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Recombinant Protein Definition

Recombinant protein is a manipulated form of protein, which is generated in various ways to produce large quantities of proteins, modify gene sequences and manufacture useful commercial products. The formation of recombinant protein is carried out in specialized vehicles known as vectors. Recombinant technology is the process involved in the formation of recombinant protein.

  1. Background

    • In molecular biology, the so-called "Central Dogma," states that the gene information stored in DNA is transferred to RNA and then to proteins. The process of DNA to RNA transfer is called transcription, whereas the RNA to protein transfer is called translation. The gene codes in proteins are called structural genes because they are responsible for expressing the gene information into the structural units of a human being, such as the color of eyes, skin and hair.

    Recombination

    • Recombination is the process wherein a progeny (offspring) developed a combination of genes that is different from the genes of either parent, resulting to a new set of DNA. Shown in Figure 1 is the process of recombination, adapted from the article "What is a Genome?" by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

    Recombinant Protein

    • Recombinant DNA technology is one way of studying the functions and interactions of proteins. This is done by isolating a target DNA sequence and then transferring it to a cloning vector that has the ability to self-reproduce. The DNA of the cloning vector interacts with the target DNA and produces a new blueprint of gene information called recombinant DNA. The recombinant DNA is transferred to RNA, which in turn produces the recombinant protein.

    Therapeutic Proteins

    • Recombinant protein plays a big role in the creation of therapeutic agents that could modify and repair genetic errors, destroy cancer cells, treat immune system disorders, among other functions. For instance, Erythropoietin, a protein hormone produced by recombinant technology can be utilized in treating patients with erythrocyte deficiency, which is a common cause of kidney complications. Shown in Figure 2 are other therapeutic agents generated from recombinant proteins; adapted from "Gene Cloning an introduction," a book published by Stanley Thornes Ltd. and written by T.A. Brown.

    Genetic Engineering Tool

    • Genetic engineering is a field of study that deals with the modification of a cell's genetic sequence without hindering its ability to replicate. For instance, in genetic engineering of zebra fish, a new breed of fish was successfully cloned, which exhibited a glow-in-the-dark characteristic, after altering its gene with a recombinant protein called green fluorescent protein (GFP). Shown in Figure 3 is an image adapted from "Cloning in Vertebrates" from Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry.

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