Soluble forms of the human T cell receptor CD4 are efficiently expressed by Streptomyces lividans

We have developed a new gene expression and secretion system for Streptomyces lividans and used it to produce soluble forms of a human T-cell receptor CD4 at levels greater than 300 mg/l. The system uses the transcription, translation and secretion signals of the serine protease inhibitor gene STI-II which is naturally produced by S. longisporus. Using these signals, soluble derivatives of CD4 were secreted directly into the culture supernatant as correctly processed soluble, biologically active proteins. High level expression of the CD4 proteins depended on the transcription initiation signal, the amino acid sequence surrounding the signal peptide cleavage site and temporally controlled protease activities. We discuss these results in the context of the potential of this system for producing other eukaryotic proteins in Streptomyces.