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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

From Cells to Cell-Free Protein Synthesis within 24 Hours Using Cell-Free Autoinduction Workflow
Published on: July 22, 2021
Expression and purification of APRIL by auto-induction
Sanjian Yu1, Yuxiong Wang, Yushan Liu
1The key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, China.
A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is crucial for cell growth and immune responses, and is linked to cancer and autoimmune diseases. Researchers successfully produced biologically active APRIL, confirming its role in proliferation and receptor binding.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is a tumor necrosis factor family member involved in immune responses, IgA class switching, and cell growth.
- APRIL is implicated in diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders, with high mRNA levels found in tumors.
- Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) mediate APRIL's induction of tumor cell proliferation via its N-terminal basic region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To express recombinant APRIL in a functional form.
- To investigate the biological activity of mature APRIL, specifically its N-terminal basic region.
Main Methods:
- Recombinant APRIL expression using an auto-induction system in Escherichia coli.
- In situ cleavage to generate the mature form of APRIL.
Main Results:
- Successful expression and generation of mature, biologically active APRIL.
- The mature APRIL form, including its N-terminal basic region, demonstrated full receptor binding and proliferation induction activity.
Conclusions:
- The N-terminal basic region of APRIL is essential for its biological activity.
- This study provides a method for producing active APRIL for further research into its roles in disease.
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