Immunological comparison of recombinant shrimp allergen Pen m 4, produced in Pichia pastoris and Escherichia coli

Shellfish are a leading cause of allergies worldwide, affecting about one-tenth of the general population. The sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein, also known as allergen Pen m 4, is an important factor in shrimp allergies. Our objective was to assess the most effective techniques for producing a recombinant Pen m 4 protein as a potential tool for diagnosing shrimp allergies. In this study, for the first time, we produced a functional re-combinant Pen m 4 protein in a eukaryotic system, Pichia pastoris, and analyzed it against Escherichia coli-pro-duced equivalents in enzyme-linked immunosorbent and reverse-phase protein microarray assays. A dual tag system based on the maltose-binding protein was successfully used to increase the yield of Pen m 4 by 1.3-2.3 -fold in both bacteria and yeast, respectively. Immunological characterization showed that N-glycosylation is neither crucial for the folding of Pen m 4 nor its recognition by specific IgE. However, the Ca2+-depletion assay indicated a dependence on calcium ion presence in blood samples. Results demonstrate how a comparative analysis can elucidate essential allergen manufacturing points. In conclusion, E. coli-produced Pen m 4 protein fused with the maltose-binding protein should be the preferred option for further studies in Penaeus monodon allergy diagnostics.