Cloning and expression of Tenebrio molitor antifreeze protein in Escherichia coli

Mol Biol Rep. 2009 Mar;36(3):529-36. doi: 10.1007/s11033-008-9210-y. Epub 2008 Feb 7.

Abstract

A novel antifreeze protein cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR from the larva of the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor. The coding fragment of 339 bp encodes a protein of 112 amino acid residues and was fused to the expression vectors pET32a and pTWIN1. The resulted expression plasmids were transformed into Escherischia coli strains BL21 (DE3), ER2566, and Origami B (DE3), respectively. Several strategies were used for expression of the highly disulfide-bonded beta-helix-contained protein with the activity of antifreeze in different expression systems. A protocol for production of refolded and active T. molitor antifreeze protein in bacteria was obtained.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antifreeze Proteins / chemistry
  • Antifreeze Proteins / genetics
  • Antifreeze Proteins / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Temperature
  • Tenebrio / chemistry
  • Tenebrio / genetics
  • Tenebrio / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antifreeze Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary