title: Degradation of an Fc-fusion recombinant protein by host cell proteases: Identification of a CHO cathepsin D protease.
abstract: A host-cell-related proteolytic activity was identified in a recombinant Fc-fusion protein production process. This report describes the strategy applied to characterize and isolate the enzyme responsible for this degradation by combining cell culture investigation and dedicated analytical tools. After isolation and sequencing of the clipped fragment generated in post-capture material, enzymatic activity was traced in different culture conditions, allowing identification of viable CHO cells as the source of protease. Inhibitors and pH screenings showed that the enzyme belongs to an aspartic protease family and is preferably active at acidic pH. The protease was isolated by purification on a pepstatin A column and characterized as a protein related to cathepsin D. An additional metallo-protease inhibited by EDTA was identified with an optimum activity at neutral pH. This study is an example of how quality and stability of therapeutic recombinant molecules are strongly influenced by cell culture parameters.
authors: Merck Serono Biotech Center, Merck Serono SA Corsier-sur-Vevey, CH-Fenil-sur-Corsier, Switzerland.
authors: Flavie
authors: F
authors: Robert
authors: Horst
authors: H
authors: Bierau
authors: Mara
authors: M
authors: Rossi
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Agugiaro
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Soranzo
authors: Hervé
authors: H
authors: Broly
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Mitchell-Logean
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D002402:Cathepsin D