Rapid, high-yield expression and purification of Ca2+-ATPase regulatory proteins for high-resolution structural studies

Protein Expr Purif. 2005 Mar;40(1):118-25. doi: 10.1016/j.pep.2004.11.015.

Abstract

Phospholamban (PLB) and sarcolipin (SLN) are small integral membrane proteins that regulate the Ca(2+)-ATPases of cardiac and skeletal muscle, respectively, and directly alter their calcium transport properties. PLB interacts with and regulates the cardiac Ca(2+)-ATPase at submaximal calcium concentrations, thereby slowing relaxation rates and reducing contractility in the heart. SLN interacts with and regulates the skeletal muscle Ca(2+)-ATPase in a mechanism analogous to that used by PLB. While these regulatory interactions are biochemically and physiologically well characterized, structural details are lacking. To pursue structural studies, such as electron cryo-microscopy and X-ray crystallography, large quantities of over-expressed and purified protein are required. Herein, we report a modified method for producing large quantities of PLB and SLN in a rapid and efficient manner. Briefly, recombinant wild-type PLB and SLN were over-produced in Escherichia coli as maltose binding protein fusion proteins. A tobacco etch virus protease site allowed specific cleavage of the fusion protein and release of recombinant PLB or SLN. Selective solubilization with guanidine-hydrochloride followed by reverse-phase HPLC permitted the rapid, large-scale production of highly pure protein. Reconstitution and measurement of ATPase activity confirmed the functional interaction between our recombinant regulatory proteins and Ca(2+)-ATPase. The inhibitory properties of the over-produced proteins were consistent with previous studies, where the inhibition was relieved by elevated calcium concentrations. In addition, we show that our recombinant PLB and SLN are suitable for high-resolution structural studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / metabolism*
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / ultrastructure
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Muscle Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Muscle Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Proteolipids / genetics
  • Proteolipids / isolation & purification*
  • Proteolipids / ultrastructure
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Proteolipids
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • phospholamban
  • sarcolipin
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases