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Refolding of Inclusion Body Proteins

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Molecular Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Medicine™ ((MIMM,volume 94))

Abstract

Genome sequencing projects have led to the identification of an enormous number of open reading frames that code for unknown proteins. Elucidation of the structure and function of these proteins makes it necessary to produce proteins fast, in high yields and at low cost. The recombinant expression of proteins in bacterial hosts often results in the formation of inclusion bodies. Here, the protein accumulates in large quantities separated from the cellular protein. However, the protein is insoluble and inactive. Thus, it is necessary to establish efficient refolding protocols. Progress has been made recently in this field concerning refolding strategies, the use of low-molecular-weight additives as folding enhancers, and the determination of optimum refolding parameters. Here we present an overview of the refolding technology and give a standard protocol for inclusion body refolding.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University Munich, Germany

    Marcus Mayer

  2. Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University Munich, Germany

    Johannes Buchner

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  1. Marcus Mayer
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  2. Johannes Buchner
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Accenture GmbH, Munich, Germany

    Jochen Decler

  2. Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Regenburg, Germany

    Udo Reischl

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© 2004 Humana Press Inc.

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Mayer, M., Buchner, J. (2004). Refolding of Inclusion Body Proteins. In: Decler, J., Reischl, U. (eds) Molecular Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases. Methods in Molecular Medicine™, vol 94. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-679-7:239

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-679-7:239

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-221-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-679-9

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