Cytochrome b5 is a small heme protein. There are three isoforms present in human organism, one is located in the membrane of endoplasmic reticulum (microsomal cyt b5), second in the outer mitochondrial membrane and the third (soluble form) was found in cytoplasm of matured erythrocytes. The main role of cytochrome b5 is to transport single electron in various reactions including cytochrome P450-dependent reactions. First aim of the thesis was to prepare and to isolate the soluble form of rabbit microsomal cytochrome b5, using heterologous expression in Escherichia coli strain BL-21 Gold. The plasmid pET22b containing synthetic gene for rabbit microsomal cytochrome b5, lacking the sequence encoding the membrane associated C-terminal domain, was used as an expression vector. The second aim was to synthesize the expression vectors carrying genes for human microsomal and erythrocytic cytochromes b5. These genes were prepared by gene synthesis, ligated to cloning vector pUC19, amplified in E. coli DH5α competent cells and their sequences were verified by DNA sequencing. Consequently the pET22b expression vectors containing genes for human microsomal and erythrocytic cytochrome b5 were constructed and finally their suitability for heterologous expression was evaluated. Keywords: Heterologous expression,...

Glucosylation is a predominant flavonoid modification reaction affecting the solubility, stability, and subsequent bioavailability of these metabolites. Flavonoid glycosides affect taste characteristics in citrus making the associated glucosyltransferases particularly interesting targets for biotechnology applications in these species. In this work, a Citrus paradisi glucosyltransferase gene was identified, cloned, and introduced into the pET recombinant protein expression system utilizing primers designed against a predicted flavonoid glucosyltransferase gene (AY519364) from Citrus sinensis. The encoded C. paradisi protein is 51.2 kDa with a predicted pI of 6.27 and is 96% identical to the C. sinensis homologue. A number of compounds from various flavonoid subclasses were tested, and the enzyme glucosylated only the flavonol aglycones quercetin (Kmapp = 67 μ M; Vmax = 20.45 pKat/μg), kaempferol (Kmapp = 12 μ M; Vmax = 11.63 pKat/μg), and myricetin (Kmapp = 33 μ M; Vmax = 12.21 pKat/μg) but did not glucosylate the anthocyanidin, cyanidin. Glucosylation occurred at the 3 hydroxyl position as confirmed by HPLC and TLC analyses with certified reference compounds. The optimum pH was 7.5 with a pronounced buffer effect noted for reactions performed in Tris-HCl buffer. The enzyme was inhibited by Cu2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+ as well as UDP (Kiapp = 69.5 μ M), which is a product of the reaction. Treatment of the enzyme with a variety of amino acid modifying compounds suggests that cysteine, histidine, arginine, tryptophan, and tyrosine residues are important for activity. The thorough characterization of this C. paradisi flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase adds to the growing base of glucosyltransferase knowledge, and will be used to further investigate structure-function relationships.

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The vast majority of valuable agronomic traits are encoded polygenetically. Chloroplast genetic engineering offers an alternate approach to multigene engineering by allowing the insertion of entire pathways in a single transformation event, while being an environmentally friendly approach. Stable integration into the chloroplast genome and transcription of the phaA gene coding for β-ketothiolase was confirmed by Southern and northern blots. Coomassie-stained gel and western blots confirmed hyperexpression of β-ketothiolase in leaves and anthers, with high enzyme activity. The transgenic lines were normal except for the male sterile phenotype, lacking pollen. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a collapsed morphology of the pollen grains. Transgenic lines followed an accelerated anther developmental pattern, affecting their development and maturation, resulting in aberrant tissue patterns. Abnormal thickening of the outer wall, enlarged endothecium and vacuolation, decreased the inner space of the locules, affecting pollen grain and resulted in the irregular shape and collapsed phenotype. Reversibility of the male sterility phenotype was achieved by exposing the plants to continuous illumination, producing viable pollen and copious amounts of seeds. This is the first report of engineered cytoplasmic male sterility and offers a new tool for transgene containment for both nuclear and organelle genomes. Detailed characterization of transcriptional, posttranscriptional and translational processes of heterologous operons expressed via the chloroplast genome is reported here. Northern blot analyses performed on chloroplast transgenic lines harboring seven different heterologous operons, revealed that in most cases, only polycistronic mRNA was produced or polycistrons were the most abundant form and that they were not processed into monocistrons. Despite such lack of processing, abundant foreign protein accumulation was detected in these transgenic lines. Interestingly, a stable secondary structure formed from a heterologous bacterial intergenic sequence was recognized and efficiently processed, indicating that the chloroplast posttranscriptional machinery can indeed recognize sequences that are not of chloroplast origin, retaining its prokaryotic ancestral features. Processed and unprocessed heterologous polycistrons were quite stable even in the absence of 3'UTRs and were efficiently translated. Unlike native 5'UTRs, heterologous secondary structures or 5'UTRs showed efficient translational enhancement independent of any cellular control. Finally, we observed abundant read-through transcription in the presence of chloroplast 3'UTRs. Such read-through transcripts were efficiently processed at introns present within native operons. Addressing questions about polycistrons, as well as the sequences required for their processing and transcript stability are essential for future approaches in metabolic engineering. Finally, we have shown phytoremediation of mercury by engineering the mer operon via the chloroplast genome under the regulation of chloroplast native and heterologous 5'UTRs. These transgenenic plants hyperexpress were able to translate MerA and MerB enzymes to levels detectable by coomassie stained gel. The knowledge acquired from these studies offer guidelines for engineering multigene pathways via the chloroplast genome.

The E. coli maltose binding protein (MBP) has been utilized as a translational fusion partner to improve the expression of foreign proteins made in E. coli. When located N -terminal to its cargo protein, MBP increases the solubility of intracellular proteins and improves the export of secreted proteins in bacterial systems. We initially explored whether MBP would have the same effect in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris , a popular eukaryotic host for heterologous protein expression. When MBP was fused as an N -terminal partner to several C -terminal cargo proteins expressed in this yeast, proteolysis occurred between the two peptides, and MBP reached the extracellular region unattached to its cargo. However, in two of three instances, the cargo protein reached the extracellular region as well, and its initial attachment to MBP enhanced its secretion from the cell. Extensive mutagenesis of the spacer region between MBP and its C -terminal cargo protein could not inhibit the cleavage although it did cause changes in the protease target sites in the fusion proteins, as determined by mass spectrometry. Taken together, these results suggested that an uncharacterized P. pastoris protease attacked at different locations in the region C -terminal of the MBP domain, including the spacer and cargo regions, but the MEP domain could still act to enhance the secretion of certain cargo proteins. The attempt to identify the unknown protease was unsuccessful. However, in contrast to other fusion partners, MBP was secreted with the cargo when it was fused as a C -terminal peptide to an N -terminal cargo protein. These studies provide insights into the role of proteases and fusion partners in the secretory mechanism of P. pastoris , suggesting new strategies to optimize this expression system.

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In the last decade, the potential of β-glucan, a fungal cell wall component, to induce epigenetic and functional modification of innate immune cells, signified as trained innate immunity (TII) has been demonstrated in several pre-clinical and clinical studies. Parenteral administration of β-glucan has resulted in centrally induced TII in the bone marrow/circulating monocytes. Such trained innate immune cells play a critical role in protection against secondary infections. However, there are now indications that inducing local long-lasting immunity at mucosal barrier tissues such as the lung is warranted for protective immunity against respiratory pathogens. Currently, it remains unclear whether respiratory mucosal administration of β-glucan will induce long-lasting resident-memory macrophages and TII and if so, what are the underlying mechanisms of development and maintenance of memory macrophages at respiratory mucosa. To address this, and kinetics of immune responses in the lung were studied. Profound changes in airway macrophage (AM) pools were observed starting from 3 days post-exposure, which was associated with monocyte recruitment, and this was followed by a series of phenotypic shifts in AMs. The altered AM phenotype profile persisted for up to 8 weeks post-exposure. Importantly, β-glucan-trained AMs demonstrated heightened MHC II expression, enhanced responses to secondary stimulation and improved capacity to perform bacterial phagocytosis. Furthermore, mice with, β-glucan-trained AMs displayed higher rates of survival and improved bacterial control, in the lung and periphery, following a lethal S. pneumoniae infection. Our findings together indicate that a single intranasal delivery of β-glucan is able to train AMs. Further work into epigenetics, metabolism, and the contribution of AMs in protection is needed. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc) / The immune system has been classically divided into two major compartments known as the innate and adaptive immune system. For decades, the predominant consensus amongst the field was that only the adaptive immune system can form memory against any pathogens encountered. It has been well established that plants and invertebrates only possess an innate immune system and still show boosted responses and enhanced protection against previously encountered as well as new pathogens. Recently, such capacity for innate immune memory has also been demonstrated in humans and pre-clinical animal models. Innate immune memory provides non-specific, broad- spectrum protection whereas adaptive memory is specific to a singular pathogen. Inducing broad-spectrum protection can be crucial for the future of human medicine. Activation of both adaptive and innate immune arms could prove to be extremely beneficial in vaccination strategies. Through the use of a pre-clinical model, we have found that administering β-glucan, a component of fungal cell wall, directly into the lung significantly alters the phenotype and functionality of lung immune cells, and also provides enhanced protection against a heterologous infection.

Chemokines, immune proteins that induce chemotaxis and adhesion, and their G-protein coupled receptors distribute throughout the central nervous system (CNS), regulate neuronal patterning, and mediate neuropathology. These chemo-attractant molecules may provide a neuro-immune "link" by regulating CNS systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactions of specific chemokines, stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1a/CXCL12, and fractalkine/CX3CL1, and their receptors, CXCR4 and CX3CR1, with the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) and opioid systems using anatomical and electrophysiological techniques in the rat brain. In the serotonin dense midbrain raphe nuclei (RN), SDF-1a, CXCR4, fractalkine and CX3CR1 co-localize over 70% with 5-HT neurons. CX3CR1 also localizes to microglia in the RN and hippocampus. Functionally, SDF-1a (10 nM) increases spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current (sIPSC) frequency and evoked IPSC (eIPSC) amplitude, while decreasing paired-pulse ratio (PPR) selectively in 5-HT neurons, thus stimulating presynaptic GABA release at these neurons. Alternatively, fractalkine (10 nM) increases sIPSC and eIPSC amplitude without changing PPR selectively in 5-HT neurons, thereby elevating the postsynaptic GABA receptor number or sensitivity. These results are dose-dependent and receptor-mediated. Chemokine interactions with serotonin, a neurotransmitter regulating mood, may lead to therapies for depression comorbid with immune diseases. Additional immunohistochemical analysis in the brain shows CXCR4 and CX3CR1 neuronal co-localization with the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) in the hippocampus, cingulate cortex, periaqueductal grey (PAG), nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, globus pallidus, but not in the striatum or habenular nuclei, suggesting region specific receptor interactions. Electrophysiological recordings following morphine, SDF-1?? or fractalkine in vitro treatment reveal morphine (10 ?M)-mediated hyperpolarization of the membrane potential and reduction of the input resistance of PAG neurons, however, SDF-1??and fractalkine at 10 nM do not impact either parameter. In combination, SDF-1? inhibits morphine's actions in all PAG neurons tested, and fractalkine blocks morphine-mediated changes in 60% of PAG neurons examined. Thus, CXCR4 as well as CX3CR1, although less consistently, both appear to desensitize MOR at the neuronal level. Chemokine-opioid receptor interactions may mediate novel mechanisms to treat neuro-inflammatory pain and opiate abuse. The combined anatomical and electrophysiological results support chemokines as neuromodulatory proteins that may provide communication between the nervous and immune systems. / Anatomy

Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) is the key enzyme involved in the production of methane by methanogenic archaea and its consumption by anaerobic methanotrophs (ANME). MCR is a multimeric complex composed of six different subunits arranged in a 2α, 2β, 2γ configuration that requires two molecules of its nickel-containing tetrapyrrole prosthetic group, coenzyme F430. Additionally, the α subunits of MCR house a variety of different post-translational modifications across both methanogens and ANME. In methanogens, MCR is encoded in a conserved mcrBDCGA gene cluster, which encodes accessory proteins McrD and McrC. These are believed to be involved in the assembly and activation of MCR, respectively. However, one or both accessory proteins are often omitted from the operon in other MCR-containing archaea as is the case in ANME. MCR knowledge is mostly limited to methanogens due to difficulties associated with large-scale cultivation of ANME and other MCR-containing archaea. Due to the complexity of MCR, studies on this enzyme are also largely limited to native enzymes. Developing methods for the detailed biochemical characterization ANME MCRs would be highly desirable since these enzymes are proposed to be optimized for methane oxidation and thus have immense potential for bioenergy and greenhouse gas mitigation applications. In addition to containing the necessary machinery for the production of an assembled and active MCR, model methanogens are easier to culture and have established genetic manipulation techniques, making them ideal candidates for the development of heterologous expression systems. Thus, here we sought to generate such a system for the study of various ANME MCRs in the methanogen, Methanococcus maripaludis. We report the successful expression and purification of an ANME-2d MCR, marking a significant step toward the development of a heterologous MCR expression system. Additionally, our attempts to purify various recombinant MCRs revealed the importance of including accessory proteins, particularly McrD, within expression constructs. Therefore, we also sought to functionally characterize McrD, which we show is likely an MCR chaperone that plays a key role in MCR maturation. Taken together, our work has provided key insights into MCR assembly as well as provided a foundation for the eventual development of MCR based biocatalytic systems to be used for methane mitigation strategies and bioenergy platforms. / Doctor of Philosophy / Life is divided into three domains known as Bacteria, Eukarya, and Archaea. Methanogens are anerobic microbes belonging to the domain Archaea, which can be found across a wide variety of oxygen deprived environments. These organisms can turn different carbon-containing compounds into energy and methane gas in a process known as methanogenesis. This results in roughly 90 billion tons of biologically produced methane, making methanogenesis a key point of interest for potential greenhouse gas mitigation. The methane-generating step of methanogenesis is performed by methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), a large enzyme composed of two α subunits, two β subunits, and two γ subunits. Additionally, this enzyme harbors a nickel-containing cofactor which is responsible for catalyzing the difficult methane formation reaction. In addition to the MCR-encoding genes, MCR gene clusters contain two extra genes that encode accessory proteins, named McrC and McrD, which are believed to play an important role in the activation and the assembly of the enzyme, respectively. Relatives of methanogens known as Anerobic Methanotrophs (ANME) are a different type of archaea which consume methane by reversing methanogenesis in a process known as anerobic methane oxidation. Because of their ability to consume methane, there is a large interest in studying MCR from these organisms to potentially use it for methane mitigation strategies and for bioenergy applications to convert methane to more usable liquid fuels. However, due to the high difficulty of growing ANME in a lab setting, studying any biochemical processes from ANME is a difficult task. Luckily, genetic manipulation techniques are available for many methanogens, making them ideal candidates to study MCR from ANME organisms. In this work, we sought to develop a system to express and purify MCR from different methanogens and ANME in a methanogenic host, Methanococcus maripaludis. We also sought to understand the role and importance of accessory protein McrD, especially with respect to developing a proper expression system for MCRs. We were able to successfully express a ANME MCR in M. maripaludis and found that McrD is an important aspect to consider when expressing MCRs in a methanogen, although it is not essential for this protein to exist within the MCR gene cluster. This work sets the stage for the future biotechnological use of MCR for methane mitigation and bioenergy applications.