7 Benefits: Why Do We Need Recombinant Proteins?

Recombinant proteins are those whose genetic code was cloned using recombinant DNA and then expressed using an expression vector. Recombinant DNA technology allows for the modification of genes, which can result in the production of mutant proteins. A recombinant protein is a native protein modified in some way to boost protein production, alter gene sequences, or create a marketable good. 

The creation of recombinant proteins has expanded rapidly in recent years, finding widespread use in fields as diverse as medicine, agriculture, and food science. Although many technologies have been established for protein expression, there is a growing need for effective ways of industrial-scale synthesis. So, bacteria, yeasts, insects, and even mammalian cultures are used to manufacture recombinant proteins in enormous quantities for commercial and scientific applications. 

The evolved eukaryotic system in plants makes them a popular choice among these. There has been a push to use plants and plant cells to express recombinant proteins as a cheaper alternative production platform.

Benefits Of Recombinant Proteins

The advantages of using recombinant proteins include the following:

1. Constant Costs

Producing native human proteins is expensive, and the price tag seems to increase yearly. It’s getting harder and more costly to access the required vital tissues. 

Recombinant protein yields have also decreased because of a drop in the quality of raw materials. As a result, the price of native proteins rises to cover the increased production expenses. 

On the other hand, initial material costs for recombinant proteins production are known quantities. Reagents for cell culture and fermentation can be purchased at a far more stable price than raw native tissues. This permits the production of recombinant proteins in the most significant possible batches at a steady, predictable cost.

2. Reducing The Need For Disease-State Testing

Purified native human proteins may contain infectious disease pathogens due to their source. The absence of contagious illness can be confirmed using FDA-cleared or CE-marked assays when testing is available at the donor level. However, these tests are unavailable for the tissues from which many natural proteins are isolated. 

To verify the lack of infectious disease agent DNA or RNA, tissue samples are forwarded to third-party laboratories for nucleic acid testing. Unfortunately, diagnostic test kit makers may face regulatory hurdles because these tests lack FDA/CE clearance.

Purified recombinant proteins originate from non-human sources like cell culture or fermentation systems; hence they pose no risk to human health. Therefore, recombinant proteins do not have to deal with the regulatory hurdles that natural proteins do.

3. Protein Contaminants Do Not Cause Any Disruption

The starting materials for purifying many natural proteins contain proteins homologous to the protein being purified. These contaminated proteins are a problem because they can skew the results of assays like immunoassays. Purification processes take a long time because of protein contamination. 

Purified proteins from recombinant sources are highly unlikely to share sequence or structural similarities with any proteins in the recombinant source. As a result, not even trace amounts of potentially harmful native contaminating proteins make it into the final product.

4. Equivalent Efficiency To The Natural Variants

At every stage of the process, the Recombinant Protein Development Team works to ensure that the recombinant proteins they create are functionally equivalent to their natural counterparts. 

When purifying proteins, we apply our specialized methods to guarantee correct folding and keep them functional. Multiple clinical analyzers, including western blot and ELISA, test some of the recombinant proteins. 

Further, profiles are established through HPLC, isoelectric focusing, and SDS-PAGE. Because of this, they can provide recombinant proteins that can be detected using numerous antibody-based assays.

5. Medicinal Application Of Recombinant Proteins
   

In addition to their use in scientific research, recombinant proteins have numerous clinical applications. These include diagnostic assays and therapeutic proteins, such as monoclonal antibodies targeting pathogenic antigens, therapies designed to replace depleted supplies of hormones like growth factors and insulin, and adjuvant treatments for infectious diseases like hepatitis that rely on interferons.

It is crucial to take precautions to ensure the production of high-quality target proteins from mammalian cells like CHO cells for all applications involving the intravenous injection of recombinant proteins to patients. 

The DNA sequence may have been optimized, but when expressed in a non-eukaryotic system or using an inappropriate cell line, immunogenicity, and severe side effects can occur due to mistakes in post-translational modifications such as glycosylation patterns. 

The Food and Drug Administration mandates thorough product characterization, including adequate eukaryotic cell culture, expression vectors, and protein purification procedures.

6. Change The Face Of Biotechnology With Recombinant Proteins
   

The introduction of recombinant technology revolutionized the biotechnology industry. Biotechnology relied on discovering and isolating microbes from the environment capable of creating desirable small compounds (such as penicillins) before the development of cloning plasmids and editing the genome of host cells. The majority of these discoveries can be attributed to chance.

Incorporating promoter regions into DNA to ensure high levels of RNA transcription and, consequently, high protein synthesis yields from amino acids ushered in a new era in the field with the advent of the directed production of recombinant proteins.

7. Sustainable Raw Material

Unlike naturally occurring human proteins, recombinant protein production is unaffected by raw material shortages. The scarcity of suitable precursor materials constrains the production of native human proteins. Human tissues and fluids are not always readily available, which can cause setbacks in production. A recombinant cell line can be produced and harvested on demand without relying on central collection points or individual donors.

Final Thoughts

Proteomics studies rely heavily on recombinant proteins. Two significant benefits of recombinant proteins over native proteins are more significant control over whether and how much recombinant proteins are produced and lower purification costs for recombinant proteins. Determining which recombinant protein best suits a specific use is complex.