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Fusion Constructs (fusion + construct)
Selected AbstractsRole of surface promoter mutations in hepatitis B surface antigen production and secretion in occult hepatitis B virus infection,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2007Sonali Sengupta Abstract The production, secretion, and localization of surface proteins of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the ratio of large to small surface protein S was studied in HepG2 cells transfected with the wild-type and mutant pre-S1 and pre-S2/S promoters of HBV molecular clones 313.1 (GenBank accession no. AY161147) and 761.1 (GenBank accession no. AY161159) from two patients with occult HBV infection. Fusion constructs were made by in frame fusion of the wild-type surface gene to the mutant pre-S1 and pre-S2/S promoters and wild-type promoter so that the structural part of the small surface protein remains identical. HepG2 cells transfected transiently were used for analysis. HBV surface proteins production and secretion was determined by enzyme linked immuno assay (ELISA) and localization by immunofluorescence. Immunoprecipitation of the large, middle, and small surface protein was carried out in transient transfected and metabolically labeled cells to determine the ratio of the large to small surface protein. The results indicate that HepG2 cells transfected with mutant HBV promoters had reduced HBV surface proteins secretion compared to wild-type HBV. HepG2 cells transfected with mutant HBV pre-S1 and pre-S2/S promoters showed cytoplasmic aggregation of HBV surface proteins compared to wild-type HBV promoters, which showed diffuse cytoplasmic localization. In all cases, the HBV surface proteins localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. The ratio between the large and small surface protein was 1.89 and 0.56 with mutant HBV 313.1 and 761.1 pre-S1 and pre-S2/S promoters, respectively, compared to 0.17 in wild-type. Thus, the aggregation of surface proteins, altered ratio and secretion of surface proteins were possibly the causes of occult hepatitis B infection. J. Med. Virol. 79:220,228, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Involvement of BMP-4/msx-1 and FGF pathways in neural induction in the Xenopus embryoDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 4 2000Akihiko Ishimura The msx homeodomain protein is a downstream transcription factor of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 signal and a key regulator for neural tissue differentiation. Xmsx-1 antagonizes the dorsal expression of noggin and cerberus, as revealed by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction assays. In animal cap explants, Xmsx-1 and BMP-4 inhibit the neural tissue differentiation induced by noggin or cerberus. A loss-of-function study using the Xmsx-1/VP-16 fusion construct indicated that neural tissue formation was directly induced by the injection of fusion ribonucleic acid, although the expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) in the cap was less than that in the cap injected with tBR or noggin. In contrast to the single cap assay, unexpectedly, both BMP-4 and Xmsx-1 failed to inhibit neurulation in the ectodermal explants to which the organizer mesoderm was attached. The results of cell-lineage tracing experiments indicated that the neural cells were differentiated from the animal pole tissue where the excess RNA of either BMP-4 or Xmsx-1 was injected, whereas notochord was differentiated from the organizer mesoderm. Neural tissue differentiated from BMP-4 -injected ectodermal cells strongly expressed posterior neural markers, such as hoxB9 and krox20, suggesting that the posterior neural cells differentiated regardless of the existence of the BMP signal. The introduction of a dominant-negative form of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (XFD) into the ectodermal cells drastically reduced the expression of pan and posterior neural markers (N-CAM and hoxB-9) if co-injected with BMP-4 RNA, although XFD alone at the same dose did not shut down the expression of N-CAM in the combination explants. Therefore, it is proposed that an FGF-related molecule was involved in the direct induction of posterior neural tissue in the inducing signals from the organizer mesoderm in vivo. [source] Identification of the rat adrenal zona fasciculata/reticularis specific protein, inner zone antigen (IZAg), as the putative membrane progesterone receptorFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 7 2001Farah S. Raza Using immunological methods, a protein specific to the inner zones of the rat adrenal cortex, and called inner zone antigen (IZAg), was previously shown to have two interrelated forms of 26 kDa (IZAg1) and 55,60 kDa (IZAg2), and to have an action on steroid hydroxylation. After two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and immunoaffinity column purification, N-terminal amino-acid analysis showed that the first 12 amino acids were identical to those of a recently described putative membrane located progesterone receptor (PPMR). RT-PCR was then used to generate the cDNA of this protein, using RNA extracted from rat adrenals. A glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fusion construct was expressed in Escherichia coli, and shown to generate an immunoreactive product of molecular mass consistent with its identification as IZAg1. More detailed examination of the distribution of this protein, not only in the zona fasciculata/reticularis of the adrenal cortex, but also in the Leydig cell, kidney and liver, suggest it may have a role in steroid hormone synthesis and/or metabolism. [source] Localization of gene products using a chromosomally tagged GFP-fusion library in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombeGENES TO CELLS, Issue 2 2009Aki Hayashi We constructed a library of chromosomally-tagged green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This library contains 1058 strains. In each strain, the coding sequence of GFP is integrated at the 3,-end of a particular chromosomal ORF such that the full-length GFP fusion construct is expressed under the control of the original promoter. Integration of the GFP coding sequence at the authentic chromosomal location of each gene was confirmed by PCR. Microscopic screening of these strains detected sufficient levels of GFP signal in 710 strains and allowed assignment of these GFP-fusion gene products with their intracellular localization: 374 proteins were localized in the nucleus, 65 proteins in the nucleolus, 34 proteins at the nuclear periphery, 27 proteins at the plasma membrane and cytoplasmic membranous structures, 24 proteins at the spindle pole body and microtubules, 92 proteins at cytoplasmic structures, and 94 proteins were uniformly distributed throughout the cytoplasm. [source] Peptide-,2-microglobulin-major histocompatibility complex expressing cells are potent antigen-presenting cells that can generate specific T cellsIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Sonja Obermann Summary Adoptive T-cell therapy represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer. Successful adoptive immunotherapy depends on the ex vivo priming and expansion of antigen-specific T cells. However, the in vitro generation of adequate numbers of functional antigen-specific T cell remains a major obstacle. It is important to develop efficient and reproducible methods to generate high numbers of antigen-specific T cells for adoptive T-cell transfer. We have developed a new artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) by transfection of major histocompatibility (MHC) class I negative Daudi cells with a peptide-,2-microglobulin,MHC fusion construct (single-chain aAPC) ensuring presentation of the peptide,MHC complex of interest. Using this artificial antigen-presenting cell, we could generate up to 9·2 × 108 antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells from 10 ml blood. In vitro generated T cells lysed endogenously presented antigens. Direct comparison of the single-chain aAPC with autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells demonstrated that these cells were equally efficient in stimulation of T cells. Finally, we were able to generate antigen-specific T cell lines from perpheral blood mononuclear cells of patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. The use of single-chain aAPC represent a promising option for the generation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, which could be used for adoptive T-cell therapy. [source] Soluble neuropilin-2, a nerve repellent receptor, is increased in rheumatoid arthritis synovium and aggravates sympathetic fiber repulsion and arthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 10 2009Alexander Fassold Objective In inflammatory lesions, sympathetic nerve fibers disappear soon after the start of inflammation. We identified sympathetic nerve repellents as possible causal agents in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). On nerve terminals, repellent factors bind to neuropilin-2 and its coreceptor. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of neuropilin-2 in the synovial tissue of patients with RA and patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and in experimental arthritis. Methods The density of neuropilin-2,positive fibers and cells positive for semaphorin 3F (a sympathetic repellent) was investigated using immunofluorescence staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect soluble neuropilin-2 in body fluids from patients with RA and patients with OA. An axon outgrowth assay and a neuropilin-2 Fc fusion construct (neuropilin-2Fc) were used to investigate semaphorin 3F,induced sympathetic nerve repulsion. In an animal model of type II collagen,induced arthritis, soluble neuropilin-2Fc was studied in vivo. Results The synovial density of neuropilin-2,positive sympathetic nerve fibers was lower in RA than in OA, but the density of cells positive for semaphorin 3F was similar. In synovial fluid, the level of soluble neuropilin-2 was markedly higher in RA compared with OA. Mouse sympathetic ganglia served as an excellent model with which to study semaphorin 3F,induced nerve fiber repulsion. Neuropilin-2 and its coreceptor were present on sympathetic neurons, and semaphorin 3F bound to neuropilin-2Fc (binding constant 96 nmoles/liter). Semaphorin 3F dose-dependently increased sympathetic nerve fiber repulsion (at a 50% maximum response concentration of 160,210 nmoles/liter). In contrast to our expectations, soluble neuropilin-2Fc did not inhibit repulsion but increased the repellent effect of semaphorin 3F. In experimental arthritis, therapy with neuropilin-2Fc aggravated arthritis. Conclusion Soluble neuropilin-2 has no antirepellent activity but aggravates sympathetic nerve fiber repulsion and arthritis. Increased shedding of neuropilin-2 is probably an unfavorable sign in RA. [source] Mycobacterial Hsp65-IgG,expressing tolerogenic B cells confer protection against adjuvant-induced arthritis in Lewis ratsARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 5 2007Shailesh R. Satpute Objective Tolerization of T cells directed against a target autoantigen is a desired goal of experimental approaches for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and novel and improved methods of tolerance induction are continuously being sought. Because most traditional methods of tolerance induction using soluble antigen are effective in the prevention of autoimmunity but fail to control established disease, this study was carried out to explore an innovative tolerogenic approach for the treatment of ongoing disease, using the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model of human rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Lewis (RT.1l) rats were injected subcutaneously with heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra to induce AIA. Before or after AIA induction, Lewis rats were treated intraperitoneally (IP) with tolerogenic B cells expressing a fusion construct of mycobacterial 65-kd heat-shock protein (Hsp65) and IgG heavy-chain. For comparison, control rats were treated IP with ovalbumin (OVA),IgG,expressing B cells or soluble mycobacterial Hsp65, and the effects on AIA were observed. We also tested the immune response to mycobacterial Hsp65 in B cell,tolerized rats. Results Administration of tolerogenic mycobacterial Hsp65,expressing B cells as well as soluble mycobacterial Hsp65, but not OVA-expressing B cells, resulted in a significant decrease in the severity of subsequent AIA. However, in rats with established disease, only the B cell regimen of mycobacterial Hsp65, but not the soluble antigen, suppressed ongoing AIA. Conclusion Mycobacterial Hsp65-IgG,expressing B cells can successfully attenuate the progression of AIA. This study introduces a promising approach for the treatment of arthritis that should be further explored. [source] Widely distributed Drosophila G-protein-coupled receptor (CG7887) is activated by endogenous tachykinin-related peptidesDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Ryan T. Birse Abstract Neuropeptides related to vertebrate tachykinins have been identified in Drosophila. Two Drosophila G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), designated NKD (CG6515) and DTKR (CG7887), cloned earlier, display sequence similarities to mammalian tachykinin receptors. However, they were not characterized with the endogenous Drosophila tachykinins (DTKs). The present study characterizes one of these receptors, DTKR. We determined that HEK-293 cells transfected with DTKR displayed dose-dependent increases in both intracellular calcium and cyclic AMP levels in response to the different DTK peptides. DTK peptides also induced internalization of DTKR-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion constructs in HEK-293 cells. We generated specific antireceptor antisera and showed that DTKR is widely distributed in the adult brain and more scarcely in the larval CNS. The distribution of the receptor in brain neuropils corresponds well with the distribution of its ligands, the DTKs. Our findings suggest that DTKR is a DTK receptor in Drosophila and that this ligand-receptor system plays multiple functional roles. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006 [source] Reconstitution of Fo of the sodium ion translocating ATP synthase of Propionigenium modestum from its heterologously expressed and purified subunitsFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 10 2002Franziska Wehrle The atpB and atpF genes of Propionigenium modestum were cloned as His-tag fusion constructs and expressed in Escherichia coli. Both recombinant subunits a and b were purified via Ni2+ chelate affinity chromatography. A functionally active Fo complex was reassembled in vitro from subunits a, b and c, and incorporated into liposomes. The Fo liposomes catalysed 22Na+ uptake in response to an inside negative potassium diffusion potential, and the uptake was prevented by modification of the c subunits with N,N, - dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD). In the absence of a membrane potential the Fo complexes catalysed 22Na+out/Na+in -exchange. After F1 addition the F1Fo complex was formed and the holoenzyme catalysed ATP synthesis, ATP dependent Na+ pumping, and ATP hydrolysis, which was inhibited by DCCD. Functional Fo hybrids were reconstituted with recombinant subunits a and b from P. modestum and c11 from Ilyobacter tartaricus. These Fo hybrids had Na+ translocation activities that were not distinguishable from that of P. modestum Fo. [source] Regulation of human and mouse procathepsin E gene expressionFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 9 2001Matthew Cook Cathepsin E is an intracellular aspartic proteinase that is considered to have a number of physiological roles including antigen processing. Quantitation of procathepsin E mRNA by LightCyclerÔ technology indicated that the gene was transcribed in lung but not in kidney of both human and mouse origin. In contrast, the transcript was present in mouse spleen and alveolar macrophages but not in the counterpart tissue/cells from humans. Regulation of human and mouse procathepsin E gene expression was shown not to be influenced by the extent of CpG methylation but depended on the recognition of potential binding motifs in each promoter region by transcription factors such as GATA1, PU1 and YY1, as revealed by functional analysis using a series of promoter/luciferase reporter gene fusion constructs. Thus the extent to which the procathepsin E gene is expressed in a particular cell type may depend on the balance between the effects produced by positive-acting, cell-specific transcription factors such as GATA1 and PU1 and the negative influence of the ubiquitous YY1 factor. In this way, the relative abundance and influence of general and cell-specific transcription factors can govern the production of cathepsin E and thereby account for the sporadic cell and tissue distribution of this enzyme in different species. [source] Nucleotide-binding domain 1 of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulatorFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 17 2000Production of a suitable protein for structural studies Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This protein belongs to the large ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of transporters. Most patients with cystic fibrosis bear a mutation in the nucleotide-binding domain 1 (NBD1) of CFTR, which plays a key role in the activation of the channel function of CFTR. Determination of the three dimensional structure of NBD1 is essential to better understand its structure,function relationship, and relate it to the biological features of CFTR. In this paper, we report the first preparation of recombinant His-tagged NBD1, as a soluble, stable and isolated domain. The method avoids the use of renaturing processes or fusion constructs. ATPase activity assays show that the recombinant domain is functional. Using tryptophan intrinsic fluorescence, we point out that the local conformation, in the region of the most frequent mutation ,F508, could differ from that of the nucleotide-binding subunit of histidine permease, the only available ABC structure. We have undertaken three dimensional structure determination of NBD1, and the first two dimensional 15N- 1H NMR spectra demonstrate that the domain is folded. The method should be applicable to the structural studies of NBD2 or of other NBDs from different ABC proteins of major biological interest, such as multidrug resistance protein 1 or multidrug resistance associated protein 1. [source] A specific GFP expression assay, penetrance estimate, and histological assessment for a putative splice site mutation in BRCA1,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 1 2003M.C. Southey Abstract Genetic testing for cancer predisposing mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 has been of benefit to many individuals from breast and ovarian cancer-prone kindreds. However, a function has not been assigned to many of the domains that make up these complex proteins and hence, the significance of many sequence variants, including missense mutations, splice-site mutations, and in-frame deletions/insertions, remains unclear. We identified a putative splice site mutation (IVS6-2delA) in BRCA1 in a family attending a Familial Cancer Centre that had a significant history of both breast and ovarian cancer. This sequence variant was not novel but the exact effect on mRNA splicing and hence the biological impact of this sequence variation was unclear and therefore the finding was unable to be used in genetic counseling of the family. Via the construction of novel GFP-based expression fusion constructs, we demonstrated that this sequence variation prevented normal splicing of the BRCA1 transcript. By combining these data with an assessment of the histopathological features of the breast carcinomas in this family and mutation penetrance estimate we were able to conclude that this BRCA1 variant conveyed an increased risk of breast cancer. Hum Mutat 22:86,91, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] TYRA-2 (F01E11.5): a Caenorhabditis elegans tyramine receptor expressed in the MC and NSM pharyngeal neuronsJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2005Elizabeth Rex Abstract Tyramine appears to regulate key processes in nematodes, such as pharyngeal pumping, and more complex behaviors, such as foraging. Recently, a Caenorhabditis elegans tyramine receptor, SER-2, was identified that is involved in the TA-dependent regulation of these processes. In the present study, we have identified a second C. elegans gene, tyra-2 (F01E11.5) that encodes a tyramine receptor. This is the first identification of multiple tyramine receptor genes in any invertebrate. Membranes from COS-7 cells expressing TYRA-2 bind [3H]tyramine with high affinity with a Kd of 20 ± 5 nm. Other physiologically relevant biogenic amines, such as octopamine and dopamine, inhibit [3H]tyramine binding with much lower affinity (Kis of 1.55 ± 0.5 and 1.78 ± 0.6 ,m, respectively), supporting the identification of TYRA-2 as a tyramine receptor. Indeed, tyramine also dramatically increases GTP,S binding to membranes from cells expressing TYRA-2 (EC50 of 50 ± 13 nm) and the TA-dependent GTP,S binding is PTX-sensitive suggesting that TYRA-2 may couple to G,i/o. Based on fluorescence from tyra::gfp fusion constructs, TYRA-2 expression appears to be exclusively neuronal in the MC and NSM pharyngeal neurons, the AS family of amphid neurons and neurons in the nerve ring, body and tail. Taken together, these results suggest that TYRA-2 encodes a second G,i/o -coupled tyramine receptor and suggests that TA-dependent neuromodulation may be mediated by multiple receptors and more complex than previously appreciated. [source] Coupling Efficacy and Selectivity of the Human ,-Opioid Receptor Expressed as Receptor,G, Fusion Proteins in Escherichia coliJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2000Laura Stanasila Abstract: Two constructs encoding the human ,-opioid receptor (hMOR) fused at its C terminus to either one of two G, subunits, G,o1 (hMOR-G,o1) and G,i2 (hMOR-G,i2), were expressed in Escherichia coli at levels suitable for pharmacological studies (0.4-0.5 pmol/mg). Receptors fused to G,o1 or to G,i2 maintained high-affinity binding of the antagonist diprenorphine. Affinities of the ,-selective agonists morphine, [D-Ala2,N -Me-Phe4,Gly5 -ol]enkephalin (DAMGO), and endomorphins as well as their potencies and intrinsic activities in stimulating guanosine 5,- O -(3-[35S]thiotriphosphate) ([35S]GTP,S) binding were assessed in the presence of added purified G,, subunits. Both fusion proteins displayed high-affinity agonist binding and agonist-stimulated [35S]GTP,S binding. In the presence of G,, dimers, the affinities of DAMGO and endomorphin-1 and -2 were higher at hMOR-G,i2 than at hMOR-G,o1, whereas morphine displayed similar affinities at the two chimeras. Potencies of the four agonists in stimulating [35S]GTP,S binding at hMOR-G,o1 were similar, whereas at hMOR-G,i2, endomorphin-1 and morphine were more potent than DAMGO and endomorphin-2. The intrinsic activities of the four agonists at the two fusion constructs were similar. The results confirm hMOR coupling to G,o1 and G,i2 and support the hypothesis of the existence of multiple receptor conformational states, depending on the nature of the G protein to which it is coupled. [source] Identification of pseudomurein cell wall binding domainsMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2006Peter J. M. Steenbakkers Summary Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus is a methanogenic Gram-positive microorganism with a cell wall consisting of pseudomurein. Currently, no information is available on extracellular pseudomurein biology and so far only two prophage pseudomurein autolysins, PeiW and PeiP, have been reported. In this paper we show that PeiW and PeiP contain two different N-terminal pseudomurein cell wall binding domains. This finding was used to identify a novel domain, PB007923, on the M. thermautotrophicus genome present in 10 predicted open reading frames. Three homologues were identified in the Methanosphaera stadtmanae genome. Binding studies of fusion constructs of three separate PB007923 domains to green fluorescent protein revealed that it also constituted a cell wall binding domain. Both prophage domains and the PB007923 domain bound to the cell walls of Methanothermobacter species and fluorescence microscopy showed a preference for the septal region. Domain specificities were revealed by binding studies with other pseudomurein-containing archaea. Localized binding was observed for M. stadtmanae and Methanobrevibacter species, while others stained evenly. The identification of the first pseudomurein cell wall binding domains reveals the dynamics of the pseudomurein cell wall and provides marker proteins to study the extracellular pseudomurein biology of M. thermautotrophicus and of other pseudomurein-containing archaea. [source] Intratesticular localization of the organic solute carrier protein, OSCP1, in spermatogenic cells in miceMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 10 2008Kazuyuki Hiratsuka Abstract Organic solute carrier protein 1 (OSCP1) is a recently described human gene that facilitates the transport of various organic solutes into the cell, when expressed in frog eggs. In this study, we cloned a mouse ortholog of OSCP1 encoding 379 amino acid protein, with 94% homology to the human counterpart. The mouse OSCP1 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the testis, in which it was attributed to the spermatogenic cells, except the spermatogonia. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that OSCP1 protein is continuously expressed during spermatogenesis in a stage- and cell type-specific manner, in the leptotene spermatocytes at stage IX through step 15 spermatids. Subcellular fractionation of mouse testis homogenates indicated that OSCP1 is a 45-kDa cytosolic protein. Moreover, when green fluorescent protein-OSCP1 fusion constructs were transfected into cultured cells, the fluorescence localized evenly in the cytoplasm. These results suggest that mouse testis OSCP1 may indirectly mediate substrate uptake into meiotic and spermiogenic germ cells, within the cytosol. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1495,1504 © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cytoskeleton-associated, carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes in maize identified by yeast two-hybrid screeningPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 2 2005Daniela Holtgräwe We have used yeast two-hybrid screens and biochemical methods to identify glycolytic enzymes that interact with subcellular structures in hypoxic maize seedlings. As binding domain-bait fusion constructs, we have cloned actin, cytosolic aldolase, the three sucrose synthase (SUS) isoforms SUS1, SUS3, and SH1 as well as the SNF1-related protein kinase into yeast and identified cytosolic isoforms of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), enolase, tubulin, and mitochondrial porin voltage-dependent anion channel protein (VDAC) as well as protein kinases and proteins involved in ubiquitinylation and proteasome-linked degradation as interacting activation domain-prey clones. The results were further confirmed using overlay blots (VDAC) as well as co-polymerization and co-precipitation assays (tubulin and actin). Some results were obtained that support the idea of metabolite and modification effects on the association, namely guanosine triphosphate (GTP)/MgCl2 was necessary for the binding of enolase to actin. GAPDH is inactivated upon association with tubulin but then serves to stabilize the microtubules. The findings support the idea of the dynamic formation of locally associated complexes of enzymes involved in sucrose breakdown and glycolysis in plant cells depending on their metabolic state. [source] A synergistic approach to protein crystallization: Combination of a fixed-arm carrier with surface entropy reductionPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 5 2010Andrea F. Moon 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. [source] Directed self-immobilization of alkaline phosphatase on micro-patterned substrates via genetically fused metal-binding peptideBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2009Turgay Kacar Abstract Current biotechnological applications such as biosensors, protein arrays, and microchips require oriented immobilization of enzymes. The characteristics of recognition, self-assembly and ease of genetic manipulation make inorganic binding peptides an ideal molecular tool for site-specific enzyme immobilization. Herein, we demonstrate the utilization of gold binding peptide (GBP1) as a molecular linker genetically fused to alkaline phosphatase (AP) and immobilized on gold substrate. Multiple tandem repeats (n,=,5, 6, 7, 9) of gold binding peptide were fused to N-terminus of AP (nGBP1-AP) and the enzymes were expressed in E. coli cells. The binding and enzymatic activities of the bi-functional fusion constructs were analyzed using quartz crystal microbalance spectroscopy and biochemical assays. Among the multiple-repeat constructs, 5GBP1-AP displayed the best bi-functional activity and, therefore, was chosen for self-immobilization studies. Adsorption and assembly properties of the fusion enzyme, 5GBP1-AP, were studied via surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. We demonstrated self-immobilization of the bi-functional enzyme on micro-patterned substrates where genetically linked 5GBP1-AP displayed higher enzymatic activity per area compared to that of AP. Our results demonstrate the promising use of inorganic binding peptides as site-specific molecular linkers for oriented enzyme immobilization with retained activity. Directed assembly of proteins on solids using genetically fused specific inorganic-binding peptides has a potential utility in a wide range of biosensing and bioconversion processes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 696,705. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Study of Protein Splicing and Intein-Mediated Peptide Bond Cleavage under High-Cell-Density ConditionsBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2003Shamik Sharma Protein splicing elements (inteins), capable of catalyzing controllable peptide bond cleavage reactions, have been used to separate recombinant proteins from affinity tags during affinity purification. Since the inteins eliminate the use of a protease in the recovery process, the intein-mediated purification system has the potential to significantly reduce recovery costs for the industrial production of recombinant proteins. Thus far, the intein system has only been examined and utilized for expression and purification of recombinant proteins at the laboratory scale for cells cultivated at low cell densities. In this study, protein splicing and in vitro cleavage of intein fusion proteins expressed in high-cell-density fed-batch fermentations of recombinant Escherichia coli were examined. Three model intein fusion constructs were used to examine the stability and splicing/cleavage activities of the fusion proteins produced under high-cell-density conditions. The data indicated that the intein fusion protein containing the wild-type intein catalyzed efficient in vivo protein splicing during high-cell-density cultivation. Also, the intein fusion proteins containing modified inteins catalyzed efficient thiol-induced in vitro cleavage reactions. The results of this study demonstrated the potential feasibility of using the intein-mediated protein purification system for industrial-scale production of recombinant proteins. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||