Name: bacterial expression and purification of human matrix metalloproteinase-3 using affinity chromatography
Uploaded: 2022-03-30T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Bacterial Expression and Purification of Human Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 using Affinity Chromatography at JoVE.com

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Evette Radisky and Alexandra Hockla at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, for providing the pET-3a-pro-MMP-3cd plasmid as the template for cloning the Hisx6pro-MMP-3cd gene, and their comments, along with Dr. Paul Hartley from the Nevada Genomics Center at the University of Nevada, Reno, for DNA sequencing. The authors would also like to thank Cassandra Hergenrader for helping with part of protein expression. M.R.-S. would like to thank the NIH-P20 GM103650-COBRE Integrative Neuroscience grant and the UNR R&#38;D mICRO SEED Grant Award.

1. MMP expression
<ol>
	<li>Cloning and transformation of pET-3a-Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd into R2DP cells
	<ol>
		<li>Digest the pET-3a plasmid (see the Table of Materials) with NdeI and BamHI restriction enzymes in Digest Buffer (see the Table of Materials). In a total reaction volume of 40 &#181;L, add 4 &#181;L of Digest Buffer, 33 &#181;L of 100 ng/&#181;L plasmid, and 1.5 &#181;L of each restriction enzyme and allow the reaction to proceed for ~2 h until completion at 37...

<ol>
	<li>Portolano, 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=Recombinant+protein+expression+for+structural+biology+in+HEK+293F+suspension+cells:+A+novel+and+accessible+approach.">Recombinant protein expression for structural biology in HEK 293F suspension cells: A novel and accessible approach.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (92), e51897 (2014).</li><li>Subedi, G. P., Johnson, R. W., Moniz, H. A., Moremen, K. W., Barb, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High+yield+expression+of+recombinant+human+proteins+with+the+transient+transfection+of+HEK293+cells+in+suspension.">High yield expression of recombinant human proteins with the transient transfection of HEK293 cells in suspension.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (106), e53568 (2015).</li><li>Nilvebrant, J., Alm, T., Hober, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Orthogonal+protein+purification+facilitated+by+a+small+bispecific+affinity+tag.">Orthogonal protein purification facilitated by a small bispecific affinity tag.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. 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C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Therapeutic+potential+of+matrix+metalloproteinase+inhibition+in+breast+cancer.">Therapeutic potential of matrix metalloproteinase inhibition in breast cancer.</a> Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. 118 (11), 3531-3548 (2017).</li><li>Raeeszadeh-Sarmazdeh, M., Do, L. D., Hritz, B. 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K., Jain, R., Ramanan, H., Saini, D. K., Galea, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+and+purification+of+matrix+metalloproteinases+in+Escherichia+coli.">Expression and purification of matrix metalloproteinases in Escherichia coli.</a> Matrix Metalloproteases. , 3-16 (2017).</li><li>Manka, S. 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=Structural+insights+into+triple-helical+collagen+cleavage+by+matrix+metalloproteinase+1.">Structural insights into triple-helical collagen cleavage by matrix metalloproteinase 1.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 109 (31), 12461-12466 (2012).</li><li>Gomis-Ruth, F. 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=Mechanism+of+inhibition+of+the+human+matrix+metalloproteinase+stromelysin-1+by+TIMP-1.">Mechanism of inhibition of the human matrix metalloproteinase stromelysin-1 by TIMP-1.</a> Nature. 389 (6646), 77-81 (1997).</li><li>Shirian, 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=Converting+a+broad+matrix+metalloproteinase+family+inhibitor+into+a+specific+inhibitor+of+MMP-9+and+MMP-14.">Converting a broad matrix metalloproteinase family inhibitor into a specific inhibitor of MMP-9 and MMP-14.</a> FEBS Letters. 592 (7), 1122-1134 (2018).</li><li>Li, 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=Purification+of+recombinant+histidine-tagged+catalytic+domain+of+MMP-13+in+one+step+using+affinity+column+and+renaturation+of+it+with+histidine+tag.">Purification of recombinant histidine-tagged catalytic domain of MMP-13 in one step using affinity column and renaturation of it with histidine tag.</a> Journal of Liquid Chromatography &amp; Related Technologies. 37 (15), 2118-2130 (2014).</li><li>Aydin, H., Azimi, F. C., Cook, J. D., Lee, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+convenient+and+general+expression+platform+for+the+production+of+secreted+proteins+from+human+cells.">A convenient and general expression platform for the production of secreted proteins from human cells.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (65), e4041 (2012).</li><li>McNiff, M. L., Haynes, E. P., Dixit, N., Gao, F. P., Laurence, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thioredoxin+fusion+construct+enables+high-yield+production+of+soluble,+active+matrix+metalloproteinase-8+(MMP-8)+in+Escherichia+coli.">Thioredoxin fusion construct enables high-yield production of soluble, active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in Escherichia coli.</a> Protein Expression and Purification. 122, 64-71 (2016).</li><li>Maity, 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=GST-His+purification:+A+two-step+affinity+purification+protocol+yielding+full-length+purified+proteins.">GST-His purification: A two-step affinity purification protocol yielding full-length purified proteins.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (80), e50320 (2013).</li><li>Stefan, A., Ceccarelli, A., Conte, E., Mont&#243;n Silva, A., Hochkoeppler, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+multifaceted+benefits+of+protein+co-expression+in+Escherichia+coli.">The multifaceted benefits of protein co-expression in Escherichia coli.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (96), e52431 (2015).</li><li>Yadavalli, R., Sam-Yellowe, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HeLa+based+cell+free+expression+systems+for+expression+of+Plasmodium+rhoptry+proteins.">HeLa based cell free expression systems for expression of Plasmodium rhoptry proteins.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (100), e52772 (2015).</li><li>Zeytuni, N., Zarivach, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Purification+of+the+M.+magneticum+strain+AMB-1+magnetosome+associated+protein+MamA&#916;41.">Purification of the M. magneticum strain AMB-1 magnetosome associated protein MamA&#916;41.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (37), e1844 (2010).</li></ol>

The large-scale production of soluble, human, recombinant MMPs remains a challenging task. Mammalian cells can express functional MMPs at high costs and long wait times, whereas E. coli rapidly produce high quantities of MMP inclusion bodies that must be purified and refolded11,16. R2DP cells significantly increase the yield of MMP inclusion bodies, enabling a more cost-effective and productive MMP refolding process. However, E. coli lack the po...

Most complex eukaryotic proteins undergo elaborate posttranslational modifications after expression, requiring highly assisted protein folding and co-factors to be functional1. Producing large amounts of soluble human protein in a bacterial host remains a significant challenge due to high costs and the lack of robust expression and purification methods, even for smaller-scale laboratory experiments2,3. MMPs, human endopeptidases with large molecular weight, are usually expressed as insoluble inclusion bodies when expressed in E. coli. Extraction of soluble human MMPs often leads to a laborious, time-consuming solubilization and refolding process4.
MMPs have critical roles in both physiological and pathogenic processes. Human MMPs are a family of 23 zinc endopeptidases, categorized by structure and substrate specificity, and differentially expressed in spite of a highly conserved catalytic domain5,6. MMPs are secreted as inactive zymogens, regulated via posttranslational activation and their endogenous inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)7,8,9,10. Though initially recognized for their role in ECM turnover, MMPs have also been implicated in development, morphogenesis, tissue repair, and remodeling8. Dysregulation of MMPs has been notably linked to cancer along with neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and fibrotic diseases, among other illnesses5,7.
The development of robust large-scale MMP production methods is critical to ensure the success of future studies of MMP mechanisms through biochemical and cell-based assays. Various MMPs have been previously expressed in bacteria11, including Hisx6-tagged MMPs, without altering MMP activity12,13,14,15. However, these methods include tedious, long steps that might be difficult to replicate.
Mammalian cells can also be used to express many different human proteins while ensuring the proper posttranslational modifications16. Although the mammalian expression system is an ideal choice to produce recombinant human proteins with proper post-translational modifications, the main disadvantages of this method are initial low yields, costly growth media and reagents, long timelines to reach stable expression lines, and risk of contamination with other species such as fungi or bacteria2,11. Moreover, MMP production in mammalian cell lines yields impurities from associated cellular proteins such as TIMPs or fibronectins11. Unlike the slow cell growth observed in mammalian cells, the bacterial expression system offers large-scale protein production in a short period along with simpler media and growth requirements. However, due to the lack of other associated cellular proteins (i.e., TIMPs) in bacterial expression systems, active MMPs at higher concentrations are subject to degradation through autoproteolysis, resulting in poor MMP yield17.
This paper describes a detailed method for bacterial expression, purification, and activation of recombinant Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd using E. coli as an expression host due to its affordability, simplicity, and success in producing higher yields of MMPs2,3,18. Since E. coli lacks the protein folding machinery and posttranslational processing required for recombinant MMPs and other complex proteins, many E. coli strains have been engineered to overcome these limitations, making E. coli a more suitable host for expression of recombinant human MMP-3cd,19,20. For instance, the R2DP strain used in this study enhances eukaryotic expression by supplying a chloramphenicol-resistant plasmid containing codons rarely used in E. coli.
As described in this protocol, after overexpression of relatively pure inclusion bodies from the pET-3a vector (Figure 1) in R2DP cells, Hisx6-pro-MMP-3 catalytic domain (MMP-3cd) proteins are extracted and denatured4. Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd3,19 was purified using&#160;affinity tag chromatography. Upon refolding and dialysis, the pro-MMP-3cd (zymogen) was activated by 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA), and SDS-PAGE analysis is used to evaluate yields and the need for further purification5,21. This protocol describes expression, purification, and activation of soluble MMP-3cd as an example. However, it may be also used as a guide for expression of other MMPs and human proteases with similar expression, and activation mechanisms (Figure 2). For other proteins other than MMP-3cd, the reader is advised to determine optimal buffer compositions and methods for their target protein before attempting this protocol.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/63263/63263fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Plasmid map of the pET-3a-Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd plasmid. The pET-3a vector includes an ampicillin resistance gene. An N-terminal Hisx6-tag sequence is cloned into the pET-3a-based vector, including pro-MMP-3cd, to yield the pET-3a-Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd construct under control of T7 promoter between BamHI and NdeI restriction sites. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/63263/63263fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/63263/63263fig02.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: Bacterial expression of pro-MMP-3cd, purification, refolding, and activation. 1.1: pET-3a-Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd plasmid was transformed into BL21(DE3) or R2DP Cells. 1.2: Pro-MMP-3cd protein expression was induced using IPTG. 1.3: Chemical lysis and sonication are used to extract Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd proteins that are mainly insoluble and found in the inclusion bodies. Urea was used to denature and solubilize protein from inclusion bodies. 2.1. Denatured Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd protein was purified via affinity chromatography purification. 3. The eluted Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd was slowly refolded during dialysis through gradual removal of urea from the buffer. 4. Finally, refolded MMP-3cd protein was activated using APMA by removing the N-terminal pro-peptide domain. APMA is later removed from the solution through desalting. The numbers correspond to protocol sections describing these steps. Abbreviations: MMP-3cd = Matrix metalloproteinase-3 catalytic domain; APMA = 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/63263/63263fig02large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>0.22 &#181;m sterile filter</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>SLGP033RS</td>
			<td>Used to remove some contaminants from the protein extract before purification, and prevent the Ni-NTA column from clogging</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 L Erlenmeyer flasks</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S76106F</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 L glass bottles</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>06-414-1D</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.5 mL microfuge tubes</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>02-682-002</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL conical tubes</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>339650</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>18 G, 1-in. beveled needle</td>
			<td>Amazon</td>
			<td>B07S7VBHM2</td>
			<td>Used in combination with the dialysis casette</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2 mL desalting column</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>89890</td>
			<td>Removes APMA following activation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-(N-Morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AAA1610422</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>250 mL conical bottle cushions</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>05-538-53A</td>
			<td>Stabilize conical bottles during large-volume centrifugation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>250 mL conical bottles</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>05-538-53</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>400 mL stirred cell</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>UFSC40001</td>
			<td>Re-concentrates a much larger volume than the centrifugal filter unit. Rosetta2(DE3)pLysS cells produce high volumes of protein that may exceed the 15 mL limit of the centrifugal filter unit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA)</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>A9563-5G</td>
			<td>Activates MMP-3 by cleaving the propeptide</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5 mL syringe</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>NC0829167</td>
			<td>Used in combination with the dialysis casette</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 mL conical tubes</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>339650</td>
			<td>Used for storage in many purification steps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 mL re-concentration tube</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>UFC901024D</td>
			<td>Used for re-concentrating protein samples after dialysis or removing contaminants</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agar</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1423-500</td>
			<td>Buffer ingredient that solidifies autoclaved LB media upon cooling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ampicillin</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1760-25</td>
			<td>Antibiotic used with pET3a vector; used at 100 &#181;g/mL in LB media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BamHI</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>R3136S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme to be used with the pET3a vector</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcium chloride (CaCl2)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>600-30-23</td>
			<td>The calcium ion stabilizes MMP structure</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell spreaders</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>50-189-7544</td>
			<td>Can be used to spread cells across a petri dish after transformation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chloramphenicol</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22-055-125GM</td>
			<td>Antibiotic used with pET3a vector; used at 34 &#181;g/mL in LB media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dialysis Buffer 1</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2, 1 &#181;M ZnCl2, 4 M Urea.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dialysis Buffer 2</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2, 1 &#181;M ZnCl2, 2 M Urea.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dialysis Buffer 3</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM CaCl2 , 1 &#181;M ZnCl2.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dialysis clips</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>68011</td>
			<td>Used in combination with snakeskin dialysis tubing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dialysis tubing</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>88243</td>
			<td>Alternative dialysis method that holds much larger sample volumes, but with higher risk of sample loss</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digest buffer</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>B7204S</td>
			<td>Buffer used in digesting the pET3a vector</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disposable cuvettes</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>21-200-257</td>
			<td>Used to measure the bacterial culture OD during growth and expression</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dithiothreitol (DTT)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>D107125G</td>
			<td>Assists with protein denaturation by reducing any disulfide bonds</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNA assembly mix</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>E2621S</td>
			<td>Used to ligate the Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd PCR product and digested pET3a vector</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNase I</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>M0303S</td>
			<td>Endonuclease for degrading unfavorable DNA contaminants that could later affect protein purification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A995-4</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>J15694-AE</td>
			<td>Used in denaturation. Prevents oxidation and subsequent formation of disulfide bonds</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gel recovery kit</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>A9281</td>
			<td>Isolates and purifies DNA from agarose gels</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glycerol</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>G33-500</td>
			<td>Used for making glycerol stocks, which are frozen at -80 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gravity flow column</td>
			<td>BioRad</td>
			<td>7321010</td>
			<td>Used for Ni-NTA purification of recombinantly His-tagged proteins</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AAA135430B</td>
			<td>Second chaotropic agent used for disrupting protein secondary structure.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High-transformation efficiency cells</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>C2987</td>
			<td>High-transformation efficiency cells with greater chance of success for cloning the N-terminal His-tag into the pET3a-pro-MMP-3cd construct</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HT Elution Buffer</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 50 mM NaCl, 6 M urea, 250 mM imidazole. Adjust pH to 7.4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HT Equilibration Buffer</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 50 mM NaCl, 6 M urea. Adjust pH to 7.4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HT Regeneration Buffer</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>20 mM MES, 0.1 M NaCl. Adjust pH to 5.0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HT Wash Buffer</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 50 mM NaCl, 6 M urea, 25 mM imidazole. Adjust pH to 7.4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrochloric acid (HCl)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A144C-212</td>
			<td>Used to pH buffers</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Imidazole</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AAA1022122</td>
			<td>Mimics the histidine side group. Used to separate non-specifically binding proteins from the his-tagged target protein</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inclusion Body Buffer</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 1 mM EDTA, 100 mM NaCl, 5 mM DTT, 2% v/v Triton X 100, 0.5 M Urea. Adjust pH to 8.0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isopropyl-&#223;-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>FERR0392</td>
			<td>A reagent that induces target gene expression in pET3a. Make 0.5 mL 1 M aliquots, filter sterilize and store in -20 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LB Amp CamR media</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>To be poured into a sterible 1 L bottle or 1 L flask. For 1 L, add 25 g LB Broth. Sterilize by autoclaving. Once cooled to below 50 &#176;C, add ampicillin to 100 &#181;g/mL and chloramphenicol to 34 &#181;g/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LB Amp CamR plates</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>To be poured into sterile petri dishes. Pour until the petri dish lid is completely covered. 1 L of media yields 40-60 plates. For 1 L: 25 g LB Broth, 16 g Agar. Sterilize by autoclaving. Once cooled to below 50 &#176;C, add ampicillin to 100 &#181;g/mL and chloramphenicol to 34 &#181;g/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LB Broth</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1426-2</td>
			<td>Pre-mixed with tryptone, yeast extract, and sodium chloride</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lysis Buffer</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 1 mM EDTA, 100 mM NaCl, 0.133 g/mL lysozyme, 0.49% v/v Triton X-100. Adjust pH to 8.0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lysozyme</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>195303</td>
			<td>Used in protein extraction. Enzyme that lyses bacterial cell walls</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Miniprep kit</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>A1330</td>
			<td>If successful, extracts the pET3a-pro-MMP-3cd construct from transformants</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NdeI</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>R0111S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme to be used with the pET3a vector</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ni-NTA resin</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>PI88221</td>
			<td>Used to bind recombinant his-tagged proteins. This strong interaction can be displaced with higher concentrations of imidazole</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PCR mix</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>M0492S</td>
			<td>A PCR reagent for inserting an N-terminal his-tag into the pET3a-pro-MMP-3cd vector</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pET plasmid</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>The pET3a vector offers ampicillin resistance, inducible expression of a target gene, and sequencing with T7 primers</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Petri dishes</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>25384-342</td>
			<td>Used for plating transformants on LB agar media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>R2DP cells</td>
			<td>Novagen</td>
			<td>714033</td>
			<td>BL21 derivatives with enhanced expression of eukaryotic proteins. Contain tRNAs of codons found to be rare in e. coli</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SOC growth media</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>B9020S</td>
			<td>Non-selective growth media for rapid growth during transformation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium chloride (NaCl)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP358-1</td>
			<td>Used in buffers and helps with protein stability</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium deoxycholate</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>PI89905</td>
			<td>Detergent used in protein extraction. Lyses cell walls</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Solubilization Buffer</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 50 mM NaCl, 10 mM DTT, 6 M Urea. Adjust pH to 8.0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris base</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP152-1</td>
			<td>Common buffer used in the physiological pH range. Temperature-sensitive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>M1122980101</td>
			<td>Detergent used for cell lysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Urea</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AAJ75826A7</td>
			<td>First chaotropic agent for disrupting protein secondary structure</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Zinc chloride (ZnCl2)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AAA162810E</td>
			<td>Stabilizes MMP structure. The zinc ion is found in the catalytic site of MMP-3</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

bacterial expression and purification of human matrix metalloproteinase-3 using affinity chromatography

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to the family of metzincin proteases with central roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and remodeling, as well as interactions with several growth factors and cytokines. Overexpression of specific MMPs is responsible in several diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disease. MMPs have been the center of attention recently as targets to develop therapeutics that can treat diseases correlated to MMP overexpression.
To study the MMP mechanism in solution, more facile and robust recombinant protein expression and purification methods are needed for the production of active, soluble MMPs. However, the catalytic domain of most MMPs cannot be expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) in soluble form due to lack of posttranslational machinery, whereas mammalian expression systems are usually costly and have lower yields. MMP inclusion bodies must undergo the tedious and laborious process of extensive purification and refolding, significantly reducing the yield of MMPs in native conformation. This paper presents a protocol using Rosetta2(DE3)pLysS (hereafter referred to as R2DP) cells to produce matrix metalloproteinase-3 catalytic domain (MMP-3cd), which contains an N-terminal His-tag followed by pro-domain (Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd) for use in affinity purification. R2DP cells enhance the expression of eukaryotic proteins through a chloramphenicol-resistant plasmid containing codons normally rare in bacterial expression systems. Compared to the traditional cell line of choice for recombinant protein expression, BL21(DE3), purification using this new strain improved the yield of purified Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd. Upon activation and desalting, the pro domain is cleaved along with the N-terminal His-tag, providing active MMP-3cd for immediate use in countless in vitro applications. This method does not require expensive equipment or complex fusion proteins and describes rapid production of recombinant human MMPs in bacteria.

When running samples on SDS-PAGE, because the protein is expressed in the form of insoluble inclusion bodies, the lysed and sonicated fractions should contain little to no Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd extract, as the protein has not yet been resolubilized in urea. Figure 3 compares the His-tag purification elution fractions of Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd from BL21(DE3) cells and R2DP cells. Elution fractions were pooled separately for both BL21(DE3) and R2DP cells before dialysis. Fractions from each step were r...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Bacterial Expression and Purification of Human Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 using Affinity Chromatography at JoVE.com

Bacterial Expression and Purification of Human Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 using Affinity Chromatography

His-tag purification, dialysis, and activation are employed to increase yields of soluble, active matrix metalloproteinase-3 catalytic domain protein expression in bacteria. Protein fractions are analyzed via SDS-PAGE gels.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to the family of metzincin proteases with central roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and remodeling, ...

This detailed protocol describes a highly efficient and cost effective method of bacterial expression for recombinant MMP-3 catalytic domain in E.Coli, which can be applied to other MMP therapeutic targets. E.coli lacks a complex protein folding and post-translational processing system. This method uses the R2DP cell strain to enhance eukaryotic protein expression in E.coli.Over-production of specific MMPs leads to several diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Active soluble MMPs are needed for the development of MMP inhibiting therapeutics. Inoculate a single isolated colony of pET His-tag pro MMP-3 catalytic domain transformant from an LB ampicillin chloramphenicol resistant plate in five milliliters of LB ampicillin chloramphenicol resistant media at 37 degrees Celsius.Save aliquots from each culture and prepare 40%glycerol stocks. Inoculate a one liter flask containing 500 milliliters of LB ampicillin chloramphenicol resistant medium to an optical density of 0.05 to 0.1 at 600 nanometers with the overnight culture. Measure the optical density at 600 nanometers at several time points, typically for three to four hours until it falls between 0.4 and 0.6.Induce the cultures with one molar IPTG stock to a final concentration of one millimolar. Incubate in the 37 degree shaker for an additional three to four hours. Centrifuge the cells in 250 milliliter conical bottles at 13, 000 G and four degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, repeating until the cultures are entirely pelleted.Add three milliliters of lysis buffer per gram of pellet and resuspend the pellet by vortexing or pipetting. Add 1.25 milliliters of 10%weight by volume sodium deoxycholate per one liter of culture. Add 10 microliters of DNase I per one liter of culture.Shake at room temperature for 30 minutes at 150 RPM. Centrifuge for 10 minutes at 13, 000 G and four degrees Celsius. Discard the supernatant.Resuspend the pellet in 100 milliliters per liter culture of inclusion body buffer by pipetting up and down. Keep the samples on ice during sonication to prevent overheating. Sonicate each sample for six cycles of 15 seconds, an output of five and a 50%pulse.Centrifuge the samples for 10 minutes at 13, 000 G and four degrees Celsius. Check the pellet. If the pellet is compact, discard the supernatant.Resuspend each pellet from a one liter culture and five milliliters of solubilization buffer. Incubate for at least 30 minutes on ice to allow the proteins to solubilize. Centrifuge the cells for 10 minutes at 13, 000 times G in four degrees Celsius.If the pellet forms after centrifugation, pour the supernatant into a separate 50 milliliter conical tube. Resuspend the pellet in another five milliliters of solubilization buffer per one liter of culture by pipetting up and down. Centrifuge for 10 minutes at 13, 000 G and four degrees Celsius.Next, pull the supernatants. Discard the pellet or store it at minus 80 degrees Celsius for additional sonication. Blank against HT wash buffer and record the A280 of the first wash fraction.Repeat with other fractions until A280 approaches baseline. Immediately elute His-tagged proteins by adding five milliliters of HT elution buffer. Collect the flow-through at 0.5 to one milliliter fractions in microfuge tubes labeled HT elution.Measure the A280 of the elution fraction. If the A280 is greater than 0.3 milligrams per milliliter, dilute the fraction with HT equilibration buffer. Submerge the eluted MMP fractions in dialysis tubing in one liter of dialysis buffer one and stir the tubing and its contents on a magnetic stir for at least eight hours at four degrees Celsius.Transfer to one liter of dialysis buffer two and stir the tubing and its contents on a magnetic stir for at least eight hours at four degrees Celsius. Next, transfer to one liter of dialysis buffer three and stir the tubing and its contents on a magnetic stir for no less than eight hours at four degrees Celsius. Transfer the sample into an appropriate container and label them as dialized MMP.Examine the tube for any precipitate. Per one milliliter aliquot of one milligram per milliliter MMP, add 50 microliters of 20 millimolar APMA to reach a final APMA concentration of one millimolar. If a precipitate forms, centrifuge it at maximum speed for 10 minutes at four degrees Celsius.Store the supernatant in a 1.5 milliliter microfuge tube labeled activated MMP. Discard the precipitate into a container marked for APMA waste. SDS-PAGE was run to compare the His-tag purification elution fractions of His-tag pro MMP-3 catalytic domain from BL21 DE3 cells in R2DP cells.The first eight elution fractions of the His-tagged MMP catalytic domain and BL21 DE3 cells showed lesser protein than those in the His-tagged MMP catalytic domain in R2DP cells. The induced, refolded, concentrated, activated, and desalted fractions of MMP3 CD and R2DP cells are shown. Upon activation, the molecular weight of the activated MMP-3 CD band is approximately 20 kilodaltons, as opposed to the His-tagged zymogen which remains at around 30 kilodaltons.When centrifuging cell lysates, pellets may not be compact. When that occurs, sonicate more and centrifuge longer. When reconcentrating the protein, precipitation may occur.Dissolve it in solubilization buffer and repeat the process. The procedure described here provides a detailed method for soluble expression of active human MMPs that can eventually be used to understand the molecular mechanism of MMP enzymatic activity. Alternate protein purification methods such as FPLC can be performed to purified MMP proteins.

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