NT-HRV3CP: An optimized construct of human rhinovirus 14 3C protease for high-yield expression and fast affinity-tag cleavage

[Display omitted] •NT* fusion of human rhinovirus 14 3C protease for high-yield expression.•Stable protease for tag removal at low temperature in minutes.•Alternative to tag cleavage with TEV protease. The human rhinovirus 14 3C protease (HRV3C protease), in fusion with glutathione S-transferase also referred to as PreScission™ protease, is a cysteine protease of particular interest for affinity tag removal from fusion proteins due to its stringent recognition sequence specificity (LEVLFQ/GX) and superior activity at low temperature. Here we report the expression, purification and use of a fusion construct of HRV3C protease, NT*-HRV3CP, that affords high expression yield in E. coli (over 300 mg/L cell culture), facile single-step purification, high solubility (>10 mg/mL) and excellent storage properties. NT*-HRV3CP cleaves affinity tags at 4 °C in minutes, making it an attractive tool for the production of recombinant proteins for biotechnological, industrial and pharmaceutical applications.