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Ma C, Gong C. Considerations in production of the prokaryotic ZIP family transporters for structural and functional studies. Methods Enzymol 2023; 687:1-30. [PMID: 37666628 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.04.018] [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: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Zinc ions play essential roles as components of enzymes and many other important biomolecules, and are associated with numerous diseases. The uptake of Zn2+ and other metal ions require a widely distributed transporter protein family called Zrt/Irt-like Proteins (ZIP family), the majority members of which tend to have eight transmembrane helices with both N- and C- termini located on the extracellular or periplasmic side. Their small sizes and dynamic conformations bring many difficulties in their production for structural studies either by crystallography or Cryo-EM. Here, we summarize the problems that may encounter at the various steps of processing the ZIP proteins from gene to structural and functional studies, and provide some solutions and examples from our and other labs for the cloning, expression, purification, stability screening, metal ion transport assays and structural studies of prokaryotic ZIP family transporters using Escherichia coli as a heterologous host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ma
- Protein Facility, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P.R. China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
| | - Caixia Gong
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Aging and Physic-chemical Injury Diseases, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
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2
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Wiuf A, Steffen JH, Becares ER, Grønberg C, Mahato DR, Rasmussen SGF, Andersson M, Croll T, Gotfryd K, Gourdon P. The two-domain elevator-type mechanism of zinc-transporting ZIP proteins. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn4331. [PMID: 35857505 PMCID: PMC9278863 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn4331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Zinc is essential for all organisms and yet detrimental at elevated levels. Hence, homeostasis of this metal is tightly regulated. The Zrt/Irt-like proteins (ZIPs) represent the only zinc importers in metazoans. Mutations in human ZIPs cause serious disorders, but the mechanism by which ZIPs transfer zinc remains elusive. Hitherto, structural information is only available for a model member, BbZIP, and as a single, ion-bound conformation, precluding mechanistic insights. Here, we elucidate an inward-open metal-free BbZIP structure, differing substantially in the relative positions of the two separate domains of ZIPs. With accompanying coevolutional analyses, mutagenesis, and uptake assays, the data point to an elevator-type transport mechanism, likely shared within the ZIP family, unifying earlier functional data. Moreover, the structure reveals a previously unknown ninth transmembrane segment that is important for activity in vivo. Our findings outline the mechanistic principles governing ZIP-protein transport and enhance the molecular understanding of ZIP-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Wiuf
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Hyld Steffen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eva Ramos Becares
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Grønberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dhani Ram Mahato
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Linnaeus Väg 10, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Søren G. F. Rasmussen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-5, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Magnus Andersson
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Linnaeus Väg 10, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tristan Croll
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Kamil Gotfryd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
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Shim J, Zhou C, Gong T, Iserlis DA, Linjawi HA, Wong M, Pan T, Tan C. Building protein networks in synthetic systems from the bottom-up. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 49:107753. [PMID: 33857631 PMCID: PMC9558565 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The recent development of synthetic biology has expanded the capability to design and construct protein networks outside of living cells from the bottom-up. The new capability has enabled us to assemble protein networks for the basic study of cellular pathways, expression of proteins outside cells, and building tissue materials. Furthermore, the integration of natural and synthetic protein networks has enabled new functions of synthetic or artificial cells. Here, we review the underlying technologies for assembling protein networks in liposomes, water-in-oil droplets, and biomaterials from the bottom-up. We cover the recent applications of protein networks in biological transduction pathways, energy self-supplying systems, cellular environmental sensors, and cell-free protein scaffolds. We also review new technologies for assembling protein networks, including multiprotein purification methods, high-throughput assay screen platforms, and controllable fusion of liposomes. Finally, we present existing challenges towards building protein networks that rival the complexity and dynamic response akin to natural systems. This review addresses the gap in our understanding of synthetic and natural protein networks. It presents a vision towards developing smart and resilient protein networks for various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Shim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Chuqing Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Ting Gong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Dasha Aleksandra Iserlis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Hamad Abdullah Linjawi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Matthew Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America
| | - Tingrui Pan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America; Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China.
| | - Cheemeng Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States of America.
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Ma C, Gong C. Expression, Purification and Characterization of a ZIP Family Transporter from Desulfovibrio vulgaris. Protein J 2021; 40:776-785. [PMID: 34101092 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-021-10008-7] [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] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The ZIP family transport zinc ions from the extracellular medium across the plasma membrane or from the intracellular compartments across endomembranes, which play fundamental roles in metal homeostasis and are broadly involved in physiological and pathological processes. Desulfovibrio is the predominant sulphate-reducing bacteria in human colonic microbiota, but also a potential choice for metal bioremediation. while, there are no published studies describing the zinc transporters from Desulfovibrio up to now. In this study, we obtained for the first time a heterologously expressed ZIP homolog from Desulfovibrio vulgaris, termed dvZip. The purified dvZip was reconstituted into proteoliposomes, and confirmed its zinc transport ability in vitro. By combining topology prediction, homology modeling and phylogenetic approaches, we also noticed that dvZip belongs to the GufA and probably have 8 transmembrane α-helical segments (TM 1-8) in which both termini are located on the extracellular, with TM2, 4, 5 and 7 create an inner bundle. We believe that purification and characterization of zinc (probably also cadmium) transporters from Desulfovibrio vulgaris such as dvZip could shed light on understanding of metal homeostasis of Desulfovibrio and provided protein products for future detailed function and structural studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ma
- Protein Facility, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Caixia Gong
- Department of Geriatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Preisler SS, Wiuf AD, Friis M, Kjaergaard L, Hurd M, Becares ER, Nurup CN, Bjoerkskov FB, Szathmáry Z, Gourdon PE, Calloe K, Klaerke DA, Gotfryd K, Pedersen PA. Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a superior host for overproduction of prokaryotic integral membrane proteins. Curr Res Struct Biol 2021; 3:51-71. [PMID: 34235486 PMCID: PMC8244417 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) constitute ~30% of all proteins encoded by the genome of any organism and Escherichia coli remains the first-choice host for recombinant production of prokaryotic IMPs. However, the expression levels of prokaryotic IMPs delivered by this bacterium are often low and overproduced targets often accumulate in inclusion bodies. The targets are therefore often discarded to avoid an additional and inconvenient refolding step in the purification protocol. Here we compared expression of five prokaryotic (bacterial and archaeal) IMP families in E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We demonstrate that our S. cerevisiae-based production platform is superior in expression of four investigated IMPs, overall being able to deliver high quantities of active target proteins. Surprisingly, in case of the family of zinc transporters (Zrt/Irt-like proteins, ZIPs), S. cerevisiae rescued protein expression that was undetectable in E. coli. We also demonstrate the effect of localization of the fusion tag on expression yield and sample quality in detergent micelles. Lastly, we present a road map to achieve the most efficient expression of prokaryotic IMPs in our yeast platform. Our findings demonstrate the great potential of S. cerevisiae as host for high-throughput recombinant overproduction of bacterial and archaeal IMPs for downstream biophysical characterization. S. cerevisiae is superior to E. coli in expressing correctly folded and active IMPs. S. cerevisiae completely rescues the expression of the family of zinc transporters. Localization of the fusion tag affects expression yields and protein quality. We provide a roadmap to efficient expression of prokaryotic IMPs in S. cerevisiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Spruce Preisler
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | - Anders Drabaek Wiuf
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Marc Friis
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | - Lasse Kjaergaard
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | - Molly Hurd
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Dyrlaegevej 100, Frederiksberg, DK, 1870, Denmark
| | - Eva Ramos Becares
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Casper Normann Nurup
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | | | - Zsófia Szathmáry
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
| | - Pontus Emanuel Gourdon
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kirstine Calloe
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Dyrlaegevej 100, Frederiksberg, DK, 1870, Denmark
| | - Dan A Klaerke
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Dyrlaegevej 100, Frederiksberg, DK, 1870, Denmark
| | - Kamil Gotfryd
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Per Amstrup Pedersen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen, OE, Denmark
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Membrane Protein Production and Purification from Escherichia coli and Sf9 Insect Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 33582985 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0724-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
A major obstacle to studying membrane proteins by biophysical techniques is the difficulty in producing sufficient amounts of materials for functional and structural studies. To overexpress the target membrane protein heterologously, especially an eukaryotic protein, a key step is to find the optimal host expression system and perform subsequent expression optimization. In this chapter, we describe protocols for screening membrane protein production using bacterial and insect cells, solubilization screening, large-scale production, and commonly used affinity chromatography purification methods. We discuss general optimization conditions, such as promoters and tags, and describe current techniques that can be used in any laboratory without specialized expensive equipment. Especially for insect cells, GFP fusions are particularly useful for localization and in-gel fluorescence detection of the proteins on SDS-PAGE. We give detailed protocols that can be used to screen the best expression and purification conditions for membrane protein study.
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Functional Characterization of the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Transporter from Mycobacterium smegmatis MC 2 155 Reveals Sodium-Driven GABA Transport. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:JB.00642-20. [PMID: 33288625 PMCID: PMC7847548 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00642-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis increases its global health impact in humans. As there is transmission both to and from animals, the spread of the disease also increases its effects in a broad range of animal species. Characterizing the mycobacterial transporters involved in the uptake and/or catabolism of host-derived nutrients required by mycobacteria may identify novel drug targets against tuberculosis. Here, we identify and characterize a member of the amino acid-polyamine-organocation superfamily, a potential γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transport protein, GabP, from Mycobacterium smegmatis. The protein was expressed to a level allowing its purification to homogeneity, and size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS) analysis of the purified protein showed that it was dimeric. We showed that GabP transported γ-aminobutyric acid both in vitro and when overexpressed in E. coli. Additionally, transport was greatly reduced in the presence of β-alanine, suggesting it could be either a substrate or inhibitor of GabP. Using GabP reconstituted into proteoliposomes, we demonstrated that γ-aminobutyric acid uptake is driven by the sodium gradient and is stimulated by membrane potential. Molecular docking showed that γ-aminobutyric acid binds MsGabP, another Mycobacterium smegmatis putative GabP, and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis homologue in the same manner. This study represents the first expression, purification, and characterization of an active γ-aminobutyric acid transport protein from mycobacteria. IMPORTANCE The spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis increases its global health impact in humans. As there is transmission both to and from animals, the spread of the disease also increases its effects in a broad range of animal species. Identifying new mycobacterial transporters will enhance our understanding of mycobacterial physiology and, furthermore, provides new drug targets. Our target protein is the gene product of msmeg_6196, annotated as GABA permease, from Mycobacterium smegmatis strain MC2 155. Our current study demonstrates it is a sodium-dependent GABA transporter that may also transport β-alanine. As GABA may well be an essential nutrient for mycobacterial metabolism inside the host, this could be an attractive target for the development of new drugs against tuberculosis.
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Becares ER, Pedersen PA, Gourdon P, Gotfryd K. Overproduction of Human Zip (SLC39) Zinc Transporters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Biophysical Characterization. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020213. [PMID: 33494457 PMCID: PMC7911073 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc constitutes the second most abundant transition metal in the human body, and it is implicated in numerous cellular processes, including cell division, DNA and protein synthesis as well as for the catalytic activity of many enzymes. Two major membrane protein families facilitate zinc homeostasis in the animal kingdom, i.e., Zrt/Irt-like proteins (ZIPs aka solute carrier 39, SLC39, family) and Zn transporters (ZnTs), essentially conducting zinc flux in the opposite directions. Human ZIPs (hZIPs) regulate import of extracellular zinc to the cytosol, being critical in preventing overaccumulation of this potentially toxic metal, and crucial for diverse physiological and pathological processes, including development of neurodegenerative disorders and several cancers. To date, our understanding of structure-function relationships governing hZIP-mediated zinc transport mechanism is scarce, mainly due to the notorious difficulty in overproduction of these proteins for biophysical characterization. Here we describe employment of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based platform for heterologous expression of hZIPs. We demonstrate that yeast is able to produce four full-length hZIP members belonging to three different subfamilies. One target (hZIP1) is purified in the high quantity and homogeneity required for the downstream biochemical analysis. Our work demonstrates the potential of the described production system for future structural and functional studies of hZIP transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ramos Becares
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark;
| | - Per Amstrup Pedersen
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen OE, Denmark;
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark;
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
- Correspondence: (P.G.); (K.G.); Tel.: +45-503-39990; (+45)-414-02869
| | - Kamil Gotfryd
- Membrane Protein Structural Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-9, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark;
- Correspondence: (P.G.); (K.G.); Tel.: +45-503-39990; (+45)-414-02869
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Electrophysiology Measurements of Metal Transport by MntH2 from Enterococcus faecalis. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:membranes10100255. [PMID: 32987882 PMCID: PMC7599946 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10100255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Transition metals are essential trace elements and their high-affinity uptake is required for many organisms. Metal transporters are often characterised using metal-sensitive fluorescent dyes, limiting the metals and experimental conditions that can be studied. Here, we have tested whether metal transport by Enterococcus faecalis MntH2 can be measured with an electrophysiology method that is based on the solid-supported membrane technology. E. faecalis MntH2 belongs to the Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein (Nramp) family of proton-coupled transporters, which transport divalent transition metals and do not transport the earth metals. Electrophysiology confirms transport of Mn(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) by MntH2. However, no uptake responses for Cu(II), Fe(II) and Ni(II) were observed, while the presence of these metals abolishes the uptake signals for Mn(II). Fluorescence assays confirm that Ni(II) is transported. The data are discussed with respect to properties and structures of Nramp-type family members and the ability of electrophysiology to measure charge transport and not directly substrate transport.
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Pedro AQ, Queiroz JA, Passarinha LA. Smoothing membrane protein structure determination by initial upstream stage improvements. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:5483-5500. [PMID: 31127356 PMCID: PMC7079970 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09873-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins (MP) constitute 20–30% of all proteins encoded by the genome of various organisms and perform a wide range of essential biological functions. However, despite they represent the largest class of protein drug targets, a relatively small number high-resolution 3D structures have been obtained yet. Membrane protein biogenesis is more complex than that of the soluble proteins and its recombinant biosynthesis has been a major drawback, thus delaying their further structural characterization. Indeed, the major limitation in structure determination of MP is the low yield achieved in recombinant expression, usually coupled to low functionality, pinpointing the optimization target in recombinant MP research. Recently, the growing attention that have been dedicated to the upstream stage of MP bioprocesses allowed great advances, permitting the evolution of the number of MP solved structures. In this review, we analyse and discuss effective solutions and technical advances at the level of the upstream stage using prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms foreseeing an increase in expression yields of correctly folded MP and that may facilitate the determination of their three-dimensional structure. A section on techniques used to protein quality control and further structure determination of MP is also included. Lastly, a critical assessment of major factors contributing for a good decision-making process related to the upstream stage of MP is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto Quaresma Pedro
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João António Queiroz
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Luís António Passarinha
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001, Covilhã, Portugal.
- UCIBIO@REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal.
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11
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Spherical-supported membranes as platforms for screening against membrane protein targets. Anal Biochem 2018; 549:58-65. [PMID: 29545094 PMCID: PMC5948183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Screening assays performed against membrane protein targets (e.g. phage display) are hampered by issues arising from protein expression and purification, protein stability in detergent solutions and epitope concealment by detergent micelles. Here, we have studied a fast and simple method to improve screening against membrane proteins: spherical-supported bilayer lipid membranes (“SSBLM”). SSBLMs can be quickly isolated via low-speed centrifugation and redispersed in liquid solutions while presenting the target protein in a native-like lipid environment. To provide proof-of-concept, SSBLMs embedding the polytopic bacterial nucleoside transporter NupC were assembled on 100- and 200 nm silica particles. To test specific binding of antibodies, NupC was tagged with a poly-histidine epitope in one of its central loops between two transmembrane helices. Fluorescent labelling, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) were used to monitor formation of the SSBLMs. Specific binding of an anti-his antibody and a gold-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) conjugate probe was confirmed with ELISAs and cryo-EM. SSBLMs for screening could be made with purified and lipid reconstituted NupC, as well as crude bacterial membrane extracts. We conclude that SSBLMs are a promising new means of presenting membrane protein targets for (biomimetic) antibody screening in a native-like lipid environment.
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12
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Hao Z, Thomsen M, Postis VLG, Lesiuk A, Sharples D, Wang Y, Bartlam M, Goldman A. A Novel and Fast Purification Method for Nucleoside Transporters. Front Mol Biosci 2016; 3:23. [PMID: 27376071 PMCID: PMC4899457 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2016.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoside transporters (NTs) play critical biological roles in humans, and to understand the molecular mechanism of nucleoside transport requires high-resolution structural information. However, the main bottleneck for structural analysis of NTs is the production of pure, stable, and high quality native protein for crystallization trials. Here we report a novel membrane protein expression and purification strategy, including construction of a high-yield membrane protein expression vector, and a new and fast purification protocol for NTs. The advantages of this strategy are the improved time efficiency, leading to high quality, active, stable membrane proteins, and the efficient use of reagents and consumables. Our strategy might serve as a useful point of reference for investigating NTs and other membrane proteins by clarifying the technical points of vector construction and improvements of membrane protein expression and purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Hao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai UniversityTianjin, China; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of LeedsLeeds, UK
| | - Maren Thomsen
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds Leeds, UK
| | - Vincent L G Postis
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of LeedsLeeds, UK; Biomedicine Research Group, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett UniversityLeeds, UK
| | - Amelia Lesiuk
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds Leeds, UK
| | - David Sharples
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds Leeds, UK
| | - Yingying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University Tianjin, China
| | - Mark Bartlam
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of LeedsLeeds, UK; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Nankai UniversityTianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of LeedsLeeds, UK; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Nankai UniversityTianjin, China; Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biosciences, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland
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