RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies

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For Public

To let you know about our research, this area contains 4 types of information about CLST; “Article”, “Videos”, “Event” and “Study”.
At “Article”, you can read articles on interviews and lectures, and you can enjoy the videos about CLST at “Videos”. If you want to meet and talk directly with the researcher, “Visit” give you some information of such events. You can find more difficult contents to know about our research deeply at “Study”.
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Technologies of CLST

Cell-Free Protein Production System

 

 

Cell-free protein production system consists of RNA polymerase, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, translation factors, ribosomes, and DNA for the template of a target protein. It is reconstituted by E. coli extract and chemical compounds, e.g. aminoacids, NTP (nucleotide 5'-triphosphates: ATP, CTP, GTP and UTP), and so on.

 

Our cell-free system uses E. coli BL21 strain and produces 1 mg of GFP (Green Fluorescence Protein) per mL of a reaction. Both plasmid and linear DNA are usable for the template. A quick screening for protein production by SDS-PAGE can be achieved by using PCR products. In cooperation with Nonnatural Amino Acid Technology Team, we develop an advanced cell-free system through the site-specific incorporation of modified aminoacids into a target protein. Since it makes possible introductions of chemical labeling without damage for protein function, it will contribute to developing novel techniques for life science research, e.g. molecular imaging and probing of partner biomolecules.

 

 

 

1

Cell-free expression of protein complexes for structural biology

Terada T, Murata T, Shirouzu M, Yokoyama S.
Methods Mol Biol, 1118, 151-159 (2014).
3

A continuous cell-free translation system capable of producing polypeptides in high yield.

Spirin AS, Baranov VI, Ryabova LA, Ovodov SY, Alakhov YB.
Science, 242(4882), 1162-1164 (1988).

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Related labs

CLST was reorganized into three centers according to the RIKEN 4th Medium-Term Plan from April 1, 2018.