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Ogunbowale A, Georgieva ER. Engineered Chimera Protein Constructs to Facilitate the Production of Heterologous Transmembrane Proteins in E. coli. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2354. [PMID: 38397029 PMCID: PMC10889703 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
To delve into the structure-function relationship of transmembrane proteins (TMPs), robust protocols are needed to produce them in a pure, stable, and functional state. Among all hosts that express heterologous TMPs, E. coli has the lowest cost and fastest turnover. However, many of the TMPs expressed in E. coli are misfolded. Several strategies have been developed to either direct the foreign TMPs to E. coli's membrane or retain them in a cytosolic soluble form to overcome this deficiency. Here, we summarize protein engineering methods to produce chimera constructs of the desired TMPs fused to either a signal peptide or precursor maltose binding protein (pMBP) to direct the entire construct to the periplasm, therefore depositing the fused TMP in the plasma membrane. We further describe strategies to produce TMPs in soluble form by utilizing N-terminally fused MBP without a signal peptide. Depending on its N- or C-terminus location, a fusion to apolipoprotein AI can either direct the TMP to the membrane or shield the hydrophobic regions of the TMP, maintaining the soluble form. Strategies to produce G-protein-coupled receptors, TMPs of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, HIV-1 Vpu, and other TMPs are discussed. This knowledge could increase the scope of TMPs' expression in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elka R. Georgieva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA;
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2
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Dmitrieva DA, Kotova TV, Safronova NA, Sadova AA, Dashevskii DE, Mishin AV. Protein Design Strategies for the Structural–Functional Studies of G Protein-Coupled Receptors. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2023; 88:S192-S226. [PMID: 37069121 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923140110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an important family of membrane proteins responsible for many physiological functions in human body. High resolution GPCR structures are required to understand their molecular mechanisms and perform rational drug design, as GPCRs play a crucial role in a variety of diseases. That is difficult to obtain for the wild-type proteins because of their low stability. In this review, we discuss how this problem can be solved by using protein design strategies developed to obtain homogeneous stabilized GPCR samples for crystallization and cryoelectron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria A Dmitrieva
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Kotova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Nadezda A Safronova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Alexandra A Sadova
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Dmitrii E Dashevskii
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | - Alexey V Mishin
- Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
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3
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Optimizing the Expression of Human Dopamine Receptors in Escherichia coli. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168647. [PMID: 34445358 PMCID: PMC8395450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human dopamine receptors D2S and D3 belong to the group of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are important drug targets. Structural analyses and development of new receptor subtype specific drugs have been impeded by low expression yields or receptor instability. Fusing the T4 lysozyme into the intracellular loop 3 improves crystallization but complicates conformational studies. To circumvent these problems, we expressed the human D2S and D3 receptors in Escherichia coli using different N- and C-terminal fusion proteins and thermostabilizing mutations. We optimized expression times and used radioligand binding assays with whole cells and membrane homogenates to evaluate KD-values and the number of receptors in the cell membrane. We show that the presence but not the type of a C-terminal fusion protein is important. Bacteria expressing receptors capable of ligand binding can be selected using FACS analysis and a fluorescently labeled ligand. Improved receptor variants can thus be generated using error-prone PCR. Subsequent analysis of clones showed the distribution of mutations over the whole gene. Repeated cycles of PCR and FACS can be applied for selecting highly expressing receptor variants with high affinity ligand binding, which in the future can be used for analytical studies.
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4
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Directed evolution for high functional production and stability of a challenging G protein-coupled receptor. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8630. [PMID: 33883583 PMCID: PMC8060309 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87793-9] [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: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane proteins such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) carry out many fundamental biological functions, are involved in a large number of physiological responses, and are thus important drug targets. To allow detailed biophysical and structural studies, most of these important receptors have to be engineered to overcome their poor intrinsic stability and low expression levels. However, those GPCRs with especially poor properties cannot be successfully optimised even with the current technologies. Here, we present an engineering strategy, based on the combination of three previously developed directed evolution methods, to improve the properties of particularly challenging GPCRs. Application of this novel combination approach enabled the successful selection for improved and crystallisable variants of the human oxytocin receptor, a GPCR with particularly low intrinsic production levels. To analyse the selection results and, in particular, compare the mutations enriched in different hosts, we developed a Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) strategy that combines long reads, covering the whole receptor, with exceptionally low error rates. This study thus gave insight into the evolution pressure on the same membrane protein in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Our long-read NGS strategy provides a general methodology for the highly accurate analysis of libraries of point mutants during directed evolution.
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5
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Corin K, Tegler LT, Koutsopoulos S. G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Expression and Purification. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2178:439-467. [PMID: 33128765 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0775-6_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral proteins of the cell membrane and are directly involved in the regulation of many biological functions and in drug targeting. However, our knowledge of GPCRs' structure and function remains limited. The first bottleneck in GPCR studies is producing sufficient quantities of soluble, functional, and stable receptors. Currently, GPCR production largely depends on the choice of the host system and the type of detergent used to extract the GPCR from the cell membrane and stabilize the protein outside the membrane bilayer. Here, we present three protocols that we employ in our lab to produce and solubilize stable GPCRs: (1) cell-free in vitro translation, (2) HEK cells, and (3) Escherichia coli. Stable receptors can be purified using immunoaffinity chromatography and gel filtration, and can be analyzed with standard biophysical techniques and biochemical assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Corin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA-DOE Institute, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lotta T Tegler
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sotirios Koutsopoulos
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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6
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Errey JC, Fiez-Vandal C. Production of membrane proteins in industry: The example of GPCRs. Protein Expr Purif 2020; 169:105569. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2020.105569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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7
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Wiseman DN, Otchere A, Patel JH, Uddin R, Pollock NL, Routledge SJ, Rothnie AJ, Slack C, Poyner DR, Bill RM, Goddard AD. Expression and purification of recombinant G protein-coupled receptors: A review. Protein Expr Purif 2020; 167:105524. [PMID: 31678667 PMCID: PMC6983937 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Given their extensive role in cell signalling, GPCRs are significant drug targets; despite this, many of these receptors have limited or no available prophylaxis. Novel drug design and discovery significantly rely on structure determination, of which GPCRs are typically elusive. Progress has been made thus far to produce sufficient quantity and quality of protein for downstream analysis. As such, this review highlights the systems available for recombinant GPCR expression, with consideration of their advantages and disadvantages, as well as examples of receptors successfully expressed in these systems. Additionally, an overview is given on the use of detergents and the styrene maleic acid (SMA) co-polymer for membrane solubilisation, as well as purification techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel N Wiseman
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Abigail Otchere
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Jaimin H Patel
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Romez Uddin
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | | | - Sarah J Routledge
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Alice J Rothnie
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Cathy Slack
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - David R Poyner
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Roslyn M Bill
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Alan D Goddard
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
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8
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Peterson E, Shippee E, Brinton MA, Kaur P. Biochemical characterization of the mouse ABCF3 protein, a partner of the flavivirus-resistance protein OAS1B. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:14937-14952. [PMID: 31413116 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.008477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian ATP-binding cassette (ABC) subfamily F member 3 (ABCF3) is a class 2 ABC protein that has previously been identified as a partner of the mouse flavivirus resistance protein 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1B (OAS1B). The functions and natural substrates of ABCF3 are not known. In this study, analysis of purified ABCF3 showed that it is an active ATPase, and binding analyses with a fluorescent ATP analog suggested unequal contributions by the two nucleotide-binding domains. We further showed that ABCF3 activity is increased by lipids, including sphingosine, sphingomyelin, platelet-activating factor, and lysophosphatidylcholine. However, cholesterol inhibited ABCF3 activity, whereas alkyl ether lipids either inhibited or resulted in a biphasic response, suggesting small changes in lipid structure differentially affect ABCF3 activity. Point mutations in the two nucleotide-binding domains of ABCF3 affected sphingosine-stimulated ATPase activity differently, further supporting different roles for the two catalytic pockets. We propose a model in which pocket 1 is the site of basal catalysis, whereas pocket 2 engages in ligand-stimulated ATP hydrolysis. Co-localization of the ABCF3-OAS1B complex to the virus-remodeled endoplasmic reticulum membrane has been shown before. We also noted that co-expression of ABCF3 and OAS1B in bacteria alleviated growth inhibition caused by expression of OAS1B alone, and ABCF3 significantly enhanced OAS1B levels, indirectly showing interaction between these two proteins in bacterial cells. As viral RNA synthesis requires large amounts of ATP, we conclude that lipid-stimulated ATP hydrolysis may contribute to the reduction in viral RNA production characteristic of the flavivirus resistance phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Shippee
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
| | - Margo A Brinton
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
| | - Parjit Kaur
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
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9
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Babazada H, Alekberli T, Hajieva P, Farajov E. Biosensor-based kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of opioids interaction with human μ-opioid receptor. Eur J Pharm Sci 2019; 138:105017. [PMID: 31356868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2019.105017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Development of opioid analgesics with minimal side effects requires substantial knowledge on structure-kinetic and -thermodynamic relationship of opioid-receptor interactions. Here, combined kinetics and thermodynamics of opioid agonist binding to human μ-opioid receptor (h-μOR) was investigated using real-time label-free surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based method. The N-terminal end truncated and C-terminal 6His-tagged h-μOR was constructed and expressed in E. coli. Receptor was purified, detergent-solubilized and characterized by circular dichroism. The uniform immobilization of h-μOR on Ni-NTA chips was achieved using hybrid capture-coupling approach followed by reconstitution in lipid bilayer. Thermodynamic equilibrium affinities of opioids were in narrow nanomolar range and in near quantitative agreement with their Ki values. However, they did not correlate with their in vitro EC50 values, indicating that they might not have thermodynamic selectivity. Contrary, on and off rates exhibited much larger dispersion and well correlated with EC50 values, indicating that opioids might exhibit kinetic-selectivity towards their target. Temperature-dependent SPR assays provided access to rate and equilibrium thermodynamic data, which demonstrated binding of morphine and naloxone to μOR was exothermic and essentially enthalpy driven. This work suggests that kinetic-based structure-activity of opioids in drug design and incorporation into the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics predictions may have more value than thermodynamic equilibrium constants alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Babazada
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshidaushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Tural Alekberli
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91905 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Parvana Hajieva
- Cellular Adaptation Group, Institute for Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Elnur Farajov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Azerbaijan Medical University, AZ1000 Baku, Azerbaijan.
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10
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Bumbak F, Bathgate RAD, Scott DJ, Gooley PR. Expression and Purification of a Functional E. coli 13CH 3-Methionine-Labeled Thermostable Neurotensin Receptor 1 Variant for Solution NMR Studies. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1947:31-55. [PMID: 30969410 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9121-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most widely used expression host for recombinant proteins due to high expression yields and straightforward molecular cloning. Directed evolution of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has made several of these difficult to express membrane proteins amenable to prokaryotic expression. Here, we describe a protocol for near complete 13CH3-methionine labeling of a thermostable neurotensin receptor 1 (enNTS1) variant in E. coli for solution NMR-based dynamics studies. Our expression strategy utilizes methionine biosynthesis pathway inhibition forcing E. coli to incorporate exogenous methionine with 96% efficiency at expression levels of 2.6 mg enNTS1 per liter of expression culture containing 50 mg of 13CH3-methionine. We also provide a 3-step purification protocol that produces final yields of 0.6 mg of functional Apo-state enNTS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Bumbak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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11
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Bumbak F, Keen AC, Gunn NJ, Gooley PR, Bathgate RAD, Scott DJ. Optimization and 13CH 3 methionine labeling of a signaling competent neurotensin receptor 1 variant for NMR studies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2018; 1860:1372-1383. [PMID: 29596791 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Neurotensin is a 13-residue peptide that acts as a neuromodulator of classical neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glutamate in the mammalian central nervous system, mainly by activating the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1). Agonist binding to GPCRs shifts the conformational equilibrium of the transmembrane helices towards distinct, thermodynamically favorable conformations that favor effector protein interactions and promotes cell signaling. The introduction of site specific labels for NMR spectroscopy has proven useful for investigating this dynamic process, but the low expression levels and poor stability of GPCRs is a hindrance to solution NMR experiments. Several thermostabilized mutants of NTS1 have been engineered to circumvent this, with the crystal structures of four of these published. The conformational dynamics of NTS1 however, has not been thoroughly investigated with NMR. It is generally accepted that stabilized GPCRs exhibit attenuated signaling, thus we thoroughly characterized the signaling characteristics of several thermostabilized NTS1 variants to identify an optimal variant for protein NMR studies. A variant termed enNTS1 exhibited the best combination of signaling capability and stability upon solubilization with detergents. enNTS1 was subsequently labeled with 13CH3-methionine in E. coli and purified to homogeneity in the absence of bound ligands. Using solution NMR spectroscopy we observed several well dispersed 13CH3-methionine resonances, many of which exhibited chemical shift changes upon the addition of the high affinity agonist peptide, NT8-13. Thus, enNTS1 represents a novel tool for investigating ligand induced conformational changes in NTS1 to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying neurotensin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Bumbak
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Alastair C Keen
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Natalie J Gunn
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; IBM Research Australia, Southbank, Victoria 3053, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Daniel J Scott
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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12
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Heitkamp T, Grisshammer R, Börsch M. Towards monitoring conformational changes of the GPCR neurotensin receptor 1 by single-molecule FRET. PROCEEDINGS OF SPIE--THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR OPTICAL ENGINEERING 2018; 10498. [PMID: 30013286 DOI: 10.1117/12.2286787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is important for signaling in the brain and the gut. Its agonist ligand neurotensin (NTS), a 13-amino-acid peptide, binds with nanomolar affinity from the extracellular side to NTSR1 and induces conformational changes that trigger intracellular signaling processes. Our goal is to monitor the conformational dynamics of single fluorescently labeled NTSR1. For this, we fused the fluorescent protein mNeonGreen to the C terminus of NTSR1, purified the receptor fusion protein from E. coli membranes, and reconstituted NTSR1 into liposomes with E. coli polar lipids. Using single-molecule anisotropy measurements, NTSR1 was found to be monomeric in liposomes, with a small fraction being dimeric and oligomeric, showing homoFRET. Similar results were obtained for NTSR1 in detergent solution. Furthermore, we demonstrated agonist binding to NTSR1 by time-resolved single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET), using neurotensin labeled with the fluorophore ATTO594.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Heitkamp
- Single-Molecule Microscopy Group, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Nonnenplan 2 - 4, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Reinhard Grisshammer
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Michael Börsch
- Single-Molecule Microscopy Group, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Nonnenplan 2 - 4, 07743 Jena, Germany
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13
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Grisshammer R. New approaches towards the understanding of integral membrane proteins: A structural perspective on G protein-coupled receptors. Protein Sci 2017; 26:1493-1504. [PMID: 28547763 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional structure determination of integral membrane proteins has advanced in unprecedented detail our understanding of mechanistic events of how ion channels, transporters, receptors, and enzymes function. This exciting progress required a tremendous amount of methods development, as exemplified here with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): Optimizing the production of GPCRs in recombinant hosts; increasing the probability of crystal formation using high-affinity ligands, nanobodies, and minimal G proteins for co-crystallization, thus stabilizing receptors into one conformation; using the T4 lysozyme technology and other fusion partners to promote crystal contacts; advancing crystallization methods including the development of novel detergents, and miniaturization and automation of the lipidic cubic phase crystallization method; the concept of conformational thermostabilization of GPCRs; and developing microfocus X-ray synchrotron technologies to analyze small GPCR crystals. However, despite immense progress to explain how GPCRs function, many receptors pose intractable hurdles to structure determination at this time. Three emerging methods, serial femtosecond crystallography, micro electron diffraction, and single particle electron cryo-microscopy, hold promise to overcome current limitations in structural membrane biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Grisshammer
- Department of Health and Human Services, Membrane Protein Structure Function Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, 20852
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14
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Marshall SS, Niesen MJM, Müller A, Tiemann K, Saladi SM, Galimidi RP, Zhang B, Clemons WM, Miller TF. A Link between Integral Membrane Protein Expression and Simulated Integration Efficiency. Cell Rep 2016; 16:2169-2177. [PMID: 27524616 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) control the flow of information and nutrients across cell membranes, yet IMP mechanistic studies are hindered by difficulties in expression. We investigate this issue by addressing the connection between IMP sequence and observed expression levels. For homologs of the IMP TatC, observed expression levels vary widely and are affected by small changes in protein sequence. The effect of sequence changes on experimentally observed expression levels strongly correlates with the simulated integration efficiency obtained from coarse-grained modeling, which is directly confirmed using an in vivo assay. Furthermore, mutations that improve the simulated integration efficiency likewise increase the experimentally observed expression levels. Demonstration of these trends in both Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium smegmatis suggests that the results are general to other expression systems. This work suggests that IMP integration is a determinant for successful expression, raising the possibility of controlling IMP expression via rational design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen S Marshall
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Michiel J M Niesen
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Axel Müller
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Katrin Tiemann
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Shyam M Saladi
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Rachel P Galimidi
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - William M Clemons
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
| | - Thomas F Miller
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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15
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Magnani F, Serrano-Vega MJ, Shibata Y, Abdul-Hussein S, Lebon G, Miller-Gallacher J, Singhal A, Strege A, Thomas JA, Tate CG. A mutagenesis and screening strategy to generate optimally thermostabilized membrane proteins for structural studies. Nat Protoc 2016; 11:1554-71. [PMID: 27466713 PMCID: PMC5268090 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2016.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The thermostability of an integral membrane protein (MP) in detergent solution is a key parameter that dictates the likelihood of obtaining well-diffracting crystals that are suitable for structure determination. However, many mammalian MPs are too unstable for crystallization. We developed a thermostabilization strategy based on systematic mutagenesis coupled to a radioligand-binding thermostability assay that can be applied to receptors, ion channels and transporters. It takes ∼6-12 months to thermostabilize a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) containing 300 amino acid (aa) residues. The resulting thermostabilized MPs are more easily crystallized and result in high-quality structures. This methodology has facilitated structure-based drug design applied to GPCRs because it is possible to determine multiple structures of the thermostabilized receptors bound to low-affinity ligands. Protocols and advice are given on how to develop thermostability assays for MPs and how to combine mutations to make an optimally stable mutant suitable for structural studies. The steps in the procedure include the generation of ∼300 site-directed mutants by Ala/Leu scanning mutagenesis, the expression of each mutant in mammalian cells by transient transfection and the identification of thermostable mutants using a thermostability assay that is based on binding of an (125)I-labeled radioligand to the unpurified, detergent-solubilized MP. Individual thermostabilizing point mutations are then combined to make an optimally stable MP that is suitable for structural biology and other biophysical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ankita Singhal
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Annette Strege
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Jennifer A. Thomas
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Christopher G. Tate
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
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A generic selection system for improved expression and thermostability of G protein-coupled receptors by directed evolution. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21294. [PMID: 26887595 PMCID: PMC4758055 DOI: 10.1038/srep21294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural and biophysical studies as well as drug screening approaches on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been largely hampered by the poor biophysical properties and low expression yields of this largest class of integral membrane proteins. Thermostabilisation of GPCRs by introduction of stabilising mutations has been a key factor to overcome these limitations. However, labelled ligands with sufficient affinity, which are required for selective binding to the correctly folded receptor, are often not available. Here we describe a novel procedure to improve receptor expression and stability in a generic way, independent of specific ligands, by means of directed evolution in E. coli. We have engineered a homogenous fluorescent reporter assay that only detects receptors which are correctly integrated into the inner cell membrane and, thus, discriminates functional from non-functional receptor species. When we combined this method with a directed evolution procedure we obtained highly expressing mutants of the neurotensin receptor 1 with greatly improved thermostability. By this procedure receptors with poor expression and/or low stability, for which no ligands or only ones with poor binding properties are available, can now be generated in quantities allowing detailed structural and biophysical analysis.
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Snijder HJA, Hakulinen J. Membrane Protein Production in E. coli for Applications in Drug Discovery. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 896:59-77. [PMID: 27165319 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27216-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Producing high quality purified membrane proteins for structure-based drug design and biophysical assays compatible with typical timelines in drug discovery is a significant challenge. Escherichia coli has been an expression host of the utmost importance for soluble proteins and has applications for membrane proteins as well. However, membrane protein overexpression in E. coli may lead to toxicity and low yields of functional product. Here, we review the challenges encountered with heterologous overproduction of α-helical membrane proteins in E. coli and a range of strategies to overcome them. A detailed protocol is also provided for expression and screening of membrane proteins in E. coli using a His-specific fluorescent probe and fluorescent size-exclusion chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonna Hakulinen
- Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, SE-43183, Mölndal, Sweden
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Milić D, Veprintsev DB. Large-scale production and protein engineering of G protein-coupled receptors for structural studies. Front Pharmacol 2015; 6:66. [PMID: 25873898 PMCID: PMC4379943 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural studies of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) gave insights into molecular mechanisms of their action and contributed significantly to molecular pharmacology. This is primarily due to technical advances in protein engineering, production and crystallization of these important receptor targets. On the other hand, NMR spectroscopy of GPCRs, which can provide information about their dynamics, still remains challenging due to difficulties in preparation of isotopically labeled receptors and their low long-term stabilities. In this review, we discuss methods used for expression and purification of GPCRs for crystallographic and NMR studies. We also summarize protein engineering methods that played a crucial role in obtaining GPCR crystal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalibor Milić
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen Switzerland
| | - Dmitry B Veprintsev
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen Switzerland ; Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich Switzerland
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Rutz C, Klein W, Schülein R. N-Terminal Signal Peptides of G Protein-Coupled Receptors. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 132:267-87. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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20
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Ichiyama S, Nemoto R, Tanabe H, Haga T. Interaction of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M₂ subtype with G protein Gα(i/o) isotypes and Gβγ subunits as studied with the maltose-binding protein-M₂-Gα(i/o) fusion proteins expressed in Escherichia coli. J Biochem 2014; 156:259-72. [PMID: 24881046 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvu036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We expressed the fusion proteins of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2 subtype (M2 receptor) with a maltose-binding protein (MBP) and various G protein α subunits (Gα(i1-i3/o)) at its N- and C-terminals, respectively (MBP-M2-Gα(i/o)), in Escherichia coli, and examined the effect of G protein βγ subunits (Gβγ) on the receptor-Gα interaction as assessed by agonist- and GDP-dependent [(35)S]GTPγS binding of the fusion proteins. We found that (i) Gβγ promoted both the agonist-dependent and -independent [(35)S]GTPγS binding with little effect on the guanine nucleotide-sensitive high-affinity agonist binding, (ii) the specific [(35)S]GTPγS binding activity was much greater for MBP-M2-Gα(oA) than for MBP-M2-Gα(i1-i3) in the absence of Gβγ, whereas Gβγ preferentially promoted the agonist-dependent decrease in the affinity for GDP of MBP-M2-Gα(i1-i3) rather than of MBP-M2-Gα(oA), and (iii) the proportion of agonist-dependent [(35)S]GTPγS binding was roughly 50% irrespective of species of Gα and the presence or absence of Gβγ. These results demonstrate that receptor-Gα fusion proteins expressed in E. coli could be useful for studies of receptor-G interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Ichiyama
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Biomolecular Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-Ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Reiko Nemoto
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Biomolecular Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-Ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tanabe
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Biomolecular Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-Ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Haga
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Biomolecular Science, Gakushuin University, 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-Ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
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21
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G-protein-coupled receptor expression and purification. Methods Mol Biol 2014. [PMID: 24648094 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-977-2_33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral proteins of the cell membrane and are directly involved in the regulation of many biological functions and in drug targeting. However, our knowledge of GPCRs' structure and function remains limited. The first bottleneck in GPCR studies is producing sufficient quantities of soluble, functional, and stable receptors. Currently, GPCR production largely depends on the choice of the overexpression host system and the type of detergent used to extract the GPCR from the cell membrane and stabilize the protein outside the membrane bilayer. Here, we present three protocols that we employ in our lab to produce and solubilize stable GPCRs by cell-free in vitro translation systems, HEK cells, and Escherichia coli. Stable receptors can be purified using immunoaffinity chromatography and gel filtration and can be analyzed with standard biophysical techniques and biochemical assays.
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Expression and functional characterization of membrane-integrated mammalian corticotropin releasing factor receptors 1 and 2 in Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84013. [PMID: 24465390 PMCID: PMC3894963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptors (CRFRs) are class B1 G-protein-coupled receptors, which bind peptides of the corticotropin releasing factor family and are key mediators in the stress response. In order to dissect the receptors' binding specificity and enable structural studies, full-length human CRFR1α and mouse CRFR2β as well as fragments lacking the N-terminal extracellular domain, were overproduced in E. coli. The characteristics of different CRFR2β-PhoA gene fusion products expressed in bacteria were found to be in agreement with the predicted ones in the hepta-helical membrane topology model. Recombinant histidine-tagged CRFR1α and CRFR2β expression levels and bacterial subcellular localization were evaluated by cell fractionation and Western blot analysis. Protein expression parameters were assessed, including the influence of E. coli bacterial hosts, culture media and the impact of either PelB or DsbA signal peptide. In general, the large majority of receptor proteins became inserted in the bacterial membrane. Across all experimental conditions significantly more CRFR2β product was obtained in comparison to CRFR1α. Following a detergent screen analysis, bacterial membranes containing CRFR1α and CRFR2β were best solubilized with the zwitterionic detergent FC-14. Binding of different peptide ligands to CRFR1α and CRFR2β membrane fractions were similar, in part, to the complex pharmacology observed in eukaryotic cells. We suggest that our E. coli expression system producing functional CRFRs will be useful for large-scale expression of these receptors for structural studies.
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Transient and stable expression of the neurotensin receptor NTS1: a comparison of the baculovirus-insect cell and the T-REx-293 expression systems. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63679. [PMID: 23696845 PMCID: PMC3656039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, baculovirus-infected insect cells and tetracycline-inducible mammalian cell lines (T-REx-293) are intensively used for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) production for crystallography purposes. Here we constructed a suspension T-REx-293 cell line to stably express an engineered neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) mutant and we quantitatively compared this cell line with the transient baculovirus-insect cell system throughout a milligram-scale NTS1 expression and purification process. The two systems were comparable with respect to functional NTS1 expression levels and receptor binding affinity for the agonist [3H] neurotensin. However, NTS1 surface display on T-REx-293 cells determined by radio-ligand binding assays was 2.8 fold higher than that on insect cells. This work demonstrates two approaches for preparing milligram quantities of purified NTS1 suitable for structural studies and provides useful input to users in choosing and optimizing an appropriate expression host for other GPCRs.
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Scott DJ, Kummer L, Tremmel D, Plückthun A. Stabilizing membrane proteins through protein engineering. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2013; 17:427-35. [PMID: 23639904 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2013.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2013] [Revised: 04/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) are crucial components of all cells but are difficult to study in vitro because they are generally unstable when removed from their native membranes using detergents. Despite the major biomedical relevance of IMPs, less than 1% of Protein Data Bank (PDB) entries are IMP structures, reflecting the technical gap between studies of soluble proteins compared to IMPs. Stability can be engineered into IMPs by inserting stabilizing mutations, thereby generating proteins that can be successfully applied to biochemical and structural studies when solubilized in detergent micelles. The identification of stabilizing mutations is not trivial, and this review will focus on the methods that have been used to identify stabilized membrane proteins, including alanine scanning and screening, directed evolution and computational design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Scott
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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25
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A robust, rapid, and simple method of producing olfactory receptors using commercial E. coli cell-free systems. Methods Mol Biol 2013. [PMID: 23585036 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-377-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The first bottleneck in olfactory receptor (OR) studies is producing sufficient quantities of soluble, -functional, and stable receptors. Commercial cell-free in vitro translation systems can be used to produce milligrams of soluble and functional receptors within several hours directly from plasmid DNA. The receptors can be purified using immunoaffinity chromatography and gel filtration, and can be analyzed using gel electrophoresis and with other standard techniques.
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26
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Kang HJ, Lee C, Drew D. Breaking the barriers in membrane protein crystallography. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2013; 45:636-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2012] [Revised: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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27
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Expression and purification of functional human mu opioid receptor from E.coli. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56500. [PMID: 23437147 PMCID: PMC3578875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
N-terminally his-tagged human mu opioid receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor was produced in E.coli employing synthetic codon-usage optimized constructs. The receptor was expressed in inclusion bodies and membrane-inserted in different E.coli strains. By optimizing the expression conditions the expression level for the membrane-integrated receptor was raised to 0.3–0.5 mg per liter of culture. Milligram quantities of receptor could be enriched by affinity chromatography from IPTG induced cultures grown at 18°C. By size exclusion chromatography the protein fraction with the fraction of alpha-helical secondary structure expected for a 7-TM receptor was isolated, by CD-spectroscopy an alpha-helical content of ca. 45% was found for protein solubilised in the detergent Fos-12. Receptor in Fos-12 micelles was shown to bind endomorphin-1 with a KD of 61 nM. A final yield of 0.17 mg functional protein per liter of culture was obtained.
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Directed evolution of G-protein-coupled receptors for high functional expression and detergent stability. Methods Enzymol 2013; 520:67-97. [PMID: 23332696 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-391861-1.00004-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell-surface receptors exhibiting a key role in cellular signal transduction processes, thus making them pharmacologically highly relevant target proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms driving receptor activation by ligand binding and signal transduction are poorly understood, since as integral membrane proteins, most GPCRs are very challenging for functional and structural studies. The biophysical properties of natural GPCRs, usually required by the cell in only low amounts, support their functionality in the lipid bilayer but are insufficient for high-level recombinant overexpression and stability in detergent solution. Current structural information about GPCRs is thus limited to a subset of GPCRs with either intrinsically favorable or properly improved biophysical behavior. Recently, directed protein evolution techniques for functional expression and detergent stability have been developed to increase the accessibility of GPCRs for functional and structural studies. Directed evolution does not rely on any preconceived notion of what might be limiting biophysical properties. By random mutagenesis combined with a high-throughput screening and selection system, directed protein evolution has the power to efficiently isolate rare phenotypes and thus contribute to the elucidation of the stability-determining factors, in addition to solving the practical problem of creating stable GPCRs. In the current chapter, protocols for generation of genetic diversity within GPCRs and selection are provided and discussed.
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Chowdhury A, Feng R, Tong Q, Zhang Y, Xie XQ. Mistic and TarCF as fusion protein partners for functional expression of the cannabinoid receptor 2 in Escherichia coli. Protein Expr Purif 2012; 83:128-34. [PMID: 22406258 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Revised: 01/14/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key players in signal recognition and cellular communication making them important therapeutic targets. Large-scale production of these membrane proteins in their native form is crucial for understanding their mechanism of action and target-based drug design. Here we report the overexpression system for a GPCR, the cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2), in Escherichia coli C43(DE3) facilitated by two fusion partners: Mistic, an integral membrane protein expression enhancer at the N-terminal, and TarCF, a C-terminal fragment of the bacterial chemosensory transducer Tar at the C-terminal of the CB2 open reading frame region. Multiple histidine tags were added on both ends of the fusion protein to facilitate purification. Using individual and combined fusion partners, we found that CB2 fusion protein expression was maximized only when both partners were used. Variable growth and induction conditions were conducted to determine and optimize protein expression. More importantly, this fusion protein Mistic-CB2-TarCF can localize into the E. coli membrane and exhibit functional binding activities with known CB2 ligands including CP55,940, WIN55,212-2 and SR144,528. These results indicate that this novel expression and purification system provides us with a promising strategy for the preparation of biologically active GPCRs, as well as general application for the preparation of membrane-bound proteins using the two new fusion partners described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananda Chowdhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the most challenging targets in structural biology. To successfully solve a high-resolution GPCR structure, several experimental obstacles must be overcome, including expression, extraction, purification, and crystallization. As a result, there are only a handful of unique structures reported from this protein superfamily, which consists of over 800 members. In the past few years, however, there has been an increase in the amount of solved GPCR structures, and a few high-impact structures have been determined: the peptide receptor CXCR4, the agonist bound receptors, and the GPCR-G protein complex. The dramatic progress in GPCR structural studies is not due to the development of any single technique, but a combination of new techniques, new tools and new concepts. Here, we summarize the progress made for GPCR expression, purification, and crystallization, and we highlight the technical advances that will facilitate the future determination of GPCR structures.
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Solution- and solid-state NMR studies of GPCRs and their ligands. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2011; 1808:1462-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2010.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2010] [Revised: 10/02/2010] [Accepted: 10/05/2010] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Schülein R, Westendorf C, Krause G, Rosenthal W. Functional significance of cleavable signal peptides of G protein-coupled receptors. Eur J Cell Biol 2011; 91:294-9. [PMID: 21543132 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2011.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2010] [Revised: 02/25/2011] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
About 5-10% of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) contain N-terminal signal peptides that are cleaved off by the signal peptidases of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during the translocon-mediated receptor insertion into the ER membrane. The reason as to why only a subset of the GPCRs requires these additional signal peptides was addressed in the past decade only by a limited number of studies. Recent progress suggests that signal peptides of GPCRs do not only serve the classical ER targeting and translocon gating functions as described for the signal peptides of secretory proteins. In the case of GPCRs, uncleaved pseudo signal peptides may regulate receptor expression at the plasma membrane and may also influence G protein coupling. Moreover, signal peptides of GPCRs seem to match functionally with sequences of the mature N tails. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about cleavable signal peptides of GPCRs and address the question whether these sequences may be future drug targets in pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Schülein
- Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
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Samuelson JC. Recent developments in difficult protein expression: a guide to E. coli strains, promoters, and relevant host mutations. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 705:195-209. [PMID: 21125387 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61737-967-3_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a versatile and popular tool for heterologous protein production. Some of the reasons for its popularity include rapid growth, a variety of portable vectors, relatively simple genetics, and the potential for high-density cultivation. In addition, the extensive laboratory use of E. coli has resulted in technologies to target protein overexpression to various intracellular compartments. This is advantageous because these compartments have different environments that may facilitate folding of particular proteins of interest. This chapter discusses the properties of many of the E. coli strains available for protein expression in order to facilitate the choice of the best expression host for a particular protein of interest.
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Congreve M, Langmead C, Marshall FH. The use of GPCR structures in drug design. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2011; 62:1-36. [PMID: 21907905 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385952-5.00011-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based drug discovery is routinely applied to soluble targets such as proteases and kinases. It is only recently that multiple high-resolution X-ray structures of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have become available. Here we review the technology developments that have led to the recent plethora of GPCR structures. These include developments in protein expression and purification as well as techniques to stabilize receptors and crystallize them. We discuss the findings derived from the new structures with regard to understanding GPCR function and pharmacology. Finally, we examine the utility of structure-based drug discovery approaches including homology modeling, virtual screening, and fragment screening for GPCRs in the context of what has been learnt from other target classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles Congreve
- Heptares Therapeutics, Biopark, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
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White JF, Grisshammer R. Stability of the neurotensin receptor NTS1 free in detergent solution and immobilized to affinity resin. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12579. [PMID: 20830205 PMCID: PMC2935352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2010] [Accepted: 08/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Purification of recombinant membrane receptors is commonly achieved by use of an affinity tag followed by an additional chromatography step if required. This second step may exploit specific receptor properties such as ligand binding. However, the effects of multiple purification steps on protein yield and integrity are often poorly documented. We have previously reported a robust two-step purification procedure for the recombinant rat neurotensin receptor NTS1 to give milligram quantities of functional receptor protein. First, histidine-tagged receptors are enriched by immobilized metal affinity chromatography using Ni-NTA resin. Second, remaining contaminants in the Ni-NTA column eluate are removed by use of a subsequent neurotensin column yielding pure NTS1. Whilst the neurotensin column eluate contained functional receptor protein, we observed in the neurotensin column flow-through misfolded NTS1. METHODS AND FINDINGS To investigate the origin of the misfolded receptors, we estimated the amount of functional and misfolded NTS1 at each purification step by radio-ligand binding, densitometry of Coomassie stained SDS-gels, and protein content determination. First, we observed that correctly folded NTS1 suffers damage by exposure to detergent and various buffer compositions as seen by the loss of [(3)H]neurotensin binding over time. Second, exposure to the neurotensin affinity resin generated additional misfolded receptor protein. CONCLUSION Our data point towards two ways by which misfolded NTS1 may be generated: Damage by exposure to buffer components and by close contact of the receptor to the neurotensin affinity resin. Because NTS1 in detergent solution is stabilized by neurotensin, we speculate that the occurrence of aggregated receptor after contact with the neurotensin resin is the consequence of perturbations in the detergent belt surrounding the NTS1 transmembrane core. Both effects reduce the yield of functional receptor protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim F. White
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Reinhard Grisshammer
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
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Mancia F, Love J. High-throughput expression and purification of membrane proteins. J Struct Biol 2010; 172:85-93. [PMID: 20394823 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2010.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2010] [Revised: 03/11/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
High-throughput (HT) methodologies have had a tremendous impact on structural biology of soluble proteins. High-resolution structure determination relies on the ability of the macromolecule to form ordered crystals that diffract X-rays. While crystallization remains somewhat empirical, for a given protein, success is proportional to the number of conditions screened and to the number of variants trialed. HT techniques have greatly increased the number of targets that can be trialed and the rate at which these can be produced. In terms of number of structures solved, membrane proteins appear to be lagging many years behind their soluble counterparts. Likewise, HT methodologies for production and characterization of these hydrophobic macromolecules are only now emerging. Presented here is an HT platform designed exclusively for membrane proteins that has processed over 5000 targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Mancia
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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37
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Freigassner M, Pichler H, Glieder A. Tuning microbial hosts for membrane protein production. Microb Cell Fact 2009; 8:69. [PMID: 20040113 PMCID: PMC2807855 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-8-69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2009] [Accepted: 12/29/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The last four years have brought exciting progress in membrane protein research. Finally those many efforts that have been put into expression of eukaryotic membrane proteins are coming to fruition and enable to solve an ever-growing number of high resolution structures. In the past, many skilful optimization steps were required to achieve sufficient expression of functional membrane proteins. Optimization was performed individually for every membrane protein, but provided insight about commonly encountered bottlenecks and, more importantly, general guidelines how to alleviate cellular limitations during microbial membrane protein expression. Lately, system-wide analyses are emerging as powerful means to decipher cellular bottlenecks during heterologous protein production and their use in microbial membrane protein expression has grown in popularity during the past months. This review covers the most prominent solutions and pitfalls in expression of eukaryotic membrane proteins using microbial hosts (prokaryotes, yeasts), highlights skilful applications of our basic understanding to improve membrane protein production. Omics technologies provide new concepts to engineer microbial hosts for membrane protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Freigassner
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010 Graz, Austria.
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38
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Koth CMM, Payandeh J. Strategies for the cloning and expression of membrane proteins. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2009; 76:43-86. [PMID: 20663478 DOI: 10.1016/s1876-1623(08)76002-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the determination of thousands of high-resolution structures of soluble proteins, many features of integral membrane proteins render them difficult targets for the structural biologist. Among these, the most important challenge is in expressing sufficient quantities of active protein to support downstream purification and structure determination efforts. Over 190 unique membrane protein structures have now been solved, and noticeable trends in successful expression strategies are beginning to emerge. A number of groups have also explored high-throughput (HTP) methods for membrane protein expression, with varying degrees of success. Here we review the current state of expressing membrane proteins for functional and structural studies. We first survey successful methods that have already yielded levels of membrane protein expression sufficient for structure determination. HTP methods are also examined since these aim to explore large numbers of targets and can predict reasonable starting points for many membrane proteins. Since HTP techniques may fail, particularly for certain classes of eukaryotic targets, detailed strategies for the expression of two prominent classes of eukaryotic protein families, G-protein-coupled receptors and ion channels, are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M M Koth
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, USA
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Blois TM, Bowie JU. G-protein-coupled receptor structures were not built in a day. Protein Sci 2009; 18:1335-42. [PMID: 19536805 DOI: 10.1002/pro.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Among the most exciting recent developments in structural biology is the structure determination of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which comprise the largest class of membrane proteins in mammalian cells and have enormous importance for disease and drug development. The GPCR structures are perhaps the most visible examples of a nascent revolution in membrane protein structure determination. Like other major milestones in science, however, such as the sequencing of the human genome, these achievements were built on a hidden foundation of technological developments. Here, we describe some of the methods that are fueling the membrane protein structure revolution and have enabled the determination of the current GPCR structures, along with new techniques that may lead to future structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M Blois
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1570, USA
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40
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Improved yield of a ligand-binding GPCR expressed in E. coli for structural studies. Protein Expr Purif 2009; 64:32-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2008.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2008] [Revised: 10/03/2008] [Accepted: 10/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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41
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Ren H, Yu D, Ge B, Cook B, Xu Z, Zhang S. High-level production, solubilization and purification of synthetic human GPCR chemokine receptors CCR5, CCR3, CXCR4 and CX3CR1. PLoS One 2009; 4:e4509. [PMID: 19223978 PMCID: PMC2637981 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2008] [Accepted: 11/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors belong to a class of integral membrane G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are responsible for transmitting signals from the extracellular environment. However, the structural changes in the receptor, connecting ligand binding to G-protein activation, remain elusive for most GPCRs due to the difficulty to produce them for structural and functional studies. We here report high-level production in E.coli of 4 human GPCRs, namely chemokine receptors (hCRs) CCR5, CCR3, CXCR4 and CX3CR1 that are directly involved in HIV-1 infection, asthma and cancer metastasis. The synthetic genes of CCR5, CCR3, CXCR4 and CX3CR1 were synthesized using a two-step assembly/amplification PCR method and inserted into two different kinds of expression systems. After systematic screening of growth conditions and host strains, TB medium was selected for expression of pEXP-hCRs. The low copy number pBAD-DEST49 plasmid, with a moderately strong promoter tightly regulated by L-arabinose, proved helpful for reducing toxicity of expressed membrane proteins. The synthetic Trx-hCR fusion genes in the pBAD-DEST49 vector were expressed at high levels in the Top10 strain. After a systematic screen of 96 detergents, the zwitterionic detergents of the Fos-choline series (FC9-FC16) emerged as the most effective for isolation of the hCRs. The FC14 was selected both for solubilization from bacterial lysates and for stabilization of the Trx-hCRs during purification. Thus, the FC-14 solubilized Trx-hCRs could be purified using size exclusion chromatography as monomers and dimers with the correct apparent MW and their alpha-helical content determined by circular dichroism. The identity of two of the expressed hCRs (CCR3 and CCR5) was confirmed using immunoblots using specific monoclonal antibodies. After optimization of expression systems and detergent-mediated purification procedures, we achieved large-scale, high-level production of 4 human GPCR chemokine receptor in a two-step purification, yielding milligram quantities of CCR5, CCR3, CXCR4 and CX3CR1 for biochemical, biophysical and structural analysis.
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MESH Headings
- CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
- Cloning, Molecular/methods
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Humans
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Receptors, CCR3/biosynthesis
- Receptors, CCR3/genetics
- Receptors, CCR3/isolation & purification
- Receptors, CCR5/biosynthesis
- Receptors, CCR5/genetics
- Receptors, CCR5/isolation & purification
- Receptors, CXCR4/biosynthesis
- Receptors, CXCR4/genetics
- Receptors, CXCR4/isolation & purification
- Receptors, Chemokine/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Chemokine/genetics
- Receptors, Chemokine/isolation & purification
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ren
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Daoyong Yu
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Baosheng Ge
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Brian Cook
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Zhinan Xu
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Shuguang Zhang
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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42
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Skretas G, Georgiou G. Genetic analysis of G protein-coupled receptor expression in Escherichia coli: inhibitory role of DnaJ on the membrane integration of the human central cannabinoid receptor. Biotechnol Bioeng 2009; 102:357-67. [PMID: 18828176 DOI: 10.1002/bit.22097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The overexpression of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and of many other heterologous membrane proteins in simple microbial hosts, such as the bacterium Escherichia coli, often results in protein mistargeting, aggregation into inclusion bodies or cytoplasmic degradation. Furthermore, membrane protein production is very frequently accompanied by severe cell toxicity. In this work, we have employed a genetic strategy to isolate E. coli mutants that produce markedly increased amounts of the human central cannabinoid receptor (CB1), a pharmacologically significant GPCR that expresses very poorly in wild-type E. coli. By utilizing a CB1 fusion with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), we screened an E. coli transposon library and identified an insertion in dnaJ that resulted in a large increase in CB1-GFP fluorescence and a dramatic enhancement in bacterial production of membrane-integrated CB1. Furthermore, the dnaJ::Tn5 inactivation suppressed the severe cytotoxicity associated with CB1 production. This revealed an unexpected inhibitory role of the chaperone/ co-chaperone DnaJ in the protein folding or membrane insertion of bacterially produced CB1. Our strategy can be easily adapted to identify expression bottlenecks for different GPCRs or any other integral membrane protein, provide useful and unanticipated mechanistic insights, and assist in the construction of genetically engineered E. coli strains for efficient heterologous membrane protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Skretas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2500 Speedway, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
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43
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Alken M, Schmidt A, Rutz C, Furkert J, Kleinau G, Rosenthal W, Schülein R. The sequence after the signal peptide of the G protein-coupled endothelin B receptor is required for efficient translocon gating at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Mol Pharmacol 2009; 75:801-11. [PMID: 19136571 DOI: 10.1124/mol.108.051581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The heptahelical G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) must reach their correct subcellular location to exert their function. Receptor domains relevant for receptor trafficking include signal sequences mediating receptor integration into the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and anterograde or retrograde transport signals promoting receptor sorting into the vesicles of the secretory pathway. In addition, receptors must be correctly folded to pass the quality control system of the early secretory pathway. Taking the endothelin B receptor as a model, we describe a new type of a transport-relevant GPCR domain. Deletion of this domain (residues Glu(28) to Trp(54)) leads to a fully functional receptor protein that is expressed at a lower level than the wild-type receptor. Subcellular localization experiments and glycosylation state analyses demonstrate that the mutant receptor is neither misfolded, retained intracellularly, nor misrouted. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analyses demonstrate that constitutive internalization is also not affected. By using an in vitro prion protein targeting assay, we show that this domain is necessary for efficient translocon gating at the ER membrane during early receptor biogenesis. Taken together, we identified a novel transport-relevant domain in the GPCR protein family. Our data may also be relevant for other GPCRs and unrelated integral membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Alken
- Leibniz-Institut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Structural and functional analysis of most G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) requires their expression and purification in functional form. The produced amount of recombinant membrane-inserted receptors depends on the optimal combination of a particular GPCR and production host; optimization of expression is still a matter of trial-and-error. Prior to purification, receptors must be extracted from the membranes by use of detergent(s). The choice of an appropriate detergent for solubilization and purification is crucial to maintain receptors in their functional state. The initial enrichment can be carried out by affinity chromatography using a general affinity tag (e.g., poly-histidine tag). If the first purification step does not yield pure receptor protein, purification to homogeneity can often be achieved by use of a subsequent receptor-specific ligand column. If suitable immobilized ligands are not available, size exclusion chromatography or other techniques need to be applied. Many GPCRs become unstable upon detergent extraction from lipid membranes, and measures for stabilization are discussed. As an example, the purification of a functional neurotensin receptor to homogeneity in milligram quantities is given below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Grisshammer
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD 20852, USA, telephone +1 301-594-9223, fax +1 301-480-3934,
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45
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Directed evolution of a G protein-coupled receptor for expression, stability, and binding selectivity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:14808-13. [PMID: 18812512 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0803103105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We outline a powerful method for the directed evolution of integral membrane proteins in the inner membrane of Escherichia coli. For a mammalian G protein-coupled receptor, we arrived at a sequence with an order-of-magnitude increase in functional expression that still retains the biochemical properties of wild type. This mutant also shows enhanced heterologous expression in eukaryotes (12-fold in Pichia pastoris and 3-fold in HEK293T cells) and greater stability when solubilized and purified, indicating that the biophysical properties of the protein had been under the pressure of selection. These improvements arise from multiple small contributions, which would be difficult to assemble by rational design. In a second screen, we rapidly pinpointed a single amino acid substitution in wild type that abolishes antagonist binding while retaining agonist-binding affinity. These approaches may alleviate existing bottlenecks in structural studies of these targets by providing sufficient quantities of stable variants in defined conformational states.
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46
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Engineering G protein-coupled receptor expression in bacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:14747-8. [PMID: 18812517 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0807741105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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47
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Mancia F, Hendrickson WA. Expression of recombinant G-protein coupled receptors for structural biology. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2007; 3:723-34. [PMID: 17882334 DOI: 10.1039/b713558k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Mancia
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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48
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Labar G, Vliet FV, Wouters J, Lambert DM. A MBP-FAAH fusion protein as a tool to produce human and rat fatty acid amide hydrolase: expression and pharmacological comparison. Amino Acids 2007; 34:127-33. [PMID: 17476568 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-007-0540-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2007] [Accepted: 02/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), a membrane-anchored enzyme responsible for the termination of endocannabinoid signalling, is an attractive target for treating conditions such as pain and anxiety. Inhibitors of the enzyme, optimized using rodent FAAH, are known but their pharmacology and medicinal chemistry properties on the human FAAH are missing. Therefore recombinant human enzyme would represent a powerful tool to evaluate new drug candidates. However, the production of high amounts of enzyme is hampered by the known refractiveness of FAAH to overexpression. Here, we report the successful overexpression of rat and human FAAH as a fusion to the E. coli maltose-binding protein, retaining catalytic properties of native FAAH. Several known FAAH inhibitors were tested and differences in their potencies toward the human and rat FAAH were found, underscoring the importance of using a human FAAH in the development of inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Labar
- Unité de Chimie pharmaceutique et de Radiopharmacie, Ecole de Pharmacie, Faculté de Médecine, Université catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium
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49
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Mancia F, Brenner-Morton S, Siegel R, Assur Z, Sun Y, Schieren I, Mendelsohn M, Axel R, Hendrickson WA. Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies sensitive to conformation in the 5HT2c serotonin receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:4303-8. [PMID: 17360519 PMCID: PMC1838597 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0700301104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
mAbs that are sensitive to protein conformation can be helpful in studies of protein structure and function; in particular, mAb fragments are useful reagents in membrane protein crystallization. We immunized mice with the rat 5HT2c serotonin receptor and derived clonal hybridoma cells, which we tested for specific antigen reactivity by using the complementarity of purified protein from bacteria and receptor-embedded mammalian cell membranes. Nine mAbs met our criteria for specificity, affinity, and sensitivity to conformational features. Epitopes were mapped in various additional tests. Five of the nine mAbs have cytoplasmic epitopes, and two of these are sensitive to the ligand state of the receptor. These properties should be useful both for structural analysis and in probes of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Mancia
- *Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and
| | | | - Risa Siegel
- *Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and
| | - Zahra Assur
- *Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and
| | - Yonghua Sun
- the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032
| | - Ira Schieren
- the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032
| | | | - Richard Axel
- *Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and
- the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032
| | - Wayne A. Hendrickson
- *Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and
- the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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50
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Grisshammer R, White JF, Trinh LB, Shiloach J. Large-scale expression and purification of a G-protein-coupled receptor for structure determination -- an overview. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 6:159-63. [PMID: 16211513 DOI: 10.1007/s10969-005-1917-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2004] [Accepted: 01/16/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Structure determination of G-protein-coupled receptors and other applications, such as nuclear magnetic resonance studies, require milligram quantities of purified, functional receptor protein on a regular basis. We present an overview on expression and purification studies with a receptor for neurotensin. Functional expression in Escherichia coli and an automated two-column purification routine allow ongoing crystallization experiments and studies on receptor-bound ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Grisshammer
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
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