Mechanism

Zera® peptide is a proline-rich domain derived from a plant storage protein (maize protein gamma-zein) with the property of self-assembling and forms Protein Bodies (PBs). These characteristics of Zera® technology are the base of the platform to produce recombinant products developed at ERA BIOTECH®.

Zera® peptide fused to a protein of interest induces the formation of novel recombinant organelles, StorPro® Bodies (Storage Protein Bodies), derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

Besides Zera® peptide wild-type sequence, several mutant variants have been explored in order to enhance either this ability to induce StorPro® formation or further solubilization and purification of the recombinant products.

The technology offered by ERA BIOTECH® increases expression, simplifies purification and improves the recovery of protein products from a wide range of eukaryotic expression systems, mainly characterized in tobacco plants and insect cells.