US Patent 7871794 Enhanced cell-free synthesis of active proteins containing disulfide bonds

Compositions and methods are provided for the enhanced in vitro synthesis of active polypeptides containing disulfide bonds. In certain embodiments of the invention, the reaction mix includes a biological extract derived from a bacterial cell in which the glutathione reductase gene has been inactivated, which is pre-treated with a low concentration of a sulfhydryl inactivating agent.