The effects of cis- and trans-acting mutations on recombinant protein secretion in Pichia pastoris

<p>Pichia pastoris is a methylotrophic yeast that has been used in both research and industrial settings for recombinant protein expression due to the ease of genetically modifying its genome, its ability to grow to large densities in inexpensive media, and its capability to perform posttranslational modifications. Multiple tools such as the cis -acting factors MATα secretion signal and MBP fusion partners, and trans-acting modifications such as the bgs mutants have increased heterologous protein secretion. Although these techniques have already been used, their effects on the protein secretory pathway have yet to be elucidated. In this study, fluorescence microscopy was used to compare the localization of proteins expressed with the mutated MATα with the deletion of amino acids 57-70 to the wild type MATα secretion signal. Additional fluorescence microscopy was completed to visualize the localization of MBP-EGFP and EGFP-MBP fusion proteins and their spatial relativity to organelle markers. EGFP-MBP was used to further distinguish the properties of multiple bgs mutants. Additionally, secreted lipase activity levels were evaluated in bgs13 strains expressing either the wild type or the mutated MAT&agr; signal peptide. The results indicated that regardless of their differences, the MATα secretion signals and bgs mutants transported their cargo proteins through similar pathways within the cells. The results of the MBP fusion proteins suggest that the arrangement of MBP significantly influences protein secretion and localization. Lastly, the bgs13 mutant with MATα secretion signals demonstrated that lipase activity increased additively when cis- and trans -acting mutations were combined. Ultimately, these results can provide better understanding of each modified factor and the protein sorting pathway, leading to potential techniques that optimize protein secretion in P. pastoris .</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Moua, Pachai Susan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Joan Lin-Cereghino

• Microbiology
• Biological sciences
• Alpha-mating factor
• Beta-galactosidase supersecreters
• Pichia pastoris
• Biology

Licence

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Identifier

9781321359893

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarlycommons.pacific.edu:uop_etds-1184