nounIntermediate
Definition
Self-splicing protein segment (typically 130–600 residues) that excises itself from a precursor protein and ligates the flanking sequences (exteins) with a native peptide bond.
Detailed Explanation
Self-splicing protein segment (typically 130–600 residues) that excises itself from a precursor protein and ligates the flanking sequences (exteins) with a native peptide bond. Inteins are protein-level analogs of RNA introns. In biotechnology, engineered inteins enable tag-free purification of recombinant peptides: the target peptide is fused to an intein-tag, captured on affinity resin, and released by triggering intein self-cleavage — yielding a pure peptide with a native terminus and no remaining tag.
Key Facts
- Self-splicing protein segment (typically 130–600 residues) that excises itself from a precursor protein and ligates the flanking sequences (exteins) with a native peptide bond.
- Inteins are protein-level analogs of RNA introns.
- In biotechnology, engineered inteins enable tag-free purification of recombinant peptides: the target peptide is fused to an intein-tag, captured on affinity resin, and released by triggering intein self-cleavage — yielding a pure peptide with a native terminus and no remaining tag.
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