title: cDNA cloning and functional expression of KM+, the mannose-binding lectin from Artocarpus integrifolia seeds.
abstract: KM+, a mannose-binding lectin present in the seeds of Artocarpus integrifolia, has interesting biological properties and potential pharmaceutical use [A. Panunto-Castelo, M.A. Souza, M.C. Roque-Barreira, J.S. Silva, KM(+), a lectin from Artocarpus integrifolia, induces IL-12 p40 production by macrophages and switches from type 2 to type 1 cell-mediated immunity against Leishmania major antigens, resulting in BALB/c mice resistance to infection, Glycobiology 11 (2001) 1035-1042. ; L.L.P. daSilva, A. Panunto-Castelo, M.H.S. Goldman, M.C. Roque-Barreira, R.S. Oliveira, M.D. Baruffi, J.B. Molfetta-Machado, Composition for preventing or treating appearance of epithelia wounds such as skin and corneal wounds or for immunomodulating, comprises lectin, Patent number WO20041008.]. Here, we have isolated clones encoding the full-length KM+ primary sequence from a cDNA library, through matrix PCR-based screening methodology. Analysis of KM+ nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences provided strong evidence that it neither enters the secretory pathway nor undergoes post-translational modifications, which is in sharp contrast with jacalin, the more abundant lectin from A. integrifolia seeds. Current investigations into the KM+ properties are often impaired by the difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of jacalin-free KM+ through direct seed extraction. To obtain active recombinant protein (rKM+) in larger amounts, we tested three different expression systems. Expression vectors were constructed to produce: (a) rKM+ in E. coli in its native form, (b) rKM+ with GST as an N-terminal tag and (c) native rKM+ in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The presence of the GST-tag significantly improved the overall rKM+ yield; however, most of the obtained rGST-KM+ was insoluble. Production of rKM+ in the yeast host yielded the highest quantities of soluble lectin that retained the typical high-mannose oligosaccharide-binding properties of the natural protein. The possible biotechnological applications of recombinant KM+ are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Depto. Biologia, FFCLRP/Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900 Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-901, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis L P
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: daSilva
authors.forename: Jeanne Blanco
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: de Molfetta-Machado
authors.forename: Ademilson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panunto-Castelo
authors.forename: Jurgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Denecke
authors.forename: Gustavo Henrique
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Maria-Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Roque-Barreira
authors.forename: Maria Helena S
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Goldman
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D031622:Artocarpus / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015870:Gene Expression; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C043696:jacalin