Large-scale production of functional membrane proteins

• Published in: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS Vol. 65; no. 11; pp. 1729 - 1755
• Main Authors: Junge, F, Schneider, B, Reckel, S, Schwarz, D, Dötsch, V, Bernhard, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel Basel : SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel 01.06.2008; SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell Biology; cell-free expression; Cell-Free System; Cellular biology; detergents; expression systems; Gene Expression; Humans; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Hydrophobicity; Insecta - cytology; Life Sciences; Membrane proteins; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - isolation & purification; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Membranes; Molecular Structure; post-translational modification; Protein Conformation; Protein Folding; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Proteins; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - isolation & purification; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - metabolism; Review; Yeasts - cytology; Yeasts - physiology; cell-free expression; posttranslational modification; expression systems; detergents; Membrane proteins
• ISSN: 1420-682X; 1420-9071
• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-008-8067-5

The preparation of sufficient amounts of high-quality samples is still the major bottleneck for the characterization of membrane proteins by in vitro approaches. The hydrophobic nature, the requirement for complicated transport and modification pathways, and the often observed negative effects on membrane properties are intrinsic features of membrane proteins that frequently cause significant problems in overexpression studies. Establishing efficient protocols for the production of functionally folded membrane proteins is therefore a challenging task, and numerous specific characteristics have to be considered. In addition, a variety of expression systems have been developed, and choice of appropriate techniques could strongly depend on the desired target membrane proteins as well as on their intended applications. The production of membrane proteins is a highly dynamic field and new or modified approaches are frequently emerging. The review will give an overview of currently established processes for the production of functionally folded membrane proteins.