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Biological applications of protein splicing
Miquel Vila-Perelló1, Tom W Muir
1Laboratory of Synthetic Protein Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Cell
|October 16, 2010
Summary
Protein splicing, a natural process where inteins remove themselves from proteins, has enabled new protein engineering techniques. These methods allow for novel manipulations of protein structure, bridging chemistry and biology.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Protein Engineering
Background:
- Protein splicing is a natural biological process.
- Inteins are protein components that catalyze splicing.
- This process has been known for two decades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a primer on protein splicing.
- To discuss protein engineering methods based on intein activity.
- To highlight the applications of these methods in manipulating protein structure.
Main Methods:
- The abstract does not specify methods, but refers to protein engineering techniques.
- These techniques leverage the self-cutting activity of inteins.
- Focus is on the application of these natural mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Protein splicing allows for "traceless" removal of inteins.
- This process has led to the development of various protein engineering tools.
- These tools enable previously impossible manipulations of protein covalent structure.
Conclusions:
- Protein splicing is a powerful tool for protein engineering.
- It bridges the gap between chemistry and biology.
- The primer covers the tools and their applications.
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