A RAFT DEFICIENT YEAST EXPRESSION SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT MEMBRANE PROTEINS

摘要

The present invention relates to a raft deficient yeast expression system for the production of heterologous membrane proteins, preferably proteins that are naturally raft- associated, more preferably G-protein coupled receptors. This cell based expression system in which recombinant membrane proteins are functionally expressed in a homogeneous form and efficiently extracted from membranes by detergents involves genetically modified yeasts wherein at least one gene controlling raft formation, constitution and/or integrity is modified. It also relates to a method for the preparation of said yeasts. It finally relates to the utilization of said yeasts for isolation and purification of said proteins, for their biochemical, biophysical and functional characterization such as for example structure determination and ligand screening.