WO2001048227A1

WO2001048227A1 - Method for production of proteins in host cells involving the use of chaperonins

Info

Publication number: WO2001048227A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/034055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrzej Joachimiak; Mark Donelly
Original assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-12-23
Filing date: 2000-12-14
Publication date: 2001-07-05
Also published as: DE60011785T2; EP1208213B1; DE60011785D1; CA2385766A1; NZ517743A; US20040077038A1; AU2433401A; EP1208213A1; CA2385766C; WO2001048227A8; ATE269905T1; US6677139B1; DK1208213T3

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for the production of proteins, particularly toxic proteins, in host cells. The invention provides methods which use a fusion protein comprising a chaperonin binding domain in host cells induced or regulated to have increased levels of chaperonin which binds the chaperonin binding domain.

Description

METHODS FOR PRODUCTION OF PROTEINS IN HOST CELLS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to methods for the production of proteins in host cells. Specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a chaperonin binding domain in expression systems designed for the production of proteins in host cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to obtain large quantities of desired polypeptides for commercial or research uses is through the expression of heterologous genes in bacterial cells. Often however, net accumulation of the recombinant polypeptide is low due to degradation, missfoldings or aggregation. Also, many recombinant polypeptides fail to attain their correct three-dimensional conformation in E.coli and are found sequestered within large refractile aggregates, i.e., inclusion bodies. Processes for recovering active polypeptides from inclusion bodies can be complex and expensive. Additionally, in some cases, the large scale production of a protein is limited by the toxicity of the overexpressed protein toward the host cell or the accumulation of proteins as inclusion bodies that impede their recovery and purification. In the cell, a class of accessory proteins known as molecular chaperones function by interacting with nascent polypeptide chains and aid in the process of correct folding Georgiou et al. (1996, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 7:190-197). Molecular chaperones are highly conserved proteins found in all organisms that control and sometimes catalyse the ATP- dependent folding of newly synthesized proteins and polypeptides as they are produced in cells. Chaperones mediate the stabilization and refolding of proteins under conditions of stress and are believed to fold crucial portions of proteins, such as enzymes, independently (Hendrick, J.P., 1993, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 62: 349-384).

Several E.coli proteins have been shown to exhibit chaperone activity: the 60kDa heat shock protein (Hsp60) GroEL, a chaperonin and the smaller accessory protein GroES (10kDa); the DnaK (Hsp70), DnaJ and GrpE complex; and the Clp system. Georgiou et al. supra. GroEL consists of 14 subunits which are arranged in two heptameric rings stacked back to back. The central cavity of the cylinder accepts unfolded substrate polypeptides in the conformation of a collapsed intermediate. GroEL interacts with GroES, a single heptameric ring that binds asymetrically to GroEL, capping one opening of the cylinder. GroES coordinates the ATP hydrolysis by GroEL with productive folding (Mayhew, M et al., Nature vol. 379:420-426.) Dale, G. et al. (1994, Protein Engineering 7:925-931 ) report that simultaneous overproduction of the GroEL/GroES chaperonins with dihydrofolate reductase results in an increased solubility of the enzyme and Amrein, K. et al. (1995, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. vol 92: 1048-1052) report on the purification of recombinant human protein-tyrosine kinase in an E.coli expression system overproducing the bacterial chaperonins GroES and GroEL.

Landry, S. et al. (1993, Nature 364:255-258) disclose a polypeptide loop of the GroES/GroEL complex and Altamirano et al. (1997, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:3576- 3578) disclose the use of immobilized fragments of the GroEL chaperonin in chromatography. In spite of advances in understanding chaperonins and the production of proteins in host cells, there remains a need to develop expression vectors and systems which allow for production of proteins in host cells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to chaperonin protein binding domains and to the use of an isolated chaperonin protein binding domain in the production of heterologous proteins, peptides or polypeptides in a host cell. The present invention is based, in part, upon the finding that a toxic gene product could be recombinantly produced by a host cell when expressed as a fusion protein associated with an isolated chaperonin binding domain. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for producing a protein in a host cell, comprising the step of culturing a host cell comprising a first nucleic acid encoding an isolated chaperonin binding domain associated with a second nucleic acid encoding the protein and a third nucleic acid encoding a chaperonin under conditions suitable for expression of said first, said second and said third nucleic acid and wherein said chaperonin binding domain is capable of binding to said chaperonin. In a further embodiment, the chaperonin binding domain and the chaperonin are capable of binding with an affinity of between about 10^"2 and 10^"8 Kd. The method may further comprise recovering said protein from said cell. In one aspect, the protein is one toxic to the host cell. A protein may be toxic to a host cell due to its intrinsic nature or toxic due to the presence of elevated levels in the host cell.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first and second nucleic acid encode a fusion protein. The first and second nucleic acid may be directly linked or indirectly linked by nucleic acid encoding an enzymatic cleavage site, a chemical cleavage site, or another protein or peptide. In one aspect of the invention, nucleic acid encoding the chaperonin is naturally produced by the host cell and the cell is grown under conditions that result in elevated levels of the chaperonin. In another aspect, nucleic acid encoding the chaperonin is heterologous to the host cell and the heterologous chaperonin is under the control of at least one expression signal capable of overexpressing the chaperonin in the host cell. The present invention encompasses any host cell that is capable of expression of recombinant proteins. In one embodiment, the host cell is a bacterium. In another embodiment, the host cell is a eubacterium. In yet further embodiments, the host cell is a gram-positive or a gram-negative bacterium. In a further embodiment, the bacterial cell is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae.. In an additional embodiment, the bacterial cell is an Escherichia species, in particular E. coli.

There are several well characterized chaperonin systems known in the art having two or more interacting partners, for example, Hsp60 and Hsp10 (GroEL/GroES); Hsp70 and Hsp40 and GrpE (DnaK/DNAJ/GrpE); ClipA/X and ClipP; Hsp90 and Hsp70 and other factors; TriC and other factors. The present invention encompasses chaperonin binding domains obtainable from these systems as long as the chaperonin binding domain is capable of binding to a chaperonin with an affinity of between about 10^~2 and 10^"8 Kd. In one embodiment, the chaperonin binding domain has the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 38. In yet another embodiment, the chaperonin binding domain is obtainable from the GroES co-chaperonin and said chaperonin is the GroEL chaperonin. In another embodiment, the binding domain comprises the amino acid sequence EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA. In a further embodiment, the binding domain comprises a variation of the sequence EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA, said variant being capable of binding to GroEL chaperonin with an affinity of 10^"2 to 10^"8 Kd. The present invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising a chaperonin protein binding domain.

Examples of heterologous proteins include therapeutically significant proteins, such as growth factors, cytokines, ligands, receptors and inhibitors, as well as vaccines and antibodies; enzymes such as hydrolases including proteases, carbohydrases, and lipases; isomerases such as racemases, epimerases, tautomerases, or mutases; transferases, kinases and phophatases; and commercially important industrial proteins or polypeptides, such as proteases, carbohydrases such as amylases and glucoamylases, cellulases, oxidases and lipases. The nucleic acid encoding the heterologous protein may be naturally occurring, a variation of a naturally occurring protein or synthetic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the nucleic acid (SEQ ID NO:1 ) and amino acid (SEQ ID NO:2) for the region of the chaperonin containing the GroEL/GroES binding domain. Figure 2 shows the growth of JM105 in the presence of increasing amount of ethanol:

diamonds, no ethanol; squares, 1%; triangles, 2%; X, 3%; *, 4% ethanol in LB media. Figure 3 shows the growth rate of BAX transformants with different leader sequences in the presence and absence of 2% ethanol.

Figure 4 shows and analysis of proteins present upon induction of the host cells with IPTG and growth in the presence of ethanol. Lanes 1 & 5 - MW markers; lanes 2-4 - pATPO11 (chaperonin binding domain); 6-8 - pWS213. (OmpA leader). Bar between lanes 3&4 and 7&8 indicates position of BAX protein on the gel.

Figure 5 shows the design of a linker for attaching the GroEL-binding loop of GroES to proteins. Oligonucleotides matching the two sequences shown above were synthesized chemically, annealed to generate the duplex DNA fragment, and cloned into appropriate vectors. Linkage to a gene via the EcoRI overhang generates protein 20 amino acids (1905 Daltons) longer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Definitions The in vivo cellular processes of protein folding and assembly are controlled by molecular mechanisms associated with molecular chaperones such as chaperonins. As used herein, the term "chaperonin" refers to those molecules including heat shock proteins Hsp60 and like proteins that are expressed in any organism which are associated with protein folding. The present invention encompasses any chaperonin from any microbial source, virus or bacteriophage including the chaperonin systems, Hsp60 and Hsp10

(GroEL/GroES); Hsp70 and Hsp40 and GrpE (DnaK DNAJ/GrpE); ClipA/X and ClipP; Hsp90 and Hsp70; and TriC. In a preferred embodiment, the chaperonin binding domain and the chaperonin are obtainable from the heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) class of proteins. Other chaperonins include mammalian or yeast HSP68, HSP70, HSP72, HSP73, clathrin uncoating ATPase, IpG heavy chain binding protein (BiP), glucose-regulated proteins 75, 78, and 80 (GRP75, GRP78, and GRP80), HSC70, and yeast KAR2, BiP, SSA1-4, SSB1 , SSD1 and the like. Chaperone proteins which can increase protein secretion also include enzymes which catalyze covalent modification of proteins, such as mammalian or yeast protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), prolyl-4-hydroxylase B-subunit, ER p59, glycosylation site binding protein (GSBP) and thyroid hormone binding protein (T3BP).

Chaperonins are known to be associated with protein folding and anti-aggregation activities (Craig, et al., 1994, Cell vol. 78, 365-372; Hendrick, et al., 1993, Annu. Rev. Biochem. Vol. 62, 349-84; Hartl, 1994, TIBS vol.19:20-25). Often, multiple sub-units are associated with one chaperonin complex. The present invention encompasses each chaperonin sub-unit used individually or in combination with other subunits providing that the individual subunit or combination of subunits is able to function by binding to a chaperonin protein binding domain. In the present invention, preferred chaperonins are those present in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and in particular from Eschericia species. In the present invention, a preferred chaperonin is the GroEL chaperonin which is associated with the co-chaperonin GroES. A chaperonin of the present invention may be naturally occurring in the host cell or heterologous to the host cell and may be introduced by recombinant means.

As used herein, the phrase "isolated binding domain" of a chaperonin or "chaperonin protein binding domain" or "chaperonin binding domain" refers to a region of a protein or polypeptide that is able to bind with an affinity of between 10^"2 and 10^~8 Kd to a chaperonin or portion or fragment thereof of said chaperonin. In one embodiment of the present invention, the chaperonin binding domain has the sequence as shown in any of SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO:38. In another embodiment of the present invention, the chaperonin binding domain is obtainable from the GroES co-chaperonin. As used herein, the chaperonin protein binding domain obtainable from GroES refers to the residues shown in Figure 1 comprising the sequence EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA. In another embodiment, the binding domain comprises amino acid variations of EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA capable of binding to a GroEL chaperonin with an affinity of between 10^"2 and 10^"8 Kd. A chaperonin protein binding domain is associated with a second nucleic acid encoding a heterologous protein when the first and second nucleic acids are directed linked, such as in a fusion protein, or are indirectly linked such as having an enzymatic cleavage site, chemical cleavage site or other nucleic acid inserted between the first and the second nucleic acid.

As used herein, "nucleic acid" refers to a nucleotide or polynucleotide sequence, and fragments or portions thereof, and to DNA or RNA of genomic or synthetic origin which may be double-stranded or single-stranded, whether representing the sense or antisense strand. As used herein "amino acid" refers to peptide or protein sequences or portions thereof. The terms "isolated" or "purified" as used herein refer to a nucleic acid or amino acid that is removed from at least one component with which it is naturally associated.

As used herein, the term "heterologous protein" refers to a protein or polypeptide that is encoded by nucleic acid introduced into a host cell. Examples of heterologous proteins include enzymes such as hydrolases including proteases, carbohydrases, and lipases; isomerases such as racemases, epimerases, tautomerases, or mutases; transferases, kinases and phophatases. The heterologous gene may encode therapeutically significant proteins or peptides, such as growth factors, cytokines, ligands, receptors and inhibitors, as well as vaccines and antibodies. The gene may encode commercially important industrial proteins or peptides, such as proteases, carbohydrases such as amylases and glucoamylases, cellulases, oxidases and lipases. The gene of interest may be a naturally occurring gene, a mutated gene or a synthetic gene. The term "homologous protein" refers to a protein or polypeptide that naturally occurs in the host cell. The present invention encompasses homologous proteins that are introduced into the host cell via recombinant means. The term "toxic" as used herein refers to any protein that inhibits the growth of a bacterial cell. A protein may be toxic to a host cell due to an intrinsic harmful nature or due to expression levels in the host bacterial cell. An illustrative example of a toxic protein disclosed herein is the mouse apoptosis modulator protein, Bax. Examples of proteins considered to be toxic due to their intrinsic nature include nucleoses, proteoses and phospholiposes.

As used herein, the term "overexpressing" when referring to the production of a protein in a host cell means that the protein is produced in greater amounts than it is produced in its naturally occurring environment.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention provides a means for the production of proteins or polypeptides in a host cell, especially proteins or polypeptides that are toxic to the cell due to the protein's intrinsic nature or due to expression levels of the protein produced recombinantly in the cell. The present invention provides methods for producing a protein in a host cell wherein the cell comprises nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein comprising a chaperonin binding domain and the protein and wherein the cell naturally produces a chaperonin that binds to the chaperonin binding domain. In this embodiment, the host cell is grown under conditions suitable for inducing or enhancing the levels of the naturally occurring chaperonin. The present invention encompasses methods for producing a protein in a host cell wherein the cell comprises nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein comprising a chaperonin binding domain and protein and said host cell further comprises nucleic acid encoding a chaperonin that has been recombinantly introduced into said host cell. In this embodiment, the chaperonin may be homologous or heterologous to said host cell and is associated with expression signals capable of overexpressing the chaperonin.

In an illustrative example disclosed herein, the mammalian gene bax, a member of the bcl-2 family of apoptosis modulators (Oltvai, Z.N., Milliman, C.L., and Korsmeyer, S.J. (1993) Bcl-2 Heterodimerizes in vivo with a conserved Homolog, Bax, that accelerates Programmed cell death, Cell 74, 609-619) was used. Although homologous to bcl-2 and bcl- X_L, which inhibit apoptosis, bax has the opposite function and is an effector of cell death (McDonnell, T.J., et al., 1996, Importance of the Bcl-2 family in cell death regulation, Experientia 52, 1008-1017). These three genes were expressed in E. coli as fusions with the OmpA leader sequence. Bcl-2 and Bcl-X proteins were produced in the periplasm of E. coli, but only trace amounts of Bax was produced by this approach. Expression of Bax appeared to be highly toxic to the host cell. No expression of the native form of Bax was observed from any clones when we placed the bax cDNA sequence adjacent to the lac promoter. When the bax gene was linked to a chaperonin binding domain obtainable from GroES and produced as a fusion protein in E.coli simultaneous with overproduction of the GroEL chaperonin, overexpression of the Bax protein was observed, suggesting that the toxic effect of Bax on the host cell had been reduced.

I. Chaperonin nucleic acid and amino acid sequences

The present invention encompasses chaperonin proteins that are associated with increased protein secretion and those that are associated with the folding and unfolding of polypeptides, including but not limited to, the heat shock 60 family of proteins (Hsp60). In one embodiment, the chaperonin is obtained from an organism listed in Table I and has the respective chaperonin binding domain as given in Table I. In a preferred embodiment herein, the chaperonin is GroEL the nucleic acid and amino acid sequence of which is disclosed in Hemmingsen, et al., 1988, Nature vol. 333, pages 330-334 . A method for isolation of GroEL is described, for example, in the reference Hendrix, R.W. 1979, J. Mol. Biol. 129:375-392.

The chaperonin may be naturally occurring in the host cell in which case the host cell comprising the chaperonin is subjected to conditions that result in an increase in the production of the chaperonin. This provides elevated levels of chaperonin to which the chaperonin binding domain attaches. Methods for inducing the natural levels of chaperonin in a host cell include heat shock (Welch W.J., 1993, Philos Trans R. soc Lond B Biol Sci vol. 339, pages 327-333); chemical shock, such as by the addition of ethanol, methanol, glucose, and drugs such as those described in Volker et al., 1994, Microbiology, vol 140: pages 741- 752; Barbosa et al., Gene, 1994, vol. 148, pages 51-57; and Hartke, 1997, Curr Microbiol, vol 34, pages 23-26. The chaperonin may be heterologous to the cell and introduced into the cell via recombinant means. The heterologous chaperonin, or portions or fragments thereof capable of binding to the chaperonin binding domain, may be introduced via a replicating plasmid or integrated into the host genome by means known to those of skill in the art. The present invention also encompasses host cells having additional copies of homologous chaperonins, or portions or fragments thereof capable of binding to a chaperonin binding domain, introduced into the cell.

In one illustrative example disclosed herein, the host cell used was E.coli which naturally produced the GroEL chaperonin as well as the GroES co-chaperonin, and further comprised nucleic acid encoding a fusion of the chaperonin binding domain having the amino acid sequence EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA with the mouse apoptosis modulator protein, Bax. The recombinant E.coli was subjected to growth conditions that stimulated overproduction of the naturally occurring GroEL chaperonin and expression of the fusion protein was observed. II. Chaperonin binding domain

The present invention encompasses chaperonin binding domains that are capable of binding to a chaperonin with an affinity of between 10^'2 andlO^"8 Kd. Examples of chaperonin binding domains are provided in Table I. Table I provides the sequence of chaperonin binding domains and a list of the respective microorganism from which the binding domain is obtained (Hunt et al., 1996, Nature vol. 379, pages 37-45).

Table

In a preferred embodiment, the chaperonin binding domain is the sequence EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA or portions or variations thereof which bind to the GroEL chaperonin with an affinity of between about 10^"2 to about 10^"8 Kd.

For construction of a fusion protein, the chaperonin binding domain may be directly linked to the desired protein, peptide or polypeptide, or indirectly linked, ie comprising additional nucleic acid between the nucleic acid encoding the chaperonin binding domain and the protein or peptide or polypeptide. Such additional nucleic acid may encode enzymatic cleavage sites or chemical cleavage sites. Nucleic acid encoding the chaperonin may be 5' or 3' to the nucleic acid encoding the protein, peptide or polypeptide.

III. Expression systems

The present invention encompasses expression vectors and host cells comprising a chaperonin binding domain for the production of proteins, peptides or polypeptides in host cells. Nucleic acid encoding a chaperonin binding domain can be isolated from a naturally occurring source or chemically synthesized as can nucleic acid encoding a desired protein, peptide or polypeptide. Once nucleic acid encoding a binding domain of the present invention, or a protein, peptide or polypeptide, is obtained, fusion proteins comprising the chaperonin binding domain and the protein, peptide or polypeptide and recombinant host cells comprising the fusion proteins may be constructed using techniques well known in the art. Molecular biology techniques are disclosed in Sambrook et al., Molecular Biology

Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition (1989) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY (1989). Nucleic acid encoding a chaperonin binding domain and/or protein is obtained and transformed into a host cell using appropriate vectors. A variety of vectors and transformation and expression cassettes suitable for the cloning, transformation and expression in host cells are known by those of skill in the art.

Typically, the vector or cassette contains sequences directing transcription and translation of the nucleic acid, a selectable marker, and sequences allowing autonomous replication or chromosomal integration. Suitable vectors comprise a region 5' of the gene which harbors transcriptional initiation controls and a region 3' of the DNA fragment which controls transcriptional termination. These control regions may be derived from genes homologous or heterologous to the host as long as the control region selected is able to function in the host cell.

Initiation control regions or promoters, which are useful to drive expression of the chaperonin binding domain, or fusion protein comprising the chaperonin binding domain, in a host cell are known to those skilled in the art. Virtually any promoter capable of driving expression is suitable for the present invention. Nucleic acid encoding the chaperonin binding domain is linked operably through initiation codons to selected expression control regions for effective expression of the chaperonin binding domain.

Once suitable cassettes are constructed they are used to transform the host cell.

General transformation procedures are taught in Current Protocols In Molecular Biology (vol. 1 , edited by Ausubel et al., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1987, Chapter 9) and include calcium phosphate methods, transformation using PEG and electroporation.

A host cell which contains the coding sequence for a chaperonin or chaperonin binding domain of the present invention and expresses the protein may be identified by a variety of procedures known to those of skill in the art. These procedures include, but are not limited to, DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization and protein bioassay or immunoassay techniques which include membrane-based, solution-based, or chip-based technologies for the detection and/or quantification of the nucleic acid or protein.

A host cell comprising a fusion protein comprising a chaperonin binding domain is used to express proteins, peptides or polypeptides which are normally toxic to the host cell, A toxic protein may affect the growth of the cell due to its intrinsic qualities or due to the affects on the cell due to overexpression.

The manner and method of carrying out the present invention may be more fully understood by those of skill in the art by reference to the following examples, which examples are not intended in any manner to limit the scope of the present invention or of the claims directed thereto.

EXAMPLES

Materials and Methods

Genes, strains, media and growth conditions. E. coli strain JM83 was obtained from Dr. Deborah Hanson, Argonne National

Laboratory and strain JM105 was from Pharmacia. For cloning, strains were cultured on LB or 2xYT medium with 100 μg/ml ampicillin where appropriate, and for physiological studies, strains were grown on LB medium supplemented with appropriate carbon sources and electron acceptors. The plasmid pASK40 was from Skerra et al., 1991 , Bio/Technology 9:273-278, pJF118EH was from Dr. Michael Bagdasarian (Furste et al., 1986, Gene 48, 119- 31 ), pTRC99a and pUC19 were from Pharmacia. Reagents used in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were from Perkin-Elmer; isopropyl-b -D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) was from US Biochemicals; enzymes for molecular biology were from Promega, Inc.; all other chemicals were purchased from Sigma (St. Louis). The pSK-mBax plasmid containing the cDNA encoding murine-Bax was a gift from Dr.

John C. Reed from the La Jolla Cancer Foundation. The plasmid containing murine-6c/-2 cDNA was provided by Dr. Timothy J. McDonnell at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Nucleic acid sequences for murine bax and murine bcl-2 found in GenBank entries L22472 (Oltvai et al., 1993, Cell, 74:609-619) and M16506 (Negrini et al., 1987, Cell, 49:455-463) were used to design PCR primers that would 1 ) introduce an EcoRI site at the 5'-end of the gene to allow cloning into the vector pASK40 in the correct reading frame, and 2) encode an additional five histidine residues at the 3'-end of the gene to facilitate purification of expressed proteins (Hochuli et al., 1988, Bio/Technology 6:1321-1325). MDH was previously cloned from genomic E. coli DNA by PCR into pASK40 and pTRC99a (Boernke, et al (1995) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 322:43-52).

Table 2. Plasmids used.

Plamsid Components Source and/or reference pASK40 bla, laclq, P/Olac, t Ipp, f1-IG, ompA (Skerra et al., supra)

PJF118EH bla, laclq, Ptac (Furste et al., supra) pATP004 GroES-loop encoding leader in pJF1 18EH this application pATP005 Multicloning site of pUC19 substituted for this application that of JF118EH in pATP004 pMDH1 E. coli mdh in pASK40 (Boernke et al., supra) pMDH13 E. coli mdh in pTRC99a (Boernke et al., supra) pATP007 E. coli mdh in pATP004 this application pWS213 BCL-2 in pASK40 this application pATPOIO BCL-2 in pATPOOδ this application pBAX002 BAX in Xbal/Sal I sites of pASK40 (no this application leader sequence) pBAXOOI BAX in EcoRI/Sal I sites of pASK40 (ompA this application leader sequence) pATPO11 BAX from pBAXOOI in pATPOOδ this application (GroES-loop leader sequence)

Construction of vectors for expressing chaperonin binding domain fusion proteins

Vectors designed to comprise the chaperonin binding domain obtainable from GroES were constructed as follows. Oligonucleotides were synthesized based on the published amino acid sequence of the E. coli GroES protein. Residues 16 through 33 comprise the chaperonin binding domain EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA. A nucleotide sequence encoding this sequence and its complement were generated by the program Lasergene (DNAStar, Inc., Madison, Wl.) using the general codon preferences for E. coli. A linker was designed to require the same reading frame as that required in pASK40. Additional nucleotides encoding the overhang generated by an EcoRI digest of DNA and an ATG initiation codon were included at the 5'-end of each to give:

Oligo ATP6: 5'-AATTATGGAAGTTGAAACCAAATGTGCTGGTGGTATCG- -TTCTGACCGGTTCTGCTGCTGCG-3'

Oligo ATP7: 5'-AATTCGCAGCAGCAGAACCGGTCAGAACGATACCACCA-

-GCAGATTTGGTTTCAACTTCCAT-3' The design of the linker for attachment of the GroEL-binding domain of GroES to proteins is shown in Figure 5. The linker was phosphorylated using T4 polynucleotide kinase, purified with Qiaex resin (Qiagen), and ligated into the dephosphorylated EcoRI site of the vector pJF118EH. Transductants of strain JM105 were screened for the presence of an EcoRI site, which is present in the linker but absent in pJF118EH. Positive transductants were screened for orientation of the insert. Only one end regenerates an EcoRI site, and in the correct orientation that site is adjacent to a multicloning site. EcoRI-EcoRV digests were analyzed on a 1.5% agarose gel for the presence of the 1 ,260 base pair fragment predicted for the correct orientation as opposed to the 1 ,200 base pair fragment predicted for the reverse orientation. The new vector was designated pATP004.

Because the multi-cloning site of pATP004 was limited in the number of sites available for cloning, we exchanged this cluster for the larger cluster of pUC19 using the enzymes EcoRI and Hindlll. Plasmids obtained from JM105 transductants were screened for orientation, as above, and for the presence of the Kpnl and Xbal sites present only in the pUC19 multicloning site. The resulting plasmid was designated pATPOOδ.

Expression and analysis of proteins

Cultures containing plasmids were grown in LB medium to A600 0.2-0.5 then induced with 0.1 mM IPTG. To prepare cytoplasmic fractions of total proteins, cells were lysed by treatment with lysozyme. Expression of noncatalytic proteins was estimated by conventional gel electrophoresis. Gels were scanned with a UMax Powerlookll scanner and the images were analyzed with Digital Science 1 D software (Eastman Kodak). For more rigorous quantitation, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis was performed.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Cell pellets (7.85 OD600 units) were lysed in 1 mL of a solution containing 9 M urea, 2% 2-mercaptoethanol, 4% Nonidet P40, and 2% ampholytes (BioRad pH 8-10). The resulting homogenates were centrifuged for 5 min at 435 x g in a Beckman TL100 tabletop ultracentrifuge to remove particulates. The supernatants were then frozen at -70° C until electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing in the first dimension was done essentially as described by Anderson and Anderson (1978, Anal. Biochem, vol. 85, pages 33-340) using 50% pH 3-10 Biolyte, 25% pH 5-7 Biolyte, and 25% pH 5-7 Servalyte carrier ampholytes. After equilibration in sodium dodecyl sulphate buffer (O'Farrell, 1975, J. Bio. Chem., vol. 250, pages 4007-4021) the focused proteins were separated in the second dimension in slab gels containing a linear gradient of 10-17% polyacrylamide, essentially as described by O'Farrell, supra, with modifications described by Anderson and Anderson, 1978, Anal. Biochem, vol. 85: pages 341-354. After electrophoresis, gels were fixed and stained in 0.125% (w/v) Coomassie Blue R250 in 2.5% phosphoric acid and 50% ethanol for approximately 24 h. The gels were then destained in 20% ethanol. Protein patterns were digitized using an Eikonix 1412 CCD scanner interfaced with a VAXstation 4000-90. Image processing and generation of parameter lists, referred to as spot files, were as previously described Anderson, 1982. A master pattern was created using a copy of a 2DE spot file from the "ethanol and induced" treatment group so that the Bax protein was represented. Each of the patterns generated for the experiment, with four replicate patterns within each sample group, was matched to the master and then examined interactively for the appearance of new proteins, the loss of normally expressed proteins, and for statistically significant quantitative differences between the control patterns and the "induced" or "ethanol and induced patterns". Example I

Construction of Expression Vector

A synthetic linker designed to encode the chaperonin binding loop of GroES (EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA) was ligated into the EcoRI site of plasmid pJF118EH. Plasmid DNA was prepared from representative colonies arising from transformation of E. coli JM105 with this ligation mixture, and screened for the presence of an Agel site, which is unique to the introduced linker. Of 10 colonies screened, all contained the site. The plasmids were then screened for orientation of the linker, since it could be incorporated in two directions. The linker was designed so that only one EcoRI site would be regenerated, which in the desired orientation would be attached to the multi-cloning site. Plasmids were digested with EcoRI and EcoRV (present in the tac promoter) and analyzed on a 1.5% gel. The desired orientation, present in 5 of the plasmids, generated a 1 ,260 base-pair fragment; those in the wrong orientation, with the reconstituted EcoRI site at the downstream side of the inserted linker, generated a fragment of 1 ,200 basepairs. A representative of the correct orientation was propagated and designated pATP004.

To expand the potential of the vector, the small multi-cloning site of pAF1 18EH was excised from pATP004 by digesting it with EcoRI and Hindlll, and replaced with the EcoRI- Hindlll multi-cloning site of pUC19. Of eight colonies screened, seven contained the inserted multi-cloning site. These were further shown to have the expected orientation and the additional restriction sites. A representative colony was designated pATPOOδ. Example II Insertion of genes into the expression vectors.

The vectors described above initiate protein synthesis at the ATG codon in the new linker sequence that encodes EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA. The vector's multi-cloning site follows this linker, and genes are introduced into the cloning sites such that their reading frame matches that of the linker. The gene encoding mouse Bax was cloned from the pSK-mBax vector and the gene encoding murine Bcl-2 was cloned from cDNA by PCR as described in Materials and Methods. The bax gene was subsequently moved into the EcoRI-BamH1 sites of pATP004 to give the vector pATPO11. Genes encoding the BAX homolog Bcl-2 and the E. coli MDH were also recloned into pATP004 by standard methods. Example III

Expression of the fusion protein comprising BAX-chaperonin binding domain Induction of BAX was compared for three classes of genetic constructs designed to express the BAX gene: 1 ) without a leader sequence, 2) with the OmpA leader, and 3) with the chaperonin binding domain obtainable from GroES. The possible effect of the GroES-loop leader sequence on expression of BAX protein was evaluated in cultures that enhance the expression of E. coli chaperones in the cell. The rationale was based on the assumption that folding of expressed fusion proteins would be mediated through interaction with the chaperonin GroEL. When grown in the presence of moderate concentrations of ethanol, E. coli is known to induce higher levels of chaperones and other stress proteins, Barbarosa, supra. We first evaluated the effect of various concentrations of ethanol on the growth of the host strain, JM109. A concentration of 2% ethanol (0.44 M) reduced the growth rate approximately 2-fold and was chosen for induction studies (Fig. 2).

Only those transformants containing BAX as a fusion with the chaperonin binding domain obtainable from GroES, showed production of the BAX protein. When those transformants without a leader and not producing BAX were induced, their growth was unaffected. Extracts prepared from these cultures showed patterns of proteins that were identical for the induced and uninduced cultures; there was no evidence of expression of a heterologous protein, either by the appearance of a new band of the expected molecular weight or by alterations in the abundance of E. coli host proteins that typically occur on overexpression. Apparently none of the transformants contained a functional BAX expression system (DNA sequencing analysis of the 5'-end of the genes indicated that the constructs were as expected in that region). In striking contrast, induction of transformants constructed to produce BAX with either of the leader sequences (OmpA or GroES-loop) caused an immediate cessation of growth.

Uninduced cells grew normally. In contrast IPTG-induced cells growth dropped immediately following introduction with IPTG (Fig. 3). This apparent strong toxicity of BAX was moderated when cultures were grown in the presence of ethanol, but only in the case of the BAX chimera containing chaperonin binding domain obtainable from GroES (solid circles in Fig. 3). Analyses of the proteins present at the end of this period of induction (Fig. 4) revealed the presence of a new protein of the anticipated molecular weight (indicated by the "bar" in the low molecular weight region (the BAX molecular weight is 21 ,419 Daltons) of the gel between lanes 3 and 4 and between lanes 7 and 8). The amount of this new protein was quite low in each case except that of having the chaperonin binding domain obtainable from GroES produced in cells grown in the presence of ethanol (Fig. 4). Densitometry of this region of the gel indicated that the presence of ethanol resulted in at least a 15 fold increase in the amount of the BAX produced. Under these conditions inclusion of ethanol induced GroEL production approximately 1.5-1.8 fold.

Due to the presence of other proteins of similar molecular weight, the estimates of relative production of the BAX and GroEL proteins from 1 -D gels are inaccurate. Therefore the extracts were separated by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (DE). Samples were separated by 2-DE and the resulting protein patterns were analyzed for qualitative and quantitative differences as described in Materials and Methods. The extent of the overexpression of BAX and its enhancement caused by inclusion of ethanol in the culture was found to be greater than that suggested by the 1 -dimensional gel analysis. In the absence of IPTG inducer, no protein attributable to BAX was detectable.

The protein pattern analysis indicated that of all the proteins separated on 2DE, only four were overexpressed: GroEL, Hsp70, the fusion of chaperonin binding domain and BAX, and serine hydroxymethyl transferase (Table 3).

Table 3. Qualitative analysis of protein expression condition avg [. density relative amt DnaK control nos. 1

+IPTG (A) nos. 0.7

+IPTG, +EtOH (B) nos. 2.1

GroEL control nos. 1 condition avg. density relative amt condition avg. density relative amt

+IPTG (A) nos. 0.85

+IPTG, ÷EtOH (B) nos. 2.8

SHMT control nos. 1

+IPTG (A) nos. 0.6

+IPTG, ÷EtOH (B) nos. 1.6 fusion with BAX control 0 0

+IPTG (A) 3089 -

+IPTG, ÷EtOH (B) 45494 14.7 rel to -EtOH

No density above background was detected for the fusion with BAX in the absence of IPTG inducer. The small amount formed when IPTG was present was increased 14.7 fold when cultures were grown with 2% ethanol. Under these conditions, GroEL and Hsp70 were enhanced 3 fold above the amount observed when only IPTG was present.

Various other examples and modifications of the foregoing description and examples will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after reading the disclosure without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such examples or modifications be included within the scope of the appended claims. All publications and patents referenced herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

Claims

1. A method for producing a protein in a host cell, comprising the step of culturing a host cell comprising a first nucleic acid encoding an isolated chaperonin binding domain associated with a second nucleic acid encoding the protein and a third nucleic acid encoding a chaperonin, under conditions suitable for expression of said first, said second and said third nucleic acid and wherein said chaperonin binding domain is capable of binding to said chaperonin.

2. The method of Claim 1 further comprising recovering said protein from said cell.

3. The method of Claim 1 wherein said nucleic acid encoding the chaperonin is naturally produced by the host cell.

4. The method of Claim 3 wherein said cell is grown under conditions that result in elevation of the levels of the naturally produced chaperonin.

δ. The method of Claim 1 wherein said nucleic acid encoding the chaperonin is heterologous to the host cell.

6. The method of Claim 1 wherein said host cell is a bacterial cell.

7. The method of Claim 6 wherein said bacterial cell is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae

8. The method of Claim 7 wherein said bacterial cell is E.coli.

9. The method of Claim 1 wherein the chaperonin binding domain has a sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 38.

10. The method of Claim 1 wherein said chaperonin binding domain is obtainable from GroES and said chaperonin is the GroEL chaperonin.

11. The method of Claim 10 wherein the chaperonin binding domain comprises the amino acid sequence EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA or is a variation thereof capable of binding to GroEL chaperonin with an affinity of between about 10^"2 and 10^"8 Kd.

12. The method of Claim 1 wherein said first and said second nucleic acid encode a fusion protein.

13. The method of Claim 12 wherein said first and said second nucleic acid encode a fusion protein and are separated by an enzymatic cleavage site.

14. The method of Claim 12 wherein said first and said second nucleic acid encode a fusion protein and are separated by a chemical cleavage site.

1δ. The method of Claim 1 wherein said protein is toxic to the host cell.

16. The method of Claim 5 wherein said chaperonin heterologous to the host cell is under the control of an expression signal capable of overexpression said chaperonin.

17. An expression vector comprising a first nucleic acid encoding a chaperonin binding domain and a second nucleic acid encoding a protein.

18. The expression vector of Claim 17 wherein the chaperonin binding domain has a sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 through SEQ ID NO: 38

19. The expression vector of Claim 18 wherein the chaperonin binding domain is obtainable from GroES.

20. The expression vector of Claim 18 wherein the chaperonin binding domain comprises the amino acid sequence EVETKSAGGIVLTGSAAA or a variation thereof capable of binding to GroEL chaperonin with an affinity of between about 10^"2and

10⁸ Kd.

21. A host cell containing the expression vector of Claim 17.

22. The host cell of Claim 21 wherein the host cell is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae.

23. The host cell of Claim 22 wherein the host cell is E.coli.