1
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Cardona-Echavarría MC, Santillán C, Miranda-Blancas R, Stojanoff V, Rudiño-Piñera E. Unveiling success determinants for AMB-assisted phase expansion of fusion proteins in ARP/wARP. J Struct Biol 2024; 216:108089. [PMID: 38537893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2024.108089] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Fusion proteins (FPs) are frequently utilized as a biotechnological tool in the determination of macromolecular structures using X-ray methods. Here, we explore the use of different protein tags in various FP, to obtain initial phases by using them in a partial molecular replacement (MR) and constructing the remaining FP structure with ARP/wARP. Usually, the tag is removed prior to crystallization, however leaving the tag on may facilitate crystal formation, and structural determination by expanding phases from known to unknown segments of the complex. In this study, the Protein Data Bank was mined for an up-to-date list of FPs with the most used protein tags, Maltose Binding Protein (MBP), Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), Thioredoxin (TRX), Glutathione transferase (GST) and the Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier Protein (SUMO). Partial MR using the protein tag, followed by automatic model building, was tested on a subset of 116 FP. The efficiency of this method was analyzed and factors that influence the coordinate construction of a substantial portions of the fused protein were identified. Using MBP, GFP, and SUMO as phase generators it was possible to build at least 75 % of the protein of interest in 36 of the 116 cases tested. Our results reveal that tag selection has a significant impact; tags with greater structural stability, such as GFP, increase the success rate. Further statistical analysis identifies that resolution, Wilson B factor, solvent percentage, completeness, multiplicity, protein tag percentage in the FP (considering amino acids), and the linker length play pivotal roles using our approach. In cases where a structural homologous is absent, this method merits inclusion in the toolkit of protein crystallographers.
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Affiliation(s)
- María C Cardona-Echavarría
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos C.P. 62210, Mexico; Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos C.P. 62209, Mexico.
| | | | - Ricardo Miranda-Blancas
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México C.P. 04510, Mexico
| | - Vivian Stojanoff
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, United States
| | - Enrique Rudiño-Piñera
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos C.P. 62210, Mexico.
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2
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Maurer SK, Mayer MP, Ward SJ, Boudjema S, Halawa M, Zhang J, Caulton SG, Emsley J, Dreveny I. Ubiquitin-specific protease 11 structure in complex with an engineered substrate mimetic reveals a molecular feature for deubiquitination selectivity. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105300. [PMID: 37777157 PMCID: PMC10637973 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) are crucial for controlling cellular proteostasis and signaling pathways but how deubiquitination is selective remains poorly understood, in particular between paralogues. Here, we developed a fusion tag method by mining the Protein Data Bank and trapped USP11, a key regulator of DNA double-strand break repair, in complex with a novel engineered substrate mimetic. Together, this enabled structure determination of USP11 as a Michaelis-like complex that revealed key S1 and S1' binding site interactions with a substrate. Combined mutational, enzymatic, and binding experiments identified Met77 in linear diubiquitin as a significant residue that leads to substrate discrimination. We identified an aspartate "gatekeeper" residue in the S1' site of USP11 as a contributing feature for discriminating against linear diubiquitin. When mutated to a glycine, the corresponding residue in paralog USP15, USP11 acquired elevated activity toward linear diubiquitin in-gel shift assays, but not controls. The reverse mutation in USP15 confirmed that this position confers paralog-specific differences impacting diubiquitin cleavage rates. The results advance our understanding of the molecular basis for the higher selectivity of USP11 compared to USP15 and may aid targeted inhibitor development. Moreover, the reported carrier-based crystallization strategy may be applicable to other challenging targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrun K Maurer
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias P Mayer
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie J Ward
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sana Boudjema
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mohamed Halawa
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jiatong Zhang
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Simon G Caulton
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jonas Emsley
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ingrid Dreveny
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
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3
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Loughran ST, Walls D. Tagging Recombinant Proteins to Enhance Solubility and Aid Purification. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2699:97-123. [PMID: 37646996 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3362-5_7] [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] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Protein fusion technology has had a major impact on the efficient production and purification of individual recombinant proteins. The use of genetically engineered affinity and solubility-enhancing polypeptide "tags" has a long history, and there is a considerable repertoire of these that can be used to address issues related to the expression, stability, solubility, folding, and purification of their fusion partner. In the case of large-scale proteomic studies, the development of purification procedures tailored to individual proteins is not practicable, and affinity tags have become indispensable tools for structural and functional proteomic initiatives that involve the expression of many proteins in parallel. In this chapter, the rationale and applications of a range of established and more recently developed solubility-enhancing and affinity tags is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad T Loughran
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, School of Health and Science, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Louth, Ireland.
| | - Dermot Walls
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
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4
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Ortega C, Oppezzo P, Correa A. Overcoming the Solubility Problem in E. coli: Available Approaches for Recombinant Protein Production. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2406:35-64. [PMID: 35089549 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1859-2_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite the importance of recombinant protein production in the academy and industrial fields, many issues concerning the expression of soluble and homogeneous products are still unsolved. Several strategies were developed to overcome these obstacles; however, at present, there is no magic bullet that can be applied for all cases. Indeed, several key expression parameters need to be evaluated for each protein. Among the different hosts for protein expression, Escherichia coli is by far the most widely used. In this chapter, we review many of the different tools employed to circumvent protein insolubility problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ortega
- Recombinant Protein Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Oppezzo
- Recombinant Protein Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Agustín Correa
- Recombinant Protein Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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5
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Eche S, Gordon ML. Recombinant expression of HIV-1 protease using soluble fusion tags in Escherichia coli: A vital tool for functional characterization of HIV-1 protease. Virus Res 2021; 295:198289. [PMID: 33418026 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198289] [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] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1 protease expression in the laboratory is demanding because of its high cytotoxicity, making it difficult to express in bacterial expression systems such as Escherichia coli. To overcome these challenges, HIV-1 protease fusion with solubility enhancing tags helps to mitigate its cytotoxic effect and drive its expression as a soluble protein. Therefore, this review focuses on the expression of bioactive HIV-1 protease using solubility-enhancing fusion tags in Escherichia coli and summarises the characteristic features of the different common fusion tags that have been used in the expression of HIV-1 protease. This review will assist researchers with their choice of protein fusion tag for HIV-1 protease expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Eche
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
| | - Michelle L Gordon
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
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6
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Identification of phenothiazine derivatives as UHM-binding inhibitors of early spliceosome assembly. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5621. [PMID: 33159082 PMCID: PMC7648758 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19514-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between U2AF homology motifs (UHMs) and U2AF ligand motifs (ULMs) play a crucial role in early spliceosome assembly in eukaryotic gene regulation. UHM-ULM interactions mediate heterodimerization of the constitutive splicing factors U2AF65 and U2AF35 and between other splicing factors that regulate spliceosome assembly at the 3′ splice site, where UHM domains of alternative splicing factors, such as SPF45 and PUF60, contribute to alternative splicing regulation. Here, we performed high-throughput screening using fluorescence polarization assays with hit validation by NMR and identified phenothiazines as general inhibitors of UHM-ULM interactions. NMR studies show that these compounds occupy the tryptophan binding pocket of UHM domains. Co-crystal structures of the inhibitors with the PUF60 UHM domain and medicinal chemistry provide structure-activity-relationships and reveal functional groups important for binding. These inhibitors inhibit early spliceosome assembly on pre-mRNA substrates in vitro. Our data show that spliceosome assembly can be inhibited by targeting UHM-ULM interactions by small molecules, thus extending the toolkit of splicing modulators for structural and biochemical studies of the spliceosome and splicing regulation. So far only a few compounds have been reported as splicing modulators. Here, the authors combine high-throughput screening, chemical synthesis, NMR, X-ray crystallography with functional studies and develop phenothiazines as inhibitors for the U2AF Homology Motif (UHM) domains of proteins that regulate splicing and show that they inhibit early spliceosome assembly on pre-mRNA substrates in vitro.
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7
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Birchfield AS, McIntosh CA. The Effect of Recombinant Tags on Citrus paradisi Flavonol-Specific 3-O Glucosyltransferase Activity. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9030402. [PMID: 32213838 PMCID: PMC7154896 DOI: 10.3390/plants9030402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant tags are used extensively in protein expression systems to allow purification through IMAC (Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography), identification through Western blot, and to facilitate crystal formation for structural analysis. While widely used, their role in enzyme characterization has raised concerns with respect to potential impact on activity. In this study, a flavonol-specific 3-O glucosyltransferase (Cp3GT) from grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) was expressed in Pichia pastoris, and was assayed in its untagged form and with a C-terminal c-myc/6x His tag under various conditions to determine the effect of tags. Prior characterization of pH optima for Cp3GT obtained through expression in Escherichia coli, containing an N-terminal thioredoxin/6x His tag, indicated an optimal pH of 7-7.5, which is indicative of a normal physiological pH and agrees with other glucosyltransferase (GT) pH optima. However, characterization of Cp3GT expressed using P. pastoris with a C-terminal c-myc-6x His tag showed a higher optimal pH of 8.5-9. This suggests a possible tag effect or an effect related to physiological differences between the cell expression systems. Results testing recombinant Cp3GT expressed in Pichia with and without C-terminal tags showed a possible tag effect with regard to substrate preference and interactions with metals, but no apparent effect on enzymatic kinetics or pH optima.
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8
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Pabis M, Popowicz GM, Stehle R, Fernández-Ramos D, Asami S, Warner L, García-Mauriño SM, Schlundt A, Martínez-Chantar ML, Díaz-Moreno I, Sattler M. HuR biological function involves RRM3-mediated dimerization and RNA binding by all three RRMs. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:1011-1029. [PMID: 30418581 PMCID: PMC6344896 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
HuR/ELAVL1 is an RNA-binding protein involved in differentiation and stress response that acts primarily by stabilizing messenger RNA (mRNA) targets. HuR comprises three RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) where the structure and RNA binding of RRM3 and of full-length HuR remain poorly understood. Here, we report crystal structures of RRM3 free and bound to cognate RNAs. Our structural, NMR and biochemical data show that RRM3 mediates canonical RNA interactions and reveal molecular details of a dimerization interface localized on the α-helical face of RRM3. NMR and SAXS analyses indicate that the three RRMs in full-length HuR are flexibly connected in the absence of RNA, while they adopt a more compact arrangement when bound to RNA. Based on these data and crystal structures of tandem RRM1,2-RNA and our RRM3-RNA complexes, we present a structural model of RNA recognition involving all three RRM domains of full-length HuR. Mutational analysis demonstrates that RRM3 dimerization and RNA binding is required for functional activity of full-length HuR in vitro and to regulate target mRNAs levels in human cells, thus providing a fine-tuning for HuR activity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pabis
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany.,Max Planck Research Group hosted by the Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz M Popowicz
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Ralf Stehle
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - David Fernández-Ramos
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biociencias. Technology Park of Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sam Asami
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Lisa Warner
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Sofía M García-Mauriño
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ)-Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Isla de la Cartuja (cicCartuja), Universidad de Sevilla - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Americo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Andreas Schlundt
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - María L Martínez-Chantar
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biociencias. Technology Park of Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Díaz-Moreno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ)-Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Isla de la Cartuja (cicCartuja), Universidad de Sevilla - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avda. Americo Vespucio 49, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
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9
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Wibowo D, Zhao CX. Recent achievements and perspectives for large-scale recombinant production of antimicrobial peptides. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 103:659-671. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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10
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Kubitza C, Ginsel C, Bittner F, Havemeyer A, Clement B, Scheidig AJ. T4 lysozyme-facilitated crystallization of the human molybdenum cofactor-dependent enzyme mARC. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2018; 74:337-344. [PMID: 29870017 PMCID: PMC5987741 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x18006921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (hmARC) is a molybdenum cofactor-dependent enzyme that is involved in the reduction of a diverse range of N-hydroxylated compounds of either physiological or xenobiotic origin. In this study, the use of a fusion-protein approach with T4 lysozyme (T4L) to determine the structure of this hitherto noncrystallizable enzyme by X-ray crystallography is described. A set of four different hmARC-T4L fusion proteins were designed. Two of them contained either an N-terminal or a C-terminal T4L moiety fused to hmARC, while the other two contained T4L as an internal fusion partner tethered to the hmARC enzyme between two predicted secondary-structure elements. One of these internal fusion constructs could be expressed and crystallized successfully. The hmARC-T4L crystals diffracted to 1.7 Å resolution using synchrotron radiation and belonged to space group P212121 with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. Initial attempts to solve the structure by molecular replacement using T4L did not result in electron-density distributions that were sufficient for model building and interpretation of the hmARC moiety. However, this study emphasizes the utility of the T4L fusion-protein approach, which can be used for the crystallization and structure determination of membrane-bound proteins as well as soluble proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kubitza
- Structural Biology, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Carsten Ginsel
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Kiel University, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Florian Bittner
- Julius Kuehn Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Erwin-Baur-Strasse 27, 06484 Quedlinburg, Germany
| | - Antje Havemeyer
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Kiel University, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Bernd Clement
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Kiel University, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Axel J. Scheidig
- Structural Biology, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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11
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Kaur J, Kumar A, Kaur J. Strategies for optimization of heterologous protein expression in E. coli: Roadblocks and reinforcements. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 106:803-822. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.08.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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12
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Kaur J, Kumar A, Kaur J. Strategies for optimization of heterologous protein expression in E. coli: Roadblocks and reinforcements. Int J Biol Macromol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.08.080 10.1242/jeb.069716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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13
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Bírová S, Levarski Z, Vidličková I, Pastoreková S, Turňa J, Stuchlík S. Purification of small-size acidic proteoglycan-like domain of carbonic anhydrase IX fused with thioredoxine expressed in Escherichia coli for structural characterization. Biologia (Bratisl) 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/biolog-2017-0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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14
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Jin T, Chuenchor W, Jiang J, Cheng J, Li Y, Fang K, Huang M, Smith P, Xiao TS. Design of an expression system to enhance MBP-mediated crystallization. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40991. [PMID: 28112203 PMCID: PMC5256280 DOI: 10.1038/srep40991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Crystallization chaperones have been used to facilitate the crystallization of challenging proteins. Even though the maltose-binding protein (MBP) is one of the most commonly used crystallization chaperones, the design of optimal expression constructs for crystallization of MBP fusion proteins remains a challenge. To increase the success rate of MBP-facilitated crystallization, a series of expression vectors have been designed with either a short flexible linker or a set of rigid helical linkers. Seven death domain superfamily members were tested for crystallization with this set of vectors, six of which had never been crystallized before. All of the seven targets were crystallized, and their structures were determined using at least one of the vectors. Our successful crystallization of all of the targets demonstrates the validity of our approach and expands the arsenal of the crystallization chaperone toolkit, which may be applicable to crystallization of other difficult protein targets, as well as to other crystallization chaperones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengchuan Jin
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027 China.,Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Watchalee Chuenchor
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Jiansheng Jiang
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Jinbo Cheng
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027 China
| | - Yajuan Li
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027 China
| | - Kang Fang
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Diseases, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027 China
| | - Mo Huang
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Patrick Smith
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Tsan Sam Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
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15
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Baßler J, Ahmed YL, Kallas M, Kornprobst M, Calviño FR, Gnädig M, Thoms M, Stier G, Ismail S, Kharde S, Castillo N, Griesel S, Bastuck S, Bradatsch B, Thomson E, Flemming D, Sinning I, Hurt E. Interaction network of the ribosome assembly machinery from a eukaryotic thermophile. Protein Sci 2017; 26:327-342. [PMID: 27863450 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotic cells is a highly dynamic and complex process innately linked to cell proliferation. The assembly of ribosomes is driven by a myriad of biogenesis factors that shape pre-ribosomal particles by processing and folding the ribosomal RNA and incorporating ribosomal proteins. Biochemical approaches allowed the isolation and characterization of pre-ribosomal particles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which lead to a spatiotemporal map of biogenesis intermediates along the path from the nucleolus to the cytoplasm. Here, we cloned almost the entire set (∼180) of ribosome biogenesis factors from the thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum in order to perform an in-depth analysis of their protein-protein interaction network as well as exploring the suitability of these thermostable proteins for structural studies. First, we performed a systematic screen, testing about 80 factors for crystallization and structure determination. Next, we performed a yeast 2-hybrid analysis and tested about 32,000 binary combinations, which identified more than 1000 protein-protein contacts between the thermophilic ribosome assembly factors. To exemplary verify several of these interactions, we performed biochemical reconstitution with the focus on the interaction network between 90S pre-ribosome factors forming the ctUTP-A and ctUTP-B modules, and the Brix-domain containing assembly factors of the pre-60S subunit. Our work provides a rich resource for biochemical reconstitution and structural analyses of the conserved ribosome assembly machinery from a eukaryotic thermophile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Baßler
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Yasar Luqman Ahmed
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Martina Kallas
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Markus Kornprobst
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Fabiola R Calviño
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Marén Gnädig
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Matthias Thoms
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Gunter Stier
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Sherif Ismail
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Satyavati Kharde
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Nestor Castillo
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Sabine Griesel
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Sonja Bastuck
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Bettina Bradatsch
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Emma Thomson
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Dirk Flemming
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Irmgard Sinning
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Ed Hurt
- Biochemistry Center Heidelberg BZH, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
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16
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The "Sticky Patch" Model of Crystallization and Modification of Proteins for Enhanced Crystallizability. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1607:77-115. [PMID: 28573570 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7000-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Crystallization of macromolecules has long been perceived as a stochastic process, which cannot be predicted or controlled. This is consistent with another popular notion that the interactions of molecules within the crystal, i.e., crystal contacts, are essentially random and devoid of specific physicochemical features. In contrast, functionally relevant surfaces, such as oligomerization interfaces and specific protein-protein interaction sites, are under evolutionary pressures so their amino acid composition, structure, and topology are distinct. However, current theoretical and experimental studies are significantly changing our understanding of the nature of crystallization. The increasingly popular "sticky patch" model, derived from soft matter physics, describes crystallization as a process driven by interactions between select, specific surface patches, with properties thermodynamically favorable for cohesive interactions. Independent support for this model comes from various sources including structural studies and bioinformatics. Proteins that are recalcitrant to crystallization can be modified for enhanced crystallizability through chemical or mutational modification of their surface to effectively engineer "sticky patches" which would drive crystallization. Here, we discuss the current state of knowledge of the relationship between the microscopic properties of the target macromolecule and its crystallizability, focusing on the "sticky patch" model. We discuss state-of-the-art in silico methods that evaluate the propensity of a given target protein to form crystals based on these relationships, with the objective to design variants with modified molecular surface properties and enhanced crystallization propensity. We illustrate this discussion with specific cases where these approaches allowed to generate crystals suitable for structural analysis.
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17
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Abstract
Protein fusion technology has had a major impact on the efficient production and purification of individual recombinant proteins. The use of genetically engineered affinity and solubility-enhancing polypeptide "tags" has increased greatly in recent years and there now exists a considerable repertoire of these that can be used to solve issues related to the expression, stability, solubility, folding, and purification of their fusion partner. In the case of large-scale proteomic studies, the development of purification procedures tailored to individual proteins is not practicable, and affinity tags have therefore become indispensable tools for structural and functional proteomic initiatives that involve the expression of many proteins in parallel. Here, the rationale and applications of a range of established and more recently developed solubility-enhancing and affinity tags is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad T Loughran
- Department of Applied Sciences, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Ireland
| | - Dermot Walls
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
- National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
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18
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Wild R, Hothorn M. The macro domain as fusion tag for carrier-driven crystallization. Protein Sci 2016; 26:365-374. [PMID: 27774698 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Obtaining well-ordered crystals remains a significant challenge in protein X-ray crystallography. Carrier-driven crystallization can facilitate crystal formation and structure solution of difficult target proteins. We obtained crystals of the small and highly flexible SPX domain from the yeast vacuolar transporter chaperone 4 (Vtc4) when fused to a C-terminal, non-cleavable macro tag derived from human histone macroH2A1.1. Initial crystals diffracted to 3.3 Å resolution. Reductive protein methylation of the fusion protein yielded a new crystal form diffracting to 2.1 Å. The structures were solved by molecular replacement, using isolated macro domain structures as search models. Our findings suggest that macro domain tags can be employed in recombinant protein expression in E. coli, and in carrier-driven crystallization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Wild
- Structural Plant Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany and Plant Biology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michael Hothorn
- Structural Plant Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany and Plant Biology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
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19
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Horn A, Hennig J, Ahmed YL, Stier G, Wild K, Sattler M, Sinning I. Structural basis for cpSRP43 chromodomain selectivity and dynamics in Alb3 insertase interaction. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8875. [PMID: 26568381 PMCID: PMC4660199 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Canonical membrane protein biogenesis requires co-translational delivery of ribosome-associated proteins to the Sec translocase and depends on the signal recognition particle (SRP) and its receptor (SR). In contrast, high-throughput delivery of abundant light-harvesting chlorophyll a,b-binding proteins (LHCPs) in chloroplasts to the Alb3 insertase occurs post-translationally via a soluble transit complex including the cpSRP43/cpSRP54 heterodimer (cpSRP). Here we describe the molecular mechanisms of tethering cpSRP to the Alb3 insertase by specific interaction of cpSRP43 chromodomain 3 with a linear motif in the Alb3 C-terminal tail. Combining NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and biochemical analyses, we dissect the structural basis for selectivity of chromodomains 2 and 3 for their respective ligands cpSRP54 and Alb3, respectively. Negative cooperativity in ligand binding can be explained by dynamics in the chromodomain interface. Our study provides a model for membrane recruitment of the transit complex and may serve as a prototype for a functional gain by the tandem arrangement of chromodomains. The chloroplast signal recognition particle delivers LHCPs to the thylakoid membrane by interaction of cpSRP43 with the Alb3 insertase. Here the authors decipher the specific recognition of the Alb3 C-terminal tail within the interface of two communicating chromodomains by structural biochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie Horn
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), INF 328, Heidelberg D-69120, Germany
| | - Janosch Hennig
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, Garching DE-85747, Germany.,Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg D-85764, Germany
| | - Yasar L Ahmed
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), INF 328, Heidelberg D-69120, Germany
| | - Gunter Stier
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), INF 328, Heidelberg D-69120, Germany
| | - Klemens Wild
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), INF 328, Heidelberg D-69120, Germany
| | - Michael Sattler
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, Garching DE-85747, Germany.,Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg D-85764, Germany
| | - Irmgard Sinning
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), INF 328, Heidelberg D-69120, Germany
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20
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Leibly DJ, Arbing MA, Pashkov I, DeVore N, Waldo GS, Terwilliger TC, Yeates TO. A Suite of Engineered GFP Molecules for Oligomeric Scaffolding. Structure 2015; 23:1754-1768. [PMID: 26278175 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2015.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Applications ranging from synthetic biology to protein crystallization could be advanced by facile systems for connecting multiple proteins together in predefined spatial relationships. One approach to this goal is to engineer many distinct assembly forms of a single carrier protein or scaffold, to which other proteins of interest can then be readily attached. In this work we chose GFP as a scaffold and engineered many alternative oligomeric forms, driven by either specific disulfide bond formation or metal ion addition. We generated a wide range of spatial arrangements of GFP subunits from 11 different oligomeric variants, and determined their X-ray structures in a total of 33 distinct crystal forms. Some of the oligomeric GFP variants show geometric polymorphism depending on conditions, while others show considerable geometric rigidity. Potential future applications of this system are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Leibly
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; UCLA-DOE Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Mark A Arbing
- UCLA-DOE Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Inna Pashkov
- UCLA-DOE Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Natasha DeVore
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS M888, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Geoffrey S Waldo
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS M888, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Thomas C Terwilliger
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS M888, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Todd O Yeates
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; UCLA-DOE Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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21
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Liauw P, Kannchen D, Gasper R, Dyczmons-Nowaczyk N, Nowaczyk MM, Hofmann E. Cloning, expression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of a superfolder GFP fusion of cyanobacterial Psb32. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS 2015; 71:409-13. [PMID: 25849501 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x15003970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A fusion of Psb32 from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 (TePsb32) with superfolder GFP was created for enhanced solubility and improved detection and purification. The fusion protein readily formed large hexagonal crystals belonging to space group P6₁22. A full data set extending to 2.3 Å resolution was collected at the Swiss Light Source. The phase problem could be solved by using only the sfGFP fusion partner or by using GFP and AtTLP18.3 from Arabidopsis thaliana as search models. Based on this expression construct, a versatile library of 24 vectors combining four different superfolder GFP variants and three affinity tags was generated to facilitate expression and screening of fluorescent fusion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasqual Liauw
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniela Kannchen
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Raphael Gasper
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Marc M Nowaczyk
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Eckhard Hofmann
- Department of Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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22
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Taudt A, Arnold A, Pleiss J. Simulation of protein association: Kinetic pathways towards crystal contacts. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2015; 91:033311. [PMID: 25871250 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.91.033311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We conducted molecular dynamics simulations combined with distance-based umbrella sampling and forward flux sampling to investigate the early stages of protein crystallization. Formation of contacts with long-range interactions and/or an exposed position on the protein surface was kinetically preferred over more stable hydrophobic contacts with a shorter attractive range, while the thermodynamic stability of the protein crystal was provided by hydrophobic interactions. Contacts with a large interaction area showed complex dissociation pathways that were not detected by distance-based umbrella sampling. Instead, forward flux sampling simulations of contact dissociation identified long-range attractive interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Taudt
- Institute of Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Axel Arnold
- Institute for Computational Physics, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jürgen Pleiss
- Institute of Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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23
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Overcoming the solubility problem in E. coli: available approaches for recombinant protein production. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1258:27-44. [PMID: 25447857 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2205-5_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite the importance of recombinant protein production in academy and industrial fields, many issues concerning the expression of soluble and homogeneous product are still unsolved. Although several strategies were developed to overcome these obstacles, at present there is no magic bullet that can be applied for all cases. Indeed, several key expression parameters need to be evaluated for each protein. Among the different hosts for protein expression, Escherichia coli is by far the most widely used. In this chapter, we review many of the different tools employed to circumvent protein insolubility problems.
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24
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Sugiki T, Fujiwara T, Kojima C. Latest approaches for efficient protein production in drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2014; 9:1189-204. [PMID: 25046062 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2014.941801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pharmaceutical research looks to discover and develop new compounds which influence the function of disease-associated proteins or respective protein-protein interactions. Various scientific methods are available to discover those compounds, such as high-throughput screening of a library comprising chemical or natural compounds and computational rational drug design. The goal of these methods is to identify the seed compounds of future pharmaceuticals through the use of these technologies and laborious experiments. For every drug discovery effort made, the possession of accurate functional and structural information of the disease-associated proteins helps to assist drug development. Therefore, the investigation of the tertiary structure of disease-associated proteins and respective protein-protein interactions at the atomic level are of crucial importance for successful drug discovery. AREAS COVERED In this review article, the authors broadly outline current techniques utilized for recombinant protein production. In particular, the authors focus on bacterial expression systems using Escherichia coli as the living bioreactor. EXPERT OPINION The recently developed pCold-glutathione S-transferase (GST) system is one of the best systems for soluble protein expression in E. coli. Where the pCold-GST system does not succeed, it is preferable to change the host from E. coli to higher organisms such as yeast expression systems like Pichia pastoris and Kluyveromyces lactis. The selection of an appropriate expression system for each desired protein and the optimization of experimental conditions significantly contribute toward the successful outcome of any drug discovery study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiko Sugiki
- Osaka University, Institute for Protein Research , 3-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
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25
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Costa S, Almeida A, Castro A, Domingues L. Fusion tags for protein solubility, purification and immunogenicity in Escherichia coli: the novel Fh8 system. Front Microbiol 2014. [PMID: 24600443 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00063.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins are now widely produced in diverse microbial cell factories. The Escherichia coli is still the dominant host for recombinant protein production but, as a bacterial cell, it also has its issues: the aggregation of foreign proteins into insoluble inclusion bodies is perhaps the main limiting factor of the E. coli expression system. Conversely, E. coli benefits of cost, ease of use and scale make it essential to design new approaches directed for improved recombinant protein production in this host cell. With the aid of genetic and protein engineering novel tailored-made strategies can be designed to suit user or process requirements. Gene fusion technology has been widely used for the improvement of soluble protein production and/or purification in E. coli, and for increasing peptide's immunogenicity as well. New fusion partners are constantly emerging and complementing the traditional solutions, as for instance, the Fh8 fusion tag that has been recently studied and ranked among the best solubility enhancer partners. In this review, we provide an overview of current strategies to improve recombinant protein production in E. coli, including the key factors for successful protein production, highlighting soluble protein production, and a comprehensive summary of the latest available and traditionally used gene fusion technologies. A special emphasis is given to the recently discovered Fh8 fusion system that can be used for soluble protein production, purification, and immunogenicity in E. coli. The number of existing fusion tags will probably increase in the next few years, and efforts should be taken to better understand how fusion tags act in E. coli. This knowledge will undoubtedly drive the development of new tailored-made tools for protein production in this bacterial system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Costa
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga, Portugal ; Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge Porto, Portugal
| | - André Almeida
- Hitag Biotechnology, Lad., Biocant, Parque Technologico de Cantanhede Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - António Castro
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge Porto, Portugal
| | - Lucília Domingues
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga, Portugal
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26
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Costa S, Almeida A, Castro A, Domingues L. Fusion tags for protein solubility, purification and immunogenicity in Escherichia coli: the novel Fh8 system. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:63. [PMID: 24600443 PMCID: PMC3928792 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins are now widely produced in diverse microbial cell factories. The Escherichia coli is still the dominant host for recombinant protein production but, as a bacterial cell, it also has its issues: the aggregation of foreign proteins into insoluble inclusion bodies is perhaps the main limiting factor of the E. coli expression system. Conversely, E. coli benefits of cost, ease of use and scale make it essential to design new approaches directed for improved recombinant protein production in this host cell. With the aid of genetic and protein engineering novel tailored-made strategies can be designed to suit user or process requirements. Gene fusion technology has been widely used for the improvement of soluble protein production and/or purification in E. coli, and for increasing peptide's immunogenicity as well. New fusion partners are constantly emerging and complementing the traditional solutions, as for instance, the Fh8 fusion tag that has been recently studied and ranked among the best solubility enhancer partners. In this review, we provide an overview of current strategies to improve recombinant protein production in E. coli, including the key factors for successful protein production, highlighting soluble protein production, and a comprehensive summary of the latest available and traditionally used gene fusion technologies. A special emphasis is given to the recently discovered Fh8 fusion system that can be used for soluble protein production, purification, and immunogenicity in E. coli. The number of existing fusion tags will probably increase in the next few years, and efforts should be taken to better understand how fusion tags act in E. coli. This knowledge will undoubtedly drive the development of new tailored-made tools for protein production in this bacterial system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Costa
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga, Portugal ; Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge Porto, Portugal
| | - André Almeida
- Hitag Biotechnology, Lad., Biocant, Parque Technologico de Cantanhede Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - António Castro
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge Porto, Portugal
| | - Lucília Domingues
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho Braga, Portugal
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27
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Santos CR, Polo CC, Costa MCMF, Nascimento AFZ, Meza AN, Cota J, Hoffmam ZB, Honorato RV, Oliveira PSL, Goldman GH, Gilbert HJ, Prade RA, Ruller R, Squina FM, Wong DWS, Murakami MT. Mechanistic strategies for catalysis adopted by evolutionary distinct family 43 arabinanases. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:7362-73. [PMID: 24469445 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.537167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Arabinanases (ABNs, EC 3.2.1.99) are promising catalysts for environmentally friendly biomass conversion into energy and chemicals. These enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of the α-1,5-linked L-arabinofuranoside backbone of plant cell wall arabinans releasing arabino-oligosaccharides and arabinose, the second most abundant pentose in nature. In this work, new findings about the molecular mechanisms governing activation, functional differentiation, and catalysis of GH43 ABNs are presented. Biophysical, mutational, and biochemical studies with the hyperthermostable two-domain endo-acting ABN from Thermotoga petrophila (TpABN) revealed how some GH43 ABNs are activated by calcium ions via hyperpolarization of the catalytically relevant histidine and the importance of the ancillary domain for catalysis and conformational stability. On the other hand, the two GH43 ABNs from rumen metagenome, ARN2 and ARN3, presented a calcium-independent mechanism in which sodium is the most likely substituent for calcium ions. The crystal structure of the two-domain endo-acting ARN2 showed that its ability to efficiently degrade branched substrates is due to a larger catalytic interface with higher accessibility than that observed in other ABNs with preference for linear arabinan. Moreover, crystallographic characterization of the single-domain exo-acting ARN3 indicated that its cleavage pattern producing arabinose is associated with the chemical recognition of the reducing end of the substrate imposed by steric impediments at the aglycone-binding site. By structure-guided rational design, ARN3 was converted into a classical endo enzyme, confirming the role of the extended Arg(203)-Ala(230) loop in determining its action mode. These results reveal novel molecular aspects concerning the functioning of GH43 ABNs and provide new strategies for arabinan degradation.
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28
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Bell MR, Engleka MJ, Malik A, Strickler JE. To fuse or not to fuse: what is your purpose? Protein Sci 2013; 22:1466-77. [PMID: 24038604 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Since the dawn of time, or at least the dawn of recombinant DNA technology (which for many of today's scientists is the same thing), investigators have been cloning and expressing heterologous proteins in a variety of different cells for a variety of different reasons. These range from cell biological studies looking at protein-protein interactions, post-translational modifications, and regulation, to laboratory-scale production in support of biochemical, biophysical, and structural studies, to large scale production of potential biotherapeutics. In parallel, fusion-tag technology has grown-up to facilitate microscale purification (pull-downs), protein visualization (epitope tags), enhanced expression and solubility (protein partners, e.g., GST, MBP, TRX, and SUMO), and generic purification (e.g., His-tags, streptag, and FLAG™-tag). Frequently, these latter two goals are combined in a single fusion partner. In this review, we examine the most commonly used fusion methodologies from the perspective of the ultimate use of the tagged protein. That is, what are the most commonly used fusion partners for pull-downs, for structural studies, for production of active proteins, or for large-scale purification? What are the advantages and limitations of each? This review is not meant to be exhaustive and the approach undoubtedly reflects the experiences and interests of the authors. For the sake of brevity, we have largely ignored epitope tags although they receive wide use in cell biology for immunopreciptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Bell
- LifeSensors, Inc., Malvern, Pennsylvania, 19083
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29
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Young CL, Britton ZT, Robinson AS. Recombinant protein expression and purification: A comprehensive review of affinity tags and microbial applications. Biotechnol J 2012; 7:620-34. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 312] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2011] [Revised: 11/23/2011] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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30
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Walls D, Loughran ST. Tagging recombinant proteins to enhance solubility and aid purification. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 681:151-175. [PMID: 20978965 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-913-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Protein fusion technology has enormously facilitated the efficient production and purification of individual recombinant proteins. The use of genetically engineered affinity and solubility-enhancing polypeptide "tags" has increased greatly in recent years and there now exists a considerable repertoire of these that can be used to solve issues related to the expression, stability, solubility, folding, and purification of their fusion partner. In the case of large-scale proteomic studies, the development of purification procedures tailored to individual proteins is not practicable, and affinity tags have therefore become indispensable tools for structural and functional proteomic initiatives that involve the expression of many proteins in parallel. Here, the rationale and applications of a range of established and more recently developed solubility-enhancing and affinity tags are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dermot Walls
- School of Biotechnology and National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
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31
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Moon AF, Mueller GA, Zhong X, Pedersen LC. A synergistic approach to protein crystallization: combination of a fixed-arm carrier with surface entropy reduction. Protein Sci 2010; 19:901-13. [PMID: 20196072 DOI: 10.1002/pro.368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Protein crystallographers are often confronted with recalcitrant proteins not readily crystallizable, or which crystallize in problematic forms. A variety of techniques have been used to surmount such obstacles: crystallization using carrier proteins or antibody complexes, chemical modification, surface entropy reduction, proteolytic digestion, and additive screening. Here we present a synergistic approach for successful crystallization of proteins that do not form diffraction quality crystals using conventional methods. This approach combines favorable aspects of carrier-driven crystallization with surface entropy reduction. We have generated a series of maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion constructs containing different surface mutations designed to reduce surface entropy and encourage crystal lattice formation. The MBP advantageously increases protein expression and solubility, and provides a streamlined purification protocol. Using this technique, we have successfully solved the structures of three unrelated proteins that were previously unattainable. This crystallization technique represents a valuable rescue strategy for protein structure solution when conventional methods fail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea F Moon
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
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Derewenda ZS. Application of protein engineering to enhance crystallizability and improve crystal properties. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA. SECTION D, BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2010; 66:604-15. [PMID: 20445236 PMCID: PMC3089013 DOI: 10.1107/s090744491000644x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2009] [Accepted: 02/18/2010] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Until recently, protein crystallization has mostly been regarded as a stochastic event over which the investigator has little or no control. With the dramatic technological advances in synchrotron-radiation sources and detectors and the equally impressive progress in crystallographic software, including automated model building and validation, crystallization has increasingly become the rate-limiting step in X-ray diffraction studies of macromolecules. However, with the advent of recombinant methods it has also become possible to engineer target proteins and their complexes for higher propensity to form crystals with desirable X-ray diffraction qualities. As most proteins that are under investigation today are obtained by heterologous overexpression, these techniques hold the promise of becoming routine tools with the potential to transform classical crystallization screening into a more rational high-success-rate approach. This article presents an overview of protein-engineering methods designed to enhance crystallizability and discusses a number of examples of their successful application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zygmunt S Derewenda
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0736, USA.
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Production and purification of an analog of glucagon-like peptide-1 by auto-induction and on-column cleavage in Escherichia coli. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-010-0345-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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