A fast and simple automated multi-step protein purification method for ÄKTA go systems

• Published in: Protein expression and purification Vol. 223; p. 106560
• Main Authors: Morimoto, Daichi, Walinda, Erik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2024
• ISSN: 1046-5928; 1096-0279; 1096-0279
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2024.106560

Automation of protein purification methods can increase researchers' efficiency in life sciences. However, currently reported automated protein purification methods require cost-intensive fast protein liquid chromatography systems, such as ÄKTA pure and ÄKTA explorer, without any reported application to the more cost-efficient entry-level system, ÄKTA go. To fill this gap, here we propose a fast, efficient, and versatile automated protein purification strategy for the ÄKTA go. Straightforward integration of two additional accessories, a column valve and a sample loop, into the default ÄKTA go system and making minor rearrangements of flow lines, enabled automation of multi-step protein purification processes. Utilizing this established system, we demonstrate the automated purification of three distinct types of proteins: ubiquitin, polyhistidine-tagged talin, and GST-tagged human rhinovirus 14 3C protease. The described automation strategy is suitable even for small budget-conscious laboratories operating on ÄKTA go systems, thus reducing researchers’ time and efforts spent on routine sample preparation tasks of their investigations.
•Automation strategy of the entry-level protein purification system ÄKTA go.•Two additional accessories and minor flow line rearrangements enabled automation.•Three example protein purification are demonstrated, each taking <3 h.•This budget-friendly strategy is suitable even for small laboratories.