COMMERCIAL-SCALE REFOLDING OF RECOMBINANT METHIONYL BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN

A method to dissolve and oxidize recombinant methionyl bovine somatotropin (mBST) from bacterial inclusion bodies suitable for large scale manufacture has been developed. mBST-containing inclusion bodies are dissolved, refolded, and oxidized in a single step in 4.5 M urea and pH 11.25 at protein concentrations in the 5 - 15 g/L range with yields in excess of 80%. Yield is a strong function of the urea concentration used during the oxidation reaction; optimal yields are obtained at intermediate urea concentrations.