The Escherichia coli trigger factor is a
peptidyl–prolyl cis–trans isomerase
that catalyzes proline-limited protein folding extremely
well. Here, refolding of d-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in the presence of trigger factor
was investigated. The regain of activity of GAPDH was markedly
increased by trigger factor after either long- or short-term
denaturation, and detectable aggregation of GAPDH intermediates
was prevented. In both cases, time courses of refolding
of GAPDH were decelerated by trigger factor. The reactivation
yield of GAPDH showed a slow down-turn when molar ratios
of trigger factor to GAPDH were above 5, due to tight binding
between trigger factor and GAPDH intermediates. Such inactive
bound GAPDH could be partially rescued from trigger factor
by addition of reduced αLA as competitor, by further
diluting the refolding mixture, or by disrupting hydrophobic
interactions in the complexes. A model for trigger factor
assisted refolding of GAPDH is proposed. We also suggest
that assisted refolding of GAPDH is due mainly to the chaperone
function of trigger factor.