This work was supported by grants from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Part 1: Disruption of the Influenza A Virion
<ol>
<li>Add 750 &micro;l of MNT buffer (20 mM MES, 150 mM NaCl, 30 mM Tris, pH 7.5) into one Beckman polycarbonate centrifuge tube (11 mm x 34 mm) designed to fit into a TLA-120.2 rotor for use in a Beckman Optima Max-E ultracentrifuge.</li>
<li>Add 500 &micro;l of the influenza A virus (H3N2 X-31 A/AICHI/68 strain; 2 mg/ml) into that tube. Mix the virus with the MNT buffer by pipetting up and down several times.</li>
<li>Centrifuge for 10 minutes at 109,000 x g, 4 &deg;C, in a Beckman Optima Max-E centrifuge using a TLA-120.2 rotor.</li>
<li>Remove the supernatant, and resuspend the pellet in 500 &micro;l disruption buffer (100 mM KCl, 5 mM MgCl2, 5% (w/v) glycerol, 50 mM octylglucoside, 10 mg/ml lysolecithin, 1.5 mM dithiothreitol, 100 mM MES, pH 5.5).</li>
<li>Vortex vigorously, and then shake at 31 &deg;C for 20 minutes in an eppendorf thermomixer.</li>
</ol>
Part 2: Glycerol Gradient Sediment Velocity Centrifugation
<ol>
<li>Prepare a glycerol gradient by placing the following amounts of glycerol into a Beckman ultraclear centrifuge tube (13 mm x 51 mm): 1 ml 70% (v/v) glycerol, 0.75 ml 50% glycerol, 0.375 ml 40% glycerol, and 1.8 ml 33% glycerol. Glycerol solutions are made by mixing pure glycerol with NM buffer (150 mM NaCl, 50 mM MES, pH 5.5). Also prepare a balance tube containing both glycerol and buffer.</li>
<li>Vortex the disrupted viral sample again, and load it onto the glycerol gradient.</li>
<li>Centrifuge the gradient for 3.75 hours at 217,000 x g, 4 &deg;C, in a Beckman MLS-50 swinging-bucket rotor.</li>
<li>After the centrifugation is complete, manually collect 250 &micro;l aliquots of the gradient starting from the top of the tube. Keep fractions on ice or at 4 &deg;C.</li>
</ol>
Part 3: Analysis of the Glycerol Gradient Fractions by SDS Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
<ol>
<li>Remove 20 &micro;l from each fraction to a fresh tube.</li>
<li>Add 5 &micro;l of 5x SDS-PAGE sample buffer.</li>
<li>Heat to 95 &deg;C for 5 minutes.</li>
<li>Spin down the samples briefly and load them onto a 10% polyacrylamide gel, and include molecular weight markers in one of the wells.</li>
<li>Run the samples on the gel until the bromphenol blue loading dye reaches close to the bottom of the gel.</li>
<li>Stain the gel with Coomassie blue.</li>
</ol>
Part 4: Concentration of the vRNP Fractions
<ol>
<li>Choose the glycerol fractions containing mainly NP, combine them, and distribute them into two Beckman polycarbonate centrifuge tubes (11 mm x 34 mm).</li>
<li>Fill each tube with diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC)-treated Ultrapure water, and pipet up and down several times to mix.</li>
<li>Centrifuge for 4.5 hours at 157,000 x g, 4&deg;C, in a Beckman TLA-120.2 rotor.</li>
<li>Remove the supernatant, and resuspend the pellet in 50 &micro;l of DEPC-treated water.</li>
<li>If desired, the A280 of the concentrated vRNPs can be measured. As NP is the major component present in the pooled fractions, an estimate of the molarity of NP can be calculated using its extinction coefficient of 55,350 M-1 cm-1 (as determined via ProtParam3).</li>
<li>Aliquot the purified vRNPs, and store them frozen at -80 &deg;C for later use.</li>
</ol>
Part 5: Negative Staining of vRNPs
<ol>
<li>Dilute 1 &micro;l of purified vRNP into 9 &micro;l of freshly-made and filtered-twice MNT buffer (20 mM MES, 150 mM NaCl, 30 mM Tris, pH 7.5). Other buffers are also OK to dilute the vRNPs and to wash the specimen grid (step 5.5), but do not use PBS if uranyl acetate is used for negative staining.</li>
<li>Glow-discharge a specimen (copper TEM) grid previously coated with a parlodion and carbon film for 30 seconds.</li>
<li>Hold the freshly glow-discharged specimen grid with tweezers, and apply a 5-&micro;l drop of diluted vRNP onto the specimen grid.</li>
<li>Leave the drop of specimen on the grid for 8 minutes.</li>
<li>While waiting, place a small strip of Parafilm on the bench, and dispense 2 drops containing 10 &micro;l each of MNT buffer (to wash the grid), and a 80-&micro;l drop of the freshly made staining solution (1% ammonium molybdate or 1% uranyl acetate) onto the Parafilm.</li>
<li>After the 8-minutes of adsorption, wick off part of the sample solution from the specimen grid with a piece of filter paper (cut into triangles). Do not let the specimen grid to dry.</li>
<li>Wash specimen grid in 2 drops containing 10 &micro;l each of MNT buffer for a total time of 1 minute. This is done by carefully lowering the specimen grid on the drop, and then wicking off part of the sample solution from the specimen grid with a piece of filter paper (without letting the specimen grid dry).</li>
<li>Immediately after wicking off the last drop of buffer from specimen grid, completely submerge the specimen grid within the stain droplet and wait 1 minute.</li>
<li>Completely wick off the stain solution from the specimen grid with a piece of filter paper.</li>
<li>Allow the specimen grid to air-dry for several minutes before observation under a transmission electron microscope.</li>
</ol>
Part 6: Representative Results:
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/old/1105_2009_1_22_1/1105_Figure2.png" alt="Figure 2" width="600" height="215" />
Figure 1
As influenza A NP (~56 kDa) is the major protein found in viral ribonucleoprotein complexes, the NP band generally is the strongest band in the fractions containing the vRNPs (Figure 1). In addition to NP, each influenza vRNP also contains a copy of a trimeric RNA polymerase (molecular weights of 82, 86 and 86.5 kDa) complex. These may or may not be visible by Coomassie blue staining because their abundance is low compared to that of NP. The polymerases, however, can be detected if, instead of a Commassie blue stain, a silver stain of the gel is performed. The influenza matrix protein M1 (~ 28 kDa) should be minimally present in the fractions where the NP protein peak fractions are present.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/old/1105_2009_1_22_2/1105_3.png" alt="Figure 3" width="600" height="360" />
Figure 2
Negatively-stained vRNPs as visualized under a transmission electron microscopy should yield vRNPs that resemble rod-shaped particles with variable length that are approximately 30 nm to 120 nm in length (Figure 2a). The oligomeric NP is organized as a chain of NP molecules that is further folded into a double helical repeat structure, so loops on either ends of these rod-shaped particles can sometimes be seen (Figure 2b).

<ol>
	<li>Kemler, I., Whittaker, G., Helenius, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nuclear+import+of+microinjected+influenza+virus+ribonucleoproteins.">Nuclear import of microinjected influenza virus ribonucleoproteins.</a> Virology. 202, 1028-1033 (1994).</li><li>Wu, W. W. H., Weaver, L. L., Pant&#233;, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ultrastructural+analysis+of+the+nuclear+localization+sequences+on+influenza+a+ribonucleoprotein+complexes.">Ultrastructural analysis of the nuclear localization sequences on influenza a ribonucleoprotein complexes.</a> J Mol Biol. 374, 910-916 (2007).</li><li>Gasteiger, E., Walker, 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=.">.</a> The Proteomics Protocols Handbook. , 571-607 (2005).</li><li>Wu, W. W. H., Sun, Y. H. B., Pant&#233;, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nuclear+import+of+influenza+A+viral+ribonucleoprotein+complexes+is+mediated+by+two+nuclear+localization+sequences+on+viral+nucleoprotein.">Nuclear import of influenza A viral ribonucleoprotein complexes is mediated by two nuclear localization sequences on viral nucleoprotein.</a> Virol J. 4, 49-49 (2007).</li><li>Babcock, H. P., Chen, C., Zhuang, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+single-particle+tracking+to+study+nuclear+trafficking+of+viral+genes.">Using single-particle tracking to study nuclear trafficking of viral genes.</a> Biophys J. 87, 2749-2758 (2004).</li></ol>

The purification of vRNPs is based on the procedure described by Kemler et al. (1994).1 We and others have also used this protocol to isolate vRNPs to study their nuclear import.2,4,5
We recommend the use of RNase-free tips and tubes when manipulating vRNPs because the viral genome is composed of RNA, and therefore degrades easily in the presence of RNA. In addition, all buffers should be made in water that is RNase free. The protocol described here was performe...

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>H3N2 X-31 A/AICHI/68 influenza A</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Charles River Laboratories</td>
<td>490715</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Tris</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>T1503</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>MES</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>M-8250</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Glycerol</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher</td>
<td>G33-1</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Octylglucoside</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>O-8001</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Lysolecithin</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>L-4129</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Dithiothreitol</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>D-9779</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Coomassie brilliant blue G-250</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Kodak</td>
<td>1367796</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC)-treated water</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>750024</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Uranyl Acetate</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Ted Pella</td>
<td>19481</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Ammonium Molybdate</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher</td>
<td>A-674</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Optima MAX-E Ultracentrifuge</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
<td>434491</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>MLS-50 Rotor Package, Swinging Bucket</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
<td>367280</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>TLA-120.2 Rotor Assembly, Fixed-Angle, Titanium</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
<td>362046</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Eppendorf Thermomixer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Brinkman</td>
<td>022670000</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

purification and visualization of influenza a viral ribonucleoprotein complexes

The influenza A viral genome consists of eight negative-sense, single stranded RNA molecules, individually packed with multiple copies of the influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) into viral ribonulceoprotein particles (vRNPs). The influenza vRNPs are enclosed within the viral envelope. During cell entry, however, these vRNP complexes are released into the cytoplasm, where they gain access to the host nuclear transport machinery. In order to study the nuclear import of influenza vRNPs and the replication of the influenza genome, it is useful to work with isolated vRNPs so that other components of the virus do not interfere with these processes. Here, we describe a procedure to purify these vRNPs from the influenza A virus. The procedure starts with the disruption of the influenza A virion with detergents in order to release the vRNP complexes from the enveloped virion. The vRNPs are then separated from the other components of the influenza A virion on a 33-70% discontinuous glycerol gradient by velocity sedimentation. The fractions obtained from the glycerol gradient are then analyzed on via SDS-PAGE after staining with Coomassie blue. The peak fractions containing NP are then pooled together and concentrated by centrifugation. After concentration, the integrity of the vRNPs is verified by visualization of the vRNPs by transmission electron microscopy after negative staining. The glycerol gradient purification is a modification of that from Kemler et al. (1994)1, and the negative staining has been performed by Wu et al. (2007).2

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Purification and Visualization of Influenza A Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complexes at JoVE.com

Purification and Visualization of Influenza A Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complexes

The genome of the influenza A virus consists of eight separate complexes of RNA and proteins, termed viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (vRNPs). This paper describes the glycerol gradient purification and transmission electron microscopy visualization of influenza A vRNPs.

The influenza A viral genome consists of eight negative-sense, single stranded RNA molecules, individually packed with multiple copies of the influenza A ...

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12.9K Views.  University of British Columbia - UBC. The genome of the influenza A virus consists of eight separate complexes of RNA and proteins, termed viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (vRNPs). This paper describes the glycerol gradient purification and transmission electron microscopy visualization of influenza A vRNPs.

Video: Purification and Visualization of Influenza A Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complexes

Staining of Proteins in Gels with Coomassie G-250 without Organic Solvent and Acetic Acid

In classical protein staining protocols using Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB), solutions with high contents of toxic and flammable organic solvents (Methanol, Ethanol or 2-Propanol) and acetic acid are used for fixation, staining and destaining of proteins in a gel after SDS-PAGE. To speed up the procedure, heating the staining solution in the microwave oven for a short time is frequently used. This usually results in evaporation of toxic or hazardous Methanol, Ethanol or 2-Propanol and a strong smell of acetic acid in the lab which should be avoided due to safety considerations. In a protocol originally published in two patent applications by E.M. Wondrak (US2001046709 (A1), US6319720 (B1)), an alternative composition of the staining solution is described in which no organic solvent or acid is used. The CBB is dissolved in bidistilled water (60-80mg of CBB G-250 per liter) and 35 mM HCl is added as the only other compound in the staining solution. The CBB staning of the gel is done after SDS-PAGE and thorough washing of the gel in bidistilled water. By heating the gel during the washing and staining steps, the process can be finished faster and no toxic or hazardous compunds are evaporating. The staining of proteins occurs already within 1 minute after heating the gel in staining solution and is fully developed after 15-30 min with a slightly blue background that is destained completely by prolonged washing of the stained gel in bidistilled water, without affecting the stained protein bands.

A short protocol for protein staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) G-250 in polyacrylamide gels is described without using organic solvents or acetic acid as in the classical staining procedures with CBB.

In classical protein staining protocols using Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB), solutions with high contents of toxic and flammable organic solvents ...

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Polyaminopolycarboxylate-based ligands are commonly used to chelate lanthanide ions, and the resulting complexes are 
useful as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Many commercially available ligands are especially useful because they contain 
functional groups that allow for fast, high-purity, and high-yielding conjugation to macromolecules and biomolecules via amine-reactive 
activated esters and isothiocyanate groups or thiol-reactive maleimides. While metalation of these ligands is considered common 
knowledge in the field of bioconjugation chemistry, subtle differences in metalation procedures must be taken into account when 
selecting metal starting materials. Furthermore, multiple options for purification and characterization exist, and selection of the most 
effective procedure partially depends on the selection of starting materials. These subtle differences are often neglected in published 
protocols. Here, our goal is to demonstrate common methods for metalation, purification, and characterization of lanthanide complexes 
that can be used as contrast agents for MRI (Figure 1). We expect that this publication will enable biomedical scientists to incorporate 
lanthanide complexation reactions into their repertoire of commonly used reactions by easing the selection of starting materials and 
purification methods.

We demonstrate the metalation, purification, and characterization of lanthanide complexes. The complexes described here can be conjugated to macromolecules to enable tracking of these molecules using magnetic resonance imaging.

Polyaminopolycarboxylate-based ligands are commonly used to chelate lanthanide ions, and the resulting complexes are 
useful as contrast agents for ...

Purification of Hsp104, a Protein Disaggregase

Hsp104 is a hexameric AAA+ protein1 from yeast, which couples ATP hydrolysis to protein disaggregation2-10 (Fig. 1). This activity imparts two key selective advantages. First, renaturation of disordered aggregates by Hsp104 empowers yeast survival after various protein-misfolding stresses, including heat shock3,5,11,12. Second, remodeling of cross-beta amyloid fibrils by Hsp104 enables yeast to exploit myriad prions (infectious amyloids) as a reservoir of beneficial and heritable phenotypic variation13-22. Remarkably, Hsp104 directly remodels preamyloid oligomers and amyloid fibrils, including those comprised of the yeast prion proteins Sup35 and Ure223-30. This amyloid-remodeling functionality is a specialized facet of yeast Hsp104. The E. coli orthologue, ClpB, fails to remodel preamyloid oligomers or amyloid fibrils26,31,32.
Hsp104 orthologues are found in all kingdoms of life except, perplexingly, animals. Indeed, whether animal cells possess any enzymatic system that couples protein disaggregation to renaturation (rather than degradation) remains unknown33-35. Thus, we and others have proposed that Hsp104 might be developed as a therapeutic agent for various neurodegenerative diseases connected with the misfolding of specific proteins into toxic preamyloid oligomers and amyloid fibrils4,7,23,36-38. There are no treatments that directly target the aggregated species associated with these diseases. Yet, Hsp104 dissolves toxic oligomers and amyloid fibrils composed of alpha-synuclein, which are connected with Parkinson's Disease23 as well as amyloid forms of PrP39. Importantly, Hsp104 reduces protein aggregation and ameliorates neurodegeneration in rodent models of Parkinson's Disease23 and Huntington's disease38. Ideally, to optimize therapy and minimize side effects, Hsp104 would be engineered and potentiated to selectively remodel specific aggregates central to the disease in question4,7. However, the limited structural and mechanistic understanding of how Hsp104 disaggregates such a diverse repertoire of aggregated structures and unrelated proteins frustrates these endeavors30,40-42.
To understand the structure and mechanism of Hsp104, it is essential to study the pure protein and reconstitute its disaggregase activity with minimal components. Hsp104 is a 102kDa protein with a pI of ~5.3, which hexamerizes in the presence of ADP or ATP, or at high protein concentrations in the absence of nucleotide43-46. Here, we describe an optimized protocol for the purification of highly active, stable Hsp104 from E. coli. The use of E. coli allows simplified large-scale production and our method can be performed quickly and reliably for numerous Hsp104 variants. Our protocol increases Hsp104 purity and simplifies His6-tag removal compared to a previous purification method from E. coli47. Moreover, our protocol is more facile and convenient than two more recent protocols26,48.

Here, we describe a protocol for the purification of highly active Hsp104, a hexameric AAA+ protein from yeast, which couples ATP hydrolysis to protein disaggregation. This scheme exploits a His6-tagged construct for affinity purification from E. coli followed by anion-exchange chromatography, His6-tag removal with TEV protease, and size-exclusion chromatography.

Hsp104 is a hexameric AAA+ protein1 from yeast, which couples ATP hydrolysis to protein disaggregation2-10 (Fig. 1). This activity imparts two key ...

Chromatographic Purification of Highly Active Yeast Ribosomes

Eukaryotic ribosomes are much more labile as compared to their eubacterial and archael counterparts, thus posing a significant challenge to researchers. Particularly troublesome is the fact that lysis of cells releases a large number of proteases and nucleases which can degrade ribosomes. Thus, it is important to separate ribosomes from these enzymes as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, conventional differential ultracentrifugation methods leaves ribosomes exposed to these enzymes for unacceptably long periods of time, impacting their structural integrity and functionality. To address this problem, we utilize a chromatographic method using a cysteine charged Sulfolink resin. This simple and rapid application significantly reduces co-purifying proteolytic and nucleolytic activities, producing high yields of intact, highly biochemically active yeast ribosomes. We suggest that this method should also be applicable to mammalian ribosomes. The simplicity of the method, and the enhanced purity and activity of chromatographically purified ribosome represents a significant technical advancement for the study of eukaryotic ribosomes.

Contamination of preparations of eukaryotic ribosomes purified by traditional methods by co-purifying nucleases and proteases negatively impacts on downstream biochemical and structural analyses. A rapid and simple chromatographic purification method is used to solve this problem using yeast ribosomes as a model system.

Eukaryotic ribosomes are much more labile as compared to their eubacterial and archael counterparts, thus posing a significant challenge to researchers.  ...

Method for the Isolation and Identification of mRNAs, microRNAs and Protein Components of Ribonucleoprotein Complexes from Cell Extracts using RIP-Chip

As a result of the development of high-throughput sequencing and efficient microarray analysis, global gene expression analysis has become an easy and readily available form of data collection. In many research and disease models however, steady state levels of target gene mRNA does not always directly correlate with steady state protein levels. Post-transcriptional gene regulation is a likely explanation of the divergence between the two. Driven by the binding of RNA Binding Proteins (RBP), post-transcriptional regulation affects mRNA localization, stability and translation by forming a Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex with target mRNAs. Identifying these unknown de novo mRNA targets from cellular extracts in the RNP complex is pivotal to understanding mechanisms and functions of the RBP and their resulting effect on protein output. This protocol outlines a method termed RNP immunoprecipitation-microarray (RIP-Chip), which allows for the identification of specific mRNAs associated in the ribonucleoprotein complex, under changing experimental conditions, along with options to further optimize an experiment for the individual researcher. With this important experimental tool, researchers can explore the intricate mechanisms associated with post-transcriptional gene regulation as well as other ribonucleoprotein interactions.

A step by step protocol to isolating and identifying RNA associated complexes through RIP-Chip.

As a result of the development of high-throughput sequencing and efficient microarray analysis, global gene expression analysis has become an easy and ...

Identification of Protein Complexes in Escherichia coli using Sequential Peptide Affinity Purification in Combination with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Since most cellular processes are mediated by macromolecular assemblies, the systematic identification of protein-protein interactions (PPI) and the identification of the subunit composition of multi-protein complexes can provide insight into gene function and enhance understanding of biological systems1, 2. Physical interactions can be mapped with high confidence vialarge-scale isolation and characterization of endogenous protein complexes under near-physiological conditions based on affinity purification of chromosomally-tagged proteins in combination with mass spectrometry (APMS). This approach has been successfully applied in evolutionarily diverse organisms, including yeast, flies, worms, mammalian cells, and bacteria1-6. In particular, we have generated a carboxy-terminal Sequential Peptide Affinity (SPA) dual tagging system for affinity-purifying native protein complexes from cultured gram-negative Escherichia coli, using genetically-tractable host laboratory strains that are well-suited for genome-wide investigations of the fundamental biology and conserved processes of prokaryotes1, 2, 7. Our SPA-tagging system is analogous to the tandem affinity purification method developed originally for yeast8, 9, and consists of a calmodulin binding peptide (CBP) followed by the cleavage site for the highly specific tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease and three copies of the FLAG epitope (3X FLAG), allowing for two consecutive rounds of affinity enrichment. After cassette amplification, sequence-specific linear PCR products encoding the SPA-tag and a selectable marker are integrated and expressed in frame as carboxy-terminal fusions in a DY330 background that is induced to transiently express a highly efficient heterologous bacteriophage lambda recombination system10. Subsequent dual-step purification using calmodulin and anti-FLAG affinity beads enables the highly selective and efficient recovery of even low abundance protein complexes from large-scale cultures. Tandem mass spectrometry is then used to identify the stably co-purifying proteins with high sensitivity (low nanogram detection limits).
Here, we describe detailed step-by-step procedures we commonly use for systematic protein tagging, purification and mass spectrometry-based analysis of soluble protein complexes from E. coli, which can be scaled up and potentially tailored to other bacterial species, including certain opportunistic pathogens that are amenable to recombineering. The resulting physical interactions can often reveal interesting unexpected components and connections suggesting novel mechanistic links. Integration of the PPI data with alternate molecular association data such as genetic (gene-gene) interactions and genomic-context (GC) predictions can facilitate elucidation of the global molecular organization of multi-protein complexes within biological pathways. The networks generated for E. coli can be used to gain insight into the functional architecture of orthologous gene products in other microbes for which functional annotations are currently lacking.

Identification of Protein Complexes in Escherichia coli using Sequential Peptide Affinity Purification in Combination with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Affinity purification of tagged proteins in combination with mass spectrometry (APMS) is a powerful method for the systematic mapping of protein interaction networks and for investigating the mechanistic basis of biological processes. Here, we describe an optimized sequential peptide affinity (SPA) APMS procedure developed for the bacterium Escherichia coli that can be used to isolate and characterize stable multi-protein complexes to near homogeneity even starting from low copy numbers per cell.

Since most cellular processes are mediated by macromolecular assemblies, the systematic identification of protein-protein interactions (PPI) and the ...

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Localized mRNAs in Mammalian Cells

In eukaryotes, most of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode secreted and membrane proteins are localized to the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the visualization of these mRNAs can be challenging. This is especially true when only a fraction of the mRNA is ER-associated and their distribution to this organelle is obstructed by non-targeted (i.e. "free") transcripts. In order to monitor ER-associated mRNAs, we have developed a method in which cells are treated with a short exposure to a digitonin extraction solution that selectively permeabilizes the plasma membrane, and thus removes the cytoplasmic contents, while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of the ER. When this method is coupled with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), one can clearly visualize ER-bound mRNAs by fluorescent microscopy. Using this protocol the degree of ER-association for either bulk poly(A) transcripts or specific mRNAs can be assessed and even quantified. In the process, one can use this assay to investigate the nature of mRNA-ER interactions.

Here we describe a method to visualize endoplasmic reticulum-associated mRNAs in mammalian tissue culture cells. This technique involves the selective permeabilization of the plasma membrane with digitonin to remove cytoplasmic contents followed by fluorescent in situ hybridization to detect either bulk poly(A) mRNA or specific transcripts.

In eukaryotes, most of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode secreted and membrane proteins are localized to the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum ...

Purification of Transcripts and Metabolites from Drosophila Heads

For the last decade, we have tried to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal degeneration using Drosophila as a model organism. Although fruit flies provide obvious experimental advantages, research on neurodegenerative diseases has mostly relied on traditional techniques, including genetic interaction, histology, immunofluorescence, and protein biochemistry. These techniques are effective for mechanistic, hypothesis-driven studies, which lead to a detailed understanding of the role of single genes in well-defined biological problems. However, neurodegenerative diseases are highly complex and affect multiple cellular organelles and processes over time. The advent of new technologies and the omics age provides a unique opportunity to understand the global cellular perturbations underlying complex diseases. Flexible model organisms such as Drosophila are ideal for adapting these new technologies because of their strong annotation and high tractability. One challenge with these small animals, though, is the purification of enough informational molecules (DNA, mRNA, protein, metabolites) from highly relevant tissues such as fly brains. Other challenges consist of collecting large numbers of flies for experimental replicates (critical for statistical robustness) and developing consistent procedures for the purification of high-quality biological material. Here, we describe the procedures for collecting thousands of fly heads and the extraction of transcripts and metabolites to understand how global changes in gene expression and metabolism contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. These procedures are easily scalable and can be applied to the study of proteomic and epigenomic contributions to disease.

Purification of Transcripts and Metabolites from Drosophila Heads

We describe here the procedures for the extraction and purification of mRNA and metabolites from Drosophila heads. We are applying these techniques to better understand the cellular perturbations underlying neuronal degeneration. These methodologies can be easily scaled and adapted for other "omic" projects.

For the last decade, we have tried to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal degeneration using Drosophila as a model organism. ...

AFM-based Mapping of the Elastic Properties of Cell Walls: at Tissue, Cellular, and Subcellular Resolutions

We describe a recently developed method to measure mechanical properties of the surfaces of plant tissues using atomic force microscopy (AFM) micro/nano-indentations, for a JPK&#160;AFM. Specifically, in this protocol we measure the apparent Young&#8217;s modulus of cell walls at subcellular resolutions across regions of up to 100 &#181;m&#160;x 100 &#181;m in floral meristems, hypocotyls, and roots. This requires careful preparation of the sample, the correct selection of micro-indenters and indentation depths. To account for cell wall properties only, measurements are performed in highly concentrated solutions of mannitol in order to plasmolyze the cells and thus remove the contribution of cell turgor pressure.
In contrast to other extant techniques, by using different indenters and indentation depths, this method allows simultaneous multiscale measurements, i.e. at subcellular resolutions and across hundreds of cells comprising a tissue. This means that it is now possible&#160;to spatially-temporally characterize the changes that take place in the mechanical properties of cell walls during development, enabling these changes to be correlated with growth and differentiation. This represents a key step to understand how coordinated microscopic cellular changes bring about macroscopic morphogenetic events.
However, several limitations remain: the method can only be used on fairly small samples (around 100 &#181;m in diameter) and only on external tissues; the method is sensitive to tissue topography; it measures only certain aspects of the tissue&#8217;s complex mechanical properties. The technique is being developed rapidly and it is likely that most of these limitations will be resolved in the near future.

We describe a method to map mechanical properties of plant tissues using an atomic force microscope (AFM). We focus on how to record mechanical changes that take place in cell walls during plant development at wide-field mesoscale, enabling these changes to be correlated with growth and morphogenesis.

We describe a recently developed method to measure mechanical properties of the surfaces of plant tissues using atomic force microscopy (AFM) ...

Rapid Isolation And Purification Of Mitochondria For Transplantation By Tissue Dissociation And Differential Filtration

Previously described mitochondrial isolation methods using differential centrifugation and/or Ficoll gradient centrifugation require 60 to 100 min to complete. We describe a method for the rapid isolation of mitochondria from mammalian biopsies using a commercial tissue dissociator and differential filtration. In this protocol, manual homogenization is replaced with the tissue dissociator&#8217;s standardized homogenization cycle. This allows for uniform and consistent homogenization of tissue that is not easily achieved with manual homogenization. Following tissue dissociation, the homogenate is filtered through nylon mesh filters, which eliminate repetitive centrifugation steps. As a result, mitochondrial isolation can be performed in less than 30 min. This isolation protocol yields approximately 2 x 1010 viable and respiration competent mitochondria from 0.18 &#177; 0.04 g (wet weight) tissue sample.

A method for rapid isolation of mitochondria from mammalian tissue biopsies is described. Rat liver or skeletal muscle preparations were homogenized with a commercial tissue dissociator and mitochondria were isolated by differential filtration through nylon mesh filters. Mitochondrial isolation time is &#60;30 min compared to 60 - 100 min using alternative methods.

Previously described mitochondrial isolation methods using differential centrifugation and/or Ficoll gradient centrifugation require 60 to 100 min to ...

Purification and Visualization of Influenza A Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complexes

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AFM-based Mapping of the Elastic Properties of Cell Walls: at Tissue, Cellular, and Subcellular Resolutions

Rapid Isolation And Purification Of Mitochondria For Transplantation By Tissue Dissociation And Differential Filtration