Cellulose Affinity Matrix for Recombinant Protein Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing and isolating recombinant proteins with a cellulose binding domain in plants are costly and inefficient, lacking a rapid and cost-effective way to isolate high-purity proteins in large quantities.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of various structures of cellulose, such as microcrystalline and amorphous cellulose, as an affinity matrix for isolating proteins, utilizing a protein binding, washing, and elution process with specific buffers to efficiently isolate proteins containing a cellulose binding domain from plant extracts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional affinity chromatography using 6M urea for elution is used, then protein can be eluted from cellulose, but the cost and complexity of reagents increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein elution efficiencyVSAvoidreagent cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the elution buffer by replacing 6M urea with a mild buffer system containing Tris-HCl (pH 7.5-10), NaCl (10-200 mM), CaCl2 (0.1-3 mM), and cellobiose (1-20%). This parameter change maintains protein elution efficiency while dramatically reducing reagent cost and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses inexpensive, readily available reagents (Tris-HCl, NaCl, CaCl2, cellobiose) instead of expensive 6M urea. These cheap reagents can be easily prepared and discarded, eliminating the need for costly reagent recovery or special handling procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional protein isolation methods are used, then proteins can be isolated from plant extracts, but the process is time-consuming and yields low purity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein purityVSAvoidisolation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates preliminary action by using cellulose as an affinity matrix that pre-captures target proteins containing cellulose binding domains directly from crude plant extracts. This preliminary specific binding step eliminates the need for multiple sequential purification steps, achieving high purity in a single operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the specific target protein containing the cellulose binding domain from the complex plant extract mixture by using cellulose affinity chromatography. Non-specific proteins are left behind in the wash fraction, while the target protein is selectively retained and then eluted in high purity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If large quantities of recombinant proteins are produced in plants, then supply demand is met, but isolation and purification costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecombinant protein production quantityVSAvoidisolation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies self-service by using the protein's own cellulose binding domain as the affinity handle for purification. The target protein naturally contains the CBD, which automatically provides the binding function needed for isolation, eliminating the need for external tags or complex purification systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention achieves universality by using a single cellulose affinity chromatography system that can purify any recombinant protein containing a cellulose binding domain, regardless of the specific target protein identity. This universal approach works for large-scale production of various plant-derived recombinant proteins and vaccines

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method significantly reduces costs and time required for protein isolation, achieving high-purity protein recovery by preventing non-specific binding and efficiently eluting proteins using cellulose as an affinity matrix, allowing for large-scale production at a lower reagent content.

Implementation Method 1

cellulose is used as a affinity matrix... the content of a reagent used in the isolation according to a type of cellulose can be reduced... a high purity protein can be rapidly isolated from a total extract of a plant body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCellulose binding domain interaction: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

an elution step in which the proteins binding to the cellulose are eluted using a buffer containing... 1 to 20 % cellobiose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompetitive displacement: Desorption

Data Source

PatentEP2905287B1Method for separating and purifying protein from plants using cellulose and cellulose binding domain
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 BIOAPPLICATIONS INC
  • EP2905287B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2905287B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2905287B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of isolating a protein containing a cellulose binding domain from plants using various structures of cellulose and/or variants thereof. According to the method of isolating a protein, as a high affinity cellulose binding domain is used, a high purity recombinant protein is rapidly and effectively isolated in large quantities at low cost, and thus can be applied in various industrial fields.