A novel system for protein purification and modification

INTRODUCTION:

Many proteins are produced on industrial scale to be used in medicine and biotechnology (e.g. insulin). For production and/or research purposes it is necessary to isolate efficiently a particular protein from a mixture of molecules. There are a multitude of protein purification methods but all of them suffer from various problems.

TECHNOLOGY (INVENTION) DESCRIPTION:

We introduce an efficient and straightforward purification method allowing the preparation of pure proteins without any tag, chemical modification or fusion partner. The method consists of 2 fusion proteins ( a Base and a Modifier) that are produced in 2 independent production systems, and it is based on the use of split inteins to purify and/or modify the protein of interest (POI) with affinity chromatography. The tagged Base is produced and bound to the affinity matrix. If a chemical modification is desired it should be performed on the purified Modifier. Every kind of Modifier results in elution of a different variant of POI. To purify a POI one only needs to produce a single fusion polypeptide. It is then transformed into the desired form by applying the corresponding Modifier.

ADVANTAGES OVER EXISTING SOLUTIONS:

In comparison to other methods, this purification method is more efficient and specific, all components but the purified (/modified) protein of interest remain bound to the matrix. The following protein purification is straightforward, easier, cleaner and performed within fewer steps, which translates to cheaper and faster production in comparison to alternative methods. The method can be provided in a kit format. As possible clients, we see the pharmaceutical industry, medical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic laboratories of small and medium size. Furthermore, we see a commercial opportunity to produce and supply the Modifiers.

DEVELOPMENT STATUS (STAGE):

validation of results

PUBLICATIONS:

not published yet

IP PROTECTION STATUS:

patent application

TECHNOLOGY / IP OWNERS :

Charles University