Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

The Multifaceted Benefits of Protein Co-expression in Escherichia coli
Published on: February 5, 2015
Artificial genetic selection for an efficient translation initiation site for expression of human RACK1 gene in
Olga B Zhelyabovskaya1, Yuri A Berlin, Klara R Birikh
1Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia.
Abstract:
In bacterial expression systems, translation initiation is usually the rate limiting and the least predictable stage of protein synthesis. Efficiency of a translation initiation site can vary dramatically depending on the sequence context. This is why many standard expression vectors provide very poor expression levels of some genes. This notion persuaded us to develop an artificial genetic selection protocol, which allows one to find for a given target gene an individual efficient ribosome binding site from a random pool. In order to create Darwinian pressure necessary for the genetic selection, we designed a system based on translational coupling, in which microorganism survival in the presence of antibiotic depends on expression of the target gene, while putting no special requirements on this gene. Using this system we obtained superproducing constructs for the human protein RACK1 (receptor for activated C kinase).
Related Concept Videos
Initiation of Translation
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Initiation of Translation
What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
What is Gene Expression?
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
Cell Specific Gene Expression

