Case Studies
Protein with Biological Activity
Production and purification of proteins with biological activity is essential in drug discovery. Multifunctional units at GenScript secure successful delivery of bioactive proteins based on our state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies. A case study below shows groups of protein production and assay development teaming up deliver
enzyme with qualified specific activity, higher than customer expected. After modifying the method of cell-breaking, we increase the final yield of protein of interest with purity of above 90%.
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Fig. A: SDS-PAGE analysis of the fractions upon the IEX chromatography
Lane 1-47: Gradient elution fractions
Lane M: Smart Broad-Range Protein Standard (GenScript, Cat. No. MM0906)
Lane S: The supernatant after homogenizer with high pressure
Lane ft: Flow through
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Fig. B: Enzyme assay monitoring the fractionation by DEAE Sepharose
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Fig. C: Fractions pooled based on activity analysis for further ADP Sepharose affinity purification
Fig. D: SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified protein
Lane M: Smart Broad-Range Protein Standard (GenScript, Cat. No. MM0906)
Lane S: The supernatant after homogenizer with high pressure
Lane ft: Flow through
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Large-scale Endotoxin Free Protein Production
GenScript's protein team has extensive experience in bacterial expression and purification, protein refolding, solubility enhancement, endotoxin removal, and large-scale production.
In a recent case, we have obtained 108 mg A fusion protein with >90% purity from 20 L E. coli expression and two-step purification. The concentration is 4.02 mg/ml and the endotoxin level is lower than 0.8 EU/ug.
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Fig. 1 SDS-PAGE analysis of the expression of A fusion protein |
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Fig. 2 SDS-PAGE analysis of the first step purification of A fusion protein |
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Lane M: Smart Broad-Range Protein Standard (Genscript, Cat.No. MM0906) |
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Lane 1: Supernatant fraction |
Lane 3: Wash |
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| Lane 2: Flow through fraction |
Lane 4–5: Elution |
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Lane 1: Lysate of cells without induced |
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Lane M: Smart Broad-Range Protein Standard (Genscript, Cat.No. MM0906) |
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Lane 2–4: Lysate of cells induced |
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Fig.3 SDS-PAGE analysis of the second step purification of A fusion protein |
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Fig. 4 SDS-PAGE analysis of the purity of A fusion protein |
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Lane 1: A fusion protein
Lane M: Smart Broad-Range Protein Standard (Genscript, Cat.No. MM0906) |
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Lane 1: Specimen fraction |
Lane 2–9: Elution |
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| Lane M: Smart Broad-Range Protein Standard (Genscript, Cat.No. MM0906) |
OptimumGeneTM Codon Optimization Technology
Proven increase in protein expression through optimizing a variety of parameters
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Fig. 1. GenScript OptimumGene™ codon optimization genes increased the yield of expression (8 out of 10 genes) and the degree of solubility in some cases (6 out of 10 genes) compared to the native genes.
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Reference: Burgess-Brown NA, Sharma S, Sobott F, Loenarz C, Oppermann U, Gileadi O. Codon optimization can improve expression of human genes in Escherichia coli: A multi-gene study. Protein Expr Purif. May 2008; 59(1): 94-102
Significant Increase Drug Target Proteins Expression Level in E.coli.
Figures below manifested the effectiveness of the OptimumGene™ technology in increasing drug target proteins expression levels for two different genes expressed in E.coli.
Co-expression of Protein Complexes
Purification of macromolecular complex subunits in large quantities and assembling them into functional entities are vital steps for successfully determining the structure and characterizing the functions of macromolecular complexes. Despite the fact that cases of isolation and structure determination of endogenous complexes have been demonstrated, great efforts still lie ahead to make this technology easily accessible. Recent endeavor on this subject suggests that co-expression of subunits within hosts of E.coli and insect cells, even for high-throughput projects, is becoming a promising solution.
GenScript has successfully co-expressed 3 subunits of A protein in E. coli system:
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Fig. A protein with His-tag was analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining
Lane M: Smart Broad-Range Protein Standard (GenScript, Cat. No. MM0906)
Lane 1: A-His-αβγ target protein with His-tag |
BacPowerTM Bacterial Expression System
1. Protein refolding
Overproduction of proteins in E.coli can cause the formation of inactive, misfolded and insoluble protein aggregates. GenScript provides proprietary refolding technology to solve this problem. A case study shows that over 95% of the inclusion body is solublized and refolded. The purity of the refolded protein is more than 85%. The refolded protein is delivered in customized buffer.
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Fig. A: Refolded protein of sample was analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining
Lane M: Smart Protein Standard (Middle-Range) (GenScript, Cat. No. MM0900)
Lane 1: Refolded protein of sample |
2. Tag removal
Presence of epitope tag in recombinant proteins may result in changes in protein structure, toxicity, and loss of bioactivity. To avoid these problems, tag removal after protein expression is one of additional requests from some customers. Shown below is protein that is cleaved by SUMO protease and successfully isolated. About 80% tag free target protein with purity of >90% is recovered.
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SDS-PAGE checking purification of protein after tag cleavage by SUMO protease
Fig. B:
Lane M: Smart Protein Standard (Middle-Range) (GenScript, Cat.No. MM0900)
Lane 1: Refolded fusion protein with SUMO-tag
Fig. C:
Lane M: Smart Protein Standard (Middle-Range) (GenScript, Cat.No. MM0900)
Lane 1: Recovered protein after 1st incubation with Ni-resin
Lane 2: Recovered protein after 2nd incubation with Ni-resin
Lane 3: Elute with 300 mM imidazole from Ni-resin of 2nd incubation |
YeastHIGHTM Yeast Expression System
1. Protein expression in yeast
GenScript's proprietary YeastHIGHTM expression system and in-house
YeastFast technology delivers unparalleled advantages in secretory expression. Pictured below is an enzyme expression performed using our YeastHIGHTM expression technology. After one step purification by SP-Sepharose, we find tag-free proteins at an expression level of about 20 mg/L and at purity level of over 90%. The target protein is further identified by MALDI-TOF.
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Fig. A: Expression and secretion of target protein from P. pastoris
Lane 1: Conventinal yeast expression technology
Lane 2: GenScript YeastHIGHTM technology
Lane 3: Negative control
Lane M: Smart Protein Standard (Middle-Range) (GenScript, Cat. No. MM0900)
Fig. B: Purification of the target protein by SP-Sepharose
Lane M: Smart Protein Standard (Middle-Range) (GenScript, Cat. No. MM0900) |
2. Signal peptides
Shown below is the expression of a protease with signal peptide. There was no secretion expression of target protein with Saccharomyces cerevisiae α factor prepro peptide. After changing the peptide sequence for secretion from α factor prepro to the native signal peptide of the protease itself, the target protein was expressed and secreted successfully.
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Fig. C: Western blot analysis of target protein expression with native signal peptide
Lane 1-5: Induced for 24h, 48h, 72h, 84h, 120h
Lane M: Protein Marker
Fig. D: Western blot analysis of
target protein expression with α factor prepro peptide
Lane 1-4: Induced for 24h, 48h, 72h,
84h
Lane M: Protein Marker |
BacuVanceTM Baculovirus Expression System
1. Project evaluation and high secretory expression level (6mg/L)
Customer’s initial request was to synthesize the gene in question and to clone it into our BV vector for intracellular expression. The expected yield was 0.1-1 mg of tagged protein with over 70% purity. Based on a thorough sequence analysis, we designed a new strategy, which was approved by the customer, touse the protein's native signal peptide to drive secretion. In the end, we obtained 3 mg of protein with a purity level over 80% from 0.5 L SF9 CM. The protein's identity was further confirmed by MALDI-TOF.
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Fig. A: SDS-PAGE Analysis of target protein purified by SP column
Lane 1-8: Eluted fractions with 1 M NaCl in 20 mM PB, pH 5.0
Lane M: Protein Marker |
2. Tag-free protein purification
After protein expression, the conditioned medium was dialyzed against buffer, and loaded onto SP column. The predicted size of the target protein was 78 kDa. The SDS-PAGE results showed that proteins of the same size as the target had been obtained in lanes 12, 13, 14.
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Fig. B: SDS-PAGE Analysis of target protein purified by SP column
Lane 1: The condition medium
Lane 2-14: Eluted fractions with gradient concentration of NaCl from 0 to 500 mM in 20 mM PB, pH 5.0
Lane M: Protein Marker |
Mammalian Expression System
Quotations and Ordering:
To request a quotation, please download and complete the Quotation/Order Form, and send it to us by email or fax.
To order, please download and complete the Quotation/Order Form and send it to us by email
or fax with a formal PO (Purchase Order) or credit card information.
You can also submit PO/credit card information by phone or via our secure online messaging system.
If submitting samples, please mail them together with a hard copy of the completed Quotation/Order Form to: Recombinant Protein Services, GenScript, 860 Centennial Ave., Piscataway, NJ 08854, US.
For questions about recombinant protein expression, or to inquire about the status of your order contact us by email, phone, fax or via our secure online messaging system.
Our customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday to assist you.
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Email: protein@genscript.com |
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Phone: 1-877-436-7274 (Toll-Free) 1-732-885-9188 |
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Fax: 1-732-210-0262 1-732-885-5878 |
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