Fermentation process optimization of recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of human interferon-α2a

The effects of different culture conditions on the expression level of human interferon-alpha2a (IFN-alpha2a) by using recombinant yeast were investigated in a 2.6-L jar fermentor. Appropriate supplement of glucose and the maintenance of residual glucose at a low level resulted in the reduction of ethanol formation and enhancement of the bioactivity of IFN-alpha2a to 4.9 X 10(6) from 3.1 X 10(6) IU/mL. When adenine was added evenly for 10-20 h of fermentation into the basal culture medium at a speed of 2 mug/mL of medium/h, OD600 was greatly increased to 24, and the protein increased to 276 mg/L. The content of ethanol generated was also reduced tremendously during the process, and as a result, 1.3 x 10(7) IU/mL of biologic activity was achieved. In the expression phase, pH had an important impact on expression level, which should be controlled at 5.5.