Lysozyme reactivation using immobilized molecular chaperonin GroEL

Abstract

The molecular chaperonin, GroEL, was immobilized to a porous matrix and used to reactivate denatured lysozyme. The maximum reactivation yield was obtained at 37 °C and pH 6–8 and about 90% activity of the denatured lysozyme was restored under the conditions. The coupling density of GroEL had little effect on the chaperoning activity of GroEL up to 48 mg g−1 gel. The immobilized GroEL was reusable, indicating the possibility of using it on a large scale for the refolding of proteins.