Nanobodies as solubilization chaperones for the expression and purification of inclusion-body prone proteins

Chem Commun (Camb). 2022 Feb 24;58(17):2898-2901. doi: 10.1039/d1cc07105j.

Abstract

Here, we report a new protocol for enhancing the soluble expression of inclusion body (IB)-prone proteins in E. coli using nanobodies (Nbs) as a molecular-specific chaperone. The specific intracellular binding between the cognate-Nbs and the antigen is successfully achieved and enables the formation of a soluble Nb-antigen complex in E. coli. We further expand this method by adding an epitope tag (EPEA-tag) to the target proteins, and the anti-EPEA Nb was intended to act as the chaperone for in vivo binding with the EPEA tag. Such substitution may develop a "multi-specific" Nb-chaperone that can simultaneously and effectively cope with different IB proteins of interest.

MeSH terms

  • Escherichia coli Proteins / chemistry*
  • Inclusion Bodies / chemistry*
  • Molecular Chaperones / chemistry*
  • Single-Domain Antibodies / chemistry*
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Single-Domain Antibodies