Research in the Lowe-Krentz lab is supported by research grant HL54269 from the National Institutes of Health to LLK.

<ol>
	<li>Pugh, R. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transmembrane+Protein+184A+Is+a+Receptor+Required+for+Vascular+Smooth+Muscle+Cell+Responses+to+Heparin.">Transmembrane Protein 184A Is a Receptor Required for Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Responses to Heparin.</a> J Biol Chem. 291, 5326-5341 (2016).</li><li>Daher, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+Toxoplasma+TgPH1,+a+pleckstrin+homology+domain-containing+protein+that+binds+to+the+phosphoinositide+PI(3,5)P.">Identification of Toxoplasma TgPH1, a pleckstrin homology domain-containing protein that binds to the phosphoinositide PI(3,5)P.</a> Mol Biochem Parasitol. , (2016).</li><li>Vit, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Large-scale+identification+of+membrane+proteins+based+on+analysis+of+trypsin-protected+transmembrane+segments.">Large-scale identification of membrane proteins based on analysis of trypsin-protected transmembrane segments.</a> J Proteomics. , (2016).</li><li>Attwood, M. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Topology+based+identification+and+comprehensive+classification+of+four-transmembrane+helix+containing+proteins+(4TMs)+in+the+human+genome.">Topology based identification and comprehensive classification of four-transmembrane helix containing proteins (4TMs) in the human genome.</a> BMC genomics. 17, 268 (2016).</li><li>Zou, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genome-Wide+Identification+of+Jatropha+curcas+Aquaporin+Genes+and+the+Comparative+Analysis+Provides+Insights+into+the+Gene+Family+Expansion+and+Evolution+in+Hevea+brasiliensis.">Genome-Wide Identification of Jatropha curcas Aquaporin Genes and the Comparative Analysis Provides Insights into the Gene Family Expansion and Evolution in Hevea brasiliensis.</a> Front Plant Sci. 7, 395 (2016).</li><li>Gilotti, A. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heparin+responses+in+vascular+smooth+muscle+cells+involve+cGMP-dependent+protein+kinase+(PKG).">Heparin responses in vascular smooth muscle cells involve cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG).</a> J Cell Physiol. 229, 2142-2152 (2014).</li><li>Farwell, S. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heparin+Decreases+in+Tumor+Necrosis+Factor+alpha+(TNFalpha)-induced+Endothelial+Stress+Responses+Require+Transmembrane+Protein+184A+and+Induction+of+Dual+Specificity+Phosphatase+1.">Heparin Decreases in Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFalpha)-induced Endothelial Stress Responses Require Transmembrane Protein 184A and Induction of Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1.</a> J Biol Chem. 291, 5342-5354 (2016).</li><li>Xu, D., Esko, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Demystifying+heparan+sulfate-protein+interactions.">Demystifying heparan sulfate-protein interactions.</a> Annu Rev Biochem. 83, 129-157 (2014).</li><li>Chiodelli, P., Bugatti, A., Urbinati, C., Rusnati, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heparin/Heparan+sulfate+proteoglycans+glycomic+interactome+in+angiogenesis:+biological+implications+and+therapeutical+use.">Heparin/Heparan sulfate proteoglycans glycomic interactome in angiogenesis: biological implications and therapeutical use.</a> Molecules. 20, 6342-6388 (2015).</li><li>Slee, J. B., Lowe-Krentz, L. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Actin+realignment+and+cofilin+regulation+are+essential+for+barrier+integrity+during+shear+stress.">Actin realignment and cofilin regulation are essential for barrier integrity during shear stress.</a> J Cell Biochem. 114, 782-795 (2013).</li><li>Patton, W. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+a+heparin-binding+protein+using+monoclonal+antibodies+that+block+heparin+binding+to+porcine+aortic+endothelial+cells.">Identification of a heparin-binding protein using monoclonal antibodies that block heparin binding to porcine aortic endothelial cells.</a> The Biochemical journal. 311, 461-469 (1995).</li><li>Doggett, T. M., Breslin, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Study+of+the+actin+cytoskeleton+in+live+endothelial+cells+expressing+GFP-actin.">Study of the actin cytoskeleton in live endothelial cells expressing GFP-actin.</a> J Vis Exp. , (2011).</li><li>Skalamera, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+of+a+genome+scale+lentiviral+vector+library+for+EF1alpha+promoter-driven+expression+of+human+ORFs+and+identification+of+human+genes+affecting+viral+titer.">Generation of a genome scale lentiviral vector library for EF1alpha promoter-driven expression of human ORFs and identification of human genes affecting viral titer.</a> PloS one. 7, 51733 (2012).</li><li>Castro, M., Nikolaev, V. O., Palm, D., Lohse, M. J., Vilardaga, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Turn-on+switch+in+parathyroid+hormone+receptor+by+a+two-step+parathyroid+hormone+binding+mechanism.">Turn-on switch in parathyroid hormone receptor by a two-step parathyroid hormone binding mechanism.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 102, 16084-16089 (2005).</li><li>Albertazzi, L., Arosio, D., Marchetti, L., Ricci, F., Beltram, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+FRET+analysis+with+the+EGFP-mCherry+fluorescent+protein+pair.">Quantitative FRET analysis with the EGFP-mCherry fluorescent protein pair.</a> Photochem Photobiol. 85, 287-297 (2009).</li><li>Wang, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Domain+organization+of+the+ATP-sensitive+potassium+channel+complex+examined+by+fluorescence+resonance+energy+transfer.">Domain organization of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel complex examined by fluorescence resonance energy transfer.</a> J Biol Chem. 288, 4378-4388 (2013).</li><li>Christiansen, E., Hudson, B. D., Hansen, A. H., Milligan, G., Ulven, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+and+Characterization+of+a+Potent+Free+Fatty+Acid+Receptor+1+(FFA1)+Fluorescent+Tracer.">Development and Characterization of a Potent Free Fatty Acid Receptor 1 (FFA1) Fluorescent Tracer.</a> J Med Chem. 59, 4849-4858 (2016).</li><li>Chiang, C. F., Okou, D. T., Griffin, T. B., Verret, C. R., Green Williams, M. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=fluorescent+protein+rendered+susceptible+to+proteolysis:+positions+for+protease-sensitive+insertions.">fluorescent protein rendered susceptible to proteolysis: positions for protease-sensitive insertions.</a> Arch Biochem Biophys. 394, 229-235 (2001).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The protocols reported here were designed to provide confirmatory evidence for the identification of TMEM184A as a heparin receptor in vascular cells1. Knockdown techniques are routinely used as one mechanism to confirm the identification of novel proteins. However, some functional loss after knockdown is typically not sufficient proof that a candidate protein is actually the correct receptor (or other functional protein). It is also important to have evidence that the candidate protein actually e...

Identification of candidate proteins for novel functions often depends upon affinity-based isolation protocols followed by partial sequence determination. Recent examples of newly identified proteins include transmembrane protein 184A (TMEM184A), a heparin receptor identified after heparin affinity interactions1, and TgPH1, a pleckstrin homology domain protein that binds phosphoinositide PI(3,5)P22. Other novel protein identification involves direct sequence analysis of peptides such as that by Vit, et al. who used transmembrane peptides to identify protein products from previously uncharacterized genes3. Similarly, identification of novel protein sequences can be accomplished using bioinformatics searching of previously characterized protein families such as identification of new 4TM proteins4. Examination of aquaporin family gene sequences has also yielded the identification of new members with novel functions5. After identification, analysis of protein function is typically a next step which can sometimes be examined using a specific assay of protein function such as in the aquaporin case.
When possible, function of a newly identified protein can be examined with specific enzymatic or similar in vitro function assays. Because many functions of novel proteins depend on complex interactions that occur only in intact cells or organisms, in vitro assays are not always effective. However, the in vivo assays must be designed in such a way that they depend on the gene sequence. In cell culture, and/or simple model organisms, knockdown can provide supporting evidence for the protein/function identification6. With novel proteins identified as noted above, it is often insufficient to simply knock down a protein to confirm function, and the design of in vivo functional assays that depend on gene sequence becomes important for the characterization of novel proteins.
The recent identification of TMEM184A as a heparin receptor (that modulates proliferation in vascular smooth muscle and inflammatory responses in endothelial cells) using affinity chromatography and MALDI MS1,7 provided an opportunity to develop a collection of assays after knockdown yielded results consistent with the identification. A recent review confirmed that heparin interacts specifically with many growth factors, their receptors, extracellular matrix components, cell adhesion receptors, and other proteins8. In the vascular system, heparin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (containing heparan sulfate chains similar in structure to heparin) interact with several hundred proteins9. To functionally confirm that TMEM184A was involved with heparin uptake and binding, techniques that employed the gene construct for TMEM184A were developed. The present report includes a collection of assays based on a GFP-TMEM184A construct for use in confirming the identity of TMEM184A as a heparin receptor.

<table><tbody><tr><td>GFP-TMEM184A construct</td><td>OriGene</td><td>RG213192</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rhodamine-Heparin</td><td>Creative PEGWorks</td><td>HP-204</td><td>Light Sensitive</td></tr><tr><td>Fluorescein-Heparin</td><td>Creative PEGWorks</td><td>HP-201</td><td>Light Sensitive</td></tr><tr><td>Mowiol</td><td>EMD Millipore</td><td>475904-100GM</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Paraformaldehyde (PFA, methanol free)</td><td>Thermo Sci Pierce Biotech, available through Fisher Scientific</td><td>PI28908 at Fisher</td><td>Use in Fume Hood</td></tr><tr><td>Reacti-bind neutravidin plates (Avidin coated black 96-well dishes)</td><td>Thermo Sci Pierce Biotech, through Fisher Scientific</td><td>PI15510 at Fisher</td><td>Pay attention to shelf-life</td></tr><tr><td>Black 96-well plates</td><td>Corning Life Sciences Plastic, purchased through Fisher Scientific</td><td>064432 at Fisher</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cell line</td><td>ATCC</td><td>CRL 1444</td><td>Can be exchanged into MEM medium&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>BAOEC bovine aortic endothelial cells</td><td>Cell Applications, Inc.</td><td>B304-05</td><td>Culture as recommended initially, can be exchanged into MEM medium for continuing culture&lt;sup&gt;1,7&lt;/sup&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>BAOSMC bovine aortic smooth muscle cells</td><td>Cell Applications, Inc.</td><td>B354-05</td><td>Culture as recommended initially, can be exchanged into MEM medium for continuing culture&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>RAOEC rat aortic endothelial cells</td><td>Cell Applications, Inc.</td><td>R304-05a</td><td>Culture as recommended initially, can be exchanged into MEM medium for continuing culture&lt;sup&gt;7&lt;/sup&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>Biotinylated anti-GFP</td><td>Thermo Sci Pierce Biotech, through Fisher Scientific</td><td>MA5-15256-BTIN</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Streptavidin-coated beads</td><td>Sigma</td><td>S1638</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HeBS</td><td>Available from Bio-Rad</td><td></td><td>Can be prepared in the lab. The pH is 6.8</td></tr><tr><td>TMEM184A antibody to the N-terminus</td><td>Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td><td>sc292006</td><td>Only known TMEM184A antibody to N-terminal region.</td></tr><tr><td>TMEM184A antibody to the C-terminus</td><td>Obtained from ProSci Inc, Poway, CA&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Pro Sci 5681</td><td>ProSci used in &lt;strong&gt;Figure 1&lt;/strong&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>GFP antibodies</td><td>Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td><td>sc9996</td><td>Used in &lt;strong&gt;Figure 5&lt;/strong&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>Secondary antibodies, labeled with TRITC or Cy3</td><td>Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc, West Grove, PA</td><td>711 025 152 (donkey anti-rabbit, TRITC)&lt;br/&gt; 715 165 150 (donkey anti-mouse, Cy3)</td><td>Minimal cross-reactivity to minimize any nonspecific staining.</td></tr><tr><td>CHAPS</td><td>Purchased from Sigma</td><td>C5849</td><td>Note that this specific catalog number has been discontinued.&amp;nbsp; Supplier will provide information regarding replacement.</td></tr><tr><td>Live imaging 35-mm dishes</td><td>MatTek (Ashland MA)</td><td>P35G-1.0 &amp;ndash; 20 mm - C</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Confocal Microscope</td><td>Zeiss</td><td>LSM 510 Meta with a 63X oil-immersion lens</td><td>Used for images and live-imaging in &lt;strong&gt;Figures 1, 2 and 3&lt;/strong&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>Confocal Microscope</td><td>Nikon</td><td>C2+ confocal with a 60X oil-immersion lens</td><td>Used for images in &lt;strong&gt;Figure 5&lt;/strong&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>Confocal Microscope</td><td>Zeiss</td><td>Zeiss LSM 880 with a 63X oil-immersion lens</td><td>Used for images in &lt;strong&gt;Figure 2C&lt;/strong&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>Electroporation equipment</td><td>Bio-Rad</td><td>Gene Pulser X-Cell System</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Electroporation cuvettes</td><td>Available from MidSci</td><td>EC2L</td><td>Can also be obtained from equipment supplier</td></tr><tr><td>Plate reader</td><td>TECAN</td><td>TECAN Infinite&amp;reg; m200 Pro plate reader</td><td>Readings in the middle of the wells rather than at the surface.</td></tr><tr><td>Computer program for measuring staining intensity</td><td>Image J</td><td>https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/&lt;br/&gt; Program and information available on-line</td><td>Any appropriate program can be used. See https://theolb.readthedocs.io/en/latest/imaging/measuring-cell-fluorescence-using-imagej.html for additional detail&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Cell Culture trypsin solution</td><td>Sigma</td><td>T4174</td><td>purchased as a 10x solution</td></tr></tbody></table>

using a gfp-tagged tmem184a construct for confirmation of heparin receptor identity

When novel proteins are identified through affinity-based isolation and bioinformatics analysis, they are often largely uncharacterized. Antibodies against specific peptides within the predicted sequence allow some localization experiments. However, other possible interactions with the antibodies often cannot be excluded. This situation provided an opportunity to develop a set of assays dependent on the protein sequence. Specifically, a construct containing the gene sequence coupled to the GFP coding sequence at the C-terminal end of the protein was obtained and employed for these purposes. Experiments to characterize localization, ligand affinity, and gain of function were originally designed and carried out to confirm the identification of TMEM184A as a heparin receptor1. In addition, the construct can be employed for studies addressing membrane topology questions and detailed protein-ligand interactions. The present report presents a range of experimental protocols based on the GFP-TMEM184A construct expressed in vascular cells that could easily be adapted for other novel proteins.

While, in theory, transfection of any DNA construct into cells could be accomplished with lipophilic transfection reagents, previous reports indicate more effective transfection of GFP constructs into endothelial cells using electroporation12. The protocol provided here typically achieved GFP-construct expression in greater than 80% of the primary-derived endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells used. Design of the construct employed used a commercially available ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using a GFP-tagged TMEM184A Construct for Confirmation of Heparin Receptor Identity at JoVE.com

Using a GFP-tagged TMEM184A Construct for Confirmation of Heparin Receptor Identity

A construct encoding TMEM184A with a GFP tag at the carboxy-terminus designed for eukaryotic expression, was employed in assays designed to confirm the identification of TMEM184A as a heparin receptor in vascular cells.

When novel proteins are identified through affinity-based isolation and bioinformatics analysis, they are often largely uncharacterized. Antibodies ...

using-gfp-tagged-tmem184a-construct-for-confirmation-heparin-receptor

Research

JoVE Journal

Genetics

8.0K Views.  Lehigh University.  Een construct dat codeert TMEM184A met een GFP-tag aan het carboxy-uiteinde ontworpen voor eukaryotische expressie, werd gebruikt in testen die de identificatie van TMEM184A als heparine receptor in vasculaire cellen bevestigen. 

Video: Using a GFP-tagged TMEM184A Construct for Confirmation of Heparin Receptor Identity

A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins

Signaling is initiated through the T Cell Receptor (TCR) when it is engaged by antigenic peptide fragments bound by Major Histocompatibility Complex (pMHC) proteins expressed on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs). The TCR complex is composed of the ligand binding TCR&alpha;&beta; heterodimer that associates non-covalently with CD3 dimers (the &#949;&delta; and &#949;&gamma; heterodimers and the &zeta;&zeta; homodimer)1. Upon engagement of the receptor, the CD3 &zeta; chains are phosphorylated by the Src family kinase, Lck. This leads to the recruitment of the Syk family kinase, Zap70, which is then phosphorylated and activated by Lck. After that, Zap70 phosphorylates the adapter proteins LAT and SLP76, initiating the formation of the proximal signaling complex containing a large number of different signaling molecules2. 
The formation of this complex eventually results in calcium and Ras-dependent transcription factor activation and the consequent initiation of a complex series of gene expression programs that give rise to T cell differentiation2. TCR signals (and the resulting state of differentiation) are modulated by many other factors, including antigen potency and crosstalk with co-stimulatory/co-inhibitory, chemokine, and cytokine receptors 3-4. Studying the spatial and temporal organization of the proximal signaling complex under various stimulation conditions is, therefore, key to understanding the TCR signaling pathway as well as its regulation by other signaling pathways.
One very useful model system to study signaling initiated by the TCR at the plasma membrane in T cells is glass-supported lipid bilayers, as described previously5-6. They can be utilized to present antigenic pMHC complexes, adhesion, and co-stimulatory molecules to T cells-serving as artificial APCs. By imaging the T cells interacting with the lipid bilayer using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), we can restrict the excitation to within 100 nm of the space between the glass and the cell surface 7-8. This allows us to image primarily the signaling events occurring at the plasma membrane. As we are interested in imaging the recruitment of signaling proteins to the TCR complex, we describe a two-camera TIRF imaging system wherein the TCR, labeled with fluorescent Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments of the H57 antibody (purified from hybridoma H57-597, ATCC, ATCC Number:HB-218) which is specific for TCR&beta;, and signaling proteins, tagged with GFP, may be imaged simultaneously and in real time. This strategy is necessary due to the highly dynamic nature of both the T cells and of the signaling events that are occurring at the TCR. This imaging modality has allowed researchers to image single ligands 9-11 as well as recruitment of signaling molecules to activated receptors and is an excellent system to study biochemistry in-situ12-16.

The compartmentalization of proteins either within the plasma membrane or into intracellular locations is one regulatory mechanism that can greatly influence signaling outcomes; hence, to understand signaling it is important to study the spatial and temporal behavior of the proteins involved. We describe here a TIRF microscopy based system to study signal transduction in T cells, but is broadly applicable.

Signaling is initiated through the T Cell Receptor (TCR) when it is engaged by antigenic peptide fragments bound by Major Histocompatibility Complex ...

Immunology and Infection

Expression and Purification of the Human Lipid-sensitive Cation Channel TRPC3 for Structural Determination by Single-particle Cryo-electron Microscopy

Transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) of the canonical TRP subfamily are nonselective cation channels that play an essential role in calcium homeostasis, particularly store-operated calcium entry, which is critical to maintaining proper function of synaptic vesicle release and intracellular signaling pathways. Accordingly, TRPC channels have been implicated in a variety of human diseases including cardiovascular disorders such as cardiac hypertrophy, neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson&#39;s disease, and neurologic disorders such as spinocerebellar ataxia. Therefore, TRPC channels represent a potential pharmacologic target in human diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of gating in these channels are still unclear. The difficulty in obtaining large quantities of stable, homogeneous, and purified protein has been a limiting factor in structure determination studies, particularly for mammalian membrane proteins such as the TRPC ion channels. Here, we present a protocol for the large-scale expression of mammalian ion channel membrane proteins using a modified baculovirus gene transfer system and the purification of these proteins by affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. We further present a protocol to collect single-particle cryo-electron microscopy images from purified protein and to use these images to determine the protein structure. Structure determination is a powerful method for understanding the mechanisms of gating and function in ion channels.

This protocol describes techniques used to determine ion channel structures by cryo-electron microscopy, including a baculovirus system used to efficiently express genes in mammalian cells with minimum effort and toxicity, protein extraction, purification, and quality checking, sample grid preparation and screening, as well as data collection and processing.

Transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) of the canonical TRP subfamily are nonselective cation channels that play an essential role in calcium ...

Biochemistry

Optimizing the Genetic Incorporation of Chemical Probes into GPCRs for Photo-crosslinking Mapping and Bioorthogonal Chemistry in Live Mammalian Cells

The genetic incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) via amber stop codon suppression is a powerful technique to install artificial probes and reactive moieties onto proteins directly in the live cell. Each ncAA is incorporated by a dedicated orthogonal suppressor-tRNA/amino-acyl-tRNA-synthetase (AARS) pair that is imported into the host organism. The incorporation efficiency of different ncAAs can greatly differ, and be unsatisfactory in some cases. Orthogonal pairs can be improved by manipulating either the AARS or the tRNA. However, directed evolution of tRNA or AARS using large libraries and dead/alive selection methods are not feasible in mammalian cells. Here, a facile and robust fluorescence-based assay to evaluate the efficiency of orthogonal pairs in mammalian cells is presented. The assay allows screening tens to hundreds of AARS/tRNA variants with a moderate effort and within a reasonable time. Use of this assay to generate new tRNAs that significantly improve the efficiency of the pyrrolysine orthogonal system is described, along with the application of ncAAs to the study of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are challenging objects for ncAA mutagenesis. First, by systematically incorporating a photo-crosslinking ncAA throughout the extracellular surface of a receptor, binding sites of different ligands on the intact receptor are mapped directly in the live cell. Second, by incorporating last-generation ncAAs into a GPCR, ultrafast catalyst-free receptor labeling with a fluorescent dye is demonstrated, which exploits bioorthogonal strain-promoted inverse Diels Alder cycloaddition (SPIEDAC) on the live cell. As ncAAs can be generally applied to any protein independently on its size, the method is of general interest for a number of applications. In addition, ncAA incorporation does not require any special equipment and is easily performed in standard biochemistry labs.

A facile fluorescence assay is presented to evaluate the efficiency of amino-acyl-tRNA-synthetase/tRNA pairs incorporating non-canonical amino-acids (ncAAs) into proteins expressed in mammalian cells. The application of ncAAs to study G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) is described, including photo-crosslinking mapping of binding sites and bioorthogonal GPCR labeling on live cells.

The genetic incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) via amber stop codon suppression is a powerful technique to install artificial probes and ...

Chemistry

Measuring TCR-pMHC Binding In Situ using a FRET-based Microscopy Assay

T-cells are remarkably specific and effective when recognizing antigens in the form of peptides embedded in MHC molecules (pMHC) on the surface of Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs). This is despite T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs) exerting usually a moderate affinity (&#181;M range) to antigen when binding is measured in vitro1. In view of the molecular and cellular parameters contributing to T-cell antigen sensitivity, a microscopy-based methodology has been developed as a means to monitor TCR-pMHC binding in situ, as it occurs within the synapse of a live T-cell and an artificial and functionalized glass-supported planar lipid bilayer (SLB), which mimics the cell membrane of an Antigen presenting Cell (APC) 2. Measurements are based on F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between a blue- and red-shifted fluorescent dye attached to the TCR and the pMHC. Because the efficiency of FRET is inversely proportional to the sixth power of the inter-dye distance, one can employ FRET signals to visualize synaptic TCR-pMHC binding. The sensitive of the microscopy approach supports detection of single molecule FRET events. This allows to determine the affinity and off-rate of synaptic TCR-pMHC interactions and in turn to interpolate the on-rate of binding. Analogous assays could be applied to measure other receptor-ligand interactions in their native environment.

Measuring TCR-pMHC Binding In Situ using a FRET-based Microscopy Assay

This manuscript describes how to conduct (single molecule) F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)- based assays to measure the binding dynamics between T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) and antigenic peptide-loaded MHC molecules as they occur within the immunological synapse of a T-cell in contact with a functionalized planar supported lipid bilayer.

T-cells are remarkably specific and effective when recognizing antigens in the form of peptides embedded in MHC molecules (pMHC) on the surface of Antigen ...

Bioengineering

Fluorescent Protein Tagging in Zebrafish Larvae Using CRISPR/Cas9 Knock-In

Fluorescence Labeling to Visualize Low-Expressed Proteins in Zebrafish

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in (KI) technology allows for easier fluorescent-protein tagging in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a preferred model organism for in vivo imaging due to its transparency during the early developmental stage. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for performing high-efficiency fluorescence gene KI, rapid screening for KI founders, and low-abundance protein tracing in zebrafish larvae, which will lay a critical foundation for subsequent physio-pathological studies in zebrafish. The current protocol includes complete steps for the sgRNA design for the gene of interest, sgRNA in vitro transcription, Cas9 mRNA in vitro transcription, in vivo sgRNA screen for the one with the highest efficiency, donor plasmid design and construction, microinjection in zebrafish larvae, KI founder screen and zebrafish live imaging. Critical steps, troubleshooting tips, quality control methods, and advantages and applications of this protocol are included and discussed. This protocol assures quick and accurate results at a low cost and has been validated by multiple trials.

Here, we present a protocol to label proteins with a fluorescence protein tag in zebrafish larvae, a newly developed and modified in vivo system especially useful for visualizing low-abundance proteins in zebrafish.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in (KI) technology allows for easier fluorescent-protein tagging in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a preferred model organism for in ...

Using an &#945;-Bungarotoxin Binding Site Tag to Study GABA A Receptor Membrane Localization and Trafficking

It is increasingly evident that neurotransmitter receptors, including ionotropic GABA A receptors (GABAAR), exhibit highly dynamic trafficking and cell surface mobility1-7. To study receptor cell surface localization and endocytosis, the technique described here combines the use of fluorescent &#945;-bungarotoxin with cells expressing constructs containing an &#945;-bungarotoxin (Bgt) binding site (BBS). The BBS (WRYYESSLEPYPD) is based on the &#945; subunit of the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which binds Bgt with high affinity8,9. Incorporation of the BBS site allows surface localization and measurements of receptor insertion or removal with application of exogenous fluorescent Bgt, as previously described in the tracking of GABAA and metabotropic GABAB receptors2,10. In addition to the BBS site, we inserted a pH-sensitive GFP (pHGFP11) between amino acids 4 and 5 of the mature GABAAR subunit by standard molecular biology and PCR cloning strategies (see Figure 1)12. The BBS is 3&#39; of the pH-sensitive GFP reporter, separated by a 13-amino acid alanine/proline linker. For trafficking studies described in this publication that are based on fixed samples, the pHGFP serves as a reporter of total tagged GABAAR subunit protein levels, allowing normalization of the Bgt labeled receptor population to total receptor population. This minimizes cell to cell Bgt staining signal variability resulting from higher or lower baseline expression of the tagged GABAAR subunits. Furthermore the pHGFP tag enables easy identification of construct expressing cells for live or fixed imaging experiments.

Here we demonstrate the use of fluorescent Alexa dye coupled to &#945;-bungarotoxin to measure GABA A receptor surface localization and endocytosis in hippocampal neurons. Through the use of constructs bearing a short extracellular tag that binds &#945;-bungarotoxin, analysis of plasma membrane protein endocytic trafficking can be achieved.

It is increasingly evident that neurotransmitter receptors, including ionotropic GABA A receptors (GABAAR), exhibit highly dynamic trafficking and cell ...

Neuroscience

Genetically-encoded Molecular Probes to Study G Protein-coupled Receptors

To facilitate structural and dynamic studies of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling complexes, new approaches are required to introduce informative probes or labels into expressed receptors that do not perturb receptor function. We used amber codon suppression technology to genetically-encode the unnatural amino acid, p-azido-L-phenylalanine (azF) at various targeted positions in GPCRs heterologously expressed in mammalian cells. The versatility of the azido group is illustrated here in different applications to study GPCRs in their native cellular environment or under detergent solubilized conditions. First, we demonstrate a cell-based targeted photocrosslinking technology to identify the residues in the ligand-binding pocket of GPCR where a tritium-labeled small-molecule ligand is crosslinked to a genetically-encoded azido amino acid. We then demonstrate site-specific modification of GPCRs by the bioorthogonal Staudinger-Bertozzi ligation reaction that targets the azido group using phosphine derivatives. We discuss a general strategy for targeted peptide-epitope tagging of expressed membrane proteins in-culture and its detection using a whole-cell-based ELISA approach. Finally, we show that azF-GPCRs can be selectively tagged with fluorescent probes. The methodologies discussed are general, in that they can in principle be applied to any amino acid position in any expressed GPCR to interrogate active signaling complexes.

We genetically-encode the unnatural amino acid, p-azido-L-phenylalanine at various targeted positions in GPCRs and show the versatility of the azido group in different applications. These include a targeted photocrosslinking technology to identify residues in the ligand-binding pocket of a GPCR, and site-specific bioorthogonal modification of GPCRs with a peptide-epitope tag or fluorescent probe.

To facilitate structural and dynamic studies of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling complexes, new approaches are required to introduce ...

Biology

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry

Inherited or de novo mutations in cation-selective channels may lead to sudden cardiac death. Alteration in the plasma membrane trafficking of these multi-spanning transmembrane proteins, with or without change in channel gating, is often postulated to contribute significantly in this process. It has thus become critical to develop a method to quantify the change of the relative cell surface expression of cardiac ion channels on a large scale. Herein, a detailed protocol is provided to determine the relative total and cell surface expression of cardiac L-type calcium channels CaV1.2 and membrane-associated subunits in tsA-201 cells using two-color fluorescent cytometry assays. Compared with other microscopy-based or immunoblotting-based qualitative methods, flow cytometry experiments are fast, reproducible, and large-volume assays that deliver quantifiable end-points on large samples of live cells (ranging from 104 to 106 cells) with similar cellular characteristics in a single flow. Constructs were designed to constitutively express mCherry at the intracellular C-terminus (thus allowing a rapid assessment of the total protein expression) and express an extracellular-facing hemagglutinin (HA) epitope to estimate the cell surface expression of membrane proteins using an anti-HA fluorescence conjugated antibody. To avoid false negative, experiments were also conducted in permeabilized cells to confirm the accessibility and proper expression of the HA epitope. The detailed procedure provides: (1) design of tagged DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) constructs, (2) lipid-mediated transfection of constructs in tsA-201 cells, (3) culture, harvest, and staining of non-permeabilized and permeabilized cells, and (4) acquisition and analysis of fluorescent signals. Additionally, the basic principles of flow cytometry are explained and the experimental design, including the choice of fluorophores, titration of the HA antibody and control experiments, is thoroughly discussed. This specific approach offers objective relative quantification of the total and cell surface expression of ion channels that can be extended to study ion pumps and plasma membrane transporters.

Inherited cardiac arrhythmias are often caused by mutations that alter the surface delivery of one or more ion channels. Here, we adapt flow cytometry assays to provide a quantification of the relative total and cell surface protein expression of recombinant ion channels expressed in tsA-201 cells.

Inherited or de novo mutations in cation-selective channels may lead to sudden cardiac death. Alteration in the plasma membrane trafficking of these ...

Detection of Ligand-activated G Protein-coupled Receptor Internalization by Confocal Microscopy

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is an optical imaging technique for high-contrast imaging. It is a powerful approach to visualize fluorescent fusion proteins, such as green fluorescent protein (GFP), to determine their expression, localization, and function. The subcellular localization of target proteins is important for identification, characterization, and functional analyses. Internalization is one of the predominant mechanisms controlling G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling to ensure the appropriate cellular responses to stimuli. Here, we describe an experimental method to detect the subcellular localization and internalization of GPCR in HEK293 cells with confocal microscopy. In addition, this experiment provides some details about cell culture and transfection. This protocol is compatible with a variety of widely available fluorescent markers and is applicable to the visualization of the subcellular localization of a majority of proteins, as well as of the internalization of GPCR. This technique should enable researchers to efficiently manipulate GPCR gene expression in mammalian cell lines and should facilitate studies on GPCR subcellular localization and internalization.

This protocol describes confocal microscopy detection of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) internalization in mammalian cells. It includes the basic cell culture, transfection, and confocal microscopy procedure and provides an efficient and easily interpretable method to detect the subcellular localization and internalization of fusion-expressed GPCR.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is an optical imaging technique for high-contrast imaging. It is a powerful approach to visualize fluorescent ...

Small-Scale Plasma Membrane Preparation for the Analysis of Candida albicans Cdr1-mGFPHis

The successful biochemical and biophysical characterization of ABC transporters depends heavily on the choice of the heterologous expression system. Over the past two decades, we have developed a yeast membrane protein expression platform that has been used to study many important fungal membrane proteins. The expression host Saccharomyces cerevisiae AD&#916;&#916; is deleted in seven major endogenous ABC transporters and it contains the transcription factor Pdr1-3 with a gain-of-function mutation that enables the constitutive overexpression of heterologous membrane protein genes stably integrated as single copies at the genomic PDR5 locus. The creation of versatile plasmid vectors and the optimization of one-step cloning strategies enables the rapid and accurate cloning, mutagenesis, and expression of heterologous ABC transporters. Here, we describe the development and use of a novel protease-cleavable mGFPHis double tag (i.e., the monomeric yeast enhanced green fluorescent protein yEGFP3 fused to a six-histidine affinity purification tag) that was designed to avoid possible interference of the tag with the protein of interest and to increase the binding efficiency of the His tag to nickel-affinity resins. The fusion of mGFPHis to the membrane protein ORF (open reading frame) enables easy quantification of the protein by inspection of polyacrylamide gels and detection of degradation products retaining the mGFPHis tag. We demonstrate how this feature facilitates detergent screening for membrane protein solubilization. A protocol for the efficient, fast, and reliable isolation of the small-scale plasma membrane preparations of the C-terminally tagged Candida albicans multidrug efflux transporter Cdr1 overexpressed in S. cerevisiae AD&#916;&#916;, is presented. This small-scale plasma membrane isolation protocol generates high-quality plasma membranes within a single working day. The plasma membrane preparations can be used to determine the enzyme activities of Cdr1 and Cdr1 mutant variants.

Small-Scale Plasma Membrane Preparation for the Analysis of Candida albicans Cdr1-mGFPHis

This article presents a small-scale plasma membrane isolation protocol for the characterization of Candida albicans ABC (ATP-binding cassette) protein Cdr1, overexpressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A protease-cleavable C-terminal mGFPHis double tag with a 16-residue linker between Cdr1 and the tag was designed to facilitate the purification and detergent-screening of Cdr1.

The successful biochemical and biophysical characterization of ABC transporters depends heavily on the choice of the heterologous expression system. Over ...

Using a GFP-tagged TMEM184A Construct for Confirmation of Heparin Receptor Identity

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