Draft Genome Sequence of Cutaneotrichosporon curvatus DSM 101032 (Formerly Cryptococcus curvatus), an Oleaginous Yeast Producing Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids.

Cutaneotrichosporon curvatus DSM 101032 is an oleaginous yeast that can be isolated from various habitats and is capable of producing substantial amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Here, we present the first draft genome sequence of any C. curvatus species.

A general strategy for antibody library screening via conversion of transient target binding into permanent reporter deposition.

We report here a generally applicable method for the selective covalent attachment of a reporter molecule to a replicating entity that allows one to obtain specific binders from a single round of library screening. We show that selective biotinylation of phage particles displaying a binder to any given target can be achieved by application of a coupled enzyme reaction on the surface of the target-binding phage particles that includes a peroxidase, an oxidase and a catalase. Due to the covalent linkage of biotin together with the tight and stable interaction of biotin with streptavidin, very stringent wash conditions for removal of nonspecific binders can be applied. The method termed (3)CARD (triple catalytic reporter deposition) was successfully applied to single-round screening of a phage display library of camelid single-domain antibodies against three different target proteins.

Protein production in Yarrowia lipolytica via fusion to the secreted lipase Lip2p.

We established a strategy for protein production and purification via expression in Yarrowia lipolytica as Lip2p fusion protein. To evaluate the expression system a cysteine-rich miniprotein, an antibody fragment and an enzyme showing galactose oxidase activity were chosen. These proteins have varying disulfide bond content, size, and structural complexity. Endogenous lipase Lip2p was used as a fusion partner to direct the fused proteins to the extracellular medium. A linker sequence was introduced at the junction of Lip2p and the respective fused protein that contains a hexahistidine tag followed by a TEV protease cleavage site. This allows for a specific and simple purification via IMAC for capturing the secreted proteins from the supernatant followed by a second IMAC for removing all contaminants after proteolytic release of the protein of interest. Up to 174 mg/L fusion protein was obtained using shake flask cultivation. Functionality of each of the purified proteins was confirmed by individual assays. Expression of proteins of interest via Lip2p fusion not only provides a convenient expression and purification scheme but also enables for an online monitoring of accumulation of secreted fusion proteins in the medium by exploiting the intrinsic lipase activity of the fusion.

Arranged sevenfold: structural insights into the C-terminal oligomerization domain of human C4b-binding protein.

The complement system as a major part of innate immunity is the first line of defense against invading microorganisms. Orchestrated by more than 60 proteins, its major task is to discriminate between host cells and pathogens and to initiate immune response. Additional recognition of necrotic or apoptotic cells demands a fine-tune regulation of this powerful system. C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is the major inhibitor of the classical complement and lectin pathway. The crystal structure of the human C4BP oligomerization domain in its 7α isoform and molecular simulations provide first structural insights of C4BP oligomerization. The heptameric core structure is stabilized by intermolecular disulfide bonds. In addition, thermal shift assays indicate that layers of electrostatic interactions mainly contribute to the extraordinary thermodynamic stability of the complex. These findings make C4BP a promising scaffold for multivalent ligand display with applications in immunology and biological chemistry.