Multi-Copy Pichia Expression Kit
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Invitrogen™

Multi-Copy Pichia Expression Kit

The Multi-Copy Pichia Expression Kit contains the pPIC3.5K, pPIC9K, and pAO815 vectors for production and selection of Pichia strains thatRead more
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Catalog number K175001
Price (USD)
2,645.00
Each
Add to cart
Price (USD)
2,645.00
Each
Add to cart
The Multi-Copy Pichia Expression Kit contains the pPIC3.5K, pPIC9K, and pAO815 vectors for production and selection of Pichia strains that contain more than one copy of the gene of interest. In many cases, increased copy number has led to increased expression levels.

pPIC9K and pPIC3.5K
The pPIC9K and pPIC3.5K vectors carry the kanamycin resistance gene that confers resistance to Geneticin™ Reagent in Pichia. Spontaneous generation of multiple insertion events can be identified by resistance to increased levels of Geneticin™ Reagent. Pichia transformants are selected on histidine-deficient medium and screened for their level of resistance to Geneticin™ Reagent. The ability to grow in high concentrations of Geneticin™ indicates that multiple copies of the kanamycin resistance gene and the gene of interest are integrated into the genome (1). The pPIC9K vector directs secretion of expressed proteins while proteins expressed from pPIC3.5K remain intracellular.

pAO815
pAO815 is a Pichia expression vector designed to clone multiple copies of a gene into a single vector. The vector contains a Bgl II site upstream of the 5´ AOX1 gene and a unique BamH I site downstream of the 3´ AOX1 transcription termination (TT) signal. Four steps are required to generate multiple copies of the gene of interest:
1. The gene is cloned into the unique EcoR I site in the vector.
2. The construct is digested with BamH I and Bgl II to release the “expression cassette” containing the AOX1 promoter, gene of interest, and 3´ AOX1 TT.
3. Concatemers of the expression cassette are generated by ligation in vitro.
4. The multiple copies are inserted back into the pAO815 vector and transformed into Pichia.

These vectors are also available separately.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Specifications
Antibiotic Resistance BacterialAmpicillin (AmpR), Gentamicin (GmR)
Bacterial or Yeast StrainKM71
Cloning MethodRestriction Enzyme/MCS
Cell TypeYeast Cells
FormatKit
PromoterAOX1
SpeciesP. pastoris
VectorpPIC
Expression MechanismCell-Based Expression
Expression SystemYeast
For Use With (Application)Protein Expression
Product TypeExpression Kit
Protein TagUntagged
Quantity1 Kit
Selection Agent (Eukaryotic)Ampicillin (AmpR), Gentamicin (GmR)
Unit SizeEach
Contents & Storage
The Multi-Copy Pichia Expression Kit includes 20 μg each of pPIC3.5K, pPIC9K, and pAO815 vectors, Pichia pastoris strains GS115 (his4), KM71 (arg4 his4 aox1::ARG4), control strain GS115 Albumin, control strain GS115 β-gal, Spheroplast Transformation Kit, and 2 μg each 5´ AOX1, 3´ AOX1, and α-factor sequencing primers. The pP1C9K, pPIC3.5K, and pAO815 vectors are also available separately.

Store vectors and primers at -20°C. Store strains at room temperature. All components are guaranteed stable for 6 months when properly stored.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

When selecting for blasticidin-resistant transformants in the X-33 strain using pPIC6/pPIC6α vectors, why do I get large and small colonies on YPD plates containing 300 µg/ml blasticidin?

Generally, large colonies represent transformants containing pPIC6/pPIC6α integrants, while small colonies represent transformants containing pPIC6/pPIC6α non-integrants. These non-integrants have transduced the pPIC6/pPIC6α plasmid, and therefore, exhibit a low level of blasticidin resistance in the initial selection process. Upon subsequent screening, these non-integrant transformants do not retain blasticidin resistance.

When choosing a blasticidin-resistant transformant for your expression studies, we recommend that you pick blasticidin-resistant colonies from the initial transformation plate and streak them on a second YPD plate containing the appropriate concentration of blasticidin. Select transformants that remain blasticidin-resistant for further studies.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

My transformation is not working. Do you have any suggestions?

Here are some suggestinos:

- Make sure that you have harvested cells during log-phase growth (OD <1.0 generally).
- If electroporation is being used, see the electroporator manual for suggested conditions. Vary electroporation parameters if necessary.
- Use more DNA.
- Use freshly made competent cells.
- If the LiCl transformation method is being used, try boiling the carrier DNA.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

My spheroplasting of Pichia worked twice, but hasn't worked since. The OD of the culture simply does not drop.

Here are some things to consider:

- If the OD of cells that are used is too high, they will not spheroplast. Do not overgrow cells.
- Do not use old cells and make sure that they are in log phase of growth.
- Make sure to mix zymolyase well before using. Zymolyase is more of a suspension than a solution.
- Make the PEG solution fresh each time and check the pH.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

What are the different kinds of media used for culturing Pichia pastoris and S. cerevisiae?

Following are the rich and minimal media used for culturing Pichia pastoris and S. cerevisiae:

Rich Media:
S. cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris
YPD (YEPD): yeast extract, peptone, and dextrose
YPDS: yeast extract, peptone, dextrose, and sorbitol

Pichia pastoris only
BMGY: buffered glycerol-complex medium
BMMY: buffered methanol-complex medium

Minimal Media (also known as drop-out media):
S. cerevisiae
SC (SD): Synthetic complete (YNB, dextrose (or raffinose or galactose), and amino acids)

Pichia pastoris
MGY: minimal glycerol medium
MD: minimal dextrose
MM: minimal methanol
BMGH: buffered minimal glycerol
BMMH: buffered minimal methanol

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

Is there a recommended protocol for fermentation using constitutive expression vectors such as pGAPZ?

Use the following high cell density protocol for pGAP clones. Feed carbon until the desired density is reached (300 to 400 g/L wet cell weight (WCW)). If the protein is well-behaved in the fermenter, increase to 300-400 g/L WCW as with methanol inducible clones. These densities can be reached in less than 48 hours of fermentation. We have fermented constitutive expressers on glycerol using these protocols with good results. Some modifications to the Fermentation Basal Salts Medium that you might want to make are:

1) Substitute 2% dextrose for the 4% glycerol in the batch medium.
2) Substitute 40% dextrose for the 50% glycerol in the fed-batch medium.
3) Feed the 40% dextrose at 12 mL/L/hr (Jim Cregg has published data on expression using several carbon sources as substrates; dextrose gave the highest levels of expression).
4) Yeast extract and peptone may be added to the medium for protein stability.

One warning: If you are working with His- strains, they remain His- after transformation with pGAPZ. Fermentation in minimal medium will require addition of histidine to the fermenter.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.