Title of Invention

"RECOMBINANT PKX PLASMID"

Abstract The invention relates to the microbiological and medical industry, genetic engineering, biotechnology. A Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain was obtained on the basis of constructing a recombinant plasmid DNA comprising a structural gene of a human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) under the control of a regulatory promoter, providing the synthesis and production of AFP in a secreted soluble form, this AFP having activity identical or similar to the activity of a human AFP. The obtained recombinant AFP may be used as an active substance for the preparation of therapeutic agents for use in oncology, immunotherapy, cosmetology and also for the diagnosis of cancer and embryonic pathologies.
Full Text RECOMBINANT ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN, METHOD AND MEANS FOR
PREPARATION THEREOF, COMPOSITIONS ON THE BASE THEREOF AND
USE THEREOF
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the microbiological and medical industry, genetic
engineering, biotechnology. A recombinant alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) according to the
instant invention, retaining the activity of a human AFP, obtained from serum, is
intended for use in oncology, immunotherapy, cosmetology.
Background of the Invention
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the main component of embryonic blood serum of
mammals, which is synthesized by embryonal liver and yolk sac during perinatal
development. Immediately after birth, the level of AFP in the serum sharply decreases
and its expression became undetectable in healthy adult individuals (Deutsch H.F.,
1991, Adv. Canc. Res. 56, 253 - 312). The synthesis of AFP is renewed upon malignant
development of liver tumors and germinogenic teratoblastomas and could be detectable
to a lesser degree in the case of chemical and mechanical damage to the liver,
accompanied by regeneration, for example, during acute viral hepatitis or cirrhosis
(Mizejewsky G.J., 2002, Expert Rev. Anticancer. Ther. 2: 89-115).
Human AFP is a glycoprotein consisting of 590 amino acids and comprising
about 4% of a carbohydrate component (Morinaga T., et al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci., U.S.A., 80, 4604-4608; Pucci P. et al., 1991, Biochemistry 30, 5061-5066). One of
the main properties of AFP is the noncovalent sorption of different low-molecular
chemical substances, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, steroidal hormones, metals,
retinoids, hydrophobic antibiotics and others (Aussel S. & Masseyeff R., 1994,
Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 119: 1122-1127; Deutsch H.F., 1994, J. Tumor
Marker Oncol., 9: 11-14). In early stages of embryonic development, AFP replaces
albumin as a transport vehicle for fatty acids and other low-molecular substances
(Deutsch H.F., 1991, Adv. Canc. Res. 56, 253-312).
AFP molecule consists of three globular structural domains bounded by 15
interchain disulfide bonds, which significantly increases the complexity of the process
of assembly of a tertiary structure of a protein (Morinaga T., et al., 1983, Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 80, 4604-4608; Pucci P., et al., 1991, Biochemistry 30, 5061-5066).
Furthermore, an important structural element of an AFP molecule is the carbohydrate
component, which provides correct reception and functioning of the molecule (Deutsch
H.F., 1991, Adv. Cane. Res. 56, 253-312).
In addition to a polypeptide chain consisting of 590 amino acid residues, the
structure of the molecule of a serum embryonic AFP or that one secreted by
hepatocarcinoma cells includes one oligosaccharide group linked to asparagin according
to the N-type glycosylation (Yamashita K. et al., 1993, Cancer Res. 53:2970-2975). The
structure of an oligosaccharide AFP chain is heterogeneous and depends on different
factors: the stage of development of hepatocarcinoma or the stage of development of the
embryo. Oligosaccharides affect structural properties of an AFP molecule, could be
included in the content of antigenic determinants and receptor-binding centers (Deutsch
H.F., 1991, Adv. Cane. Res. 56, 253-312). As distinctive from serum AFP, recombinant
AFP expressed in bacterial cells is not glycosylated, which is a characteristic distinction
of the product characterized in the works of Murgita (US patents 6,331,611; 6,627,440;
6,416,734) and, consequently, has structural and functional properties distinguishing it
from a serum analog and also from the recombinant AFP expressed in yeast systems. It
is known that during expression of heterologic proteins in yeasts, their glycosylation is
carried out in respect to the same amino acid residues as in the serum analog, but the
structure of the oligosaccharides themselves significantly differ in respect to makeup,
length and branching of the chain, which also predetermines certain distinctions in the
structural and functional properties of corresponding proteins (Hard K. et al., 1998,
FEES Lett. 248:111).
AFP may be selectively absorbed by cells expressing specific AFP receptors
(AFPR), such as embryonic cells, stem cells, activated immune cells, cancer cells or
cells transformed by certain types of retroviruses (Uriel J. et al., 1989, in Jizejewsky
G.I., Jakobson H.I. (eds): Biological Properties of Alpha-Fetoprotein. Boca Raton, CRC
Press, vol. 2:103-117). Normal mature cells lose the ability to absorb AFP and do not
express specific AFPR. In view of this property of AFP, methods have been proposed
for the therapeutic use of AFP for the purpose of targeting delivering of cytostatics and
other substances, suppressing the growth of cancer cells, to a tumor (Deutsch H.F.,
1994, J. Tumor Marker Oncol. 9: 11-14; Tsukada Y. et al., 1994, J. Tumor Marker
Oncol. 9: 99-103).
AFP has a number of functional properties, which at present are being
intensively studied. The classical concept of AFP as an analog of embryonic serum
albumin, is at present supplemented by data concerning the capability of AFP to carry
out the regulation of the growth, development and programmed death of cells
(Mizejewsky G.J., 2002, Expert Rev. Anticancer. Ther. 2: 89-115). In particular, it was
shown that a recombinant AFP, similarly to a serum and cultural analog, is capable of
suppressing the growth of estrogen-dependent tumoral and normal tissues (Bennett J.A.
et al., 1997, Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 45, 169-179; Bennet J.A. et al., 1998, Clinical
Cancer Research, 4, 2877-2884). Recently, it was established that the oncosuppressive
activity of AFP is carried out in accordance with the mechanism of triggering apoptosis,
which is characterized by typical morphological changes, the arrest of growth, by
cytotoxicity and DNA fragmentation (Semenkova L.N., 1997, Tumor Biol. 18, 261-274;
Dudich E.I., et al., 1998, Tumor Biol. 19, 30-40; Dudich E.I., et al., 1999, Eur. J.
Biochem. 266: 1-13; Semenkova L., et al., 2003, Eur.; J. Biochem. 70: 4388-4399).
Earlier studies showed the capability of AFP to regulate differentiation and
activation of immune cells. In particular, AFP is capable to suppress immune cells
activated with allo- or autoantigens and to inhibit various cytokine gene expression
(Yamashita K., et al., 1993, Cancer Res. 53, 2970-2975; patent US No. 5,965,528). On
the other hand, AFP induces pronounced stimulation of the growth of immature bone
marrow cells, stem cells and embryonic cells (Dudich E.I., et al., 1998, Tumor Biol. 19,
30-40; Patent US No. 6, 627, 440).
These properties of AFP, and also increased selectivity of absorption of AFP by
cancer cells in vivo (Uriel J., et al., 1989, in Mizejewsky G.I., Jakobson H.I. ,eds:
Biological Properties of Alpha-Fetoprotein. Boca Raton, CRC Press, vol. 2:103-117),
revealed the base for its use in medicine as a therapeutic preparation in the treatment of
autoimmune (Patent US No. 5,965,528) and oncological diseases (Patent US No.
6,416,734; Mizejewsky G.J., 2002, Expert Rev. Anticancer. Ther. 2: 89-115).
Furthermore, traditionally AFP is used as an oncoembryonic marker for early diagnosis
of oncological diseases and pathologies of embryonical development (Deutsch H.F.,
1991, Adv. Cane. Res. 56, 253-312). However, the use of natural AFP as a drug is
technologically impossible because of raw material deficiency.
Traditionally, a source for the obtainment of AFP is the blood serum of pregnant
women, funic embryonal serum or ascitic fluid of cancer patients. Obviously, none of
these sources are acceptable for the production of a protein substance for medical
purpose because, in the first place, there is extremely limited access to the source of raw
material and the content of AFP therein is low, and in the second place, there is the
ever-growing risk of infection with viruses or prions.
Earlier data were published relating to the expression and purification of
recombinant AFP (rAFP) in different microorganisms (Yamamoto R., et al., 1990, Life
Sciences, 46:1679-1686; Nishi S., et al., 1988, J. Biochem. 104: 968-972; Patent US
5,206,153; Patent US 6,331,611). Thus, the intracellular production of human rAFP was
carried out in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Yamamoto R., et al., 1990, Life Sciences,
46:1679-1686; Patent US 5,206,153) and Escherichia coli (Patent US 6,331,611;
Boismenu R., et al., 1997, Protein Expression and Purification. 10:10-26). It was shown
that recombinant AFP, expressed in Escherichia coli, retains the immunoregulatory and
oncosuppressive activity of the embryonic analog (Boismenu R., et al., 1997, Protein
Expression and Purification. 10:10-26; Bennett J.A., et al., 1997, Breast Cancer Res.
Treat. 45, 169-179). The main drawback of these expression systems is the incapability
to secrete heterologic protein and the extremely low level of its production.
Furthermore, the obtainment of the desired product from a biomass of recombinant
strain-producers required that additional procedures of denaturation and renaturation be
carried out, which resulted in a significant reduction of the yield of the product and, as a
consequence, a substantial increase of its cost. Also, in the case of use of bacterial
expression systems, the problem of contamination of the product with the
lipopolysaccharides of the shell, which have known endotoxic activity, is also
important.
The technical solution most similar to the instant invention is the strain-producer
of human AFP that is described in the references (Yamamoto R., et al., 1990, Life
Sciences, 46:1679-1686; Patent US 5,206,153). In these sources yeast strain-producer
Saccharomyces cerevisiae with intracellular production of human AFP is disclosed, the
amino acid sequence of which comprises an additional section corresponding to the
signal peptide of rat AFP. This invention identifies the product of secretion of a yeast
strain, which product has the properties of a mature human AFP and has the original
sequence SEQ ID NO:2, which corresponds to the sequence of a mature human AFP.
This specificity distinguishes the product described in the instant invention over the
earlier disclosed (Yamamoto R., et al., 1990, Life Sciences, 46:1679-1686; Patent US
5,206,153). Furthermore, a drawback of this strain described in the cited references is
the absence of mechanisms for intracellular assembly and secretion of AFP into a
cultural liquid, which significantly raises the cost, makes the process of preparing a
purified recombinant AFP in preparative amounts more complex and provides an
extremely low level of production of AFP. Furthermore, the authors of the cited work
(Yamamoto R., et al., 1990, Life Sciences, 46:1679-1686; Patent Us 5,206,153)
obtained a modified recombinant AFP, the sequence of which also comprises signal and
linker peptide, which limits the possibility for its medical use because of modification
of the structure of the protein, resulting in a change of the immunological specificity
and, as a result thereof, in an increase of the risk of immunoreactive pathology with
intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
In the case of heterological secretion production with yeast cells of proteins, for
which the correct folding takes place with the formation of disulfide bonds (among
them AFP), of importance is the level of production of yeast disulfidisomerase (Pdi)
with cells of a producer (Shusta E.V., et al., 1998, Nat. Biotechnol. 16: 773-777).
Furthermore, action synergic with this enzyme is provided by an increased amount of
the shaperon-like yeast protein BiP (Robinson A.S., et al., 1996, J. Biol. Chem. 271:
10017-10022).
In spite of the fact that yeasts are traditionally considered to be organisms free of
secreted proteinases (Chung B.H. & Park K.S., 1998, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 57:245-249),
for a number of proteins, including - for HSA, their degradation in the course of
culturing yeasts is shown, which is related to the presence of still unidentified
proteinases associated with the cell (Chung B.H. & Park K.S., 1998, Biotechnol.
Bioeng. 57:245-249; Kang H.A., et al., 2000, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 53: 575-
582). All of the listed factors require that they be taken into account during the creation
of a yeast producer of AFP, effectively secreted in a cultural liquid.
Taking the drawbacks of the methods existing at present for the preparation of a
recombinant AFP into account, it becomes obvious that there is a need for further
improvement of the technology of the systems for expression and secretion of
recombinant AFP, in particular the development of new recombinant strains having the
capability for higher expression of a heterological protein with the provision for
intracellular assembly of a native tertiary structure and subsequent secretion of the
desired product into a cultural liquid.
Thus, the requirement for the development of industrially applicable methods of
preparing AFP, which in respect to its properties would be identical or similar to human
serum AFP and thus would make it possible to use it in those fields where human serum
AFP is traditionally used, objectively follows from the state of the art.
The achievement of the stated object is possible by the creation of a new strain
of microorganisms, which could produce in a cultural medium a polypeptide identical or
similar to human serum AFP in respect to its properties.
Summary of the Invention
In order to prepare a recombinant AFP, the properties of which would be
identical or similar to the properties of a human serum AFP, it was necessary to develop
a strain-producer providing for synthesis and production of AFP in a secreted soluble
form.
The strain-producer was obtained with the use of genetic engineering methods
by transforming a parent strain with a plasmid, which comprised a DNA sequence
encoding a protein having the activity of a mature human AFP.
A recombinant secreted AFP produced in a yeast system of expression has
properties identical or similar to the properties of a mature human AFP, which are
determined in an immunologic analysis and by its capability to suppress the growth of
cells of B-cell lymphoma Raji and other human cellular lines sensitive to apoptogenic
action in a culture in vitro. This provides for an identical mechanism of action of the
obtained AFP and a mature human serum AFP, obtained by a traditional method and
having an amino acid sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:2. The conditions for carrying
out the method of preparing AFP according to the instant invention provides for the
assembly of a polypeptide with minimum defects as compared with native human AFP.
The proximity of the properties of human recombinant AFP, produced in yeasts,
and human serum AFP is provided by the inclusion of an expression cassette,
comprising a DNA sequence encoding a mature human AFP, in the composition of the
plasmid, in that the process of isolation does not require the denaturation-renaturation
step, and at the same time provides for glycosylation of the obtained polypeptide, and
also folding of the molecule and formation of disulfide bonds. Recombinant human
AFP produced in a secreted form in a yeast system of expression differs from the
recombinant analog produced in a proeukaryotic system of expression in that it is
glycosylated according to the N-type, while a recombinant bacterial AFP described in
patents (Murgita R.A. US Patents 6,331,611; 6,627,440; 6,416,734) is not glycosylated.
Human recombinant AFP produced in a secreted form in a yeast system of expression
differs from the serum analog by the composition and structure of the oligosaccharide
chain, which is determined by the yeast strain and composition of the sugars included in
the nutrient medium.
In order to obtain a high yield of the secreted protein with the required activity
from a host cell, several additional genes were added to the plasmid encoding the AFP
gene, the additional genes providing a high level of gene transcription, folding of the
proteins in the process of secretion and the correct formation of disulfide bonds.
As a result, a pKX plasmid was obtained having the capability of transforming
cells for the expression and secretion of AFP.
A eukaryotic producer cell having the capability of secreting recombinant alphafetoprotein
was obtained with the aid of the aforesaid plasmid.
In a preferable variant a recipient strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723 was
used as the initial cell, this strain being transformed by pKX plasmid to obtain a strainproducer
Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX, deposited in the Russian Collection
of Industrial Microorganisms (VKPM) under No. Y-3115.
During the cultivation of a transformed strain, AFP is secreted into a medium
from which it may be isolated in a pure form with the use of traditional biochemical
methods.
An isolated AFP obtained from transformed cells is used in the content of a
pharmaceutical composition inhibiting the growth of tumor cells, which comprises the
obtained AFP and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients.
An isolated AFP is used in the makeup of a synergic composition, inhibiting the
growth of tumor cells, which comprises the obtained AFP and chemotherapeutic
preparations and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients.
With use of the isolated AFP, a pharmaceutical composition on the base thereof
or comprising its synergic composition, a method for treating cancer or preventing its
development has been developed, which presumes the administration to a patient of an
effective amount of AFP, pharmaceutical composition or synergic composition.
Since the obtained AFP is similar in respect to properties to human serum AFP,
the obtained AFP is used in the makeup of a synergic composition having an
immunosuppressive and immunoregulating action, wherein the composition comprises
AFP and cyclosporin C and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients.
A method for treating autoimmune diseases and correcting the immune status
has been developed with use of the isolated AFP or aforesaid synergic composition, the
method comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of an AFP or a
synergic composition with cyclosporin C.
In view of the capability of AFP to stimulate growth of stem cells, the inventors
have proposed a pharmaceutical composition stimulating the growth of stem cells, the
composition comprising the obtained AFP and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and
excipients, and a synergic composition stimulating the growth of stem cells is also
proposed, this composition comprising the obtained AFP and derivatives of vitamins A,
E, D, antioxidants, steroid hormones, isoflavones of vegetative origin with
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients.
A method for stimulating the growth of stem cells in vitro is proposed with use
of the isolated AFP, the aforesaid pharmaceutical or synergistic composition, the
method comprising acting on cells with an effective amount of AFP or corresponding
compositions.
Furthermore, a method for stimulating the growth of stem cells in vivo is
proposed, the method comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of AFP
or the aforesaid pharmaceutical or synergistic composition.
A cosmetic composition for rejuvenating skin and preventing aging of the skin is
proposed on the basis of functional activity of isolated AFP, the composition
comprising the obtained AFP with carriers and excipients acceptable in cosmetology
and, optionally, derivatives of vitamins A, E, D, antioxidants, steroid hormones,
isoflavones of vegetative origin.
A method of using the obtained cosmetic composition for rejuvenating the skin
and preventing aging of the skin is proposed within the frame of the instant invention,
the method comprising applying the composition onto the skin of an individual.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The following drawings illustrate the presented subject matters of the invention.
Fig. 1 shows the structure of a pKX plasmid encoding the sequence of a mature
human alpha-fetoprotein, comprising an expression cassette with a human alpha-protein
gene; a fragment of a bacterial plasmid pUCIS; a region of initiation of replication of a
2-u.m yeast plasmid; a selective PGK1 yeast marker, a PD11 gene encoding an
disulfidisomerase enzyme and a KAR2 gene providing correct assembly of the protein
and secretion of the desired product into a culture medium.
Fig. 2 shows the structure of an expression cassette comprising a sequence
encoding a human alpha-fetoprotein within the composition of a pKX plasmid. The
promoter region of the GAL1 yeast gene is shown by italics. The pre-pro region of
secretion of the MFal yeast gene is shown by dark print. The amino acid sequence of
the human alpha-fetoprotein molecule is shown by capital letters.
Fig. 3 demonstrates the structure of a synthetic gene encoding AFP and
consisting of the most often used yeast codones. The AFP amino acid sequence, which
is identical to the amino acid sequence of serum human AFP, is singled out with dark
print.
Fig. 4 shows the results of SDS-PAGE electroforesis (A) and immunoblottinganalysis
(B) of different amounts, applied onto a line, of a purified recombinant alphafetoprotein
obtained from a yeast culture Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX
cultural liquid.
1. Marker proteins (94, 67, 43, 30, 20 kD).
2. rAFP after affinity chromatography on a column with anti-AFP-sepharose
(0.3 ug).
3. rAFP after gel-chromatography on a column with Sephacryl S-200 (0.4 |j.g).
4. rAFP (0.1 ug).
5. rAFP after Sephacryl S-200 (0.6 jig).
6. rAFP after Sephacryl S-200 (0.5 ug).
7. Embryonic eAFP (0.4 ug).
Fig. 5 shows a dose dependence of the proliferation of B-cellular Raji lymphoma
cells on the AFP concentration for two different samples of purified AFP, which are
obtained from embryonic serum eAFP and recombinant rAFP, that is expressed by yeast
strain producer Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX. Proliferation of the cells was
measured by [H3]-thymidine incorporation and expressed in percentage of inhibition of
growth in experimental cultures after 12-hour incubation with AFP in respect to a
control without additives.
Fig. 6 demonstrates: (A) synergistic enhancement of oncosuppressive action of
doxorubicine in respect to myeloblastoma U937 cells with the combined use with rAFP
according to the instant invention;
(B) synergistic enhancement of the general oncosuppressive effect with
combined use of rAFP according to the instant invention and retinoic acid (pro-vitamin
A, acid). Proliferation of the cells was measured by [H3]-thymidine incorporation and
expressed in percentage of inhibition of growth in experimental cultures after 12-hour
incubation with AFP in respect to a control without additives.
Fig. 7 shows the stimulating effect of rAFP according to the instant invention on
the growth of stem embryonic cells obtained from a primary culture of cells of
embryonic lung and retina. Proliferation of the cells was measured by a standard
method of [H3]-thymidine incorporation during the last four hours of culture and
expressed in percent of the stimulation of growth in test cultures in respect to a control
without AFP.
The list of sequences comprises sequences SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO:2,
which are respectively the nucleotide sequence of an expression cassette comprising the
encoding sequence of a human alpha-fetoprotein in the composition of a pKX plasmid
and the amino acid sequence of a mature human AFP.
The nucleotide sequence of an expression cassette comprises a promoter region
of GAL1 yeast gene, a pre-pro region of secretion of MFal yeast gene, the encoding
sequence of a human alpha-fetoprotein gene and a field of termination of transcription
of a CYC1 yeast gene. This expression cassette is included in the composition of the
pKX plasmid encoding the sequence of a mature human alpha-fetoprotein in a yeast
strain-producer of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX system.
Detailed Description of the Invention
In order to realize the instant invention, the main technical object was the
creation of a strain of yeast-producer of AFP, capable of effectively secreting the
desired protein into a cultural liquid. This object is solved by constructing a
recombinant DNA pKX plasmid encoding the regulated synthesis of human AFP and
the strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX providing the synthesis and
production of AFP in a secreted dissolved form with a level of expression not less than
10 mg/1. The high level of synthesis of the desired protein in secreted dissolved form is
provided in that the pKX plasmid comprises a promoter of the GALl gene with
simultaneous amplification of the KAR2 gene (Robinson A.S., et al., 1996, J. Biol.
Chem. 271:10017-10022), encoding a chaperon heavy chain binding protein BiP. In the
genome of the strain of the recipient, there is amplification of the PD11 gene (Robinson
A.S., et al., 1996, J. Biol. Chem. 271:10017-10022), encoding a disulfidisomerase
enzyme, which participates in the formation of disulfide bonds during the secretory
process of the proteins.
The recombinant plasmid DNA comprises a human AFP gene under the control
of a GALl promoter gene, providing a high level of transcription of the gene, and a
KAR2 gene, encoding a chaperon heavy chain binding protein BiP, participating in
folding proteins during the secretory process for the proteins, and providing a high level
of production of the desired protein into the cultural liquid. Furthermore, in order to
provide the correct formation of disulfide bonds and the formation of a native tertiary
structure of the protein, a PS 11 gene encoding disulfideisomerase is used.
A recombinant pKX plasmid DNA (Fig. 1), encoding a human AFP gene, is
characterized by the following features:
- it is an expression plasmid for the effective secretion of human AFP;
- it has a size of 13301 bp;
- it comprises a fragment encoding the amino acid sequence of a mature human
alpha-fetoprotein SEQ ID NO:2;
- it comprises a fragment of the bacterial plasmid pUCIS; a region of initiation
of a 2-um yeast plasmid; a selective yeast marker PGK1; a KAR2 yeast gene encoding
a chaperon heavy chain binding protein BiP; a PD11 gene encoding a disulfidisomerase
enzime; an expression cassette with an AFP genome;
- in the structure of the expression cassette presented by the nucleotide sequence
SEQ ID NO:1 is included: a promoter region of GALl yeast gene; a pre-pro region of
secretion of MFal yeast gene; a region encoding a mature human AFP; a field of
termination of transcription of a CYC1 yeast gene. When this plasmid is introduced into
a cell, a high level of transcription of the AFP gene is achieved due to the use of a
highly effective GAL1 promoter. The introduction of a pre-pro region of secretion of
MFal provides for the correct secretory processing of AFP accompanied by the
effective secretion of the protein with the expected amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2,
if the encoding region will correspond to the DNA sequence encoding a mature human
AFP in a cultural liquid;
- a significant distinction of the proposed plasmid construction is that an afp
gene is under the control of a highly effective GAL1 promoter, and in order to provide
the correct formation of disulfide bonds and the formation of a native tertiary structure
of the protein, PD11 and KAR2 genes are used.
Any eukaryotic cell susceptible to such a transformation with the indicated
plasmid may be transformed with the aid of the created plasmid. The selection of the
cell is not critical since the methods and steps of transformation are well-known to those
skilled in the art. However, depending on the type of cell and the conditions for
culturing the obtained transformant, the level of expression of AFP may vary, but the
fact of expression of the required peptide will take place under condition of successful
transformation of the parent cell.
A recipient strain YBS723 of the genotype pgkl/pgkl is used to obtain the strain
Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX. The homozygosis of pgkl/pgkl makes this
strain incapable of growth in all mediums containing any single source of carbon within
the norm digestible by yeasts S. cerevisiae. The homozygosis of galSO: :PD1 l/gal80:
:PD11 results in a change of regulation of the promoter of the GAL1 gene with
simultaneous amplification in the genome of the PD11 gene encoding the
disulfidisomerase enzyme and participating in the formation of disulfide bonds during
the secretory process of the proteins.
The YBS723 strain is transformed by the pKX plasmid according to the method
(Ito H., et al., 1983, J. Bacteriol. 153:163-168). Transformants were selected according
to the capability to grow on a full-value yeast medium (bactopeptone - 20 g/1, yeast
extract - 10 g/1, bactoagar - 20 g/1) comprising 2% glucose as a source of carbon. One
of such clones is designated as YBS723/pKX.
The obtained diploid yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX is
characterized by the following features:
Genetic features: Genotype pgkl/pgkl galSO: :PDll/gal80: :PD11;
Morphological features: Vegetative cells of a 48-hour culture grown on a solid
nutrient medium with 2% glucose as the only source of carbon have an oval form, cell
size of 3.6 x 7.1 u,m, the protoplasma is homogenous, reproduction is by gemmation.
When growing on a solid medium comprising a yeast extract and peptone (YEP) at
30°C after 72 hours of growth, the columns have the following appearance:
1) on a YEP medium with glucose - a white color column with a smooth edge,
shining surface, cone-shaped profile, cream-like consistency;
2) on a YEP medium with starch - a white color column with a patterned edge,
dull surface, lens-like profile and grain consistency;
3) on a YEP medium with molasses - a white color column with a dull wrinkled
surface, patterned edge, convex profile and cream-like consistency.
Growth in a liquid medium - on a YEP medium with starch at 32°C during the
first 24 hours of culturing - a cloudy liquid, white residue, does not cake, does not form
parietal films.
Physicochemical features: Facultative anaerobe. Temperature of growth - 23-
33°C (optimum - 31°C). pH of culturing - 3.8-6.7 (optimum - 5.0). Highest level of
secretion of AFP is observed at pH 6.8-7.0.
Assimilation of carbon sources: ferments glucose, galactose, fructose, maltose,
saccharose, dextrine, starch.
Assimilation of nitrogen sources: assimilates amino acids, urea, ammonium
sulphate, ammonium nitrate.
Distinctive specificities: in the case of culturing on a rich medium with starch
(2%), zones of fading starch surrounded by a dark rim after incubation of dish at +4°C
for 24 h.
Pathogenicity: the strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX is not
pathogenic.
Method of storage: The strain is stored on an agarized rich medium with glucose
for 3 months at +4°C.
The obtained strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX - producer of AFP
in a secreted form is deposited in the Russian Collection of Industrial Microorganisms
(VKPM) under No. Y-3115.
The cell strain producer of recombinant AFP proposed by the Applicants has a
number of advantages over already existing prototypes:
- production of the desired product is carried out in a secreted form into a
cultural liquid;
- the amino acid sequence of the final product corresponds to the sequence of a
mature human AFP - SEQ ID NO:2;
- similar to the serum embryonal analog, rAFP, produced by the strain producer
Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX, is glycosylated;
- the yield of the desired product is significantly increased due to an increase of
expression of the gene encoding the disulfidisomerase enzyme PD11 providing for the
formation of disulfide bonds and the KAR2 gene encoding shaperon heavy chain
binding protein BiP providing for correct assembly of the protein and secretion of the
desired product into the cultural medium.
It is completely obvious that the sequence encoding the DNA may comprise
replacements related to degeneration of the genetic code, and also some replacements,
insertions, deletions, which as a whole do not result in the obtainment of inactive forms
of the fetoprotein. Possible variations are known to those skilled in the art. The obtained
polypeptide may also include within the frame of the amino acid sequence conservative
amino acid replacements presuming the replacement of one amino acid with another
having similar properties. However, within the limits of the claimed features of the
instant invention there are only those polypeptides which have primary, secondary and
tertiary structure, that does not disturb the required activity of the obtained polypeptide,
in particular - to have properties identical or similar to the properties of a mature human
AFP, determined in an immunological analysis and in accordance with its capability to
suppress the growth of cells of a B-cellular lymphoma Raji in a culture in vitro.
The indexes of functional activity, at which it is regarded that the obtained
polypeptide will have the properties of a mature human serum AFP are determined
according to the immunological reaction and according to its capability of inhibiting in
vitro the growth of cells of the B-cellular lymphoma Raji at a level not less than 10% of
the activity of a mature human serumal AFP cells of the B-cellular lymphoma Raji at a
level not less than 10% of the activity of a mature human serum AFP.
In the case of practical use of the obtained polypeptide within the makeup of a
composition, traditional additional components are used, such as excipients, diluents,
preservatives, buffer solutions, physiological solution, a 0.9% solution of sodium
chloride, technological additives used during the production of drug forms, etc.
Compositions may be fluid (solutions, suspensions, creams, emulsions, etc.), solid
(lyophilizated powder, reconstituted prior to use, an adsorbed preparation on a carrier,
etc.), serving for parenteral, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, etc. administration or for
external use. Wherein, the compositions for external use may comprise additives
promoting the absorption and diffusion of the active substance in tissue.
The synergic compositions of the instant invention provide for the presence in
the composition of another active substance, wherein in the case where two active
substances are present at the same time, one of which is the AFP according to the
instant invention, the effect of their action is reliably higher than in the case where
each substance is used separately.
It is quite obvious that synergic compositions are one of the preferable variants
of embodiment of the invention, since to one skilled in the art the variant of
administering each active component separately is obvious. For example, in the case of
anticancer therapy, each preparation of an active component may be administered
separately and together simultaneously, with separation by time or by different manners
of administration. The concrete selection depends on the state of the patient, the
seriousness of the illness, prior treatment, etc.
The selection of the therapeutic dosages for treatment may be any dose in a wide
range from 0.001-10 mg/kg of a patient's weight, with the proviso that the required
therapeutic effect is obtained. It corresponds to the traditional dosages of human AFP,
since the obtained AFP will have properties that are similar or close in respect to
activity. The limiting dosages of AFP according to the invention correspond to the
dosages of human AFP, since they have a similar amino acid sequence, which is not
recognized by a normal immune system of a human as "foreign."
The instant invention is illustrated by the following examples, which are not of a
restrictive character, but are intended to demonstrate embodiment of the invention and
realization of the best variant of the embodiment.
Example 1
Isolation of sum RNA and construction of intermediate recombinant plasmid
DNApTrcafp
The total mRNA was isolated from the cellular line of human hepatoma HepG2
with the aid of Trizol Reagent (Gibco BRL, USA) in accordance with a method of the
producer. The cDNA was obtained using First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (MBI
Fermentas) in the presence of primers oligo (dT)ig or
GAAGTAATTTAAACTCCCAAAGC (3R), complementary to the 3'-end of the gene
afp. Amplification of the obtained matrix for subsequent cloning was carried out in the
presence of primers:
CTTCAATCGATATGACACTGCATAGAAATG (Cla)
CTTCCAAGCTTAAACTCCCAAAGCAG (Hind),
the first of which corresponds to the 5'-sequence of mature protein gene (singled
out by dark print) and comprises the recognition site for restrictase Cla I, while the
second is complementary to the 3'-end section of the gene (singled out by dark print)
and comprises a recognition site for Hind III. Amplification of the gene was carried out
in a volume of 100 ul. The reaction mixture comprised 10 ng of cDNA, 30 pM of each
of primers (1) and (2), a mixture of dNTP (0.2 mM of each), 10 mM of Tris-HCl, pH
8.8, 10 mM of KC1, 2.5 mM of MgSO4, 2.5 unit Pfu DNA-polymerases (Stratagene
firm) and 1 unit Taq DNA-polymerase (Fermentas firm). There were 25 cycles carried
out according to the scheme: 95°C/40 sec, 39°C/40 sec, 72°C/1 min. The products of
the reaction were analyzed by electroforesis in a 1% agarous gel; strips of a length of
about 1790 bp were cut, DNA was extracted from the gel, treated with restrictases Clal
and Hindlll and cloned into the plasmid pTrcTEGF, earlier obtained on the base of the
vector pTrc99A (Amann E., et al., 1988, Gene, 69, 301-315), and treated with those
same restrictases. As a result the plasmid pTrcafp was obtained; its structure was
confirmed by restrictase analysis, using restrictases Cla I and Hind III, in respect to
which cloning was carried out, and also Spe I, Mun I, Sec I and Sty I, the recognition
sites of which are inside the AFP gene, and by determination of the nucleotide sequence
of the DNA section cloned with the aid of PCR. Sequencing was carried out according
to the method and with use of the Cycle ReaderTM DNA Sequencing Kit (Fermentas,
Lithuania).
Example 2
Preparation of synthetic cDNA, encoding a human AFP gene
In order to obtain a synthesized AFP gene, 36 oligonucleotides having a length
of 62-68 b were chemically synthesized. On the basis of these oligonucleotides six
double-chain fragments were obtained by the method of polymerase chain reaction,
each of which was cloned to a vector pUC18. The primary structure of all the cloned
fragments was confirmed by sequencing. Fragments with the correct nucleotide
structure were then sequentially collected into a desired gene by the method of
restriction/ligation in the form of a fragment of the plasmid pUC18. In a similar manner
a cDNA was obtained for expression of modified forms of AFP, comprising deletion,
mutation or added amino acid residues.
Example 3
Construction of a recombinant plasmid DNA pKX
The plasmid pTrcafp was used as a matrix for PCR in the presence of primers:
CAACCCTCGAGTTAAACTCCCAAAGC
CCAACCCATGGCTAAGAGAACACTGCATAGAAA-TG.
Restriction sites Ncol and Xhol (underlined) are set in the sequence of primers.
The DNA fragment obtained as a result of amplification after treatment with
endonucleases of restriction NcoI/XhoI were cloned onto vector pUC18/GALl-pp,
comprising a promoter GAL1 and pre-pro region of secretion MFccl. As a result the
plasmid pUC18/GALl-pp/afp was obtained. In order exclude possible errors of PCR
the NcoI/XhoI fragment of the plasmid was sequenced. The Hindlll/Xhol fragment of
the plasmid pUC18/GALl-pp/afp, comprising the promoter GAL1, pre-pro region of
secretion of MFccl and encoding part of the human AFP gene (Fig. 2) were transferred
to the Hindlll/XhoI bireplicon (yeast - E. coli) vector pPDX. As a result the plasmid
pPDX/GALl-pp/afp was obtained. The Clal/XhoI fragment of the plasmid
pPDX/GALl-pp/afp was transferred to Clal/XhoI vector of pPK, differing from pPDX
by the presence of the KAR2 gene. The plasmid obtained as a result is named pKX
(Fig. 1). In a similar manner the plasmid pKX-1 was obtained, comprising the synthetic
human AFP gene consisting of the most widely used yeast codons (Fig. 3). The plasmid
pKX-1 differs from pKX in that it comprises the synthetic gene of a mature human
AFP.
Example 4
Obtainment of a strain-producer of human AFP
In order to obtain the strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX, the
recipient strain YBS723 was transformed by the plasmid pKX in accordance with the
method (Ito H., et al., 1983, J. Bacteriol. 153: 163-168). The transformants were
selected by the capability to grow on a full-value yeast medium (bactopepton - 20 g/1,
yeast extract - 10 g/1, bactoagar - 20 g/1), comprising 2% glucose as the source of
carbon. One of such clones is designated YBS723/pKX.
Example 5
Determination of productivity of strain-producer of human AFP Saccharomyces
cerevisiae YBS723/pKX
Cells of the strain-producer YBS723/pKX were grown in vials at 26°C on a
rocker (250 rpm) on a medium of the following composition: glucose - 2%, glycerine -
1.5%, yeast extract - 1%, peptone - 2%, distilled water. The pH of the medium was
maintained at 7.0 by the addition of 0.1 M of a phosphate buffer. The initial liter of the
cells was 5x106. Samples were taken after 72 hours of growth of the culture after
transition to the stationary phase of growth at a titer of 7-8x108. A sample of the cultural
liquid was obtained after centrifugation of the culture at 10 000 rpm for 1 min and was
used in the following analyses. Samples of the CL were analyzed by electrophoresis in a
12.5% polyacrylamide gel with sodium dodecyl sulphate. The gels were colored
Coomassie R-250 (Fig. 4) and scanned to determine the total protein and relative
content of the AFP specific protein. According to the data of electrophoresis and
scanning, the total content of AFP in the CL is about 10-25% of the total protein, but
there is partial intracellular degradation of the protein. The relative content of AFP in
the CL was determined by the method of immunoblotting in the presence of polyclonal
antibodies to AFP (Fig. 4). Also, the quantitative content of AFP in the cultural liquid
was determined by the method of immunoenzymatic analysis (IEA), with use of a set of
monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to human AFP. According to the IEA data, the
average content of AFP in the CL in liquid mediums reached 5 mg/1.
Example 6
Determination of productivity of strain-producer of human AFP Saccharomyces
cerevisiae YBS723/pKX in high-density mediums
Feed-batch culturing of the strain YBS723/pKX was carried out in a fermenter
at 26°C and pH 7.0 (automatic maintenance). The content of dissolved oxygen dO was
maintained >20%. During fermentation, replenishment with a medium of the following
composition was carried out: yeast extract - 30 g/1, peptone - 60 g/1, glucose - 100 g/1.
The rate of feeding the replenishment was such as to provide a rate of growth of the
culture u=0.03. After achievement of OD50, equal to 280 optical units, the content of
AFP in the CL was analyzed. The relative and total content of AFP in the CL of high
density cultures of YBS723/pKX was determined as described above in example 4. In
the case of culturing in high density mediums, the content of rAFP in the CL according
to IFA data reached 70 mg/1.
Example 7
Isolation and characterization of recombinant human AFP from CL of a strainproducer
YBS723/pKX
Isolation of rAFP from the CL of the strain-producer YBS723/pKX was carried
out as described earlier (Dudich et al., 1999, Biochemistry, 38:10406-10414) with slight
changes. The cultural liquid was concentrated from 3 1 to 200 ml by ultrafiltration on a
concentrating cell "Millipore" and dialyzed against 0.005M Tris-HCl, a pH 7.5, 0.1M
NaCl buffer, 4°C, then centrifuged for 0.5 hours at 10 000 rpm.
Ion exchange chromatography. The supernatant obtained after centrifugation
was applied onto an ion exchange column DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow (Pharmacia, 27 x
4 cm), balanced with 0.01M Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 0.1M NaCl. The components not bond
to sorbent were washed from the column with a starting buffer, while the elution of the
desired product was carried out by 0.2 M of NaCl in a Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.5 at a rate
of 1 ml/min.
Affinity chromatography. The fractions comprising rAFP were combined, the
concentration of NaCl was brought to 0.5M and applied to an affinity column with
Sepharose CL-4B conjugated with polyclonal anti-AFP rabbit antibodies, which was
balanced with 0.05M Tris-HCl, pH 7.5 and 0.5M NaCl. After the output of the proteins
not bonded to the antibodies of the proteins, the adsorbed rAFP was eluted with 0.005M
HC1. The peak of the output of the material upon achievement of pH from 5.0 to 3.5
was determined by absorption at 280 nm. The solution of rAFP was neutralized to pH
7.5 by the addition of a 2M solution of Tris-HCl, pH 7.5.
Gel chromatography. Further purification of rAFP was carried out by gel
chromatography on a column with Sephacryl S-200 (1.8 x 70 cm) in a 0.1 M phosphate
buffer, pH 7.0; 0.15M NaCl, at a rate of 0.5 ml/min. The solution of purified rAFP was
concentrated in a cell "Amicon" (membrane YM-30) under the pressure of nitrogen.
Analysis of samples. The identification and purity of the obtained rAFP
preparation were controlled by methods of gel electrophoresis according to Lammly in
12.5% SDS-PAGE with p-mercaptoethanol with subsequent coloring by Copmassie
(Fig. 4A), Western-blot-analysis on a PVDF-membrane with a titer of primary
antibodies 1:500 and secondary 1:5000, dot-blot on a Hybond ECL-nitrocellulose
membrane (Fig. 4B), IFA.
Determination of the concentration of the protein in the solutions was carried
out in accordance with the Bredford method, using a standard solution of embryonal
AFP as the control, and also spectrophotometrically at 278 nm, taking the coefficient of
extinction EI«/OI 2?s nm = 0.53 into account.
Example 8
Determination of biological activity ofrecombinant human AFP in vitro
The functional activity of rAFP and the modified forms thereof were determined
according to its capability of suppressing the growth of cells of B-cellular lymphoma
Raji in the culture in vitro, as earlier described (Semenkova L.N., 1997, Tumor Biol. 18,
261-274; Dudich E.I., et al., 1998, Tumor Biol. 19, 30-40). Preliminarily washed by a
fresh medium, Raji cells were placed into each cell of a 96-alveolar plate according to
5xl03 in 0.1 ml of a medium RPMI-1640 in the presence of a 10% fetal calf serum, then
different doses of AFP were added for 12 hours. Proliferation of the cells was measured
by a standard method by the introduction of [H3]-thymidine during the last 4 hours of
culturing. For comparison, the dose-dependent reactivity was studied for two samples
of AFP of embryonal origin embrAFP and yeast rAFP (Fig. 5). It is evident that both
preparations manifest an expressed cytostatic activity in respect to these cells.
Similarly, in order to determine the activity of preparations on the base of AFP in vitro,
any other lines of cancer cells may be used that are sensitive to the suppressive action of
AFP, such as human hepatocarcinoma HepG2, breast cancer MCF-7, prostate cancer
LnCap, myeloblastoma U-937 and others (Semenkova L.N., 1997, Tumor Biol. 18, 261-
274; Dudich E.I., et al., 1998, Tumor Biol. 19, 30-40).
Example 9
Use ofrecombinantAFP as anticancer preparation
Anticancer preparations on the base of rAFP and of modified forms thereof may
be used for inhibition of the growth of malignant neoplasms, such as primary or
metastatic cancer of the liver, blood cancer (leucosis, myeloblastoma, lymphoma),
breast cancer, prostate cancer. In order to determine the sensitivity of this type of tumor
cells to AFP, it is possible to use different methods both in vitro and also in vivo. The
method of determining activity in vitro is described in the preceding example 8. In
order to determine the oncosuppressive action of preparations on the base of AFP in
vivo, models on animals may be used, for example with use of Nude mice with
subcutaneously or intraperitoneally implanted human lines of cancer cells, such as Raji,
HepG2, LnCap, MCF-7 and others. For example, cells of B-cellular lymphoma Raji
were administered subcutaneously in an amount of 1-5 x 106 per mouse. Administration
of the AFP and derivatives thereof was begun 7 days prior to implantation of tumor
cells intraperitoneally or intravenously in an amount of 1-10 mg/kg. The physiological
buffered solution (PBS) was used as a control. The size of the tumor was evaluated by
daily measurements with the aid of a micrometer.
Table 1
Results of tests of rAFP on models of Nude line mice
implanted with cells of B-cellular lymphoma Raji
(Table Removed)

The method of administering preparations on the base of yeast rAFP or
derivatives thereof may also comprise therein the administration of chemotherapeutic
preparations simultaneously or sequentially. The following may be presented as
examples of such chemotherapeutic preparations: doxorubicin, vincristine, fluorourascil,
metatrexate, actinomycin D, mitomycin C, tamoxifen, flutamid, vincristine, vinblastine,
cyclosporin, retinoids, carotenoids, and others. Usually, a chemotherapeutic preparation
may be administered in standard doses or in suboptimum doses, below the usual
therapeutic. The effect of the combined action of rAFP and doxorubicin (A) and rAFP
and all-trans-Retinoic acid (tRA) is presented as an example in Fig. 6. In the case of
simultaneous administration of the preparations, synergic oncosuppressive action in the
case of use of suboptimum doses is observed.
Example 9
Use ofrecombinantAFPfor stimulation of the growth of stem cells
The primary culture of embryonal fibroblasts of the lung and human retina was
obtained by treating with a 0.2% trypsin solution corresponding tissues of 5 - 10 week
embryos obtained after legal abortions. The cells were cultured in an RPMI-1640
medium in the presence of a 10% calf fetal serum (CFS). The cytostatic activity of AFP
was measured as earlier described (Semenkova L.N., 1997, Tumor Biol. 18, 261 - 274;
Dudich E.I., et al., 1998, Tumor Biol. 19, 30 - 40). Cells in an amount of 4xl04 in a
0.15 ml medium were intensively washed with a fresh medium and placed in each cell
of a 96-lune plate, then different doses of AFP were added and cultured 24 hours.
Proliferation of the cells was measured by a standard method by the inclusion of [H3]-
thymidine during the last four hours of culturing.
The dosage dependence of the effect of AFP on cellular growth was also studied
for the primary culture of human embryonal fibroblasts. AFP had a stimulating effect
on these cells, reaching 50 - 90% in respect to the control (Fig. 7).
Example 10
Use ofrecombinant AFP in cosmetology
In view of the fact that AFP has the capability to stimulate the growth of stem
cells and is a growth factor for embryonal cells, its possible use is proposed for the
preparation of cosmetic masks, creams and lotions. rAFP may be used as an excipient
for liposome, microsome and nanosome. In view of the fact that AFP is capable of
binding hydrophobic ligands, in particular, fat-soluble vitamins, steroids, isoflavinoids,
polyunsaturated fatty acids (Deutsch H.F., 1991, Adv. Cane. Res. 56, 253-312); Aussel
C. & Masseyeff R., 1994 , Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 119: 1122-1127; Deutsch
H.F., 1994, J. Tumor Marker Oncol. 9: 11-14), the combined use of rAFP with fatsoluble
vitamins, such as derivatives of retinoids, carotenoids, tokoferol, vitamin D,
with steroids such as derivatives of estrogens and androgens, is shown. Estradiol and
others may be used as an example of such steroids.
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CLAIMS
1. An expression cassette of SEQ ID NO:1, comprising: a promoter region of
GAL1 yeast gene; a pre-pro region of secretion of MFal yeast gene; a DNA sequence
encoding a protein having the activity of a mature human alpha-fetoprotein, and a field
of termination of transcription of a CYC1 yeast gene.
2. The expression cassette according to claim 1, wherein the DNA sequence
encoding a protein having the activity of a mature human alpha-fetoprotein is a
synthetic gene encoding a mature human alpha-fetoprotein (SEQ ID NO:2) or a
modified form thereof having deletions, additions or replacement of one or more amino
acid residues, which results in the formation of a modified human alpha-fetoprotein, the
sequence of which at least 80% corresponds to the amino acid sequence of a mature
human alpha-fetoprotein (SEQ ID NO:2), with retention of the functional biological
activity of a mature human alpha-protein in said product with a modified structure.
3. A recombinant pKX plasmid comprising: the expression cassette according to
claims 1, 2; a fragment of the bacterial plasmid pUCIS; a region of initiation of
replication of a 2-μm yeast plasmid; a KAR2 gene providing correct assembly of the
protein and secretion of the desired product into a culture medium; a PDI1 gene
providing the correct formation of disulfyl bonds; a selective URA3 and a selective
PGK1 yeast marker.
4. An eukaryotic producer cell, having the capability of secreting human
recombinant alpha-fetoprotein by transforming it with the pKX plasmid according to
claim 3.
5. A producer cell strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX, having the
capability of secreting human recombinant alpha-fetoprotein, deposited in the Russian
Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (VKPM) under No. Y-3115.
6. A method for preparing a recombinant alpha-fetoprotein having the biological
activity of a mature human alpha-fetoprotein of serum origin, comprising: culturing an
eukaryotic cell according to claim 4, the cell having the capability of secreting a
recombinant alpha-fetoprotein into the cultural medium, and the step of isolating the
recombinant alpha-fetoprotein from the cultural medium.
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that a eukaryotic cell is a
yeast cell.
8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the yeast cell is a
cell of strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX, deposited in the Russian
Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (VKPM) under No. Y-3115 and having the
capability of secreting recombinant alpha-fetoprotein.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that culturing is carried
out at a temperature of 23-33°C in a medium comprising: glucose - 2%, glycerine -
1.5%, yeast extract - 1%, peptone - 2%, distilled water; with retention of the pH of the
medium at 4.5-7.0 by additional buffering and adding soluble oxygen to pO>20%.
10. A recombinant aipha-fetoprotein, prepared by the method according to
claim 6, having the properties of a mature human serum AFP, the properties
determined according to an immunological reaction and to its capability of inhibiting
the growth of B-cellular Raji lymphoma cells in vitro at a level not lower than 10% of
the activity of a mature human serum AFP.
11. A pharmaceutical composition inhibiting the growth of tumor cells,
comprising a recombinant alpha-fetoprotein according to claim 10 and
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients.
12. A synergistic composition inhibiting growth of tumor cells, comprising a
recombinant alpha-fetoprotein according to claim 10 and chemo-therapeutic
preparations, such as: doxorubicin, vincristine, fluorouracil, metatrexate, actinomycin
D, mitomycin C, tamoxifen, flutamid, vincristine, vinblastine, cyclosporin C,
derivatives of retinoic acid, carotenoids, steroid hormones and pharmaceutically
acceptable carriers and excipients.
13. A synergistic composition having immunosuppressive and
inimunomodulating action, comprising a recombinant alpha-fetoprotein according to
claim 10 and cyclosporin C and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients.
14. A pharmaceutical composition stimulating the growth of stem cells, the
composition comprising a recombinant alpha-fetoprotein according to claim 10 and
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients.
15. A synergic composition stimulating growth of stem cells, the composition
comprising a recombinant alpha-fetoprotein according to claim 10 and derivatives of
vitamins A, E, D, antioxidants, steroid hormones, isoflavones of vegetative origin and
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients.
16. A method for stimulating the growth of stem cells in vitro, comprising
acting on cells with an effective amount of recombinant alpha-fetoprotein according
to claim 10, a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14 or a synergic
composition according to claim 15.
17. A cosmetic composition for rejuvenating skin and preventing aging of the
skin, comprising a recombinant alpha-fetoprotein according to claim 10, carriers and
excipients acceptable in cosmetology and, optionally, derivatives of vitamins A, E, D,
antioxidants, steroid hormones, isoflavones of vegetative origin.
18. An expression cassette, a recombinant pKX plasmid, a eukaryotic
producer cell, a producer cell strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YBS723/pKX, a
method for preparing a recombinant alpha-fetoprotein, a recombinant alphafetoprotein,
a pharmaceutical composition, a synergistic composition, a method of
stimulating growth of stem cells in vitro and a cosmetic composition substantially as
herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings and as illustrated in
foregoing examples.


Documents:

1189-delnp-2007-1-Claims-(28-02-2014).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-1-Correspondence-Others-(28-02-2014).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-1-Petition-137-(28-02-2014).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Abstract-(29-01-2013).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-abstract.pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Assignment-(31-10-2008).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Claims-(29-01-2013).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-claims.pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Correspondence Others-(11-04-2014).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Correspondence Others-(25-02-2014).pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Correspondence Others-(26-06-2008).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Correspondence Others-(29-06-2012).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Correspondence-Others-(28-02-2014).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Correspondence-Others-(29-01-2013).pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Correspondence-Others-(31-10-2008).pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Correspondence-Others.pdf

1189-delnp-2007-description (complete).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Drawings-(29-01-2013).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-drawings.pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Form-1-(29-06-2012).pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Form-1-(31-10-2008).pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Form-1.pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Form-18-(26-06-2008).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Form-2-(29-01-2013).pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Form-2-(31-10-2008).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-form-2.pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Form-26-(31-10-2008).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-form-26.pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Form-3-(29-01-2013).pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Form-3.pdf

1189-DELNP-2007-Form-5-(31-10-2008).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-form-5.pdf

1189-delnp-2007-form-6-(31-10-2008).pdf

1189-delnp-2007-Petition-137-(28-02-2014).pdf


Patent Number 263232
Indian Patent Application Number 1189/DELNP/2007
PG Journal Number 42/2014
Publication Date 17-Oct-2014
Grant Date 15-Oct-2014
Date of Filing 13-Feb-2007
Name of Patentee TATULOV BORIS EDUARDOVICH
Applicant Address UL. PRECHISTENKA, 17/8/9-1, MOSCOW, 119034, RUSSIA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BENEVOLENSKY, SERGEI VLADIMIROVICH PROEZD ODOEVSKOGO, 11-6-657, MOSCOW, 117574, RUSSIA.
2 MARCHENKO, ALEXEI NIKOLAEVICH UL. 5 PARKOVAYA, 56-5-31, MOSCOW, 105425, RUSSIA.
3 KOZLOV, DMITRY GEORGIEVICH UL. STARONARODNAYA, 2-103, MOSCOW, 117623, RUSSIA.
4 ZATSEPIN, SERGEI SERGEEVICH LENINGRADSKY PR-T, 59-69, MOSCOW, 125057, RUSSIA.
5 SHINGAROVA, LYUDMILA NIKOLAEVNA ZVENIGORODSKOE SHOSSE, 9-19, MOSCOW, 123022, RUSSIA.
6 DUDICH, IGOR VYACHESLAVOVICH UL. SPORTIVNAYA, 11-55, POS. LYUBUCHANY, CHEKHOVSKY RAION, MOSKOVSKAYA OBI., 142380, RUSSIA.
7 SEMENKOVA, LIDIYA NIKOLAEVNA UL. SPORTIVNAYA, 11-55, POS. LYUBUCHANY, CHEKHOVSKY RAION, MOSKOVSKAYA OBI., 142380, RUSSIA.
8 DUDICH, DMITRY IGOREVICH UL. SPORTIVNAYA, 13-24, POS. LYUBUCHANY, CHEKHOVSKY , MOSKOVSKAYA OBI., 132380, RUSSIA.
9 TATULOV, EDUARD BORISOVICH UL. AVIATOROV, 8-1-148/149, MOSCOW, 119619, RUSSIA.
10 DUDICH, ELENA IVANOVNA UL. SPORTIVNAYA, 11-55, POS. LYUBUCHANY, CHEKHOVSKY RAION, MOSKOVSKAYA OBI., 142380, RUSSIA.
PCT International Classification Number B05B 1/04
PCT International Application Number PCT/RU2005/000369
PCT International Filing date 2005-07-07
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 200400907 2004-07-14 Russia