ProSek - Optimization of protein secretion in Pichia pastoris

ProSek is concerned with (I) enhancing the secretion of proteins and (II) correct processing of secreted proteins in Pichia pastoris. P. pastoris is a methylotrophic yeast that is particularly efficient at secreting recombinant proteins. Due to the secretion into the medium, proteins can be produced very pure and with high yield. However, a major disadvantage of this method is the fact that the signal sequences required for secretion are often only partially cleaved from the protein or not at all. On the one hand, this can lead to defective protein secretion or functionality, and on the other hand, this massively impairs the approval of recombinantly produced proteins. Through targeted mutagenesis strategies and the research of new signal sequences, this process should be simplified and optimized with the help of ProSek in the future.