ACTIVE INCLUSION BODIES: THE UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Abstract

The demand for large-scale production of pure and functional proteins via cost-effective and simple methods is highly emerging at present. In biotechnology, proteins are synthesized in heterologous systems, since natural sources do not always allow satisfactory yields and purity of desired proteins. Heterologous systems are focused to produce a high amount of an expressed protein, often leading to translation mechanism overload. As a result, insoluble aggregates of the protein called inclusion bodies (IBs) are formed. Since the beginning of recombinant protein production, the formation of IBs has been seen as an obstacle and great afford has been made to prevent their presence. On the contrary, many independent studies in the recent decade challenged this wide-accepted opinion and proved the huge potential of IBs. This review focuses on the benefits of tailored-made production of IBs and their emerging use as self-immobilized catalysts used in the synthesis of several industrially interesting products, as well as on their utilization in different areas.