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Cell-Free Expression

Why Do We Use Cell-Free Expression?

Cell-based protein expression is a well established method to obtain large amounts of a target protein. It enables accumulation and purification of the protein in quantities sufficient for various in vitro applications. Nevertheless, it is a tedious task to generate all the genetically modified organisms if many different proteins need to be expressed. Additionally, purification cannot be performed with a generalized protocol, but usually requires separate optimization for each protein.
Cell-free expression offers a possibility to overcome several challenges of conventional protein expression and has many advantages, in particular for our project.¹⁾
Generally speaking, it saves a lot of time and money to avoid the generation of genetically modified organisms for every protein. Suitable DNA sequences are only constructed once, for example by custom synthesis by a company, and can be stored until needed. At the purification step, cell-free expression avoids the need for cell lysis and therefore circumvents this harsh procedure, thus preserving the integrity of the protein. In cell-based expression, too strong induction often results in aggregation of protein, rendering it non-functional. This risk is minimized by using cell-free expression, since the expressed protein is dispersed in a far larger volume than the intracellular space.²⁾
For translating DNA templates into protein microarrays in a microfluidic set-up, cell-free expression is the method of choice. This system is capable of expressing many different sequences at once. Additionally, the microfluidic setup provides the opportunity to constantly supplement the expression. Replacing depleted components, like dNTPs, amino acids or energy sources like creatine phosphate, allows higher protein yields.

Basics of Cell-Free Expression

The Components

Figure 1: Basic Components of a Cell-Free Expression Mix. A standard cell-free expression systems consists of a DNA template, the cell extract and additives containing all the components needed for energy regeneration, buffering and generation of the protein.

Two basic components are needed to conduct in vitro protein expression as seen in figure 1:

the genetic template (mRNA or DNA) encoding the target protein
a reaction solution containing the transcriptional and translational molecular machineries

Cell extracts supply the reaction with most of the molecules, including:

RNA polymerases for mRNA transcription
ribosomes for polypeptide translation
tRNA and amino acids
enzymatic cofactors and an energy source
cellular components essential for proper protein folding

Regular cell lysate already contains most of the components needed for cell-free expression. The machineries that usually conduct the translation and transcription of various proteins in the organism can be 'reprogrammed' to produce only the protein of choice. Our building blocks, the amino acids and NTPs, are already present but are also supplemented to raise the efficiency. As the normal energy regeneration system is missing in a cell lysate, an artificial one is added; e.g. here we use creatine phosphokinase. Other components present in a cell-free expression mix buffer the sensitive system and imitate the cytosolic environment.

Figure 2: Prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cell-free expression. While prokaryotic expression enabless higher yields and is more cost efficient, eukaryotic expression offers more advanced features.

Besides bacteria-based systems, there are several other possibilities with specific advantages and disadvantages. An E. coli system convinces with easiness, cost-efficiency and high yield. However, for the production of complex eukaryotic proteins, it might not be the best option since eukaryotic cell-free lysates provide post-translational modifications such as core glycosylation or phosphorylation, and natural membrane components (e.g. microsomes) for membrane protein insertion. These systems are based on wheat germ embryos, rabbit reticulocytes, insect cells or other animal and human cell lines.²⁾

The Reaction

Figure 3: Batch vs Dialysis mode.In batch mode, the cell-free mix is assembled in one complete batch, whereas a membrane in dialysis mode allows feeding of the reaction with additional components over time, thus enabling higher expression.

There are several ways of performing a cell-free reaction. In batch reactions, transcription and translation are carried out in one reaction vessel containing all the necessary components. Due to factors like fast depletion of energy supply, degradation of components (e.g. nucleotides), and decreasing concentrations of free Mg²⁺-ions, the reaction in the batch system usually reaches a plateau after about 1-2 hours.¹⁾
In dialysis mode, the cell-free transcription and translation reaction is carried out in a small reaction chamber that is separated by a dialysis membrane from a 10-20x larger reservoir containing low molecular weight reagents. The reservoir supplies the reaction chamber with ions, energy substrates, nucleotides and amino acids. In turn, the low molecular weight by-products are efficiently diluted via the membrane from the reaction chamber into the reservoir. This setup will drive the reaction longer (usually 20-24 hrs) and results in higher levels of produced protein. ¹⁾

Design of the DNA Template

In general, it is possible to use RNA, plasmids, or linear templates (e.g. PCR products). In all cases, the structural design of the DNA or RNA is of high importance for the yield and quality of the protein produced. In bacterial 5'-UTRs the optimization can be achieved by placing a Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence at an optimal distance, typically eight nucleotides, from the AUG start codon. The SD sequence interacts with the 3'-end of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) that is part of the small ribosomal (30S) subunit, to facilitate initiation. Furthermore, the integration of an A/U-rich enhancer sequence further upstream allows the SD sequence to interact more effectively with the rRNA. Another attempt in this context is the use of different tags to enhance expression, as reported by Haberstock et al. (2012)³⁾.
In eukaryotes, the Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) is a highly structured element found within viral mRNA that is able to induce eukaryotic initiation. This solves the problem of ineffective capping, which presents a major restriction of high production. For example, the IRES of the Cricket Paralysis Virus (CrPV) showed the ability to increase expression substantially across several species. ⁴⁾

Our DiaMIX

We developed a low-budget protocol for iGEM teams to express proteins in a prokaryotic cell-free expression system. Due to the prokaryotic origin of most of the proteins expressed during our project, we decided to base our cell-free expression system, the DiaMIX, on an E. coli cell culture.

Figure 4: E. coli lysate production. The strain BL21 was transformed with the plasmid pRARE2, induced with IPTG to express T7 polymerase, lysed and the supernatant flash frozen.

For producing the DiaMIX lysate, we used the E. coli strain BL21, as it is carrying a gene coding for the T7 RNA polymerase, which facilitates an improved expression of proteins. The cells were induced with IPTG prior to further treatment to initialize T7 polymerase expression, therefore allowing a high rate of protein synthesis. ³⁾
Since all the coding sequences used in our project were manufactured synthetically, the E. coli BL21 cells were additionally transformed with the plasmid pRARE2 containing the coding sequence of tRNAs for the translation of rare codons (AGA, AGG, AUA, CUA, GGA, CCC and CGG). According to an optimized protocol adapted from the European Molecular Biology Lab (EMBL) Heidelberg, the lysate was prepared from E. coli BL21 cells, flash frozen in liquid nitrogen and afterwards stored at -80°C, as portrayed in figure 4. This lysate contains the whole transcription and translation apparatus of the cell, allowing successful expression of proteins from DNA templates.

However, the E. coli lysate is just one of the main components of the DiaMIX. Additional ingredients required for expression are buffering agents, amino acids, nucleotides and energy sources. The energy generating system based on creatine phosphate and phosphokinases, as well as the mix containing nucleotides, amino acids and buffers (see protocol) were prepared and added to the lysate directly before expression.

After adding all three components, the complete cell-free expression mix was subsequently used to express proteins. Therefore, the reaction was started by adding DNA coding for the respective proteins. To verify the functionality of our system, we compared it to a commercially available kit.

Verification of Protein Expression

To validate whether the expression in the DiaMIX yields correctly folded proteins, we used various methods like fluorescence measurements, luciferase assays and Western Blots.
Our first approach was the expression of GFP, which can be detected via its fluorescence. We used a plasmid template that was kindly provided by AG Roth).
For fresults of this experiment, have a look at our results page.
As a second test we performed a luciferase assay. In contrast to the expression of GFP which can be followed by a gradual rise of fluorescence over time, the luciferase assay is based on the emission of light when the substrate luciferin is converted into oxyluciferin (fig.5). This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme luciferase. Since it depends on inducing the reaction with luciferin, it does not allow a tracking of expression over time. Moreover it is not dependent on correct folding and offers detection within seconds.
For more information about the outcome of this analysis, check out our results. This analysis helped us to evaluate the concentration of expressed protein in the cell-free expression system.

Figure 5: Luciferase reaction. The enzyme luciferase catalyzes the reaction of D-luciferin to D-luciferyl using ATP as an energy source. D-luciferyl is instantly converted into oxyluciferin, whereby energy is emitted as light. The intensity of bioluminescence is proportional to the amount of expressed luciferase.

Step by Step Validation

Since we aimed at using cell-free expression in combination with the DiaCHIP, we decided to validate the process in individual steps.
First, DNA templates need to be immobilized on the PDMS slide. Starting with cell-free expression of GFP in a tube and spotting the produced proteins on iRIf slides allows to check whether their interaction with the respective antibodies can be detected. Next, spotted our expression system onto the slide without starting the reaction beforehand allows to evaluate interference of the specific surface with our expression system. Lastly, performing a cell-free expression from immobilized DNA in the finished setup of glass and PDMS slide tests the final setup.

Figure 6: Immobilization of DNA. PCR product coding for GFP with a Cy3 and an amino label was spotted onto the activated PDMS slide. Binding of the amino group to the specific surface allows for direct DNA immobilization.

Immobilizing DNA on PDMS

The first step needed for copying DNA arrays is to translate proteins from DNA immobilized on a PDMS slide.
The entire expression cassette including promoter and terminator regions is amplified by PCR using an amino-labeled reverse primer. Via this amino group, the DNA is immobilized on an activated PDMS surface. In order to check for successful binding, the forward primer used for this PCR is labeled with the dye Cy3 (fig. 6).

Figure 7: Spotting of expressed GFP. Cell-free expressed GFP lysate was spotted onto the activated glass slide after expression was performed.

Spotting of Expressed GFP on Slide

To test whether our cell-free expression system reaches protein concentration high enough for detection with iRIf, we spotted cell-free expressed GFP on iRIf slides. We then measured the binding of anti-GFP to the cell-free expressed GFP to assess the amount of expressed protein and its folding status (fig. 7).

Figure 8: On-slide expression of GFP. Cell-free expression mix was spotted on the activated glass slide and expression was performed.

On-slide Expression of GFP

To estimate the specificity of our surface, we evaluated the proportion of cell-free expressed GFP that bound to the surface (fig. 8). We determined the amount of unspecific binding of non-target proteins to the surface with iRIf using anti-GFP antibodies. Unspecific binding of proteins present in the DiaMIX would lead to decrease in signal, whereas a highly specific surface only binds GFP and thus shows a strong signal at the GFP spot.

Figure 9: In-chamber expression of GFP. Cell-free expression mix was pipetted into the flow chamber with immobilized DNA on the silicone slide and an activated glass slide. Then, the expression was performed. For detailed reaction check.

In-chamber Expression of GFP

This step would show if our entire system, from cell-free expression to detection of the expressed proteins with antibodies actually works. Expression of the antigens inside the flow chamber with our DiaMIX and subsequent diffusion of the His-tagged proteins through the chamber will result in a distinct spot of bound protein on the glass slide. When cell-free expression is completed, the bound antigens would form an antigen array that can be used for detection of antigen-antibody binding events (fig. 9).

Cell-free Expression of Antigens

Figure 10: Tetanus

An important goal was to express antigens with the required tags in a concentration and folding state that suffices for an iRIf measurement. Here, we focused on a C. tetani epitope flagged by a double His and a Spy-tag. For cloning of this construct we used a newly designed cloning site and a vector that we had optimized for cell-free expression.

Testing Different Conditions

To identify the optimal DNA concentration that results in a maximum protein expression, we tested different conditions. For this experiment, we used DNA coding for the enzyme luciferase. The protein concentration could then be measured using the luciferase assay.
Another component whose concentration is crucial for optimal cell-free expression is magnesium. To evaluate the effects of different magnesium concentrations, we started multiple cell-free expression mixes using different magnesium starting concentrations. Magnesium was added to the mix in the form of magnesium acetate.
After expression, a luciferase assay could visualize the protein concentration in the different reaction mixes. For results of our optimization, go to our results page