Application of reversible biotinylated label for directed immobilization of synthetic peptides and proteins: isolation of ligates from crude cell lysates

Chaperonin 10 protein from Rattus norvegicus (Rat cpn10) has been reported to bind chaperonin 60 from Escherichia coli (GroEL) in an ATP-dependent manner. Chemically synthesized Rat cpn10 was immobilized in a defined orientation to agarose-bound monomeric avidin using a reversible biotinylated affinity label ( 1 ), attached to the N^α-terminal residue. The resulting affinity chromatographic matrix was then used to isolate binding proteins from a crude cell lysate. Following affinity separation the bound ligand and ligate was released by treatment with organic base. Rat cpn10 was prepared using a highly effective synthetic protocol involving HBTU/HOBt activation and capping with N-(2-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyloxy) succinimide to terminate unreacted amino groups. The biotinylated Fmoc-based molecule ( 1 ) was introduced specifically onto the N^α-terminal amino acid as the succinimidyl carbonate, before final cleavage and deprotection of side-chain protecting groups using a low-TFMSA/high-HF procedure. Crude biotinylated Rat cpn10 (Rat cpn10+ 1 ) was immobilized on monomeric avidin with a binding efficiency of approximately 75% and unlabelled truncated/capped impurities eluted off the column with buffer. The biotinylated Rat cpn10–avidin affinity matrix was then used to isolate GroEL from a crude cell lysate. The identity of the purified protein was confirmed by SDS–PAGE and binding to a specific anti-GroEL monoclonal antibody (MoAb). These results extend the applicability of the biotinylated label ( 1 ), providing a reversible non-covalent anchor for immobilization of peptide and protein ligands, thus simplifying isolation of ligates and enabling recovery of synthetic material under mild conditions. © 1997 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.