Construction and characterization of a recombinant human beta defensin 2 fusion protein targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor: in vitro study

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2013 May;97(9):3913-23. doi: 10.1007/s00253-012-4257-z. Epub 2012 Aug 5.

Abstract

The HER2/neu proto-oncogene encodes a 185-kDa trans-membrane glycoprotein kinase with extensive homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor and plays a key role in the transformation and growth of malignant tumors. To date, two antibody drugs targeting HER2/neu have been developed successfully. In order to reduce the cost and the time of clinical treatment, we produced a fusion protein composed of human beta defensin 2 (hBD2) and anti-HER2/neu single-chain variable fragment (scFv 4D5), which is capable of specifically targeting, significantly inhibiting, and promptly killing HER2/neu-positive cancer cells. The recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli using the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) as the molecular chaperone, and the optimal expression level reached to 40.2 % of the total supernatant protein. After purifying by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, the fusion protein was cleaved with a SUMO-specific protease to obtain hBD2-4D5, which was further purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The purity of hBD2-4D5 was higher than 95 %, and the yield was 19 ± 2 mg/L in flask fermentation. The cell number count and flow cytometry results showed that hBD2-4D5 exerted cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects on HER2/neu-positive breast cancer cell line, SKBR-3. The results of scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope observation indicated that hBD2-4D5 could induce intracellular ultrastructure changes and cell necrosis by disrupting the cell membrane. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that hBD2-4D5 could bind to SKBR-3 cells and further be internalized into the cytoplasm. Moreover, hBD2-4D5 could also mediate apoptosis of SKBR-3 cells by up-regulating the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / immunology
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / genetics
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / metabolism
  • beta-Defensins / genetics
  • beta-Defensins / metabolism*

Substances

  • DEFB4A protein, human
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • beta-Defensins
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2