Part:BBa_K4847005
pET28a-Transferrin-mCherry (pET28a-bTF-mCherry)
pET28a-Transferrin-mCherry
Profile
Base pair: 8134bp
Origin: single gene fragment was synthetic and the plasmid was constructed in the lab
Property: Specific biomarker used for cerebrospinal fluid detection
Usage and Biology:
Beta-2 Transferrin is a specific form of transferrin, a glycoprotein involved in iron transport in the human body[1]. It is a carbon deficient transferrin that is not normally present in body fluids other than CSF. Therefore, it serves as a marker for the presence of CSF in other bodily fluids, such as nasal or ear discharge. In cases of head trauma, skull fractures, or cerebrospinal fluid leaks, the detection of beta-2 transferrin can help diagnose these conditions.
The mCherry is a fluorescent protein that is commonly used in biological research. It was derived from the red fluorescent protein DsRed with improved properties such as faster maturation time and higher brightness. It can be fused with a target protein to track its localization and movement within cells. This fusion protein can be visualized and studied using fluorescence microscopy techniques[2].
Engineering Principle
bTF (BBa_K4847000) is a peptide protein produced by the activation of neuraminidase in the brain, which is only present in cerebrospinal fluid and perilymphatic fluid, making it an important marker for specific identification of cerebrospinal fluid. The mCherry (BBa_K4335004) is a red fluorescent protein that provides fluorescent labeling for bTF, allowing for tracking within the NC membrane.
Construction Design
Figure 1. Plasmid map of pET28a-Transferrin-mCherry
pET28a-bTF-mCherry (BBa_K4847005) is mainly composed of three basic parts: the vector pET28a, bTF (BBa_K4847000) and mCherry (BBa_K4335004). We amplified the mCherry and bTF gene fragments, and then connected to the vector pET28a for plasmid construction. Finally we transformed into E. coli BL21 to express protein in vivo.
Construction Approach
Figure 2. Plasmid construction results of pET28a-Transferrin-mCherry
Firstly, we obtained a single gene fragment Transferrin and mCherry through PCR, and then connected the two fragments together to form a long fragment Transferrin-mCherry (2835bp) through overlap-PCR, as shown in the Figure 2A. After the fragments was connected to plasmid pET28a, it was transformed into Escherichia coli and a monoclonal was successfully grown, as shown in the Figure 2C. Then we found that 9 out of 16 samples were found to be positive in E.coli (DH5α) and only 1 positive sample in E.coli (BL21) by PCR identification (Figure 2B). Finally, through gene sequencing (Figure 2D), the results also proved that we successfully constructed the recombinant plasmid pET28a-Transferrin-mCherry.
Characterization
1. SDS-PAGE
Upon IPTG inducing expression, proteins purified by Ni-extracted are placed in holes of sodium dodecyl sulfate gel and electrophorized. The band locations match the molecular weight of beta-transferrin (79 kDa), mCherry protein (30 kDa) and beta-transferrin-mCherry (107kD).
Figure 3. Results of pET28a-Transferrin-mCherry protein expression
(P represents “Precipitation”, S represents “Supernatant”)
2. AuNP testing
sTF, bTF, sTF/bTF mixture before and after Deletion Chamber is added on the test strips, and the color change is shown below (Figure 4). sTF will be detected with the same antigen band as bTF which is a false positive result. After DC, sTF is removed while the bTF can be still detected by presenting a positive antigen band, therefore, we can conclude that the deletion chamber can successfully eliminate the effect from sTF in the real context. Under the spectrometer, we can see there is no light of sTF while there is obvious light in bTF-mC samples which the presence of the red line on the strip is not induced by the AuNP itself but the color of bTF-mC.
Figure 4. Results of sTF, bTF, and sTF/BTF mixture test strips before and after Deletion Chamber
Experiment notes
Due to the use of a pipette, the immobilizing of the antibody on the test strip is hard to achieve because the antibody solution will diffuse on the NC membrane, and the color change for AuNP is not as distinctive as the normal test strip.Meanwhile, the camera used to record also makes the red color dimer compared the observation with bare eyes.However, the color change on the key test strip can also be observed. By using the dispenser to immobilize the antibody on the NC membrane, the result of the test strip might become more obvious.
Conclusion
The DNA sequencing and the characterization prove the successful construction and function of pET28a-Transferrin-mCherry. In addition, the tracing experiment proves that the presence of the red line on the test strip is caused by the Anti-transferrin antibodies on the NC membrane that traps the bTF-AuNP complex. Therefore, this method can be used for the visualization of our bTF detection kit.
References:
- Haft GF, Mendoza SA, Weinstein SL, Nyunoya T, Smoker W. Use of beta-2-transferrin to diagnose CSF leakage following spinal surgery: a case report. Iowa Orthop J. 2004;24:115-8.
- Fages-Lartaud, M., Tietze, L., Elie, F., Lale, R., & Hohmann-Marriott, M. F. (2022). mCherry contains a fluorescent protein isoform that interferes with its reporter function. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 10, 892138
Sequence and Features
- 10COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
- 12COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]
- 21INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]Illegal BglII site found at 4402
- 23COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
- 25INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]Illegal NgoMIV site found at 2622
Illegal NgoMIV site found at 2782
Illegal NgoMIV site found at 4370
Illegal AgeI site found at 7230 - 1000COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]
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