Non-core region modulates interleukin-11 signaling activity: generation of agonist and antagonist variants.

Human interleukin-11 (hIL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine administered to patients with low platelet counts. From a structural point of view hIL-11 belongs to the long-helix cytokine superfamily, which is characterized by a conserved core motif consisting of four α-helices. We have investigated the region of hIL-11 that does not belong to the α-helical bundle motif, and that for the purpose of brevity we have termed "non-core region.

Signal peptide design for improving recombinant protein secretion in the baculovirus expression vector system.

Almost all secretory proteins have a sequence consisting of 15-30 amino acids at the N-terminus (the so-called N-terminal signal peptide). Signal peptides direct the propeptide to the endoplasmic reticulum and through the secretory pathway. Although the sequences of signal peptides vary greatly, all contain a basic amino acid in the N-terminal region, followed by a hydrophobic core region.

Utilization of Arg-elution method for FLAG-tag based chromatography.

FLAG-tag is one of the commonly used purification technologies for recombinant proteins. An antibody, M2, specifically binds to the FLAG-tag whether it is attached to N- or C-terminus of proteins to be purified. The bound proteins are generally eluted by competition with a large excess of free FLAG peptide.