Purification and characterization of the human cysteine-rich S100A3 protein and its pseudo citrullinated forms expressed in insect cells

Methods Mol Biol. 2013:963:73-86. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-230-8_5.

Abstract

High quantity and quality of recombinant Ca(2+)-binding proteins are required to study their molecular interactions, self-assembly, posttranslational modifications, and biological activities to elucidate Ca(2+)-dependent cellular signaling pathways. S100A3 is a unique member of the S100 protein family with the highest cysteine content (10%). This protein, derived from human hair follicles and cuticles, is characterized by an N-terminal acetyl group and irreversible posttranslational citrullination by peptidylarginine deiminase causing its homotetramer assembly. Insect cells, capable of introducing eukaryotic N-terminus and disulfide bonds, are an appropriate host in which to express this cysteine-rich protein. Four out of ten cysteines in the recombinant S100A3 form two intramolecular disulfide bridges that modulate its Ca(2+)-affinity. Three free thiol groups located at the C-terminus are predicted to form the high-affinity Zn(2+)-binding site. Citrullination of specific arginine residues in native S100A3 can be mimicked by site-directed mutagenic substitution of Arg/Ala. This chapter details our procedures used for the purification and characterization of the human S100A3 protein and its pseudo citrullinated forms expressed in insect cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Baculoviridae / genetics
  • Blotting, Western
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange
  • Citrulline / metabolism*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cysteine*
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA, Recombinant / genetics
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Homologous Recombination
  • Humans
  • Mutagenesis
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • S100 Proteins / chemistry
  • S100 Proteins / genetics*
  • S100 Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • S100 Proteins / metabolism
  • Sf9 Cells
  • Spodoptera

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • DNA, Recombinant
  • Disulfides
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • S100 Proteins
  • S100A3 protein, human
  • Citrulline
  • Cysteine