Studies of Chaperone-Cochaperone Interactions using Homogenous Bead-Based Assay

Summary

This protocol presents a technique for probing protein-protein interactions using glutathione-linked donor beads with GST-fused TPR-motif co-chaperones and acceptor beads coupled with an Hsp90-derived peptide. We have used this technique to screen small molecules to disrupt Hsp90-FKBP51 or Hsp90-FKBP52 interactions and identified potent and selective Hsp90-FKBP51 interaction inhibitors.

Abstract

Targeting the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)-cochaperone interactions provides the possibility to specifically regulate Hsp90-dependent intracellular processes. The conserved MEEVD pentapeptide at the C-terminus of Hsp90 is responsible for the interaction with the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motif of co-chaperones. FK506-binding protein (FKBP) 51 and FKBP52 are two similar TPR-motif co-chaperones involved in steroid hormone-dependent diseases with different functions. Therefore, identifying molecules specifically blocking interactions between Hsp90 and FKBP51 or FKBP52 provides a promising therapeutic potential for several human diseases. Here, we describe the protocol for an amplified luminescent proximity homogenous assay to probe interactions between Hsp90 and its partner co-chaperones FKBP51 and FKBP52. First, we have purified the TPR motif-containing proteins FKBP51 and FKBP52 in glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged form. Using the glutathione-linked donor beads with GST-fused TPR-motif proteins and the acceptor beads coupled with a 10-mer C-terminal peptide of Hsp90, we have probed protein-protein interactions in a homogeneous environment. We have used this assay to screen small molecules to disrupt Hsp90-FKBP51 or Hsp90-FKBP52 interactions and identified potent and selective Hsp90-FKBP51 interaction inhibitors.

Introduction

Molecular chaperones contribute to protein homeostasis, including protein folding, transport, and degradation. They regulate several cellular processes and are linked to numerous diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases¹. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is one of the most important chaperones whose function is dependent on conformational changes driven by ATP hydrolysis and binding with client proteins mediated by its co-chaperones². Despite an obvious potential of Hsp90 as the therapeutic target, fine-tuning its function represents a big challenge. There are several Hsp90 inhibitors targeting the N-terminal ....

Protocol

NOTE: An overview of this protocol is shown in Figure 2.

1. Expression and purification of GST-FKBP51 and GST-FKBP52 (Figure 2A)

1. Plasmids
   NOTE: Obtain cDNA clones for human FKBP51 (clone id: 5723416) and for human FKBP52 (clone id: 7474554) from IMAGE consortium.
   1. Amplify the human FKBP51 DNA by PCR with primers (forward; 5`GGATCCATGACTACTGATGAAGGT-3`, reverse; 5`-CTCGAGCTATGCTTCTGTCTCCAC.......

Discussion

Here we describe a protocol using the assay for screening small molecules inhibiting interactions between Hsp90 and TPR-motif co-chaperones, especially FKBP51 and FKBP52. Its high Z' score (>0.8) demonstrates the robustness and reliability for a high-throughput format. Results can be obtained within one hour, and small amounts of beads, protein and compounds are required. Moreover, this protocol could easily be extended to any Hsp90/Hsp70 - TPR-motif co-chaperone interactions of interest. Several TPR-motif co-chaperon.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
384-well plates	Perkin Elmer	6008350	Assay volume 25 ml
Amicon 10.000 MWCO centrifugation unit	Millipore	UFC901008	Concentrate protein
Ampicillin	Sigma	A0166	Antibiotics
Bacteria shaker Unimax 1010	Heidolph		Culture bacteria
cDNA clones for human FKBP51	Source BioScience	clone id: 5723416	pCMV-SPORT6 vector
cDNA clones for human FKBP52	Source BioScience	clone id: 7474554	pCMV-SPORT6 vector
Chemically Competent E. coli	Invitrogen	C602003	One Shot BL21 Star (DE3)
Data analysis software	GraphPad Prism	9.0.0	Analysis data and make figures
Data analysis software	Excel		Analysis data
DMSO	Supelco	1.02952.1000	Dilute compounds
DPBS	Gibco	14190-144	Prepare solution
EDTA	Calbiochem	344504	Prevent proteolysis during sonication
Glutathione	Sigma	G-4251	Elute GST-tagged proteins
Glutathione donor beads	Perkin Elmer	6765300	Donor bead
GST-trap column	Cytiva (GE Healthcare)	17528201	Purify GST-tagged proteins
Isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside	Thermo Fisher Scientific	R0392	Induce protein expression
LB Broth (Miller)	Sigma	L3522	Microbial growth medium
PCR instrument	BIO-RAD	S1000 Thermal Cycler	Amplification/PCR
PD-10 column	Cytiva (GE Healthcare)	17085101	Solution exchange
pGEX-6P-1 vector	Cytiva (GE Healthcare)	28954648	Plasmid
pGEX-6P-2 vector	Cytiva (GE Healthcare)	28954650	Plasmid
Plate reader	Perkin Elmer	EnSpire 2300 Multilabel Reader	Read alpha plate
Plate reader software	Perkin Elmer	EnSpire Manager	Plate reader software
Plate reader software protocol	Perkin Elmer	Alpha 384-well Low volume	Use this protocol to read plate
PMSF	Sigma	P7626	Prevent proteolysis during sonication
protease inhibitor cocktail	Sigma	S8830	Prevent proteolysis during sonication
Sodium azide	Sigma	S2002	As a preservative
Sodium cyanoborohydride (NaBH3CN)	Sigma	156159	Activates matrix for coupling
Ten amino acid peptide NH2-EDASRMEEVD-COOH corresponding to amino acids 714-724 of human Hsp90 beta isoform	Peptide 2.0 inc		Synthesize Hsp90 C-terminal peptide
Test-Tube Rotator	LABINCO		Make end-over-end agitation
Tris-HCl	Sigma	10708976001	Block unreacted sites of acceptor beads
Tween-20	Sigma	P1379	Prevent beads aggregation
Ultra centrifuge Avanti J-20 XP	Beckman Coulter		Centrifuge to get bacteria cell pellets
Ultrasonic cell disruptor	Microson		Sonicate cells to release protein
Unconjugated acceptor beads	Perkin Elmer	6762003	Acceptor beads
XCell SureLock Mini-Cell and XCell II Blot Module	Invitrogen	EI0002	SDS-PAGE