Process for producing recombinant protein

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing a protein in the active form or salt thereof, which comprises extracting a protein, which has been expressed by genetic engineering in a prokaryotic host, with a solution containing about 0.1 mM to about 50 mM of a reducing agent having a reduction potential higher than −331 mV; and then refolding the protein in a solution containing a mercapto-free amino acid or its salt. Using the production process of the present invention, a recombinant protein in the inactive form expressed in a prokaryotic cell can be efficiently made active and thus a biologically and pharmacologically active recombinant protein having the above-described effects can be prepared in a large amount.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.