GPCR Expression

GPCR Expression

For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.

Creative Biolabs provides our customers with comprehensive solutions for GPCR expression to facilitate their cutting-edge programs.

Importance of GPCR Expression

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of cell surface receptors, play a pivotal role in signal transduction and are involved in numerous physiological regulatory mechanisms in human. As one of the largest classes of pharmacological therapeutic targets, the detailed structural and functional knowledge of GPCRs is of great importance for understanding drug-target interaction.

Most GPCRs are naturally found only in very little amounts. The inherent structural flexibility and dynamic characteristics of GPCRs are also the main obstacles. Thus, it is indispensable to establish a robust, efficient and reliable expression system to obtain stable GPCRs in sufficient quantities for various downstream applications, such as basic functional research, structural studies, antibody development, and drug discovery. Highly expressed GPCRs also have great potential in developing novel therapies for a wide range of diseases.

Figure 1. Simplified flow-chart of the production strategy of GPCRs. (Maeda S & Schertler G F X, 2013)
Figure 1. Simplified flow-chart of the production strategy of GPCRs. (Maeda S & Schertler G F X, 2013)

Comprehensive Solutions for GPCR Expression

We provide comprehensive solutions for GPCR expression based on various strategies and technique platforms. Our experienced scientific team can select the most suitable expression system and provide customized services tailored to specific requirements of our customers.

Expression System Advantages
Cell-based expression system
  • Allows for high levels of protein production.
  • Prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells can be used.
  • Straightforward genetic manipulation.
  • Suitable for many different types of proteins.
Cell-free expression system
  • Robust, highly efficient and controllable approach.
  • Suitable for complex, toxic, unstable, or easily degradable proteins.
  • Detergent-free.
  • Easy for purification.
Transient expression system
  • Rapid expression.
  • Protein folding and post-translational modification are possible.
Stable expression system
  • Rapid expression.
  • Stable cell lines can be obtained.
  • Protein folding and post-translational modification are possible.
Bacterial expression system
- E. coli
- Photosynthetic bacteria
- Lactococcus lactis
  • Lower production costs.
  • High level of expression.
  • Simple culture conditions and rapid expression.
  • High-throughput capabilities.
  • Simple process scale-up.
  • Easy for purification.
  • Wide application range.
Yeast expression system
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- Pichia pastoris
  • Moderately rapid expression.
  • Easy to manipulate and fermentation.
  • Cost-effective.
  • High level of expression.
  • Simple culture conditions.
  • Protein folding and post-translational modification are possible.
  • Without endotoxin.
Insect cell-based expression system
- Sf9 cells
- Sf21 cells
  • Moderately rapid expression.
  • High expression level.
  • Detergent-free.
  • Protein folding and post-translational modification are possible.
  • Suitable for large proteins and protein complexes.
Mammalian cell expression system
- CHO cells
- HEK cells
- Rabbit Reticulocyte Lysate
  • High expression level.
  • Well-characterized genetic background.
  • Detergent-free solution.
  • More efficient and proper protein folding and post-translational modification.
  • Easy for purification.
  • Suitable for large proteins.
  • High-throughput capabilities.
Wheat germ expression system
  • High expression level.
  • Suitable for large proteins.
  • Efficient protein folding is possible.
  • Robust, highly efficient and controllable approach.
Plant expression system
  • Easy to scale-up.
  • Special advantages in gene expression, modification and safety.
Large-scale expression system
- cGMP
- GLP
  • Large amounts of high purity protein for numerous applications, such as proteome research and structural studies.
  • Large-scale fermentation system and bioreactors are available.
  • Suitable for industrial-scale production.

If you are interested in our GPCR expression services or have any specific needs, please feel free to contact us for more details.

References

  1. Maeda S & Schertler G F X. Production of GPCR and GPCR complexes for structure determination. Current opinion in structural biology, 2013, 23(3): 381-392.
  2. Insel P A, et al. GPCR expression in tissues and cells: are the optimal receptors being used as drug targets?. British journal of pharmacology, 2012, 165(6): 1613-1616.
  3. Milić D & Veprintsev D B. Large-scale production and protein engineering of G protein-coupled receptors for structural studies. Frontiers in pharmacology, 2015, 6: 66.