Hosts and Heterologous Expression Strategies of Recombinant Toxins for Therapeutic Purposes

Overview

Journal Toxins (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Toxicology

Date 2023 Dec 22

PMID 38133203

Authors

Luana di Leandro

Martina Colasante

Giuseppina Pitari

Rodolfo Ippoliti

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The production of therapeutic recombinant toxins requires careful host cell selection. Bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells are common choices, but no universal solution exists. Achieving the delicate balance in toxin production is crucial due to potential self-intoxication. Recombinant toxins from various sources find applications in antimicrobials, biotechnology, cancer drugs, and vaccines. "Toxin-based therapy" targets diseased cells using three strategies. Targeted cancer therapy, like antibody-toxin conjugates, fusion toxins, or "suicide gene therapy", can selectively eliminate cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. Notable toxins from various biological sources may be used as full-length toxins, as plant (saporin) or animal (melittin) toxins, or as isolated domains that are typical of bacterial toxins, including Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) and diphtheria toxin (DT). This paper outlines toxin expression methods and system advantages and disadvantages, emphasizing host cell selection's critical role.

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