Question

Recombinant proteins are often produced on a large scale using

• A. Conventional chemical methods
• B. Plant cells
• C. Microbial systems
• D. Inorganic catalysts

Hint:

• Recombinant protein production involves expressing a cloned gene in a host organism.
• Common host systems for large-scale production:
  • Microbial systems (bacteria like E. coli, yeasts like S. cerevisiae or P. pastoris) - often high yield, low cost.
  • Mammalian cell cultures (e.g., CHO cells) - for complex proteins requiring human-like modifications.
  • Plant cells/Transgenic plants.
  • Insect cell cultures.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Recombinant proteins are produced on a large scale using microbial systems. This involves inserting the gene that codes for the desired protein into a microorganism's DNA, enabling it to produce the protein during its growth and division.

The process generally consists of these steps:

1. Gene insertion: The gene encoding the target protein is inserted into the microbial host using vectors, commonly plasmids.
2. Host selection: Suitable microbial hosts such as bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli) or yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces cerevisiae) are chosen for their fast growth rates and ability to produce large amounts of protein.
3. Culture and expression: The modified microbes are cultured in controlled environments where they express the protein as they reproduce.
4. Protein purification: After sufficient growth, the culture is processed to extract and purify the desired protein, ensuring it maintains its bioactivity and structure.

Microbial systems offer benefits like high yield, cost efficiency, and scalability, making them ideal for large-scale production of recombinant proteins.