Recombinant protein expression involves introducing a gene of interest into a host organism, such as bacteria, yeast, insect cells, or mammalian cells, which then serves as a protein-producing ‘factory’. Protein expression kits are developed to facilitate the production of recombinant proteins, typically using vectors for cloning the gene of interest, host cells, and specific promoters that drive the expression of the cloned gene. The key components of our protein expression kits include:
1. Expression Vectors:
Typically, plasmids or other DNA vectors that carry the gene of interest coding for the protein and regulatory elements such as promoters and terminators. Vectors are designed for specific host organisms depending on the desired application.
2. Host Cells:
Host cells compatible with the chosen expression are required to enable protein expression. Common host organisms include Escherichia coli (bacteria), saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), baculovirus-infected insect cells, and mammalian cells.
3. Selection Marker
These are typically antibiotic resistance genes or other markers that allow for the selection of cells containing the expression vector.
4. Inducible Systems
Optional addition that enables the control of when the gene of interest is expression which is ideal for optimizing protein yield or studying proteins that are toxic to the host.
Our kits are essential tools in recombinant protein production, structural biology and X-ray crystallography, functional studies, antibody production, drug discovery and development, vaccine development, and high-throughput screening.
