A New Platform for Misfolding Protein Corrected

Protein Folding and Misfolding

Protein folding is the process by which proteins acquire their functional structure and conformation. Through this physical process, proteins fold from random coils into specific functional three-dimensional structures. As the leading performers of all functions in all organisms, the correct folding of proteins is essential. Polypeptide chains with complete primary structure can only have normal biological functions when folded to form the proper three-dimensional spatial structure. In cells, most natural proteins can spontaneously form relatively stable natural structures, but about 20% of polypeptides require the help of molecular chaperones to fold correctly. Misfolding of proteins in the body can lead to the formation of wrong spatial structures, resulting in the loss of their biological functions and even causing diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and cancer. While the process of protein folding is incredibly complex and error-prone, so the study and analysis of protein misfolding become particularly important.

Fig.1 Protein folding: from primary to tertiary structure

A new method for misfolding proteins corrected

Misfolding proteins are also threatening recombinant protein synthesis. Once protein misfolding occurs during protein purification, it will lead to protein aggregation, which will affect the purification efficiency of the protein. And misfolding proteins do not have the ability to disassemble and refold correctly. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new method to capture and refold misfolded proteins compatible with various proteins.

Recently, researchers have developed a new method to correct misfolding proteins; this new platform is based on a nanopore material that could interact selectively with misfolding proteins. The surface of misfolding protein has certain physiological and biochemical properties so that it can be immobilized on the nanopore material. The misfolding protein can then be unfolded and refolded into the correct state on this platform. Therefore, this new platform may provide a new perspective and direction for the treatment of diseases caused by protein misfolding and has potential applications in cancer, diabetes, etc.

The Advantages of this method include:

• Improve the efficiency of protein purification
• High-throughput Identified misfolded proteins
• Corrected misfolded proteins

Potential Applications

• Purification of any proteins
• Diagnosis of disease
• Restore protein function

Profacgen is a company dedicated to research in the biological field. We have been committed to discovering advanced experimental techniques to provide stronger support for our customers' research. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more details if you are interested in this new method, and we will provide considerate service for you. At the same time, we also offer other services; please move to our website for more details on protein-protein interaction.

Reference

1. G. Guidi, L. Di Tucci, M. D. Santambrogio, ProFAX: A hardware acceleration of a protein folding algorithm, 2016 IEEE 2nd International Forum on Research and Technologies for Society and Industry Leveraging a better tomorrow (RTSI), 2016, pp. 1-6, DOI: 10.1109/RTSI.2016.7740584.