Fig. 5

Recombinant protein translation itself does not impair cell growth but folding associated problems contribute to growth inhibition. a Growth properties of E. coli BL21(DE3) with expression vectors carrying the gene encoding GFP in shake-flask cultures with a Luria–Bertani medium or b defined glucose-supplemented mineral salt medium (DNB). Growth of cells carrying the original expression vector with promoter region and with RBS (squares) and the expression vector with promoter region but without RBS in front of the hFGF-2 gene (triangles). Full black symbols always correspond to IPTG induced cultures and open gray symbols to cultures where IPTG addition was omitted. The time-point of IPTG addition to a final concentration of 0.5 mM is indicated by an arrow. Data are presented as mean ± SD, n = 4