Synergies of the bacterial chaperonin GroEL-GroES and cell-free expression for the production of functionally folded CXCR4 is studied.
GroEL-GroES greatly increases the rate and yield of CXCR4 functional folding.
The structural stability and ligand binding affinity of CXCR4 can be improved with supplied GroEL-GroES.
The cooperation between GroEL and GroES is required to promote efficient folding.
New insights into membrane protein production and folding, as well as the role of molecular chaperones.