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Degradation of an Fc‐fusion recombinant protein by host cell proteases: Identification of a CHO cathepsin D protease
Author(s) -
Robert Flavie,
Bierau Horst,
Rossi Mara,
Agugiaro David,
Soranzo Thomas,
Broly Hervé,
MitchellLogean Christine
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.22494
Subject(s) - pepstatin , protease , proteases , recombinant dna , biochemistry , enzyme , cathepsin , fusion protein , cathepsin d , chinese hamster ovary cell , cell culture , cathepsin l , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , genetics , gene
Abstract A host‐cell‐related proteolytic activity was identified in a recombinant Fc‐fusion protein production process. This report describes the strategy applied to characterize and isolate the enzyme responsible for this degradation by combining cell culture investigation and dedicated analytical tools. After isolation and sequencing of the clipped fragment generated in post‐capture material, enzymatic activity was traced in different culture conditions, allowing identification of viable CHO cells as the source of protease. Inhibitors and pH screenings showed that the enzyme belongs to an aspartic protease family and is preferably active at acidic pH. The protease was isolated by purification on a pepstatin A column and characterized as a protein related to cathepsin D. An additional metallo‐protease inhibited by EDTA was identified with an optimum activity at neutral pH. This study is an example of how quality and stability of therapeutic recombinant molecules are strongly influenced by cell culture parameters. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 1132–1141. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.