Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022113 | Protein Expression and Purification | 2006 | 9 Pages |
Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) is a potent stimulator of extracellular matrix degradation in models of osteoarthritis (OA). In contrast to bovine explant models which effectively respond to recombinant human IL-1β, canine models are relatively refractory to human IL-1β stimulation. Canine IL-1β cDNA was cloned in order to produce a fully potent species matched preparation of IL-1β for use specifically in canine models of OA. Established methods for the production of various orthologous IL-1β proteins from different species are problematic due to the exquisite sensitivity of the mature IL-1β product to N-terminal variations and the intrinsic technical challenges associated with producing an unmodified product. We have applied a seamless method of SUMO tagging and removal in order to produce a homogeneous unmodified preparation of canine IL-1β from Escherichia coli which was found to be a potent inducer of aggrecanase activity in isolated canine articular chondroctyes. This method combines highly efficient aspects of seamless plasmid engineering, protein purification, and precise tag removal.