AscentGene is now offering purified Clostridium difficile spore proteins for research and vaccine development.

AscentGene is proud to announce the addition of five recombinant C. difficile proteins for research and vaccine development.

Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming and Gram-positive organism that is the leading cause of
antibiotic-associated infectious diarrhea, commonly know as C. difficile infection (CDI).

C. difficile spore proteins play important role in the germination, colonization and persistence of C. difficile in the human gut.

All five spore proteins available in our inventory were identified from the strain of C.
difficile 630, expressed in E coli and purified with endotoxin free.

FliC (CD0239) is a flagellin structural protein involved in the attachment of the organism to host cellsand important in the course of CDI.

CotA (CD1613) is a spore coat protein involved in spore coat morphogenesis.

BclA1 (CD0332) is a spore exosporium cysteine-rich protein and plays a role in the pathogenesis of C. difficile.

CdeC (CD1067) is a spore exosporium cysteine-rich protein and essential for exosporium
morphogenesis and assembly of the spore coat of C. difficile.

CdeM (CD1581) is a small cysteine-rich spore exosporium protein and may play a role in colonization and persistence of C. difficile.

AscentGene, Inc., a leading biotechnology company specializing in cell line development and services, has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Laboratory of Molecular Biology for the production of anti-CD25 immunotoxins in AscentGene’s proprietary AG-CHO™ cells. By using AscentGene’s cell lines to produce this immunotoxin, purification and yield of the immunotoxin protein should see improvement from LMB’s current method of protein production.

The immunotoxins produced by LMB at the NCI are typically composed of an antibody variable fragment (Fv) directed against a cancer target that is fused to a truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE38). LMB leading by Dr. Ira Pastan, an NIH distinguished investigator and Dr. David Fitzgerald, has been producing numerous immunotoxins for the treatment of cancer. All these immunotoxins, however, must be produced in E. coli as insoluble proteins. These proteins need to be renatured and purified away from E. coli contaminants, which are very expensive and laborious. The reduction of cost and labor in the purification steps for producing these proteins is the focus of this CRADA.

AscentGene will use its proprietary AG-CHO™ cell line to produce the anti-CD25 immunotoxins. Because of the mutations of AG-CHO™, the cell line is protected from toxin-induced cell death and able to produce and secrete active immunotoxins into medium. With this approach, there is no need to renature the protein or remove endotoxins, making purification easier and less costly, as well as improving protein yields and activity. The LMB will use these immunotoxins in testing its activity in cell lines and animal models. The results of this CRADA will aid the LMB in defining the therapeutic application of its immunotoxins, possibly paving the way for newer and more efficient eradication of targeted cells.

About AscentGene, Inc.
AscentGene provides high-quality products and services to the life sciences community using innovative technologies and a highly experienced team of scientists. AscentGene’s cell line service is perfect for expressing engineered antibodies, proteins, and enzymes for research, drug development, and other medical applications. Using highly expressive vectors and innovative selection methods, AscentGene can insure a working stable cell line in the shortest time possible. AscentGene also provides a complete protein service, ranging from subcloning and protein expression to protein purification and protein assays.