title: Over expression of a synthetic gene encoding interferon lambda using relative synonymous codon usage bias in Escherichia coli.
abstract: Interferon Lambda (IFN-λ) is a type III interferon which belongs to a novel family of cytokines and possesses antiviral and antitumor properties. It is unique in its own class of cytokines; because of the specificity towards its heterodimer receptors and its structural similarities with cytokines of other classes. This renders IFN-λ a better choice for the treatment against many diseases including viral hepatitis and human coronavirus (HCoV-EMC). The present study describes a computational approach known as relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU); used to enhance the expression of IFN-λ protein in a eukaryotic expression system. Manually designed and commercially synthesized IFN-λ gene was cloned into pET-22b expression plasmid under the control of inducible T7-lac promoter. Maximum levels of IFN-λ expression was observed with 0.4 mM IPTG in transformed E. coli incubated for 4 hours in LB medium. Higher concentrations of IPTG had no or negative effect on the expression of IFN-λ. This synthetically over expressed IFN-λ can be tested as a targeted treatment option for viral hepatitis after purification.
authors.affiliation: Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hashaam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: Samar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: Syed Umer
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: Azka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Najam us Sahar Sadaf
authors.initials: Nu
authors.lastname: Zaidi
authors.forename: Ishtiaq
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Qadri
mesh_terms: D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003062:Codon; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005813:Genes, Synthetic; D007372:Interferons / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D003062:Codon; D007372:Interferons