Protein Expression Services
Cracking membrane proteins with many passes and large hydrophobic regions — delivering correctly folded, stably active transmembrane targets.
We specialise in transmembrane protein expression and purification for target research and drug discovery. As key integral membrane proteins they make up 70–80% of all membrane proteins; combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions and embedded in the lipid bilayer through their transmembrane domains, they drive transport, signalling and energy metabolism — and are the targets of more than 60% of known drugs.
They depend on the membrane environment to hold their structure and function, and with many passes and large hydrophobic regions they are extremely hard to express — obtaining structurally intact, stably active protein remains the central challenge of in vitro preparation.
Drawing on E. coli, mammalian and baculovirus–insect systems, we markedly improve soluble expression and correct folding — GLUT1, GLYT1, ActRIIB, ActRIIA, SREBP2, ABCG1 and TET8 among the difficult targets already delivered — in one workflow from gene construction to high-quality protein.
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Many transmembrane proteins already expressed and purified, on routes validated across numerous projects
Several expression systems ensure flexible, efficient expression of transmembrane proteins with differing properties
Specialists in soluble expression and activity retention for multi-pass transmembrane and highly hydrophobic targets
Gene to protein, fully customised in one workflow
Eight stages. E. coli, mammalian and baculovirus–insect systems are chosen per target; each stage's outputs and acceptance criteria are in the specifications below.
Codons optimised for the host system and the gene synthesised
Cloned into a high-efficiency vector, sequenced and prepared
30 mL transient trial to explore expression conditions
QC by A280, SDS-PAGE and more, with the expression report delivered
1 L scale-up with hydrophobic regions kept correctly folded
1–2 affinity steps to 85–90% purity at >1 mg/mL
Certificate of analysis (CoA) and all raw data delivered
Purified protein shipped under cold chain throughout
Gene synthesis through purified delivery totals roughly 7–10 weeks. Difficult targets already expressed and purified include GLUT1, GLYT1, α4/β2 nicotinic receptors, ActRIIB, ActRIIA, CYP, CPR, GPNMB, FTSL, DHHC3, SREBP2, ABCG1 and TET8.
Transmembrane proteins make up 70–80% of membrane proteins, driving transport, signalling and energy metabolism — and over 60% of known drugs act on them. With many passes and large hydrophobic regions they are extremely hard to express; SanjingBio has delivered GLUT1, ActRIIB, SREBP2, ABCG1, TET8 and other difficult targets.
Deliverables, acceptance criteria and timelines by experimental stage. The staging differs from the process above: the process shows how a project runs, while this table is the acceptance basis written into the contract.
| Stage | Scope | Deliverables | Standards | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gene synthesis & cloning | Codon optimization and gene synthesis, cloning into a high-efficiency expression vector, plasmid sequencing and preparation | Sequencing report (on request) | Sequence verified | 2-3 weeks |
| Small-scale expression & purification (30 mL) | Transient transfection; QC analysis (A280, SDS-PAGE, etc.) | Expression report; expression plasmid or strain (on request) | / | 2-3 weeks |
| Scale-up expression & purification (1 L) | Scale-up protein expression, purification (1–2 affinity steps), QC analysis (A280, SDS-PAGE, etc.) | Purified protein sample with certificate of analysis (CoA) | Protein yield 0.1–1 mg, purity 85–90%, concentration >1 mg/mL | 3-4 weeks |
Share the intended application and what you already have in hand. A scientist — not a sales rep — will scope feasibility, suggest the right route and send a quote, usually within one business day.
