Capacity of Bacillus thuringiensis S-layer protein displaying polyhistidine peptides on the cell surface

S-layer protein of Bacillus thuringiensis strain CTC was used as the carrier protein to display polyhistidine (poly[6His]) peptides on the cell surface. Poly(6His) _n was fused with S-layer protein at two different sites, inserting just downstream of the S-layer protein homologous domain (slh) and replacing the non-slh region of S-layer protein, respectively. The two series chimeric proteins were both expressed by crystal negative B. thuringiensis strain 4Q7 and strain 171, respectively, as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The recombinant B. thuringiensis cells gained Ni²⁺- and Cd²⁺-binding ability and had a capacity to display up to nine copies of poly(6His). The Cd²⁺ adsorption quantity of the recombinant strain with the strongest adsorption ability was twice that of the host strain.     

Efficient Delivery of Globotriaosylceramide Synthase siRNA using Polyhistidine-Incorporated Lipid Nanoparticles

In this study, a novel polyhistidine-incorporated lipid nanoparticle (pHis/LNP) is developed for the delivery of therapeutic globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) synthase siRNAs using a microfluidic device with pHis as a biocompatible method of endosome escape. To inhibit the expression of Gb3 synthase, six siRNAs against Gb3 synthase are designed and an optimal siRNA sequence is selected. Selected Gb3 synthase siRNA is incorporated into pHis/LNP to prepare a spherical siRNA pHis/LNP with a size of 62.5 ± 1.9 nm and surface charge of −13.3 ± 4.2 mV. The pHis/LNP successfully protects siRNAs from degradation in 50% serum condition for 72 h. Prepared pHis/LNP exhibits superior stability for 20 days and excellent biocompatibility for A549 cells. After treatment with fluorescence-labeled LNPs, dotted fluorescent signals are co-localized with Lysotracker in cells with LNPs, whereas strong and diffused fluorescence intensity is observed in cells with pHis/LNPs probably due to successful endosomal escape. The extent of Gb3 synthase gene silencing by siRNA pHis/LNP is greatly improved (6.0-fold) compared to that by siRNA/LNP. Taken together, considering that the fabricated siRNA pHis/LNP exhibits excellent biocompatibility and superior gene silencing activity over conventional LNP, these particles can be utilized for the delivery of a wide range of therapeutic siRNAs.     

Selection and rapid purification of murine antibody fragments that bind a transition-state analog by phage display

Functional antibody fragments may be displayed on the surface of filamentous bacteriophage by introducing variable region genes into the viral genome at a gene encoding a viral coat protein. “Phage display” enables the isolation of antibody genes from large libraries according to the binding specificities they encode. We have constructed a new phage-display vector encoding a polyhistidine tag that has been used for rapid purification of soluble antibody fragments. An antibody library derived from immunized mice was cloned into this vector. This library was panned against the transition state analog RT3, and a high proportion of binders isolated after two rounds of panning. PCR analysis revealed that there were 24 different pattern groups. Sequencing of 15 clones within the major pattern group revealed 10 related clones with a range of point mutations. Thus, phage display can provide a large diverse repertoire of candidate catalytic antibodies based on TSA selection and screening.