Cell free expression systems

Cell-free translation system, used for the identification of cloned genes and gene expression, has been investigated extensively as a preparative production system of commercially interesting proteins after the development of continuous-flow cell-free translation system. Many efforts have been devoted to improve the productivity of cell-free system [1], but the relatively low productivity of cell-free translation system still limits its potential as an alternative to the protein production using recombinant cells. One approach to enhance the translational efficiency is to use a condensed cell-free translation extract. However, simple addition of a condensed extract to a continuous-flow cell-free system equipped with an ultrafiltration membrane can cause fouling. Therefore, it needs to be developed a selective condensation of cell-free extract for the improvement of translational efficiency without fouling problem. 

Membrane-integrated proteins were always hard to express in cell-based systems in sufficient quantity for structural analysis. In cell-free systems, they can be produced on a milligrams per milliliter scale, which, combined with labeling with stable isotopes, is also very amenable forNMR spectroscopy [157-161]. Possible applications of in vitro expression systems also include incorporation of selenomethionine (Se-Met) into proteins for multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing of protein crystal structures [162], Se-Met-containing proteins are usually toxic for cellular systems [163]. Consequently, rational design of more efficient biocatalysts is facilitated by quick access to structural information about the enzyme. 

Nunoi and co-workers (1988) fractionated neutrophil cytoplasm by Mono Q anion-exchange chromatography and obtained three fractions (NCF-1, -2 and -3) that were active in the assembly of the oxidase. Independently, Volpp and colleagues (Volpp, Nauseef Clark, 1988) prepared antiserum from cytosolic factors that eluted from a GTP-affinity column, and this antiserum (Bl) recognised cytoplasmic factors of relative molecular masses 47 kDa and 66 kDa. It was later shown by this group that these cytosolic factors translocated to the plasma membrane during activation. NCF-1 was shown to contain the 47-kDa protein and NCF-2 the 66-kDa protein. Analysis of the defect in the cytosol of autosomal recessive CGD patients revealed that most of these (88%) lacked the 47-kDa protein (p41 -phox), whereas the remainder lacked the 66-kDa protein (p66-phox). Both of these components have now been cloned and recombinant proteins expressed. Interestingly, in the cell-free system, recombinant p47-phox and p66-phox can restore oxidase activity of the cytosol from autosomal recessive CGD patients who lack these components. 

Today, there are a wide variety of laboratory protein expression systems available, ranging from cell-free systems over bacterial and yeast cultures to eukaryotic models including the Xenopus oocytes or insect and mammalian cell cultures, some of which even form polarised epithelial-like cells layers. In Table 24.1, an overview of the most important systems, as well as their particular strength and weaknesses in the expression of transmembrane transport proteins is provided. 

Cell-free systems Only protein of interest expressed Simple purification Expensive reagents... 

An Insect Cell-Free System for Recombinant Protein Expression Using cDNA Resources... 

Biochemical proof that repressor inhibits operon expression was shown in a cell-free system in which most of the components were prepared from an i extract. Addition of repressor to such an extract inhibited the synthesis of j8-galactosidase. This inhibition was reversed by addition of IPTG inducer. 

Zubay and Lederman developed the first cell-free system for studying the regulation of gene expression. 

Advances in Genome-Wide Protein Expression Using the Wheat Germ Cell-Free System... 

Fig. 9. Procedure for protein synthesis using the wheat embryo cell-free system. WEX is an abbreviation for wheat expression system.

The methods described below outline (1) the preparation of 15N-labeled protein with E. coli cells, (2) the construction of the expression plasmid for the wheat germ cell-free system, (3) the preparation of mRNA for the wheat germ system, (4) protein synthesis by the wheat germ system, (5) sample preparation for NMR, and (6) NMR analysis of the proteins. 

As discussed above, the purification and reconstitution of active PKSs from a variety of heterologous expression systems (including E. coli) are now feasible. Given the substantial tolerance of PKSs toward altered substrates and intermediates, it should therefore be possible to exploit this catalytic potential in a far more powerful way in cell-free systems than in intracellular systems. The primary limitations are with regard to the scale of synthesis. Attempts to stabilize and reuse the enzymes, in conjunction with the development of cheaper sources of natural and unnatural substrates and recycling systems for NADPH, should go a long way toward ameliorating this limitation. 

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