Heterologous Expression Systems

[Moondancer001]

Hi

 

I'm new here so I hope that this is in the right place.

 

So I have been considering heterologous expression systems, particularly for expressing proteins, and I was wondering what people considered are the main advantages and disadvantages of their use? I could think of a few, but wondered if there were others?

 

As far as I can tell the over-expression of the protein can be both advantageous (as it is easy to measure effects) and disadvantageous (may force interactions that would not normally occur, like oligomerisation of receptors). Other advantages are that they are easy to grow and manipulate genetically. But they are devoid of key interacting proteins and can alter the properties of the heterologous cell.

 

 

 

Thank you

[CharonY]

You should also think in terms of what the goal of the expression is. E.g. figuring out functions and physiological effects or simply enrichment and purification of the protein. Also think about posttranslational modifications.