Real-time investigation of dynamic protein crystallization in living cells

X-ray crystallography requires sufficiently large crystals to obtain structural insights at atomic resolution, routinely obtained in vitro by time-consuming screening. Recently, successful data collection was reported from protein microcrystals grown within living cells using highly brilliant free-electron laser and third-generation synchrotron radiation. Here, we analyzed in vivo crystal growth of firefly luciferase and Green Fluorescent Protein-tagged reovirus μNS by live-cell imaging, showing that dimensions of living cells did not limit crystal size. The crystallization process is highly dynamic and occurs in different cellular compartments. In vivo protein crystallization offers exciting new possibilities for proteins that do not form crystals in vitro.

Imaging the intracellular trafficking and state of the AB5 quaternary structure of cholera toxin

The subcellular localization and corresponding quaternary state of fluorescent labelled cholera toxin were determined at different time points after exposure to living cells by a novel form of fluorescence confocal microscopy. The compartmentalization and locus of separation of the pentameric B subunits (CTB) from the A subunit (CTA) of the toxin were evaluated on a pixel-by-pixel (voxel-by-voxel) basis by measuring the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between CTB labelled with the sulfoindocyanine dye Cy3 and an antibody against CTA labelled with Cy5. The FRET efficiency was determined by a new technique based on the release of quenching of the Cy3 donor after photodestruction of the Cy5 acceptor in a region of interest within the cell. The results demonstrate vesicular transport of the holotoxin from the plasma membrane to the Golgi compartment with subsequent separation of the CTA and CTB subunits. The CTA subunit is redirected to the plasma membrane by retrograde transport via the endoplasmic reticulum whereas the CTB subunit persists in the Golgi compartment.

Transport of an external Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu (KDEL) protein from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum: studies with cholera toxin in Vero cells

The A2 chain of cholera toxin (CTX) contains a COOH-terminal Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu (KDEL) sequence. We have, therefore, analyzed by immunofluorescence and by subcellular fractionation in Vero cells whether CTX can used to demonstrate a retrograde transport of KDEL proteins from the Golgi to the ER. Immunofluorescence studies reveal that after a pulse treatment with CTX, the CTX-A and B subunits (CTX-A and CTX-B) reach Golgi-like structures after 15-20 min (maximum after 30 min). Between 30 and 90 min, CTX-A (but not CTX-B) appear in the intermediate compartment and in the ER, whereas the CTX-B are translocated to the lysosomes. Subcellular fractionation studies confirm these results: after CTX uptake for 15 min, CTX-A is associated only with endosomal and Golgi compartments. After 30 min, a small amount of CTX-A appears in the ER in a trypsin-resistant form, and after 60 min, a significant amount appears. CTX-A seems to be transported mainly in its oxidized form (CTX-A1-S-S-CTX-A2) from the Golgi to the ER, where it becomes slowly reduced to form free CTX A1 and CTX-A2, as indicated by experiments in which cells were homogenized 30 and 90 min after the onset of CTX uptake in the presence of N-ethylmaleimide. Nocodazol applied after accumulation of CTX in Golgi inhibits the appearance of CTX-A in the ER and delays the increase of 3',5'cAMP, indicating the participation of microtubules in the retrograde Golgi-ER transport.