Improved Production of Recombinant Human β-NGF in Escherichia coli – a Bioreactor Scale Study

Human nerve growth factor β (β-NGF) is considered a major therapeutic agent for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We have previously reported the optimized conditions for β-NGF overproduction in Escherichia coli in a shake-flask culture. In this study the optimal %DO (dissolved oxygen) and post induction temperature values for improved production of β-NGF were found in the bioreactor scale using response surface methodology (RSM) as the most common statistical method. Also, for further enhancement of the yield, different post-induction periods of time were selected for testing. In all experiments, the productivity level and bacterial cell growth were evaluated by western blotting technique and monitoring of absorbance at 600 nm, respectively. Our results indicated that %DO, the post-induction time and temperature have significant effects on the production of β-NGF. After 2 hours of induction, the low post induction temperature of 32°C and 20% DO were used to increase the production of β-NGF in a 5-l bioreactor. Another important result obtained in this study was that the improved β-NGF production was not achieved at highest dry cell weigh or highest cell growth. These results are definitely of importance for industrial β-NGF production.