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EXPRESSION OF HEPATITIS C VIRAL NON-STRUCTURAL 3 ANTIGEN IN TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLASTS
Title
EXPRESSION OF HEPATITIS C VIRAL NON-STRUCTURAL 3 ANTIGEN IN TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLASTS.
Creator
Bhati, Anubhuti, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Hepatitis C viral infection is the major cause of acute hepatitis and chronic liver disease and remains the leading cause of liver transplants (NIH). An estimated 180 million people are infected globally (WHO). There is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C. The treatment with antiviral drugs is expensive, accompanied with various side effects and is limited only to those at risk of developing advanced liver disease. The treatment is also effective in only about 30% to 50% of treated...
Show moreHepatitis C viral infection is the major cause of acute hepatitis and chronic liver disease and remains the leading cause of liver transplants (NIH). An estimated 180 million people are infected globally (WHO). There is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C. The treatment with antiviral drugs is expensive, accompanied with various side effects and is limited only to those at risk of developing advanced liver disease. The treatment is also effective in only about 30% to 50% of treated patients and still a high percentage of patients are resistant to therapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of effective vaccine antigens and an efficacious HCV vaccine. The non-structural 3 protein of the hepatitis C virus is a multifunctional protein of the virus required for virus polyprotein processing and replication. Vaccine antigen production via chloroplast transformation system usually results in high expression levels and eliminates the possibility of contamination with vector sequences,human or animal pathogens. The HCV NS3 antigen was expressed in the chloroplast of Nicotiana tabacum var. Petit havana and LAMD-609. The 1.9kb NS3 gene was cloned into a chloroplast expression vector, pLD-Ct containing the 16S rRNA promoter, aadA gene coding for the spectinomycin selectable marker, psbA 5' untranslated region to enhance translation in the light and 3' untranslated region for transcript stability and trnI & trnA homologous flanking sequences for site specific integration into the chloroplast genome. Chloroplast integration of the NS3 gene was first confirmed by PCR. Southern blot analysis further confirmed site-specific gene integration and homoplasmy. The NS3 protein was detected in transgenic chloroplasts by immunoblot analysis. The NS3 protein was further quantified by ELISA. Maximum expression levels of NS3 up to 2% in the total soluble protein were observed even in old leaves, upon 3-day continuous illumination. These results demonstrate successful expression of the HCV non-structural 3 antigen in transgenic tobacco chloroplasts. Animal studies to test the immunogenecity of the chloroplast derived HCV NS3 will be performed using chloroplast derived NS3 antigen.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000495, ucf:46368
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000495
EXPRESSION OF CHOLERA TOXIN B SUBUNIT-ROTAVIRUS NSP4 ENTEROTOXIN FUSION PROTEIN IN TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLASTS
Title
EXPRESSION OF CHOLERA TOXIN B SUBUNIT-ROTAVIRUS NSP4 ENTEROTOXIN FUSION PROTEIN IN TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLASTS.
Creator
Kalluri, Anila, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Rotavirus, the major cause of life-threatening infantile gastroenteritis, is a member of the Reoviridae family and is considered to be the single most important cause of virus-based severe diarrheal illness in infants and young children particularly 6 months to 2 years of age in industrialized and developing countries. Infection in infants and young children is often accompanied by severe life threatening diarrhea, most commonly following primary infection. Diarrhea is the major cause of...
Show moreRotavirus, the major cause of life-threatening infantile gastroenteritis, is a member of the Reoviridae family and is considered to be the single most important cause of virus-based severe diarrheal illness in infants and young children particularly 6 months to 2 years of age in industrialized and developing countries. Infection in infants and young children is often accompanied by severe life threatening diarrhea, most commonly following primary infection. Diarrhea is the major cause of death among children around the world. Responsible for 4 to 6 million deaths per year according to the World Health Organization (WHO), diarrhea is especially dangerous for infants and young children. Globally, it is estimated that 1.4 billion episodes of diarrhea occur in children less than five years of age annually. In the United States alone, rotavirus causes more than 3 million cases of childhood diarrhea each year, leading to an estimated 55,000 to 100,000 hospitalizations and 20 to 100 deaths. And is a major cause of mortality for children in developing countries with approximately one million deaths annually. Rotaviruses belong to the family Reoviridae and are spherical 70-nm particles. The virus genome contains 11 segments of double-stranded RNA, each encoding a viral capsid or nonstructural protein. The identification of a rotavirus nonstructural protein gene (NSP4) encoding a peptide, which functions both as a viral enterotoxin and as a factor involved in the acquisition of host cell membrane during virus budding from cells, provides a new approach for mucosal immunization. Protein expression through chloroplast transformation system offers a number of advantages like high level of transgene expression, transgene containment via maternal inheritance, lack of gene silencing and position effect due to site specific gene integration and also the possibility of multi gene engineering in single transformation event. It is also an environmentally friendly approach due to effective gene containment and lack of transgene expression in pollen. To achieve an enhanced immune response to rotavirus infection, a fusion gene encoding the cholera toxin B subunit linked to rotavirus enterotoxin 90 aa protein (CTB-NSP490) was introduced into transgenic chloroplast and was transformed into chloroplast genome of Nicotiana tabacum by homologous recombination. The chloroplast integration of CTB-NSP4(90) fusion gene was confirmed in transgenic tobacco plants by PCR analysis. Southern blot analysis further confirmed site specific gene integration and homoplasmy. Immunoblot analysis of transformed chloroplast confirmed the expression of CTBNSP490 fusion protein both in monomeric and pentameric forms that retained the binding affinity to the enterocytes GM1 ganglioside receptor. Expression levels of CTB-NSP4 protein was quantified by GM1 ganglioside binding ELISA assay; mature leaves expressed CTB-NSP4 fusion protein to upto 2.45 % in total soluble protein, 100-400 fold higher than nuclear expression which was only 0.006%-0.026%. Antibody titration and virus challenge experiments will be performed in mice at Loma Linda University to evaluate the antigenic and protective properties of the chloroplast derived CTB-NSP4 fusion protein.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000655, ucf:46540
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000655
EXPRESSION OF GAL/GALNAC LECTIN OF ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA IN TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLASTS TO DEVELOP A VACCINE FOR AMEBIASIS
Title
EXPRESSION OF GAL/GALNAC LECTIN OF ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA IN TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLASTS TO DEVELOP A VACCINE FOR AMEBIASIS.
Creator
Chebolu, Seethamahalakshmi, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Amebiasis, also defined as invasive intestinal and extra intestinal amebiasis, is caused by Entameoba histolytica, an invasive protozoan parasite. World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that approximately 50 million people are infected each year causing an estimated 40 to 100 thousand deaths annually. Entameoba histolytica ranks only second to malaria as a protozoan cause of death. Amebiasis occurs world wide but people living in Central and South America, Africa and Asia are the...
Show moreAmebiasis, also defined as invasive intestinal and extra intestinal amebiasis, is caused by Entameoba histolytica, an invasive protozoan parasite. World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that approximately 50 million people are infected each year causing an estimated 40 to 100 thousand deaths annually. Entameoba histolytica ranks only second to malaria as a protozoan cause of death. Amebiasis occurs world wide but people living in Central and South America, Africa and Asia are the majority to suffer from morbidity and mortality. The enteric parasite has no zoonotic reservoirs and insect vectors for its transmission and infects humans and non-human primates. Therefore, anti-amebic vaccine could completely eradicate the disease. Entamoeba histolytica invades tissue and causes the disease in series of events. The disease is caused when the cyst form of the parasite is ingested with contaminated food or water. After excysting in the small intestine to form the trophozoite, the parasite adheres to the colonic mucus and epithelial cells through interaction of Gal/GalNAc lectin, an amebic surface adhesin with the host glycoconjugates. The parasite then secrets the proteolytic enzymes that disrupt the intestinal mucus and epithelial barrier facilitating tissue penetration. The trophozoite then kills the host epithelial and immune cells. Also, it resists the host's immune response causing the prolonged infection called the invasive amebiasis and causes colon or liver abscess. The symptoms include gradual onset of abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloody stools. Also, it can form cysts that are excreted with stools to start new cycle. The parasite recognition of the host glycoconjugates plays an important role in the pathogenesis. Therefore, the Gal/GalNAc lectin could be a possible vaccine candidate. The Gal/GalNAc lectin is composed of a 260-kDa heterodimer of disulfide-linked heavy (170 kDa) and light (35 kDa) subunits, which is non-covalently associated with an intermediate sub-unit of 150 kDa. The only recognized Carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) was found in the heavy sub-unit. The CRD of the lectin is the potential target for colonization blocking vaccines and drugs. Preliminary studies have shown that the recombinant fragments of cysteine-rich region of LecA (lectin) containing the CRD (carbohydrate recognition domain) of the GalNAc lectin conferred protection against amebiasis. Therefore, production of LecA in plants using chloroplast genetic engineering would result in low cost vaccine because of high expression levels of vaccine antigens, and elimination of the cold-chain (low temperature, storage & transportation), hospitals and health professionals for their delivery. The LecA protein was expressed in transgenic chloroplasts of Nicotiana tabacum var. Petit havana by transforming the chloroplast genome using the LecA gene (1755 bp) by homologous recombination. The pLD-CtV has trnI and trnA genes that are used as flanking sequences for homologous recombination and the constitutive 16s rRNA promoter to regulate transcription. The aadA gene conferring spectinomycin resistance has been used for selection and gene10 regulatory sequence from T7 bacteriophage to enhance translation. The chloroplast integration of LecA was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. The expression of LecA protein in transgenic chloroplasts was analyzed by immunoblot analysis using anti-LecA antibodies. Maximum expression levels of LecA up to 6.3 % of the total soluble protein were observed in the old leaves. The evaluation of the immune response in animal model is underway. This is the first report of expression of LecA in a plant system.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000511, ucf:46467
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000511
MULTIGENE METABOLIC ENGINEERING VIA THE CHLOROPLAST GENOME
Title
MULTIGENE METABOLIC ENGINEERING VIA THE CHLOROPLAST GENOME.
Creator
Ruiz, Oscar Nemesio, Daniell PD, Henry h., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
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 b-ketothiolase was confirmed by Southern and northern blots. Coomassie-stained gel and western blots confirmed...
Show moreThe 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 b-ketothiolase was confirmed by Southern and northern blots. Coomassie-stained gel and western blots confirmed hyperexpression of b-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.
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Date Issued
2004
Identifier
CFE0000115, ucf:46206
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000115
EVALUATION OF IMMUNOGENICITY OF TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLAST DERIVED PROTECTIVE ANTIGEN OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS
Title
EVALUATION OF IMMUNOGENICITY OF TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLAST DERIVED PROTECTIVE ANTIGEN OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS.
Creator
Koya, Vijay, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Anthrax, a fatal bacterial infection is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive, spore forming, capsulated, rod shaped organism. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists anthrax as Category A biological agent due to its severity of impact on human health, high mortality rate, acuteness of the disease and potential for delivery as a biological weapon. The currently available human vaccine in the United States (AVA anthrax vaccine adsorbed) is prepared from Alum adsorbed formalin treated...
Show moreAnthrax, a fatal bacterial infection is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive, spore forming, capsulated, rod shaped organism. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists anthrax as Category A biological agent due to its severity of impact on human health, high mortality rate, acuteness of the disease and potential for delivery as a biological weapon. The currently available human vaccine in the United States (AVA anthrax vaccine adsorbed) is prepared from Alum adsorbed formalin treated supernatant culture of toxigenic, non-encapsulated strain of Bacillus anthracis with the principle component being protective antigen (PA83). Evaluation of anthrax vaccine given to nearly 400,000 US military personnel by Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) showed adverse effects such as flu-like symptoms, local pain, large degree of inflammation, edema, malaise, rash, arthralgia, and headache following vaccination. All the adverse reactions are attributed to the composition of vaccine components. These vaccine preparations contain trace contaminants of lethal and edema factors that contribute to the adverse side effects. Also, the current method of vaccine manufacture has limited production capacity.The production of PA83, in plants through chloroplast genetic engineering might eliminate the concerns of adverse side effects and the levels of expression would ensure the availability of vaccine for the human population in an environmentally friendly approach. The primary concern is whether the PA83 purified from transgenic chloroplasts is as immunogenic as the PA83 in the AVA. For this, PA83 has been expressed in transgenic chloroplasts of Nicotiana tabacum var. petit Havana, by inserting the pag (2205 bp) with the N-terminal 6X histidine tag, into the chloroplast genome by homologous recombination. Chloroplast integration of the pag was confirmed by PCR and Southern analysis. The PA83 protein was detected in transgenic chloroplasts by immunoblot analysis using anti-PA83 antibodies. Maximum expression levels of PA83 (14.17% TSP) were observed in mature leaves upon continuous illumination, due to the presence psbA 5'UTR, a light and developmentally regulated translation enhancer sequence. The PA83 has been purified by affinity chromatography using Ni resin columns. Chloroplast derived PA83 was functional in vitro and was able to lyse the mouse macrophages when combined with the lethal factor. The in vitro assays showed that the crude extracts contained up to 20ug/ml of functional PA83.The immunization studies of PA83 on Balb/c mice, revealed highly immunogenic IgG titers. Subcutaneous immunization with purified chloroplast derived PA83 with adjuvant yielded IgG titers up to 1:320,000, similar to that of the group immunized with PA83 derived from Bacillus anthracis. Immunization of groups with PA83 combined with alhydrogel adjuvant showed four - eight times higher immune response than the groups without adjuvant. The higher expression levels of PA83 in transgenic chloroplasts might ensure the availability of anthrax vaccine to the general public and the high immune response observed in the mouse model would enable the replacement of the current AVA with a cleaner and safer vaccine.
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Date Issued
2004
Identifier
CFE0000298, ucf:46213
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000298
EXPRESSION OF HETEROLOGOUS PROTEINS IN TRANSGENIC TOBACCO CHLOROPLASTS TO PRODUCE A BIOPHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOPOLYMER
Title
EXPRESSION OF HETEROLOGOUS PROTEINS IN TRANSGENIC TOBACCO CHLOROPLASTS TO PRODUCE A BIOPHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOPOLYMER.
Creator
Devine, Andrew, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The chloroplast has been demonstrated to be an ideal compartment to accumulate certain proteins or their biosynthetic products that would be harmful if they were accumulated in the cytoplasm. Hyper-expression of foreign proteins in chloroplast transgenics has accumulated up to 46% total soluble protein, this is possible due to the ~100 chloroplast genomes per chloroplast and ~100 chloroplasts per cell which can therefore, contain up to 10,000 copies of the transgene. Maternal gene inheritance...
Show moreThe chloroplast has been demonstrated to be an ideal compartment to accumulate certain proteins or their biosynthetic products that would be harmful if they were accumulated in the cytoplasm. Hyper-expression of foreign proteins in chloroplast transgenics has accumulated up to 46% total soluble protein, this is possible due to the ~100 chloroplast genomes per chloroplast and ~100 chloroplasts per cell which can therefore, contain up to 10,000 copies of the transgene. Maternal gene inheritance of plastids in most crop plants results in natural gene containment. Chloroplast transformation also eliminates positional effects that are frequently observed with nuclear transformation and no gene silencing has been observed so far at the level of transcription or translation. Consequently, independent chloroplast transgenic lines have very similar levels of foreign gene expression and there is no need to screen hundreds of transgenic events. The chloroplast genome has also been used in molecular farming to express human therapeutic proteins, vaccines for human or animal use and biomaterials. In this study we have produced a Nicotiana tabacum cv. petit Havana chloroplast transgenic line that expresses a cholera toxin B subunit (from Vibrio Cholerae)-human proinsulin (a,b and c chain) fusion protein, designated CTB-Pris. The pLD-PW vector contains the CTB-Pris gene cloned into the universal chloroplast transformation vector pLD-ctv in which the 16S rRNA promoter drives the aadA gene selectable marker, which confers resistance to spectinomycin; the psbA 5' untranslated region (UTR) which enhances translation of CTB-Pris in the presence of light and the psbA 3'UTR confers transcript stability. The trnI and trnA homologous flanking sequences facilitated site-specific integration of transgenes into the tobacco chloroplast genome. Site-specific integration was demonstrated by PCR and Southern blot analysis with probes for CTB-Pris. Western Blot analysis has demonstrated the presence of abundant CTB-Pris in transgenic plants with both CTB polyclonal and proinsulin monoclonal antibodies. Southern blot analysis has also confirmed that homoplasmy had been achieved in the T0 generation. The expression levels for CTB-Proinsulin varied between 270ìg/100mg to 364.8ìg/100mg of plant tissue which equates to ~30% total soluble protein. In the second study the E. coli ubiC gene that codes for chorismate pyruvate-lyase (CPL) was integrated in the tobacco chloroplast genome under the control of the light-regulated psbA 5' untranslated region. CPL catalyzes the direct conversion of chorismate – an important branch point intermediate in the shikimate pathway that is exclusively synthesized in plastids – to pHBA and pyruvate. pHBA is the major monomer in liquid crystal polymers (LCPs). These thermotropic polyesters have excellent properties, including high strength/stiffness, low melt viscosity, property retention at elevated temperatures, environmental resistance and low gas permeability. The leaf content of pHBA glucose conjugates in fully mature T1 plants exposed to continuous light (total pooled material) varied between 13-18% DW, while the oldest leaves had levels as high as 26.5% DW. The highest CPL enzyme activity observed in total leaf material was 50,783 pkat/mg of protein, which is equivalent to ~35% of the total soluble protein. Animal studies in the Daniell lab, suggest that the CTB-Proinsulin producing plants suppress insulitis and clinical symptoms of diabetes in NOD mice. These observations demonstrate the versatility of chloroplast gene expression for production of biopharmaceuticals and biopolymers.
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Date Issued
2006
Identifier
CFE0001056, ucf:46794
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001056
BIOINFORMATIC ANALYSIS OF SOLANACEAE CHLOROPLAST GENOMES AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ARABIDOPSIS PROTEIN DISULFIDE ISOMERASE IN TRANSGENIC TOBACCO CHLOROPLASTS
Title
BIOINFORMATIC ANALYSIS OF SOLANACEAE CHLOROPLAST GENOMES AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ARABIDOPSIS PROTEIN DISULFIDE ISOMERASE IN TRANSGENIC TOBACCO CHLOROPLASTS.
Creator
Grevich, Justin, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Throughout history, traditional plant breeding has been used to provide resistance to pests, disease and other forms of environmental stress, as well as to increase yield and improve upon quality and processing attributes. Over the last decade, the advancement in sequencing technology and bioinformatic analysis has unleashed a wealth of knowledge about chloroplast genetic organization and evolution. The lack of complete plastid genome sequences is one of the major limitations in advancing...
Show moreThroughout history, traditional plant breeding has been used to provide resistance to pests, disease and other forms of environmental stress, as well as to increase yield and improve upon quality and processing attributes. Over the last decade, the advancement in sequencing technology and bioinformatic analysis has unleashed a wealth of knowledge about chloroplast genetic organization and evolution. The lack of complete plastid genome sequences is one of the major limitations in advancing plastid genetic engineering to other useful crops. This is due to the fact that plastid genome sequences are essential for the identification of endogenous regulatory sequences and optimal sites for homologous recombination. Analysis of four Solanaceae genomes revealed significant genetic modifications in both coding and non-coding regions. Repeat analysis with Reputer revealed 33 to 45 direct and inverted repeats ? 30bp with at least 90% homology. All but five of the 42 repeats shared among all four genomes were located in the exact same genes or intergenic regions, suggesting a functional role. Intergenic analysis found four regions that are 100 percent identical in all four Solanaceae genomes. Such highly conserved intergenic regions are ideal targets for multi-species transformation cassettes. Protein disulfide isomerases (PDI) are a family of proteins known to function as molecular chaperones and aid in the formation of disulfide bonds during protein folding. They contain at least one thioredoxin domain used for the formation, isomerization, and reduction/oxidation of disulfide bonds. Bioinformatic analysis identified 13 PDI-like (PDIL) proteins found in Arabidopsis that contain at least one thioredoxin domain. In addition to the above-mentioned characteristics, PDIs have been shown to be directly involved in the translational regulation of the psbA mRNA in response to light and could potentially increase the efficiency of chloroplast engineering in plants. Human serum albumin (HSA) requires 17 disulfide bonds to be properly folded and is an ideal candidate for assessing the disulfide bond formation, protein folding, and other chaperone-like characteristics of PDIL proteins. Therefore, I have coexpressed HSA in order to further characterize an Arabidopsis PDIL protein, atPDIL5-4, and in particular, the redox control of the psbA 5'UTR. Interestingly, the polyclonal antibody used for identifying the PDIL protein cross-reacted and identified other proteins, but not the transgenic atPDIL5-4. Results of these investigations will be presented.
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Date Issued
2006
Identifier
CFE0001083, ucf:46776
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001083
RECEPTOR MEDIATED ORAL DELIVERY OF BIOENCAPSULATED GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN EXPRESSED IN TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLASTS
Title
RECEPTOR MEDIATED ORAL DELIVERY OF BIOENCAPSULATED GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN EXPRESSED IN TRANSGENIC CHLOROPLASTS.
Creator
Limaye, Arati, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The skyrocketing costs of prescription medicine in developed countries and their lack of availability in developing countries are the most challenging problems of human health. Primary reasons for such high cost are fermentation-based production, expensive purification methods, the need for low temperature storage and transportation and the delivery through sterile injections. Most of these expenses could be minimized or eliminated when therapeutic proteins are expressed and orally delivered...
Show moreThe skyrocketing costs of prescription medicine in developed countries and their lack of availability in developing countries are the most challenging problems of human health. Primary reasons for such high cost are fermentation-based production, expensive purification methods, the need for low temperature storage and transportation and the delivery through sterile injections. Most of these expenses could be minimized or eliminated when therapeutic proteins are expressed and orally delivered via plant cells. Chloroplasts have the machinery to fold complex and biologically active eukaryotic proteins in the soluble chloroplast stromal compartment. Protein expression through chloroplast transformation system offers a number of advantages over nuclear transformation such as a high level of transgene expression (up to 47% of the total soluble protein), due to the presence of 10,000 copies of the transgene per cell, which is uniquely advantageous for oral delivery of adequate amounts of the therapeutic protein or vaccine antigen. It is also an environmentally friendly approach due to effective gene containment and lack of transgene expression in pollen since the chloroplast genome is maternally inherited. To study receptor-mediated oral delivery of therapeutic proteins using the transmucosal carrier cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), a CTB-GFP fusion protein separated by a furin cleavage site was expressed via the tobacco chloroplast genome and used as a visible marker. Site specific integration of the transgene was confirmed by PCR analysis. Southern blot analysis confirmed homoplasmy. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the expression of both the monomeric as well as the pentameric forms of CTB-GFP in transgenic plants. Expression levels of upto 21.3% were obtained and the functionality of the CTB-GFP pentamers was confirmed by an in vitro GM1 binding assay. GFP was seen in the intestinal mucosa, liver and spleen of mice orally fed with CTB-GFP expressing leaves, while CTB was detected only in the intestinal cells. Intestinal macrophages and dendritic cells stained positive for both the CTB as well as GFP. These results suggest successful cleavage of the foreign protein from the transmucosal carrier and its delivery to various organs. These investigations should facilitate the development of a novel cost-effective oral delivery system for plant-derived therapeutic proteins.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000891, ucf:46633
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000891
PLANT-MADE ORAL VACCINES: EVALUATION OF CAPSULES
Title
PLANT-MADE ORAL VACCINES: EVALUATION OF CAPSULES.
Creator
New, James, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Antigen expression through the Chloroplast Transformation Technology (CTT) produces bioencapsulated subunit-vaccines, capable of eliciting immune responses when delivered orally. Considerable challenges to effective plant-based vaccines are the normalization of dosage and preservation of accumulated antigen, which is complicated by variable high water content and protease activity. This study critically examines the efficacy of lyophilization in dehydrating plant-tissues and preserving plant...
Show moreAntigen expression through the Chloroplast Transformation Technology (CTT) produces bioencapsulated subunit-vaccines, capable of eliciting immune responses when delivered orally. Considerable challenges to effective plant-based vaccines are the normalization of dosage and preservation of accumulated antigen, which is complicated by variable high water content and protease activity. This study critically examines the efficacy of lyophilization in dehydrating plant-tissues and preserving plant-derived antigens with vaccine potential. Lyophilization was optimized through gravimetric analysis using lettuce expressing Protective Antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis (LS-HPAG) and the human autoantigen Proinsulin (Pins) fused to Cholera toxin subunit B (LS-CTB-Pins). Lyophilization for 48-hours was sufficient treatment to reduce lettuce to 4.57% of its original weight, which retained .058% water content in the bound state; these levels corresponded with oven-dried controls while antigen was stabilized for over a year of storage at room temperature. A simulated gastric fluid assay was applied to evaluate stability of plant derived antigens during digestion. It was observed that lettuce plant cells conferred protection through antigen bioencapsulation for up to an hour under enzymatic digestive conditions. LS-HPAG immunogenicity was then demonstrated through the induction of a PA-specific IgG response by through oral boosting of C57/BL6 test mice. Survival during toxin challenge demonstrated a protective immune response if 40% of animal immunized by plant-derived PA. Lastly, the inclusion of excipient and adjuvant additives will be considered and utilized for the development of prototype vaccine capsule formulations.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFH0003861, ucf:44689
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003861
CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF THE IMMUNOGENIZITY OF CHLOROPLAST-DERIVED 19-KILODALTON C-TERMINAL MEROZOITE SURFACE ANTIGEN 1(MSP1) OF PLASMODIUM YOELII YOELII
Title
CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF THE IMMUNOGENIZITY OF CHLOROPLAST-DERIVED 19-KILODALTON C-TERMINAL MEROZOITE SURFACE ANTIGEN 1(MSP1) OF PLASMODIUM YOELII YOELII.
Creator
Kamarajugadda, Sushamadevi, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Malaria is a protozoan disease caused in humans by four different species of the genus Plasmodium (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malarie) and in rodents by Plasmodium yoelii yoelii. It has been reported that 1.5 to 3 million deaths occur worldwide due to malaria and the DALY (Daily affected life years) reports about 0.76% of world population affected by the disease in some of the major countries like Africa, Asia, Latin America etc., Due to the development of resistance to drugs by...
Show moreMalaria is a protozoan disease caused in humans by four different species of the genus Plasmodium (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malarie) and in rodents by Plasmodium yoelii yoelii. It has been reported that 1.5 to 3 million deaths occur worldwide due to malaria and the DALY (Daily affected life years) reports about 0.76% of world population affected by the disease in some of the major countries like Africa, Asia, Latin America etc., Due to the development of resistance to drugs by the parasite, there is an urgent need and prime importance for the development of an effective vaccine against malaria. During its entire life cycle, the plasmodium sp. expresses various stage-specific proteins that are considered potential candidates for vaccine development; the major ones belong to the (i) sporozoite, (ii) erythrocytic, (iii) gametocytic stages. Merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) is expressed on the surface of the parasite during the erythrocytic stage, which is considered as a potential vaccine candidate. The C-terminal portion of MSP1 is considered to be an effective vaccine candidate from inhibiting the parasite invasion into RBC.PyMSP119 has been expressed in plants via the chloroplast transformation. The site-specific integration of PyMSP119 gene within chloroplast genome was confirmed by PCR using specific primers and the percentage of homoplasmy vs. heteroplasmy was confirmed by Southern blot. The expression of chloroplast-derived PyMSP119 plants was confirmed by western blot using anti- PyMSP119 antibodies. These experiments showed a 17kDa protein under reducing conditions. The expression levels of PyMSP119 protein varied within transgenic plants were up to ~2% of total soluble protein (TSP) within mature leaves. To test the functionality of chloroplast-derived PyMSP119 protein, mice were immunized with the enriched chloroplast-derived PyMSP119 protein with Freund's adjuvant. The immune response of anti- PyMSP119 antibodies were tested against standard PyMSP119 protein and it yielded 1:7000 IgG titers. The immunized mice were challenged with P.yoelii infected red blood cells (35-40% parasitemia) and the percentage parasitemia suggested an inverse correlation with the immune titers. However, the concrete conclusions can be made when the study is extended to a larger animal group.
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Date Issued
2006
Identifier
CFE0001340, ucf:46966
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001340
AMYLOID-BETA42 TOXICITY REDUCTION IN HUMAN NEUROBLASTOMA CELLS USING CHOLERA TOXIN B SUBUNIT-MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN EXPRESSED IN CHLOROPLASTS
Title
AMYLOID-BETA42 TOXICITY REDUCTION IN HUMAN NEUROBLASTOMA CELLS USING CHOLERA TOXIN B SUBUNIT-MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN EXPRESSED IN CHLOROPLASTS.
Creator
Ayache, Alexandra, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder, affecting 37 million people worldwide. Cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by β- and γ-secretase produces the amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein, which significantly contributes to AD pathogenesis. The Aβ aggregates, formed at the surface of neurons and intracellularly, cause neurotoxicity and decrease synaptic function. Inhibiting or degrading Aβ accumulation is a key goal for development of new AD treatments. Evidence...
Show moreAlzheimer's disease (AD) is an age progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder, affecting 37 million people worldwide. Cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by β- and γ-secretase produces the amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein, which significantly contributes to AD pathogenesis. The Aβ aggregates, formed at the surface of neurons and intracellularly, cause neurotoxicity and decrease synaptic function. Inhibiting or degrading Aβ accumulation is a key goal for development of new AD treatments. Evidence shows that human Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) binds to and degrades Aβ thereby, preventing cytotoxicity. A potential method for oral drug delivery that will allow plant-derived bioencapsulated MBP to pass through intestinal epithelium and bypass denaturing stomach acidity is quite novel. Cholera Toxin B subunit (CTB), when fused with MBP, can serve as a vehicle for oral delivery of this chloroplast expressed therapeutic protein into the systemic circulation. Within chloroplast, CTB forms a pentameric structure that binds to GM1 ganglioside receptors, allowing receptor-mediated endocytosis. In order to investigate protein entry through neuronal GM1 receptors, we first created CTB fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Incubation of this fusion protein with human neuroblastoma cells resulted in GFP entry into these cells whereas GFP alone was unable to enter. Similarly, co-incubation of CTB-MBP, via neuronal GM1 binding, allowed MBP to reduce neurotoxicity of Aβ42 treated cells by 37.1%. Delivery of CTB-MBP through GM1 receptor mediated binding should therefore facilitate oral administration, storage, heat stability and low cost AD treatment.
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFH0004249, ucf:44916
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004249
LOW COST PRODUCTION OF PROINSULIN IN TOBACCO AND LETTUCE CHLOROPLASTS FOR INJECTABLE OR ORAL DELIVERY OF FUNCTIONAL INSULIN AND C-PEPTIDE
Title
LOW COST PRODUCTION OF PROINSULIN IN TOBACCO AND LETTUCE CHLOROPLASTS FOR INJECTABLE OR ORAL DELIVERY OF FUNCTIONAL INSULIN AND C-PEPTIDE.
Creator
Burberry, Diane, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Current treatment for type I diabetes includes delivery of insulin via injection or pump, which is highly invasive and expensive. The production of chloroplast-derived proinsulin should reduce cost and facilitate oral delivery. Therefore, tobacco and lettuce chloroplasts were transformed with the cholera toxin B subunit fused with human proinsulin (A, B, and C peptides) containing three furin cleavage sites (CTB-PFx3). Transplastomic lines were confirmed for site-specific integration of...
Show moreCurrent treatment for type I diabetes includes delivery of insulin via injection or pump, which is highly invasive and expensive. The production of chloroplast-derived proinsulin should reduce cost and facilitate oral delivery. Therefore, tobacco and lettuce chloroplasts were transformed with the cholera toxin B subunit fused with human proinsulin (A, B, and C peptides) containing three furin cleavage sites (CTB-PFx3). Transplastomic lines were confirmed for site-specific integration of transgene and homoplasmy. Old tobacco leaves accumulated proinsulin up to 47% of total leaf protein (TLP). Old lettuce leaves accumulated proinsulin up to 53% TLP. Accumulation was so stable that up to ~40% proinsulin in TLP was observed even in senescent and dried lettuce leaves, facilitating their processing and storage in the field. Based on the yield of only monomers and dimers of proinsulin (3 mg/g leaf, a significant underestimation), with a 50% loss of protein during the purification process, one acre of tobacco could yield up to 20 million daily doses of insulin per year. Proinsulin from tobacco leaves was purified up to 98% using metal affinity chromatography without any His-tag. Furin protease cleaved insulin peptides in vitro. Oral delivery of unprocessed proinsulin bioencapsulated in plant cells or injectable delivery into mice showed reduction in blood glucose levels similar to processed commercial insulin. C-peptide should aid in longterm treatment of diabetic complications including stimulation of nerve and renal functions. Hyper-expression of functional proinsulin and exceptional stability in dehydrated leaves offer a low cost platform for oral and injectable delivery of cleavable proinsulin.
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Date Issued
2010
Identifier
CFE0003257, ucf:48554
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003257
DETERMINANTS OF CHLOROPLAST GENE EXPRESSION AND APPLICATIONS OF CHLOROPLAST TRANSFORMATION IN LACTUCA SATIVA AND NICOTIANA TABACUM.
Title
DETERMINANTS OF CHLOROPLAST GENE EXPRESSION AND APPLICATIONS OF CHLOROPLAST TRANSFORMATION IN LACTUCA SATIVA AND NICOTIANA TABACUM.
Creator
Ruhlman, Tracey, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Genetic modification of plastids in the model plant tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) has demonstrated that numerous foreign gene products can accumulate to high levels in this setting. Plastid biotechnology is maturing to encompass the improvement of food and feed species and the production of biopharmaceutical proteins for oral delivery necessitating development of stable transplastomic edible plants. In the interest of establishing an edible platform we have investigated the use of native and...
Show moreGenetic modification of plastids in the model plant tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) has demonstrated that numerous foreign gene products can accumulate to high levels in this setting. Plastid biotechnology is maturing to encompass the improvement of food and feed species and the production of biopharmaceutical proteins for oral delivery necessitating development of stable transplastomic edible plants. In the interest of establishing an edible platform we have investigated the use of native and foreign regulatory elements in relation to foreign gene expression in plastids. Multiple sequence alignments of intergenic regions for 20 species of angiosperm showed that despite 95% identity in the coding region, identity in the psbA upstream region is 59% across all taxa examined, other gene coding regions displayed sequence identity of 80-97%, whereas the non-coding regions were 45-79% suggesting that our physical data can be extrapolated beyond the model presented. We found that by exchanging psbA untranslated regions (UTRs) between N. tabacum and lettuce (Lactuca sativa), the expression of the CTB-proinsulin (CTB-Pins) monocistronic transcript declined by 84% and foreign protein accumulation was reduced by as much as 97% in mature leaves. Polyribosome association assays suggest that ribosome-free transgenic transcripts are stabilized where the native UTR is employed. RNA EMSA revealed that binding proteins interacted with psbA 5' UTRs in a species specific manner and the half life of the L. sativa 5'UTR-CTB-Pins mRNA was reduced by 3.7 fold in N. tabacum stromal extracts. Our data indicate that the use of species-specific regulatory elements could lead to establishment of reproducible plastid transformation in desirable target species such as L. sativa. Using transplastomic L. sativa for oral delivery of bioencapsulated CTB-Pins we delayed the onset of diabetes in NOD mice when retinyl acetate supplement was provided compared to untouched mice. In this 30 week study we monitored blood glucose levels and evaluated the in vitro suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells isolated from diabetic mice. Whether delay or prevention was achieved appeared to be a function of antigen dose as high dose resulted in a nine week delay of onset while low dose reduced the incidence of diabetes by 36%. In addition we have evaluated metabolic engineering in the N. tabacum model where we generated cis-genic lines expressing nucleus-encoded methionine pathway enzymes in plastids. Transplastomic expression of Cystathionine gamma-Synthase led to a three-fold increase in enzyme activity and a doubling of methionine content in leaves without a deleterious phenotype. In exploring molecular mechanisms supporting gene expression in plastids and applying transplastomic technology to real human problems this work seeks address the potential of plastid biotechnology for improvement of commodity crops and production of biopharmaceuticals.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002687, ucf:48236
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002687
EXPRESSION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES RETROCYCLIN-101 AND PROTEGRIN-1 IN CHLOROPLASTS TO CONTROL VIRAL AND BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
Title
EXPRESSION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES RETROCYCLIN-101 AND PROTEGRIN-1 IN CHLOROPLASTS TO CONTROL VIRAL AND BACTERIAL INFECTIONS.
Creator
Li, Baichuan, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Retrocyclin-101 (RC101) and Protegrin-1 (PG1) are two important antimicrobial peptides that can be used as therapeutic agents against bacterial and/or viral infections, especially those caused by the HIV-1 or sexually-transmitted bacteria. Because of their antimicrobial activity and complex secondary structures, they have not yet been produced in microbial systems and their chemical synthesis is prohibitively expensive. Therefore, we created chloroplast transformation vectors with the RC101...
Show moreRetrocyclin-101 (RC101) and Protegrin-1 (PG1) are two important antimicrobial peptides that can be used as therapeutic agents against bacterial and/or viral infections, especially those caused by the HIV-1 or sexually-transmitted bacteria. Because of their antimicrobial activity and complex secondary structures, they have not yet been produced in microbial systems and their chemical synthesis is prohibitively expensive. Therefore, we created chloroplast transformation vectors with the RC101 or PG1 coding sequence, fused with GFP to confer stability, furin or Factor Xa cleavage site to liberate the mature peptide from their fusion proteins and a His-tag to aid in their purification. Stable integration of RC-101 into the tobacco chloroplast genome and homoplasmy were confirmed by Southern blots. RC-101 and PG1 accumulated up to 32-38% and 17~26% of the total soluble protein. Both RC-101 and PG1 were cleaved from GFP by corresponding proteases in vitro and Factor Xa like protease activity was observed within chloroplasts. Confocal microscopy studies showed location of GFP fluorescence within chloroplasts. Organic extraction resulted in 10.6 fold higher yield of RC 101 than purification by affinity chromatography using His-tag. In planta bioassays with Erwinia carotovora confirmed the antibacterial activity of RC101 and PG1 expressed in chloroplasts. RC101 transplastomic plants were resistant to TMV infections, confirming antiviral activity. Because RC101 and PG1 have not yet been produced in other cell culture or microbial systems, chloroplasts can be used as bioreactors for producing these proteins. Adequate yield of purified antimicrobial peptides from transplastomic plants should facilitate further pre-clinical studies.
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Date Issued
2010
Identifier
CFE0003199, ucf:48571
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003199
AMELIORATION OF AMYLOID BURDEN IN ADVANCED HUMAN AND MOUSE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE BRAINS BY ORAL DELIVERY OF MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN BIOENCAPSULATED IN PLANT CELLS
Title
AMELIORATION OF AMYLOID BURDEN IN ADVANCED HUMAN AND MOUSE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE BRAINS BY ORAL DELIVERY OF MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN BIOENCAPSULATED IN PLANT CELLS.
Creator
Kohli, Neha, Daniell, Henry, Kim, Yoon-Seong, Cheng, Zixi, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
One of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the amyloid plaque deposition in aging brains by aggregation of amyloid-? (A?) peptides. In this study, the effect of chloroplast derived myelin basic protein (MBP) fused with cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) was investigated in advanced diseased stage of human and mouse AD brains. The CTB-fusion protein in chloroplasts facilitates transmucosal delivery in the gut by the natural binding ability of CTB pentameric form with GM1...
Show moreOne of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the amyloid plaque deposition in aging brains by aggregation of amyloid-? (A?) peptides. In this study, the effect of chloroplast derived myelin basic protein (MBP) fused with cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) was investigated in advanced diseased stage of human and mouse AD brains. The CTB-fusion protein in chloroplasts facilitates transmucosal delivery in the gut by the natural binding ability of CTB pentameric form with GM1 receptors on the intestinal epithelium. Further, bioencapsulation of the MBP within plant cells confers protection from enzymes and acids in the digestive system. Here, 12-14 months old triple transgenic AD mice were fed with CTB-MBP bioencapsulated in the plant cells for 3 months. A reduction of 67.3% and 33.3% amyloid levels in hippocampal and cortical regions, respectively were observed by immunostaining of brain sections with anti- A? antibody. Similarly, 70% decrease in plaque number and 40% reduction of plaque intensity was observed through thioflavin S (ThS) staining that specifically stains amyloid in the AD brain. Furthermore, ex vivo 3xTg AD mice brain sections showed up to 45% reduction of ThS stained amyloid levels when incubated with enriched CTB-MBP in a concentration dependent manner. Similarly, incubation of enriched CTB-MBP with ex vivo postmortem human brain tissue sections with advanced stage of AD resulted up to 47% decrease of ThS stained amyloid plaque intensity. Lastly, lyophilization of plant material facilitates dehydration and long term storage of capsules at room temperature, in addition to increasing CTB-MBP concentration by 17 fold. These observations offer a low cost solution for treatment of even advanced stages of the AD by facilitating delivery of therapeutic proteins to central nervous system to address other neurodegenerative disease.
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFE0004564, ucf:49237
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004564
Expression of Trichoderma reesei (&)#223;-Mannanase in Tobacco Chloroplasts and its Utilization in Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass Hydrolysis
Title
Expression of Trichoderma reesei (&)#223;-Mannanase in Tobacco Chloroplasts and its Utilization in Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass Hydrolysis.
Creator
Agrawal, Pankaj, Daniell, Henry, Kolattukudy, Pappachan, Self, William, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Lignocellulosic ethanol offers a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuels. One among the major limitations in the lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis is unavailability of efficient and environmentally biomass degrading technologies. Plant-based production of these enzymes on large scale offers a cost effective solution. Cellulases, hemicellulases including mannanases and other accessory enzymes are required for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. ?...
Show moreLignocellulosic ethanol offers a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuels. One among the major limitations in the lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis is unavailability of efficient and environmentally biomass degrading technologies. Plant-based production of these enzymes on large scale offers a cost effective solution. Cellulases, hemicellulases including mannanases and other accessory enzymes are required for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. ?-mannanase catalyzes endo-hydrolysis of the mannan backbone, a major constituent of woody biomass. In this study, man1 gene encoding ?-mannanase was isolated from Trichoderma reesei and expressed via the chloroplast genome. PCR and Southern hybridization analysis confirmed the site-specific transgene integration into the tobacco chloroplast genomes and homoplasmy. Transplastomic plants were fertile and set viable seeds. Germination of seeds showed inheritance of transgenes into the progeny without Mendelian segregation. Expression of the endo-?-mannanase gene for the first time in plants facilitated its characterization for use in enhanced lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis. Gel diffusion assay for endo-?-mannanase showed the zone of clearance confirming functionality of chloroplast-derived mannanase. Endo-?-mannanase expression levels reached up to 25 units per gram of leaf (fresh weight). Chloroplast-derived mannanase had higher temperature stability (40 (&)deg;C to 70 (&)deg;C) and wider pH optima (pH 3.0 to 7.0) than E.coli enzyme extracts. Plant crude extracts showed 6-7 fold higher enzyme activity than E.coli extracts due to the formation of disulfide bonds in chloroplasts, thereby facilitating their direct utilization in enzyme cocktails without any purification. Chloroplast-derived mannanase when added to the enzyme cocktail containing a combination of different enzymes yielded 20% more glucose equivalents from pinewood than the cocktail without mannanase. Our results demonstrate that chloroplast-derived mannanase is an important component of enzymatic cocktail for woody biomass hydrolysis and should provide a cost-effective solution for its diverse applications in the paper, oil, pharmaceutical, coffee and detergent industries.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0004467, ucf:49309
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004467
Expression of Lipase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Nicotiana tobacum and Lactuca sativa Chloroplasts
Title
Expression of Lipase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Nicotiana tobacum and Lactuca sativa Chloroplasts.
Creator
Lloyd, Bethany, Daniell, Henry, Kolattukudy, Pappachan, Self, William, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), is a global threat and the leading cause of death among individuals infected with HIV. TB treatment requires multi-drug cocktails, due to the increasing rates of drug resistance of the bacterium. With multi-drug cocktails, strains have been documented to be resistant to all major drugs in the fight against TB. Since the strains are drug resistant, it calls for an increasing need for vaccine and treatment...
Show moreTuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), is a global threat and the leading cause of death among individuals infected with HIV. TB treatment requires multi-drug cocktails, due to the increasing rates of drug resistance of the bacterium. With multi-drug cocktails, strains have been documented to be resistant to all major drugs in the fight against TB. Since the strains are drug resistant, it calls for an increasing need for vaccine and treatment development for the purpose of preventing and managing the disease. The most widely distributed vaccine against TB is Bacillus Calmette-Gue(&)#180;rin (BCG). Apart from being ineffective in certain individuals, BCG offers only a limited timeframe of protection, is unable to serve as a booster for extending this timeframe and due to the intradermal route of administration requires costly refrigeration and syringes.LipY protein, a M. tuberculosis cell wall lipase, may play a potential role as not only a drug target but a potential vaccine antigen. LipY is known to be up-regulated during both active infection and dormancy. In a previous study, sera from TB patients had shown an IgG and IgM response against it. In this study transplastomic Lactuca sativa and Nicotiana tabacum plants were generated by transforming the chloroplasts through the particle delivery system with pLsDv-LipY and pLD-LipY vectors respectively. The vectors were flanked by the native trnI and trnA gene sequence to facilitate homologous recombination into the chloroplast genome. The vector also contained the 16S rRNA promoter, the selectable marker gene, aadA for specitinomycin resistance, the rbcL untranslated region, the LsPpsbA (PpsbA in N. tabacum) promoter, and LsTpsbA (tpsbA in N. tabacum) untranslated region. Site specific integration of the LipY gene into the chloroplast genome was confirmed by PCR. Homoplasmy of transplastomic plants was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. These plants showed normal growth and were fertile, producing seeds. Once germinated, these seeds did not show Mendelian segregation of the transgene. Immunoblot analysis was performed to analyze the expression of the LipY protein. A 40kDa protein was produced in E.coli, and a 25kDa protein was produced in chloroplasts; a cleaved product in chloroplasts is still valuable as an antigen for vaccine production. Future studies will include testing this chloroplast derived antigen in animal models for vaccine development. ?
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFE0004502, ucf:49289
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004502
Dissertation Title: Development of molecular and cellular imaging tools to evaluate gene and cell based therapeutic strategies in vivo
Title
Dissertation Title: Development of molecular and cellular imaging tools to evaluate gene and cell based therapeutic strategies in vivo.
Creator
Xia, Jixiang, Ebert, Steven, Khaled, Annette, Cheng, Zixi, Daniell, Henry, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Molecular imaging modalities are important tools to evaluate the efficacy of gene delivery systems and cell-based therapies. Development and application of these modalities will advance our understanding of the mechanism of transgene expression and cell fate and functions. Physical gene transfer methods hold many advantages over viral vectors among gene therapeutic strategies. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of biolistic ((")gene gun(")) gene targeting to tissues with non-invasive...
Show moreMolecular imaging modalities are important tools to evaluate the efficacy of gene delivery systems and cell-based therapies. Development and application of these modalities will advance our understanding of the mechanism of transgene expression and cell fate and functions. Physical gene transfer methods hold many advantages over viral vectors among gene therapeutic strategies. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of biolistic ((")gene gun(")) gene targeting to tissues with non-invasive bioluminescence imaging (BLI) methods. Plasmids carrying the firefly luciferase reporter gene were transfected into mouse skin and liver using biolistics, and BLI was measured at various time points after transfer. With optimized DNA loading ratio (DLRs), reporter gene expression reached to peak 1day after transfer to mouse skin, and the maximum depth of tissue penetration was between 200-300?m. Similar peak expression of reporter gene was found in mouse liver but the expression was relatively stable 4-8 days post-biolistic gene transfer and remained for up to two weeks afterward. Our results demonstrated BLI was an efficient strategy for evaluation of reporter gene expression in the same animals over a period of up to two weeks in vivo. Different tissues showed different expression kinetics, suggesting that this is an important parameter to consider when developing gene therapy strategies for different target tissues. We also employed BLI to measure differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells into beating cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo. A subset of these cardiomyocytes appears to be derived from an adrenergic lineage that ultimately contribute to substantial numbers of cardiomyocytes primarily on the left side of the heart. At present, it is unclear what the precise role of these cardiac adrenergic cells is with respect to heart development, though it is known that adrenergic hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline) are essential for embryonic development since mice lacking them die from apparent heart failure during the prenatal period. To identify and characterize cardiac adrenergic cells, we developed a novel mouse genetic model in which the nuclear-localized enhanced green fluorescent protein (nEGFP) reporter gene was targeted to the first exon of the Phenylethanoamine N-transferase (Pnmt) gene, which encodes for the enzyme that converts noradrenaline to adrenaline, and hence serves as a marker for adrenergic cells. Our results demonstrate this knock-in strategy effectively marked adrenergic cells in both fetal and adult mice. Expression of nEGFP was found in Pnmt-positive cells of the adult adrenal medulla, as expected. Pnmt-nEGFP expression also recapitulated endogenous Pnmt expression in the embryonic mouse heart. In addition, nEGFP and Pnmt expression were induced in parallel during differentiation of pluripotent mouse ES cells into beating cardiomyocytes. This new mouse genetic model provides a useful new tool for studying the properties of adrenergic cells in different tissues. We also identified two limitations of the Pnmt-nEGFP model. One is that the amount of nEGFP expressed within individual adrenergic cells was highly variable. Secondly, expression of nEGFP in the embryonic heart was of low abundance and difficult to distinguish from background autofluorescence. To overcome these limitations, we developed two alternative genetic models to investigate adrenergic cells: (1) Mouse embryonic stem cells, which have been previously targeted with Pnmt-Cre recombinase gene, were additionally targeted with a dual reporter plasmid which covered both a loxP-flanked cDNA of red fluorescence protein (HcRed) and also EGFP. Under the undifferentiated status, cells emit red fluorescence as transcription stops before EGFP coding sequence. After differentiation into beating cardiomyoctyes, some cells switch fluorescence from red to green, indicating that excision of loxP-flanked sequences by Cre since Pnmt had been activated. (2) A surface marker, truncated low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (?LNGFR) was used as the reporter gene as cells expressing this marker can be enriched by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), a potentially efficient way to yield highly purified positive cells at low input abundance in a population. Through a series of subcloning steps, the targeting construct, Pnmt-?LNGFR-Neo-DTA was created and electroporated into 7AC5EYFP embryonic stem cells. Correctly targeted cells were selected by positive and negative screening. These cells provide a new tool with which to identify, isolate, and characterize the function of adrenergic cells in the developing heart, adrenal gland, and other tissues where adrenergic cells make important contributions.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0004491, ucf:49287
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004491
Expression and functional evaluation of exendin 4 fused to cholera toxin B subunit in tobacco chloroplasts to treat type 2 diabetes
Title
Expression and functional evaluation of exendin 4 fused to cholera toxin B subunit in tobacco chloroplasts to treat type 2 diabetes.
Creator
Nityanandam, Ramya, Daniell, Henry, Naser, Saleh, Siddiqi, Shadab, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been steadily increasing around the globe. Glucagon like peptide (GLP-1), a powerful incretin increases insulin secretion in a glucose dependent manner. But GLP-1 is subjected to rapid enzymatic degradation (half-life: 2 min in circulation). The commercially available GLP-1 analog, exenatide has a longer half life with potent insulinotropic effects (about 2.4 hr) which requires cold storage and daily subcutaneous injections. In this study, exendin 4 (EX4)...
Show moreThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been steadily increasing around the globe. Glucagon like peptide (GLP-1), a powerful incretin increases insulin secretion in a glucose dependent manner. But GLP-1 is subjected to rapid enzymatic degradation (half-life: 2 min in circulation). The commercially available GLP-1 analog, exenatide has a longer half life with potent insulinotropic effects (about 2.4 hr) which requires cold storage and daily subcutaneous injections. In this study, exendin 4 (EX4), lizard derived GLP-1R agonist, was expressed as cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-fusion protein in chloroplasts of tobacco to facilitate transmucosal delivery in the gut by utilizing the ability of CTB pentamer to bind the GM1 receptors on the intestinal epithelium and to bioencapsulate EX4 within plant cells to confer protection in the digestive system. The LAMD tobacco leaves were bombarded with chloroplast vectors expressing modified EX4. The transgene integration was confirmed by PCR analysis and Southern blot analysis. Densitometric analysis revealed expression level of the protein varied from 9-13% of the total leaf protein depending on the developmental stage and time of harvest. The pentameric structure and functionality of CTB-EX4 fusion protein was confirmed by CTB-GM1 binding assay. The effect of transplastomic protein on insulin secretion was tested in ?-TC6, a mouse pancreatic cell line. The plant derived CTB-EX4, partially purified with anti-CTB antibody conjugated protein A beads, showed the increase of insulin ~ 2.5 fold increase when compared to untreated cells. The transplastomic protein showed a linear increase in insulin secretion comparable to the commercially available EX4. The current cost of treatment with EX4 varies between $1800-$2200, annually. Production of functional EX4 in plants should facilitate low cost orally deliverable form of this drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0004485, ucf:49306
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004485
Stable expression of tuberculosis vaccine antigen in lettuce chloroplasts
Title
Stable expression of tuberculosis vaccine antigen in lettuce chloroplasts.
Creator
Saikumar Lakshmi, Priya, Daniell, Henry, Khaled, Annette, Naser, Saleh, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is one of the leading reasons of death by an infectious bacterial pathogen. The development of TB vaccines has been recognized as a major public health priority by the World Health Organization. In this study, a potential candidate antigen, ESAT-6 (6 kDa early secretory antigenic target) was fused with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). Transplastomic lettuce plants were generated expressing these fusion proteins. Site-specific...
Show moreTuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is one of the leading reasons of death by an infectious bacterial pathogen. The development of TB vaccines has been recognized as a major public health priority by the World Health Organization. In this study, a potential candidate antigen, ESAT-6 (6 kDa early secretory antigenic target) was fused with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). Transplastomic lettuce plants were generated expressing these fusion proteins. Site-specific transgene integration into the chloroplast genome was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. In transplastomic leaves, expression levels of fusion protein (CTB-ESAT6) varied depending upon the developmental stage and time of leaf harvest with highest-level of accumulation in mature leaves harvested at 6PM. Transplastomic CTB-ESAT6 lettuce plants accumulated up to 0.75% of total leaf protein. Lyophilization increased CTB-ESAT6 protein content per gram of leaf material by 22 fold. Western blot analysis of lyophilized lettuce leaves showed that the CTB-ESAT6 fusion protein was stable and can be stored for prolonged period at RT. Hemolysis assay with purified CTB-ESAT6 protein showed partial hemolysis of red blood cells and confirmed functionality of ESAT-6 antigen. GM-1 binding assay demonstrated that the CTB-ESAT6 fusion protein formed pentamers to interact with GM1 ganglioside receptor. The expression of functional Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens fused to CTB in transplastomic plants should facilitate development of a cost-effective and orally deliverable TB vaccine with potential for long term storage at room temperature.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0004487, ucf:49303
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004487