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Method Article
This protocol describes how to extract fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase domain-containing protein 1 (FAHD1) from swine kidney and mouse liver. The listed methods may be adapted to other proteins of interest and modified for other tissues.
Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase domain-containing protein 1 (FAHD1) is the first identified member of the FAH superfamily in eukaryotes, acting as oxaloacetate decarboxylase in mitochondria. This article presents a series of methods for the extraction and purification of FAHD1 from swine kidney and mouse liver. Covered methods are ionic exchange chromatography with fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), preparative and analytical gel filtration with FPLC, and proteomic approaches. After total protein extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation and ionic exchange chromatography were explored, and FAHD1 was extracted via a sequential strategy using ionic exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. This representative approach may be adapted to other proteins of interest (expressed at significant levels) and modified for other tissues. Purified protein from tissue may support the development of high-quality antibodies, and/or potent and specific pharmacological inhibitors.
The eukaryotic FAH domain-containing protein 1 (FAHD1) acts as bi-functional oxaloacetate (OAA) decarboxylase (ODx)1 and acylpyruvate hydrolase (ApH)2. It is localized in mitochondria2 and belongs to the broad FAH superfamily of enzymes1,2,3,4,5,6. While its ApH activity is only of minor relevance, the ODx activity of FAHD1 is involved in the regulation of the TCA cycle flux1,7,8,9. OAA is not only required for the central citrate synthase reaction in the tricarboxylic acid cycle but also acts as a competitive inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase as part of the electron transport system and as a cataplerotic metabolite. Downregulation of FAHD1 gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of cell proliferation10, and significant inhibition of mitochondrial membrane potential, associated with a concomitant switch to glycolysis. The working model refers to mitochondrial dysfunction associated senescence (MiDAS)11-like phenotype8, where mitochondrial OAA levels are tightly regulated by FAHD1 activity1,8,9.
Recombinant protein is easier to obtain via expression and purification from bacteria12 rather than from tissue. However, a protein expressed in bacteria may be biased by possible lack of post-translational modifications, or may simply be problematic (i.e., due to plasmid loss, bacterial stress responses, distorted/unformed disulfide bonds, none or poor secretion, protein aggregation, proteolytic cleavage, etc.). For certain applications, protein needs to be obtained from cell lysate or tissue, in order to include such modifications and/or to exclude possible artifacts. Purified protein from tissue supports the development of high-quality antibodies, and/or potent and specific pharmacological inhibitors for selected enzymes, such as for FAHD113.
This manuscript presents a series of methods for the extraction and purification of FAHD1 from swine kidney and mouse liver. The described methods require fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) but otherwise use common laboratory equipment. Alternative methods may be found elsewhere14,15,16,17. After total protein extraction, the proposed protocol involves a testing phase, in which sub-protocols for ammonium sulfate precipitation and ionic exchange chromatography are discussed (Figure 1). After defining these sub-protocols, the protein of interest is extracted via a sequential strategy using ionic exchange and size-exclusion chromatography with FPLC. Based on these guidelines, the final protocol may be adapted individually for other proteins of interest.
Figure 1: The overall strategy of this protocol. From top to bottom: Protein is extracted from tissues. Tissue homogenate is prepared, centrifuged, and filtrated. For each pair of supernatant and pellet-derived samples, tests for ammonium sulfate precipitation and ionic exchange chromatography (FPLC) need to be performed to probe for optimal conditions. After establishing these sub-protocols, the protein may be extracted via a sequential procedure of ammonium sulfate precipitation, ionic exchange chromatography, and repetitive size exclusion chromatography (FPLC) at varying pH and salt concentrations. All steps need to be controlled by western blot. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
All experiments were performed in compliance with institutional guidelines. Swine kidney was obtained fresh from the local supermarket. Liver tissues were harvested from C57BL6 wild-type mice maintained at the Institute for Biomedical Aging Research at Innsbruck University, Rennweg 10, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria under the supervision of Univ.-Doz. Dr. Pidder Jansen-Dürr, covered by ethical permission as project leader issued in 2013 (BMWF-66.008/0007-II/3b/2013). Maintenance and use of the mice for the project are covered under ethical permission No. 2020-0.242.978 from May 5th, 2020, issued by the Austrian Ministry for Education, Science, and Research (BMBWF).
1. Preparations
NOTE: Before the protocol starts, several things need to be prepared, i.e., the protein lysis buffer, the crude tissue sample, and a specific antibody, besides general chemicals, and materials.
2. Total protein extraction
NOTE After preparing the sample in cold protein lysis buffer (see step 1.3), homogenize the tissue as best as possible via sonication by an ultrasonic probe, or using an electric homogenizer as follows.
3. SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis
NOTE: Western blot analysis is required to check for protein solubility. The following describes a protocol for electroblotting, using a Wet/Tank blotting system (see Table of Materials). An alternate protocol for SDS-PAGE may be found elsewhere19.
4. Testing: Ammonium sulfate precipitation
NOTE: Ammonium sulfate precipitation is a method of protein purification by altering the solubility of the protein. In a preliminary experiment, the ammonium sulfate concentration is sequentially increased to a value that precipitates a maximum amount of protein contaminants, while leaving FAHD1 in solution. The solubility of the protein is again probed via western blot analysis.
5. Testing: ionic exchange chromatography with FPLC
NOTE: Molecules with charged functional groups are bound to a silica particle column for FPLC, enabling the differentiation of proteins according to their surface charge. Perform this step twice, using the cationic exchange column and anionic exchange column (see Table of Materials). The protocol steps are the same for either cationic or anionic exchange chromatography, but the buffers to be used are different (see Table 1); both with "low salt" 15 mM NaCl and "high salt" 1 M NaCl conditions. For the columns used, a flow rate of 1 mL/min is recommended.
6. Protein extraction using defined sub-protocols for ammonium sulfate-precipitation and FPLC
NOTE: Porous particles in a silica gel column for FPLC (See Table of Materials) enable the differentiation of proteins according to their hydrodynamic radius. The described steps are to be performed with an FPLC system, using size exclusion chromatography (SEC). For the SEC column used (see Table of Materials), a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min is recommended.
7. Silver staining
NOTE: Silver staining analysis of SDS-PAGE gels is required to check for protein contaminations that may not be seen with Coomassie staining. The following protocol is one among many versions that can be found in the literature21. Perform all the incubation steps by shaking in a clean glass tray. Collect all silver- and formaldehyde-containing liquids in a special waste container and properly discard them.
FAHD1 protein was extracted from swine kidney and mouse liver using the presented protocol. For mouse tissue, multiple organs are required to obtain several µg after the final purification step. For this reason, this article focuses on the extraction of FAHD1 from swine kidneys, which is a much more exemplary experiment. The extraction of FAHD1 from the mouse liver is performed to present the difficulties and possible pitfalls of this protocol. It is generally recommended to use organs that show a high expression level ...
Critical steps in the protocol
Following common guidelines for the handling of proteins is essential, such as working on ice and at moderate pH and salt conditions. The use of protease inhibitors is beneficial to the method, while the use of proteasome inhibitors is highly recommended. Freezing and thawing the sample may always result in protein precipitation (at least partially), so any thawed aliquot of initial protein lysate (step 2) should be processed continuously without a break. Centrifugati...
The authors have no competing financial interests.
The authors are very thankful for the technical assistance by Ayse Öztürk and Eva Albertini. Mice used for the generation of liver tissue were maintained under the supervision of Univ.-Doz. Dr. Pidder Jansen-Dürr (Institute for Biomedical Aging Research at Innsbruck University, Rennweg 10, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria).
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
0.22 µm filter units | MERCK | SLGP033RS | Millex-HP, 0.22 µm, PES 33 mm, not steril |
0.45 µm filter units | MERCK | SLHP033NS | Millex-HP, 0.45 µm, PES 33 mm, not steril |
15 mL Falcon tubes | VWR | 734-0451 | centrifugal tubes |
50 mL Falcon tubes | VWR | 734-0448 | centrifugal tubes |
96-Well UV Microplate | Thermo-Fischer | 8404 | UV/VIS transparent flat-bottom 96 well plates |
Acrylamide/Bis Solution (40%, 29:1 ratio) | BIO-RAD | #1610147 | 40% acrylamide/bis-acrylamide, 29:1 (3.3% crosslinker) solution for casting polyacrylamide gels |
ÄKTA FPLC system | GE Healthcare Life Sciences / Cytiva | - | using the FPLC system by GE Healthcare; different custom versions exist; this work used the "ÄKTA pure" system |
Amicon Ultra-15, PLGC Ultracel-PL Membran, 10 kDa | MERCK | UFC901024 | centrifigal filters for protein enrichment; 10 kDa molecular mass filter; 15 mL |
Amicon Ultra-4, PLGC Ultracel-PL Membran, 10 kDa | MERCK | UFC801024 | centrifigal filters for protein enrichment; 10 kDa molecular mass filter; 4 mL |
Ammonium sulfate powder | MERCK | A4418 | ammonium sulphate for molecular biology, ≥99.0% |
Ammoniumpersulfat reagent grade, 98% | MERCK | 215589 | Catalyst for acrylamide gel polymerization. |
Coomassie Brilliant blue R 250 | MERCK | 1125530025 | Coomassie Brilliant blue R 250 (C.I. 42660) for electrophoresis Trademark of Imperial Chemical Industries PLC. CAS 6104-59-2, pH 6.2 (10 g/l, H2O, 25 °C) |
Dialysis tubing cellulose membrane | MERCK | D9277 | Cellulose membranes for the exchange of buffers via dialysis. |
Eppendof tubes 1.5 mL | VWR | 525-1042 | microcentrifugal tubes; autoclaved |
HiLoad 26/600 Superdex 75 pg | GE Healthcare Life Sciences / Cytiva | 28989334 | HiLoad Superdex 75 pg prepacked columns are for high-resolution size exclusion chromatography of recombinant proteins |
Immun-Blot PVDF Membrane | BIO-RAD | #1620177 | PVDF membranes are protein blotting membranes optimized for fluorescent and multiplex fluorescent applications. |
Mini Trans-Blot Electrophoretic Transfer Cell | BIO-RAD | #1703930 | Use the Mini Trans-Blot Cell for rapid blotting of Mini-PROTEAN precast and handcast gels. |
Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Vertical Electrophoresis Cell for Mini Precast Gels | BIO-RAD | #1658004 | 4-gel vertical electrophoresis system, includes electrode assembly, companion running module, tank, lid with power cables, mini cell buffer dam. |
Mono Q 10/100 GL | GE Healthcare Life Sciences / Cytiva | 17516701 | Mono Q columns are strong anion exchange chromatography columns for protein analysis or small scale, high resolution polishing of proteins. |
Mono S 10/100 GL | GE Healthcare Life Sciences / Cytiva | 17516901 | Mono S columns are strong cation exchange chromatography columns for protein analysis or small scale high resolution polishing of proteins. |
PageRuler Prestained Protein Ladder, 10 to 180 kDa | Thermo-Fischer | 26616 | A mixture of 10 blue-, orange-, and green-stained proteins (10 to 180 kDa) for use as size standards in protein electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western blotting. |
Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit | Thermo-Fischer | 23225 | A two-component, high-precision, detergent-compatible protein assay for determination of protein concentration. |
Sonifier 250; Ultrasonic Cell Disruptor w/ Converter | Branson | - | New models at https://www.emerson.com/documents/automation/brochure-sonifier-sfx250-sfx550-cell-disruptors-homogenizers-branson-en-us-168180.pdf |
Swine Anti-Rabbit Immunoglobulins/HRP (affinity isolated) | Agilent Dako | P0399 | The antibody used for horseradish peroxidase conjugation reacts with rabbit immunoglobulins of all classes. |
TEMED, 1,2-Bis(dimethylamino)ethane, TMEDA | MERCK | T9281 | TEMED (N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine) is molecule which allows rapid polymerization of polyacrylamide gels. |
Tube Roller | - | - | A general tube rotator roller; e.g. a new model at https://labstac.com/de/Mixer/Roller/c/71 |
Tube Rotator | - | - | A general tube rotator wheel; e.g. a new model at https://labstac.com/de/Tube-Roller/p/MT123 |
ULTRA-TURRAX; T 25 digital | IKA | 0003725000 | New models at https://www.ika.com/de/Produkte-Lab-Eq/Dispergierer-Dipergiergeraet-Homogenisierer-Homogenisator-csp-177/T-25-digital-ULTRA-TURRAX-cpdt-3725000/ |
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