Development of a synthetic affinity membrane for the purification of recombinant maltose binding proteins

[摘要] The aim of this project was to fabricate a new affinity membrane-based system that is biospecificand biocompatible, and which could be used as an adsorption matrix for theimmobilization of the recombinant protein maltose binding protein human estrogen receptoralpha ligand binding domain (MBP-hER LBD). The viability of the affinity membrane system(AMS) for the detection of estrogenic compounds (ECs) in drinking water, using affinityprinciples was determined. This affinity separation was based on the interaction between theanalyte 17 -estradiol (E2) and the recombinant protein MBP-hER LBD. The MBP-hER LBDwas immobilized on a solid matrix support. The alpha human estrogen hormone receptor(hER ) was used to test for the binding affinity of the fusion protein to a ligand, radiolabelled E2.Each component of this bioaffinity system, from the membrane matrix to theexpression/purification of the bioligand, and raising of antibodies against the purified bioligand,was studied with the aim of producing a well-characterized system with the followingadvantages: robust in nature, cost effective and high loading capacity.Specifically, this study describes:1. Expression of the bioligand maltose-binding protein (MBP) to be used as an affinityligand for immobilization onto a solid membrane matrix.2. Expression of MBP as a fusion protein to the human estrogen receptor alpha ligandbinding domain (hER LBD).3. The affinity purification of biospecific bioligands (MBP and MBP-hER LBD) using aone-step affinity purification system with amylose forming the solid phase of the affinitychromatographic column.4. Generation of anti MBP-hER LBD antibodies to be used for the characterization of thebioligands by means of western blotting.5. The fabrication and characterization of a flat-sheet membrane as a model affinity-matrix.6. Developing an affinity immobilization protocol for the immobilization of the bioligandonto the affinity membrane (AM) matrix.7. Quantitative analysis of the immobilized bioligand present on the surface of themembrane matrix using tritiated E2.The recombinant protein (MBP-hER LBD) was successfully expressed and purified to form abio-specific ligand for its immobilization onto a cellulose acetate (CA)/amylose functionalizedaffinity membrane. Polyclonal antibodies were successfully raised against the purifiedrecombinant protein. The anti-MBP-hER LBD antibodies were subsequently used as a potential'marker' to confirm the immobilization of the recombinant protein onto the CA/amylosefunctionalized membrane. Attempts to utilize the protein-coated membrane for the selectiverecovery of E2 were, however, unsuccessful.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University