High-level expression of fusion protein containing 10 tandem repeated GLP-1 analogs in yeast Pichia pastoris and its biological activity in a diabetic rat model

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin secreted by intestinal L-cells, can effectively lower blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. A fusion gene, consisting of 10 tandem repeated GLP-1 analog genes, was expressed at a high level in the yeast Pichia pastoris. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and Western Blotting results showed that fusion protein migrated as a single protein band with a molecular weight of 36 kDa. A biological activity test showed that the GLP-1 analog could significantly lower the level of serum glucose when GLP-1 purified analog was injected into diabetic rats. A potential strategy for large-scale production of fusion protein containing the 10 GLP-1 analogs as discovered, and a single GLP-1 analog was obtained from fusion protein digested with trypsin. This should be inspired foreign expression of medicinal short peptides and be valuable in further research on GLP-1 analog drugs in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.