High-sensitivity protein detection by a new "contact-copy" method using a protein A-neomycin phosphotransferase II fusion protein

Expression of the membrane protein glycophorin A as a fusion with the antibiotic resistance protein neomycin phosphotransferase II

The gene for the integral membrane protein glycophorin A (GPA) was cloned in frame to the 5' end of the antibiotic resistance gene, neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT). Protein expression was achieved in Escherichia coli as well as in mammalian cells. In case of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) the resistant populations were analyzed 2 weeks after transfection; the amount of GPA-NPT fusion protein produced was constant from experiment to experiment. Neomycin resistance was directly correlated with GPA expression, thus allowing the direct selection for a stable GPA-expressing cell population without the need of a cloning step. The amount of GPA-NPT produced was further increased by weakening the specific NPT enzymatic activity via site-directed mutagenesis. Detection was simplified by the fact that all different fusion proteins could be detected by the same anti-NPT antibody. This approach may be also applicable to other membrane proteins.

Affinity chromatography for protein isolation

Thousands of reports concerning protein purification have appeared in the past year, and over 150 of these involved, at least in part, the affinity chromatography process. Immobilized membrane affinity chromatography, temperature-programmed elution, and centrifugal affinity chromatography are among the most significant new techniques amid the myriads of applications in this mature field.