PROTEIN REFOLDING USING AQUEOUS 2-PHASE SYSTEMS

We present a novel refolding technique in which aqueous two-phase syst ems are used to both dissociate protein aggregates (inclusion bodies) and to refold the protein in only one operation. Three denaturant salt s (sodium thiocyanate, calcium chloride, and lithium bromide) were use d as phase-forming salts with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). We have tes ted the technique by dissolving carbonic anhydrase II aggregates and r efolding the denatured protein in PEG-NaCl-NaSCN systems.