The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Overexpression, purification, and characterization of wild type and delta F508 mutant forms of the first nucleotide binding fold in fusion with the maltose-binding protein

A review of TNP-ATP in protein binding studies: benefits and pitfalls

We review 50 years of use of 2',3'-O-trinitrophenyl (TNP)-ATP, a fluorescently tagged ATP analog. It has been extensively used to detect binding interactions of ATP to proteins and to measure parameters of those interactions such as the dissociation constant, K_d, or inhibitor dissociation constant, K_i. TNP-ATP has also found use in other applications, for example, as a fluorescence marker in microscopy, as a FRET pair, or as an antagonist (e.g., of P2X receptors). However, its use in protein binding studies has limitations because the TNP moiety often enhances binding affinity, and the fluorescence changes that occur with binding can be masked or mimicked in unexpected ways. The goal of this review is to provide a clear perspective of the pros and cons of using TNP-ATP to allow for better experimental design and less ambiguous data in future experiments using TNP-ATP and other TNP nucleotides.

Affinity Tags for Protein Purification

The affinity tags are unique proteins/peptides that are attached at the N- or C-terminus of the recombinant proteins. These tags help in protein purification. Additionally, some affinity tags also serve a dual purpose as solubility enhancers for challenging protein targets. By applying a combinatorial approach, carefully chosen affinity tags designed in tandem have proven to be very successful in the purification of single proteins or multi-protein complexes. In this mini-review, the key features of the most commonly used affinity tags are discussed. The affinity tags have been classified into two significant categories, epitope tags, and protein/domain tags. The epitope tags are generally small peptides with high affinity towards a chromatography resin. The protein/domain tags often perform double duty as solubility enhancers as well as aid in affinity purification. Finally, protease-based affinity tag removal strategies after purification are discussed.

Exploiting the interactions between poly-histidine fusion tags and immobilized metal ions

Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) of proteins containing poly-histidine fusion tags is an efficient research tool for purifying recombinant proteins from crude cellular feedstocks at laboratory scale. Nevertheless, to achieve successful purification of large amounts of the target protein for critical therapeutic applications that demand the precise removal of fusion tags, it is important to also take into consideration issues such as protein quality, efficiency, cost effectiveness, and optimal affinity tag choice and design. Despite the many considerations described in this article, it is expected that enhanced selectivity, the primary consideration in the field of protein separation, will continue to see the use of IMAC in solving new purification challenges. In addition, the platform nature of this technology makes it an ideal choice in purifying proteins with unknown properties. Finally, the unique interaction between immobilized metal ions and poly-histidine fusion tag has enabled new developments in the areas of biosensor, immunoassay, and other analytical technologies.

Biochemical and biophysical approaches to probe CFTR structure

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) is a multi-domain integral membrane protein central to epithelial fluid secretion (see Chapter 21). Its activity is defective in the recessive genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF). The most common CF-causing mutation is F508del in the first nucleotide binding domain (NBD1) of CFTR. This mutation is found on at least one allele of more than 90% of all CF patients. It is known to interfere with the trafficking/maturation of CFTR through the secretory pathway, leading to a loss-of-function at the plasma membrane. Notably, correction of the trafficking defect by addition of intragenic second-site suppressor mutations, or the alteration of bulk solvent conditions, such as by reducing the temperature or adding osmolytes, leads to appearance of functional channels at the membrane--thus, the rescued F508del-CFTR retains measurable function. High-resolution structural models of NBD1 from X-ray crystallographic data indicate that F508 is exposed on the surface of the domain in a position predicted by homologous ABC transporter structures to lie at the interface with the intracellular loops (ICLs) connecting the transmembrane spans. Determining the relative impact of the F508del mutation directly on NBD1 folding or on steps of domain assembly or both domain folding and assembly requires methods for evaluating the structure and stability of the isolated domain.

Activation mechanisms for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein involve direct binding of cAMP

The CFTR [CF (cystic fibrosis) transmembrane conductance regulator] chloride channel is activated by cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphorylation and ATP binding, but also by non-phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms. Other CFTR functions such as regulation of exocytotic protein secretion are also activated by cyclic nucleotide elevating agents. A soluble protein comprising the first NBD (nucleotide-binding domain) and R-domain of CFTR (NBD1-R) was synthesized to determine directly whether CFTR binds cAMP. An equilibrium radioligand-binding assay was developed, firstly to show that, as for full-length CFTR, the NBD1-R protein bound ATP. Half-maximal displacement of [3H]ATP by non-radioactive ATP at 3.5 microM and 3.1 mM was demonstrated. [3H]cAMP bound to the protein with different affinities from ATP (half-maximal displacement by cAMP at 2.6 and 167 microM). Introduction of a mutation (T421A) in a motif predicted to be important for cyclic nucleotide binding decreased the higher affinity binding of cAMP to 9.2 microM. The anti-CFTR antibody (MPNB) that inhibits CFTR-mediated protein secretion also inhibited cAMP binding. Thus binding of cAMP to CFTR is consistent with a role in activation of protein secretion, a process defective in CF gland cells. Furthermore, the binding site may be important in the mechanism by which drugs activate mutant CFTR and correct defective DeltaF508-CFTR trafficking.

Modelling the restoration of wild-type dynamic behaviour in DeltaF508-CFTR NBD1 by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequently occurring severe, genetic disease in western populations with an incidence as high as 1 in 2500. The principal biochemical defect in CF is a mutation in a membrane transport protein, namely the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which is responsible for the conductance of chloride ions across cell membranes. In 70% of cases a single mutation in CFTR, namely the deletion of amino acid 508 (called DeltaF508) is sufficient to cause severe disease. This mutation manifests as a failure of the protein to be effectively targeted to the membrane. Recently, it has been shown that small molecule drug therapy can restore the membrane-targeting of DeltaF508-CFTR, where the mutant channel functions adequately. We have created models of the first nucleotide-binding domain (NBD1) region (which houses the proposed binding site of these restorative drugs) of the wild-type and mutant forms of human CFTR. We have simulated the dynamical behaviour of these proteins in the presence of drugs that restore trafficking of the protein. Our results indicate that there are particular modes of dynamic motion that are distinguishable between wild-type and mutant CFTR. These regions of motion are localized in the regions of the DeltaF508 mutation and the drug-binding regions. The simulations of drug binding indicate that wild-type dynamic motions are restored in these regions. We conclude therefore that these drugs are able to alter the dynamic properties of DeltaF508-CFTR such that the drug-bound mutant protein more closely resembles the wild-type protein dynamic behaviour, and hence we hypothesize that it is this that allows for correct targeting to the membrane.

Fluorescent and colored trinitrophenylated analogs of ATP and GTP

Fluorescent and colored trinitrophenylated (TNP) analogs of ATP and GTP can interact with nucleotide-requiring enzymes and proteins as a substitute for the parent nucleotide. These analogs have strong binding affinities for most nucleotide-requiring systems. Their bindings are easily detected by absorption and fluorescence changes in the visible region. Recent years have seen dramatic developments in the application of the TNP nucleotide analogs as spectroscopic probes for the study on the nucleotide-interacting properties of various enzymes and proteins including their mutants. This review is intended as a broad overview of currently extensively used applications of the nucleotide analogs in various biological systems.

A critical review of the methods for cleavage of fusion proteins with thrombin and factor Xa

Expression and purification of proteins in recombinant DNA systems is a powerful and widely used technique. Frequently there is the need to express the protein of interest as a fusion protein or chimeric protein. Fusion protein technology is frequently used to attach a "signal" which can be used for subsequent localization of the protein or a "carrier" which can be used to deliver a "therapeutic" such as a radioactive molecule to a specific site. In addition to these applications, fusion protein technology can be employed for several other useful purposes. Of these, the most frequent reason is to provide a 'tag' or 'handle' which will aid in the purification of the protein. Another useful purpose is to improve the expression or folding of the protein of interest. In these latter two situations, it is often necessary to remove the fusion partner before the recombinant protein of interest can be used for further studies. This removal process involves the insertion of a unique amino acid sequence that is susceptible to cleavage by a highly specific protease. Thrombin and factor Xa are the most frequently used proteases for this application. The purpose of this review is to discuss the application of thrombin and factor Xa for the cleavage of fusion proteins. It is emphasized that while these enzymes are quite specific for cleavage at the inserted cleavage site, proteolysis can frequently occur at other site(s) in the protein of interest. It is necessary to characterize the protein of interest after cleavage from the affinity label to assure that there are no changes in the covalent structure of the protein of interest. Examples are presented which describe the proteolysis of the protein of interest by either factor Xa or thrombin.

Nucleotide triphosphatase activity of the N-terminal nucleotide-binding domains of the multidrug resistance proteins P-glycoprotein and MRP1

The multidrug resistance proteins P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and MRP1 are drug-efflux pumps. In this study, we compared the nucleotide triphosphatase activities of the isolated N-terminal nucleotide binding domains (NBD1) of Pgp and MRP1, and explored the potential role of the phosphorylation target domain of Pgp on the regulation of Pgp NBD1 ATPase activity. We found that: (1) the NBD1s of Pgp and MRP1 have ATPase and GTPase activities, (2) the K(m)s of Pgp NBD1 for ATP and GTP hydrolysis are identical, while the K(m) of MRP1 NBD1 for ATP is lower than that for GTP, and (3) phosphorylation of MLD by PKA or PKC produces a marginal increase of V(max) for ATP hydrolysis, without affecting the affinity for ATP. These results show efficient GTP hydrolysis by the NBD1s of Pgp and MRP1, and a minor role of phosphorylation in the control of Pgp NBD1 ATPase activity.

The ferric uptake regulator of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has no essential cysteine residues and does not contain a structural zinc ion

The ferric uptake regulator (Fur) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was expressed in Escherichia coli in its native form and as a fusion to the maltose-binding protein (MBP). Fur from the MBP fusion bound to MBP after proteolytic cleavage, and the two could only be separated by partial unfolding. The refolded protein was in the same conformation as native protein (as judged by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies) and was fully active in DNA-binding assays. As-prepared native Fur contained small amounts of Zn(2+) that were easily removed by treatment with EDTA, and apo-protein could be reconstituted with approximately one Zn(2+) ion per monomer. Thus, the P. aeruginosa Fur can probably accommodate a single Zn(2+) ion bound to the metal-sensing site. The single cysteine residue of P. aeruginosa Fur aligns with a cysteine in other members of the Fur family that is essential for activity of the E. coli protein, and is believed to provide one of the ligands to a structural Zn(2+) ion. This cysteine residue was shown to be dispensable for the in vivo activity of P. aeruginosa Fur, which is consistent with the suggestion that the P. aeruginosa protein does not contain a structural Zn(2+) ion. Members of the Fur family contain a highly conserved His-His-Asp-His motif. Alanine substitutions of residues in this motif showed His-87 and His-89 of P. aeruginosa Fur to be essential for activity, whilst His-86 and Asp-88 are partially dispensable.

S-decyl-glutathione nonspecifically stimulates the ATPase activity of the nucleotide-binding domains of the human multidrug resistance-associated protein, MRP1 (ABCC1)

The human multidrug resistance-associated protein(MRP1) is an ATP-dependent efflux pump that transports anionic conjugates, and hydrophobic compounds in a glutathione dependent manner. Similar to the other, well-characterized multidrug transporter P-gp, MRP1 comprises two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) in addition to transmembrane domains. However, whereas the NBDs of P-gp have been shown to be functionally equivalent, those of MRP1 differ significantly. The isolated NBDs of MRP1 have been characterized in Escherichia coli as fusions with either the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) or the maltose-binding domain (MBP). The nonfused NBD1 was obtained by cleavage of the fusion protein with thrombin. The GST-fused forms of NBD1 and NBD2 hydrolyzed ATP with an apparent K(m) of 340 microm and a V(max) of 6.0 nmol P(I) x mg-1 x min-1, and a K(m) of 910 microm ATP and a V(max) of 7.5 nmol P(I) x mg-1 x min-1, respectively. Remarkably, S-decyl-glutathione, a conjugate specifically transported by MRP1 and MRP2, was able to stimulate the ATPase activities of the isolated NBDs more than 2-fold in a concentration-dependent manner. However,the stimulation of the ATPase activity was found to coincide with the formation of micelles by S-decyl-glutathione. Equivalent stimulation of ATPase activity could be obtained by surfactants with similar critical micelle concentrations.

The First Nucleotide Binding Domain of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Is a Site of Stable Nucleotide Interaction, whereas the Second Is a Site of Rapid Turnover

As in other adenine nucleotide binding cassette (ABC) proteins the nucleotide binding domains of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) bind and hydrolyze ATP and in some manner regulate CFTR ion channel gating. Unlike some other ABC proteins, however, there are preliminary indications that the two domains of CFTR are nonequivalent in their nucleotide interactions (Szabo, K., Szakacs, G., Hegeds, T., and Sarkadi, B. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 12209-12212; Aleksandrov, L., Mengos, A., Chang, X., Aleksandrov, A., and Riordan, J. R. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 12918-12923). We have now characterized the interactions of the 8-azido-photoactive analogues of ATP, ADP, and 5'-adenyl-beta,gamma-imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) with the two domains of functional membrane-bound CFTR. The results show that the two domains appear to act independently in the binding and hydrolysis of 8-azido-ATP. At NBD1 binding does not require a divalent cation. This binding is followed by minimal Mg(2+)-dependent hydrolysis and retention of the hydrolysis product, 8-azido-ADP, but not as a vanadate stabilized post-hydrolysis transition state complex. In contrast, at NBD2, MgN(3)ATP is hydrolyzed as rapidly as it is bound and the nucleoside diphosphate hydrolysis product dissociates immediately. Confirming this characterization of NBD1 as a site of more stable nucleotide interaction and NBD2 as a site of fast turnover, the non-hydrolyzable N(3)AMP-PNP bound preferentially to NBD1. This demonstration of NBD2 as the rapid nucleotide turnover site is consistent with the strong effect on channel gating kinetics of inactivation of this domain by mutagenesis.

Characterization and functional analysis of the nucleotide binding fold in human peroxisomal ATP binding cassette transporters

The 70-kDa peroxisomal membrane protein (PMP70) and the adrenoleukodystrophy protein (ALDP) are half ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the peroxisome membrane. Mutations in the ALD gene encoding ALDP result in the X-linked neurodegenerative disorder adrenoleukodystrophy. Plausible models exist to show a role for ATP hydrolysis in peroxisomal ABC transporter functions. Here, we describe the first measurements of the rate of ATP binding and hydrolysis by purified nucleotide binding fold (NBF) fusion proteins of PMP70 and ALDP. Both proteins act as an ATP specific binding subunit releasing ADP after ATP hydrolysis; they did not exhibit GTPase activity. Mutations in conserved residues of the nucleotidases (PMP70: G478R, S572I; ALDP: G512S, S606L) altered ATPase activity. Furthermore, our results indicate that these mutations do not influence homodimerization or heterodimerization of ALDP or PMP70. The study provides evidence that peroxisomal ABC transporters utilize ATP to become a functional transporter.

Protein solubility and folding monitored in vivo by structural complementation of a genetic marker protein

Protein misfolding is the basis of a number of human diseases and presents an obstacle to the production of soluble recombinant proteins. We present a general method to assess the solubility and folding of proteins in vivo. The basis of this assay is structural complementation between the alpha- and omega- fragments of beta-galactosidase (beta-gal). Fusions of the alpha-fragment to the C terminus of target proteins with widely varying in vivo folding yield and/or solubility levels, including the Alzheimer's amyloid beta (A beta) peptide and a non-amyloidogenic mutant thereof, reveal an unambiguous correlation between beta-gal activity and the solubility/folding of the target. Thus, structural complementation provides a means of monitoring protein solubility/misfolding in vivo, and should find utility in the screening for compounds that influence the pathological consequences of these processes.

Nucleotide-binding domain 1 of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator production of a suitable protein for structural studies

Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This protein belongs to the large ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of transporters. Most patients with cystic fibrosis bear a mutation in the nucleotide-binding domain 1 (NBD1) of CFTR, which plays a key role in the activation of the channel function of CFTR. Determination of the three dimensional structure of NBD1 is essential to better understand its structure-function relationship, and relate it to the biological features of CFTR. In this paper, we report the first preparation of recombinant His-tagged NBD1, as a soluble, stable and isolated domain. The method avoids the use of renaturing processes or fusion constructs. ATPase activity assays show that the recombinant domain is functional. Using tryptophan intrinsic fluorescence, we point out that the local conformation, in the region of the most frequent mutation DeltaF508, could differ from that of the nucleotide-binding subunit of histidine permease, the only available ABC structure. We have undertaken three dimensional structure determination of NBD1, and the first two dimensional 15N-1H NMR spectra demonstrate that the domain is folded. The method should be applicable to the structural studies of NBD2 or of other NBDs from different ABC proteins of major biological interest, such as multidrug resistance protein 1 or multidrug resistance associated protein 1.

Expression and characterization of the N- and C-terminal ATP-binding domains of MRP1

The His(6)-tagged N- and C-terminal nucleotide binding (ATP Binding Cassette, ABC) domains of the human multidrug resistance associated protein, MRP1, were expressed in bacteria in fusion to the bacterial maltose binding protein and a two-step affinity purification was utilized. Binding of a fluorescent ATP-analogue occurred with micromolar dissociation constants, MgATP was able to inhibit the ATP-analogue binding with 70 and 200 micromolar apparent inhibition constants, while AMP was nearly ineffective. Both MRP1 nucleotide binding domains showed ATPase activities (V(max) values between 5-10 nmoles/mg protein/min), which is fifty to hundred times lower than that of parent transporter. The K(M) value of the ATP hydrolysis by the nucleotide binding domains were 1.5 mM and 1.8 mM, which is similar to the K(M) value of the native or the purified and reconstituted transporter, N-ethylmaleinimide and A1F(4) inhibited the ATPase activity of both nucleotide binding domains.

Pharmacologic restoration of delta F508 CFTR-mediated chloride current

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal inherited disorder caused by over 800 different mutations in the CFTR gene. The most common mutation, delta F508, causes a trafficking arrest in the endoplasmic reticulum and the CFTR protein is degraded. Restoration of CFTR trafficking in vitro restores cAMP-mediated chloride transport at the cell surface. The hypothesis of this discussion is that the short chain fatty acids, butyrate and 4-phenylbutyrate, up-regulate mature CFTR at the plasma membrane. Evidence that these compounds regulate CFTR production and maturation in part through effects on molecular chaperones in CF cells in culture is discussed. The oral drug, 4-phenylbutyrate, was tested in a Phase I clinical trial in CF subjects and further trials are underway. Other new therapeutic approaches directed at different classes of mutations in CFTR are also discussed. Chemical and pharmacologic agents that regulate endogenous gene expression at different steps in the biosynthetic processing pathway of a membrane glycoprotein will be needed to comprehensively treat a complex inherited disorder like cystic fibrosis.

Insights into the structure and substrate interactions of the P-glycoprotein multidrug transporter from spectroscopic studies

The P-glycoprotein multidrug transporter is a 170-kDa efflux pump which exports a diverse group of natural products, chemotherapeutic drugs, and hydrophobic peptides across the plasma membrane, driven by ATP hydrolysis. The transporter has been proposed to interact with its drug substrates within the membrane environment; however, much remains to be learned about the nature and number of the drug binding site(s). The two nucleotide binding domains are responsible for ATP binding and hydrolysis, which is coupled to drug movement across the membrane. In recent years, P-glycoprotein has been purified and functionally reconstituted in amounts large enough to allow biophysical studies. The use of spectroscopic techniques has led to insights into both its secondary and tertiary structure, and its interaction with nucleotides and drugs. In this review, we will summarise what has been learned by application to purified P-glycoprotein of fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy and infra-red spectroscopy.

A simple in vivo assay for increased protein solubility

Low solubility is a major stumbling block in the detailed structural and functional characterization of many proteins and isolated protein domains. The production of some proteins in a soluble form may only be possible through alteration of their sequences by mutagenesis. The feasibility of this approach has been demonstrated in a number of cases where amino acid substitutions were shown to increase protein solubility without altering structure or function. However, identifying residues to mutagenize to increase solubility is difficult, especially in the absence of structural knowledge. For this reason, we have developed a method by which soluble mutants of an insoluble protein can be easily distinguished in vivo in Escherichia coli. This method is based on our observation that cells expressing fusions of an insoluble protein to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) exhibit decreased resistance to chloramphenicol compared to fusions with soluble proteins. We found that a soluble mutant of an insoluble protein fused to CAT could be selected by plating on high levels of chloramphenicol.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and its function in epithelial transport

CF is a well characterized disease affecting a variety of epithelial tissues. Impaired function of the cAMP activated CFTR Cl- channel appears to be the basic defect detectable in epithelial and non-epithelial cells derived from CF patients. Apart from cAMP-dependent Cl- channels also Ca2+ and volume activated Cl- currents may be changed in the presence of CFTR mutations. This is supported by recent additional findings showing that different intracellular messengers converge on the CFTR Cl- channel. Analysis of the ion transport in CF airways and intestinal epithelium identified additional defects in Na+ transport. It became clear recently that mutations of CFTR may also affect the activity of other membrane conductances including epithelial Na+ channels, KvLQT-1 K+ channels and aquaporins (Fig. 7). Several additional, initially unexpected effects of CFTR on cellular functions, such as exocytosis, mucin secretion and regulation of the intracellular pH were reported during the past. Taken together, these results clearly indicate that CFTR not only acts as a cAMP regulated Cl- channel, but may fulfill several other cellular functions, particularly by regulating other membrane conductances. Failure in CFTR dependent regulation of these membrane conductances is likely to contribute to the defects observed in CF. Currently, no general concept is available that can explain how CFTR controls this variety of cellular functions. Further studies will have to verify whether direct protein interaction, specific effects on membrane turnover, changes of the intracellular ion concentration or additional proteins are involved in these regulatory loops. At the end of this review one cannot share the provocative and reassuring title "CFTR!" of a review written a few years ago [114]. Today one might rather finish with the statement "CFTR?".

Clinical implications of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) phenotypes are determined by mutations in the CF gene, genetic background, and environment. The nature of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutation determines the extent of protein function. CFTR mutations that abolish protein function are associated with severe CF phenotypes. Mutants that retain partial function of CFTR are associated with mild phenotypes. The effect of CFTR dysfunction is variable in different tissues. Atypical phenotypes caused by mutations in the CF gene may be revealed by CFTR mutation analysis and family studies. These phenotypes help to define the spectrum of clinical manifestations caused by CFTR mutations.

Lysophosphatidylglycerol: a novel effective detergent for solubilizing and purifying the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

Similar to the recombinant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expressed in Sf9 insect cells, underglycosylated CFTR expressed in yeast is not effectively solubilized by a variety of commonly used detergents, requiring instead harsh alkali and SDS treatments, which would denature most proteins. Moreover, solubilized CFTR has a strong tendency to aggregate and form high-molecular-weight aggregates during subsequent purification. We report here that the mild detergent, lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG), is a very effective detergent for solubilizing the CFTR expressed in both yeast and Sf9 insect cells. LPG solubilizes nearly 100% of the CFTR in yeast in the absence of NaCl and none in the presence of 1 M NaCl. It is also very potent in preventing aggregation of the CFTR during subsequent purification. Exploiting these characteristics, a rapid simple procedure for the purification of functional recombinant CFTR expressed in yeast has been developed. It includes selective CFTR solubilization in the presence and the absence of NaCl followed by nickel-chelate chromatography of His-tagged CFTR. The CFTR produced by this procedure is about 70% pure. Purified CFTR molecules were reconstituted into liposomes and then fused to planar lipid bilayers for single-channel recording. The reconstituted CFTR exhibits regulatory chloride channel activities with a slope conductance of 7.1 pS and a reversal potential of -32 mV. The effectiveness and simplicity of this new purification procedure for the CFTR should greatly facilitate a variety of biochemical and biophysical studies of this important protein. Furthermore, the potency of LPG in solubilizing the notoriously intractable underglycosylated CFTR suggest that this detergent may be useful for solubilizing the CFTR from other sources and for other difficult membrane proteins as well.

ClC and CFTR chloride channel gating

Chloride channels are widely expressed and play important roles in cell volume regulation, transepithelial transport, intracellular pH regulation, and membrane excitability. Most chloride channels have yet to be identified at a molecular level. The ClC gene family and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) are distinct chloride channels expressed in many cell types, and mutations in their genes are the cause of several diseases including myotonias, cystic fibrosis, and kidney stones. Because of their molecular definition and roles in disease, these channels have been studied intensively over the past several years. The focus of this review is on recent studies that have provided new insights into the mechanisms governing the opening and closing, i.e. gating, of the ClC and CFTR chloride channels.

The M4M5 cytoplasmic loop of the Na,K-ATPase, overexpressed in Escherichia coli, binds nucleoside triphosphates with the same selectivity as the intact native protein

Escherichia coli was used to overexpress the large cytoplasmic loop of the rat Na,K-ATPase. A 1260-base DNA segment encoding Lys354-Lys774 of the rat alpha1-subunit was constructed via polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction product was successfully subcloned into the expression vector pET-28 (Novagen), which produces an N-terminal 6-histidine-tagged fusion protein. The pET-28 vector containing rat alpha-loop, i.e. pAN, was used to transform calcium-competent E. coli BL21(DE3) cells, and positive clones were selected by kanamycin resistance. Bacterial cultures were grown, and protein synthesis was induced with isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactoside. Cells were harvested and lysed, revealing production of the His-tagged fusion protein ( approximately 46 kDa). The fusion protein was affinity-purified from other soluble cellular proteins via a Ni-NTA column, which routinely yielded approximately 20 mg of soluble His6-alpha-loop/L cell culture. The His6-alpha-loop retained significant native structure, as evidenced by the ability of ATP and ADP (but not AMP, CTP, GTP, or UTP) to protect against chemical modification by either fluorescein isothiocyanate or maleimidylanilinonapthalene sulfonic acid. More specifically, circular dichroism spectroscopy was used to estimate the secondary structure of the His6 loop, revealing an ordered folding composed of 23% alpha-helix, 23% antiparallel beta-sheet, 4% parallel beta-sheet, 19% beta-turn, and 32% random coil. The 6-histidine loop bound the fluorescent ATP analog trinitrophenyl-ATP with high affinity, as determined by measuring the fluorescence changes associated with binding. Affinities for ATP ( approximately 350 microM) and ADP ( approximately 550 microM) were determined by their ability to compete with and displace 2',3'-O-[2,4,6,-trinitrophenyl]-ATP. These nucleotide affinities are similar to those observed for the E2 conformation of the intact Na,K-ATPase.

A recombinant polypeptide model of the second nucleotide-binding fold of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator functions as an active ATPase, GTPase and adenylate kinase

CFTR-NBF-2 expressed and purified in fusion with the maltose-binding protein was shown to catalyse the reaction ATP-->ADP+Pi by three different assays, monitoring ATP turnover, formation of ADP and release of Pi (Km 86 microM, rate constant 0.37 min(-1)). The reaction product ADP inhibits this ATPase activity. In a similar manner the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP and Pi was demonstrated (Km 40 microM, rate constant 0.29 min(-1)). In the presence of AMP the ATPase reaction was superseded by the formation of two ADP from ATP and AMP. As typical for adenylate kinases a distinct AMP-binding site could be verified for CFTR-NBF-2 by the inability of TNP-ATP and AMP to compete for binding. All three enzymatic activities were inhibited by the symmetric double-substrate-mimicking inhibitor Ap5A. As NBF-2 plays a central role in CFTR channel opening and closing the results reported here are fundamental in understanding mechanisms of CFTR channel activity regulation.

Recombinant N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain from mouse P-glycoprotein. Overexpression, purification, and role of cysteine 430

Varying length cDNAs encoding the N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain (NBD1) from mouse mdr1 P-glyco- protein were prepared on the basis of structure predictions. Corresponding recombinant proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the shortest one containing amino acids 395-581 exhibited the highest solubility. Insertion of an N-terminal hexahistidine tag allowed domain purification by nickel-chelate affinity chromatography. NBD1 efficiently interacted with nucleotides. Fluorescence methods showed that ATP bound at millimolar concentrations and its 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) derivative at micromolar concentrations, while the 2'(3')-N-methylanthraniloyl derivative had intermediate affinity. Photoaffinity labeling was achieved upon irradiation with 8-azido-ATP. The domain exhibited ATPase activity with a Km for MgATP in the millimolar range, and ATP hydrolysis was competitively inhibited by micromolar 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-ATP. NBD1 contained a single cysteine residue, at position 430, that was derivatized with radiolabeled N-ethylmaleimide. Cysteine modification increased 6-fold the Kd for 2'(3')-N-methylanthraniloyl-ATP and prevented 8-azido-ATP photolabeling. ATPase activity was inhibited with a 5-fold increase in the Km for MgATP. The results suggest that chemical modification of Cys-430 is involved in the N-ethylmaleimide inhibition of whole P-glycoprotein by altering substrate interaction.

Alteration of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator folding pathway

The cellular phenotype of the most common cystic fibrosis-causing mutation, deletion of phenylalanine 508 (deltaF508) in the amino-terminal nucleotide binding domain (NBD1) of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), is the inability of the mutant protein to fold and transit to the apical membrane of affected epithelial cells. Expressed NBD1s were purified and folded in vitro into soluble monomers capable of binding nucleotide. Here we report that the deltaF508 mutation has little effect on the thermodynamic stability of the folded NBD1. The deltaG(0)(D,GdnHCl) is 15.5 kJ/mol for the wild type NBD1 and 14.4 kJ/mol for NBD1deltaF. In contrast, the mutation significantly reduces the folding yield at a variety of temperatures, indicating that Phe-508 makes crucial contacts during the folding process, but plays little role in stabilization of the native state. Under conditions that approximate the efficiency of maturation in vivo, the rate off-pathway is significantly increased by the disease causing mutation. These results establish a molecular mechanism for most cases of cystic fibrosis and provide insight into the complex processes by which primary sequence encodes the three-dimensional structure.

Overexpression of bacterio-opsin in Escherichia coli as a water-soluble fusion to maltose binding protein: efficient regeneration of the fusion protein and selective cleavage with trypsin

Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is a light-driven proton pump from Halobacterium salinarium and is a model system for studying membrane protein folding, stability, function, and structure. bR is composed of bacterio-opsin (bO), the 248-amino acid apo protein, and all-trans retinal, which is linked to lysine 216 via a protonated Schiff base. A bO gene (sbOd) possessing 29 unique restriction sites and a carboxyl-terminal purification epitope (1D4, nine amino acids) has been designed and synthesized. Overexpression of bO was achieved by fusion to the carboxyl terminus of maltose binding protein (MBP). The expressed fusion protein (MBP-sbO-1D4) formed inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli and, following solubilization with urea and removal of the urea by dialysis, approximately 170 mg of approximately 75% pure MBP-sbO-1D4 was obtained from 1 L of culture. MBP-sbO-1D4 formed high molecular weight (> or = 2,000 kDa) oligomers that were water-soluble. The synthetic bO with the 1D4 tag (sbO-1D4) was separated from MBP by trypsin cleavage at the factor Xa site between the MBP and sbO-1D4 domains. Selective trypsin cleavage at the factor Xa site, instead of at the 14 other potential trypsin sites within bO, was accomplished by optimization of the digestion conditions. Both MBP-sbO-1D4 and sbO-1D4 were regenerated with all-trans retinal and purified to homogeneity. In general, 6-10 mg of sbR-1D4 and 52 mg of MBP-sbR-1D4 were obtained from 1 L of cell culture. No significant differences in terms of UV/vis light absorbance, light/dark adaptation, and photocycle properties were observed among sbR-1D4, MBP-sbR-1D4, and bR from H. salinarium.

A recombinant peptide model of the first nucleotide-binding fold of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator: comparison of wild-type and delta F508 mutant forms

A series of recombinant peptides, each including the sequence proposed to be the first nucleotide-binding fold of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), has been produced in an attempt to find a model peptide that would autologously fold into a soluble structure with native-like properties. The peptide NBDIF, which contains the 267-amino acid sequence of CFTR from 384 to 650, meets these requirements. The peptide was produced with a high expression bacterial plasmid pRSET, purified from inclusion bodies following solubilization with 6 M guanidine-HCl and refolded from 8 M urea. Competitive displacement of trinitrophenol-ATP by nucleotides reveals binding of ATP and related nucleotides with KDs in the low micromolar range; the KD for ATP gamma S is 1.0 +/- 0.4 microM and for ADP 8.8 +/- 3.1 microM. The native-like character of the model peptide's structure is further supported by the findings that the KD for the ATP analog, 5'-adenylimidodiphosphate, is fourfold lower than the KD for the methylene analog, 5'-adenylmethylenediphosphonate, and that ATP binding slows the trypsin proteolysis of NBDIF. The CD spectra of NBDIF and the parallel peptide containing the most common cystic fibrosis mutation, deletion of Phe 508, are essentially indistinguishable, both spectra indicating 28% alpha-helix and 23% beta-sheet, with insignificant differences in the amounts of beta-turns and random structure. Extensive investigation using multiple conditions with highly purified preparations of the model peptides demonstrates that they do not support ATP hydrolysis. These large recombinant peptides offer practical models for the investigation of the first nucleotide-binding domain of CFTR.

Defective protein folding as a basis of human disease

The ability of a polypeptide to fold into a unique, functional, three-dimensional structure in vivo is dependent upon its amino acid sequence and the function of molecular chaperone proteins and enzymes that catalyse folding. Intense study of the physical chemistry and cell biology of folding have greatly aided our understanding of the mechanisms normally employed. Evidence is accumulating that many disease-causing mutations and modifications exert their effects by altering protein folding. Here we discuss the pathobiology of these processes.

The first nucleotide binding fold of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator can function as an active ATPase

Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the cell membrane protein called CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) which functions as a regulated Cl- channel. Although it is known that CFTR contains two nucleotide domains, both of which exhibit the capacity to bind ATP, it has not been demonstrated directly whether one or both domains can function as an active ATPase. To address this question, we have studied the first CFTR nucleotide binding fold (NBF1) in fusion with the maltose-binding protein (MBP), which both stabilizes NBF1 and enhances its solubility. Three different ATPase assays conducted on MBP-NBF1 clearly demonstrate its capacity to catalyze the hydrolysis of ATP. Significantly, the mutations K464H and K464L in the Walker A consensus motif of NBF1 markedly impair its catalytic capacity. MBP alone exhibits no ATPase activity and MBP-NBF1 fails to catalyze the release of phosphate from AMP or ADP. The Vmax of ATP hydrolysis (approximately 30 nmol/min/mg of protein) is significant and is markedly inhibited by azide and by the ATP analogs 2'-(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-adenosine-5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate. As inherited mutations within NBF1 account for most cases of cystic fibrosis, results reported here are fundamental to our understanding of the molecular basis of the disease.

Cloning, overexpression, purification, and characterization of the carboxyl-terminal nucleotide binding domain of P-glycoprotein

Multidrug-resistant tumor cells overexpress P-glycoprotein (170 kDa), a member of the ABC (ATP Binding Cassette)-transporter superfamily. P-glycoprotein has been implicated in transport of a broad range of amphiphilic, hydrophobic drugs from tumor cells. The sequence and structural organization of P-glycoprotein, which consists of 12 transmembrane helices and two cytoplasmic nucleotide binding domains, is similar to other ABC-transporters. It is believed that the nucleotide binding domains of various ABC transporters, which have 30-50% sequence identity, play an important role in coupling ATP hydrolysis to the transport process. To allow structure-function studies of the nucleotide binding domains, the carboxyl-terminal nucleotide binding domain (NBD) of Chinese hamster P-glycoprotein has been cloned, overexpressed, and purified both by itself and as a fusion with maltose-binding protein. It has been demonstrated that the carboxyl-terminal NBD, when overexpressed in Escherichia coli in the absence of transmembrane helices, has very low ATPase activity. This suggests that the amino-terminal nucleotide binding domain and possibly interaction with the transmembrane domains may be required for full ATPase activity. It is also consistent with the idea that the ATPase activity of P-glycoprotein is stimulated in the presence of drugs. Circular dichroism spectral analysis and the ability of carboxyl-terminal NBD, both by itself and as a fusion with maltose-binding protein, to bind ATP-agarose beads and P-glycoprotein specific monoclonal antibodies suggests that the polypeptide folds into a functional domain. Gel filtration chromatography and cross-linking studies indicate that the carboxyl-terminal NBD has a tendency to self-associate to form oligomers. It is speculated that the carboxyl-terminal NBD may play a role in self-association of P-glycoprotein molecules in the plasma membrane.