Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is widespread disease caused by protozoa Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum. Human visceral leishmaniasis caused by Le. donovani in India is considered an anthroponosis, however in East Africa, the role of animals as reservoirs remains unclear. The first part of this thesis demonstrated natural Leishmania infection in wild rodents and bats in Ethiopia. Overall, 8.2% rodents and 4.9% bats were positive for Leishmania spp. Subsequent sequencing revealed that 10% of Leishmania-positive rodents were infected by parasites from Le. donovani complex, on the other hand, no Le. donovani DNA was detected in bats. All Le. donovani-positive rodents were captured in the localities of southwest Ethiopia where human VL cases have been reported and potential sand fly vectors occur. Our findings indicate that rodents are likely to play a role in VL transmission in Ethiopia. During blood feeding, sand flies inoculate into the host skin immunogenic salivary proteins which elicit species specific antibody response. Anti-saliva antibodies could be used as a marker of host exposure to sand flies and, in leishmaniasis endemic areas, also as risk markers of Leishmania infection. In order to find out if the domestic animals (dog, goat, cow, and donkey) from north and northwest Ethiopia...

The ligand activated transcription factor Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) forms a DNA binding heterodimer with the Aryl Hydrocarbon Nuclear Translocator (ARNT) in response to planar aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition to AHR and ARNT there are at least three other proteins involved in AHR signaling. These proteins are the co-chaperone p23, Ara-9 and two molecules of Heat Shock Protein-90 (HSP-90). This study documents the production of Ara-9 and C∆418 (an ARNT deletion construct) in a modified thioredoxin fusion system. These proteins were expressed in a system that allowed for removal from the fusion partner via a thrombin recognition site as well as the incorporation of an in vitro phosphorylation site. The proteins were then expressed and column purified from E. coli. Once the proteins were expressed and purified they were cleaved from the thioredoxin fusion partner and radioloabeled. Following optimization of the proteolytic digest and radio-labeling each protein was subject to two methods of functional analysis. C∆418 function was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and proved to effectively form a DNA binding heterodimer with ARNT. In addition the functionality of C∆418 was assessed by co-precipitation showing that the ThioHis-produced C∆418 was indeed able to dimerize with C∆553 (an AHR deletion construct). The ThioHisproduced Ara-9 was also assessed for functionality by EMSA and showed that it was able to restore AHR/ ARNT/DRE complex formation as effectively as Ara-9 produced in a baculovirus system. In addition the function of ThioHis-Ara-9 was also assessed through Far-Western blotting for its ability to associate with renatured HSP-90. These studies involving C∆418 and Ara-9 show that these proteins can be efficiently produced in a functional manner utilizing an inexpensive bacterial system In addition this study documents the production of a plasmid (pCMV-Ara-9) for transfection into the HepG2 cell line to monitor the effects of increased cellular Ara-9 on AHR.

The methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, has been used as a protein expression system to express over 500 heterologous proteins. P. pastoris provides many advantages over other organisms that have been utilized for this purpose. In this project, we developed a new host/selectable marker and auxotrophic strains of P. pastoris based on methionine biosynthesis to increase P. pastoris's versatility as a host for homologous protein expression. This was accomplished by selecting for a yeast that is deficient in methionine biosynthesis, P. pastoris (yJC239), and gene complementation through transformation with a genomic DNA library. Bioinformatics show that the P. pastor is MET gene has 54% amino acid identity with 68% similarity to the S. cerevisiae MET2 gene, which codes for homoserine O-transacetylase. We have constructed expression vectors for intracellular and extracellular expression of proteins with the MET2 marker and have also constructed strains with various auxotrophs including me/2.

The methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris has been used for many applications, particularly for its ability to produce and readily secrete heterologous proteins. Nonetheless, there are obstacles in making this useful yeast into a more efficient secretion system that readily secretes problem proteins. In the Lin-Cereghino lab, mutant strains were developed by the method of restriction enzyme mediated integration. These mutants have the ability to secrete β-galactosidase at higher levels in comparison to the wild type. This study focused on characterizing the specific mutant ah2 for its ability to secrete HRP, SLPI, and CALB lipase proteins, as well as using transmission electron microscopy to observe the effect of the pREMI-Z mutation on the morphology. Analysis of the Ah2 protein resulted in a comparative β-galactosidase secretion study, as well as a growth rate study, between the original pREMI-Z ah2 mutant and ah2 mutant cells that were transformed with pKanB-AH2 rescue construct. Lastly, a cell localization experiment was done to examine where Ah2p localizes. By these analyses, we gain a bit more understanding of the P. pastoris secretion pathway, while also outlining a procedure by which to characterize the other pREMI-Z mutants.

The focus of this research is to describe the production and characterization of the human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) in insect cells, using Autographa californica buclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) as an expression vector. All three forms of biological activity of hGM-CSF. Following N-glycanase treatment, the two glycosylated hGM-CSF proteins (15.5 and 16.5 KDa) which bound to Concanavalin A affinity column ran as a 14.5-15.5 KDa band on SDS-PAGE. Western blot analysis of expression in Sf9 cells treated with tunicamycin revealed only the presence of the 14.5 KDa species. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the recombinant hGM-CSF was identical to that of natural hGM-CSF deduced from cDNA. These results demonstrate that baculovirus-produced hGM-CSF could be N-glycosylated in Sf9 cells, the signal peptide of recombinant hGM-CSF could be recognized and cleaved by infected insect cells and the resultant molecule secreted into the medium.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: QUANTITATIVE YEAST PHYSIOLOGY AND NITROGEN METABOLISM DURING HETEROLOGOUS PROTEIN PRODUCTION By Johann F. Görgens The physiology and nitrogen metabolism of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, during heterologous xylanase production in a defined medium was quantified by the comparison of isogenic yeast strains, whereby several potential limitations in the production of the heterologous xylanase could be identified. The presence of global sensing and regulatory mechanisms, by which the yeast is able to actively regulate both heterologous gene expression and the physiological response to the process, was also investigated. The deleterious effects of heterologous xylanase production on the physiology of the recombinant host were disproportionately large with respect to the amount of foreign protein produced. The cellular processes involved in this response were identified by the transcriptional profiling of isogenic recombinant strains, in a novel analytical approach to investigating foreign protein production by S. cerevisiae. Heterologous gene expression affected a combination of cellular processes and induced the yeast stringent stress response. The corresponding loss of metabolic functionality resulted in the disproportionate physiological effects of foreign protein production, similar to previous observations in recombinant Escherichia coli, and a possible reduction in attainable production levels. Reducing the propensity of recombinant gene expression to introduce metabolic stress may therefore increase production levels of foreign proteins by yeast. The metabolic vitality of transformed strains was also reduced by the presence of multiple copies of active, plasmid-based PGK1-promoters in the cell without expression of the heterologous gene. The negative effect was caused by an increase in the biosynthetic and glycolytic capacity of the strain at the expense of other processes. Production levels of heterologous xylanase were influenced by expression vector selection and the presence of auxotrophic mutations in transformed strains of S. cerevisiae. The increased transcription levels obtained with the multicopy plasmidbased YEp-type expression system, compared to the integrative YIp-type expression system, resulted in higher levels of xylanase production. Heterologous xylanase production thus did not saturate the secretory capacity of the host strain. The genetic stability of the autoselective YEp-type expression system in long-term chemostat culture was also demonstrated. High levels of heterologous xylanase production by transformed S. cerevisiae strains containing auxotrophic markers required the stabilisation of nitrogen metabolism via saturation of yeast cells with an excess of imported amino acids. By the removal of excessive auxotrophic markers, high levels of xylanase production by a prototrophic transformant in defined medium without amino acid addition could be obtained. Heterologous xylanase production by the prototrophic transformant was further enhanced by increasing the availability of preferred amino acids or succinate in the defined medium, indicating an additional requirement for metabolic precursors and building blocks for foreign protein synthesis. Comparable levels of heterologous xylanase production were obtained in high cell density cultures of the alternative yeast, Pichia stipitis, by the proper induction of the native ADH2-promoter, the control of oxygenation, and addition of an amino acid mixture to the defined medium, indicating the presence of generic limitations in transcription, nutrient availability and the yeast biosynthetic capacity for foreign protein production by various yeasts. The presence of global sensing and regulatory mechanisms was confirmed by the physiological response of S. cerevisiae to heterologous protein production, which included the downregulation of biosynthesis and growth, and the induction of various processes involved in the stringent stress response. Additionally, heterologous xylanase production was actively regulated on a posttranscriptional level by the auxotrophic transformants in response to the level of amino acid availability. The biosynthetic capacity for foreign protein production by both recombinant S. cerevisiae and P. stiptis was also regulated in response to the physiological state of the yeast and the availability of nutrients. The presence of these regulatory mechanisms complicated the manipulation of cellular biosynthesis at will. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: KWANTITATIEWE GIS-FISIOLOGIE EN -STIKSTOF METABOLISME GEDURENDE HETEROLOË PROTEÏEN PRODUKSIE Deur Johann Ferdinand Görgens Die fisiologie en stikstof-metabolisme van die gis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, gedurende heteroloë xilanase produksie in ‘n gedefiniëerde medium is gekarakteriseer deur isogeniese gis-rasse te vergelyk, waardeur verskeie moontlike beperkings in die produksie van die heteroloë xilanase uitgewys kon word. Die teenwoordigheid van globale sensoriese- en beheer-meganismes, wat die gis in staat stel om beide heteroloë geen uitdrukking en die fisiologiese respons op die proses aktief te reguleer, is ook ondersoek. Die nadelige effekte van heteroloë xilanase produksie op die fisiologie van die rekombinante gasheer-organisme was uitermatig groot in vergelyking met die hoeveelheid vreemde proteïen wat geproduseer is. Die sellulêre prosesse verantwoordelik vir hierdie respons is identifiseer deur die transkripsionele profiele van isogeniese rekombinante rasse te vergelyk, in ‘n nuwe analitiese benadering tot die bestudering van vreemde proteïen produksie deur S. cerevisiae. Heteroloë geen uitdrukking het ‘n kombinasie van sellulêre prosesse geaffekteer en die gis se algemene voedingstres-respons geaktiveer. Die gepaardgaande verlies aan metaboliese funksie het die uitermatige fisiologiese effek van vreemde proteïen produksie veroorsaak, soortgelyk aan vorige waarnemings met rekombinante Escherichia coli. Die haalbare produksie-vlakke is moontlik ook verlaag deur hierdie respons. ‘n Verlaging van die geneigdheid van rekombinante geen uitdrukking om metaboliese stres te veroorsaak, mag dus die produksievlakke van vreemde proteïene in gis verbeter. Die metaboliese groei-potensiaal van die getransformeerde rasse is ook verlaag deur die teenwoordigheid van etlike aktiewe kopieë van plasmied-gebaseerde PGK1-promotors in die sel, sonder uitdrukking van die heteroloë geen, deur ‘n toename in die biosintetiese en glikolitiese kapasiteit ten koste van die ander sellulêre prosesse. Die produksievlakke van heteroloë xilanase is deur die keuse van uitdrukkings-sisteem en die teenwoordigheid van autotrofiese mutasies in die getransformeerde rasse van S.cerevisiae beïnvloed. Die verhoogde transkripsie vlakke wat met die multi-kopie, plasmied-gebaseerde YEp-tipe uitdrukkingsisteem, eerder as die geïntegreerde YIp-tipe sisteem, verkry is, het tot verhoogde xilanase produksie gelei. Heteroloë xilanase produksie het dus nie die uitskeidingskapasiteit van die gasheer versadig nie. Die genetiese stabiliteit van die autoselektiewe, YEp-tipe uitdrukkingsisteem in langtermyn chemostaat-kulture is ook gedemonstreer. Hoë vlakke van xilanase produksie deur getransformeerde S. cerevisiae rasse met autotrofiese merkers het die stabilisering van die stikstof metabolisme, deur die versadiging van die sel met ingevoerde aminosure, vereis. Die verwydering van oormatige autotrofiese merkers het tot hoë vlakke van xilanase produksie deur die prototrofiese transformant in gedefinieerde medium sonder aminosuur byvoeging gelei. Heteroloë xilanase produksie deur die prototrofiese transformant kon verder verbeter word deur die byvoeging van voorkeur-aminosure of suksinaat tot die gedefinieerde medium, en ‘n addisionele behoefte aan metaboliese voorloper-molekules en bou-blokke vir vreemde proteïensintese het dus bestaan. Vergelykbare vlakke van heteroloë xilanase produksie is in kulture met hoë sel-digthede van die alternatiewe gis, Pichia stipitis, verkry deur die doeltreffende induksie van die eiesoortige ADH2-promotor en die byvoeging van ‘n aminosuur-mengsel tot die gedefinieerde medium, wat die teenwoordigheid van generiese beperkinge in transkripsie, voedingstof-beskikbaarheid en biosintetiese kapasiteit van die gis vir vreemde proteïen produksie deur verskeie giste uitgewys het. Die teenwoordigheid van globale sensoriese- en beheer-meganismes is bevestig deur die fisiologiese respons van S. cerevisiae tot heteroloë proteïen produksie, wat die afwaartse regulering van biosintese en groei, en die induksie van verskeie prosesse betrokke by die algemene voedingstres-respons, ingesluit het. Heteroloë xilanase produksie is ook op ‘n na-transkripsionele vlak aktief gereguleer deur die autotrofiese transformante in reaksie tot die vlak van aminosuur beskikbaarheid. Die biosintetiese kapasiteit vir vreemde proteïen-produksie van beide rekombinante S. cerevisiae en P. stipitis is ook in reaksie tot die fisiologiese toestand van die gis en die beskikbaarheid van voedingstowwe gereguleer. Die teenwoordigheid van hierdie regulatoriese meganismes het die willekeurige manipulasie van sellulêre proteïen-biosintese bemoeilik.

Expressing foreign proteins in E.coli is a major challenge because they often tend to develop into unsolvable and inactive proteins. They aggregate into so called  inclusion bodies which prevent expression of the protein. This problem might be avoided by fusing the gene of the foreign protein with a soluble protein called solubility tags, which  function is to enhance the solubility of the foreign protein. This report investigates whether Sterol Carrier Protein-2 (SCP-2) could function as a solubility tag. The experiment was carried out by fusing SCP-2 to two recombinant proteins, Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a form of chloroamphenicol acetyl transferase (CATΔ9). The gene fusion was then inserted into a pET-15 vector and transformed into  the E.coli strain BL21(DE3) to be expressed. The results obtained from Western blot and PageBlue staining indicates that SCP-2 does not enhance the solubility of GFP or CATΔ9 since neither of them was expressed.  Furthermore, previous studies have shown that GFP can in fact be expressed  usingmaltose binding protein (MBP) as a solubility tag. Unfortunately, no success has been made regarding CATΔ9. In conclusion, regarding the results from this report, SCP-2 does not function as a solubility tag. However, further studies should be carried out on SCP-2 with more experiments before rejecting the possibility to use SCP-2 as a solubility tag.

Lens epithelium-derived growth factor/p75 (LEDGF/p75) is a prominent cellular binding partner of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase. It is a human nuclear protein, which has been implicated in transcriptional regulation and cell survival. The role of LEDGF/p75 in HIV integration is well characterized, the HIV integrase binding domain (IBD) was identified and structural studies, which provide detail information about this interaction, were done. However, very little is known about its physiological function. As a transcriptional co-activator, LEDGF/p75 is implicated not only in HIV replication, but also in human cancer and autoimmunity. Key feature for both, the viral and cellular role of this protein, is its ability to act as a molecular adaptor tethering proteins to the chromatin fiber. Recently, PogZ (Pogo transposable element derived protein with zinc finger domain) was identified and validated as a new cellular interaction partner of LEDGF/p75. It was shown, that their interaction is mediated by IBD of LEDGF/p75 and the C-terminal domain of PogZ. To gain more insight in this interaction, we have initiated structural studies of their complex. Structural information is crucial for understanding the LEDGF/p75 biological role and might help in design of inhibitors selectively blocking...

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