Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
  • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
  • C12N15/10—Processes for the isolation, preparation or purification of DNA or RNA
  • C12N15/1003—Extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples, e.g. pure separation or isolation methods; Conditions, buffers or apparatuses therefor
  • C12N15/1006—Extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples, e.g. pure separation or isolation methods; Conditions, buffers or apparatuses therefor by means of a solid support carrier, e.g. particles, polymers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D15/00—Separating processes involving the treatment of liquids with solid sorbents; Apparatus therefor
  • B01D15/08—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography
  • B01D15/26—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by the separation mechanism
  • B01D15/34—Size-selective separation, e.g. size-exclusion chromatography; Gel filtration; Permeation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D15/00—Separating processes involving the treatment of liquids with solid sorbents; Apparatus therefor
  • B01D15/08—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography
  • B01D15/26—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by the separation mechanism
  • B01D15/36—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by the separation mechanism involving ionic interaction, e.g. ion-exchange, ion-pair, ion-suppression or ion-exclusion
  • B01D15/361—Ion-exchange
  • B01D15/363—Anion-exchange
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J41/00—Anion exchange; Use of material as anion exchangers; Treatment of material for improving the anion exchange properties
  • B01J41/20—Anion exchangers for chromatographic processes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D15/00—Separating processes involving the treatment of liquids with solid sorbents; Apparatus therefor
  • B01D15/08—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography
  • B01D15/26—Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by the separation mechanism
  • B01D15/32—Bonded phase chromatography
  • B01D15/325—Reversed phase
  • B01D15/327—Reversed phase with hydrophobic interaction

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of biotechnology, and more specifically to the purification of nucleic acids, especially plasmids. More specifically, the present inven- tion relates to a method of liquid chromatography, wherein plasmids are isolated from other components of a liquid, such as a cell lysate. The invention also embraces a kit that enables purification of plasmids using the present method.
• plasmids have become useful elements in many biotechnological applications these days.
• genetic engineering of cells is performed by introducing plasmids that carry a gene encoding a protein, which is not expressed in the native cell.
• proteins useful primarily in the medical and diagnostic fields are easily produced using methods that have become more or less routine methods.
• Gene therapy i s a therapeutic strategy where nucleic acids are introduced into human cells in order to cure genetic defects e.g. cystic fibrosis.
• the first human gene therapy trials began in 1990, using an ex vivo strategy. In this approach, the patient cells are harvested and cultivated in the laboratory a nd t hen i ncubated w ith v ectors, s uch as p lasmids, t o i ntroduce t he t herapeutic genes.
• the fermentation step commonly comprises to produce the plasmid DNA in bacteria, such a s E scherichia coli, and will also involve a step for release o f p lasmid DNA from the bacterial cells known as lysis.
• cell lysis can be achieved by a variety of chemical or mechanical methods, such as by addition of alkali or using a French press, respectively.
• the alkaline lysis will be preferred in the production of plasmid DNA.
• contaminants such as RNA, genomic DNA, proteins, cells and cells debris are released in such an alkaline lysis step.
• chromatography is a commonly used technique.
• the term chromatography embraces a family of closely related separation methods, which are all based on the principle that two mutually immiscible phases are brought into contact. More specifically, the target compound is intro- prised into a mobile phase, which is contacted with a stationary phase. The target compound will then undergo a series of interactions between the stationary and mobile phases as it is being carried through the system by the mobile phase. The interactions exploit differences in the physical or chemical properties of the components in the sample.
• ion exchange process The basis for the chromatographic principle known as ion exchange process is the competitive binding of ions of one kind, such as proteins or nucleic acids, for ions of another kind, such as salt ions, to an oppositely charged matrix known as the ion exchanger.
• the interaction between the target compound and the ion exchanger depends on several factors, such as net charge and surface charge distribution of the target compound, the ionic strength and the nature of the particular ions in the solvent, the proton activity (pH) etc.
• WO 99/63076 discloses large scale plasmid purification using a single, "mixed mode" anion exchange step.
• the method disclosed requires a stringent ethanol wash to remove endotoxins and other im- purities. More specifically, by increasing the amount of organic solvent in the wash step, the disclosed method shifts from a purely ionic mode to that of a "mixed" mode.
• the separation matrix used is e.g. triethylaminoethyl (TMAE) fractogel anion exchange resin (E.M. Science Fractogel TMAE Resin).
• US 6,270,970 (Smith et al) relates to mixed-bed solid phases for isolation of target nucleic acids, which are comprised of at least two different solid phases. Both phases bind the target nucleic acids, but under different solution conditions, and they release the nucleic acid under similar elution conditions.
• the solid phase of the different beds preferably comprise magnetic silica particles, and at least one preferably has an ion-exchange residue capable of exchanging with the target nucleic acid covalently attached to the surface of the support material.
• surface is stated to refer to the portion of the support material of a solid phase which comes into direct contact with a solution when the solid phase is combined therewith.
• anion exchange ligands are present on external surfaces as well as on pore surfaces.
• suit- able anion-exchanger solid phases for use in the mixed-bed solid phases according to US 6,270,970 are commercially available, illustrated e.g. by SepharoseTM.
• the pore size of such commercial solid phases is commonly in a range that allows plasmids and similar size molecules to enter their interior.
• HIC hydrophobic interaction chromatography
• protein and RNA are adsorbed at a salt concentration at which plasmids are not adsorbed to produce an eluate comprising plasmid and DNA.
• the liquid applied to the anion exchange column should not contain any RNA.
• a general disadvantage of using HIC is the requirement of high salt concentrations at the start, which due to crys- tallisation and precipitation are relatively difficult to handle.
• Suitable anion exchange separation matrices are stated to have a particle diameter of 2-500 ⁇ m and an average pore diameter of 1500-4000 A.
• An illustrative anion exchange separation matrix is DEAE 5PW (Tosoh).
• US 6,441,160 teaches that plasmid purification from a cleared lysate by means of anion exchange interaction chromatography alone is not ad- vantageous, as evidenced by comparative Example 1 wherein it is concluded that many impurities were contained in the plasmid fraction obtained from a single anion exchange step.
• a chromatography column having an inner diameter of 7.5 mm and a length of 7.5 cm was used.
• US 6,011,148 discloses a method for purification of nucleic acids, such as plasmid DNA, by circulating a plasmid containing solution through an ultrafiltra- tion unit under conditions sufficient to allow a gel layer to form and filtering the solution through the ultrafiltration unit to provide a permeate solution and a retentate solution, whereby the nucleic acid is retained in the retentate solution.
• the filtration device used should have open channels, to avoid shear and decrease of yield of retained nucleic acid.
• An advantage of the method is that it avoids use of toxic chemicals and organic solvents, such as phenol, chloroform, ether etc, which may cause safety and regulatory concerns.
• Another advantage of the method is the high purity of the product obtained.
• the method can optionally be combined with a step of anion exchange for further purification, par- ticularly from contaminating endotoxin, trace proteins, and residual cellular contaminants.
• US 6,214,586 (Genzyme Corp.) discloses a method for purifying plasmid DNA from a mixture containing plasmid DNA and genomic DNA comprising to treat a solution containing both plasmid DNA and genomic DNA with at least 80% by weight saturation with ammonium sulphate, thereby precipitating the genomic DNA and providing purified plasmid DNA in solution.
• the method may be combined with a step of reverse phase and anion exchange chromatography, in which case a preferred resin is Poros 50 DE2, a column of which is equilibrated preferably with a solution of 50 mM acetate, pH 5.4, 1 mM EDTA, 0.5 M NaCl, and 9.5% ethanol.
• a preferred resin is Poros 50 DE2
• a column of which is equilibrated preferably with a solution of 50 mM acetate, pH 5.4, 1 mM EDTA, 0.5 M NaCl, and 9.5% ethanol.
• US 6,313,285 discloses a process for purifying plasmid DNA from pro- karyotic cells, wherein there is no use of enzymes to digest RNA. More specifically, the process comprises the steps of: (a) digesting the cells; (b) incubating the cells in the presence of alkali and a detergent to effect lysis and solubilisation thereof; (c) removing lysate contaminants to provide a plasmid DNA solution; (d) filtering the solution through a tangential flow filtration device to obtain a retentate containing the plasmid DNA; and (e) collecting the retentate.
• the process may comprise a subsequent step of anion exchange chromatography.
• US 6,242,220 discloses an improved protocol for separation of ccc DNA from genomic DNA, which protocol not only provides ccc DNA of a high purity grade but also removes proteinaceous impurities. More specifically, the suggested method c omprises to precipitate a cleared l ysate with alcohol; to wash the precipitate with an alcohol solution; to resuspend the precipitate; to digest the resuspended precipi- tate with a RecBCD nuclease (EC 3.1.11.5); and to separate purified ccc DNA from the remainder of the product obtained by contacting it with an ion exchange material.
• RNAse may be added to the cleared lysate, and the precipitation step is stated to separate the DNA of the cells from other components, including RNA and proteins.
• US 6,498,236 (Upfront Chromatography A/S) relates to a method for the isolation of immunoglobulins from a solution, which method allows high efficiency and use of little or no salts, especially lyotropic salts.
• Solid phase matrices are used, preferably epichlorohydrin activated agarose matrices, which have been functionalised with aromatic or heteroaromatic ligands which preferably comprises an acidic substituent such as a carboxylic acid, i.e. a weak cation exchange group.
• the matrix backbones are dextran-based, such as SephadexTM, cellulose-based, such as Perloza cellulose, composite beads, such as SephacrylTM and SuperdexTM, synthetic origin beads such as FractogelTM etc.
• US 6,572,766 discloses a separation matrix compris- ing a core showing a micropore system and a surface in which the pore system has openings, wherein the surface is covered with a polymer which exhibits such a large molecular weight that it cannot penetrate into the micropore system.
• the polymer has a molecular weight distribution of such a kind that all or substantially all polymer molecules in the preparation are excluded from transport into the micropores, when the prepa- ration is contacted with a liquid which can be transported into the matrix.
• the polymer may be functionalised with a different ligand from the micropore surfaces.
• the polymer when it is anchored to the outer surface, can give separation characteristics to the surface, which are different from the separation characteristics of the micro- pores.
• the method is suggested for separation of nucleic acid, proteins including pep- tides and other organic and inorganic compounds.
• WO 01/37987 (Amersham Biosciences) relates to the separation of negatively charged nucleic acids from each other and from other negatively charged components such as proteins. More specifically, disclosed is a the use of an adsorbent that exhibits an interior part, which carries a ligand structure capable of binding to substances I and II, and i s a ccessible t o s ubstance I , a nd a n o uter s urface 1 ayer w hich is free from 1 igand structures and which is more easily penetrated by substance I than by substance II. Thus, since there are no ligands present on the outer surface layer, i.e.
• adsorption will be limited to the interior part, i.e. the pore surfaces.
• the outer surface may even carry repelling structures.
• substance I will be adsorbed within the adsorbent, while structure II will pass through the column without being adsorbed.
• Substance I and/or II may exhibit a nucleic acid structure.
• the process is e.g. useful for separating linear DNA from circular DNA, RNA from plasmids, plasmids from genomic DNA, plasmids from endotoxins etc.
• the process is optionally followed by further steps. For example, if substance II is desired in a highly purified form, it should be followed by an additional capture step, such as ion exchange, revered phase chromatography (RPC), HIC etc.
• RPC revered phase chromatography
• one aspect of the present invention is a large scale method of selective capture of high molecular weight nucleic acids, such as plasmids. This can be achieved as described in the appended claims.
• Another aspect of the present invention is a method of plasmid purification, which method provides an increased productivity.
• Another aspect of the invention is a method of plasmid purification, which avoids precipitation steps and to which no additions of enzymes and/or detergents are required.
• Another aspect of the present invention is a method of plasmid purification, which method utilises a non- fouling and autoclavable separation matrix.
• Figure 1 shows a chromatogram illustrating isolation of plasmids according to the invention on a separation matrix based on allyl dextran and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide to which quaternary anion exchange groups have been coupled.
• Figure 2 shows a chromatogram illustrating isolation of plasmids as disclosed in the context of Figure 1, using an adjusted conductivity.
• Figure 3 shows a chromatogram illustrating isolation of plasmids from a cleared lysate according to the invention on a separation matrix equivalent to the one disclosed in the context of Figure 1, except that it presents a higher DNA exclusion limit.
• Figure 4 shows a chromatogram illustrating isolation of plasmids as disclosed in the context of Figure 3.
• Figure 5 is a confocal microscopy picture showing on the upper half one particle of a separation matrix, wherein the lighter surrounding area illustrates adsorbed plasmid according to the invention.
• the lower half is a comparison showing how plasmids enter the pores of a microcarrier used in cell culture.
• Plasmid is used herein interchangeably with the term “plasmid DNA” and encompasses the various plasmid forms i.e. open circular (oc), also known as nicked plasmid DNA and supercoiled (ccc) plasmid DNA.
• oc open circular
• ccc supercoiled
• anion exchange groups means groups that are positively charged or chargeable.
• nucleic acid molecules is used herein synonymously with the term “nucleo- tides” and includes DNA, e.g. plasmids and other DNA, such as genomic DNA, as well as RNA, such as mRNA, tRNA and sRNA.
• the term "clarified lysate” is also well known in the art and refers to an aqueous solution containing plasmid DNA, RNA and proteins which is obtained after alkaline lysis of cultured cells or unicellular organisms in the presence of SDS and the separation of the cell debris, usually by filtration or centrifugation, followed by potassium acetate precipitation of the protein-SDS complex (micelles).
• the term a "separation matrix” refers to a material which is useful as the stationary phase in chromatography. Commonly used chro atographic separation matrices are comprised of a carrier to which functional groups have been coupled.
• the "surface” of a separation matrix as used herein includes both the external surface of the matrix and the pore surfaces.
• the “external surface” means the outside, and hence includes the external pore openings, as opposed to the term “pore s urfaces”, which is used herein for the pore surfaces that appear in the interior.
• purification means herein isolation of a desired component from other components.
• capture refers to the initial step of a separation procedure. Most commonly, a capture step includes clarification, concentration, stabilisation and a significant purif ⁇ ca- tion from soluble contaminants. After the capture step, an intermediate purification may follow, which removes most of the significant impurities including RNA, genomic DNA, oc DNA, viruses and endotoxins.
• the final purification step is commonly referred to a "polishing", and removes trace contaminants and impurities to leave an active, safe product. C ontaminants removed during the p olishing step are often c onformers o f the target molecule or suspected leakage products.
• size exclusion and “gel filtration” are used herein interchangeably and means separation of compounds based on their molecular size in a sieving effect.
• a separation matrix means a support to which ligands comprising functional groups have been coupled.
• D 50 value means in the context of particle diameters the volume median of a particle distribution.
• the present invention relates to a method of isolating at least one plasmid from other component(s) of a liquid, which method comprises the steps of (a) providing a separation matrix comprised of one or more porous carriers, which carrier(s) present anion exchange groups on external surfaces as well as on pore surfaces and a pore size distribution that does not allow access of plasmids to the pore surfaces; (b) contacting said matrix with the liquid to adsorb the plasmid(s) to ligands present on the external surfaces of the separation matrix; and, optionally, (c) contacting an eluent with the separation matrix to release the plasmid(s) and recovering plasmid(s) from a fraction of said eluent.
• the plasmids will be sterically hindered from be- ing adsorbed to its interior.
• the present invention is distinguished from the above- discussed WO 01/37987 in that in the present method, plasmids are adsorbed to the external surfaces of the porous earners that constitute the separation matrix, while in WO 01/37987; plasmids are merely sieved through the matrix and not adsorbed to the neutral external surface of the adsorbent disclosed therein.
• the phrase " does not allow access of plasmids" m eans that substantially n o plasmids can enter the pore system.
• the present invention relates to a method of isolating at least one plasmid from other component(s) of a liquid, which method comprises the steps of (a) providing a separation matrix comprised of one or more porous carriers, which carrier(s) present anion exchange groups on external surfaces as well as pore surfaces; (b) contacting said matrix with the liquid to provide plasmid adsorption limited to the ligands present on the external surfaces of the separation matrix; and, optionally, (c) contacting an eluent with the separation matrix to release the plasmid(s) and recovering plasmid(s) from a fraction of said eluent.
• the present invention relates to a method of isolating at least one plasmid from other component(s) of a liquid, which method comprises the steps of (a) providing a separation matrix comprised of one or more porous carriers, which carriers) present anion exchange groups on external surfaces as well as pore surfaces and a DNA exclusion limit of at least about 270 base pairs; (b) contacting said matrix with the liquid to adsorb the plasmid(s) to ligands present on the external surfaces of the porous separation matrix; and, optionally, (c) contacting an eluent with the separation matrix to release the plasmid(s) and recovering plasmid(s) from a fraction of said eluent.
• the DNA exclusion limit of the porous separation matrix is at least about 800, or at least about 1,000, such as 1,000-10,000 bp. In another embodiment, the DNA exclusion limit of the porous separation matrix is about 20,000 bp.
• the DNA exclusion limit o f the porous separation m atrix m ay be within intervals of 800- 30,000 bp, such as 1,000-20,000 bp.
• the sizes o ft arget p lasmids a nd t he D NA e xclusion 1 imit o f t he p orous s eparation matrix may be varied in relation to each other in order to obtain a separation according to the invention.
• the plasmid will commonly originate from a fennentation procedure.
• the fermented cells may be eukaryotic or prokaryotic, preferably prokaryotic, such as bacteria, e.g. E.coli or B. subti ⁇ s.
• the cells that produces the plasmids to be purified are yeast species, such as saccharomyces, piccia etc.
• Strains producing the desired plasmid are prepared in accordance with standard methods of molecular biology, or obtained from commercial sources. The lysis can for example be performed by adding cells to alkaline buffers, such as 0.2 NaOH/1.5%SDS, as is well known in the art.
• Addition of potassium acetate may b e used to precipitate impurities, such as chromosomal DNA, RNA and cellular proteins.
• impurities such as chromosomal DNA, RNA and cellular proteins.
• the lysate may be collected and clarified, for example by ultrafiltration through a suitable filter having a pore diameter of about 0.1-100 ⁇ m.
• the lysate is then concentrated using techniques well known in the art, such as ultrafiltration, preferably by using hollow fibre membranes.
• the resulting liquid may be adjusted by water in order to reduce ionic strength to obtain the desired properties before its contact with the separation matrix as defined in step (b), where adsorption of the plasmids may be achieved based on net charge.
• the liquid applied to the present separation matrix will usually be of a viscosity in a range that would have necessitated certain precautions in the prior art methods, such as a limited flow rate.
• the invention allows relatively high flow rates, while maintaining the rigidity of the beads.
• the present method will utilise flow rates above about 100 cm/h. Consequently, the present method enables to allow a high degree of recovery as compared to prior art methods for plasmid purification, which is especially advantageous in large scale preparation.
• the present method is a large scale method, wherein at least about 1 grams of plasmid is recovered.
• Large scale preparation is commonly performed in chromatography columns, the diameter of which is at least about 10 cm.
• a bed height of 15 cm which would require an amount of about 1.2 litres of separation matrix, may be used.
• 1 arger a mounts o f m atrix a re a lso u seful for 1 arge s cale p reparation, also known as preparative scale.
• the size of the plasmids isolated in accordance with the present invention is from about 3,000 base pairs, such as about 5,000 or 6,000 base pairs, and may be up to about 10,000 base pairs.
• the present method allows separating plasmids from one or more other components, such as contaminants, in a liquid.
• the method is a capture step wherein the plasmids are separated from RNA.
• the RNA is adsorbed to ligands present on the pore surfaces of the separation matrix.
• plasmids are ad- sorbed solely, i.e. exclusively, to the external surface of the separation matrix.
• the DNA exclusion limit of the matrix is selected so that the plasmids are adsorbed to the pore surfaces as well.
• the separation matrix is selected so that the plasmids are adsorbed to the surfaces and to the pore surfaces adjacent to the external surfaces, such as in the close proximity of the external surfaces, but not as far within the separation matrix as the RNA.
• the plasmids are adsorbed within an external layer of the carrier.
• the present method also comprises a step (d), wherein the plasmid- containing eluate resulting from step (c) is subject to hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC).
• HIC hydrophobic interaction chromatography
• Such a HIC step can be carried out on any kind of conventional HIC matrix in accordance with well known principles of adsorption and elution.
• the HIC step is advantageous since it will remove endotoxins, and it can also be utilised to separate open circular plasmids (oc) from closed circular plasmids (ccc).
• An advantageous feature of running HIC subsequent to anion exchange is that HIC adsorption commonly takes place at high conductivities.
• the plasmids are commonly eluted from the ion exchanger b y addition o f s alt, and the HIC step c an a dvantageously he c arried o ut a t such salt concentrations, or higher, without any requirement of volume demanding dilutions.
• the anion exchange step is preceded by a filtration.
• the present separation matrix is comprised of a carrier to which ligands have been coupled.
• Said carrier is advantageously of a particle size and porosity in the range commonly known for size exclusion media.
• the present separation media may be defined as a size exclusion media, to which positively charged or chargeable anion exchange groups have been immobilised.
• the separation matrix used in the present method may be in any suitable form, such as essentially spherical particles; a monolith; or a membrane.
• the matrix is in the form of particles having an average particle diameter in a dry state of about 10-60 ⁇ m, such as about 10-50 ⁇ m. In a specific embodi- ment, the average particle diameter is about 30-50 ⁇ m.
• low pressure means a pressure below about 3 bars.
• the particle diameters given herein refer to D 50 values.
• the ion-exchange groups immobilised to the carrier may be any well-known charged or chargeable groups, known as weak and strong anion exchangers, respectively.
• weak and strong anion exchangers As the skilled person in this field will realise, the density or substitution degree of the anion- exchange groups can be varied. However, it is noted that too high densities may be disadvantageous, as it may result in unnecessarily strong adsorption and a consequent loss in selectivity.
• anion exchange groups suitable for the present separation matrix are mono-, di- and trialkylamines, such as trimethylamine (Q), dimethylamine, diethylamine (ANX), and tert-butylamine; hydroxyl-containing amines, such as ethanolamine, di- and trietha- nolamine, and trishydroxymetylaminometan (TRIS); mixed alkyl and hydroxyl- containing amines, such as hydroxyethyl amine, hydroxymetyldimetylaminometan and N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylamine; amines containing aromatic groups, such as aniline, di- methylaniline, and hydroxyethylaniline; amines with combinations of aromatic, aliphatic and hydroxyl-containing groups; ligands with aminofunctions combined with acidic functions, such as carboxyl, sulphonate and phosphate groups, provided they have a positive net charge, such as arginine and lys
• said anion exchange groups are selected from the group that consists of quaternary amine (Q) groups and diethylamine groups.
• Q quaternary amine
• diethylamine groups Such groups are well known, see e.g. Protein Purification - Principles, High Resolution Methods and Applications, Janson and Rydenl989 NCH Publishers, Inc.
• the groups are bimodal or multimodal groups comprising at least one further functional group in addition to the ion exchange group.
• the carrier may be inorganic or organic, and may comprise a coating such as a hydroxyl- containing layer attached to the carrier surfaces.
• the carrier is a synthetic polymer, preferably a cross-linked synthetic polymer, such as styrene or styrene derivatives, divinylbenzene, acrylamides, acrylate esters, methacrylate esters, vinyl esters, vinyl amides, vinyl ethers etc.
• styrene or styrene derivatives divinylbenzene
• acrylamides acrylate esters
• methacrylate esters vinyl esters
• vinyl amides vinyl amides
• vinyl ethers etc Such polymers are easily p roduced a ccording t o s tandard methods, s ee e .g. " Styrene b ased p olymer s up- ports developed by suspension polymerization" (R Arshady: Chimica e LTndustria 70(9), 70-75 (1988)).
• the carrier is a cross-linked carbohydrate material, such as agarose, agar, cellulose, dextran, chitosan, konjac, carrageenan, gellan, and alginate.
• the matrix is porous cross-linked agarose.
• Such a carbohydrate carrier is easily prepared by the skilled person in this field in accordance with standard methods, such as inverse suspension gelation (S Hjerten: Biochim Biophys Acta 79(2), 393-398 (1964). To obtain an improved rigidity of the matrix, the matrix may be prepared as de- scribed in US patent no 6,602,990 (Berg et al).
• the carrier is an inorganic material, such as silica.
• the separation matrix can be made by functionalisation of a commercially available product for size exclusion, such as SephacrylTM (available from Amersham Biosciences, Uppsala, Sweden).
• a commercial product can easily be modified by the skilled person in this field with ligands that comprises functional groups (for an overview, see e.g. Immobilised Affinity Ligand Techniques, Hermanson, Mallia and Smith, 1992 by Academic Press, Inc).
• the carrier is made from allyl dextran cross-linked with bisacrylamide.
• the carrier is Sephacryl S-500 HR or Sephacryl S-1000 SF (Amersham Biosciences).
• the present method is performed in a chromatography column packed using standard methods with the matrix, and the liquid is passed over said matrix by any conventional means, such as by gravity or use of pumping devices.
• the optimal flow rate and contact time for step (b) will depend e.g. on the kind of ion exchange groups and the nature of the carrier. The skilled person in this field can easily adjust the suitable conditions and buffers for each case using common general knowledge or by reference to the standard textbooks in the field. Further, one or more conventional washing steps may be included, if appropriate.
• the elution of step (c) may comprise a stepwise or linear gradient, and again the skilled person in this field can easily select suitable conditions and buffers using common general knowledge or standard textbooks in the field.
• the present invention relates to the use of a separation matrix comprised of one or more porous carriers, which carrier(s) present anion exchange groups on external surfaces as well as pore surfaces and a pore size distribution that does not allow access of plasmids to pore surfaces, for the purification of plasmids.
• the invention relates to the use of a porous separation matrix comprised of a carrier to the surfaces of which anion exchange groups have been immobilised, which matrix presents a DNA exclusion limit of at least about 270 base pairs, for the purification of plasmids.
• said separation matrix is used as a capture media in liquid chromatography to isolate plasmids from contaminants such as RNA and endotoxins.
• the plasmids isolated i.e. purified comprise covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA.
• the ccc plasmids are separated from other plasmid isoforms, as well as from the above-discussed contaminants.
• Plasmid DNA is used to an increasing extent within the therapeutic field, such as in the manufacture of vectors for gene therapy.
• plasmid DNA is isolated for use in personalised medicine, to provide a drug designed for the treatment of a specific individual.
• Other uses of the plasmids isolated according to the present invention is for example for research purposes and in the diagnostic field.
• the separation matrix used according to this aspect may be any one of the above described, and the details regarding to the method may apply to the present use.
• the reason for using the DNA exclusion limit rather than a pore size to define the present separation matrix is that most of the herein disclosed earners are gels, i.e. in a wet state.
• the sta.n- dard method for determination of pore sizes is by mercury porosimetry, which however requires a dry sample. As a porous gel dries, its pore structure will change and eventually collapse. Accordingly, when pore sizes are defined for porous gels, they have commonly been estimated indirectly by packing a column with a size exclusion gel, running an experiment and noting retention data for model compounds of known molecular weight.
• the pore distribution of a porous gel may still present a large variety of pore sizes, and consequently the K av or K D for defined molecules and the DNA exclusion limit should be a more reliable way of defining the porosity of a gel.
• the separation matrix is in the form of essentially spherical particles having an average particle diameter of 10-60 ⁇ m, such as 10-50 ⁇ m, e.g. 30-50 ⁇ m.
• the present use may include purification of plasmids in large scale, such as in amounts of about 1 gram or more.
• the present invention relates to a kit comprising, in separate compartments, a separation matrix comprised of one or more porous carriers, which carrier(s) present anion exchange groups on external surfaces as well as pore surfaces and a pore size distribution that does not allow access of plasmids to pore surfaces; at least one buffer; and written instructions that describes how plasmids are purified from other components of a liquid using said kit.
• the invention is a kit comprising, in separate compartments a separation matrix comprised of a carrier to the surfaces of which anion exchange groups have been immobilised, which matrix is porous and presents a DNA exclusion limit of at least about 270 base pairs; at least one buffer; and written instructions for the purification of plasmids from other components of a liquid.
• the separation matrix of the kit may be in the form of essentially spherical particles; a monolith; a membrane or the like, and may be further defined as described above.
• the matrix is in the form of essentially spherical particles packed in a chromatography column.
• the column may be made from any conventional material, s uch a s a b iocompatible p lastic, e .g. p olypropylene, o r g lass. T he c olumn i s preferably of a size suitable for large-scale purification of plasmids, preferably having a diameter of 10 cm or more.
• the column according to the invention is provided with luer adaptors, tubing connectors, and domed nuts.
• Figure 1 shows a chromatogram illustrating isolation of plasmids according to the invention on a separation matrix based on allyl dextran and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide to which quaternary anion exchange groups have been coupled, namely Q-Sephacryl 500 prepared as described in example 1 below.
• the conductivity used was 48 mS/cm, and the separation matrix presents a DNA exclusion limit of about 1,078 base pairs.
• Figure 2 shows a chromatogram illustrating isolation of plasmids as disclosed in the context of Figure 1, using a conductivity adjusted to 38 mS/cm.
• Figure 3 shows a chromatogram illustrating isolation of plasmids according to the invention on a separation matrix equivalent to the one disclosed in the context of Figure 1, except that it presents a DNA exclusion limit of 20,000 base pairs.
• Figure 4 shows a chromatogram illustrating isolation of plasmids on the same separation matrix as used in Figure 3 from a cleared lysate.
• Figure 5 is a confocal microscopy picture showing on the upper half one particle of a separation matrix, wherein the lighter surrounding area illustrates adsorbed plasmid according to the invention.
• the pore size of the particle was 200 nm.
• the lower half is a comparison showing how plasmids enter the pores of a microcarrier used in cell culture (CytodexTM, Amersham Biosciences). Consequently, a conclusion would be that the capacity of a chromatography matrix for plasmids can be increased by decreasing the particle size, as surface is inversely correlated to its diameter.
• Example 1 Functionalisation of a carrier comprised of allyl dextran cross-linked with bisacrylamide with quaternary ammonium (O) groups
• SephacrylTM S-500 HR (Amersham Biosciences, Uppsala, Sweden) was drained by suction on a glass filter, and 200 g of the beads were added to a reaction vessel. 8.0 g so- dium hydroxide and 0.2 g sodium borohydride were sthred with 40 ml distilled water to a clear solution and charged to the vessel. 400 ml glycidyltrimetylammonium chloride (GMAC ) was pumped into the reaction vessel in 2 hours. The temperature was kept at 25° C and the reaction continued during the night (18 hours). The product, herein denoted Q-Sephacryl, was neutralised with 60 % acetic acid and washed with distilled wa- ter.
• GMAC glycidyltrimetylammonium chloride
• the amount of ion exchange ligands was determined by the following method.
• the volume of 1.0 ml gel was measured in a teflon cube.
• the sample was eluted with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid and washed with 1 mM hydrochloric acid.
• the gel was transferred to a titration c up w ith 1 0 ml o f d istilled w ater and 1 d rop o f c oncentrated n itric a cid was added. Titration was finally done with 0.1 M silver nitrate. The result was 34 ⁇ mol Cl ⁇ per ml of gel.
• the ion exchange capacity (amount of ion exchanger) was determined to 63 ⁇ mol using standard methods.
• Example 2b Hydroxyethylamine coupling 25 ml of the gel SephacrylTM S500 (Amersham Biosciences, Uppsala, Sweden), which had been allylated as described in example 2a to an allyl content of 140 ⁇ mol/ml, was vacuum drained and placed in a 600 ml beaker together with in 400 ml water. Bromine was added dropwise until a lasting yellow colour appeared in the suspension. The brominated gel was then washed on a glass filter funnel with more than 500 ml distilled wa- ter.
• the ion exchange capacity was determined to 54 ⁇ mol using standard methods.
• the sample was obtained starting from 35g of bacterial cells (wet weight) containing 7kb plasmid, and a cleared lysate was prepared according to a standard protocol.
• the resulting supernatant was concentrated/diafiltrated by ultrafiltration (UF) on hollow fiber module (300 kDa MWCO) to a final volume of 250 ml and a conductivity of 48 mS/cm, see Figure 1.
• UF ultrafiltration
• hollow fiber module 300 kDa MWCO
• Q-Sephacryl S 500 HR was prepared as described in Example 1 above, while Q-Sephacryl S 1000 HR was prepared in as disclosed in Example 1 bit starting from SephacrylTM S 1000 HR.
• the flow rate was 0.4 ml/min ( ⁇ 130 cm/h), and the gradient after washing out of un-bound sample was from 0.4M NaCl to IM NaCl in 10 columm volumes (CV). This was used for both sample preps:
• Buffer A 0.4 M NaCl, 100 mM Tris/Cl, 10 mM EDTA, pH 7.
• Buffer B IM NaCl, 100 mM Tris/Cl, 10 mM EDTA, pH 7.

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