Recombinant Proteins Production

The utilization of transgenic animals as bioreactors for the synthesis and secretion of recombinant proteins in milk represents a contemporary trend in the advancement of biotechnologies. This method is particularly valued for its potential to generate large-scale protein production at reduced costs while preserving the structure and function of complex proteins.

Recombinant Proteins Production in Mammary Gland Bioreactors

Recombinant proteins have a wide range of applications in pharmaceuticals, including therapeutic enzymes, antibodies, and hormones used to treat various diseases. Recombinant proteins derived from transgenic animals are typically expressed in specific tissues and secreted into particular body fluids. The efficiency of this system is determined by the secretory capacity of the chosen tissue and the ease of collecting fluid containing the heterologous protein. Due to its high secretory capacity and ease of milk extraction, the mammary gland is well-suited for producing recombinant proteins.

The mammary gland is capable of performing complex post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation and γ-carboxylation, which are necessary for the biological activity and stability of certain proteins. Therefore, it is an attractive alternative for producing recombinant proteins that require eukaryotic post-translational modifications.

Protein	Transgene Source	Mammary Gland Bioreactor Model	Promoter	Expression Levels
Lactoferrin	Genomic DNA	Transgenic Cow	α-S1 bovine casein	Not available
β-lactoglobulin	Not determined	Transgenic Cow	Not available	2.4 mg/mL
Growth Hormone	Not determined	Transgenic Goat	Retrovirus	1.2 x 10-4 mg/mL
Tissue plasminogen Activator	cDNA	Transgenic Goat	Goat β casein	6 mg/mL
Factor VIII	cDNA	Transgenic Pig	Murine WAP	3 mg/mL
Protein C	cDNA	Transgenic Pig	Murine WAP	1 mg/mL
Calcitonin	Fusion Protein	Transgenic Rabbit	Bovine β-lactoglobulin	2.1 mg/mL
Erythropoietin	cDNA	Transgenic Rabbit	Rabbit WAP	50 µg/mL
Growth Hormone	Genomic DNA	Transgenic Rabbit	Murine WAP	50 µg/mL
Insulin Growth Factor	cDNA	Transgenic Rabbit	Bovine β-S1 casein	1 mg/mL
Factor IX	cDNA	Transgenic Sheep	Ovine β-lactoglobulin	5 µg/mL
Fibrinogen	Genomic DNA	Transgenic Sheep	Ovine β-lactoglobulin	5 mg/mL

Workflow of Recombinant Proteins Production Using Mammary Gland Bioreactors

A range of transgenic animal species are being utilized for the production of recombinant proteins. The general strategy involves targeting the expression of the desired protein to the mammary gland using regulatory elements derived from a milk protein gene, followed by collection and purification of the product from milk.

Gene Integration

Foreign genes encoding the desired protein are inserted into the genome of the animal, typically through CRISPR/Cas9, TALEN and Cre-loxP technologies. The gene is specifically directed to express in the mammary glands.

Animal Breeding and Expression

Transgenic animals are bred, and protein expression is monitored. One major advantage of this system is the high yield of protein per liter of milk, making the process highly efficient.

Protein Extraction

Once the animals produce milk, recombinant proteins are extracted from the milk. The proteins can then be purified and processed for therapeutic, industrial, or research purposes.

Purification and Quality Control

Advanced purification techniques ensure the recombinant protein maintains its bioactivity and meets the stringent quality standards required for medical applications.

At CD BioSciences, we are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for recombinant protein production using mammary gland bioreactors. Our comprehensive platform leverages cutting-edge gene editing technologies and optimized production workflows to ensure high-quality, scalable, and cost-effective protein production tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today for further insights into how we can facilitate your recombinant protein projects.

Our services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.