THE BOVINE IFN-OMEGA-1 IS BIOLOGICALLY-ACTIVE AND SECRETED AT HIGH-LEVELS IN THE YEAST PICHIA-PASTORIS

The gene coding for bIFN-omega 1 was isolated from bovine genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Recombinant bIFN-omega 1 was expre ssed in the yeast Pichia pastoris and high levels of the recombinant p rotein (0.4 mg ml(-1)) were secreted to the culture media. The obtaine d bIFN-omega 1 showed across-species antiviral activity on four mammal ian cell lines of calf, pig, hamster and human origin, but this activi ty was absent on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. A delivery ca rrier was developed to permit a better release of bIFN-omega 1. When c ompared with a control group, an increase in 6 days in the corpus lute um lifespan was obtained in cyclic ewes following three interferon (IF N) intrauterine administrations on days 9, 10 and 11 post-estrus. In s ummary, these results demonstrated for the first time that biologicall y active recombinant bIFN-omega 1 vias highly secreted by P. pastoris showing antiviral activity in different cell lines and an antiluteolyt ic effect in cyclic ewes, with no detrimental effects on the animals. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.