Refolding with Simultaneous Purification of Recombinant Core Streptavidin Using Single-step High-performance Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography

Streptavidin has applied to many areas including detection, purification, labeling, crosslinking and immobilization resulting in a high demand on its production. In this study, we report a method for preparation of recombinant core streptavidin (cSAV) protein using highperformance hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HPHIC). Firstly the cSAV was successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as inclusion bodies. A bifunctional stationary phase mainly working as HIC mode accompanied by weak anion exchange chromatography (WAX) was prepared using β-phenylethylamine (PEA) as a ligand. The denatured cSAV was then refolded and simultaneously purified by PEA hydrophobic interaction chromatography (PEA-HIC). The mass recovery and purity of cSAV by single-step were 30.2% and 98%, respectively. The bioactivity was determined to be 13.2 U/mg by biotin binding capacity assay. This method provides a new possibility for fast separation with simultaneous renaturation of cSAV.