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Purification of virus-like particles (VLPs) expressed in the silkworm Bombyx mori

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Abstract

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are a promising and developing option for vaccination and gene therapy. They are also interesting as shuttles for drug targeting. Currently, several different gene expression systems are available, among which the silkworm expression system is known for its mass production capacity. However, cost-effective purification with high purity of the target protein is a particular bottleneck for this system. The present review evaluates the advances in the purification of VLPs, especially from silkworm larval hemolymph. Beginning with applicable pre-treatments for VLPs over to chromatography methods and quality control of the purified VLPs. Whereupon the main focus is on the different chromatography approaches for the purification, but the structure of the VLPs and their intended use for humans make also the quality control important. Within this, the stability of the VLPs which has to be considered for the purification is as well discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Tatsuya Kato of Research Institute of Green Science and Technology in Shizuoka University for critical reading of the manuscript.

Supporting Information

Supplementary Table S1—Some purifications from proteins from the silkworm or purifications from viruses and virus-like particles (VLPs) from other expression systems.

Supplementary Fig. S1—The heparin affinity purification.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan

    Robert Minkner

  2. Laboratory of Biotechnology, Green Chemistry Research Division, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan

    Enoch Y. Park

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  1. Robert Minkner
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Correspondence to Enoch Y. Park.

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Minkner, R., Park, E.Y. Purification of virus-like particles (VLPs) expressed in the silkworm Bombyx mori. Biotechnol Lett 40, 659–666 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2516-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2516-5

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