subject: Protein Expression A Part Of Gene Expression [print this page] In biotechnology, protein expression services are used to produce specific proteins or sets of proteins which are screened for drug discovery. It represents the measurement of the presence and quantity of one or more proteins in a specific cell or tissue and protein expression systems form a critical part of drug discovery screening.
Drug discovery and development has always been considered an expensive and complicated process involving a string of trials and errors. But with the entry of proteomics, it has become possible to develop novel therapeutic approaches that speed up the process. Proteomics is the study of proteins, their structure and function. As a critical part of living organisms, the proteome denotes the entire protein along with the changes it undergoes. The word Proteome is from Proteins expressed by a genome. While the genome is defined as the full complement of an organisms genetic information including coding and noncoding DNA sequences, the proteome is the set of encoding DNA regions that result in protein production.
Almost all molecular biology experiments begin with cloned DNA and the gene is the point where protein expression starts. As a part of gene expression, protein expression relates to the stages that follow the transcription of DNA into messenger RNA or mRNA. This mRNA is then converted into polypeptide chains, preparing them to fold into proteins for protein synthesis. Protein expression is used in antibody sequencing.
Imaging gene expression in living cells contributes significantly to biological and biomedical research to diagnose and treat human disease. Proteins are the conventional targets of molecular imaging because they are present in larger numbers than a gene or its transcript.
Choosing the right protein expression system
There are many protein expression systems. These can be cell based, bacteria based, mammalian based, membrane protein expression, yeast-based, eukaryotic systems and cell-free systems. Recombinant protein expression technology enables the analysis of protein structures and their functions, interaction between proteins and antibody generation. The success of these processes depends on the system used. The criteria for choosing the protein expression system include functionality, speed, solubility and yield.
Gene and protein expression profiling are related to drug discovery for two reasons:
Discovery of new potential drug leads
Get information on the specificity of a drug candidate at the cellular level identify substitute markers for drug action
Protein expression allows the quick identification and production of proteins required in clinical research. It also helps in antibody sequencing which is necessary at the time of applying for a patent and antibody humanization and recombination. Knowledge of the monoclonal antibody sequence is the starting point for therapeutic antibody development Organizations offering protein expression services can sequence monoclonal antibodies from a cell line customized to specific requirements such as quality control, full traceability and drug development.
