Background
The secretion and direct capture of proteins from the extracellular medium is a promising approach for purification, thus enabling integrated bioprocesses.
Major Results
We demonstrate the secretion of a nanobody (VHH) to the extracellular medium (EM) and its direct capture by bare, non‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). An ompA signal peptide for periplasmic localization, a polyglutamate‐tag (E8) for selective MNP binding, and a factor Xa protease cleavage site were fused N‐terminally to the nanobody. The extracellular production of the E8‐VHH (36 mg L–1) was enabled using a growth‐decoupled Escherichia coli‐based expression system. The direct binding of E8‐VHH to the bare magnetic nanoparticles was possible and could be drastically improved up to a yield of 88% by adding polyethylene glycol (PEG). The selectivity of the polyglutamate‐tag enabled a selective elution of the E8‐VHH from the bare MNPs while raising the concentration factor (5x) and purification factor (4x) significantly.
Conclusion
Our studies clearly show that the unique combination of a growth‐decoupled E. coli secretion system, the polyglutamate affinity tag, non‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles, and affinity magnetic precipitation is an innovative and novel way to capture and concentrate nanobodies.