Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

07:59
Extraction and Visualization of Protein Aggregates after Treatment of Escherichia coli with a Proteotoxic Stressor
Published on: June 29, 2021
Active protein aggregates produced in Escherichia coli.
Spela Peternel1, Radovan Komel
1Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Biotransformation, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 17, 2011
Summary
Recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli can be cost-effective. Inclusion bodies (IBs), once seen as inactive, can now be produced as active protein particles for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Protein Engineering
- Microbial Fermentation
Background:
- Recombinant proteins are crucial in industry and research, driving demand for cost-effective production methods.
- Escherichia coli is a preferred host for economical protein synthesis.
- Over-expression in E. coli often leads to inactive protein aggregates known as inclusion bodies (IBs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of inclusion bodies (IBs) as a source of active recombinant proteins.
- To explore methods for producing properly folded and biologically active IBs.
- To understand the formation mechanisms and properties of active IBs.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing specific host strains of Escherichia coli.
- Optimizing recombinant protein production processes.
- Characterizing the structure and activity of inclusion bodies.
Main Results:
- Inclusion bodies can be formed from properly folded and biologically active recombinant proteins.
- Active protein particles can be isolated from IBs or used directly.
- The formation of active IBs is dependent on host strain selection and process design.
Conclusions:
- Inclusion bodies are no longer solely considered inactive deposits.
- Active IBs offer a viable route for producing functional recombinant proteins.
- Further research into IB formation and properties is warranted for biotechnological applications.
Related Concept Videos
Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins. Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils.
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Molecular Chaperones and Protein Folding
The native conformation of a protein is formed by interactions between the side chains of its constituent amino acids. When the amino acids cannot form these interactions, the protein cannot fold by itself and needs chaperones. Notably, chaperones do not relay any additional information required for the folding of polypeptides; the native conformation of a protein is determined solely by its amino acid sequence. Chaperones catalyze protein folding without being a part of the folded protein.
The...
The...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...

