AUTOCATALYTIC PROTEIN LINKER AND USE THEREOF FOR PRODUCING FUSION PROTEINS

摘要

The invention relates to an autocatalytic protein linker, to fusion proteins that comprise said autocatalytic protein linker, to an expression vector, to a kit for producing such fusion proteins, and to the use thereof in the fields of biochemistry, biotechnology, and molecular biology, in particular in protein purification. According to the invention, an autoproteolytic protein linker that comprises the DUF1521 domain or a partial sequence thereof is used as part of a fusion protein. The DUF1521 domain is preferably selected from the sequences having the SEQ ID No. 1 to 8 or a homologous sequence having at least 70% sequence identity (preferably 80%, especially preferably 90%) to at least one of said sequences or to a partial sequence thereof. The fusion protein comprises at least one further protein or peptide in addition to the autoproteolytic protein linker. The autoproteolytic cleavage of the protein linker is induced advantageously by the addition of Ca2+ ions.