Algevir: An Expression System for Microalgae Based on Viral Vectors

Bañuelos-Hernández, Bernardo; Monreal‐Escalante, Elizabeth; González‐Ortega, Omar; Angulo, Carlos; Rosales‐Mendoza, Sergio

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.01100

Cited by 36 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Looking to develop innovative expression systems, we have reported for the first time the use of a viral vector to efficiently produce biopharmaceuticals in algae, using Schizochytrium sp . as the model alga and a geminiviral vector constructed with sequences of the begomovirus Ageratum enation virus (Bañuelos-Hernández et al, 2017 ). The vector mediates the inducible expression driven by the AlcA promoter, which has a fungal origin and is induced by ethanol in a mechanism mediated by the AlcR protein.…”

Section: Genetic Engineering Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Algevir system has been applied to produce several antigenic proteins with distinct yields, namely the GP1 antigen Zaire ebolavirus (yields: 6 mg/l), the B subunit of the heat labile E. coli enterotoxin (yields: 0.4 mg/l), and a chimeric protein targeting the receptor of advanced glycation end products for Alzheimer's disease (RAGE; yields: 0.4 mg/l) (Bañuelos-Hernández et al, 2017 ; Ortega-Berlanga et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Initial Efforts Using Schizochytrium Spmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prospects on the Use of Schizochytrium sp. to Develop Oral Vaccines

Ramos‐Vega¹,

Rosales‐Mendoza

Bañuelos-Hernández

et al. 2018

Front. Microbiol.

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Although oral subunit vaccines are highly relevant in the fight against widespread diseases, their high cost, safety and proper immunogenicity are attributes that have yet to be addressed in many cases and thus these limitations should be considered in the development of new oral vaccines. Prominent examples of new platforms proposed to address these limitations are plant cells and microalgae. Schizochytrium sp. constitutes an attractive expression host for vaccine production because of its high biosynthetic capacity, fast growth in low cost culture media, and the availability of processes for industrial scale production. In addition, whole Schizochytrium sp. cells may serve as delivery vectors; especially for oral vaccines since Schizochytrium sp. is safe for oral consumption, produces immunomodulatory compounds, and may provide bioencapsulation to the antigen, thus increasing its bioavailability. Remarkably, Schizochytrium sp. was recently used for the production of a highly immunoprotective influenza vaccine. Moreover, an efficient method for transient expression of antigens based on viral vectors and Schizochytrium sp. as host has been recently developed. In this review, the potential of Schizochytrium sp. in vaccinology is placed in perspective, with emphasis on its use as an attractive oral vaccination vehicle.

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Section: Genetic Engineering Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Initial Efforts Using Schizochytrium Spmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prospects on the Use of Schizochytrium sp. to Develop Oral Vaccines

Ramos‐Vega¹,

Rosales‐Mendoza

Bañuelos-Hernández

et al. 2018

Front. Microbiol.

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“…The delivery of such vectors mediated by Agrobacterium is an interesting approach to be explored in green algae; this concept has been successfully applied in other microorganisms, namely the heterokont protist Schizochytrium sp. [ 176 ].…”

Section: Algae-made Biopharmaceuticalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential of Algal Biotechnology to Produce Antiviral Compounds and Biopharmaceuticals

et al. 2020

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The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to an unprecedented pandemic, which demands urgent development of antiviral drugs and antibodies; as well as prophylactic approaches, namely vaccines. Algae biotechnology has much to offer in this scenario given the diversity of such organisms, which are a valuable source of antiviral and anti-inflammatory compounds that can also be used to produce vaccines and antibodies. Antivirals with possible activity against SARS-CoV-2 are summarized, based on previously reported activity against Coronaviruses or other enveloped or respiratory viruses. Moreover, the potential of algae-derived anti-inflammatory compounds to treat severe cases of COVID-19 is contemplated. The scenario of producing biopharmaceuticals in recombinant algae is presented and the cases of algae-made vaccines targeting viral diseases is highlighted as valuable references for the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Successful cases in the production of functional antibodies are described. Perspectives on how specific algae species and genetic engineering techniques can be applied for the production of anti-viral compounds antibodies and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are provided.

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“…Microalgae comprise a diverse group of organisms with both prokaryotic and eukaryotic nature, making them an archetypal platform for recombinant technology. Microalgae are the source of a repertoire of natural biomolecules, with many of them having high protein, vitamin, and lipid contents, which have significant nutraceutical importance ( Potvin and Zhang, 2010 ; Specht et al, 2010 ; Barrera and Mayfield, 2013 ; Yan et al, 2016 ; Bañuelos-Hernández et al, 2017 ; Ortega-Berlanga et al, 2018 ; Fayyaz et al, 2020 ; Sproles et al, 2021 ). Due to their ability to produce many compounds, algae have gained commercial and biotechnological interest, and some species are “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS) for their use as dietary supplements in humans and animals ( Rosenberg et al, 2008 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient Transient Expression of Recombinant Proteins Using DNA Viral Vectors in Freshwater Microalgal Species

et al. 2021

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The increase in the world population, the advent of new infections and health issues, and the scarcity of natural biological products have spotlighted the importance of recombinant protein technology and its large-scale production in a cost-effective manner. Microalgae have become a significant promising platform with the potential to meet the increasing demand for recombinant proteins and other biologicals. Microalgae are safe organisms that can grow rapidly and are easily cultivated with basic nutrient requirements. Although continuous efforts have led to considerable progress in the algae genetic engineering field, there are still many hurdles to overcome before these microorganisms emerge as a mature expression system. Hence, there is a need to develop efficient expression approaches to exploit microalgae for the production of recombinant proteins at convenient yields. This study aimed to test the ability of the DNA geminiviral vector with Rep-mediated replication to transiently express recombinant proteins in the freshwater microalgal species Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella vulgaris using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are representative antigen proteins and growth factor proteins, respectively, that were subcloned in a geminiviral vector and were used for nuclear transformation to transiently express these proteins in C. reinhardtii and C. vulgaris. The results showed that the geminiviral vector allowed the expression of both recombinant proteins in both algal species, with yields at 48 h posttransformation of up to 1.14 μg/g RBD and 1.61 ng/g FGF in C. vulgaris and 1.61 μg/g RBD and 1.025 ng/g FGF in C. reinhardtii. Thus, this study provides a proof of concept for the use of DNA viral vectors for the simple, rapid, and efficient production of recombinant proteins that repress the difficulties faced in the genetic transformation of these unicellular green microalgae. This concept opens an avenue to explore and optimize green microalgae as an ideal economically valuable platform for the production of therapeutic and industrially relevant recombinant proteins in shorter time periods with significant yields.

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Algevir: An Expression System for Microalgae Based on Viral Vectors

Cited by 36 publications

References 28 publications

Prospects on the Use of Schizochytrium sp. to Develop Oral Vaccines

Prospects on the Use of Schizochytrium sp. to Develop Oral Vaccines

The Potential of Algal Biotechnology to Produce Antiviral Compounds and Biopharmaceuticals

Efficient Transient Expression of Recombinant Proteins Using DNA Viral Vectors in Freshwater Microalgal Species

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