Method of somatotropin naturation

摘要

Methods of solubilization and naturation of somatotropin protein from refractile bodies of host cells are disclosed. The solubilization methods embrace the discovery that an aqueous urea solution can be effectively used to solubilize refractile bodies containing such somatotropin protein. Surprisingly, it has been further found that once solubilized, such somatotropin protein can be natured in the urea solution by contacting the solution with a mild oxidizing agent for a time sufficient to result in the formation of the disulfide protein. Naturation can efficiently occur even at high protein concentration, in an impure preparation and in the absence of reducing agent.