Journal of Biochemistry Advance Access published online on November 24, 2007
Journal of Biochemistry, doi:10.1093/jb/mvm226
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© 2007 The Japanese Biochemical Society
Rapid Communication |
Production of a recombinant Fab in Pichia pastoris from a monocistronic expression vector
1Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
2Instituto de Investigação em Imunologia
*Corresponding author: Dr. Marcelo Macedo Brigido, Departamento de Biologia Celular-IB, Universidade de Brasília, 70.910-900 Brasília, DF, Brasil,, Tel. 55 (61) 3072423; Fax. 55 (61) 3498411; E-mail: brigido{at}unb.br
Received October 16, 2007; Accepted November 15, 2007
| Abstract |
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Recombinant Fab is usually expressed using dicistronic vectors producing the heavy and light chains separately. We developed an improved vector for Fab fragment expression in Pichia pastoris, which allows a stoichiometric expression of both chains based on a monocistronic arrangement. The protein is produced as a unique polypeptide harboring a KEX2 processing site between both chains. After KEX cleavage, a correctly folded mature Fab is formed. The produced recombinant protein was characterized as a heterodimeric functional Fab.The vector described is a new tool for the proper expression of antibody fragments or any heterodimeric polypeptides.
Key Words: Antibody engineering, Pichia pastoris, Fab expression, Kex