Fusion with heat-resistant obscure (Hero) proteins have the potential to improve the molecular property of recombinant proteins

PLoS One. 2022 Jun 17;17(6):e0270097. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270097. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Although recombinant proteins are widely used in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, improving their solubility and stability is often a challenging issue. We recently discovered a class of highly unstructured heat-resistant obscure (Hero) proteins, which function to protect other "client" proteins in trans from various stresses in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show that fusion of Hero proteins in cis can enhance the molecular property of recombinant proteins. Fusion with Hero11 improved the otherwise challenging production of TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) in Escherichia coli. Moreover, fusing with Hero9 strongly protected the activity of firefly luciferase bearing destabilizing mutations against heat and other stress conditions. These data suggest that Hero proteins have the potential to be used as versatile stabilization tags for recombinant protein production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biotechnology
  • Escherichia coli* / genetics
  • Escherichia coli* / metabolism
  • Hot Temperature*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins

Grants and funding

Y.T. JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP18H05271 and JP21H05278 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/ The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.