Recombinant expression of the water-clarifying Moringa oleifera cationic protein, MOCP, in the yeast, Pichia pastoris
Poster Number
10B
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Joan Lin-Cereghino
Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Additional Faculty Mentor Name
Geoff P. Lin-Cereghino
Additional Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Additional Faculty Mentor Name
Mark Brunell
Additional Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract/Artist Statement
Crushed seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree are used to purify water in tropical regions of the world. Recently, it has been discovered that the water-clarifying and antibacterial activities in the seeds are associated with a highly-charged protein known as the Moringa oleifera Cationic Protein or MOCP. The yeast, Pichia pastoris, has been used to express large quantities of over 5000 proteins from a variety of organisms. In order to determine whether or not MOCP could be made in greater amounts in this yeast, we tried to clone a genomic MOCP gene directly from plant material. Additionally, we generated a recombinant vector containing an optimized MOCP gene and attempted to express MOCP in small- scale cultures. Expression of MOCP in Pichia pastoris could be the first step in the large-scale production of this important protein so that it can be used by economically disadvantaged individuals who live in places without access to clean water.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
28-4-2018 10:00 AM
End Date
28-4-2018 12:00 PM
Recombinant expression of the water-clarifying Moringa oleifera cationic protein, MOCP, in the yeast, Pichia pastoris
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Crushed seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree are used to purify water in tropical regions of the world. Recently, it has been discovered that the water-clarifying and antibacterial activities in the seeds are associated with a highly-charged protein known as the Moringa oleifera Cationic Protein or MOCP. The yeast, Pichia pastoris, has been used to express large quantities of over 5000 proteins from a variety of organisms. In order to determine whether or not MOCP could be made in greater amounts in this yeast, we tried to clone a genomic MOCP gene directly from plant material. Additionally, we generated a recombinant vector containing an optimized MOCP gene and attempted to express MOCP in small- scale cultures. Expression of MOCP in Pichia pastoris could be the first step in the large-scale production of this important protein so that it can be used by economically disadvantaged individuals who live in places without access to clean water.