Title:Increased Production of Recombinant O-Phospho-L-Serine Sulfhydrylase from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Aeropyrum pernix K1 Using Escherichia coli
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Author(s): Takashi Nakamura*, Emi Takeda, Tomoko Kiryu, Kentaro Mori, Miyu Ohori, Eiki Kikugawa and Kazuhiko Ishikawa
Affiliation:
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry, Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, 1266 Tamura-cho, Nagahama, Shiga 526-0829,Japan
Keywords:
Aeropyrum pernix K1, O-phospho-L-serine sulfhydrylase, cysteine synthesis, high expression level, codon optimization,
terrific broth, low IPTG concentration.
Abstract:
Background: O-phospho-L-serine sulfhydrylase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum
pernix K1 (ApOPSS) is thermostable and tolerant to organic solvents. It can produce nonnatural
amino acids in addition to L-cysteine.
Objective: We aimed to obtain higher amounts of ApOPSS compared to those reported with previous
methods for the convenience of research and for industrial production of L-cysteine and non-natural
amino acids.
Methods: We performed codon optimization of cysO that encodes ApOPSS, for optimal expression in
Escherichia coli. We then examined combinations of conditions such as the host strain, plasmid, culture
medium, and isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) concentration to improve ApOPSS yield.
Results and Discussion: E. coli strain Rosetta (DE3) harboring the expression plasmid pQE-80L with
the codon-optimized cysO was cultured in Terrific broth with 0.01 mM IPTG at 37°C for 48 h to yield
a 10-times higher amount of purified ApOPSS (650 mg·L-1) compared to that obtained by the conventional
method (64 mg·L-1). We found that the optimal culture conditions along with codon optimization
were essential for the increased ApOPSS production. The expressed ApOPSS had a 6-histidine tag at
the N-terminal, which did not affect its activity. This method may facilitate the industrial production of
cysteine and non-natural amino acids using ApOPSS.
Conclusion: We conclude that these results could be used in applied research on enzymatic production
of L-cysteine in E. coli, large scale production of non-natural amino acids, an enzymatic reaction in organic
solvent, and environmental remediation by sulfur removal.
