Production of recombinant human apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) in Escherichia coli

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a mediator of the MAPK signaling cascade, which regulates different cellular processes including apoptosis, cell survival, and differentiation. The increased activity of ASK1 is associated with a number of human diseases and this protein kinase is considered as promising therapeutic target. In the present study, the kinase domain of human ASK1 was expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) in soluble form. The expression level of ASK1 was around 0.3–0.47 g per 1 L after using auto-induction protocol or IPTG induction. A one-step on column method for the efficient purification of recombinant ASK1 was performed. Our approach yields sufficient amount of recombinant ASK1, which can be used for inhibitor screening assays and different crystallographic studies. [Display omitted] •The kinase domain of human ASK1 was expressed in Escherichia coli in soluble form.•The expression level of ASK1 was around 0.3 g per 1 L.•A one-step on column method for purification of recombinant ASK1 was performed.•The activity of ASK1 was evaluated using Kinase-Glo® Plus Luminescent Kinase Assay.