Name: overlapping peptide library to map qa-1 epitopes in a protein
Uploaded: 2017-12-20T12:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Overlapping Peptide Library to Map Qa-1 Epitopes in a Protein at JoVE.com

We thank Penelope Garcia for her technical assistance and preparation of this manuscript. This work was supported by a Research Innovation Grant (RIG) from the Department of Medicine at Loma Linda University (681205-2967) and a pilot grant from National Multiple Sclerosis Society (PP1685) to XT.

All experiments were done in compliance with an Institutional Animal Care and Use Protocol approved by Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Texas at El Paso and Loma Linda University.
1. Generation of an OLP Library Covering the Whole Length of a Protein
<ol>
	<li>Design an OLP library in which all peptides are 15-mer in length, and adjacent peptides overlap by 11 amino acids. 
	NOTE: In the MOG OLP study, sequence of the MOG precursor [Mus musculus] was retrieved from NCB...

<ol>
	<li>Aldrich, C. 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=Identification+of+a+Tap-dependent+leader+peptide+recognized+by+alloreactive+T+cells+specific+for+a+class+Ib+antigen.">Identification of a Tap-dependent leader peptide recognized by alloreactive T cells specific for a class Ib antigen.</a> Cell. 79 (4), 649-658 (1994).</li><li>Vance, R. E., Kraft, J. R., Altman, J. D., Jensen, P. E., Raulet, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mouse+CD94/NKG2A+is+a+natural+killer+cell+receptor+for+the+nonclassical+major+histocompatibility+complex+(MHC)+class+I+molecule+Qa-1(b).">Mouse CD94/NKG2A is a natural killer cell receptor for the nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule Qa-1(b).</a> J Exp Med. 188 (10), 1841-1848 (1998).</li><li>Oliveira, C. 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=The+nonpolymorphic+MHC+Qa-1+mediates+CD8++T+cell+surveillance+of+antigen-processing+defects.">The nonpolymorphic MHC Qa-1 mediates CD8+ T cell surveillance of antigen-processing defects.</a> J Exp Med. 207 (1), 207-221 (2010).</li><li>Nagarajan, N. A., Gonzalez, F., Shastri, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nonclassical+MHC+class+Ib-restricted+cytotoxic+T+cells+monitor+antigen+processing+in+the+endoplasmic+reticulum.">Nonclassical MHC class Ib-restricted cytotoxic T cells monitor antigen processing in the endoplasmic reticulum.</a> Nat Immunol. 13 (6), 579-586 (2012).</li><li>Hu, 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=Analysis+of+regulatory+CD8+T+cells+in+Qa-1-deficient+mice.">Analysis of regulatory CD8 T cells in Qa-1-deficient mice.</a> Nat Immunol. 5 (5), 516-523 (2004).</li><li>Tang, X., 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=Regulation+of+immunity+by+a+novel+population+of+Qa-1-restricted+CD8alphaalpha+TCRalphabeta++T+cells.">Regulation of immunity by a novel population of Qa-1-restricted CD8alphaalpha+TCRalphabeta+ T cells.</a> J Immunol. 177 (11), 7645-7655 (2006).</li><li>Leavenworth, J. W., Tang, X., Kim, H. J., Wang, X., Cantor, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Amelioration+of+arthritis+through+mobilization+of+peptide-specific+CD8++regulatory+T+cells.">Amelioration of arthritis through mobilization of peptide-specific CD8+ regulatory T cells.</a> J Clin Invest. 123 (3), 1382-1389 (2013).</li><li>Wu, Y., Zheng, Z., Jiang, Y., Chess, L., Jiang, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+specificity+of+T+cell+regulation+that+enables+self-nonself+discrimination+in+the+periphery.">The specificity of T cell regulation that enables self-nonself discrimination in the periphery.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 106 (2), 534-539 (2009).</li><li>Panoutsakopoulou, V., 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=Suppression+of+autoimmune+disease+after+vaccination+with+autoreactive+T+cells+that+express+Qa-1+peptide+complexes.">Suppression of autoimmune disease after vaccination with autoreactive T cells that express Qa-1 peptide complexes.</a> J Clin Invest. 113 (8), 1218-1224 (2004).</li><li>Tang, X., Maricic, I., Kumar, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anti-TCR+antibody+treatment+activates+a+novel+population+of+nonintestinal+CD8+alpha+alpha++TCR+alpha+beta++regulatory+T+cells+and+prevents+experimental+autoimmune+encephalomyelitis.">Anti-TCR antibody treatment activates a novel population of nonintestinal CD8 alpha alpha+ TCR alpha beta+ regulatory T cells and prevents experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.</a> J Immunol. 178 (10), 6043-6050 (2007).</li><li>Holderried, T. A., Lang, P. A., Kim, H. J., Cantor, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+disruption+of+CD8++Treg+activity+enhances+the+immune+response+to+viral+infection.">Genetic disruption of CD8+ Treg activity enhances the immune response to viral infection.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 110 (52), 21089-21094 (2013).</li><li>Wang, X., 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=Targeting+Non-classical+Myelin+Epitopes+to+Treat+Experimental+Autoimmune+Encephalomyelitis.">Targeting Non-classical Myelin Epitopes to Treat Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.</a> Sci Rep. 6, 36064 (2016).</li><li>Lo, W. F., Dunn, C. D., Ong, H., Metcalf, E. S., Soloski, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bacterial+and+host+factors+involved+in+the+major+histocompatibility+complex+class+Ib-restricted+presentation+of+Salmonella+Hsp+60:+novel+pathway.">Bacterial and host factors involved in the major histocompatibility complex class Ib-restricted presentation of Salmonella Hsp 60: novel pathway.</a> Infect Immun. 72 (5), 2843-2849 (2004).</li><li>Xu, 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=The+nucleocapsid+protein+of+Rift+Valley+fever+virus+is+a+potent+human+CD8++T+cell+antigen+and+elicits+memory+responses.">The nucleocapsid protein of Rift Valley fever virus is a potent human CD8+ T cell antigen and elicits memory responses.</a> PLoS One. 8 (3), e59210 (2013).</li><li>Schumacher, T. N., 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=Peptide+selection+by+MHC+class+I+molecules.">Peptide selection by MHC class I molecules.</a> Nature. 350 (6320), 703-706 (1991).</li><li>Zhang, X., Goncalves, R., Mosser, D. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+isolation+and+characterization+of+murine+macrophages.">The isolation and characterization of murine macrophages.</a> Curr Protoc Immunol. , (2008).</li><li>Guo, H. 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=Different+length+peptides+bind+to+HLA-Aw68+similarly+at+their+ends+but+bulge+out+in+the+middle.">Different length peptides bind to HLA-Aw68 similarly at their ends but bulge out in the middle.</a> Nature. 360 (6402), 364-366 (1992).</li><li>Soloski, M. J., Metcalf, E. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+involvement+of+class+Ib+molecules+in+the+host+response+to+infection+with+Salmonella+and+its+relevance+to+autoimmunity.">The involvement of class Ib molecules in the host response to infection with Salmonella and its relevance to autoimmunity.</a> Microbes Infect. 3 (14-15), 1249-1259 (2001).</li><li>Smith, T. R., 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=Dendritic+cells+use+endocytic+pathway+for+cross-priming+class+Ib+MHC-restricted+CD8alphaalpha+TCRalphabeta++T+cells+with+regulatory+properties.">Dendritic cells use endocytic pathway for cross-priming class Ib MHC-restricted CD8alphaalpha+TCRalphabeta+ T cells with regulatory properties.</a> J Immunol. 182 (11), 6959-6968 (2009).</li><li>Kalra, A., Mukherjee, P., Chauhan, V. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+fine+specificity+of+the+immune+response+to+a+Plasmodium+falciparum+rhoptry+neck+protein,+PfAARP.">Characterization of fine specificity of the immune response to a Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry neck protein, PfAARP.</a> Malar J. 15, 457 (2016).</li><li>Kambayashi, T., 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=The+nonclassical+MHC+class+I+molecule+Qa-1+forms+unstable+peptide+complexes.">The nonclassical MHC class I molecule Qa-1 forms unstable peptide complexes.</a> J Immunol. 172 (3), 1661-1669 (2004).</li></ol>

Here, we have described a protocol for analyzing Qa-1 epitopes in a protein. In relation to this protocol, several other strategies were also reported previously. First, allogeneic CD8+ T cell lines and clones were used for the identification of the Qdm1. Second, a putative Qa-1-binding motif from the analysis of Qdm was used for the identification of the HSP60p216-224 and a TCRBV8.1 epitope9,18. Third, individual overlapping pe...

Qa-1 belongs to a group of non-classical major histocompatibility complex 1b (MHC-Ib) molecules in mice. Its human homolog is HLA-E. Previous evidence has demonstrated that Qa-1 molecules have important biological functions. Firstly, Qa-1 molecules play an important role in surveying cells for structural and functional integrity. In this regard, Qa-1 molecules have evolved several strategies to monitor the normal function of a cell. One such strategy enables Qa-1 molecules to form complexes with a processed leader peptide (epitope), i.e. the Qa-1 determinant modifier (Qdm) that is processed from classical MHC-Ia molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum1. These Qa-1/Qdm complexes later display on the surface of a cell and bind to inhibitory NKG2A receptors on NK cells to inhibit NK killing activity2. If the expression of MHC-Ia molecules is lost, a cell (e.g. a malignant cell) becomes sensitive to NK killing2. The other strategy enables Qa-1 molecules to form new Qa-1/epitope complexes on the surface of a cell that is deficient in TAP (transporter associated with antigen processing)3 and/or ERAAP (endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase associated with antigen processing)4 (both deficiencies often occur in malignant cells). The cell that expresses these new Qa-1/epitope complexes can then be recognized and eliminated by the epitope-specific Qa-1-restricted CD8+ T cells. Secondly, Qa-1 molecules induce immune regulation5. In this regard, Qa-1/epitope complexes have been shown to stimulate CD8+ regulatory T (Treg) cells that are important for the prevention of immune-mediated damage of self-tissues6,7,8,9,10. Thirdly, Qa-1-restricted CD8+ Treg cells have been shown to limit immune responses against viral infection11.
Therefore, specific augmentation of epitope-specific Qa-1-restrictred CD8+ T cells is a potentially promising strategy for the elimination of abnormal cells, for the enhancement of immune regulation, and for the control of the magnitude of virus-induced immune responses. While it has not been determined whether augmentation of epitope-specific Qa-1-restricted CD8+ T cells can enhance immune surveillance and limit virus-induced immune responses, our laboratories and others have clearly demonstrated that immunization with Qa-1 epitopes can augment the function of Qa-1-restricted CD8+ Treg cells specific for pathogenic autoimmune CD4+ T cells, leading to efficient control of CD4+ T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases in a variety of animal models such as experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (an animal model of human multiple sclerosis)6,10, collagen-induced arthritis (an animal model of human rheumatoid arthritis)7, and non-obese diabetes (an animal model of human type 1 diabetes)8. Additionally, we have discovered that immunization with a tissue-specific Qa-1 epitope leads to specific control of immune-mediated inflammation in that tissue through augmentation of CD8+ Treg cells12. The above successes of preclinical studies indicate a need for a full evaluation of Qa-1 epitope immunization for the treatment of tissue-specific immune-mediated diseases and potentially for the therapy of other diseases associated with deficiencies in TAP and ERAAP.
Accordingly, there is a demand for a technology that can reliably and quickly analyze Qa-1 epitopes in a protein. In this regard, a limited number of biologically important Qa-1 epitopes has been described. Most of these Qa-1 epitopes were identified serendipitously during the study of CD8+ T cell responses to bacteria13, cells deficient in TAP3, cells deficient in ERAAP4, and cells that cause EAE6,9. Therefore, a high throughput technique is desirable for the identification of biologically important Qa-1 epitopes in a defined protein. In the following, we describe an overlapping peptide (OLP) library strategy that maps functional Qa-1 epitopes in a protein using Qa-1-resrticted CD8+ T cell lines specific for the OLP pool (OLP_pool) of a protein.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>The protein to be analyzed</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Sequence of the protein can be obtained from NCBI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>Cat#: D2650 SIGMA</td>
			<td>DMSO should be sterile and cell culture tested.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kb-/-Db-/- mice</td>
			<td>The Lackson Laboratory</td>
			<td>Stock#: 019995</td>
			<td>We used Taconic H2-KbH2-Db doube knockout mice (Cat#: 4215-F and 4215-M) which however are not available anymore.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AIM V Serum Free Medium</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Cat#: 12055091</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Cat#: 21985023</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium pyruvate</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Cat#: 11360070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nonessential Amino Acids</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Cat#: 11140076</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dynabeads CD8 Positive Isolation Kit</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Cat#: 11333D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bio-Gel P-100</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>Cat#: 150-4171</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phoshate Balanced Solution (PBS)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Cat#: 20012027</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trasfer pipette</td>
			<td>Globe Scientific</td>
			<td>Mfg#: 137238</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Murine M-CSF</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>Cat#: 315-02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>48-well tissue culture plates</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>Cat#: CC7682-7548</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning Costar TC-treated Multiple well Plates, 96-well, V-shaped bottom</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>Cat#: Z372129 Sigma</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1ml deep 06-well PP plate, sterile</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>Item#: 1896-1110</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant murine IL-2</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>Cat#: 212-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant murine IL-7</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>Cat#L: 217-17</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Capture anti-IFN-&#947; antibody</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>Cat#: 551881</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ELISPOT plate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>Cat#: S2EM004M99</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C1R</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>Cat#: ATCC CRL-1993</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C1R.Qa-1b</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Custom made (GenBank access#: NM_010398.3)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Qa-1 lentiviral vector</td>
			<td>GeneCopoeia</td>
			<td>Product#: Mm02955</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Detection anti-IFN-&#947; antibody</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>Cat#: 551881</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween20</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>Cat#: P9416</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Streptavidin-HRP</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>Cat#: BD557630</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AEC substrate</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>Cat#: 551951</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImmunoSpot Analyzer</td>
			<td>ImmunoSpot</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Any immunoSpot analyer should work for this purpose.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

overlapping peptide library to map qa-1 epitopes in a protein

Qa-1 (HLA-E in human) belongs to a group of non-classical major histocompatibility complex 1b (MHC-Ib) molecules. Recent data suggest that Qa-1 molecules play important roles in surveying cells for structural and functional integrity, inducing immune regulation, and limiting immune responses to viral infections. Additionally, functional augmentation of Qa-1-restricted CD8+ T cells through epitope immunization has shown therapeutic effects in several autoimmune disease animal models, e.g. experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, collagen-induced arthritis, and non-obese diabetes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method that can efficiently and quickly identify functional Qa-1 epitopes in a protein. Here, we describe a protocol that utilizes Qa-1-restricted CD8+ T cell lines specific for an overlapping peptide (OLP) library for determining Qa-1 epitopes in a protein. This OLP library contains 15-mer overlapping peptides that cover the whole length of a protein, and adjacent peptides overlap by 11 amino acids. Using this protocol, we recently identified a 9-mer Qa-1 epitope in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). This newly mapped MOG Qa-1 epitope was shown to induce epitope-specific, Qa-1-restricted CD8+ T cells that enhanced myelin-specific immune regulation. Therefore, this protocol is useful for future investigation of novel targets and functions of Qa-1-restricted CD8+ T cells.

Design of an OLP library covering the whole length of a protein
Beginning at the N-terminus of a protein, each peptide is 15 amino acids (15-mer). Hence, the first peptide spans position 1 to position 15. The N-terminus of the second peptide overlaps with the C-terminus of the first peptide by 11 amino acid. Hence, the second peptide spans the position 5 to position 19. Design the rest of the peptides to the end of C-terminus of th...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Overlapping Peptide Library to Map Qa-1 Epitopes in a Protein at JoVE.com

Overlapping Peptide Library to Map Qa-1 Epitopes in a Protein

Qa-1 (HLA-E in human) belongs to a group of non-classical major histocompatibility complex 1b molecules. Immunization with Qa-1-binding epitopes has been shown to augment tissue-specific immune regulation and ameliorate several autoimmune diseases. Herein we describe an overlapping peptide library strategy for the identification of Qa-1 epitopes in a protein.

Qa-1 (HLA-E in human) belongs to a group of non-classical major histocompatibility complex 1b (MHC-Ib) molecules. Recent data suggest that Qa-1 molecules ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

Use of Interferon-&gamma; Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus

Use of Interferon-ÃƒÅ½Ã‚Â³ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus

A protocol has been developed to overcome the difficulties of isolating and characterizing rare T cells specific for pathogens, such as human ...

Use of Artificial Sputum Medium to Test Antibiotic Efficacy Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Conditions More Relevant to the Cystic Fibrosis Lung

Use of Artificial Sputum Medium to Test Antibiotic Efficacy Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Conditions More Relevant to the Cystic Fibrosis Lung

There  is growing concern about the relevance of in vitro antimicrobial  susceptibility tests when applied to isolates of P. aeruginosa from  cystic ...

A Comparative Approach to Characterize the Landscape of Host-Pathogen Protein-Protein Interactions

Significant efforts were gathered to generate  large-scale comprehensive protein-protein interaction network maps. This is  instrumental to understand the ...

Total Protein Extraction and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis Methods for Burkholderia Species

Total Protein Extraction and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis Methods for Burkholderia Species

The investigation of  the intracellular protein levels of bacterial species is of importance to  understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases ...

A RAPID Method for Blood Processing to Increase the Yield of Plasma Peptide Levels in Human Blood

Research in the field of food intake regulation is gaining importance. This often includes the measurement of peptides regulating food intake. For the ...

Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining

Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining

Peptide-major histocompatibility complex class I (pMHC-I) tetramers have been an invaluable tool to study CD8+ T-cell responses. Because these reagents ...

Peptide Scanning-assisted Identification of a Monoclonal Antibody-recognized Linear B-cell Epitope

The identification of an antigenic epitope by the immune system allows for the understanding of the protective mechanism of neutralizing antibodies that ...

Creation of a Dense Transposon Insertion Library Using Bacterial Conjugation in Enterobacterial Strains Such As Escherichia Coli or Shigella flexneri

Creation of a Dense Transposon Insertion Library Using Bacterial Conjugation in Enterobacterial Strains Such As Escherichia Coli or Shigella flexneri

Transposon mutagenesis is a method that allows gene disruption via the random genomic insertion of a piece of DNA called a transposon. The protocol below ...

Overexpression and Purification of Human Cis-prenyltransferase in Escherichia coli

Overexpression and Purification of Human Cis-prenyltransferase in Escherichia coli

Prenyltransferases (PT) are a group of enzymes that catalyze chain elongation of allylic diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) via multiple ...

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

Natural killer (NK) cells belong to the innate immune system and are a first-line anti-cancer immune defense; however, they are suppressed in the tumor ...