Preparation and characterization of human interleukin-5 expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli

Biochem J. 1990 Sep 1;270(2):357-61. doi: 10.1042/bj2700357.

Abstract

The gene coding for human interleukin-5 was synthesized and expressed in Escherichia coli under control of a heat-inducible promoter. High-level expression, 10-15% of total cellular protein, was achieved in E. coli. The protein was produced in an insoluble state. A simple extraction, renaturation and purification scheme is described. The recombinant protein was found to be a homodimer, similar to the natural murine-derived protein. Despite the lack of glycosylation, high specific activities were obtained in three 'in vitro' biological assays. Physical characterization of the protein showed it to be mostly alpha-helical, supporting the hypothesis that a conformational similarity exists among certain cytokines.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Physical
  • Disulfides / analysis
  • Electrochemistry
  • Eosinophils / cytology
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interleukin-5 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-5 / isolation & purification
  • Interleukin-5 / pharmacology
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Mice
  • Molecular Weight
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Conformation
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Solubility
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / analysis

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Disulfides
  • Interleukin-5
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds