Enhanced In Vitro Refolding of Fibroblast Growth Factor 15 with the Assistance of SUMO Fusion Partner
2011

Improving Protein Production with SUMO Tag

Sample size: 3 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Kong Bo Guo, Grace L. Cotterill

Primary Institution: University of Kansas Medical Center

Hypothesis

Can the SUMO fusion tag improve the solubility and refolding of recombinant Fgf15 protein expressed in E. coli?

Conclusion

The study successfully developed a method to express functional Fgf15 protein in prokaryotic cells using a SUMO fusion tag.

Supporting Evidence

  • Fgf15 protein was expressed in E. coli but was found in inclusion bodies.
  • The SUMO tag did not improve the solubility of Fgf15 but assisted in its refolding.
  • Both SUMOtFgf15 and tFgf15 proteins suppressed hepatic Cyp7a1 mRNA levels in mice.

Takeaway

The researchers found a way to make a protein called Fgf15 work better by using a special tag that helps it fold correctly after being made in bacteria.

Methodology

The study involved expressing Fgf15 in E. coli with a SUMO tag, purifying it, and then refolding it in vitro.

Limitations

The study did not explore the effects of other potential fusion tags on Fgf15 solubility.

Participant Demographics

10–16 week old male mice were used for in vivo experiments.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0020307

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