The PRESAT-vector: asymmetric T-vector for high-throughput screening of soluble protein domains for structural proteomics

A rapid unidirectional method for cloning PCR-amplified cDNA fragments into virtually any fusion protein expression vector is described. The method, termed PRESAT-vector cloning, is based on a T-vector technique that does not require restriction endonuclease digestion of the PCR product. Subsequently, we applied a novel ORF selection method of the ligated plasmid products. This second step involves restriction endonuclease treatment that eliminates the plasmids containing an ORF in the wrong orientation prior to transformation into the bacterial host for further protein expression studies. To achieve this selection, we customized the 5'-sequence of the "rear" PCR primer corresponding to the C terminus of the protein to be expressed. The colonies harbored only the ligated products of the desired orientation at >90% efficiency. This method is applied to a GST fusion expression system, and an HTS system for soluble proteins from an expression library was tested.     

New plasmid vectors for high level synthesis of eukaryotic fusion proteins in Escherichia coli

Production of eukaryotic proteins in Escherichia coli has become rather simple since commercially available bacteriophage and plasmid vector systems allow investigators to select the optimal system for their particular problem. A common question is which system to use to produce the largest quantity of soluble recombinant protein with minimal, if any, bacterial protein fused to it. We have constructed a new set of plasmid vectors that produce large amounts of a fusion proteins that contain less than 25 amino acids of bacterial protein. We started with pATH-1, a plasmid expression vector comprised of the trpEp promoter and 37 kDa of the TrpE protein followed by a M13mp13 multiple cloning site for insertion of sequences to be expressed. We deleted the majority of the eukaryotic trpE sequence to produce a multiple frame, multiple enzyme cloning site, plasmid expression vector set called pRX. Transformation of E. coli CAG-456 (Baker et al., 1984) with this vector with an Acanthamoeba myosin tail sequence inserted in the correct frame yields a fusion protein that represents 45% of the total soluble protein. We have produced and purified 100 mg of this Acanthamoeba myosin-II fusion protein per liter of cell suspension.     

An expression system for screening of proteins for glycan and protein interactions

Here we describe a versatile high-throughput expression system that permits genome-wide screening of type 1 membrane and secreted proteins for interactions with glycans and proteins using both cell-expressed and soluble forms of the expressed proteins. Based on Gateway cloning methodology, we have engineered a destination vector that directs expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged proteins at the cell surface via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol tail. The EGFP fusion proteins can then be cleaved with PreScission protease to release soluble forms of proteins that can be optionally biotinylated. We demonstrate the utility of this cloning and expression system for selected low-affinity membrane lectins from the siglec family of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins, for the glycosaminoglycan-binding proteins FGF-1 and BACE, and for the heterotypic adhesion molecules JAM-B and JAM-C. Cell-expressed proteins can be evaluated for glycan interactions using polyvalent soluble glycan probes and for protein interactions using either cells or soluble proteins. Following cleavage from the cell surface, proteins were complexed in solution and sufficient avidity was achieved to measure weak protein–glycan and weak protein–protein interactions using glycan arrays and surface plasmon resonance, respectively.     

Gateway-compatible vectors for plant functional genomics and proteomics

Gateway cloning technology facilitates high-throughput cloning of target sequences by making use of the bacteriophage lambda site-specific recombination system. Target sequences are first captured in a commercially available "entry vector" and are then recombined into various "destination vectors" for expression in different experimental organisms. Gateway technology has been embraced by a number of plant laboratories that have engineered destination vectors for promoter specificity analyses, protein localization studies, protein/protein interaction studies, constitutive or inducible protein expression studies, gene knockdown by RNA interference, or affinity purification experiments. We review the various types of Gateway destination vectors that are currently available to the plant research community and provide links and references to enable additional information to be obtained concerning these vectors. We also describe a set of "pEarleyGate" plasmid vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation that translationally fuse FLAG, HA, cMyc, AcV5 or tandem affinity purification epitope tags onto target proteins, with or without an adjacent fluorescent protein. The oligopeptide epitope tags allow the affinity purification, immunolocalization or immunoprecipitation of recombinant proteins expressed in vivo. We demonstrate the utility of pEarleyGate destination vectors for the expression of epitope-tagged proteins that can be affinity captured or localized by immunofluorescence microscopy. Antibodies detecting the FLAG, HA, cMyc and AcV5 tags show relatively little cross-reaction with endogenous proteins in a variety of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, suggesting broad utility for the tags and vectors.     

Ligation independent cloning vectors for expression of SUMO fusions

With demand increasing for the production of many different proteins for biophysical or biochemical analyses, rapid methods are needed for the cloning, expression and purification of native recombinant proteins. In particular, generic methods are required that are independent of the target gene sequence. To address this challenge we have constructed four Escherichia coli expression vectors that can be used for ligation independent cloning (LIC) of an amplified target gene sequence. These vectors represent the combinatorial pairing of two different parent vector backbones with two different affinity tags. The target gene is cloned downstream of the sequence coding for an affinity-tagged small ubiquitin related modifier (SUMO). Using enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) as an example we demonstrate that the LIC procedure works with high efficiency for all four of the vectors. We also show that the resultant recombinant SUMO fusion proteins can be overexpressed in E. coli and readily isolated by standard affinity purification techniques. Importantly, the purified fusion product can be treated with recombinant SUMO hydrolase to yield a mature target protein with any residue except proline at the amino terminus. We demonstrate an application of this by generating recombinant eGFP containing a non-native amino terminal cysteine residue and using it as a substrate for expressed protein ligation (EPL). The reagents and techniques described here represent a generic method for the rapid cloning and production of a target protein, and would be appropriate for a high throughput genomic scale expression project.     

PPF1基因C端片段在大肠杆菌中的融合表达和纯化以及抗体制备

PPF1是与G2豌豆短日不衰老现象紧密相关的基因之一 .以pSK PPF1为模板 ,用PCR方法得到了编码该蛋白C端的基因片段 ,称为PPFC .进一步将该基因片段克隆到中间载体pGEM T easy ,再酶切得到PPFC片段插入到pGEX 4T 1载体中 ,构建成表达质粒pGEX 4T PPFC .在BL2 1细胞中经IPTG诱导表达 ,得到GST PPFC融合蛋白 .用GST亲和柱纯化得到PPFC蛋白 ,将其作为抗原得到兔源的多克隆抗体 .Western杂交分析表明所得到的抗体具有较强的特异性 ,ELISA分析证实其效价为 10 6.该抗体的获得为用免疫沉淀等免疫分析技术研究PPF1与其它蛋白质的相互作用 ,从而阐明PPF1在延缓G2豌豆衰老中的分子机制提供了可能     

Production of cell lines secreting TAT fusion proteins.

Transduction of proteins and other macromolecules constitutes a potent technology to analyze cell functions and to achieve therapeutic interventions. In general, fusion proteins with protein transduction domains, such as TAT, are produced in a bacterial expression system. Here we describe the generation of a mammalian expression vector coding for TAT-EGFP fusion protein. Transfection of CHO-K1 cells by this vector and subsequent selection by Zeocin resulted in cell lines that express and secrete EGFP, a variant of the green fluorescent protein GFP. The ultimate cell line was produced by first cloning the stable integrants and subsequent selection of EGFP-expressing cells by flow cytometric sorting. In the resulting cell line approximately 98% of cells express EGFP. Using the same methodology, we generated cell lines that express DsRed fluorescent protein. The advantages of using such a mammalian expression system include the ease of generating TAT fusion proteins and the potential for sustained production of such proteins in vitro and, potentially, in vivo.     

Gateway-compatible transposon vector to genetically modify human embryonic kidney and adipose-derived stromal cells

The Gateway technology cloning system and transposon technology represent state-of-the-art laboratory techniques. Combination of these molecular tools allows rapid cloning of target genes into expression vectors. Here, we describe a novel Gateway technology-compatible transposon plasmid that combines the advantages of Gateway recombination cloning with the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon-mediated transgene integrations. In our system the transposition is catalyzed by the novel hyperactive SB100x transposase, and provides highly efficient and precise transgene integrations into the host genome. A Gateway-compatible transposon plasmid was generated in which the potential target gene can be fused with a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) tag at the N-terminal. The vector utilizes the CAGGS promoter to control fusion protein expression. The transposon expression vector encoding the YFP-interferon-β protein (IFNB1) fusion protein together with the hyperactive SB100x transposase was used to generate stable cell lines in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and rat adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC). ASCs and HEK293 cells stably expressed and secreted the human IFNB1 for up to 4 weeks after transfection. The generated Gateway-compatible transposon plasmid can be utilized for numerous experimental approaches, such as gene therapy or high-throughput screening methods in primary cells, representing a valuable molecular tool for laboratory applications.     

The pAX plasmids: new gene-fusion vectors for sequencing, mutagenesis and expression of proteins in Escherichia coli

A family of plasmid cloning vectors have been constructed, allowing both the sequencing and mutagenesis of foreign genes and the easy isolation of their expression products via fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. Fusion proteins can be inducibly expressed and isolated by affinity chromatography on APTG-Sepharose. The fusion protein consists of beta-galactosidase at the N-terminus, linked by a collagen 'hinge' region containing blood coagulation factor Xa cleavage site to the foreign protein at the C terminus. The factor Xa cleavage site at the N-terminal side of the foreign protein allows the release of the desired amino acid sequence under mild conditions. A multiple cloning site in all three reading frames and stop codons followed by the strong lambda t0 terminator facilitate simple gene insertions and manipulations. The intergenic region of the phage f1 inserted in both orientations allows the isolation of single-stranded DNA from either plasmid-strand for sequencing and mutagenesis. This vector family has been successfully used for the expression and purification of the isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the histidyl-tRNA synthetase from E. coli.     

一种含ELP60基因的载体pRELPN促进大肠杆菌的外源基因的高表达

类弹性蛋白多肽（ELP）为含有人工合成的ELP60基因的表达载体pRELPN,能促使外源基因在大肠杆菌中的高表达。当ELP60在大肠杆菌表达载体pET28a的多克隆位点被克隆后,其自身的表达低,也不与目的基因构成ELP融合蛋白质,而是促进克隆在ELP60基因后的含起始密码ATG的外源目的基因独立高表达。外源目的基因表达量占宿主蛋白的20% ～ 60%,比用pET28a载体表达的外源基因表达量高2～10倍。此类表达载体pRELPN适合于表达包括抗体、抗原、酶、重组蛋白质、多肽及ELP融合蛋白质等的外源基因的独立高表达。这些结果表明,pRELPN代表了一种有效的表达载体,有助于解决在原核表达中,所受限的普通载体对外源基因低表达或不表达所导致的不能产业化的问题。     

Gram negative shuttle BAC vector for heterologous expression of metagenomic libraries

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vectors enable stable cloning of large DNA fragments from single genomes or microbial assemblages. A novel shuttle BAC vector was constructed that permits replication of BAC clones in diverse Gram-negative species. The "Gram-negative shuttle BAC" vector (pGNS-BAC) uses the F replicon for stable single-copy replication in E. coli and the broad-host-range RK2 mini-replicon for high-copy replication in diverse Gram-negative bacteria. As with other BAC vectors containing the oriV origin, this vector is capable of an arabinose-inducible increase in plasmid copy number. Resistance to both gentamicin and chloramphenicol is encoded on pGNS-BAC, permitting selection for the plasmid in diverse bacterial species. The oriT from an IncP plasmid was cloned into pGNS-BAC to enable conjugal transfer, thereby allowing both electroporation and conjugation of pGNS-BAC DNA into bacterial hosts. A soil metagenomic library was constructed in pGNS-BAC-1 (the first version of the vector, lacking gentamicin resistance and oriT), and recombinant clones were demonstrated to replicate in diverse Gram-negative hosts, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella enterica, Serratia marcescens, Vibrio vulnificus and Enterobacter nimipressuralis. This shuttle BAC vector can be utilized to clone genomic DNA from diverse sources, and then transfer it into diverse Gram-negative bacterial species to facilitate heterologous expression of recombinant pathways.     

A Two-Plasmid System for Independent Genetic Manipulation of Subunits of Homodimeric Proteins and Selective Isolation of Chimeric Dimers

We have designed and tested a modular two-plasmid expression system which allows coexpression of two different subunits of recombinant dimeric protein in Escherichia coli and selective purification of heterodimers. We have constructed a new expression vector, pBIOEx, with p15a replication origin which allows its stable coexistence with different ColE1 group plasmids. The expression cassette of this plasmid under control of the T7 promoter contains cloning site, followed by a short sequence coding for the C-terminal extension of the recombinant protein which is a target of the in vivo biotinylation by BirA protein. The expression unit is bicistronic, the second expressed protein being BirA. We have used this plasmid together with pET30a to clone kinesin heavy-chain fragment and coexpressed the two polypeptide chains differing by tags on their C-termini and we purified heterodimers made of two recombinant molecules. The heterodimeric protein had a normal biochemical activity. There was no discrimination against heterodimer formation at the dimerization step. The system is a powerful tool in studies of different aspects of interactions between subunits of the homodimeric proteins since it makes possible separate genetic manipulations on each subunit of the dimer.     

β—1，3葡聚糖酶与糖体失活蛋白融合基因的制备及表达载体的构建

将大豆的β－1,3葡聚糖酶基因与玉米的核糖体失活蛋白基因通过一个6个氨基酸的柔性短肽链连接起来,形成1个融合蛋白。编码区基因长1830bp,共编码609个氨基酸和1个终止密码子。经过使用蛋白质分析软件Antheprot4.3和Prosis(v5.00）对融合蛋白的二级结构、理化特性、潜在信号肽断裂位点等方面进行分析表明：融合蛋白较好的保持了原来的两个蛋白的各项理化特性,维持了两种蛋白的二级结构。将此基因克隆质粒PBI121上,构建成植物表达载体PBI／GR。     

便于产物纯化的融合表达载体的构建

本文构建了便于目的产物纯化的融合表达载体pBG-2,即在pBV220质粒的P_RP_L启动子下游插人链球菌荡白G的IgG F_c结合区基因片段（编码60个氨基酸）,该插人片段下游仍保留多克隆位点并引人剪切融合蛋白的特异位点．SDS-PAGE显示,在大肠杆菌中融合基因片段能表达到占菌体总蛋白的30%的水平,Western-blot结果表明,表达产物能很好地与IgG结合．     

A ColE1-compatible expression vector for the production of His-tagged fusion proteins

Plasmid pDB31 is a ColE1-compatible expression vector based on the p15A origin of replication. It is designed to express His-tagged fusion proteins in cells co-hosting a compatible expression vector. It was constructed by assembling the operator/promoter region plus the 6xHis and the multiple cloning site of pQE31 (QIAGEN) with the p15A origin of replication plus Kan^R of pGP1-2. The plasmid was found to be stable in Escherichia coli strains BL21 and DH11S. It was used to produce and purify the ferredoxin reductase component of Comamonas testosteroni B-356 biphenyl dioxygenase inside a clone hosting the remaining dioxygenase genes on a compatible plasmid.     

Expression screen by enzyme-linked immunofiltration assay designed for high-throughput purification of affinity-tagged proteins

High-throughput purification of affinity-tagged fusion proteins is currently one of the fastest developing areas of molecular proteomics. A prerequisite for success in protein purification is sufficient soluble protein expression of the target protein in a heterologous host. Hence, a fast and quantitative evaluation of the soluble-protein levels in an expression system is one of the key steps in the entire process. Here we describe a high-throughput expression screen for affinity-tagged fusion proteins based on an enzyme linked immunofiltration assay (ELIFA). An aliquot of a crude Escherichia coli extract containing the analyte, an affinity-tagged protein, is adsorbed onto the membrane. Subsequent binding of specific antibodies followed by binding of a secondary antibody horseradish peroxidase (HRP) complex then allows quantitative evaluation of the analyte using tetramethylbenzidine as the substrate for HRP. The method is accurate and quantitative, as shown by comparison with results from western blotting and an enzymatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) assay. Furthermore, it is a far more rapid assay and less cumbersome than western blotting, lending itself more readily to high-throughput analysis. It can be used at the expression level (cell lysates) or during the subsequent purification steps to monitor yield of specific protein.     

人乳头瘤病毒16型L1蛋白的克隆及表达

采用PCR技术从宫颈癌组织中扩增人乳头瘤病毒16型(Human papillomavirus type16,HPV16)L1全长基因片段,目的片段克隆到pMD18T载体后经酶切鉴定及测序确认。构建重组原核表达质粒pGEX4T1-L1,转化大肠杆菌E.coliBL21,IPTG诱导表达出以非可溶性蛋白形式存在的表达蛋白,该重组蛋白的表达量占菌体总蛋白的17%,免疫印迹检测表明,表达蛋白与宫颈癌病人血清出现特异性反应。成功构建了重组原核表达质粒pGEX4T1-L1,并且在原核细胞中得到表达,为进一步研究L1蛋白的免疫学活性及疫苗的研发奠定了基础。     

Phage lambda cDNA cloning vectors for subtractive hybridization, fusion-protein synthesis and Cre-loxP automatic plasmid subcloning

We describe the construction and use of two classes of cDNA cloning vectors. The first class comprises the lambda EXLX(+) and lambda EXLX(-) vectors that can be used for the expression in Escherichia coli of proteins encoded by cDNA inserts. This is achieved by the fusion of cDNA open reading frames to the T7 gene 10 promoter and protein-coding sequences. The second class, the lambda SHLX vectors, allows the generation of large amounts of single-stranded DNA or synthetic cRNA that can be used in subtractive hybridization procedures. Both classes of vectors are designed to allow directional cDNA cloning with non-enzymatic protection of internal restriction sites. In addition, they are designed to facilitate conversion from phage lambda to plasmid clones using a genetic method based on the bacteriophage P1 site-specific recombination system; we refer to this as automatic Cre-loxP plasmid subcloning. The phage lambda arms, lambda LOX, used in the construction of these vectors have unique restriction sites positioned between the two loxP sites. Insertion of a specialized plasmid between these sites will convert it into a phage lambda cDNA cloning vector with automatic plasmid subcloning capability.