Molecular Cloning, Expression and Purification of the SARS Coronavirus Main Protease 3CL~(pro)
Heng Zheng · Pharmaceutical biotechnology · 2005
A novel human coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been reported to be the causative agent of severe a-cute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Since SARS-CoV 3C-like protease (3CLpro) plays an important role in extensive proteolytic processing of viral replication, it is an attractive drug target for anti-SARS agents. In this study, an efficient expression system, based on the pET28a vector, for producing SARS-3C-like proteinase, is presented. And the highly yielded expressed protease was purified by using NTA-Ni 2+ affinity chromatography. The results will be useful for the rational screening of anti-SARS drugs.