Abstract
Pichia pastoris has been used extensively and successfully to express recombinant proteins. In this review, we summarize the elements required for expressing heterologous proteins, and discuss various factors in applying this system for protein expression. These elements include vectors, host strains, heterologous gene integration into the genome, secretion factors, and the glycosylation profile. In particular, we discuss and evaluate the recent progress in optimizing the fermentation process to improve the yield and stability of expressed proteins. Optimization can be achieved by controlling the medium composition, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, as well as by methanol induction and feed mode.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Romanos, M. A., Scorer, C. A., & Clare, J. J. (1992). Yeast, 8, 423–488.
Cregg, J. M., Vedvick, T. S., & Raschke, W. C. (1993). Biotechnology (NY), 11, 905–910.
Li, P. Z., Gao, X.-G., Arellano, R. O., & Renugopalakrishnan, V. (2001). Protein Expression and Purification, 22, 369–380.
Cereghino, G. P., Cereghino, J. L., Ilgen, C., & Cregg, J. M. (2002). Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 13, 329–332.
Higgins, D. R., & Cregg, J. M. (1998). Methods in Molecular Biology, 103, 1–15.
Lin-Cereghino, G. P., Sunga, A. J., Lin Cereghino, J., & Cregg, J. M. (2001). Genetic Engineering (NY), 23, 157–169.
Koutz, P. J., Davis, G. R., Stillman, C., Barringer, K., Cregg, J., & Thill, G. (1989). Yeast, 5, 167–177.
Waterham, H. R., Digan, M. E., Koutz, P. J., Lair, S. V., & Cregg, J. M. (1997). Gene, 186, 37–44.
Shen, S., Sulter, G., Jeffries, T. W., & Cregg, J. M. (1998). Gene, 216, 93–102.
Brierley, R. A. (1998). Methods in Molecular Biology, 103, 149–177.
Liu, H., Tan, X., Russell, T. A., Veenhuis, M., & Cregg, J. M. (1995). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 270, 10940–10951.
Sears, I. B., O’Connor, J., Rossanese, O. W., & Glick, B. S. (1998). Yeast, 14, 783–790.
Clare, J. J., Romanos, M. A., Rayment, F. B., Rowedder, J. E., Smith, M. A., Payne, M. M., et al. (1991). Gene, 105, 205–212.
Cregg, J. M., Barringer, K. J., Hessler, A. Y., & Madden, K. R. (1985). Molecular and Cellular Biology, 5, 3376–3385.
Cregg, J. M., & Madden, K. R. (1989). Molecular and General Genetics, 219, 320–323.
Higgins, D. R., Busser, K., Comiskey, J., Whittier, P. S., Purcell, T. J., & Hoeffler, J. P. (1998). Methods in Molecular Biology, 103, 41–53.
Cereghino, J. L., & Cregg, J. M. (2000). FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 24, 45–66.
Veenhuis, M., van Dijken, J. P., & Harder, W. (1983). Advances in Microbial Physiology, 24, 1–82.
Tschopp, J. F., Sverlow, G., Kosson, R., Craig, W., & Grinna, L. (1987). Biotechnology (NY), 5, 1305–1308.
Cregg, J. M., & Madden, K. R. (1987). In. G. G. Stewart, I. Russell, R. D. Klein, & R. R. Hiebsch (Eds.), Biological Research on Yeasts, Vol. 2. Boca Raton, FL.: CRC Press.
Chiruvolu, V., Cregg, J. M., & Meagher, M. M. (1997). Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 21, 277–283.
White, C. E., Hunter, M. J., Meininger, D. P., White, L. R., & Komives, E. A. (1995). Protein Engineering, 8, 1177–1187.
Scorer, C. A., Clare, J. J., McCombie, W. R., Romanos, M. A., & Sreekrishna, K. (1994). Biotechnology (NY), 12, 181–184.
Liu, H., Tan, X., Veenhuis, M., McCollum, D., & Cregg, J. M. (1992). Bacteriology, 174, 4943–4951.
Waterham, H. R., de Vries, Y., Russell, K. A., Xie, W., Veenhuis, M., & Cregg, J. M. (1996). Molecular and Cellular Biology, 16, 2527–2536.
Cregg, J. M., & Russell, K. A. (1998). Methods in Molecular Biology, 103, 27–39.
Sreekrishna, K., Potenz, R. B., Cruze, J. A., McCombie, W. R., Parker, K. A., Nelles, L., et al. (1988). Journal of Basic Microbiology, 28, 265–278.
Tuite, M. F., Clare, J. J., & Romanos, M. A. (1999). In S. J. Higgins & B. D. Hames (Eds.), Protein expression, a practical approach. Oxford University Press.
Laroche, Y., Storme, V., De Meutter, J., Messens, J., & Lauwereys, M. (1994). Biotechnology (NY), 12, 1119–1124.
Wright, A., & Morrison, S. L. (1997). Trends in Biotechnology, 15, 26–32.
Jenkins, N., Parekh, R. B., & James, D. C. (1996). Nature Biotechnology, 14, 975–981.
Gemmill, T. R., & Trimble, R. B. (1999). Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1426, 227–237.
Grinna, L., & Tschopp, J. F. (1989). Yeast, 5, 107–115.
Trimble, R. B., Atkinson, P. H., Tschopp, J. F., Townsend, R. R., & Maley, F. (1991). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 266, 22807–22817.
Tull, D., Gottschalk, T. E., Svendsen, I., Kramhoft, B., Phillipson, B. A., Bisgard-Frantzen, H., et al. (2001). Protein Expression and Purification, 21, 13–23.
Sevo, M., Degrassi, G., Skoko, N., Venturi, V., & Ljubijankic, G. (2002). FEM Yeast Research, 4, 271–277.
Callewaert, N., Laroy, W., Cadirgi, H., Geysens, S., Saelens, X., MinJou, W., et al. (2001). FEBS Letters, 503, 173–178.
Choi, B. K., Bobrowicz, P., Davidson, R. C., Hamilton, S. R., Kung, D. H., Li, H., et al. (2003). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 100, 5022–5027.
Kang, H. A., Choi, E. S., Hong, W. K., Kim, J. Y., Ko, S. M., Sohn, J. H., et al. (2000). Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 53, 575–582.
Chen, D. C., Wang, B. D., Chou, P. Y., & Kuo, T. T. (2000). Yeast, 16, 207–217.
Sreekrishna, K., Brankamp, R. G., Kropp, K. E., Blankenship, D. T., Tsay, J. T., Smith, P. L., et al. (1997). Gene, 190, 55–62.
Shi, X., Karkut, T., Chamankhah, M., Alting-Mees, M., Hemmingsen, S. M., & Hegedus, D. (2003). Protein Expression and Purification, 28, 321–330.
Murasugi, A., Asami, Y., & Mera-Kikuchi, Y. (2001). Protein Expression and Purification, 23, 282–288.
O’Callaghan, J., O’Brien, M. M., McClean, K., & Dobson, A. D. (2002). Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 29, 55–59.
Wang, S. H., Yang, T. S., Lin, S. M., Tsai, M. S., Wu, S. C., & Mao, S. J. (2002). Protein Expression and Purification, 25, 41–49.
Issaly, N., Solsona, O., Joudrier, P., Gautier, M. F., Moulin, G., & Boze, H. J. (2001). Applied Microbiology, 90, 397–406.
Tsujikawa, M., Okabayashi, K., Morita, M., & Tanabe, T. (1996). Yeast, 12, 541–553.
Schein, C. H., & Noteborn, M. N. H. (1988). Biotechnology (NY), 6, 291–294.
Lee, S. C., Choi, Y. C., & Yu, M. H. (1990). European Journal of Biochemistry, 187, 417–424.
Broeze, R. J., Solomon, C. J., & Pope, D. H. (1978). Journal of Bacteriology, 34, 861–874.
Han, K. G., Lee, S. S., & Kang, C. (1999). Protein Expression and Purification, 16, 103–108.
Makrides, S. C. (1996). Microbiological Reviews, 60, 512–538.
Curvers, S., Brixius, P., Klauser, T., Thommes, J., Weuster-Botz, D., Takors, R., et al. (2001). Biotechnology Progress, 17, 495–502.
Soden, D. M., O’Callaghan, J., & Dobson, A. D. (2002). Microbiology, 148, 4003–4014.
Jahic, M., Gustavsson, M., Jansen, A. K., Martinelle, M., & Enfors, S. O. (2003). Journal of Biotechnology, 102, 45–53.
Murasugi, A., & Tohma-Aiba, Y. (2003). Protein Expression and Purification, 27, 244–252.
Koganesawa, N., Aizawa, T., Shimojo, H., Miura, K., Ohnishi, A., Demura, M., et al. (2002). Protein Expression and Purification, 25, 416–425.
Sarramegna, V., Demange, P., Milon, A., & Talmont, F. (2002). Protein Expression and Purification, 24, 212–220.
Stratton, J., Chiruvolu, V., & Meagher, M. (1998). Methods in Molecular Biology, 103, 107–120.
Minning, S., Serrano, A., Ferrer, P., Sola, C., Schmid, R. D., & Valero, F. (2001). Journal of Biotechnology, 86, 59–70.
Loewen, M. C., Liu, X., Davies, P. L., & Daugulis, A. J. (1997). Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 48, 480–486.
Zhang, W., Hywood Potter, K. J., Plantz, B. A., Schlegel, V. L., Smith, L. A., & Meagher, M. M. (2003). Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, 30, 210–215.
Chung, J. D. (2000). Biotechnology & Bioengineering, 68, 298–307.
Zhang, W., Smith, L. A., Plantz, B. A., Schlegel, V. L., & Meagher, M. M. (2002). Biotechnology Progress, 18, 1392–1399.
d’Anjou, M. C., & Daugulis, A. J. (2001). Biotechnology & Bioengineering, 72, 1–11.
Sinha, J., Plantz, B. A., Zhang, W., Gouthro, M., Schlegel, V., Liu, C. P., et al. (2003). Biotechnology Progress, 19, 794–802.
Trinh, L. B., Phue, J. N., & Shiloach, J. (2003). Biotechnology & Bioengineering, 82, 438–444.
Li, Z., Xiong, F., Lin, Q., d´Anjou, M., Daugulis, A., Yang, D. S. C., et al. (2001). Protein Expression and Purification, 21, 438–445.
Oobatake, M., Yamasaki, T., Simmer, J. P., & Renugopalakrishnan, V. (2006). Proteins, 62, 461–469.
Renugopalakrishnan, V., Strzelczyk, A., Li, P. Z., Mokhnatyuk, A. A., Gursahani, S. H., Nagaraju, M., et al. (2003). International Journal of Quantum Chemistry, 95, 625–631.
Pearson, R., & Kemp, B. (1991). Methods in Enzymology, 200, 62–81.
Takagi, T., Suzuki, M., Baba, T., Minegishi, K., & Sasaki, S. (1984). Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 121, 592–597.
Waterham, H. R., Titorenko, V. I., Haima, P., Cregg, J. M., Harder, W., & Veenhuis, M. (1994). Journal of Cell Biology, 127, 737–749.
Faber, K. N., Haima, P., Gietl, C., Harder, W., Ab, G., & Veenhuis, M. (1994). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 91, 12985–12989.
De Hoop, M. J., & Geert, A. B. (1992). Biochemical Journal, 286, 657–669.
Weiss, H. M., Haase, W., Michel, H., & Reilander, H. (1995). FEBS Letters, 377, 451–456.
Talmont, F., Sidobre, S., Demange, P., Milon, A., & Emorine, L. J. (1996). FEBS Letters, 394, 268–272.
McGrew, J. T., Leiske, D., Dell, B., Klinke, R., Krasts, D., Wee, S. F., et al. (1997). Gene, 187, 193–200.
Wu, S.-H., & Lagarias, J. C. (1996). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 93, 8989–8994.
Betancourt, L. H., Garcia, R., Gonzales, J., Montesino, R., Quintero, O., Takao, T., et al. (2001). FEMS Yeast Research, 1, 151–160.
Boraston, A. B., Sandercock, L. E., Warren, R. A., Kilburn, D. G. (2003). Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, 5, 29-36.
Reddy, S. T., Dahms, N. M. (2002). Protein Expression and Purification, 26, 290-300.
Hirose, M., Kameyama, S., Ohi, H. (2002). Yeast, 19, 1191-1202.
Jiang, S. T., Chen, G. H., Tang, S. J., Chen, C. S. (2002). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 50, 5313-5317.
Watmann, T., Stephan, U. W., Bube, I., Boer, E., Melzer, M., Manteuffel, R., et al. (2002). Yeast, 19, 849-862.
Saito, A., Usui, M., Song, Y., Azakami, H., Kato, A. (2002). Journal of Biochemistry (Tokyo), 132, 77-82.
Rotticci-Mulder, J. C., Gustavsson, M., Holmquist, M., Hult, K., Martinelle, M. (2001). Protein Expression and Purification, 21, 386-392.
Letourneur, O., Gervasi, G., Gaia, S., Pages, J., Watelet, B., Jolivet, M. (2001). Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, 33, 35-45.
Best, E. A., Stedman, K. E., Bozic, C. M., Hunter, S. W., Vailes, L., Chapman, M. D. (2000). Protein Expression and Purification, 20, 462-471.
Sagt, C. M., Kleizen, B., Verwaal, R., de Jong, M. D., Muller, W. H., Smits, A. (2000). Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 66, 4940-4944.
Rodriguez, E., Wood, Z. A., Karplus, P. A., Lei, X. G. (2000). Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 382, 105-112.
Boer, H., Teeri, T. T., Koivula, A. (2000). Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 69, 486-494.
Montesino, R., Nimtz, M., Quintero, O., Garcia, R., Falcon, V., Cremata, J. A. (1999). Glycobiology, 9, 1037-1043.
Wang, M., Lee, L. S., Nepomich, A., Yang, J. D., Conover, C., Whitlow, M. et al. (1998). Protein Engineering, 11, 1277-1283.
You, Y. H., Hefta, L. J., Yazaki, P. J., Wu, A. M., Shively, J. E. (1998). Anticancer Research, 18, 3193-3201.
Van den Steen, P., Rudd, P. M., Proost, P., Martens, E., Paemen, L., Kuster, B. et al. (1998). Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1425, 587-598.
Richard, F, Robert, P, Remy, JJ, Martinat, N, Bidart, JM, Salesse, R., et al. (1998). Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 245, 847-852.
Zhu, A., Wang, Z. K., Beavis, R. (1998). Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 352, 1-8.
Heimo, H., Palmu, K., Suominen, I. (1998). Protein Expression and Purification, 12, 85-92.
Martinet, W., Saelens, X., Deroo, T., Neirynck, S., Contreras, R., Min Jou, W., et al. (1997). European Journal of Biochemistry, 247, 332-338.
Abdulaev, N. G., Popp, M. P., Smith, W. C., Ridge, K. D. (1997). Protein Expression and Purification, 10, 61-69.
Williams, T. A., Michaud, A., Houard, X., Chauvet, M. T., Soubrier, F., Corvol, P. (1996). Biochemical Journal, 318, 125-131.
Hong, F., Meinander, N. Q., Jonsson, L. J. (2002). Biotechnology Bioengineering, 79, 438-449.
Whittaker, M. M., Whittaker, J. W. (2000). Protein Expression and Purification, 20, 105-111.
Acknowledgments
We thank Dr. Geoff Lin-Cereghino (Department of Biology, University of the Pacific) for helpful comments on the manuscript, and Mr. Neal Johnson (School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific) for preparing the figures. The research described here was supported by US AFOSR, NSF, the Wallace Coulter Foundation, and Harvard Medical School.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, P., Anumanthan, A., Gao, XG. et al. Expression of Recombinant Proteins in Pichia Pastoris . Appl Biochem Biotechnol 142, 105–124 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-007-0003-x
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-007-0003-x