Overcoming Obstacles in Protein Expression in the Yeast Pichia pastoris: Interviews of Leaders in the Pichia Field

Authors

Zoe Ingram, University of the PacificFollow
Abha Patkar, University of the PacificFollow
Dahoon Oh, University of the PacificFollow
Kevin K. Zhang, University of the PacificFollow
Christina Chung, University of the PacificFollow
Joan Lin-Cereghino, University of the PacificFollow
Geoff P. Lin-Cereghino, University of the PacificFollow

Abstract

The yeast Pichia pastoris (also known as Komagataella pastoris) has been used for over 30 years to produce thousands of valuable, heterologous proteins, such as insulin to treat diabetes and antibodies to prevent migraine headaches. Despite its success, there are some common, stubborn problems encountered by research scientists when they try to use the yeast to produce their recombinant proteins. In order to provide those working in this field with strategies to overcome these common obstacles, nine experts in P. pastoris protein expression field were interviewed to create a written review and video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyC9xXVLyD0). This review describes how each respected scientist addressed a specific challenge, such as identifying high expression strains, improving secretion efficiency and decreasing hyperglycosylation. Their perspective and practical advice can be a tool to help empower others to express challenging proteins in this popular recombinant host.

Recommended Citation

Ingram, Zoe; Patkar, Abha; Oh, Dahoon; Zhang, Kevin K.; Chung, Christina; Lin-Cereghino, Joan; and Lin-Cereghino, Geoff P. (2021) "Overcoming Obstacles in Protein Expression in the Yeast Pichia pastoris: Interviews of Leaders in the Pichia Field," Pacific Journal of Health: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56031/2576-215X.1010
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/pjh/vol4/iss1/2