Structure Determination of Secondary Transport Proteins by Electron Crystallography: Two-Dimensional Crystallization of the Betaine Uptake System BetP

Two-dimensional crystallization of membrane proteins by reconstitution through dialysis

Studies of membrane proteins by two-dimensional (2D) crystallization and electron crystallography have provided crucial information on the structure and function of a rapidly growing number of these intricate proteins within a close-to-native lipid bilayer. Here we provide protocols for planning and executing 2D crystallization trials by detergent removal through dialysis, including the preparation of phospholipids and the dialysis setup. General factors to be considered, such as the protein preparation, solubilizing detergent, lipid for reconstitution, and buffer conditions are discussed. Several 2D crystallization conditions are highlighted that have shown great promise to grow 2D crystals within a surprisingly short amount of time. Finally, conditions for optimizing order and size of 2D crystals are outlined.

Regulative interactions of the osmosensing C-terminal domain in the trimeric glycine betaine transporter BetP from Corynebacterium glutamicum

Activation of the osmoregulated trimeric betaine transporter BetP from Corynebacterium glutamicum was shown to depend mainly on the correct folding and integrity of its 55 amino acid long, partly α-helical C-terminal domain. Reorientation of the three C-terminal domains in the BetP trimer indicates different lipid-protein and protein-protein interactions of the C-terminal domain during osmoregulation. A regulation mechanism is suggested where this domain switches the transporter from the inactive to the active state. Interpretation of recently obtained electron and X-ray crystallography data of BetP led to a structure-function based model of C-terminal molecular switching involved in osmoregulation.

Expression, purification and characterization of critical domains of Munc13-1

Munc13-1 is an essential component of synaptic vesicle releasing machinery. Three rat Munc13-1 constructs were rationally designed based on homology and function, overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and purified to homogeneity with a final yield higher than 2 microg/ml of cell culture. The purified Munc13-1 recombinant proteins had distinct oligomeric states, monodispersity and homogeneity properties. Their secondary structural contents were analyzed by the circular dichroism method, and the sedimentation coefficients of these recombinant proteins were measured by analytical ultracentrifugation. The long helical bundle-like topology of Munc13-1 was first revealed by analysis of our data. In addition, these purified recombinant proteins provide ideal starting materials for further biochemical, biophysical, and structural studies on mammalian Munc13 proteins.