Large-scale production of a soluble human beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression system

Protein Expr Purif. 1995 Feb;6(1):72-8. doi: 10.1006/prep.1995.1010.

Abstract

We report in this communication the first large-scale heterologous expression of a glycosyltransferase in yeast. A soluble form of a human beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.38) was expressed using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression system. Fermentation technology afforded the means to increase the expression level of the beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase up to a concentration of 700 mU/liter. The enzyme was produced at a scale of 200 units. The recombinant soluble enzyme was purified 766-fold to a specific activity of approx. 2 U/mg using a purification protocol based on sequential affinity chromatography on N-acetylglucosaminyl- and alpha-lactalbumin-Sepharose, respectively. This study demonstrates that heterologous expression of a glycosyltransferase is possible on a large scale and offers an alternative to natural sources like human breast milk or bovine colostrum.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Humans
  • N-Acetyllactosamine Synthase / biosynthesis
  • N-Acetyllactosamine Synthase / genetics*
  • N-Acetyllactosamine Synthase / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Solubility

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • N-Acetyllactosamine Synthase