This work was supported by the US National Institute of Health (GM097569).

<ol>
	<li>Miles, E. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tryptophan+synthase:+a+multienzyme+complex+with+an+intramolecular+tunnel.">Tryptophan synthase: a multienzyme complex with an intramolecular tunnel.</a> Chemical Record. 1 (2), 140-151 (2001).</li><li>Raboni, S., Bettati, S., Mozzarelli, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tryptophan+synthase:+a+mine+for+enzymologists.">Tryptophan synthase: a mine for enzymologists.</a> Cellular and Molecular Life. 66 (14), 2391-2403 (2009).</li><li>Dunn, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Allosteric+regulation+of+substrate+channeling+and+catalysis+in+the+tryptophan+synthase+bienzyme+complex.">Allosteric regulation of substrate channeling and catalysis in the tryptophan synthase bienzyme complex.</a> Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 519 (2), 154-166 (2012).</li><li>Chaudhary, K., Roos, D. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protozoan+genomics+for+drug+discovery.">Protozoan genomics for drug discovery.</a> Nature Biotechnology. 23 (9), 1089-1091 (2005).</li><li>Caldwell, H. 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=Polymorphisms+in+Chlamydia+trachomatis+tryptophan+synthase+genes+differentiate+between+genital+and+ocular+isolates.">Polymorphisms in Chlamydia trachomatis tryptophan synthase genes differentiate between genital and ocular isolates.</a> Journal of Clinical Investigation. 111 (11), 1757-1769 (2003).</li><li>Kulik, 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=On+the+structural+basis+of+the+catalytic+mechanism+and+the+regulation+of+the+alpha+subunit+of+tryptophan+synthase+from+Salmonella+typhimurium+and+BX1+from+maize,+two+evolutionarily+related+enzymes.">On the structural basis of the catalytic mechanism and the regulation of the alpha subunit of tryptophan synthase from Salmonella typhimurium and BX1 from maize, two evolutionarily related enzymes.</a> Journal of Molecular Biology. 352 (3), 608-620 (2005).</li><li>Barends, T. 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R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Crystallization+and+preliminary+X-ray+crystallographic+data+of+the+tryptophan+synthase+alpha+2+beta+2+complex+from+Salmonella+typhimurium.">Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic data of the tryptophan synthase alpha 2 beta 2 complex from Salmonella typhimurium.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 260 (6), 3716-3718 (1985).</li><li>Miles, E. 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+beta+subunit+of+tryptophan+synthase.+Clarification+of+the+roles+of+histidine+86,+lysine+87,+arginine+148,+cysteine+170,+and+cysteine+230.">The beta subunit of tryptophan synthase. Clarification of the roles of histidine 86, lysine 87, arginine 148, cysteine 170, and cysteine 230.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 264 (11), 6280-6287 (1989).</li><li>Rhee, S., Parris, K. D., Ahmed, S. A., Miles, E. W., Davies, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Exchange+of+K++or+Cs++for+Na++induces+local+and+long-range+changes+in+the+three-dimensional+structure+of+the+tryptophan+synthase+alpha2beta2+complex.">Exchange of K+ or Cs+ for Na+ induces local and long-range changes in the three-dimensional structure of the tryptophan synthase alpha2beta2 complex.</a> Biochemistry. 35 (13), 4211-4221 (1996).</li><li>Rhee, 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=Crystal+structures+of+a+mutant+(betaK87T)+tryptophan+synthase+alpha2beta2+complex+with+ligands+bound+to+the+active+sites+of+the+alpha-+and+beta-subunits+reveal+ligand-induced+conformational+changes.">Crystal structures of a mutant (betaK87T) tryptophan synthase alpha2beta2 complex with ligands bound to the active sites of the alpha- and beta-subunits reveal ligand-induced conformational changes.</a> Biochemistry. 36 (25), 7664-7680 (1997).</li><li>Schneider, 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=Loop+closure+and+intersubunit+communication+in+tryptophan+synthase.">Loop closure and intersubunit communication in tryptophan synthase.</a> Biochemistry. 37 (16), 5394-5406 (1998).</li><li>Rhee, S., Miles, E. W., Davies, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cryo-crystallography+of+a+true+substrate,+indole-3-glycerol+phosphate,+bound+to+a+mutant+(alphaD60N)+tryptophan+synthase+alpha2beta2+complex+reveals+the+correct+orientation+of+active+site+alphaGlu49.">Cryo-crystallography of a true substrate, indole-3-glycerol phosphate, bound to a mutant (alphaD60N) tryptophan synthase alpha2beta2 complex reveals the correct orientation of active site alphaGlu49.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 273 (15), 8553-8555 (1998).</li><li>Weyand, M., Schlichting, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Crystal+structure+of+wild-type+tryptophan+synthase+complexed+with+the+natural+substrate+indole-3-glycerol+phosphate.">Crystal structure of wild-type tryptophan synthase complexed with the natural substrate indole-3-glycerol phosphate.</a> Biochemistry. 38 (50), 16469-16480 (1999).</li><li>Sachpatzidis, 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=Crystallographic+studies+of+phosphonate-based+alpha-reaction+transition-state+analogues+complexed+to+tryptophan+synthase.">Crystallographic studies of phosphonate-based alpha-reaction transition-state analogues complexed to tryptophan synthase.</a> Biochemistry. 38 (39), 12665-12674 (1999).</li><li>Yang, L. H., Ahmed, S. A., Miles, E. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PCR+mutagenesis+and+overexpression+of+tryptophan+synthase+from+Salmonella+typhimurium:+On+the+roles+of+beta+(2)+subunit+Lys-382.">PCR mutagenesis and overexpression of tryptophan synthase from Salmonella typhimurium: On the roles of beta (2) subunit Lys-382.</a> Protein Expression and Purification. 8 (2), 126-136 (1996).</li><li>Green, M. R., Sambrook, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual. , (2012).</li><li>Lowry, O. 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J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Refinement+of+macromolecular+structures+by+the+maximum-likelihood+method.">Refinement of macromolecular structures by the maximum-likelihood method.</a> Acta Crystallographica Section D Structural Biology. 53, 240-255 (1997).</li><li>Afonine, P. 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=Towards+automated+crystallographic+structure+refinement+with+phenix.refine.">Towards automated crystallographic structure refinement with phenix.refine.</a> Acta Crystallographica Section D Structural Biology. 68, 352-367 (2012).</li><li>Matthews, B. 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The authors have nothing to disclose and declare no competing financial interests.

We have successfully engineered mutant form &#945;2&#946;2 &#946;Q114A, &#945;2&#946;2 &#946;K167T, and &#945;2&#946;2 &#946;S377A StTS complexes for structure-function correlation studies. Initially, we have tried to purify the mutants using a previous purification protocol22, which requires &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex crystallization with PEG 8000 and spermine during purification. Although c...

The tryptophan synthase (TS) bienzyme complex (&#945;2&#946;2) is an allosteric enzyme, catalyzing the last two steps in the biosynthesis of the amino acid L-Tryptophan in bacteria, plants, and fungi1,2,3. Bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (St) causes a severe gastrointestinal infection in humans and other animals. Since humans and higher animals do not have TS (EC 4.2.1.20), the inhibition of S. typhimurium &#945;2&#946;2 TS complex (&#945;2&#946;2 StTS) has been explored as a potential drug target for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis and tuberculosis4, genital and ocular infections5, and for potential herbicide utilization in agriculture6. The &#945;-subunit catalyzes the aldolytic cleavage of indole-3-glycerol-phosphate (IGP) to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GAP) and indole, through the formation of an indolenine tautomer intermediate and subsequently carbon-carbon bond cleavage to produce GAP and indole3,6. The &#946;-catalytic site contains a pyridoxal 5&#8242;-phosphate (PLP) cofactor molecule bound to &#946;-Lys87 via a Schiff base, which functions as an electron sink in the course of the reactions at the enzyme &#946;-subunit3,7. The &#946;-site catalyzes the replacement of the L-Serine side-chain hydroxyl by indole to give L-Tryptophan and a water molecule in a PLP-dependent reaction. StTS serves as a longstanding model for the investigation of substrate channeling and allosteric communication within multi-enzyme complexes2,3. Bidirectional allosteric communication between the &#945;- and &#946;-subunits of TS is necessary to synchronize the catalytic steps and prevent indole release during L-Tryptophan synthesis3. To extend this effort, we have prepared several mutants (&#946;-Gln114Ala, &#946;-Lys167Thr, and &#946;-Ser377Ala) by single point mutation to be used in further explorations of the relationship between enzyme structure, mechanism and function at the catalytic site of the StTS &#946;-subunit.
Detailed research on the catalytic mechanism of &#945;2&#946;2StTS was initiated by the research group of Edith W. Miles. Early studies with native Escherichia coli &#945;2&#946;2 TS complex have focused on the purification and characterization of the isolated &#945;-subunit8,9, isolated &#946;-subunit10,11 and the reconstitution of the &#945;2&#946;2 TS complex from the isolated subunits12. Purification was carried out by ammonium sulfate precipitation, sample dialysis, DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, dialysis, and a second chromatographic round on a DEAE-Sephadex column12. In another protocol, the purification of the same complex was improved by loading the clarified cell lysate on a DEAE-Sephadex column followed by a chromatographic step on a Sepharose 4B column, ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis13. Both purification protocols last for 4-5 days. Escherichia coli &#945;2&#946;2 TS complex crystallized but crystals were not suitable for X-ray diffraction at that time.
In a novel study, recombinant and wild type forms of S. typhimurium &#945;2&#946;2 TS complex were purified and crystalized14,15. The recombinant &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex was overexpressed in E. coli strain CB149 carrying the pEBA-10 expression vector. Initial crystallization and X-ray diffraction data collection and analysis of the &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex were reported14. However, long and thin needle like &#945;2&#946;2 StTS crystals impaired structural studies. In an attempt to collect better X-ray diffraction data, another purification protocol was described to purify the wild type and mutant forms of the &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex15. Purification was carried out with an initial precipitation using spermine and PEG 8,000 into the clarified cell lysate and a large bulky precipitate was removed by centrifugation. The supernatant fraction containing high amounts of &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex was stored for 16-48 h at 4 &#176;C until yellow crystals precipitated. Crystals were washed and extensively dialyzed against different buffers. Protein complex was recrystallized in buffer containing ammonium sulfate and dialyzed15. Although, protein crystallization depends on protein and precipitant concentrations in solution, it is difficult to monitor, predict, and reproduce purification for other mutant forms of &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex in solution. This protocol has the advantage that it does not use any chromatographic methods; however, the disadvantages are the long purification time necessary to crystallize, dialyze, and recrystallize, typically requiring 5-7 days. To obtain crystals suitable for X-ray data collection, more than 600 crystallization conditions were evaluated using a combination and variation of protein concentration, temperature, precipitants (PEG 4,000, 6,000, and 8,000), and additives (CaCl2, MnCl2, ZnCl2, cadaverine, putrescine, spermine, or spermidine)15. Crystals had a better crystalline form and grew faster in conditions containing 12% PEG 8,000 and 2 mM spermine. Crystallization was more favorable at 25 &#176;C rather than at 4, 30, or 42 &#176;C and grew to maximum dimensions within 3 days15. Several &#945;2&#946;2 StTS crystal structures were reported at that time (1996-1999)16,17,18,19,20,21 and many other structures have been published to date.
Here, the main purpose is to present alternative protocols to purify tryptophan synthase and optimize protein crystallization. The present work shows significant improvements to purify the wild type isolated &#945;-subunit (&#945;StTS), isolated &#946;-subunit (&#946;StTS), reconstituted &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex from the isolated subunits, and wild type and mutant forms of the &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex. The advantages over past protocols are considerable since purification time was reduced significantly and crystallization and cryoprotection were optimized. Mutant forms of &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex engineered in this work have crystallized near the same condition used for the wild type form. However, fine crystallization optimization was necessary to obtain large single crystals of sufficient quality for structure determination at near atomic resolution. To date, there are 134 tryptophan synthase crystal structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), accounting 101, 31 and 2 crystal structures, respectively, for bacteria, archaea and eukaryote. Nicely, 73 structures belong to S. enterica serovar typhimurium and 5 crystal structures of the &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex have resolution limits higher than 1.50 Angstroms. Not surprisingly, 4 out 5 were prepared in our research group (PDB IDs:5CGQ at 1.18 &#197;, 4HT3 at 1.30 &#197;, 4HPJ at 1.45 &#197;, 6DZ4 at 1.45 &#197; resolution). The refined crystal structures of mutant form of &#945;2&#946;2 StTS complex are anticipated to provide new insights into the mechanism and roles played by essential amino acid residues involved in L-Tryptophan synthesis.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL 10 kDa filter</td>
			<td>MilliporeSigma</td>
			<td>UFC901024</td>
			<td>centrifugal filter unit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL 100 kDa filter</td>
			<td>MilliporeSigma</td>
			<td>UFC910024</td>
			<td>centrifugal filter unit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2 mL cryogenic vials</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>CLS430489</td>
			<td>Cryogenic vials</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2 mL microcentrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>05-408-141</td>
			<td>microcentrifuge tubes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-well Cryschem Plate</td>
			<td>Hampton Research</td>
			<td>HR3-158</td>
			<td>24-well sitting drop plates</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>O3446I-100</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 mL centrifuge conical tubes</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>12-565-270</td>
			<td>centrifuge conical tubes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AB15 ACCUMET Basic</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>13-636-AB15</td>
			<td>pH meter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agarose</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1356-100</td>
			<td>Agarose gel</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ammonium sulfate</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A702-500</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ampicillin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1760-5</td>
			<td>Antibiotic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bacterial incubator</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S35836</td>
			<td>incubator.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BamHI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0136S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>bicine</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP2646100</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Branson 450 Digital Sonifier</td>
			<td>Brason</td>
			<td>B450</td>
			<td>Cell disruptor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cesium chloride</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP210-100</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cesium hydroxide</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>AC213601000</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chloramphenicol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP904-100</td>
			<td>Antibiotic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>dimethyl sulfoxide</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>D1391</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>dithiothreitol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP172-5</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNA Polymerase</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>F530S</td>
			<td>HF polymerase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>dNTP Set</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>10-297-018</td>
			<td>dNTPs set</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EcoRI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0101S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S311-100</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td height="42">Excella E25R Orbital Shaker</td>
			<td>Eppendorf New Brunswick</td>
			<td>M1353-0004</td>
			<td>Orbital incubator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GE AKTA Prime Plus</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>8149-30-0004</td>
			<td>FPLC</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gel Extraction Kit</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>K210012</td>
			<td>DNA purification kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glycerol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>G33-500</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HindIII</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0104S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>His-Trap columns</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>GE17-5255-01</td>
			<td>5 mL Histrap column</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>imidazole</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>O3196-500</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IPTG</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>R0392</td>
			<td>Inducer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kanamycin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP906-5</td>
			<td>Antibiotic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kelvinator Series-100</td>
			<td>Kelvinator</td>
			<td>discontinued</td>
			<td>Ultra low freezer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LB broth</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1426-500</td>
			<td>Liquid broth</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Luria Bertani agar</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1425-2</td>
			<td>Solid broth</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S271-500</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NcoI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0193S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ni-NTA affinity beads</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>R90115</td>
			<td>Ni-NTA agarose beads</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PEG 8000</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP233-100</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>44-865-0</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pyridoxal phosphate</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>AC228170010</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>S-200 HR</td>
			<td>Cytiva</td>
			<td>45-000-196</td>
			<td>Size exclusion column</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SacI</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>R0156S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium hydroxide</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S318-100</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sorvall RC-5B centrifuge</td>
			<td>Sorvall</td>
			<td>8327-30-1004</td>
			<td>Floor cetrifuge</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spermine</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>AC132750010</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Superdex 200 prep grade</td>
			<td>Cytiva</td>
			<td>45-002-491</td>
			<td>Size exclusion column</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T4 DNA ligase</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>M0202S</td>
			<td>DNA liagse</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP152-500</td>
			<td>Chemical</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ubl-specific protease 1</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>12588018</td>
			<td>SUMO Protease</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

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.

Purification of the &#945;- and &#946;-subunits of the tryptophan synthase 
The &#945;-subunit (&#945;StTS) and the &#946;-subunit (&#946;StTS) of the Salmonella typhimurium tryptophan synthase were subcloned in the modified pET SUMO vector. Figure 1A shows representative SDS-PAGE results of two strong bands corresponding to the His6-SUMO-&#945;S...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about PCR Mutagenesis, Cloning, Expression, Fast Protein Purification Protocols and Crystallization of the Wild Type and Mutant Forms of Tryptophan Synthase at JoVE

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

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 ...

pcr-mutagenesis-cloning-expression-fast-protein-purification

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

4.2K Views.  University of California-Riverside. 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.

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

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 ...

Recombinant Protein Expression, Crystallization, and Biophysical Studies of a Bacillus-conserved Nucleotide Pyrophosphorylase, BcMazG

To overcome safety restrictions and regulations when studying genes and proteins from true pathogens, their homologues can be studied. Bacillus anthracis is an obligate pathogen that causes fatal inhalational anthrax. Bacillus cereus is considered a useful model for studying B. anthracis due to its close evolutionary relationship. The gene cluster ba1554 - ba1558 of B. anthracis is highly conserved with the bc1531- bc1535 cluster in B. cereus, as well as with the bt1364-bt1368 cluster in Bacillus thuringiensis, indicating the critical role of the associated genes in the Bacillus genus. This manuscript describes methods to prepare and characterize a protein product of the first gene (ba1554) from the gene cluster in B. anthracis using a recombinant protein of its ortholog in B. cereus, bc1531.

Recombinant Protein Expression, Crystallization, and Biophysical Studies of a Bacillus-conserved Nucleotide Pyrophosphorylase, BcMazG

Bacillus anthracis is the obligate pathogen of fatal inhalational anthrax, so studies of its genes and proteins are strictly regulated. An alternative approach is to study orthologous genes. We describe biophysicochemical studies of a B. anthracis ortholog in B. cereus, bc1531, requiring minimal experimental equipment and lacking serious safety concerns.

To overcome safety restrictions and regulations when studying genes and proteins from true pathogens, their homologues can be studied. Bacillus anthracis ...

Automated Protocols for Macromolecular Crystallization at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

When high quality crystals are obtained that diffract X-rays, the crystal structure may be solved at near atomic resolution. The conditions to crystallize proteins, DNAs, RNAs, and their complexes can however not be predicted. Employing a broad variety of conditions is a way to increase the yield of quality diffraction crystals. Two fully automated systems have been developed at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, England, MRC-LMB) that facilitate crystallization screening against 1,920 initial conditions by vapor diffusion in nanoliter droplets. Semi-automated protocols have also been developed to optimize conditions by changing the concentrations of reagents, the pH, or by introducing additives that potentially enhance properties of the resulting crystals. All the corresponding protocols will be described in detail and briefly discussed. Taken together, they enable convenient and highly efficient macromolecular crystallization in a multi-user facility, while giving the users control over key parameters of their experiments.

Automated systems and protocols for the routine preparation of a large number of screens and nanoliter crystallization droplets for vapor diffusion experiments are described and discussed.

When high quality crystals are obtained that diffract X-rays, the crystal structure may be solved at near atomic resolution. The conditions to crystallize ...

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 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 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 ...

High-Throughput Screening for Protein Crystallization

High-Throughput Screening to Obtain Crystal Hits for Protein Crystallography

X-ray crystallography is the most commonly employed technique to discern macromolecular structures, but the crucial step of crystallizing a protein into an ordered lattice amenable to diffraction remains challenging. The crystallization of biomolecules is largely experimentally defined, and this process can be labor-intensive and prohibitive to researchers at resource-limited institutions. At the National High-Throughput Crystallization (HTX) Center, highly reproducible methods have been implemented to facilitate crystal growth, including an automated high-throughput 1,536-well microbatch-under-oil plate setup designed to sample a wide breadth of crystallization parameters. Plates are monitored using state-of-the-art imaging modalities over the course of 6 weeks to provide insight into crystal growth, as well as to accurately distinguish valuable crystal hits. Furthermore, the implementation of a trained artificial intelligence scoring algorithm for identifying crystal hits, coupled with an open-source, user-friendly interface for viewing experimental images, streamlines the process of analyzing crystal growth images. Here, the key procedures and instrumentation are described for the preparation of the cocktails and crystallization plates, imaging the plates, and identifying hits in a way that ensures reproducibility and increases the likelihood of successful crystallization.

Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Screening to Obtain Crystal Hits for Protein Crystallography  

This protocol details high-throughput crystallization screening, ranging from the 1,536 microassay plate preparation to the end of a 6 week experimental time window. Details are included about the sample setup, the imaging obtained, and how users can perform analyses using an artificial intelligence-enabled graphical user interface to quickly and efficiently identify macromolecular crystallization conditions.

X-ray crystallography is the most commonly employed technique to discern macromolecular structures, but the crucial step of crystallizing a protein into ...

Protein Sample Setup and Crystallization

Strategies for Expressing and Purifying Solute Carrier Transporters

High-Throughput Expression and Purification of Human Solute Carriers for Structural and Biochemical Studies

Solute carriers (SLCs) are membrane transporters that import and export a range of endogenous and exogenous substrates, including ions, nutrients, metabolites, neurotransmitters, and pharmaceuticals. Despite having emerged as attractive therapeutic targets and markers of disease, this group of proteins is still relatively underdrugged by current pharmaceuticals. Drug discovery projects for these transporters are impeded by limited structural, functional, and physiological knowledge, ultimately due to the difficulties in the expression and purification of this class of membrane-embedded proteins. Here, we demonstrate methods to obtain high-purity, milligram quantities of human SLC transporter proteins using&#160;codon-optimized gene sequences. In conjunction with a systematic exploration of construct design and high-throughput expression, these protocols ensure the preservation of the structural integrity and biochemical activity of the target proteins. We also highlight critical steps in the eukaryotic cell expression, affinity purification, and size-exclusion chromatography of these proteins. Ultimately, this workflow yields pure, functionally active, and stable protein preparations suitable for high-resolution structure determination, transport studies, small-molecule engagement assays, and high-throughput in vitro screening.

Author Spotlight: Expression and Purification of Human Solute Carrier Transporters Using Codon-Optimized Genes 

Structural and biochemical studies of human membrane transporters require milligram quantities of stable, intact, and homogeneous protein. Here we describe scalable methods to screen, express, and purify human solute carrier transporters using codon-optimized genes.