PROKARYOTIC EXPRESSION OF SOLUBLE, ACTIVE DKK

摘要

Dickkopf (Dkk) proteins inhibit the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Each of the members of the Dkk family has been previously cloned and expressed as a soluble protein in eukaryotic cells, while expression in bacterial cells has resulted in the formation of insoluble inclusion bodies that require further processing. The present invention provides compositions and methods for producing soluble, active dkk protein in prokaryotic host cells, by expressing the dkk protein as a fusion protein with a solubilization molecule, thereby providing an inexpensive and convenient source of pure active Dkk.