Expression and purification of codon-optimized cre recombinase in E. coli
PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION
Authors: Srividya, D.; Mohan, Anil H. Shyam; Rao, Saroja Narsing
Abstract
The presence of antibiotic resistance genes in genetically modified bacteria raises a regulatory concern in the production of therapeutic proteins and additionally reduces the number of plasmids available for propagation in a cell. Cre recombinase from bacteriophage P1, involved in Cre/loxP mechanism is one of the widely used systems for selectable marker gene removal. We have overexpressed codon-optimized cre gene in pColdIV and pET28a(+) vector systems and purified His(6)-Cre recombinase by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. N-terminal His(6) tagged Cre recombinase obtained was approximately 26 fold purified and promoted the site-specific recombination of two loxP sites of linearized pLox2 + vector allowing the excision of a re-circularized plasmid and a short stretch of DNA containing the recombined loxP site. The results of the expression using two vectors, purification and activity assessment of His6 tagged Cre recombinase is presented here.
A rapid, easy, and sensitive method for detecting His-tag-containing chitinase based on ssDNA aptamers and gold nanoparticles
FOOD CHEMISTRY
Authors: Cao, Zhuoning; Wang, Sai; Liu, Zhen; Xue, Changhu; Mao, Xiangzhao
Abstract
Chitooligosaccharides are oligosaccharides with many biological activities that can be used in food production for sweeteners, preservatives and humectants, among other products. Chitin, a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine and a derivative of glucose, can be hydrolyzed by applying chitinase to break down glycosidic bonds to form chitooligosaccharides. Chitinases arising from heterologous gene expression are usually linked to a 6 x His-tag to facilitate easy purification. Heterologously expressed chitinase linked to a 6 x His-tag is a transgenic element, but enzyme activity tests cannot be used to distinguish transgenic elements from natural elements. In this study, we established a rapid and easy method to detect His-tag-containing chitinase using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and ssDNA aptamers. Using this method, His-tag-containing chitinase could be detected at concentrations as low as 0.136 nM within 5 min. Color changes of AuNPs showed a positive correlation with His-tag-containing chitinase concentrations.