Strep-tag®: The leading affinity tag in recombinant protein production

The Strep-tag® system enables cloning, expression, detection, purification, as well as further analysis of recombinant proteins. The highly specific interaction of the Strep-tag®II with Strep-Tactin® ensures efficient one-step purification of the protein of interest in unparalleled purity even from crude cell lysates.

The Strep-tag® system is compatible with a large number of protein classes, e.g., metalloproteins, membrane proteins and fragile protein complexes with multiple subunits. In addition, the mild and physiological conditions promote the yield of fully functional proteins, making the system particularly suitable for purification of enzymes as well as structural investigations, protein-protein interaction studies, ligand-receptor investigations or even separation of living cells for re-culturing processes. Simultaneously, a high tolerance towards different buffers and additives promotes its universal applicability.

Besides the advantages of the Strep-tag® technology for efficient protein purification, the near covalent affinity (pM range) of Twin-Strep-tag® to Strep-Tactin®XT expands the range of applications towards protein analysis e.g., ELISA, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) or bio-layer interferometry (BLI).

The Strep-tag® technology represents a universal toolbox that provides solutions for the entire recombinant protein production chain: from cloning, protein expression and purification to further analysis like detection, immobilization and assay applications.

One tag - Multiple applications

Highest affinity tag for protein purification

The Strep-tag® protein purification system comprises two affinity tags, the 8AA Strep-tag®II and its tandem version Twin-Strep-tag®. Both versions can bind to Strep-Tactin® and its high affinity variant Strep-Tactin®XT. Thereby the two tags differ in the affinities with which they bind to Strep-Tactin® and Strep-Tactin®XT. Depending on the application and properties of the protein of interest one can combine the different tags and Strep-Tactin® variants according to the required affinity.

It is well known for its outstanding performance with regard to purifying recombinant proteins in a simple procedure with highest purities. Its latest development - the Strep-Tactin®XT - provides a binding affinity in low pM ranges in combination with Twin-Strep-tag® still maintaining binding reversibility and mild recovery of immobilized proteins. This improvement in affinity allows protein purification at high yields and purity, even for challenging proteins and from mammalian expression systems (e.g. Expi). Read more about the benefits of Strep-tag® purification in combination with high density mammalian protein expression in our white paper.

Furthermore, it fulfills the high demands of protein interaction analysis or assays and downstream applications like SPR, thus covering all steps from purification to immobilization efficiently.

We offer specialized matrices for any demand in form of ready to use kits, FPLC columns, gravity flow or spin columns, suspensions, coated microplates, magentic beads, and more (find products in our web shop). Additionally, we provide innovative solutions for approaches surrounding batch purification, FPLC/HPLC, high-throughput screens and assay development.

Strep-tag® protein purification system at a glance

Key features:

Highly selective binding properties leading to unparalleled protein purity (> 95 %)
Bioactive target proteins due to the rapid one-step purification under target specific conditions
Variability in buffer conditions, e.g. high salts, detergents, metal ions, chelators or reducing agents
Peptide tag with balanced/inert amino acid composition and, therefore, the protein structure or activity is not influenced, and removal of tag is not required
Favorable for protein:protein interaction studies due to mild elution conditions and low washing volumes
Universal toolbox including products for cloning, purification, and analytic applications (ELISA, FACS, SPR, Microscopy, Western Blot, etc.)

When should the Strep-tag® purification system be the method of choice?

Besides the purification of classical proteins the Strep-tag® system should be the method of choice for:

metalloproteins
membrane proteins
low abundant proteins (in combination with Strep-Tactin®XT)
sensitive protein complexes with multiple subunits
bioactive proteins

Is There An Alternative To His-tag?

Choosing an appropriate affinity chromatography system for simple and efficient protein purification is a common question. There are differences between the systems which rarely are clearly represented, making it hard for scientist to reach a decision.

This comprehensive comparison of the most frequently used systems, His-tag and Strep-tag®, explains these differences as well as recommends one system depending on the properties of the target protein, expression host and purification conditions.

Download white paper (pdf)

Strep-tag® system - quick & easy protein purification protocol

The Strep-tag® technology allows efficient one-step purification of Strep-tag®II or Twin-Strep-tag® proteins via affinity chromatography. The system is distinguished by quick and simple purification protocol, regardless of the target protein class.

This step-by-step tutorial demonstrates the full purification procedure of a target protein, here mCherry-Twin-Strep-tag, via gravity flow column, including the initial buffer and column preparation steps, as well as column regeneration after purification and its’ preparation for storage until further use. Gravity flow column used in the tutorial contained high-performance Strep-Tactin®XT 4Flow® resin.

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Strep-Tactin® and Strep-Tactin®XT purification cycle

For the purification of Strep-tag®II or Twin-Strep-tag® proteins both resin types, Strep-Tactin® and Strep-Tactin®XT, are applicable. Protein purification with Strep-Tactin® as well as Strep-Tactin®XT is very simple and fast, since the purification cycle for each target protein is the same. However, if a target protein needs a specific buffer composition, e.g. PBS, HEPES or no chelating agents, like EDTA, the buffers can be easily adapted without the need of changing the purification cycle. Both resin types accept various buffer compositions, reagents and additives and an overview is given in the compatible reagents list for Strep-Tactin® as well as Strep-Tactin®XT.

The purification cycles for both resin types are highly similar. However, the sample application, the elution, and the regeneration step are slightly different and will be explained in the following.

A comparison of purification via Strep-Tactin® and Strep-Tactin®XT depicts two changes in the procedure. The first and second step (lysate application & wash) remain the same. But the elution and the regeneration streps are different for both systems. For elution from Strep-Tactin® desthiobiotin is used whereas Strep-Tactin®XT requires biotin for elution. Also the regeneration step differs. HABA is used for regeneration from Strep-Tactin® and in case of Strep-Tactin®XT 3 M MgCl₂ is applied.

	Strep-Tactin^®	Strep-Tactin^®XT
Binding affinity	Strep-tag^® II: μM range Twin-Strep-tag^®: nM range	Strep-tag^® II: nM range Twin-Strep-tag^®: pM range
Elution	Buffer E (2.5 mM Desthiobiotin)	Buffer BXT (50 mM Biotin)
Regeneration	Buffer R (HABA)	3 M MgCl₂ or 10 mM NaOH

Strep-Tactin® protein purification cycle

Strep-Tactin®XT protein purification cycle

Properties of Strep-Tactin® and Strep-Tactin®XT

The shared benefits of Strep-Tactin® and Strep-Tactin®XT are

Purification of bioactive recombinant proteins under physiological conditions
Protein aggregation is avoided
Broad range of detergents, chelators, salt or redox conditions allowed
Highly specific interaction of Strep-tag® with Strep-Tactin®, no unspecific protein binding (high specificity in screening and assays)

Additional benefits of Strep-Tactin®XT due to increased binding affinity in pM range:

Efficient, directed, and reliable immobilization of targets from complex mixtures while maintaining the reversibility
Allows all kinds of analytic applications as e.g. surface plasmon resonance (SPR) or biolayer interferometry (BLI)

Furthermore, higher protein yields compared to Strep-Tactin® are obtained. On average, StrepTactin®XT provides almost 2-fold more protein than Strep-Tactin®.

Strep-Tactin®XT also ensures sharp elution profiles achieving high concentration of the target protein. Strep-Tactin®XT even tolerates a wide pH range in addition to various detergents and additives, contributing to the universal usability of the system.

Resin re-use

Strep-Tactin® and Strep-Tactin®XT resins for protein purification can be regenerated and re-used 3 to 5 times without loss in performance. The proper regeneration of the column and resin activation can easily be checked with HABA. The yellow HABA solution turns red (Strep-Tactin®) or orange (Strep-Tactin®XT) upon binding to the engineered biotin binding pockets of Strep-Tactin® and Strep-Tactin®XT clearly indicating that the resin is fully regenerated. Afterwards, HABA can be removed by washing with 1x Buffer W. Once the red color has disappeared the column can be re-used. If the biotin binding pocket is blocked or damaged no color shift occurs and the resin cannot be re-used.

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Specifications for Strep-Tactin® Purification Resins

There are several Strep-Tactin® resin versions available. All resins differ in their properties and suitability for applications. Learn more about the different resin matrices in order to know when to use which resin.

	Strep-Tactin^®			Strep-Tactin^®XT
Matrix	Superflow®	Sepharose®	MacroPrep®	4Flow®	MagStrep "type3" XT beads
			(only available as 20 ml slurry)
Gravity flow column	yes	yes	yes	yes	no
Batch purification	no	no	no	yes	yes
FPLC/HPLC	yes	no	no	yes	no
Binding capacity*	classic: 3 mg/ml resin	classic: 3 mg/ml resin	classic: 3 mg/ml resin	classic: not determined	classic: 25.5 mg/ml resin
	high capacity: not determined	high capacity: not available	high capacity: not available	high capacity: not determined	high capacity: not available
Dynamic binding capacity**	classic: not determined	classic: not determined	classic: not determined	classic: 5 mg/ml resin	classic: not determined
	high capacity: 7.0 mg/ml resin	high capacity: not available	high capacity: not available	high capacity: 14 mg/ml resin	high capacity: not available
Bead structure	6% agarose, crosslinked	4% agarose, crosslinked	polymethacrylate	4% agarose, highly crosslinked	magnetic beads covered with 6% agarose, crosslinked
Bead size	60-160 µm, spherical	45-165 µm	50 µm	50-150 µm, spherical	25 μm (average), spherical
Exclusion limit	6 x 10⁶Da	~3 x 10⁷ Da	1 x 10⁶ Da	3 x 10⁷ Da	not specified
Recommended flow rate	0.5-1 ml/min	not specified	0.5-1 ml/min	0.5-1 ml/min	not specified
pH range for protein binding	7-8	7-8	7-8	4-10	6-10
Max pressure	9.6 bar	gravity flow	70 bar	3.5 bar	not specified
Storage	4 °C, do not freeze	4 °C, do not freeze	4 °C, do not freeze	4 °C, do not freeze	4 °C, do not freeze
Shipment	RT	RT	RT	RT	RT
Eluent	desthiobiotin	desthiobiotin	desthiobiotin	biotin	biotin
Regeneration buffer	Buffer R	Buffer R	Buffer R	Buffer XT-R	regeneration not recommended
Features	The Strep-Tactin^® Superflow high capacity binds in comparison to Strep-Tactin^® Superflow a three to five fold higher amount of target protein and thereby achieves a higher yield.	Strep-Tactin^® Sepharose is a good alternative for large proteins, if the affinity of Strep-Tactin^®XT 4Flow^® is too high.	The alternative when cell components (e.g. chlorophyll from plant extracts) bind non-specifically to Sepharose, Superflow or 4Flow^®.	Strep-Tactin^®XT 4Flow^® is the resin to start with. Due to the higher affinity compared to Strep-Tactin^® resins it is particularly applicable for low abundant or challenging proteins.	MagStrep "type3" XT beads are perfectly suitable for batch and small-scale purifications. Due to the magnetic core the beads can be easily separated with a magnetic device without losing the sample during the pipetting steps.
Features	If the affinity of Strep-Tactin^®XT resins is too high and the target protein is not fully eluted, then Strep-Tactin® Superflow is a good alternative.	Only suitable for gravity flow chromatography due to the low pressure stability.	Synthetic support in comparison to all other resins.	Suitable for all types of proteins and especially for large proteins, because it has the high affinity of Strep-Tactin^®XT, the broadest pH stability and consists of a low-concentrated agarose.	Suitable for well expressed proteins (> 1 mg/ml).
* Max binding capacity for a Strep-tag^® protein (30kDa). ** Dynamic binding capacity (DBC) was determined with mCherry-Twin-Strep-tag (30 kDa) under realistic operation conditions and shows the amount of protein which is bound until 10% of the protein is found in the flow through.

Find out more about Strep-tag® protein purification

Here, we have grouped links to make it easier to find more information about Strep-tag® technology for protein purification. In our web shop, you can find the protein purification products that fit your research needs. Read the comprehensive comparison of the most used tag systems, Strep-tag® vs. His-tag. Browser through application examples and frequently asked questions about Strep-tag® purification system or download application notes in our download area.

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