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Engineering Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for Expression of Functionally Active Human Interferon-α
Yassin El-Ayouty1, Islam El-Manawy2, Sherif Nasih3
1Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, El-Gamaa Street 1, Zagazig, Sharkia, 44519, Egypt.
Molecular Biotechnology
|December 14, 2018
Summary
Transgenic algae produced biologically active human interferon-alpha 2a (IFN-α2a). This recombinant protein demonstrated significant anticancer and antiviral properties, highlighting a cost-effective expression system.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human interferons (IFNs) are crucial cytokines for immune response against infections.
- Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is clinically used for viral diseases, cancers, and leukemia.
- Developing efficient and cost-effective production systems for therapeutic proteins is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a gene expression system for human interferon-alpha 2a (IFN-α2a) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
- To evaluate the biological activity, antitumor, and antiviral properties of the recombinant IFN-α2a produced in C. reinhardtii.
- To assess the potential of C. reinhardtii as a production platform for therapeutic proteins.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a binary vector with the human IFN-α2a gene under the CaMV 35S promoter.
- Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells.
- Partial purification of expressed IFN-α2a and subsequent in vitro and in vivo assays.
Main Results:
- Generation of three independent transgenic C. reinhardtii lines producing biologically active IFN-α2a.
- Demonstrated antitumor activity of recombinant C. reinhardtii IFN-α2a (Cr. IFN-α2a) against Hep-G2 cells and EAC-induced tumors.
- Significant inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) propagation by Cr. IFN-α2a.
Conclusions:
- Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a viable and efficient system for producing functional human IFN-α2a.
- The produced Cr. IFN-α2a exhibits potent anticancer and antiviral activities.
- The C. reinhardtii expression system offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and safe alternative to traditional production methods.
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