Recombinant Proteins Using Monosodium Glutamate | 31 May 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have made a significant breakthrough in the mass production of recombinant proteins by utilising Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).

• This advancement is crucial for producing essential substances like vaccine antigens, insulin, and monoclonal antibodies.

What are Recombinant Proteins?

• About:
  • Recombinant proteins are proteins engineered in the lab by inserting the gene coding for the protein into bacterial, viral, or mammalian cells.
• Production:
  • Typically, these proteins are produced in large bioreactors using the cells of a specific yeast which contains a unique promoter, called the alcohol oxidase (AOX) promoter.
  • The AOX promoter can be activated by methanol to produce recombinant proteins in large quantities.
    • The process involves inserting the desired gene next to the AOX promoter, feeding the yeast with glycerol or glucose, and then adding methanol to activate protein production.
• Risks with Methanol:
  • It is highly flammable and hazardous, requiring stringent safety measures. It can also produce harmful byproducts like hydrogen peroxide, which can induce oxidative stress in yeast cells or damage the recombinant proteins.
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - a Safer Alternative:
  • MSG can activate a different promoter in the yeast genome that codes for an enzyme called phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), leading to protein production similar to the methanol-induced process, without the associated risks.
  • MSG is safer and more environmentally friendly compared to the traditional methanol-induced process. It can be used in biotech industries to mass-produce valuable proteins, including: milk and egg proteins, baby food supplements, nutraceuticals, and therapeutic molecules.