Continuous production of prourokinase in feed harvest and perfusion cultures.

The production of prourokinase (PUK) by a human kidney tumor cell line is studied in long term cultures. Cells are grown on microcarriers which are retained inside the reactor by sedimentation or with a spin filter. Two modes of operation are compared: feed harvest at an average medium exchange rate of 0.3 d(-1) and continuous perfusion at a higher dilution rate of 1.5 d(-1). In the two systems a stable production of PUK has been maintained for more than 400 h. Kinetics of cellular growth, nutrient consumption, and metabolite and PUK excretion are similar. After an initial rapid growth period, one observes a 10-fold reduction in all the cellular metabolic activities during the stationary phase. Continuous perfusion yields a higher cell density (7 x 10(6) cells.mL(-1)) than feed harvest (3 x 10(6) cells.mL(-1)), which results in a twofold increase in the reactor productivity. But higher final enzyme activities, about 250 ru.mL(-1), are obtained in the feed harvest recovered medium than in the perfusion medium, 100-150 ru.mL(-1). The cumulative medium consumption per mass of product is the same in the repeated batch and in the continuous operation mode.