Playing catch-up with Escherichia coli: using yeast to increase success rates in recombinant protein production experiments

Abstract

Several host systems are available for the production of recombinant proteins, ranging from Escherichia coli to mammalian cell-lines. This article highlights the benefits of using yeast, especially for more challenging targets such as membrane proteins. On account of the wide range of molecular, genetic, and microbiological tools available, use of the well-studied model organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, provides many opportunities to optimize the functional yields of a target protein. Despite this wealth of resources, it is surprisingly under-used. In contrast, Pichia pastoris, a relative new-comer as a host organism, is already becoming a popular choice, particularly because of the ease with which high biomass (and hence recombinant protein) yields can be achieved. In the last few years, advances have been made in understanding how a yeast cell responds to the stress of producing a recombinant protein and how this information can be used to identify improved host strains in order to increase functional yields. Given these advantages, and their industrial importance in the production of biopharmaceuticals, I argue that S. cerevisiae and P. pastoris should be considered at an early stage in any serious strategy to produce proteins.

Combinatorial optimization of CRISPR/Cas9 expression enables precision genome engineering in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

“…Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) is according to a recent literature survey the most commonly used eukaryotic expression host even surpassing Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Bill, 2014). It has been widely used for protein production in basic and applied research (Ahmad et al, 2014;Gasser et al, 2013).…”

Genetically modified microorganisms as producers of biologically active compounds

“…Клетки дрожжей синтезировали и секретировали одну полипеп-тидную цепь, содержащую А, В субъединицы инсулина и про-пептид С, который удаляли in vitro при помощи трипсина и карбоксипептидазы В . Вскоре компания «NovoNordisk» начинает промышлен-ное производство инсулина человека (Bill, 2014).…”

Recombinant protein expression in microbial systems

“…But still, they are not the first-choice microorganism for recombinant protein production. In her Perspective article, Bill arguments that the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris should be considered alongside E. coli in any project in need of a recombinant protein (Bill, 2014). Filamentous fungi are excellent protein secretors, a property that makes them ideal as a host at an industrial scale.…”