This project was funded by NIH grants EY025290, GM127652, and University of Rochester start-up funding.

1. Producing BacMam Expression Baculoviruses
<ol>
	<li>Insert the coding sequence of a desired mammalian bestrophin protein into the pEG BacMam vector18 with a Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) protease recognition sequence, followed by a GFP-10x His-tag at the C-terminus of the protein.</li>
	<li>Transiently transfect the expression plasmid into adhesive HEK293 cells19,20,21,22,23. Check the expression of the GFP-fusion protein under a fluorescent microscope with 10X or 20X magnification, a 488 nm excitation source, and a 510 nm emission filter (Figure 1A). 
	Note: Polymer-based transfection is routinely performed with 1 &#956;g of plasmid DNA for a 35&#160;mm dish of HEK293 cells.</li>
	<li>Produce the baculoviruses in Sf9 insect cells as previously described16,17. 
	Note: The passage 3 (P3) virus, which will be used to infect the HEK293-F cells for protein production, can be stored at 4 &#176;C for 1 month.</li>
	<li>Determine the titer (infectious units) of the P3 virus by the plaque formation assay16,17. 
	Note: As the protein of interest is tagged with GFP, a faster method for checking infectious units is to infect Sf9 cells with serial dilutions of the virus and count the number of fluorescent cells after 48 h.</li>
</ol>
2. Protein Expression
<ol>
	<li>Maintain the HEK293-F cells in a suspension culture with the HEK293-F expression medium in a 37 &#176;C humidified incubator with 8% CO2. Use disposable culture flasks that are 2-2.5 times bigger than the culture volume and rotate the culture on an orbital platform at 135 rpm. 
	Note: It is recommended to infect the cells when they are between passages 5 and 30 and to perform these actions under a cell culture hood.</li>
	<li>24 h before viral infection, add 15 &#956;L of Trypan blue to a 15 &#956;L aliquot of cell culture, and check the cell density and viability using a hemocytometer under a microscope. Dilute the cells to 0.6 x 106 cells/mL in 2 x 2 L flasks each, with 500 mL of medium pre-warmed at 37 &#176;C. 
	Note: Dead cells are stained blue by Trypan blue. The desired cell viability is &#62;95%.</li>
	<li>On the day of infection, check the cell density and viability (step 2.2). 
	Note: A high cell viability of &#62;95% is essential for efficient infection and protein expression. The expected cell density is ~1.0 x 106 cells/mL (grown overnight from 2 x 500 mL of the 0.6 x 106 cells/mL cell culture). The expected total number of cells is ~1.0 x 109.</li>
	<li>Add the P3 baculoviruses to the cells at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 5. To determine the amount of virus to inoculate, use the following equation: 
	<img alt="Equation" src="/files/ftp_upload/57832/57832eq1.jpg" /></li>
	<li>Shake the cells on the orbital platform at 135 rpm in a humidified 37 &#176;C incubator with 8% CO2 for 24 h.</li>
	<li>Add 10 mM of sodium butyrate to the cell culture and continue incubating for 48 h. 
	Note: For some proteins, reducing the cell culture temperature to 30 &#176;C after sodium butyrate addition may improve expression and stability.</li>
	<li>Under a fluorescence microscope with 10X or 20X magnification, a 488 nm excitation source, and a 510 nm emission filter, check the percentage and brightness of green cells, which directly represent the protein (bestrophin-GFP-10xHis) yield (Figure 1B). 
	Note: The percentage of green cells is calculated by: 100 x (Green cells/Total cells). Good protein expression level is indicated by strong green fluorescence under the microscope.</li>
	<li>Harvest the cells by centrifuging at 1,000 x g in 4 &#176;C for 20 min. Remove the supernatant and re-suspend the cell pellets with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to a final volume of ~80 mL. Split the cell suspension into 2 x 50 mL conical tubes and centrifuge at 1,000 x g in 4 &#176;C for 20 min. Store the cell pellets at -80 &#176;C.</li>
</ol>
3. Protein Purification
<ol>
	<li>Incubate the conical tubes containing the cell pellets in a stirring water bath at room temperature for 10-15 min so that they thaw. Re-suspend the cells in 2x (w/v) volume of buffer A (Table 1) (e.g., 10 g of cell pellets in 20 mL of buffer) supplemented with proteinase inhibitors (Aprotinin, Leupeptin, Pepstatin A and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) at 0.1-1.0 mM. Pipet up and down extensively to obtain a homogenous cell suspension.</li>
	<li>Lyse the cells using a high-pressure homogenizer. Run the cell suspension through the homogenizer at 7-10 MPa for a total of 3-4 times to achieve complete homogenization. Keep the cell lysate on ice for 2-3 mins between rounds.</li>
	<li>Add detergent [e.g., 2% w/v sol-grade n-Dodecyl-&#946;-D-Maltopyranoside (DDM)] to the cell lysate. Incubate with agitation for 1 h at 20 &#176;C to extract the membrane proteins. 
	Note: The type of detergent needs to be optimized for each protein target18,24.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge at 150,000 x g in an ultracentrifuge at 4 &#176;C for 1 h. 
	Note: All of the following steps are performed at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Collect the clear cell lysate and flow it through a 5 mL His Trap Ni2+-NTA affinity column pre-equilibrated with buffer A (Table 1). 
	Note: After centrifugation, the clear cell lysate will be sandwiched between a pellet at the bottom and a cloudy layer on top. Use a 10 mL transfer pipet to carefully collect the clear lysate and then switch to a 1 mL pipet for the last few milliliters of lysate. Avoid the pellet, which can clog the Ni2+ column; however, a small amount of the top layer is fine or can be filtered out with a 1.5 &#956;m filter.</li>
	<li>Wash the column with 25 mL of buffer B and then 40 mL of buffer C (Tables 2 and 3, respectively). 
	Note: This is a good place to take a break, as total purification may take up to 12 h and the protein can remain stable while attached to the column overnight.</li>
	<li>Attach the column to a fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) system and elute the protein from the column with 13 mL of buffer D (Table 3) with fractionation. Collect the protein-enriched fractions according to the UV absorbance readout. 
	Note: The FPLC conditions are as follows: a 1.0 mL fraction size, a pre-column pressure alarm set to 0.3 MPa, and a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min.</li>
	<li>Measure the eluted protein product concentration on a microvolume spectrophotometer. Read the absorbance at 280 nm.</li>
	<li>(Optional) To remove the GFP-10xHis tag, add the TEV protease at a 1:1 mass ratio and incubate at 4 &#176;C for 30 min. 
	Note: The tag may or may not affect the function or structure of the purified channel. Calculate the TEV amount from the volume and concentration of the collected protein from steps 3.7-3.8. For instance, if 10 mL of elution product is collected and measured at 0.1 mg/mL, the total protein mass is 10 x 0.1 = 1 mg, and 1 mg of TEV will be used for digestion.</li>
	<li>Concentrate the protein with a 15 mL centrifugal (50 or 100 kDa) filter unit by spinning at 4,000 x g in 4 &#176;C to a final volume of 400-500 &#956;L (for a 2 mL sample-loading loop on FPLC). 
	Note: The centrifuging time for concentration varies depending on the concentration and size of the protein. To avoid over-concentrating, which may cause protein precipitation, spin for 10 min at first, then observe the remaining volume and estimate the time for a subsequent spin (e.g., 2-5 min), and so on, to obtain the final volume. Pipet&#160;between spins to disperse the protein, which is pulled to the bottom of the filter.</li>
	<li>Transfer the concentrated protein to a new 1.5 mL tube and remove any precipitate or bubbles from the concentrated product. Spin at &#62;12,000 x g for 5-10 min at 4 &#176;C and collect the supernatant in a new 1.5 mL tube.</li>
	<li>Load the final product with a 1 mL syringe and a round-tip needle on a FPLC system for size-exclusion chromatography with a size-exclusion column pre-equilibrated with buffer E (Table 5). 
	Note: The FPLC conditions are as follows: a 0.5 mL fraction size, a pre-column pressure alarm set to 2.50 MPa, a flow volume set to 30 mL of buffer E (Table 5), and a flow rate set to 0.5 mL/min.</li>
	<li>Note that well-behaved proteins run as a single peak (Figure 2A) and collect the protein fraction(s) corresponding to that peak (Figure 2A).</li>
	<li>Concentrate the protein with a 4 mL or 0.5 mL centrifugal filter unit (of the same molecular weight cut-off as in step 3.10) and spin at 4,000 x g at 4 &#176;C to a final concentration of 5-10 &#956;g/&#956;L. Use the spectrophotometer to check the final product concentration (step 3.8). 
	Note: Centrifugation time varies, as the final product volume can differ between purification trials. Usually, centrifugation takes 10-20 min. It is recommended to pipet&#160;between spins to disperse the protein, which is pulled to the bottom of the filter.</li>
	<li>Transfer the concentrated protein to a new 1.5 mL tube. Remove any precipitate by centrifuging at &#62;12,000 x g for 5-10 min at 4 &#176;C. Transfer the supernatant to a new 1.5 mL tube. Make 10 &#956;L aliquots for storage at -80 &#176;C and save one 2-5 &#956;L small aliquot to run on a 4-15% gradient SDS-PAGE gel at 9 V/cm (Figure 2B).</li>
	<li>Confirm the identity of the purified protein by mass spectrometry8. 
	Note: In vitro analysis of the function and structure of the purified protein can be performed through planar lipid bilayer and X-ray crystallography, respectively5,8.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Hartzell, H. C., Qu, Z., Yu, K., Xiao, Q., Chien, L. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+physiology+of+bestrophins:+multifunctional+membrane+proteins+linked+to+best+disease+and+other+retinopathies.">Molecular physiology of bestrophins: multifunctional membrane proteins linked to best disease and other retinopathies.</a> Physiological Review. 88 (2), 639-672 (2008).</li><li>Marmorstein, A. 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=Bestrophin,+the+product+of+the+Best+vitelliform+macular+dystrophy+gene+(VMD2),+localizes+to+the+basolateral+plasma+membrane+of+the+retinal+pigment+epithelium.">Bestrophin, the product of the Best vitelliform macular dystrophy gene (VMD2), localizes to the basolateral plasma membrane of the retinal pigment epithelium.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 97 (23), 12758-12763 (2000).</li><li>Marquardt, 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=Mutations+in+a+novel+gene,+VMD2,+encoding+a+protein+of+unknown+properties+cause+juvenile-onset+vitelliform+macular+dystrophy+(Best's+disease).">Mutations in a novel gene, VMD2, encoding a protein of unknown properties cause juvenile-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy (Best's disease).</a> Human Molecular Genetics. 7 (9), 1517-1525 (1998).</li><li>Petrukhin, K., 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+the+gene+responsible+for+Best+macular+dystrophy.">Identification of the gene responsible for Best macular dystrophy.</a> Nature Genetics. 19 (3), 241-247 (1998).</li><li>Li, Y., 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=Patient-specific+mutations+impair+BESTROPHIN1's+essential+role+in+mediating+Ca2+-dependent+Cl-+currents+in+human+RPE.">Patient-specific mutations impair BESTROPHIN1's essential role in mediating Ca2+-dependent Cl- currents in human RPE.</a> eLife. 6, (2017).</li><li>Tsunenari, 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=Structure-function+analysis+of+the+bestrophin+family+of+anion+channels.">Structure-function analysis of the bestrophin family of anion channels.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 278 (42), 41114-41125 (2003).</li><li>Kane Dickson, V., Pedi, L., Long, S. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structure+and+insights+into+the+function+of+a+Ca(2+)-activated+Cl(-)+channel.">Structure and insights into the function of a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel.</a> Nature. 516 (7530), 213-218 (2014).</li><li>Yang, 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=Structure+and+selectivity+in+bestrophin+ion+channels.">Structure and selectivity in bestrophin ion channels.</a> Science. 346 (6207), 355-359 (2014).</li><li>Johnson, A. 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=Bestrophin+1+and+retinal+disease.">Bestrophin 1 and retinal disease.</a> Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. , (2017).</li><li>Allikmets, 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=Evaluation+of+the+Best+disease+gene+in+patients+with+age-related+macular+degeneration+and+other+maculopathies.">Evaluation of the Best disease gene in patients with age-related macular degeneration and other maculopathies.</a> Human Genetics. 104 (6), 449-453 (1999).</li><li>Burgess, 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=Biallelic+mutation+of+BEST1+causes+a+distinct+retinopathy+in+humans.">Biallelic mutation of BEST1 causes a distinct retinopathy in humans.</a> American Journal of Human Genetics. 82 (1), 19-31 (2008).</li><li>Davidson, A. E., 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=Missense+mutations+in+a+retinal+pigment+epithelium+protein,+bestrophin-1,+cause+retinitis+pigmentosa.">Missense mutations in a retinal pigment epithelium protein, bestrophin-1, cause retinitis pigmentosa.</a> American Journal of Human Genetics. 85 (5), 581-592 (2009).</li><li>Kramer, F., 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=Mutations+in+the+VMD2+gene+are+associated+with+juvenile-onset+vitelliform+macular+dystrophy+(Best+disease)+and+adult+vitelliform+macular+dystrophy+but+not+age-related+macular+degeneration.">Mutations in the VMD2 gene are associated with juvenile-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy (Best disease) and adult vitelliform macular dystrophy but not age-related macular degeneration.</a> European Journal of Human Genetics. 8 (4), 286-292 (2000).</li><li>Yardley, 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=Mutations+of+VMD2+splicing+regulators+cause+nanophthalmos+and+autosomal+dominant+vitreoretinochoroidopathy+(ADVIRC).">Mutations of VMD2 splicing regulators cause nanophthalmos and autosomal dominant vitreoretinochoroidopathy (ADVIRC).</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 45 (10), 3683-3689 (2004).</li><li>Yang, T., Justus, S., Li, Y., Tsang, S. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=BEST1:+the+Best+Target+for+Gene+and+Cell+Therapies.">BEST1: the Best Target for Gene and Cell Therapies.</a> Molecular Therapy. 23 (12), 1805-1809 (2015).</li><li>Boyce, F. M., Bucher, N. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Baculovirus-mediated+gene+transfer+into+mammalian+cells.">Baculovirus-mediated gene transfer into mammalian cells.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 93 (6), 2348-2352 (1996).</li><li>Kost, T. A., Condreay, J. P., Jarvis, D. 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The authors have nothing to disclose.

This protocol describes a useful pipeline for expression and purification of mammalian bestrophin ion channels to be used for future in vitro analyses. While the FPLC device is required for size-exclusion chromatography, a syringe pump is sufficient for all steps of affinity chromatography including binding, washing, and eluting. When using a syringe pump to push solutions (in a syringe) through a column, it is essential to underlay the spring side to avoid pushing air bubbles into the column. If the purity of t...

Bestrophins are a family of ion channels conserved through species varying from bacteria to humans1. In humans, the BEST1 gene, located on chromosome 11q12.3, encodes the membrane protein Bestrophin-1 (BEST1) that is predominantly expressed in the basolateral membrane of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells of the eyes2,3,4. Comprised of 585 amino acids, the first ~350 of which are highly conserved among species and contain its transmembrane region, BEST1 acts as a CaCC in humans1,5,6. Furthermore, the BEST1 homologs in chickens and Klebsiella pneumoniae both function as homopentamers7,8, suggesting a high level of conservation throughout evolution.
In humans, over 200 mutations in the BEST1 gene have been clinically linked to a group of retinal degeneration diseases called bestrophinopathies1,9. Five specific bestrophinopathies have been reported, including Best disease, adult-onset vitelliform dystrophy, autosomal dominant vitreoretinochoroidopathy, autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa3,4,10,11,12,13,14. These diseases, which lead to decreased eyesight and even blindness, are currently untreatable. In order to develop therapeutic treatments and potentially personalized medicine, it is critical to understand how these BEST1 disease-causing mutations influence the function and structure of the BEST1 channel15. For these purposes, researchers need to&#160;obtain purified bestrophin (wild type and/or mutant) channels and conduct in vitro analyses5,8.
The first key step is the expression of bestrophin channels from higher species in mammalian cells. As baculovirus transduction of HEK293-F cells (the BacMam system) is a powerful method to heterologously express membrane proteins16,17, this protocol utilizes an optimized BacMam vector (pEG BacMam) for robust expression of the target protein18, which in this case is a mammalian bestrophin homolog. This vector has been used for the expression of various membrane proteins, including G-protein-coupled receptors, nuclear receptors, and other ion channels18. There is also evidence that the produced proteins are suitable for crystallography18. With high levels of expression in HEK293-F cells, the proteins can then be purified using chromatography; specifically, in the case of bestrophins, both affinity and size-exclusion chromatography can be used.
Once this protocol is fine-tuned for a bestrophin channel, the purified protein can then be analyzed for its function and structure through planar lipid bilayer and X-ray crystallography, respectively5,8. Altogether, these techniques provide a powerful pipeline for functional and structural investigations of bestrophins and other ion channels.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="680">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">HEPES</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AC327265000&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:197px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">NaCl</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AC446212500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Glycerol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">G33-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Imidazole</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AC301870010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:216px;">MgCl2</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AC197530010&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">TCEP</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AA4058704&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Aprotinin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AAJ63039MA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Leupeptin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AAJ61188MB&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Pepstatin A</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AAJ20037MB</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AC215740050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">DDM sol-grade</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Anatrace</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">D310S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">DDM anagrade</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Anatrace</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">D310</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Sf-900 II SFM</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">ThermoFisher</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">10902179</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">FreeStyle medium</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">12338018</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">NanoDrop spectrophotometer</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">ND-2000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">High pressure homogenizer</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Avestin</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Emulsiflex-C5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">HisTrap column</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">GE</td>
			<td>17-5248-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Superdex-200 column</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">GE</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">28990944</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">AKTA Pure</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">GE</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">29018224</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ultra-15 centrifugal filter units</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">UFC910024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ultra-4 centrifugal filter units</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">UFC810024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ultra-0.5 centrifugal filter units</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">UFC505024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Optima XE-90 Ultracentrifuge</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>A94471</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>1658004</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Mini-PROTEAN precast gel</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>4561084</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">T100 Thermal Cycler</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>1861096</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">PolyJet transfection reagent</td>
			<td style="width:148px;">SignaGen</td>
			<td>SL100688</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">pEG BacMam vector</td>
			<td style="width:148px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Obtained from the Gouaux lab at Vollum Institute</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

expression and purification of mammalian bestrophin ion channels

The human genome encodes four bestrophin paralogs, namely BEST1, BEST2, BEST3, and BEST4. BEST1, encoded by the BEST1 gene, is a Ca2+-activated Cl- channel (CaCC) predominantly expressed in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The physiological and pathological significance of BEST1 is highlighted by the fact that over 200 distinct mutations in the BEST1 gene have been genetically linked to a spectrum of at least five retinal degenerative disorders, such as Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (Best disease). Therefore, understanding the biophysics of bestrophin channels at the single-molecule level holds tremendous significance. However, obtaining purified mammalian ion channels is often a challenging task. Here, we report a protocol for the expression of mammalian bestrophin proteins with the BacMam baculovirus gene transfer system and their purification by affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. The purified proteins have the potential to be utilized in subsequent functional and structural analyses, such as electrophysiological recording in lipid bilayers and crystallography. Importantly, this pipeline can be adapted to study the functions and structures of other ion channels.

The fluorescence intensity in transiently-transfected adhesive HEK293 cells (Figure 1A) is a good indicator for the projected protein expression level in suspension&#160;HEK293-F cells (Figure 1B). If the target protein is not well-expressed or is mis-localized in HEK293 cells after transient transfection, it is recommended to consider modifying the expression construct (e.g., changing the position of the GFP tag or maki...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Expression and Purification of Mammalian Bestrophin Ion Channels at JoVE.com

Expression and Purification of Mammalian Bestrophin Ion Channels

The purification of ion channels is often challenging, but once achieved, it can potentially allow in vitro investigations of the functions and structures of the channels. Here, we describe the stepwise procedures for the expression and purification of mammalian bestrophin proteins, a family of Ca2+-activated Cl- channels.

The human genome encodes four bestrophin paralogs, namely BEST1, BEST2, BEST3, and BEST4. BEST1, encoded by the BEST1 gene, is a Ca2+-activated Cl- ...

expression-and-purification-of-mammalian-bestrophin-ion-channels

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

8.3K Views.  University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry. The purification of ion channels is often challenging, but once achieved, it can potentially allow in vitro investigations of the functions and structures of the channels. Here, we describe the stepwise procedures for the expression and purification of mammalian bestrophin proteins, a family of Ca2+-activated Cl- channels.

Video: Expression and Purification of Mammalian Bestrophin Ion Channels

Thermostabilization, Expression, Purification, and Crystallization of the Human Serotonin Transporter Bound to S-citalopram

The serotonin transporter is a sodium and chloride-coupled transporter that &#34;pumps&#34; extracellular serotonin into cells. S-citalopram is a drug used to treat depression and anxiety by binding to the serotonin transporter with high-affinity, blocking serotonin reuptake. Here we report an efficient procedure and a set of tools to stabilize, express, purify, and crystallize serotonin transporter-antibody complexes bound to S-citalopram and other antidepressants. Mutations which stabilize the serotonin transporter were identified using an S-citalopram binding assay. Serotonin transporter expressed in baculovirus-transduced HEK293S GnTI- cells, was reconstituted into proteoliposomes and used to raise high-affinity antibodies. We have developed a strategy to discover antibodies that are useful for structural studies. A straightforward approach for the expression of antibody fragments in Sf9 cells has also been established. Transporter-antibody complexes purified using this procedure are well-behaved and readily crystallize, producing complexes with S-citalopram that diffract X-rays to 3-4 &#197; resolution. The strategies developed here can be utilized to determine the structure of other challenging membrane proteins.

Thermostabilization, Expression, Purification, and Crystallization of the Human Serotonin Transporter Bound to S-citalopram

This manuscript describes how to screen for thermostabilizing mutations, purify the human serotonin transporter, generate high affinity antibodies, and crystallize the serotonin transporter-antibody complex bound to the antidepressant drug S-citalopram. This protocol can be adapted to the study of other challenging membrane transporters, receptors, and channels.

The serotonin transporter is a sodium and chloride-coupled transporter that &#34;pumps&#34; extracellular serotonin into cells. S-citalopram is a drug ...

Expression, Purification, and Antimicrobial Activity of S100A12

Calgranulin proteins are important mediators of innate immunity and are members of the S100 class of the EF-hand family of calcium binding proteins. Some S100 proteins have the capacity to bind transition metals with high affinity and effectively sequester them away from invading microbial pathogens in a process that is termed "nutritional immunity". S100A12 (EN-RAGE) binds both zinc and copper and is highly abundant in innate immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils. We report a refined method for the expression, enrichment and purification of S100A12 in its active, metal-binding configuration. Utilization of this protein in bacterial growth and viability analyses reveals that S100A12 has antimicrobial activity against the bacterial pathogen, Helicobacter pylori. The antimicrobial activity is predicated on the zinc-binding activity of S100A12, which chelates nutrient zinc, thereby starving H. pylori which requires zinc for growth and proliferation.

Here, we present a method to express and purify S100A12 (calgranulin C). We describe a protocol to measure its antimicrobial activity against the human pathogen H. pylori.

Calgranulin proteins are important mediators of innate immunity and are members of the S100 class of the EF-hand family of calcium binding proteins. Some ...

Measurement of Ion Concentration in the Unstirred Boundary Layer with Open Patch-Clamp Pipette: Implications in Control of Ion Channels by Fluid Flow

Fluid flow is an important environmental stimulus that controls many physiological and pathological processes, such as fluid flow-induced vasodilation. Although the molecular mechanisms for the biological responses to fluid flow/shear force are not fully understood, fluid flow-mediated regulation of ion channel gating may contribute critically. Therefore, fluid flow/shear force sensitivity of ion channels has been studied using the patch-clamp technique. However, depending on the experimental protocol, the outcomes and interpretation of data can be erroneous. Here, we present experimental and theoretical evidence for fluid flow-related errors and provide methods for estimating, preventing, and correcting these errors. Changes in junction potential between the Ag/AgCl reference electrode and bathing fluid were measured with an open pipette filled with 3 M KCl. Fluid flow could then shift the liquid/metal junction potential to approximately 7 mV. Conversely, by measuring the voltage shift induced by fluid flow, we estimated the ion concentration in the unstirred boundary layer. In the static condition, the real ion concentrations adjacent to the Ag/AgCl reference electrode or ion channel inlet at the cell-membrane surface can reach as low as approximately 30% of that in the flow condition. Placing an agarose 3 M KCl bridge between the bathing fluid and reference electrode may have prevented this problem of junction potential shifting. However, the unstirred layer effect adjacent to the cell membrane surface could not be fixed in this way. Here, we provide a method for measuring real ion concentrations in the unstirred boundary layer with an open patch-clamp pipette, emphasizing the importance of using an agarose salt-bridge while studying fluid flow-induced regulation of ion currents. Therefore, this novel approach, which takes into consideration the real concentrations of ions in the unstirred boundary layer, may provide useful insight on the experimental design and data interpretation related to fluid shear stress regulation of ion channels.

Mechanosensitive ion channels are often studied in terms of fluid flow/shear force sensitivity with patch-clamp recording. However, depending on the experimental protocol, the outcome on fluid flow-regulations of ion channels can be erroneous. Here, we provide methods for preventing and correcting such errors with a theoretical basis.

Fluid flow is an important environmental stimulus that controls many physiological and pathological processes, such as fluid flow-induced vasodilation. ...

Expression and Purification of the Human Lipid-sensitive Cation Channel TRPC3 for Structural Determination by Single-particle Cryo-electron Microscopy

Transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) of the canonical TRP subfamily are nonselective cation channels that play an essential role in calcium homeostasis, particularly store-operated calcium entry, which is critical to maintaining proper function of synaptic vesicle release and intracellular signaling pathways. Accordingly, TRPC channels have been implicated in a variety of human diseases including cardiovascular disorders such as cardiac hypertrophy, neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson&#39;s disease, and neurologic disorders such as spinocerebellar ataxia. Therefore, TRPC channels represent a potential pharmacologic target in human diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of gating in these channels are still unclear. The difficulty in obtaining large quantities of stable, homogeneous, and purified protein has been a limiting factor in structure determination studies, particularly for mammalian membrane proteins such as the TRPC ion channels. Here, we present a protocol for the large-scale expression of mammalian ion channel membrane proteins using a modified baculovirus gene transfer system and the purification of these proteins by affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. We further present a protocol to collect single-particle cryo-electron microscopy images from purified protein and to use these images to determine the protein structure. Structure determination is a powerful method for understanding the mechanisms of gating and function in ion channels.

This protocol describes techniques used to determine ion channel structures by cryo-electron microscopy, including a baculovirus system used to efficiently express genes in mammalian cells with minimum effort and toxicity, protein extraction, purification, and quality checking, sample grid preparation and screening, as well as data collection and processing.

Transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) of the canonical TRP subfamily are nonselective cation channels that play an essential role in calcium ...

Expression, Solubilization, and Purification of Eukaryotic Borate Transporters

The Solute Carrier 4 (SLC4) family of proteins is called the bicarbonate transporters and includes the archetypal protein Anion Exchanger 1 (AE1, also known as Band 3), the most abundant membrane protein in the red blood cells. The SLC4 family is homologous with borate transporters, which have been characterized in plants and fungi. It remains a significant technical challenge to express and purify membrane transport proteins to homogeneity in quantities suitable for&#160;structural or functional studies. Here we describe detailed procedures for the overexpression of borate transporters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, isolation of yeast membranes, solubilization of protein by detergent, and purification of borate transporter homologs from S. cerevisiae, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa. We also detail a glutaraldehyde cross-linking experiment to assay multimerization of homomeric transporters. Our generalized procedures can be applied to all three proteins and have been optimized for efficacy. Many of the strategies developed here can be utilized for the study of other challenging membrane proteins.

Here we present a protocol to express, solubilize, and purify several eukaryotic borate transporters with homology to the SLC4 transporter family using yeast. We also describe a chemical cross-linking assay to assess the purified homomeric proteins for multimeric assembly. These protocols can be adapted for other challenging membrane proteins.

The Solute Carrier 4 (SLC4) family of proteins is called the bicarbonate transporters and includes the archetypal protein Anion Exchanger 1 (AE1, also ...

Expression and Purification of Nuclease-Free Oxygen Scavenger Protocatechuate 3,4-Dioxygenase

Single molecule (SM) microscopy is used in the study of dynamic molecular interactions of fluorophore labeled biomolecules in real time. However, fluorophores are prone to loss of signal via photobleaching by dissolved oxygen (O2). To prevent photobleaching and extend the fluorophore lifetime, oxygen scavenging systems (OSS) are employed to reduce O2. Commercially available OSS may be contaminated by nucleases that damage or degrade nucleic acids, confounding interpretation of experimental results. Here we detail a protocol for the expression and purification of highly active Pseudomonas putida protocatechuate-3,4-dioxygenase (PCD) with no detectable nuclease contamination. PCD can efficiently remove reactive O2 species by conversion of the substrate protocatechuic acid (PCA) to 3-carboxy-cis,cis-muconic acid. This method can be used in any aqueous system where O2 plays a detrimental role in data acquisition. This method is effective in producing highly active, nuclease free PCD in comparison with commercially available PCD.

Protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase (PCD) can enzymatically remove free diatomic oxygen from an aqueous system using its substrate protocatechuic acid (PCA). This protocol describes the expression, purification, and activity analysis of this oxygen scavenging enzyme.

Single molecule (SM) microscopy is used in the study of dynamic molecular interactions of fluorophore labeled biomolecules in real time. However, ...

Expression, Purification, Crystallization, and Enzyme Assays of Fumarylacetoacetate Hydrolase Domain-Containing Proteins

Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) domain-containing proteins (FAHD) are identified members of the FAH superfamily in eukaryotes. Enzymes of this superfamily generally display multi-functionality, involving mainly hydrolase and decarboxylase mechanisms. This article presents a series of consecutive methods for the expression and purification of FAHD proteins, mainly FAHD protein 1 (FAHD1) orthologues among species (human, mouse, nematodes, plants, etc.). Covered methods are protein expression in E. coli, affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, preparative and analytical gel filtration, crystallization, X-ray diffraction, and photometric assays. Concentrated protein of high levels of purity (&#62;98%) may be employed for crystallization or antibody production. Proteins of similar or lower quality may be employed in enzyme assays or used as antigens in detection systems (Western-Blot, ELISA). In the discussion of this work, the identified enzymatic mechanisms of FAHD1 are outlined to describe its hydrolase and decarboxylase bi-functionality in more detail.

Expression and purification of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase domain-containing proteins is described with examples (expression in E. coli, FPLC). Purified proteins are used for crystallization and antibody production and employed for enzyme assays. Selected photometric assays are presented to display the multi-functionality of FAHD1 as oxaloacetate decarboxylase and acylpyruvate hydrolase.

Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) domain-containing proteins (FAHD) are identified members of the FAH superfamily in eukaryotes. Enzymes of this ...

Enrichment of Mammalian Tissues and Xenopus Oocytes with Cholesterol

Cholesterol enrichment of mammalian tissues and cells, including Xenopus oocytes used for studying cell function, can be accomplished using a variety of methods. Here, we describe two important approaches used for this purpose. First, we describe how to enrich tissues and cells with cholesterol using cyclodextrin saturated with cholesterol using cerebral arteries (tissues) and hippocampal neurons (cells) as examples. This approach can be used for any type of tissue, cells, or cell lines. An alternative approach for cholesterol enrichment involves the use of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The advantage of this approach is that it uses part of the natural cholesterol homeostasis machinery of the cell. However, whereas the cyclodextrin approach can be applied to enrich any cell type of interest with cholesterol, the LDL approach is limited to cells that express LDL receptors (e.g., liver cells, bone marrow-derived cells such as blood leukocytes and tissue macrophages), and the level of enrichment depends on the concentration and the mobility of the LDL receptor. Furthermore, LDL particles include other lipids, so cholesterol delivery is nonspecific. Second, we describe how to enrich Xenopus oocytes with cholesterol using a phospholipid-based dispersion (i.e., liposomes) that includes cholesterol. Xenopus oocytes constitute a popular heterologous expression system used for studying cell and protein function. For both the cyclodextrin-based cholesterol enrichment approach of mammalian tissue (cerebral arteries) and for the phospholipid-based cholesterol enrichment approach of Xenopus oocytes, we demonstrate that cholesterol levels reach a maximum following 5 min of incubation. This level of cholesterol remains constant during extended periods of incubation (e.g., 60 min). Together, these data provide the basis for optimized temporal conditions for cholesterol enrichment of tissues, cells, and Xenopus oocytes for functional studies aimed at interrogating the impact of cholesterol enrichment.

Enrichment of Mammalian Tissues and Xenopus Oocytes with Cholesterol

Two methods of cholesterol enrichment are presented: the application of cyclodextrin saturated with cholesterol to enrich mammalian tissues and cells, and the use of cholesterol-enriched phospholipid-based dispersions (liposomes) to enrich Xenopus oocytes. These methods are instrumental for determining the impact of elevated cholesterol levels in molecular, cellular, and organ function.

Cholesterol enrichment of mammalian tissues and cells, including Xenopus oocytes used for studying cell function, can be accomplished using a variety of ...

PCR Mutagenesis, Cloning, Expression, Fast Protein Purification Protocols and Crystallization of the Wild Type and Mutant Forms of Tryptophan Synthase

Structural studies with tryptophan synthase (TS) bienzyme complex (&#945;2&#946;2 TS) from Salmonella typhimurium have been performed to better understand its catalytic mechanism, allosteric behavior, and details of the enzymatic transformation of substrate to product in PLP-dependent enzymes. In this work, a novel expression system to produce the isolated &#945;- and isolated &#946;-subunit allowed the purification of high amounts of pure subunits and &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex from the isolated subunits within 2 days. Purification was carried out by affinity chromatography followed by cleavage of the affinity tag, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). To better understand the role of key residues at the enzyme &#946;-site, site-direct mutagenesis was performed in prior structural studies. Another protocol was created to purify the wild type and mutant &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complexes. A simple, fast and efficient protocol using ammonium sulfate fractionation and SEC allowed purification of &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex in a single day. Both purification protocols described in this work have considerable advantages when compared with previous protocols to purify the same complex using PEG 8000 and spermine to crystalize the &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex along the purification protocol. Crystallization of wild type and some mutant forms occurs under slightly different conditions, impairing the purification of some mutants using PEG 8000 and spermine. To prepare crystals suitable for x-ray crystallographic studies several efforts were made to optimize crystallization, crystal quality and cryoprotection. The methods presented here should be generally applicable for purification of tryptophan synthase subunits and wild type and mutant &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complexes.

This article presents a series of consecutive methods for the expression and purification of Salmonella typhimurium tryptophan synthase comp this protocol a rapid system to purify the protein complex in a day. Covered methods are site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression in Escherichia coli, affinity chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, and crystallization.

Structural studies with tryptophan synthase (TS) bienzyme complex (&#945;2&#946;2 TS) from Salmonella typhimurium have been performed to better understand ...

Ganglioside Extraction, Purification and Profiling

Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids that contain one or more sialic acid residues. They are found on all vertebrate cells and tissues but are especially abundant in the brain. Expressed primarily on the outer leaflet of the plasma membranes of cells, they modulate the activities of cell surface proteins via lateral association, act as receptors in cell-cell interactions and are targets for pathogens and toxins. Genetic dysregulation of ganglioside biosynthesis in humans results in severe congenital nervous system disorders. Because of their amphipathic nature, extraction, purification, and analysis of gangliosides require techniques that have been optimized by many investigators in the 80 years since their discovery. Here, we describe bench-level methods for the extraction, purification, and preliminary qualitative and quantitative analyses of major gangliosides from tissues and cells that can be completed in a few hours. We also describe methods for larger scale isolation and purification of major ganglioside species from brain. Together, these methods provide analytical and preparative scale access to this class of bioactive molecules.

Gangliosides are sialic acid-bearing glycosphingolipids that are particularly abundant in the brain. Their amphipathic nature requires organic/aqueous extraction and purification techniques to ensure optimal recovery and accurate analyses. This article provides overviews of analytic and preparative scale ganglioside extraction, purification, and thin layer chromatography analysis.

Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids that contain one or more sialic acid residues. They are found on all vertebrate cells and tissues but are especially ...