Segmental isotopic labeling of multi-domain and fusion proteins by protein trans-splicing in vivo and in vitro

Nat Protoc. 2010 Mar;5(3):574-87. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2009.240. Epub 2010 Mar 4.

Abstract

Segmental isotopic labeling is a powerful labeling technique for reducing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal overlap, which is associated with larger proteins by incorporating stable isotopes into only one region of a protein for NMR detections. Segmental isotopic labeling can not only reduce complexities of NMR spectra but also retain possibilities to carry out sequential resonance assignments by triple-resonance NMR experiments. We described in vivo (i.e., in Escherichia coli) and in vitro protocols for segmental isotopic labeling of multi-domain and fusion proteins via protein trans-splicing (PTS) using split DnaE intein without any refolding steps or alpha-thioester modification. The advantage of PTS approach is that it can be carried out in vivo by time-delayed dual-expression system with two controllable promoters. A segmentally isotope-labeled protein can be expressed in Escherichia coli within 1 d once required vectors are constructed. The total preparation time of a segmentally labeled sample can be as short as 7-13 d depending on the protocol used.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Polymerase III / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Inteins
  • Isotope Labeling / methods*
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Trans-Splicing

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • DNA polymerase III, alpha subunit
  • DNA Polymerase III