A eukaryotic expression strategy for producing the novel antimicrobial peptide PRW4

Na Zhan1, Tianyu Wang1, Licong Zhang1

  • 1Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, China.

Insights

Recombinant antimicrobial peptide PRW4, derived from PMAP-36, was successfully produced in Pichia pastoris. This method yielded a highly pure protein with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity comparable to its synthetic form.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Microbiology
  • Protein Engineering

Background:

  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial in innate immunity.
  • PMAP-36, a porcine myeloid-derived AMP, was modified to create PRW4.
  • PRW4 exhibits α-helical structure and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To express and purify a recombinant form of the modified antimicrobial peptide PRW4.
  • To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the recombinant PRW4.
  • To establish a production system for modified AMPs in Pichia pastoris.

Main Methods:

  • PRW4 was fused to a 6× His-Trx tag for expression.
  • Recombinant protein expression was carried out in Pichia pastoris GS115 using the pPICZαA vector.
  • Maximal protein induction was achieved at 1% methanol, 96h, pH 6.0.
  • Purification involved Ni-NTA resin chromatography and enterokinase digestion.

Main Results:

  • Successfully expressed and purified recombinant PRW4 with 90% purity.
  • Obtained 15 mg of recombinant PRW4 per liter of fermentation culture.
  • Recombinant PRW4 demonstrated antimicrobial activity against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, similar to synthetic PRW4.

Conclusions:

  • Pichia pastoris is an effective host for the production of recombinant PRW4.
  • The recombinant production method provides a viable alternative to synthetic peptide production.
  • This study serves as a reference for producing other modified antimicrobial peptides.