Name: using a gfp-tagged tmem184a construct for confirmation of heparin receptor identity
Uploaded: 2017-02-17T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using a GFP-tagged TMEM184A Construct for Confirmation of Heparin Receptor Identity at JoVE.com

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

1. Design of a GFP-protein Construct
<ol>
	<li>Purchase, or design and build, a GFP-tagged construct based on the protein in question. 
	NOTE: For a purchased construct, standard vectors are available from commercial laboratories that include some or all of the following suggestions: For a membrane protein, select a C-terminal location of the GFP because it is less likely to interfere with membrane protein trafficking. Consider an extension between the gene of interest and the GFP if there is reason to believe the...

<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 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 border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="767">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">GFP-TMEM184A construct</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">OriGene</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">RG213192</td>
			<td style="width:361px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:216px;">Rhodamine-Heparin</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Creative PEGWorks</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">HP-204</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Light Sensitive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:216px;">Fluorescein-Heparin</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Creative PEGWorks</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">HP-201</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Light Sensitive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:216px;">Mowiol</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">EMD Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">475904-100GM</td>
			<td style="width:361px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="141">
			<td height="141" style="height:141px;width:216px;">Paraformaldehyde (methanol free)</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Thermo Sci Pierce Biotech, available through Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">PI28908 at Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Use in Fume Hood</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="121">
			<td height="121" style="height:121px;width:216px;">Reacti-bind neutravidin plates (Avidin coated black 96 well dishes)</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Thermo Sci Pierce Biotech, through Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">PI15510 at Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Pay attention to shelf-life</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="161">
			<td height="161" style="height:161px;width:216px;">Black 96 well plates</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Corning Life Sciences Plastic, purchased through Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">064432 at Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:361px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:216px;">A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cell line</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">ATCC</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">CRL 1444</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Can be exchanged into MEM medium1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">BAOEC bovine aortic endothelial cells</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Cell Applications, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">B304-05</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Culture as recommended initially, can be exchanged into MEM medium for continuing culture1,7</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">BAOSMC bovine aortic smooth muscle cells</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Cell Applications, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">B354-05</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Culture as recommended initially, can be exchanged into MEM medium for continuing culture1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">RAOEC rat aortic endothelial cells</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Cell Applications, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">R304-05a</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Culture as recommended initially, can be exchanged into MEM medium for continuing culture7</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="121">
			<td height="121" style="height:121px;width:216px;">Biotinylated anti-GFP</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Thermo Sci Pierce Biotech, through Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">MA5-15256-BTIN</td>
			<td style="width:361px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Streptavidin-coated beads</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">S1638</td>
			<td style="width:361px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">HeBS</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Available from Bio-Rad</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Can be prepared in the lab.&#160; The pH is 6.8</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">TMEM184A antibody to the N-terminus</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">sc292006</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Only known TMEM184A antibody to N-terminal region.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="101">
			<td height="101" style="height:101px;width:216px;">TMEM184A antibody to the C-terminus</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Obtained from ProSci Inc, Poway, CA&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Pro Sci 5681</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">ProSci used in figure 1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:216px;">GFP antibodies</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">sc9996</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Used in figures 5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="60">
			<td height="60" style="height:60px;width:216px;">Secondary antibodies, labeled with TRITC or Cy3</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc, West Grove, PA</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">711 025 152 (donkey anti-rabbit, TRITC) 
			715 165 150 (donkey anti-mouse, Cy3)</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Minimal cross-reactivity to minimize any non-specific staining.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">CHAPS</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Purchased from Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">C5849</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Note that this specific catalog number has been discontinued.&#160; Supplier will provide information regarding replacement.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">Live imaging 35 mm dishes</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">MatTek (Ashland MA)</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">P35G-1.0 &#8211; 20 mm - C</td>
			<td style="width:361px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">Confocal Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Zeiss</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">LSM 510 Meta with a 63X oil-immersion lens</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Used for images and live-imaging in Figures 1, 2 and 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">Confocal Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">C2+ confocal with a 60X oil-immersion lens</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Used for images in Figure 5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">Confocal Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Zeiss</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Zeiss LSM 880 with a 63X oil-immersion lens</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Used for images in Figure 2C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:216px;">Electroporation equipment</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Bio-Rad</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Gene Pulser X-Cell System</td>
			<td style="width:361px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">Electroporation cuvettes</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Available from MidSci</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">EC2L</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Can also be obtained from equipment supplier</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="61">
			<td height="61" style="height:61px;width:216px;">Plate reader</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">TECAN</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">TECAN Infinite&#174; m200 Pro plate reader</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Readings in the middle of the wells rather than at the surface.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="101" style="height:101px;width:216px;">Computer program for measuring staining intensity</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Image J</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/ 
			Program and information available on-line</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">Any appropriate program can be used. See https://theolb.readthedocs.io/en/latest/imaging/measuring-cell-fluorescence-using-imagej.html for additional detail&#160;&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Cell Culture trypsin solution</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>T4174</td>
			<td style="width:361px;">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 ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Genetics

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Natural evolution involves genetic diversity such as environmental change and a selection between small populations. Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) ...

Detection of Copy Number Alterations Using Single Cell Sequencing

Detection of genomic changes at single cell resolution is important for characterizing genetic heterogeneity and evolution in normal tissues, cancers, and ...

Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Location(s) for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach

Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Locations for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach

The optimal chromosomal position(s) of a given DNA element was/were determined by transposon-mediated random insertion followed by fitness selection. In ...

High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment

Complement receptor 1 (CR1), a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a key role in the innate immune system, is expressed on many cell types, but ...

A Method to Study the C924T Polymorphism of the Thromboxane A2 Receptor Gene

The thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R) gene is a member of the G-protein coupled superfamily with seven-transmembrane regions. It is involved in ...

An Ecdysone Receptor-based Singular Gene Switch for Deliberate Expression of Transgene with Robustness, Reversibility, and Negligible Leakiness

Precise control of transgene expression is desirable in biological and clinical studies. However, because the binary feature of currently employed gene ...

High-throughput Identification of Gene Regulatory Sequences Using Next-generation Sequencing of Circular Chromosome Conformation Capture (4C-seq)

High-throughput Identification of Gene Regulatory Sequences Using Next-generation Sequencing of Circular Chromosome Conformation Capture 4C-seq

The identification of regulatory elements for a given target gene poses a significant technical challenge owing to the variability in the positioning and ...

Endogenous Protein Tagging in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using CRISPR/Cas9

A protocol is presented for generating human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that express endogenous proteins fused to in-frame&#160;N- or ...

qKAT: Quantitative Semi-automated Typing of Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a set of inhibitory and activating immune receptors, on natural killer (NK) and T cells, encoded by a ...

Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics Analyses Using the OpenProt Database to Unveil Novel Proteins Translated from Non-Canonical Open Reading Frames

Genome annotation is central to today's proteomic research as it draws the outlines of the proteomic landscape. Traditional models of open reading frame ...