In insect expression systems, specific tags are employed to improve the solubility and facilitate the purification of recombinant proteins. These tags help in overcoming challenges associated with protein aggregation and provide convenient methods for isolating the target protein from complex mixtures. Here are some commonly used tags:

  1.   His Tag (Histidine Tag): A polyhistidine tag (typically 6xHis) is widely used for purification via nickel affinity chromatography. It aids in the solubility of proteins and allows easy purification under native conditions. 

  2.   GST Tag (Glutathione S-Transferase Tag): The GST tag enhances protein solubility and allows for purification using glutathione affinity chromatography. It can also help in folding proteins correctly. 

  3.   MBP Tag (Maltose-Binding Protein Tag): The MBP tag improves the solubility of target proteins and allows for purification through amylose affinity chromatography. It can also assist in folding and increasing the yield of soluble protein. 

  4.   SUMO Tag (Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier Tag): The SUMO tag promotes solubility and proper folding of proteins, and it can be cleaved off after purification, leaving the target protein intact. 

  5.   FLAG Tag: The FLAG tag (a short peptide) allows for purification via anti-FLAG affinity chromatography. It is relatively small and can be used without significantly affecting protein function. 

  6.   Strep Tag: The Strep-tag II allows for purification using Strep-Tactin affinity chromatography. It is a small tag that improves solubility and can be removed easily after purification. 

Common tags used in insect expression systems to enhance solubility and facilitate purification include His Tag, GST Tag, MBP Tag, SUMO Tag, FLAG Tag, and Strep Tag. These tags improve protein yield, solubility, and simplify the purification process. 

GenCefe provide one-stop solutions from codon optimization, gene synthesis, to protein expression and purification. In addition to four conventional expression systems of bacterial,yeast, insect cell, and mammalian cell, we have also developed a patented cell free expression technology, which is suitable for the production of difficult proteins such as toxic proteins and membrane proteins.