Evaluation of Aspergillus niger as host for virus-like particle production, using the hepatitis B surface antigen as a model.

Journal article

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was transformed with the hepatitis B virus S gene encoding the major viral envelope protein under control of the constitutive A. nidulans glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ( gpdA) promoter. Approximately seven copies of the expression cassette were integrated on the genome, resulting in high-level transcription of the S gene. Production of the 24-kDa S protein and a 48-kDa S protein dimer in the membrane-associated protein fraction of the recombinant A. niger strain was shown through Western analysis. Electron microscopy of partially purified recombinant S protein revealed the formation of spherical pseudoviral particles with a diameter of 22 nm. The production level of hepatitis B pseudoviral particles was estimated to be 0.4 mg/l culture, which compares favourably with the reported levels initially obtained in yeast, indicating the potential of the Aspergillus expression system as an alternative, cost-effective vaccine production system.

Authors: Plüddemann, A; Van Zyl, W

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Current genetics
• Volume: 43
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 439-446
• Publication date: 2003-09-01
• DOI: 10.1007/s00294-003-0409-0
• EISSN: 1432-0983
• ISSN: 0172-8083
• Language: English
• Keywords: Genetic Engineering; Gene Dosage; Transgenes; Hepatitis B virus; Aspergillus niger; Bioreactors; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Virion; Viral Proteins; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Transformation, Genetic; Models, Genetic; Humans; Biotechnology