A process for the preparation of biologically active somatotropin from inclusion
bodies of a recombinant host cell containing an inactive form of said somatotropin
protein comprises the steps of:
- (a) contacting the inclusion bodies with an aqueous alcohol solution
at an alkaline pH to solubilize said protein; and
- (b) bringing the solubilized protein into contact with a mild oxidizing
agent to refold and form intramolecular disulfide bonds between cysteine residues
of said protein.