Cry protein crystals: a novel platform for protein delivery

PLoS One. 2015 Jun 1;10(6):e0127669. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127669. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Protein delivery platforms are important tools in the development of novel protein therapeutics and biotechnologies. We have developed a new class of protein delivery agent based on sub-micrometer-sized Cry3Aa protein crystals that naturally form within the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. We demonstrate that fusion of the cry3Aa gene to that of various reporter proteins allows for the facile production of Cry3Aa fusion protein crystals for use in subsequent applications. These Cry3Aa fusion protein crystals are efficiently taken up and retained by macrophages and other cell lines in vitro, and can be delivered to mice in vivo via multiple modes of administration. Oral delivery of Cry3Aa fusion protein crystals to C57BL/6 mice leads to their uptake by MHC class II cells, including macrophages in the Peyer's patches, supporting the notion that the Cry3Aa framework can be used to stabilize cargo protein against degradation for delivery to gastrointestinal lymphoid tissues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Crystallization
  • Endotoxins / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / ultrastructure
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Hemolysin Proteins / metabolism*
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / ultrastructure
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Peyer's Patches / metabolism
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Endotoxins
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Luciferases