High-throughput Pyrosequencing of a phage display library for the identification of enriched target-specific peptides

Biotechniques. 2003 Aug;35(2):317-20, 322, 324. doi: 10.2144/03352st04.

Abstract

Gene therapy clinical trials have highlighted the importance of specific cellular/tissue targeting of gene delivery vectors. Phage display libraries are powerful tools for the selection of novel peptide ligands as targeting moieties because of their high-throughput screening potential. However, a severe rate-limiting step in this procedure in terms of time, numbers, and cost is the sequence identification of selected phages. Here we describe the application of Pyrosequencing technology for sequencing phage isolates after panning a random 7-mer peptide expressing phage library against the A549 bronchial epithelial cell line to search for enrichment of possible targeting peptides. Pyrosequencing allows sequencing of 96 phages at one time in approximately 45 min at only a sixth of the cost of conventional sequencing methods. Using this technology, we have identified four sequences of interest. A phage binding assay revealed that three of the four sequences show a significant increase in binding abilities and specificity for A549 cells when compared to an unrelated cell line.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacteriophages / chemistry
  • Bacteriophages / metabolism*
  • Biotinylation
  • Bronchi / cytology
  • Cell Line
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epithelial Cells / chemistry*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Peptide Library*
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protein Binding
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA* / economics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA* / methods
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Ligands
  • Peptide Library
  • Peptides