1
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Plant-Produced Mouse-Specific Zona Pellucida 3 Peptide Induces Immune Responses in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11010153. [PMID: 36679998 PMCID: PMC9866649 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Contraceptive vaccines are designed to stimulate autoimmune responses to molecules involved in the reproductive process. A mouse-specific peptide from zona pellucida 3 (mZP3) has been proposed as a target epitope. Here, we employed a plant expression system for the production of glycosylated mZP3 and evaluated the immunogenicity of plant-produced mZP3-based antigens in a female BALB/c mouse model. In the mZP3-1 antigen, mZP3 fused with a T-cell epitope of tetanus toxoid, a histidine tag, and a SEKDEL sequence. A fusion antigen (GFP-mZP3-1) and a polypeptide antigen containing three repeats of mZP3 (mZP3-3) were also examined. Glycosylation of mZP3 should be achieved by targeting proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of antigens resulted in successful production of mZP3 in Nicotiana benthamiana. Compared with mZP3-1, GFP-mZP3-1 and mZP3-3 increased the production of the mZP3 peptide by more than 20 and 25 times, respectively. The glycosylation of the proteins was indicated by their size and their binding to a carbohydrate-binding protein. Both plant-produced GFP-mZP3-1 and mZP3-3 antigens were immunogenic in mice; however, mZP3-3 generated significantly higher levels of serum antibodies against mZP3. Induced antibodies recognized native zona pellucida of wild mouse, and specific binding of antibodies to the oocytes was observed in immunohistochemical studies. Therefore, these preliminary results indicated that the plants can be an efficient system for the production of immunogenic mZP3 peptide, which may affect the fertility of wild mice.
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2
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Grāve K, Bennett MD, Högbom M. High-throughput strategy for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis membrane protein expression conditions using folding reporter GFP. Protein Expr Purif 2022; 198:106132. [PMID: 35750296 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2022.106132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis membrane protein biochemistry and structural biology studies are often hampered by challenges in protein expression and selection for well-expressing protein candidates, suitable for further investigation. Here we present a folding reporter GFP (frGFP) assay, adapted for M. tuberculosis membrane protein screening in Escherichia coli Rosetta 2 (DE3) and Mycobacterium smegmatis mc [2]4517. This method allows protein expression condition screening for multiple protein targets simultaneously by monitoring frGFP fluorescence in growing cells. We discuss the impact of common protein expression conditions on 42 essential M. tuberculosis H37Rv helical transmembrane proteins and establish the grounds for their further analysis. We have found that the basal expression of the lac operon in the T7-promoter expression system generally leads to high recombinant protein yield in M. smegmatis, and we suggest that a screening condition without the inducer is included in routine protein expression tests. In addition to the general observations, we describe conditions allowing high-level expression of more than 25 essential M. tuberculosis membrane proteins, containing 2 to 13 transmembrane helices. We hope that these findings will stimulate M. tuberculosis membrane protein research and aid the efforts in drug development against tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristīne Grāve
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University. Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew D Bennett
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University. Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Högbom
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University. Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden.
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3
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Hu J, Chen Y, Ren Y, Xiao W, Hu Y, Yu X, Fan J. Combination of the mutations for improving activity of TEV protease in inclusion bodies. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2021; 44:2129-2139. [PMID: 34036441 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-021-02589-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco etch virus protease (TEVp) is an enzymatic reagent to remove fusion tag, but additional purification steps are required for removing the TEVp after cleavage reaction is finished. Use of carrier-free and dependent TEVp immobilizates can eliminate protease contamination. In this work, we identified that, among the four constructed missense variants, the insoluble variant with the highest activity was correspondent with the soluble one tested formerly. The activities of the insoluble 15 codon variants were assayed and the variant with highest activity was selected. The K45F and/or E106G mutations have been reported on slightly improving protein stability of the wild-type TEVp, but only E106G mutation enhanced soluble production and activity of the selected TEVp variant, and it increased soluble amounts of two codon variants with the impaired folding. The decreased activity and use efficiency of the optimized TEVp variant in inclusion bodies was balanced by the determined high level production, lower leaking amounts of the protein, the enhanced resistance to the limited proteolysis mediated by protease K and trypsin, and the increased inhibition of auto-cleavage, as comparison to those of the immobilized soluble one. Thus, the TEVp construct is a potential alternate for simplifying protein purification protocols after tag-removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong Hu
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinghua Chen
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Ren
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjun Xiao
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yafang Hu
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuelian Yu
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Fan
- School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, 230036, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography utilizing nanobody technology for expression screening of membrane proteins. Commun Biol 2021; 4:366. [PMID: 33742097 PMCID: PMC7979870 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01891-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
GFP fusion-based fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography (FSEC) has been widely employed for membrane protein expression screening. However, fused GFP itself may occasionally affect the expression and/or stability of the targeted membrane protein, leading to both false-positive and false-negative results in expression screening. Furthermore, GFP fusion technology is not well suited for some membrane proteins, depending on their membrane topology. Here, we developed an FSEC assay utilizing nanobody (Nb) technology, named FSEC-Nb, in which targeted membrane proteins are fused to a small peptide tag and recombinantly expressed. The whole-cell extracts are solubilized, mixed with anti-peptide Nb fused to GFP for FSEC analysis. FSEC-Nb enables the evaluation of the expression, monodispersity and thermostability of membrane proteins without the need for purification but does not require direct GFP fusion to targeted proteins. Our results show FSEC-Nb as a powerful tool for expression screening of membrane proteins for structural and functional studies.
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5
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Preisler SS, Wiuf AD, Friis M, Kjaergaard L, Hurd M, Becares ER, Nurup CN, Bjoerkskov FB, Szathmáry Z, Gourdon PE, Calloe K, Klaerke DA, Gotfryd K, Pedersen PA. Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a superior host for overproduction of prokaryotic integral membrane proteins. Curr Res Struct Biol 2021; 3:51-71. [PMID: 34235486 PMCID: PMC8244417 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) constitute ~30% of all proteins encoded by the genome of any organism and Escherichia coli remains the first-choice host for recombinant production of prokaryotic IMPs. However, the expression levels of prokaryotic IMPs delivered by this bacterium are often low and overproduced targets often accumulate in inclusion bodies. The targets are therefore often discarded to avoid an additional and inconvenient refolding step in the purification protocol. Here we compared expression of five prokaryotic (bacterial and archaeal) IMP families in E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We demonstrate that our S. cerevisiae-based production platform is superior in expression of four investigated IMPs, overall being able to deliver high quantities of active target proteins. Surprisingly, in case of the family of zinc transporters (Zrt/Irt-like proteins, ZIPs), S. cerevisiae rescued protein expression that was undetectable in E. coli. We also demonstrate the effect of localization of the fusion tag on expression yield and sample quality in detergent micelles. Lastly, we present a road map to achieve the most efficient expression of prokaryotic IMPs in our yeast platform. Our findings demonstrate the great potential of S. cerevisiae as host for high-throughput recombinant overproduction of bacterial and archaeal IMPs for downstream biophysical characterization. S. cerevisiae is superior to E. coli in expressing correctly folded and active IMPs. S. cerevisiae completely rescues the expression of the family of zinc transporters. Localization of the fusion tag affects expression yields and protein quality. We provide a roadmap to efficient expression of prokaryotic IMPs in S. cerevisiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Spruce Preisler
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | - Anders Drabaek Wiuf
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Marc Friis
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | - Lasse Kjaergaard
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | - Molly Hurd
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Dyrlaegevej 100, Frederiksberg, DK, 1870, Denmark
| | - Eva Ramos Becares
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Casper Normann Nurup
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | | | - Zsófia Szathmáry
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | - Pontus Emanuel Gourdon
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kirstine Calloe
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Dyrlaegevej 100, Frederiksberg, DK, 1870, Denmark
| | - Dan A Klaerke
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Dyrlaegevej 100, Frederiksberg, DK, 1870, Denmark
| | - Kamil Gotfryd
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Per Amstrup Pedersen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
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6
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Yousefian N, Ornik-Cha A, Poussard S, Decossas M, Berbon M, Daury L, Taveau JC, Dupuy JW, Đorđević-Marquardt S, Lambert O, Pos KM. Structural characterization of the EmrAB-TolC efflux complex from E. coli. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1863:183488. [PMID: 33065135 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria export a large variety of antimicrobial compounds by forming two-membrane spanning tripartite multidrug efflux systems composed of an inner membrane transporter, an outer membrane channel and a periplasmic adaptor protein. Here we present the co-expression, purification and first electron microscopy insights of the Escherichia coli EmrAB-TolC tripartite Major Facilitator Superfamily (MSF) efflux system as a whole complex stabilized by Amphipol polymer. The structure reveals a 33 nm long complex delineated by the Amphipol belt at both extremities. Comparison of projection structures of EmrAB-TolC and AcrAB-TolC indicates that the outer membrane protein TolC linked to the periplasmic adaptor EmrA protein form an extended periplasmic canal. The overall length of EmrAB-TolC complex is similar to that of AcrAB-TolC with a probable tip-to-tip interaction between EmrA and TolC unveiling how the adaptor protein connects TolC and EmrB embedded in the inner membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narek Yousefian
- Univ. Bordeaux, CBMN UMR 5248, Bordeaux INP, F-33600 Pessac, France; Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alina Ornik-Cha
- Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sylvie Poussard
- Univ. Bordeaux, CBMN UMR 5248, Bordeaux INP, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Marion Decossas
- Univ. Bordeaux, CBMN UMR 5248, Bordeaux INP, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Melanie Berbon
- Univ. Bordeaux, CBMN UMR 5248, Bordeaux INP, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Laetitia Daury
- Univ. Bordeaux, CBMN UMR 5248, Bordeaux INP, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | | | | | - Selena Đorđević-Marquardt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Olivier Lambert
- Univ. Bordeaux, CBMN UMR 5248, Bordeaux INP, F-33600 Pessac, France.
| | - Klaas M Pos
- Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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7
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Willson BJ, Chapman LNM, Thomas GH. Evolutionary dynamics of membrane transporters and channels: enhancing function through fusion. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2019; 58-59:76-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2019.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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8
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Lin YH, Lin SY, Li GS, Weng SE, Tzeng SL, Hsiao YH, Hu NJ. Site-Directed Alkylation Detected by In-Gel Fluorescence (SDAF) to Determine the Topology Map and Probe the Solvent Accessibility of Membrane Proteins. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13171. [PMID: 31511541 PMCID: PMC6739316 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49292-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The topology of helix-bundle membrane proteins provides low-resolution structural information with regard to the number and orientation of membrane-spanning helices, as well as the sidedness of intra/extra-cellular domains. In the past decades, several strategies have been developed to experimentally determine the topology of membrane proteins. However, generally, these methods are labour-intensive, time-consuming and difficult to implement for quantitative analysis. Here, we report a novel approach, site-directed alkylation detected by in-gel fluorescence (SDAF), which monitors the fluorescent band shift caused by alkylation of the EGFP-fused target membrane protein bearing one single introduced cysteine. In-gel fluorescence provides a unique readout of target membrane proteins with EGFP fusion from non-purified samples, revealing a distinct 5 kDa shift on SDS-PAGE gel due to conjugation with mPEG-MAL-5K. Using the structurally characterised bile acid transporter ASBTNM as an example, we demonstrate that SDAF generates a topology map consistent with the crystal structure. The efficiency of mPEG-MAL-5K modification at each introduced cysteine can easily be quantified and analysed, providing a useful tool for probing the solvent accessibility at a specific position of the target membrane protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xinda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City, 402, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Sung-Yao Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xinda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City, 402, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Guan-Syun Li
- Graduate Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xinda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City, 402, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shao-En Weng
- Graduate Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xinda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City, 402, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shu-Ling Tzeng
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, No.110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., Taichung City, 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yu-Hsuan Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xinda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City, 402, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Nien-Jen Hu
- Graduate Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xinda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City, 402, Taiwan, R.O.C.. .,Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xinda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City, 402, Taiwan, R.O.C.. .,Ph.D. Program in Transnational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xinda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City, 402, Taiwan, R.O.C..
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9
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Xu H, Clairfeuille T, Jao CC, Ho H, Sweeney Z, Payandeh J, Koth CM. A Flexible and Scalable High-Throughput Platform for Recombinant Membrane Protein Production. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2025:389-402. [PMID: 31267463 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9624-7_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (MP) are implicated in many disease processes and are the primary targets of numerous marketed drugs. Despite recent advances in the areas of MP solubilization, stabilization, and reconstitution, it remains a time-consuming task to identify the combination of constructs and purification conditions that will enable MP structure-function studies outside of the lipid bilayer. In this chapter, we describe a strategy for rapidly identifying and optimizing the solubilization and purification conditions for nearly any recombinant MP, based on the use of a noninvasive fluorescent probe (His-Glow) that specifically binds to the common hexahistidine affinity tag of expressed targets. This His-Glow approach permits fluorescent size-exclusion chromatography (FSEC) without the need for green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion. A two-stage detergent screening strategy is employed at the solubilization stage, whereby appropriate detergent families are identified first, followed by optimization within these families. Screening up to 96 unique combinations of solubilization conditions and constructs can be achieved in less than 24 h. At the outset of each new project, we screen six different detergents for each construct and the subsequent implementation of a simple thermostability challenge further aids in the identification of constructs and conditions suitable for large-scale production. Our strategy streamlines the parallel optimization of appropriate production conditions for multiple MP targets to rapidly enable downstream biochemical, immunization, or structural studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xu
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Clairfeuille
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christine C Jao
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hoangdung Ho
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zachary Sweeney
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Denali Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jian Payandeh
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Christopher M Koth
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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10
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Oshikane H, Watabe M, Nakaki T. Facilitation of yeast-lethal membrane protein production by detoxifying with GFP tagging. Protein Expr Purif 2018; 148:40-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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11
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North RA, Wahlgren WY, Remus DM, Scalise M, Kessans SA, Dunevall E, Claesson E, Soares da Costa TP, Perugini MA, Ramaswamy S, Allison JR, Indiveri C, Friemann R, Dobson RCJ. The Sodium Sialic Acid Symporter From Staphylococcus aureus Has Altered Substrate Specificity. Front Chem 2018; 6:233. [PMID: 30023356 PMCID: PMC6039549 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cell surfaces are decorated with complex glycoconjugates that terminate with negatively charged sialic acids. Commensal and pathogenic bacteria can use host-derived sialic acids for a competitive advantage, but require a functional sialic acid transporter to import the sugar into the cell. This work investigates the sodium sialic acid symporter (SiaT) from Staphylococcus aureus (SaSiaT). We demonstrate that SaSiaT rescues an Escherichia coli strain lacking its endogenous sialic acid transporter when grown on the sialic acids N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) or N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). We then develop an expression, purification and detergent solubilization system for SaSiaT and demonstrate that the protein is largely monodisperse in solution with a stable monomeric oligomeric state. Binding studies reveal that SaSiaT has a higher affinity for Neu5Gc over Neu5Ac, which was unexpected and is not seen in another SiaT homolog. We develop a homology model and use comparative sequence analyses to identify substitutions in the substrate-binding site of SaSiaT that may explain the altered specificity. SaSiaT is shown to be electrogenic, and transport is dependent upon more than one Na+ ion for every sialic acid molecule. A functional sialic acid transporter is essential for the uptake and utilization of sialic acid in a range of pathogenic bacteria, and developing new inhibitors that target these transporters is a valid mechanism for inhibiting bacterial growth. By demonstrating a route to functional recombinant SaSiaT, and developing the in vivo and in vitro assay systems, our work underpins the design of inhibitors to this transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A North
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Weixiao Y Wahlgren
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Daniela M Remus
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra), University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Sarah A Kessans
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Elin Dunevall
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elin Claesson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tatiana P Soares da Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew A Perugini
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - S Ramaswamy
- The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| | - Jane R Allison
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Centre for Theoretical Chemistry and Physics, Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra), University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Rosmarie Friemann
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Renwick C J Dobson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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12
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Substrate-bound outward-open structure of a Na +-coupled sialic acid symporter reveals a new Na + site. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1753. [PMID: 29717135 PMCID: PMC5931594 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04045-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Many pathogenic bacteria utilise sialic acids as an energy source or use them as an external coating to evade immune detection. As such, bacteria that colonise sialylated environments deploy specific transporters to mediate import of scavenged sialic acids. Here, we report a substrate-bound 1.95 Å resolution structure and subsequent characterisation of SiaT, a sialic acid transporter from Proteus mirabilis. SiaT is a secondary active transporter of the sodium solute symporter (SSS) family, which use Na+ gradients to drive the uptake of extracellular substrates. SiaT adopts the LeuT-fold and is in an outward-open conformation in complex with the sialic acid N-acetylneuraminic acid and two Na+ ions. One Na+ binds to the conserved Na2 site, while the second Na+ binds to a new position, termed Na3, which is conserved in many SSS family members. Functional and molecular dynamics studies validate the substrate-binding site and demonstrate that both Na+ sites regulate N-acetylneuraminic acid transport.
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13
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Claassens NJ, Siliakus MF, Spaans SK, Creutzburg SCA, Nijsse B, Schaap PJ, Quax TEF, van der Oost J. Improving heterologous membrane protein production in Escherichia coli by combining transcriptional tuning and codon usage algorithms. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184355. [PMID: 28902855 PMCID: PMC5597330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
High-level, recombinant production of membrane-integrated proteins in Escherichia coli is extremely relevant for many purposes, but has also been proven challenging. Here we study a combination of transcriptional fine-tuning in E. coli LEMO21(DE3) with different codon usage algorithms for heterologous production of membrane proteins. The overexpression of 6 different membrane proteins is compared for the wild-type gene codon usage variant, a commercially codon-optimized variant, and a codon-harmonized variant. We show that transcriptional fine-tuning plays a major role in improving the production of all tested proteins. Moreover, different codon usage variants significantly improved production of some of the tested proteins. However, not a single algorithm performed consistently best for the membrane-integrated production of the 6 tested proteins. In conclusion, for improving heterologous membrane protein production in E. coli, the major effect is accomplished by transcriptional tuning. In addition, further improvements may be realized by attempting different codon usage variants, such as codon harmonized variants, which can now be easily generated through our online Codon Harmonizer tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico J. Claassens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Melvin F. Siliakus
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan K. Spaans
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bart Nijsse
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J. Schaap
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa E. F. Quax
- Institut für Biologie II, Albert Ludwigs Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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14
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Optimization of Membrane Protein Production Using Titratable Strains of E. coli. Methods Mol Biol 2017. [PMID: 28470600 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6887-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The heterologous expression of membrane proteins driven by T7 RNA polymerase in E. coli is often limited by a mismatch between the transcriptional and translational rates resulting in saturation of the Sec translocon and non-insertion of the membrane protein. In order to optimize the levels of folded, functional inserted protein, it is important to correct this mismatch. In this protocol, we describe the use of titratable strains of E. coli where two small-molecule inducers are used in a bi-variate analysis to optimize the expression levels by fine tuning the transcriptional and translational rates of an eGFP-tagged membrane protein.
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15
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Belardinelli JM, Jackson M. Green Fluorescent Protein as a protein localization and topological reporter in mycobacteria. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2017; 105:13-17. [PMID: 28610783 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The cell envelope-associated proteins of Mycobacterium species play critical functions in the physiology and pathogenicity of these microorganisms. Because the determination of their subcellular localization and transmembrane topology is often critical to the understanding of their function, we investigated whether the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) could be used as a reporter to probe protein localization and map the topology of inner membrane proteins directly in intact mycobacterial cells. To this end, two GFP-based mycobacterial reporter plasmids were engineered and their functionality validated using a variety of membrane-associated, exported and cytosolic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Belardinelli
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1682, USA
| | - Mary Jackson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1682, USA.
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16
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Wijekoon CJK, Udagedara SR, Knorr RL, Dimova R, Wedd AG, Xiao Z. Copper ATPase CopA from Escherichia coli: Quantitative Correlation between ATPase Activity and Vectorial Copper Transport. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:4266-4269. [PMID: 28272878 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b12921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cu-ATPases are membrane copper transporters present in all kingdoms of life. They play a central role in Cu homeostasis by pumping Cu ions across cell membranes with energy derived from ATP hydrolysis. In this work, the Cu-ATPase CopA from Escherichia coli was expressed and purified in fully functional form and demonstrated to bind Cu(I) with subfemtomolar affinity. It was incorporated into the lipid membrane of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) whose dimensions match those of eukaryotic cells. An 1H NMR approach provided a quantitative ATPase activity assay for the enzyme either dissolved in detergent or embedded in GUV membranes. The activity varied with the Cu(I) availability in an optimized assay solution for either environment, demonstrating a direct correlation between ATPase activity and Cu(I) transport. Quantitative analysis of the Cu content trapped by the GUVs is consistent with a Cu:ATP turnover ratio of 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chathuri J K Wijekoon
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne , Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Saumya R Udagedara
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne , Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Roland L Knorr
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Science Park Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Rumiana Dimova
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Science Park Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Anthony G Wedd
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne , Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Zhiguang Xiao
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne , Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville , Victoria 3010, Australia
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17
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Kuipers G, Peschke M, Ismail NB, Hjelm A, Schlegel S, Vikström D, Luirink J, de Gier JW. Optimizing E. coli-Based Membrane Protein Production Using Lemo21(DE3) or pReX and GFP-Fusions. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1586:109-126. [PMID: 28470601 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6887-9_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Optimizing the conditions for the production of membrane proteins in E. coli is usually a laborious and time-consuming process. Combining the Lemo21(DE3) strain or the pReX T7-based expression vector with membrane proteins C-terminally fused to Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) greatly facilitates the optimization of membrane protein production yields. Both Lemo21(DE3) and pReX allow precise regulation of expression intensities of genes encoding membrane proteins, which is critical to identify the optimal production condition for a membrane protein. The use of GFP-fusions allows direct monitoring and visualization of membrane proteins at any stage during the production optimization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grietje Kuipers
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Biomembrane Research, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Xbrane Biopharma AB, Banvaktsvägen 22, SE-171 48, Solna, Sweden
| | - Markus Peschke
- The Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Anna Hjelm
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Biomembrane Research, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susan Schlegel
- Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - David Vikström
- Xbrane Biopharma AB, Banvaktsvägen 22, SE-171 48, Solna, Sweden
| | - Joen Luirink
- The Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan-Willem de Gier
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Biomembrane Research, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Xbrane Biopharma AB, Banvaktsvägen 22, SE-171 48, Solna, Sweden.
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18
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Sjöhamn J, Båth P, Neutze R, Hedfalk K. Applying bimolecular fluorescence complementation to screen and purify aquaporin protein:protein complexes. Protein Sci 2016; 25:2196-2208. [PMID: 27643892 PMCID: PMC5119558 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Protein:protein interactions play key functional roles in the molecular machinery of the cell. A major challenge for structural biology is to gain high‐resolution structural insight into how membrane protein function is regulated by protein:protein interactions. To this end we present a method to express, detect, and purify stable membrane protein complexes that are suitable for further structural characterization. Our approach utilizes bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), whereby each protein of an interaction pair is fused to nonfluorescent fragments of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) that combine and mature as the complex is formed. YFP thus facilitates the visualization of protein:protein interactions in vivo, stabilizes the assembled complex, and provides a fluorescent marker during purification. This technique is validated by observing the formation of stable homotetramers of human aquaporin 0 (AQP0). The method's broader applicability is demonstrated by visualizing the interactions of AQP0 and human aquaporin 1 (AQP1) with the cytoplasmic regulatory protein calmodulin (CaM). The dependence of the AQP0‐CaM complex on the AQP0 C‐terminus is also demonstrated since the C‐terminal truncated construct provides a negative control. This screening approach may therefore facilitate the production and purification of membrane protein:protein complexes for later structural studies by X‐ray crystallography or single particle electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie Sjöhamn
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, SE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Petra Båth
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, SE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Richard Neutze
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, SE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Kristina Hedfalk
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, SE-405 30, Sweden
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19
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Grzegorzewicz AE, de Sousa-d'Auria C, McNeil MR, Huc-Claustre E, Jones V, Petit C, Angala SK, Zemanová J, Wang Q, Belardinelli JM, Gao Q, Ishizaki Y, Mikušová K, Brennan PJ, Ronning DR, Chami M, Houssin C, Jackson M. Assembling of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cell Wall Core. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:18867-79. [PMID: 27417139 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.739227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique cell wall of mycobacteria is essential to their viability and the target of many clinically used anti-tuberculosis drugs and inhibitors under development. Despite intensive efforts to identify the ligase(s) responsible for the covalent attachment of the two major heteropolysaccharides of the mycobacterial cell wall, arabinogalactan (AG) and peptidoglycan (PG), the enzyme or enzymes responsible have remained elusive. We here report on the identification of the two enzymes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, CpsA1 (Rv3267) and CpsA2 (Rv3484), responsible for this function. CpsA1 and CpsA2 belong to the widespread LytR-Cps2A-Psr (LCP) family of enzymes that has been shown to catalyze a variety of glycopolymer transfer reactions in Gram-positive bacteria, including the attachment of wall teichoic acids to PG. Although individual cpsA1 and cpsA2 knock-outs of M. tuberculosis were readily obtained, the combined inactivation of both genes appears to be lethal. In the closely related microorganism Corynebacterium glutamicum, the ortholog of cpsA1 is the only gene involved in this function, and its conditional knockdown leads to dramatic changes in the cell wall composition and morphology of the bacteria due to extensive shedding of cell wall material in the culture medium as a result of defective attachment of AG to PG. This work marks an important step in our understanding of the biogenesis of the unique cell envelope of mycobacteria and opens new opportunities for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Grzegorzewicz
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682
| | - Célia de Sousa-d'Auria
- the Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), CNRS, Université Paris Sud, F-91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Michael R McNeil
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682
| | - Emilie Huc-Claustre
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682
| | - Victoria Jones
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682
| | - Cécile Petit
- the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390
| | - Shiva Kumar Angala
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682
| | - Júlia Zemanová
- the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina CH-1, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Qinglan Wang
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682, the Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE & MOH, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Juan Manuel Belardinelli
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682
| | - Qian Gao
- the Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE & MOH, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yoshimasa Ishizaki
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682, the Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 3-14-23, Japan, and
| | - Katarína Mikušová
- the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina CH-1, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Patrick J Brennan
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682
| | - Donald R Ronning
- the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606-3390
| | - Mohamed Chami
- the C-CINA Center for Imaging and NanoAnalytics, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christine Houssin
- the Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA), CNRS, Université Paris Sud, F-91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France,
| | - Mary Jackson
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682,
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20
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Ma C, Hao Z, Huysmans G, Lesiuk A, Bullough P, Wang Y, Bartlam M, Phillips SE, Young JD, Goldman A, Baldwin SA, Postis VLG. A Versatile Strategy for Production of Membrane Proteins with Diverse Topologies: Application to Investigation of Bacterial Homologues of Human Divalent Metal Ion and Nucleoside Transporters. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143010. [PMID: 26606682 PMCID: PMC4659628 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins play key roles in many biological processes, from acquisition of nutrients to neurotransmission, and are targets for more than 50% of current therapeutic drugs. However, their investigation is hampered by difficulties in their production and purification on a scale suitable for structural studies. In particular, the nature and location of affinity tags introduced for the purification of recombinant membrane proteins can greatly influence their expression levels by affecting their membrane insertion. The extent of such effects typically depends on the transmembrane topologies of the proteins, which for proteins of unknown structure are usually uncertain. For example, attachment of oligohistidine tags to the periplasmic termini of membrane proteins often interferes with folding and drastically impairs expression in Escherichia coli. To circumvent this problem we have employed a novel strategy to enable the rapid production of constructs bearing a range of different affinity tags compatible with either cytoplasmic or periplasmic attachment. Tags include conventional oligohistidine tags compatible with cytoplasmic attachment and, for attachment to proteins with a periplasmic terminus, either tandem Strep-tag II sequences or oligohistidine tags fused to maltose binding protein and a signal sequence. Inclusion of cleavage sites for TEV or HRV-3C protease enables tag removal prior to crystallisation trials or a second step of purification. Together with the use of bioinformatic approaches to identify members of membrane protein families with topologies favourable to cytoplasmic tagging, this has enabled us to express and purify multiple bacterial membrane transporters. To illustrate this strategy, we describe here its use to purify bacterial homologues of human membrane proteins from the Nramp and ZIP families of divalent metal cation transporters and from the concentrative nucleoside transporter family. The proteins are expressed in E. coli in a correctly folded, functional state and can be purified in amounts suitable for structural investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ma
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Zhenyu Hao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Gerard Huysmans
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Amelia Lesiuk
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Per Bullough
- Krebs Institute for Biomolecular Research, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Yingying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mark Bartlam
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Simon E. Phillips
- Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - James D. Young
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stephen A. Baldwin
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent L. G. Postis
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Biomedicine Research Group, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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21
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Expression, purification and functional characterization of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter subtype-1 (hENT1) protein from Sf9 insect cells. Protein Expr Purif 2015; 114:99-107. [PMID: 26162242 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Human equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1 (hENT1) is the major plasma membrane transporter involved in transportation of natural nucleosides as well as nucleoside analog drugs, used in anti-cancer and anti-viral therapies. Despite extensive biochemical and pharmacological studies, little is known about the structure-function relationship of this protein. The major obstacles to purification include a low endogenous expression level, the lack of an efficient expression and purification protocol, and the hydrophobic nature of the protein. Here, we report protein expression, purification and functional characterization of hENT1 from Sf9 insect cells. hENT1 expressed by Sf9 cells is functionally active as demonstrated by saturation binding with a Kd of 1.2±0.2nM and Bmax of 110±5pmol/mg for [(3)H]nitrobenzylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside ([(3)H]NBMPR). We also demonstrate purification of hENT1 using FLAG antibody affinity resin in lauryl maltose neopentyl glycol detergent with a Kd of 4.3±0.7nM. The yield of hENT1 from Sf9 cells was ∼0.5mg active transporter per liter of culture. The purified protein is functionally active, stable, homogenous and appropriate for further biophysical and structural studies.
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22
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Villamil Giraldo AM, Mary C, Sivanesan D, Baron C. VirB6 and VirB10 from the Brucella type IV secretion system interact via the N-terminal periplasmic domain of VirB6. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:1883-9. [PMID: 26071378 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Type IV secretion systems are multi-protein complexes that transfer macromolecules across the cell envelope of bacteria. Identifying the sites of interaction between the twelve proteins (VirB1-VirB11 and VirD4) that form these complexes is key to understanding their assembly and function. We have here used phage display, bacterial two-hybrid and fluorescence-based interaction assays to identify an N-terminal domain of the inner membrane protein VirB6 as a site of interaction with the envelope-spanning VirB10 protein. Our results are consistent with the notion that VirB6 acts in concert with VirB10 as well as with VirB8 during secretion system assembly and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Villamil Giraldo
- Université de Montréal, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Charline Mary
- Université de Montréal, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Durgajini Sivanesan
- Université de Montréal, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Christian Baron
- Université de Montréal, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
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23
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Unzueta U, Vázquez F, Accardi G, Mendoza R, Toledo-Rubio V, Giuliani M, Sannino F, Parrilli E, Abasolo I, Schwartz S, Tutino ML, Villaverde A, Corchero JL, Ferrer-Miralles N. Strategies for the production of difficult-to-express full-length eukaryotic proteins using microbial cell factories: production of human alpha-galactosidase A. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:5863-74. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-6328-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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24
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Belardinelli JM, Larrouy-Maumus G, Jones V, Sorio de Carvalho LP, McNeil MR, Jackson M. Biosynthesis and translocation of unsulfated acyltrehaloses in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:27952-65. [PMID: 25124040 PMCID: PMC4183827 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.581199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of species-specific polymethyl-branched fatty acid-containing trehalose esters populate the outer membrane of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Among them, 2,3-diacyltrehaloses (DAT) and penta-acyltrehaloses (PAT) not only play a structural role in the cell envelope but also contribute to the ability of M. tuberculosis to multiply and persist in the infected host, promoting the intracellular survival of the bacterium and modulating host immune responses. The nature of the machinery, topology, and sequential order of the reactions leading to the biosynthesis, assembly, and export of these complex glycolipids to the cell surface are the object of the present study. Our genetic and biochemical evidence corroborates a model wherein the biosynthesis and translocation of DAT and PAT to the periplasmic space are coupled and topologically split across the plasma membrane. The formation of DAT occurs on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane through the action of PapA3, FadD21, and Pks3/4; that of PAT occurs on the periplasmic face via transesterification reactions between DAT substrates catalyzed by the acyltransferase Chp2 (Rv1184c). The integral membrane transporter MmpL10 is essential for DAT to reach the cell surface, and its presence in the membrane is required for Chp2 to be active. Disruption of mmpL10 or chp2 leads to an important build-up of DAT inside the cells and to the formation of a novel form of unsulfated acyltrehalose esterified with polymethyl-branched fatty acids normally found in sulfolipids that is translocated to the cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Belardinelli
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682 and
| | - Gérald Larrouy-Maumus
- the Division of Mycobacterial Research, Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Jones
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682 and
| | - Luiz Pedro Sorio de Carvalho
- the Division of Mycobacterial Research, Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
| | - Michael R McNeil
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682 and
| | - Mary Jackson
- From the Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682 and
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25
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Wood DW. New trends and affinity tag designs for recombinant protein purification. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2014; 26:54-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2014.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Bacterial-based membrane protein production. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2013; 1843:1739-49. [PMID: 24200679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Revised: 10/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli is by far the most widely used bacterial host for the production of membrane proteins. Usually, different strains, culture conditions and production regimes are screened for to design the optimal production process. However, these E. coli-based screening approaches often do not result in satisfactory membrane protein production yields. Recently, it has been shown that (i) E. coli strains with strongly improved membrane protein production characteristics can be engineered or selected for, (ii) many membrane proteins can be efficiently produced in E. coli-based cell-free systems, (iii) bacteria other than E. coli can be used for the efficient production of membrane proteins, and, (iv) membrane protein variants that retain functionality but are produced at higher yields than the wild-type protein can be engineered or selected for. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein trafficking and secretion in bacteria. Guest Editors: Anastassios Economou and Ross Dalbey.
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Ma P, Varela F, Magoch M, Silva AR, Rosário AL, Brito J, Oliveira TF, Nogly P, Pessanha M, Stelter M, Kletzin A, Henderson PJF, Archer M. An efficient strategy for small-scale screening and production of archaeal membrane transport proteins in Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76913. [PMID: 24282478 PMCID: PMC3838208 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Membrane proteins play a key role in many fundamental cellular processes such as transport of nutrients, sensing of environmental signals and energy transduction, and account for over 50% of all known drug targets. Despite their importance, structural and functional characterisation of membrane proteins still remains a challenge, partially due to the difficulties in recombinant expression and purification. Therefore the need for development of efficient methods for heterologous production is essential. Methodology/Principal Findings Fifteen integral membrane transport proteins from Archaea were selected as test targets, chosen to represent two superfamilies widespread in all organisms known as the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) and the 5-Helix Inverted Repeat Transporter superfamily (5HIRT). These proteins typically have eleven to twelve predicted transmembrane helices and are putative transporters for sugar, metabolite, nucleobase, vitamin or neurotransmitter. They include a wide range of examples from the following families: Metabolite-H+-symporter; Sugar Porter; Nucleobase-Cation-Symporter-1; Nucleobase-Cation-Symporter-2; and neurotransmitter-sodium-symporter. Overproduction of transporters was evaluated with three vectors (pTTQ18, pET52b, pWarf) and two Escherichia coli strains (BL21 Star and C43 (DE3)). Thirteen transporter genes were successfully expressed; only two did not express in any of the tested vector-strain combinations. Initial trials showed that seven transporters could be purified and six of these yielded quantities of ≥ 0.4 mg per litre suitable for functional and structural studies. Size-exclusion chromatography confirmed that two purified transporters were almost homogeneous while four others were shown to be non-aggregating, indicating that they are ready for up-scale production and crystallisation trials. Conclusions/Significance Here, we describe an efficient strategy for heterologous production of membrane transport proteins in E. coli. Small-volume cultures (10 mL) produced sufficient amount of proteins to assess their purity and aggregation state. The methods described in this work are simple to implement and can be easily applied to many more membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pikyee Ma
- Instituto de Tecnologia Quίmica e Biolόgica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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Backmark AE, Olivier N, Snijder A, Gordon E, Dekker N, Ferguson AD. Fluorescent probe for high-throughput screening of membrane protein expression. Protein Sci 2013; 22:1124-32. [PMID: 23776061 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 06/02/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Screening of protein variants requires specific detection methods to assay protein levels and stability in crude mixtures. Many strategies apply fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography (FSEC) using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins to qualitatively monitor expression, stability, and monodispersity. However, GFP fusion proteins have several important disadvantages; including false-positives, protein aggregation after proteolytic removal of GFP, and reductions in protein yields without the GFP fusion. Here we describe a FSEC screening strategy based on a fluorescent multivalent NTA probe that interacts with polyhistidine-tags on target proteins. This method overcomes the limitations of GFP fusion proteins, and can be used to rank protein production based on qualitative and quantitative parameters. Domain boundaries of the human G-protein coupled adenosine A2a receptor were readily identified from crude detergent-extracts of a library of construct variants transiently produced in suspension-adapted HEK293-6E cells. Well expressing clones of MraY, an important bacterial infection target, could be identified from a library of 24 orthologs. This probe provides a highly sensitive tool to detect target proteins to expression levels down to 0.02 mg/L in crude lysate, and requires minimal amounts of cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Backmark
- Discovery Sciences, Reagents and Assay Development, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Mölndal, Sweden
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29
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High-throughput analytical gel filtration screening of integral membrane proteins for structural studies. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2013; 1830:3497-508. [PMID: 23403133 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Structural studies of integral membrane proteins (IMPs) are often hampered by difficulties in producing stable homogenous samples for crystallization. To overcome this hurdle it has become common practice to screen large numbers of target proteins to find suitable candidates for crystallization. For such an approach to be effective, an efficient screening strategy is imperative. To this end, strategies have been developed that involve the use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion constructs. However, these approaches suffer from two drawbacks; proteins with a translocated C-terminus cannot be tested and scale-up from analytical to preparative purification is often non-trivial and may require re-cloning. METHODS Here we present a screening approach that prioritizes IMP targets based on three criteria: expression level, detergent solubilization yield and homogeneity as determined by high-throughput small-scale immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) and automated size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). RESULTS To validate the strategy, we screened 48 prokaryotic IMPs in two different vectors and two Escherichia coli strains. A set of 11 proteins passed all preset quality control checkpoints and was subjected to crystallization trials. Four of these crystallized directly in initial sparse matrix screens, highlighting the robustness of the strategy. CONCLUSIONS We have developed a rapid and cost efficient screening strategy that can be used for all IMPs regardless of topology. The analytical steps have been designed to be a good mimic of preparative purification, which greatly facilitates scale-up. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The screening approach presented here is intended and expected to help drive forward structural biology of membrane proteins.
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Hjelm A, Schlegel S, Baumgarten T, Klepsch M, Wickström D, Drew D, de Gier JW. Optimizing E. coli-based membrane protein production using Lemo21(DE3) and GFP-fusions. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 1033:381-400. [PMID: 23996190 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-487-6_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Optimizing the conditions for the overexpression of membrane proteins in E. coli and their subsequent purification is usually a laborious and time-consuming process. Combining the Lemo21(DE3) strain, which conveniently allows to identify the optimal expression intensity of a membrane protein using only one strain, and membrane proteins C-terminally fused to Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) greatly facilitates the production of high-quality membrane protein material for functional and structural studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hjelm
- Center for Biomembrane Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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31
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Ebersbach H, Geisse S. Antigen generation and display in therapeutic antibody drug discovery -- a neglected but critical player. Biotechnol J 2012; 7:1433-43. [PMID: 23139179 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201200066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Revised: 08/26/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Disease intervention by targeting a critical pathway molecule through a blocking antibody or interference by therapeutic proteins is currently en vogue. Generation of blocking antibodies or therapeutic proteins inevitably requires the production of recombinant proteins or cell-based immunogens. Thus, one could call the antigen molecule the neglected player in antibody drug discovery. The variety of methods available for making recombinant proteins or recombinant cell lines that present the target on the cell surface is extensive. These need to be addressed in conjunction with biochemical and biophysical quality criteria and the experimental application intended. Fundamentally, successful production and isolation of monoclonal antibodies requires optimized antigen preparation and presentation to the immune host. This review summarizes the most important aspects of antigen generation and display, enabling logical decision making to give rise to potent high-affinity antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilmar Ebersbach
- NBC/NT, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
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32
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Cell-free protein synthesis of membrane (1,3)-β-d-glucan (curdlan) synthase: co-translational insertion in liposomes and reconstitution in nanodiscs. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2012; 1828:743-57. [PMID: 23063656 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2012.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2012] [Revised: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A membrane-embedded curdlan synthase (CrdS) from Agrobacterium is believed to catalyse a repetitive addition of glucosyl residues from UDP-glucose to produce the (1,3)-β-d-glucan (curdlan) polymer. We report wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis (WG-CFPS) of full-length CrdS containing a 6xHis affinity tag and either Factor Xa or Tobacco Etch Virus proteolytic sites, using a variety of hydrophobic membrane-mimicking environments. Full-length CrdS was synthesised with no variations in primary structure, following analysis of tryptic fragments by MALDI-TOF/TOF Mass Spectrometry. Preparative scale WG-CFPS in dialysis mode with Brij-58 yielded CrdS in mg/ml quantities. Analysis of structural and functional properties of CrdS during protein synthesis showed that CrdS was co-translationally inserted in DMPC liposomes during WG-CFPS, and these liposomes could be purified in a single step by density gradient floatation. Incorporated CrdS exhibited a random orientation topology. Following affinity purification of CrdS, the protein was reconstituted in nanodiscs with Escherichia coli lipids or POPC and a membrane scaffold protein MSP1E3D1. CrdS nanodiscs were characterised by small-angle X-ray scattering using synchrotron radiation and the data obtained were consistent with insertion of CrdS into bilayers. We found CrdS synthesised in the presence of the Ac-AAAAAAD surfactant peptide or co-translationally inserted in liposomes made from E. coli lipids to be catalytically competent. Conversely, CrdS synthesised with only Brij-58 was inactive. Our findings pave the way for future structural studies of this industrially important catalytic membrane protein.
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Caffrey M, Li D, Dukkipati A. Membrane protein structure determination using crystallography and lipidic mesophases: recent advances and successes. Biochemistry 2012; 51:6266-88. [PMID: 22783824 DOI: 10.1021/bi300010w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The crystal structure of the β(2)-adrenergic receptor in complex with an agonist and its cognate G protein has just recently been determined. It is now possible to explore in molecular detail the means by which this paradigmatic transmembrane receptor binds agonist, communicates the impulse or signaling event across the membrane, and sets in motion a series of G protein-directed intracellular responses. The structure was determined using crystals of the ternary complex grown in a rationally designed lipidic mesophase by the so-called in meso method. The method is proving to be particularly useful in the G protein-coupled receptor field where the structures of 13 distinct receptor types have been determined in the past 5 years. In addition to receptors, the method has proven to be useful with a wide variety of integral membrane protein classes that include bacterial and eukaryotic rhodopsins, light-harvesting complex II (LHII), photosynthetic reaction centers, cytochrome oxidases, β-barrels, an exchanger, and an integral membrane peptide. This attests to the versatility and range of the method and supports the view that the in meso method should be included in the arsenal of the serious membrane structural biologist. For this to happen, however, the reluctance to adopt it attributable, in part, to the anticipated difficulties associated with handling the sticky, viscous cubic mesophase in which crystals grow must be overcome. Harvesting and collecting diffraction data with the mesophase-grown crystals are also viewed with some trepidation. It is acknowledged that there are challenges associated with the method. Over the years, we have endeavored to establish how the method works at a molecular level and to make it user-friendly. To these ends, tools for handling the mesophase in the pico- to nanoliter volume range have been developed for highly efficient crystallization screening in manual and robotic modes. Methods have been implemented for evaluating the functional activity of membrane proteins reconstituted into the bilayer of the cubic phase as a prelude to crystallogenesis. Glass crystallization plates that provide unparalleled optical quality and sensitivity to nascent crystals have been built. Lipid and precipitant screens have been designed for a more rational approach to crystallogenesis such that the method can now be applied to an even wider variety of membrane protein types. In this work, these assorted advances are outlined along with a summary of the membrane proteins that have yielded to the method. The prospects for and the challenges that must be overcome to further develop the method are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Caffrey
- Membrane Structural and Functional Biology Group, School of Medicine and School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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34
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Assessment of membrane protein expression and stability using a split green fluorescent protein reporter. Anal Biochem 2012; 423:7-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2011.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2011] [Revised: 12/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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35
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Besserer GM, Nicoll DA, Abramson J, Philipson KD. Characterization and purification of a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger from an archaebacterium. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:8652-9. [PMID: 22287543 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.331280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The superfamily of cation/Ca(2+) exchangers includes both Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchangers (NCXs) and Na(+)/Ca(2+),K(+) exchangers (NCKX) as the families characterized in most detail. These Ca(2+) transporters have prominent physiological roles. For example, NCX and NCKX are important in regulation of cardiac contractility and visual processes, respectively. The superfamily also has a large number of members of the YrbG family expressed in prokaryotes. However, no members of this family have been functionally expressed, and their transport properties are unknown. We have expressed, purified, and characterized a member of the YrbG family, MaX1 from Methanosarcina acetivorans. MaX1 catalyzes Ca(2+) uptake into membrane vesicles. The Ca(2+) uptake requires intravesicular Na(+) and is stimulated by an inside positive membrane potential. Despite very limited sequence similarity, MaX1 is a Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger with kinetic properties similar to those of NCX. The availability of a prokaryotic Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger should facilitate structural and mechanistic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Mercado Besserer
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-1751, USA
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36
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Ashikawa Y, Ihara M, Matsuura N, Fukunaga Y, Kusakabe Y, Yamashita A. GFP-based evaluation system of recombinant expression through the secretory pathway in insect cells and its application to the extracellular domains of class C GPCRs. Protein Sci 2011; 20:1720-34. [PMID: 21805523 DOI: 10.1002/pro.707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Revised: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Applications of the GFP-fusion technique have greatly facilitated evaluations of the amounts and qualities of sample proteins used for structural analyses. In this study, we applied the GFP-based sample evaluation to secreted protein expression by insect cells. We verified that a GFP variant, GFPuv, retains proper folding and monodispersity within all expression spaces in Sf9 cells, such as the cytosol, organelles, and even the extracellular space after secretion, and thus can serve as a proper folding reporter for recombinant proteins. We then applied the GFPuv-based system to the extracellular domains of class C G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and examined their localization, folding, and oligomerization upon insect cell expression. The extracellular domain of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) exhibited good secreted expression by Sf9 cells, and the secreted proteins formed dimer with a monodisperse hydrodynamic state favorable for crystallization, consistent with the results from previous successful structural analyses. In contrast, the extracellular domains of sweet/umami taste receptors (T1R) almost completely remained in the cell. Notably, the T1R and mGluR1 subfractions that remained in the cellular space showed polydisperse hydrodynamic states with large aggregated fractions, without forming dimers. These results indicated that the proper folding and oligomerization of the extracellular domains of the class C GPCR are achieved through the secretory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Ashikawa
- Molecular Signaling Research Team, Structural Physiology Research Group, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
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37
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Narayanan A, Ridilla M, Yernool DA. Restrained expression, a method to overproduce toxic membrane proteins by exploiting operator-repressor interactions. Protein Sci 2011; 20:51-61. [PMID: 21031485 DOI: 10.1002/pro.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A major rate-limiting step in determining structures of membrane proteins is heterologous protein production. Toxicity often associated with rapid overexpression results in reduced biomass along with low yields of target protein. Mitigation of toxic effects was achieved using a method we call "restrained expression," a controlled reduction in the frequency of transcription initiation by exploiting the infrequent transitions of Lac repressor to a free state from its complex with the lac-operator site within a T7lac promoter that occur in the absence of the inducer isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside. In addition, production of the T7 RNA polymerase that drives transcription of the target is limited using the tightly regulated arabinose promoter in Escherichia coli strain BL21-AI. Using this approach, we can achieve a 200-fold range of green fluorescent protein expression levels. Application to members of a family of ion pumps results in 5- to 25-fold increases in expression over the benchmark BL21(DE3) host strain. A viral ion channel highly toxic to E. coli can also be overexpressed. In comparative analyses, restrained expression outperforms commonly used E. coli expression strategies. The mechanism underlying improved target protein yield arises from minimization of protein aggregation and proteolysis that reduce membrane integrity and cell viability. This study establishes a method to overexpress toxic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoop Narayanan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
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38
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Sonoda Y, Cameron A, Newstead S, Omote H, Moriyama Y, Kasahara M, Iwata S, Drew D. Tricks of the trade used to accelerate high-resolution structure determination of membrane proteins. FEBS Lett 2010; 584:2539-47. [PMID: 20394746 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2010.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2010] [Revised: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The rate at which X-ray structures of membrane proteins are solved is on a par with that of soluble proteins in the late 1970s. There are still many obstacles facing the membrane protein structural community. Recently, there have been several technical achievements in the field that have started to dramatically accelerate structural studies. Here, we summarize these so-called 'tricks-of-the-trade' and include case studies of several mammalian transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yo Sonoda
- Division of Molecular Biosciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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