This work was funded by National Institutes of Health grant GM086822, Hope Heart Institute Basic Sciences award, and the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust College Science Research Program. Select electrophoresis reagents and image analysis software were generously provided by Bio-Rad.

1. Preparation of cell cytosol containing functional GR
<ol>
 <li>Technical note: All buffers should be refrigerated and each step of this protocol, including centrifugations and incubation, should be performed on ice or at 4 &deg;C, unless otherwise noted. The low temperature is essential to prevent degradation of the GR and protein complexes.</li>
 <li>Using a refrigerated centrifuge, obtain a &tilde;1-5 ml pellet of cells that expresses a high concentration of functional GR. Examples of cell sources rich in GR inclu...

<ol>
	<li>Pratt, W. B., Toft, D. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+signaling+protein+function+and+trafficking+by+the+hsp90/hsp70-based+chaperone+machinery.">Regulation of signaling protein function and trafficking by the hsp90/hsp70-based chaperone machinery.</a> Exp. Biol. Med. 228, 111-133 (2003).</li><li>Murphy, P. J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+glucocorticoid+receptor+steroid+binding+and+trafficking+by+the+hsp90/hsp70-based+chaperone+machinery:+implications+for+clinical+intervention.">Regulation of glucocorticoid receptor steroid binding and trafficking by the hsp90/hsp70-based chaperone machinery: implications for clinical intervention.</a> Leukemia. 19, 710-712 (2005).</li><li>Pratt, W. B., Morishima, Y., Osawa, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Hsp90+chaperone+machinery+regulates+signaling+by+modulating+ligand+binding+clefts.">The Hsp90 chaperone machinery regulates signaling by modulating ligand binding clefts.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 283, 22885-22889 (2008).</li><li>Dittmar, K. D., Hutchison, K. A., Owens-Grillo, J. K., Pratt, W. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reconstitution+of+the+steroid+receptor&#149;hsp90+heterocomplex+assembly+system+of+rabbit+reticulocyte+lysate.">Reconstitution of the steroid receptor&#149;hsp90 heterocomplex assembly system of rabbit reticulocyte lysate.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 271, 12833-12839 (1996).</li><li>Morishima, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Hsp+organizer+protein+hop+enhances+the+rate+of+but+is+not+essential+for+glucocorticoid+receptor+folding+by+the+multiprotein+Hsp90-based+chaperone+system.">The Hsp organizer protein hop enhances the rate of but is not essential for glucocorticoid receptor folding by the multiprotein Hsp90-based chaperone system.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 275, 6894-6900 (2000).</li><li>Murphy, P. J. M., Kanelakis, K. C., Galigniana, M. D., Morishima, Y., Pratt, W. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stoichiometry,+abundance,+and+functional+significance+of+the+hsp90/hsp70-based+multiprotein+chaperone+machinery+in+reticulocyte+lysate.">Stoichiometry, abundance, and functional significance of the hsp90/hsp70-based multiprotein chaperone machinery in reticulocyte lysate.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 276, 30092-30098 (2001).</li><li>Dittmar, K. D., Pratt, W. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Folding+of+the+glucocorticoid+receptor+by+the+reconstituted+Hsp90-based+chaperone+machinery.+The+initial+hsp90.p60.hsp70-dependent+step+is+sufficient+for+creating+the+steroid+binding+conformation.">Folding of the glucocorticoid receptor by the reconstituted Hsp90-based chaperone machinery. The initial hsp90.p60.hsp70-dependent step is sufficient for creating the steroid binding conformation.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 272, 13047-13054 (1997).</li><li>Kanelakis, K. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+effects+of+the+hsp70-binding+protein+BAG-1+on+glucocorticoid+receptor+folding+by+the+hsp90-based+chaperone+machinery.">Differential effects of the hsp70-binding protein BAG-1 on glucocorticoid receptor folding by the hsp90-based chaperone machinery.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 274, 34134-34140 (1999).</li><li>Morishima, Y., Kanelakis, K. C., Murphy, P. J. M., Shewach, D. S., Pratt, W. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evidence+for+iterative+ratcheting+of+receptor-bound+hsp70+between+its+ATP+and+ADP+conformations+during+assembly+of+glucocorticoid+receptor.hsp90+heterocomplexes.">Evidence for iterative ratcheting of receptor-bound hsp70 between its ATP and ADP conformations during assembly of glucocorticoid receptor.hsp90 heterocomplexes.</a> Biochemistry. 40, 1109-1116 (2001).</li><li>Murphy, P. J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pifithrin-alpha+inhibits+p53+signaling+after+interaction+of+the+tumor+suppressor+protein+with+hsp90+and+its+nuclear+translocation.">Pifithrin-alpha inhibits p53 signaling after interaction of the tumor suppressor protein with hsp90 and its nuclear translocation.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 279, 30195-30201 (2004).</li><li>Murphy, P. J. M., Morishima, Y., Kovacs, J. J., Yao, T. P., Pratt, W. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+the+dynamics+of+hsp90+action+on+the+glucocorticoid+receptor+by+acetylation/deacetylation+of+the+chaperone.">Regulation of the dynamics of hsp90 action on the glucocorticoid receptor by acetylation/deacetylation of the chaperone.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 280, 33792-33799 (2005).</li><li>Morishima, Y., Murphy, P. J. M., Li, D. P., Sanchez, E. R., Pratt, W. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stepwise+assembly+of+a+glucocorticoid+receptor&#149;hsp90+heterocomplex+resolves+two+sequential+ATP-dependent+events+involving+first+hsp70+and+then+hsp90+in+opening+of+the+steroid+binding+pocket.">Stepwise assembly of a glucocorticoid receptor&#149;hsp90 heterocomplex resolves two sequential ATP-dependent events involving first hsp70 and then hsp90 in opening of the steroid binding pocket.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 275, 18054-18060 (2000).</li><li>Pratt, W. B., Toft, D. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Steroid+receptor+interactions+with+heat+shock+protein+and+immunophilin+chaperones.">Steroid receptor interactions with heat shock protein and immunophilin chaperones.</a> Endocr. Rev. 18, 306-360 (1997).</li><li>Bodwell, J. E. <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+phosphorylated+sites+in+the+mouse+glucocorticoid+receptor.">Identification of phosphorylated sites in the mouse glucocorticoid receptor.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 266, 7549-7555 (1991).</li><li>Penna, A., Cahalan, M. W. e. s. t. e. r. n. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Blotting+using+the+Invitrogen+NuPage+Novex+Bis+Tris+minigels.">Blotting using the Invitrogen NuPage Novex Bis Tris minigels.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (7), e264-e264 (2007).</li><li>Choo, Y. S., Zhang, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+Protein+Ubiquitination.">Detection of Protein Ubiquitination.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (30), e1293-e1293 (2009).</li><li>Murphy, P. J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Visualization+and+mechanism+of+assembly+of+a+glucocorticoid+receptor&amp;bull;Hsp70+complex+that+is+primed+for+subsequent+Hsp90-dependent+opening+of+the+steroid+binding+cleft.">Visualization and mechanism of assembly of a glucocorticoid receptor&amp;bull;Hsp70 complex that is primed for subsequent Hsp90-dependent opening of the steroid binding cleft.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 278, 34764-34773 (2003).</li><li>Schrum, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-sensitivity+detection+and+quantitative+analysis+of+native+protein-protein+interactions+and+multiprotein+complexes+by+flow+cytometry.">High-sensitivity detection and quantitative analysis of native protein-protein interactions and multiprotein complexes by flow cytometry.</a> Sci STKE. 389, pl2-pl2 (2007).</li><li>Davis, T. R., Schrum, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=IP-FCM:+Immunoprecipitation+Detected+by+Flow+Cytometry.">IP-FCM: Immunoprecipitation Detected by Flow Cytometry.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (46), e2066-e2066 (2010).</li><li>Felts, S. J., Karnitz, L. M., Toft, D. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functioning+of+the+Hsp90+machine+in+chaperoning+checkpoint+kinase+I+(Chk1)+and+the+progesterone+receptor+(PR).">Functioning of the Hsp90 machine in chaperoning checkpoint kinase I (Chk1) and the progesterone receptor (PR).</a> Cell Stress Chaperones. 12, 353-363 (2007).</li><li>Cintron, N. S., Toft, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Defining+the+requirements+for+Hsp40+and+Hsp70+in+the+Hsp90+chaperone+pathway.">Defining the requirements for Hsp40 and Hsp70 in the Hsp90 chaperone pathway.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 281, 26235-26244 (2006).</li></ol>

The assay described above can be adapted to test a myriad of conditions affecting the chaperone actions of the hsp90/hsp70-based chaperone machinery as well as GR steroid binding. It is a modification of previously reported methods 4,8,9,17 and is designed to take advantage of recent advances in electrophoresis technology and be accessible to a broader research community. Additional cofactors or proteins of interest may be added to the GR&bull;hsp90 heterocomplex reconstitution mixture, described in Step 4 of...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>Name of the reagent</th>
			<th>Company</th>
			<th>Catalogue number</th>
			<th>Comments</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sf9 insect cells </td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>for baculovirus expression of recombinant mouse GR</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L929 cells </td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-2173</td>
			<td>for endogenous mouse GR cytosol preparation (alternative to baculovirus expression) </td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FiGR hybridoma cells</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-2173</td>
			<td>for preparing ascites containing anti-GR monoclonal antibody (alternative to purified BuGR2 antibody)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Complete-Mini protease inhibitor, EDTA-free </td>
			<td>Roche Applied Science</td>
			<td>11836170001</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>protein A-Sepharose</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P3391</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>rabbit reticulocyte lysate </td>
			<td>Green Hectares (Oregon, WI)</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>rich source of endogenous hsp90/hsp70 chaperone machinery</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>creatine phosphokinase </td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>C3755</td>
			<td>for ATP-regenerating system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>phosphocreatine </td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P7936</td>
			<td>for ATP-regenerating system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-GR mouse monoclonal antibody (BuGR2)</td>
			<td>Pierce/Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>MA1-510</td>
			<td>used for GR immunoadsorption and as primary antibody in western blotting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-hsp90 mouse monoclonal antibody (AC88) </td>
			<td>Enzo Life Sciences</td>
			<td>ADI-SPA-830</td>
			<td>used as primary antibody in western blotting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-hsp70 mouse monoclonal antibody (N27F3-4) </td>
			<td>Enzo Life Sciences</td>
			<td>ADI-SPA-820</td>
			<td>used as primary antibody in western blotting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IgG from mouse serum </td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>038K7690</td>
			<td>used as nonimmune antibody for negative control of immunoadsorption</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-mouse IgG-peroxidase conjugate </td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A4416</td>
			<td>used as secondary antibody in western blotting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Experion microfluidic electrophoresis system</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>7007001</td>
			<td>alternative to conventional SDS-PAGE</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>[1,2,4,6,7-3H] dexamethasone</td>
			<td>PerkinElmer</td>
			<td>NET1192001MC</td>
			<td>follow safety precautions</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

biochemical reconstitution of steroid receptor&#x2022;hsp90 protein  complexes and reactivation of ligand binding

Hsp90 is an essential and highly abundant molecular chaperone protein that has been found to regulate more than 150 eukaryotic signaling proteins, including transcription factors (e.g. nuclear receptors, p53) and protein kinases (e.g. Src, Raf, Akt kinase) involved in cell cycling, tumorigenesis, apoptosis, and multiple eukaryotic signaling pathways 1,2. Of these many 'client' proteins for hsp90, the assembly of steroid receptor&bull;hsp90 complexes is the best defined (Figure 1). We present here an adaptable glucocorticoid receptor (GR) immunoprecipitation assay and in vitro GR&bull;hsp90 reconstitution method that may be readily used to probe eukaryotic hsp90 functional activity, hsp90-mediated steroid receptor ligand binding, and molecular chaperone cofactor requirements. For example, this assay can be used to test hsp90 cofactor requirements and the effects of adding exogenous compounds to the reconstitution process. 
The GR has been a particularly useful system for studying hsp90 because the receptor must be bound to hsp90 to have an open ligand binding cleft that is accessible to steroid 3. Endogenous, unliganded GR is present in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells noncovalently bound to hsp90. As found in the endogenous GR&bull;hsp90 heterocomplex, the GR ligand binding cleft is open and capable of binding steroid. If hsp90 dissociates from the GR or if its function is inhibited, the receptor is unable to bind steroid and requires reconstitution of the GR&bull;hsp90 heterocomplex before steroid binding activity is restored 4 . GR can be immunoprecipitated from cell cytosol using a monoclonal antibody, and proteins such as hsp90 complexed to the GR can be assayed by western blot. Steroid binding activity of the immunoprecipitated GR can be determined by incubating the immunopellet with [3H]steroid. 
Previous experiments have shown hsp90-mediated opening of the GR ligand binding cleft requires hsp70, a second molecular chaperone also essential for eukaryotic cell viability. Biochemical activity of hsp90 and hsp70 are catalyzed by co-chaperone proteins Hop, hsp40, and p23 5. A multiprotein chaperone machinery containing hsp90, hsp70, Hop, and hsp40 are endogenously present in eukaryotic cell cytoplasm, and reticulocyte lysate provides a chaperone-rich protein source 6. 
In the method presented, GR is immunoadsorbed from cell cytosol and stripped of the endogenous hsp90/hsp70 chaperone machinery using mild salt conditions. The salt-stripped GR is then incubated with reticulocyte lysate, ATP, and K+, which results in the reconstitution of the GR&bull;hsp90 heterocomplex and reactivation of steroid binding activity 7. This method can be utilized to test the effects of various chaperone cofactors, novel proteins, and experimental hsp90 or GR inhibitors in order to determine their functional significance on hsp90-mediated steroid binding 8-11.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptorâ€¢Hsp90 Protein  Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding at JoVE.com

Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor&#x2022;Hsp90 Protein  Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding

An in vitro method for preparing functional glucocorticoid receptor (GR)&#x2022;hsp90 protein complexes from purified proteins and cellular lysates is described. The method utilizes immunoadsorption of recombinant GR followed by salt-stripping and protein complex reconstitution. The importance of cofactors and buffer conditions are discussed, as are potential method applications.

Hsp90 is an essential and highly abundant molecular chaperone protein that has been found to regulate more than 150 eukaryotic signaling proteins, ...

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