Rapid matrix-assisted refolding of histidine-tagged proteins

The formation of inclusion bodies (IBs)--amorphous aggregates of misfolded insoluble protein--during recombinant protein expression, is still one of the biggest bottlenecks in protein science. We have developed and analyzed a rapid parallel approach for matrix-assisted refolding of recombinant His(6)-tagged proteins. Efficiencies of matrix-assisted refolding were screened in a 96-well format. The developed methodology allowed the efficient refolding of five different test proteins, including monomeric and oligomeric proteins. Compared to refolding in-solution, the matrix-assisted refolding strategy proved equal or better for all five proteins tested. Interestingly, specifically oligomeric proteins displayed significantly higher levels of refolding compared to refolding in-solution. Mechanistically, matrix-assisted folding seems to differ from folding in-solution, as the reaction proceeds more rapidly and shows a remarkably different concentration dependence--it allows refolding at up to 1000-fold higher protein concentration than folding in-solution.