The potential of cold-shock promoters for the expression of recombinant proteins in microbes and mammalian cells

Abstract

Background Low-temperature expression of recombinant proteins may be advantageous to support their proper folding and preserve bioactivity. The generation of expression vectors regulated under cold conditions can improve the expression of some target proteins that are difficult to express in different expression systems. Main body of the abstract The cspA encodes the major cold-shock protein from Escherichia coli (CspA). The promoter of cspA has been widely used to develop cold shock-inducible expression platforms in E. coli. Moreover, it is often necessary to employ expression systems other than bacteria, particularly when recombinant proteins require complex post-translational modifications. Currently, there are no commercial platforms available for expressing target genes by cold shock in eukaryotic cells. Consequently, genetic elements that respond to cold shock offer the possibility of developing novel cold-inducible expression platforms, particularly suitable for yeasts, and mammalian cells. Conclusions This review covers the importance of the cellular response to low temperatures and the prospective use of cold-sensitive promoters to direct the expression of recombinant proteins. This concept may contribute to renewing interest in applying white technologies to produce recombinant proteins that are difficult to express. Graphical Abstract

Development of the Low-Temperature Inducible System for Recombinant Protein Production in Escherichia coli Nissle 1917

“…CspA, linked to E. coli’s response to cold stress, operates through a mechanism that corresponds to the cellular reaction to cold environments. − The cspA promoter can be harnessed for cold-induction expression. Under low-temperature conditions (15–20 °C), the cspA promoter becomes active, initiating the expression of the target genes. , This regulatory feature allows the controlled expression of the desired genes in response to cold stress.…”

“…The cspA gene encodes the major cold shock protein (CspA) in E. coliand has been extensively studied. − Promoters related to cspA have been used to construct expression platforms that can be induced by cold shock in E. coli. ,, Changing the culture temperature from 37 °C to 20 or 15 °C triggers activation of this promoter, resulting in the expression of the target protein. , This mechanism facilitates the production of recombinant proteins in response to cold induction and reduces the formation of inclusion bodies.…”

Understanding a Core Pilin of the Type IVa Pili of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, PilV

“…[ 51 ] and Bartolo-Aguilar et al . [ 52 ]. Our results show that PilV is better expressed at 16°C; despite also being expressed at 37°C, we chose to express PilV at the lower temperature to obtain a well-folded protein.…”

Temperature Affects the Host Range of Rhabdochlamydia porcellionis

“…Along with previous evidence showing a similar temperature sensitivity in species of the Parachlamydiaceae family ( 50 , 51 ), an effect of the temperature on the bacteria themselves thus appears to be the a more parsimonious explanation. Conversely, the effect of cold shock on mammalian cells remains poorly understood and has been studied essentially for its use in the production of recombinant proteins ( 56 , 57 ). The possibility that the growth of R. porcellionis in mammalian cells is due in part to an effect of the temperature on the host cell therefore cannot be excluded.…”