asp Cys Pro Ser Val Leu Ala Thr Leu Lys Asp Ser Phe 50 55
60cct gtc gtt tgc tct tgg aat ggt cga ttt cag cct att gtc tgc tgt
240Pro Val Val Cys Ser Trp Asn Gly Arg Phe Gln Pro Ile Val Cys
Cys65 70 75 80cct gat gca ata gca cca cca cct gta acc aca aca gct
gta act gta 288Pro Asp Ala Ile Ala Pro Pro Pro Val Thr Thr Thr Ala
Val Thr Val 85 90 95ata tct aca aaa gaa cca aag ctt cca aga tta cat
ata tca ggt tgt 336Ile Ser Thr Lys Glu Pro Lys Leu Pro Arg Leu His
Ile Ser Gly Cys 100 105 110gga aaa aga aaa gtc aaa ata gat att aca
act gtt gga cgc tct gga 384Gly Lys Arg Lys Val Lys Ile Asp Ile Thr
Thr Val Gly Arg Ser Gly 115 120 125tca cca ata ctt cct ccg ata tct
act cct caa aat tca aca ggt ggg 432Ser Pro Ile Leu Pro Pro Ile Ser
Thr Pro Gln Asn Ser Thr Gly Gly 130 135 140aga gga att att gct gga
ggc gta gaa gcc aaa att ggc gcg tgg cct 480Arg Gly Ile Ile Ala Gly
Gly Val Glu Ala Lys Ile Gly Ala Trp Pro145 150 155 160tgg atg gca
gct gtt ttt gtg aaa aac ttt ggc att ggc aga ttc cac 528Trp Met Ala
Ala Val Phe Val Lys Asn Phe Gly Ile Gly Arg Phe His 165 170 175tgt
gct ggt agc ata atc agt aac aag tac att ttg tca gct gcc cac 576Cys
Ala Gly Ser Ile Ile Ser Asn Lys Tyr Ile Leu Ser Ala Ala His 180 185
190gcc ttc ctt atc gga ggt cga aag ttg acc cca act cgc tta gct gtc
624Ala Phe Leu Ile Gly Gly Arg Lys Leu Thr Pro Thr Arg Leu Ala Val
195 200 205cgt gtg gga ggc cac tac ata aag agg ggt caa gag tat cca
gtg aaa 672Arg Val Gly Gly His Tyr Ile Lys Arg Gly Gln Glu Tyr Pro
Val Lys 210 215 220gac gtg att atc cat cct cat tat gta gaa aag gag
aac tac aat gat 720Asp Val Ile Ile His Pro His Tyr Val Glu Lys Glu
Asn Tyr Asn Asp225 230 235 240ata gcc ata atc gag tta aaa gag gaa
ctg aac ttt acg gac ttg gtc 768Ile Ala Ile Ile Glu Leu Lys Glu Glu
Leu Asn Phe Thr Asp Leu Val 245 250 255aat cct ata tgt ctc cct gat
cca gag aca gta acg gat cca tta aaa 816Asn Pro Ile Cys Leu Pro Asp
Pro Glu Thr Val Thr Asp Pro Leu Lys 260 265 270gac aga att gtg act
gca gcg gga tgg ggc gat ctg gat ttc tcc ggt 864Asp Arg Ile Val Thr
Ala Ala Gly Trp Gly Asp Leu Asp Phe Ser Gly 275 280 285cca cgg agc
caa gtt cta cgt gag gta agc atc cca gtt gtt cca gtt 912Pro Arg Ser
Gln Val Leu Arg Glu Val Ser Ile Pro Val Val Pro Val 290 295 300gat
aaa tgt gat caa gcc tat gag aaa ctc aac acc cct tca cta aaa 960Asp
Lys Cys Asp Gln Ala Tyr Glu Lys Leu Asn Thr Pro Ser Leu Lys305 310
315 320aat ggg ata acg aat aac ttc ctt tgc gct gga ttg gaa gaa gga
ggg 1008Asn Gly Ile Thr Asn Asn Phe Leu Cys Ala Gly Leu Glu Glu Gly
Gly 325 330 335aaa gac gct tgc caa ggc gat tct ggt gga ccg ttg atg
cta gtg aac 1056Lys Asp Ala Cys Gln Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Met
Leu Val Asn 340 345 350aac act agg tgg ata gta gta gga gtt gtg tcg
ttc ggg cac aag tgt 1104Asn Thr Arg Trp Ile Val Val Gly Val Val Ser
Phe Gly His Lys Cys 355 360 365gcc gag gaa gga tat cct ggt gtg tac
tcg cgc gta gcg agt tac cta 1152Ala Glu Glu Gly Tyr Pro Gly Val Tyr
Ser Arg Val Ala Ser Tyr Leu 370 375 380gac tgg atc gcg aaa gtt acg
aac tcg tta gat cat gcc gtc act aac 1200Asp Trp Ile Ala Lys Val Thr
Asn Ser Leu Asp His Ala Val Thr Asn385 390 395 400taa
12036400PRTTachypleus tridentatus 6Met Thr Trp Ile Cys Val Ile Thr
Leu Phe Ala Leu Ala Ser Ala Thr1 5 10 15Leu Gly Asn Lys Val Ser Arg
Val Gly Val Leu Phe Pro Lys Thr Arg 20 25 30Asn Asp Asn Glu Cys Thr
Ala Arg Gly Gly Leu Lys Gly Ser Cys Lys 35 40 45Ser Leu Ile Asp Cys
Pro Ser Val Leu Ala Thr Leu Lys Asp Ser Phe 50 55 60Pro Val Val Cys
Ser Trp Asn Gly Arg Phe Gln Pro Ile Val Cys Cys65 70 75 80Pro Asp
Ala Ile Ala Pro Pro Pro Val Thr Thr Thr Ala Val Thr Val 85 90 95Ile
Ser Thr Lys Glu Pro Lys Leu Pro Arg Leu His Ile Ser Gly Cys 100 105
110Gly Lys Arg Lys Val Lys Ile Asp Ile Thr Thr Val Gly Arg Ser Gly
115 120 125Ser Pro Ile Leu Pro Pro Ile Ser Thr Pro Gln Asn Ser Thr
Gly Gly 130 135 140Arg Gly Ile Ile Ala Gly Gly Val Glu Ala Lys Ile
Gly Ala Trp Pro145 150 155 160Trp Met Ala Ala Val Phe Val Lys Asn
Phe Gly Ile Gly Arg Phe His 165 170 175Cys Ala Gly Ser Ile Ile Ser
Asn Lys Tyr Ile Leu Ser Ala Ala His 180 185 190Ala Phe Leu Ile Gly
Gly Arg Lys Leu Thr Pro Thr Arg Leu Ala Val 195 200 205Arg Val Gly
Gly His Tyr Ile Lys Arg Gly Gln Glu Tyr Pro Val Lys 210 215 220Asp
Val Ile Ile His Pro His Tyr Val Glu Lys Glu Asn Tyr Asn Asp225 230
235 240Ile Ala Ile Ile Glu Leu Lys Glu Glu Leu Asn Phe Thr Asp Leu
Val 245 250 255Asn Pro Ile Cys Leu Pro Asp Pro Glu Thr Val Thr Asp
Pro Leu Lys 260 265 270Asp Arg Ile Val Thr Ala Ala Gly Trp Gly Asp
Leu Asp Phe Ser Gly 275 280 285Pro Arg Ser Gln Val Leu Arg Glu Val
Ser Ile Pro Val Val Pro Val 290 295 300Asp Lys Cys Asp Gln Ala Tyr
Glu Lys Leu Asn Thr Pro Ser Leu Lys305 310 315 320Asn Gly Ile Thr
Asn Asn Phe Leu Cys Ala Gly Leu Glu Glu Gly Gly 325 330 335Lys Asp
Ala Cys Gln Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Leu Met Leu Val Asn 340 345
350Asn Thr Arg Trp Ile Val Val Gly Val Val Ser Phe Gly His Lys Cys
355 360 365Ala Glu Glu Gly Tyr Pro Gly Val Tyr Ser Arg Val Ala Ser
Tyr Leu 370 375 380Asp Trp Ile Ala Lys Val Thr Asn Ser Leu Asp His
Ala Val Thr Asn385 390 395 40071128DNATachypleus
tridentatusCDS(1)..(1128) 7atg ttg gtg aat aac gtg ttt tca cta ctg
tgt ttc cca ctc ttg atg 48Met Leu Val Asn Asn Val Phe Ser Leu Leu
Cys Phe Pro Leu Leu Met1 5 10 15tct gtg gtt aga tgc agt act ctc agc
aga cag cgt aga cag ttt gtt 96Ser Val Val Arg Cys Ser Thr Leu Ser
Arg Gln Arg Arg Gln Phe Val 20 25 30ttc cct gac gag gaa gaa ctt tgc
tca aac cga ttt act gaa gaa gga 144Phe Pro Asp Glu Glu Glu Leu Cys
Ser Asn Arg Phe Thr Glu Glu Gly 35 40 45aca tgc aaa aat gtc ttg gat
tgt aga ata ctt tta caa aaa aat gat 192Thr Cys Lys Asn Val Leu Asp
Cys Arg Ile Leu Leu Gln Lys Asn Asp 50 55 60tat aat tta ctc aaa gaa
tca ata tgc ggc ttt gaa ggc ata aca ccc 240Tyr Asn Leu Leu Lys Glu
Ser Ile Cys Gly Phe Glu Gly Ile Thr Pro65 70 75 80aaa gtt tgt tgt
ccg aaa tca agc cat gta att tca agt aca cag gca 288Lys Val Cys Cys
Pro Lys Ser Ser His Val Ile Ser Ser Thr Gln Ala 85 90 95cct cca gaa
acc act acg act gaa cgc cca cca aaa cag ata cca ccc 336Pro Pro Glu
Thr Thr Thr Thr Glu Arg Pro Pro Lys Gln Ile Pro Pro 100 105 110aat
ctt cat gaa gtg tgt gga att cac aat act aca act acc agg att 384Asn
Leu His Glu Val Cys Gly Ile His Asn Thr Thr Thr Thr Arg Ile 115 120
125att gga ggt cgg gaa gca cct att gga gcc tgg ccg tgg atg act gct
432Ile Gly Gly Arg Glu Ala Pro Ile Gly Ala Trp Pro Trp Met Thr Ala
130 135 140gtc tac ata aaa caa gga gga atc aga agt gtt cag tgt ggt
ggc gca 480Val Tyr Ile Lys Gln Gly Gly Ile Arg Ser Val Gln Cys Gly
Gly Ala145 150 155 160ctt gtc act aac agg cac gtg att aca gct tcg
cac tgt gtt gta aac 528Leu Val Thr Asn Arg His Val Ile Thr Ala Ser
His Cys Val Val Asn 165 170 175agt gca gga aca gat gtg atg cca gct
gat gta ttc tcg gtt cgt ctg 576Ser Ala Gly Thr Asp Val Met Pro Ala
Asp Val Phe Ser Val Arg Leu 180 185 190ggt gaa cac aat tta tac agt
acc gat gac gat tcg aat cca ata gat 624Gly Glu His Asn Leu Tyr Ser
Thr Asp Asp Asp Ser Asn Pro Ile Asp 195 200 205ttt gca gtt acg tcg
gtg aaa cat cac gaa cac ttt gta ctc gcg acg 672Phe Ala Val Thr Ser
Val Lys His His Glu His Phe Val Leu Ala Thr 210 215 220tat ttg aat
gac atc gca att cta acg tta aat gac aca gtt acg ttt 720Tyr Leu Asn
Asp Ile Ala Ile Leu Thr Leu Asn Asp Thr Val Thr Phe225 230 235
240aca gac aga att cga ccc att tgt cta cct tat cgt aag ttg aga tac
768Thr Asp Arg Ile Arg Pro Ile Cys Leu Pro Tyr Arg Lys Leu Arg Tyr
245 250 255gat gat cta gca atg aga aaa ccg ttt atc act gga tgg gga
aca aca 816Asp Asp Leu Ala Met Arg Lys Pro Phe Ile Thr Gly Trp Gly
Thr Thr 260 265 270gca ttt aac ggc cca tct agt gca gtg ttg aga gaa
gta cag tta cca 864Ala Phe Asn Gly Pro Ser Ser Ala Val Leu Arg Glu
Val Gln Leu Pro 275 280 285ata tgg gaa cac gag gcc tgt aga cag gcc
tac gag aag gat tta aat 912Ile Trp Glu His Glu Ala Cys Arg Gln Ala
Tyr Glu Lys Asp Leu Asn 290 295 300att aca aac gtg tat atg tgt gct
ggc ttt gca gat ggc ggg aag gat 960Ile Thr Asn Val Tyr Met Cys Ala
Gly Phe Ala Asp Gly Gly Lys Asp305 310 315 320gct tgc cag ggt gat
tct gga ggt cca atg atg ttg cct gtt aaa acc 1008Ala Cys Gln Gly Asp
Ser Gly Gly Pro Met Met Leu Pro Val Lys Thr 325 330 335gga gag ttt
tat ctc att gga att gtg tct ttc gga aag aaa tgc gca 1056Gly Glu Phe
Tyr Leu Ile Gly Ile Val Ser Phe Gly Lys Lys Cys Ala 340 345 350ttg
cct gga ttt cct ggg gtt tac aca aaa gtg aca gag ttt tta gat 1104Leu
Pro Gly Phe Pro Gly Val Tyr Thr Lys Val Thr Glu Phe Leu Asp 355 360
365tgg att gca gaa cat atg gtg tag 1128Trp Ile Ala Glu His Met Val
370 3758375PRTTachypleus tridentatus 8Met Leu Val Asn Asn Val Phe
Ser Leu Leu Cys Phe Pro Leu Leu Met1 5 10 15Ser Val Val Arg Cys Ser
Thr Leu Ser Arg Gln Arg Arg Gln Phe Val 20 25 30Phe Pro Asp Glu Glu
Glu Leu Cys Ser Asn Arg Phe Thr Glu Glu Gly 35 40 45Thr Cys Lys Asn
Val Leu Asp Cys Arg Ile Leu Leu Gln Lys Asn Asp 50 55 60Tyr Asn Leu
Leu Lys Glu Ser Ile Cys Gly Phe Glu Gly Ile Thr Pro65 70 75 80Lys
Val Cys Cys Pro Lys Ser Ser His Val Ile Ser Ser Thr Gln Ala 85 90
95Pro Pro Glu Thr Thr Thr Thr Glu Arg Pro Pro Lys Gln Ile Pro Pro
100 105 110Asn Leu His Glu Val Cys Gly Ile His Asn Thr Thr Thr Thr
Arg Ile 115 120 125Ile Gly Gly Arg Glu Ala Pro Ile Gly Ala Trp Pro
Trp Met Thr Ala 130 135 140Val Tyr Ile Lys Gln Gly Gly Ile Arg Ser
Val Gln Cys Gly Gly Ala145 150 155 160Leu Val Thr Asn Arg His Val
Ile Thr Ala Ser His Cys Val Val Asn 165 170 175Ser Ala Gly Thr Asp
Val Met Pro Ala Asp Val Phe Ser Val Arg Leu 180 185 190Gly Glu His
Asn Leu Tyr Ser Thr Asp Asp Asp Ser Asn Pro Ile Asp 195 200 205Phe
Ala Val Thr Ser Val Lys His His Glu His Phe Val Leu Ala Thr 210 215
220Tyr Leu Asn Asp Ile Ala Ile Leu Thr Leu Asn Asp Thr Val Thr
Phe225 230 235 240Thr Asp Arg Ile Arg Pro Ile Cys Leu Pro Tyr Arg
Lys Leu Arg Tyr 245 250 255Asp Asp Leu Ala Met Arg Lys Pro Phe Ile
Thr Gly Trp Gly Thr Thr 260 265 270Ala Phe Asn Gly Pro Ser Ser Ala
Val Leu Arg Glu Val Gln Leu Pro 275 280 285Ile Trp Glu His Glu Ala
Cys Arg Gln Ala Tyr Glu Lys Asp Leu Asn 290 295 300Ile Thr Asn Val
Tyr Met Cys Ala Gly Phe Ala Asp Gly Gly Lys Asp305 310 315 320Ala
Cys Gln Gly Asp Ser Gly Gly Pro Met Met Leu Pro Val Lys Thr 325 330
335Gly Glu Phe Tyr Leu Ile Gly Ile Val Ser Phe Gly Lys Lys Cys Ala
340 345 350Leu Pro Gly Phe Pro Gly Val Tyr Thr Lys Val Thr Glu Phe
Leu Asp 355 360 365Trp Ile Ala Glu His Met Val 370
37591203DNATachypleus tridentatus 9atgacctgga tctgcgtgat caccctgttc
gctctggctt ccgctaccct gggcaacaag 60gtgtcccgtg tgggtgtcct gttccccaag
acccgtaacg acaacgagtg caccgctcgt 120ggtggtctga agggctcctg
caagtccctg atcgactgcc cctccgtgct ggctaccctg
180aaggactcct tccccgtcgt gtgctcctgg aacggtcgtt tccagcccat
cgtgtgctgc 240cccgacgcta tcgctccccc ccctgtgacc accaccgctg
tgaccgtgat ctccaccaag 300gagcccaagc tgccccgtct gcacatctcc
ggttgcggca agcgcaaggt caagatcgac 360atcaccaccg tgggccgttc
cggttccccc atcctgcccc ccatctccac cccccagaac 420tccactggtg
gtcgtggtat catcgctggc ggtgtcgagg ctaagatcgg tgcttggccc
480tggatggctg ctgtgttcgt gaagaacttc ggtatcggtc gcttccactg
cgctggttcc 540atcatctcca acaagtacat cctgtccgct gctcacgctt
tcctcatcgg tggtcgcaag 600ctgaccccca cccgtctggc tgtgcgtgtg
ggtggtcact acatcaagcg tggccaggag 660taccccgtca aggacgtgat
catccacccc cactacgtgg agaaggagaa ctacaacgac 720atcgccatca
tcgagctgaa ggaggagctg aacttcaccg acctggtcaa ccccatctgc
780ctgcccgacc ccgagactgt gaccgaccct ctgaaggacc gtatcgtgac
cgctgctggc 840tggggcgacc tggacttctc cggtccccgt tcccaggtgc
tgcgtgaggt gtccatcccc 900gtggtgcccg tggacaagtg cgaccaggct
tacgagaagc tgaacacccc ctccctgaag 960aacggtatta ccaacaactt
cctctgcgcc ggactcgagg agggtggcaa ggacgcttgc 1020cagggcgact
ccggtggtcc cctgatgctg gtcaacaaca cccgttggat cgtcgtgggt
1080gtcgtgtcct tcggtcacaa gtgcgctgag gagggttacc ccggcgtcta
ctcccgtgtg 1140gcttcctacc tggactggat cgctaaggtc accaactccc
tggaccacgc tgtcaccaac 1200taa 1203104PRTArtificial Sequencepeptide
10Ile Glu Gly Arg1
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