Biotinylation of protein complexes may lead to aggregation as well as to loss of subunits as revealed by Blue Native PAGE

Combining BN-PAGE and microscopy techniques to investigate pigment-protein complexes and plastid transitions in citrus fruit

BACKGROUND

Chlorophyll and carotenoids, the most widely distributed lipophilic pigments in plants, contribute to fruit coloration during development and ripening. These pigments are assembled with pigment-protein complexes localized at plastid membrane. Pigment-protein complexes are essential for multiple cellular processes, however, their identity and composition in fruit have yet to be characterized.

RESULTS

By using BN-PAGE technique in combination with microscopy, we studied pigment-protein complexes and plastid transformation in the purified plastids from the exocarp of citrus fruit. The discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation was used to isolate total plastids from kumquat fruit, and the purity of isolated plastids was assessed by microscopy observation and western blot analysis. The isolated plastids at different coloring stages were subjected to pigment autofluorescence observation, western blot, two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis and BN-PAGE assessment. Our results demonstrated that (i) chloroplasts differentiate into chromoplasts during fruit coloring, and this differentiation is accompanied with a decrease in the chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio; (ii) BN-PAGE analysis reveals the profiles of macromolecular protein complexes among different types of plastids in citrus fruit; and (iii) the degradation rate of chlorophyll-protein complexes varies during the transition from chloroplasts to chromoplasts, with the stability generally following the order of LHCII > PS II core > LHC I > PS I core.

CONCLUSIONS

Our optimized methods for both plastid separation and BN-PAGE assessment provide an opportunity for developing a better understanding of pigment-protein complexes and plastid transitions in plant fruit. These attempts also have the potential for expanding our knowledge on the sub-cellular level synchronism of protein changes and pigment metabolism during the transition from chloroplasts to chromoplasts.

Phloem Sap Sampling from Brassica napus for 3D-PAGE of Protein and Ribonucleoprotein Complexes

Sampling the phloem of higher plants is often laborious and significantly dependent on the plant species. However, proteome studies under denaturing conditions could be achieved in different plant species. Native protein:protein and protein:nucleic acid complexes from phloem samples have as yet scarcely been analyzed, although they might play important roles in maintenance of this specialized compartment or in long-distance signaling. Large molecular assemblies can be isolated using a blue native gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE). Their protein components can be separated by a subsequent sodium dodecyl sulfate PAGE (SDS-PAGE). However, proteins with similar molecular weights co-migrate, what can hinder protein identification by mass spectrometry. Combining BN-PAGE with two different denaturing gel electrophoresis steps, namely Tris-Tricine-urea and SDS-PAGE, enables the additional separation of proteins according to their hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity and thus increases resolution and the success of protein identification. It even allows distinguishing proteins that only differ in their posttranslational modifications. In addition, blue native northern blotting can be applied to identify the RNA components in macromolecular complexes. We show that our protocol is suitable to unravel the protein and RNA components of native protein:protein and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes occurring in phloem samples. Combining a blue native PAGE with two different denaturing PAGE steps can help to separate different kinds of large protein complexes, and also enables an increased identification rate of their components by mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the protocol is robust enough to simultaneously detect potentially bound nucleic acids within single protein complexes.

Chemical addressability of potato virus X for its applications in bio/nanotechnology

Potato virus X (PVX), a type member of the plant virus potexvirus group, offers a unique nanotechnology platform based on its high aspect ratio and flexible filamentous shape. The PVX platform has already been engineered and studied for its uses in imaging, drug delivery, and immunotherapies. While genetic engineering procedures are well established for PVX, there is limited information about chemical conjugation strategies for functionalizing PVX, partly due to the lack of structural information of PVX at high resolution. To overcome these challenges, we built a structural model of the PVX particle based on the available structures from pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), a close cousin of PVX. Using the model and a series of chemical conjugation experiments, we identified and probed the addressability of cysteine side chains. Chemical reactivity of cysteines was confirmed using Michael-addition and thiol-selective probes, including fluorescent dyes and biotin tags. LC/MS/MS was used to map Cys 121 as having the highest selectivity for modification. Finally, building on the availability of two reactive groups, the newly identified Cys and previously established Lys side chains, we prepared multifunctional PVX nanoparticles by conjugating Gd-DOTA for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to lysines and fluorescent dyes for optical imaging to cysteines. The resulting functionalized nanofilament could have applications in dual-modal optical-MRI imaging applications. These results further extend the understanding of the chemical properties of PVX and enable development of novel multifunctional platforms in bio/nanotechnology.

Functional analysis of Brassica napus phloem protein and ribonucleoprotein complexes

Phloem sap contains a large number of macromolecules, including proteins and RNAs from different classes. Proteome analyses of phloem samples from different plant species under denaturing conditions identified hundreds of proteins potentially involved in diverse processes. Surprisingly, these studies also found a significant number of ribosomal and proteasomal proteins. This led to the suggestion that active ribosome and proteasome complexes might be present in the phloem, challenging the paradigm that protein synthesis and turnover are absent from the enucleate sieve elements of angiosperms. However, the existence of such complexes has as yet not been demonstrated. In this study we used three-dimensional gel electrophoresis to separate several protein complexes from native phloem sap from Brassica napus. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight MS analyses identified more than 100 proteins in the three major protein-containing complexes. All three complexes contained proteins belonging to different ribosomal fragments and blue native northern blot confirmed the existence of ribonucleoprotein complexes. In addition, one complex contained proteasome components and further functional analyses confirmed activity of a proteasomal degradation pathway and showed a large number of ubiquitinated phloem proteins. Our results suggest specialized roles for ubiquitin modification and proteasome-mediated degradation in the phloem.

Blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) for analysis of multiprotein complexes from cellular lysates

Multiprotein complexes (MPCs) play a crucial role in cell signalling, since most proteins can be found in functional or regulatory complexes with other proteins (Sali, Glaeser et al. 2003). Thus, the study of protein-protein interaction networks requires the detailed characterization of MPCs to gain an integrative understanding of protein function and regulation. For identification and analysis, MPCs must be separated under native conditions. In this video, we describe the analysis of MPCs by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE). BN-PAGE is a technique that allows separation of MPCs in a native conformation with a higher resolution than offered by gel filtration or sucrose density ultracentrifugation, and is therefore useful to determine MPC size, composition, and relative abundance (Schägger and von Jagow 1991); (Schägger, Cramer et al. 1994). By this method, proteins are separated according to their hydrodynamic size and shape in a polyacrylamide matrix. Here, we demonstrate the analysis of MPCs of total cellular lysates, pointing out that lysate dialysis is the crucial step to make BN-PAGE applicable to these biological samples. Using a combination of first dimension BN- and second dimension SDS-PAGE, we show that MPCs separated by BN-PAGE can be further subdivided into their individual constituents by SDS-PAGE. Visualization of the MPC components upon gel separation is performed by standard immunoblotting. As an example for MPC analysis by BN-PAGE, we chose the well-characterized eukaryotic 19S, 20S, and 26S proteasomes.

IgM characterization directly performed in crude culture supernatants by a new simple electrophoretic method

A new electrophoretic technique for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of IgM isoforms and fragments has been developed. IgMs which are more complex than many other recombinantly expressed immunoglobulins are characterized by their high molecular weighted active forms and many additional isoforms and fragments in the molecular range between 25 and 1200kDa. To analyze the multimers, isoforms and fragments simultaneously a high-resolution method, which enables sufficient migration and separation is required. Furthermore, this method should be appropriate to analyze IgMs in crude culture supernatants as well as purified samples. Simple sample preparation avoiding unspecific protein loss has been established. Currently no standard method to analyze all of them accordingly is available. The IgM-SDS-PAGE investigated for this purpose includes all these aspects. The combination of simple sample preparation and the application of precast gels make this electrophoretic method suitable for research but also quality control. The selective quantification of the multimers and the relative isoform distribution were performed by sensitive Sypro Ruby staining obtaining reliable and reproducible data in clone screening and process development which has been demonstrated by recombinantly expressed IgMs with significantly different isoform pattern.

Low-valency, but not monovalent, antigens trigger the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR)

Antigen binding to the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) leads to receptor triggering and B-lymphocyte activation. Here, we have probed the molecular requirements for BCR triggering in primary murine B cells using a set of defined soluble haptenated peptides. Bi- and trivalent haptens activated the BCR, as measured by protein phosphorylation, Ca(2+) influx, BCR down-modulation and CD69, CD86 and MHC class II up-regulation. In contrast, four distinct monovalent haptens were ineffective. Next, we used two different anti-idiotypic antibodies, which bind to the antigen-combining site of the BCR. Again, monovalent Fab fragments were ineffective, whereas bivalent antibodies could stimulate the BCR. These findings are compatible with ligand-induced clustering of monomeric BCRs or re-organization of BCR complexes within pre-formed BCR oligomers. Lastly, an increase in the valency of the haptenated peptides improved the activation potential, whereas variations in the distance between two haptens had no effect. This finding contributes to understand how the immune system can efficiently recognize structurally diverse antigens but still discriminate between foreign and self.

A native antibody-based mobility-shift technique (NAMOS-assay) to determine the stoichiometry of multiprotein complexes

Characterization of multiprotein complexes (MPCs) is an important step toward an integrative view of protein interaction networks and prerequisite for a molecular understanding of how a certain MPC functions. Here, we present a technique utilizing monoclonal subunit-specific antibodies for an electrophoretic immunoshift assay in Blue Native-gels (NAMOS-assay), which allows the determination of the stoichiometry of MPCs. First, we use the B cell antigen receptor as a model MPC whose stoichiometry is known, confirming the HC(2)LC(2)Igalpha/beta(1) stoichiometry. Second, we demonstrate that the digitonin-extracted T cell antigen receptor (TCR) extracted from T cells has a stoichiometry of alphabetaepsilon(2)gammadeltazeta(2). We then show that the NAMOS-assay does not require purified MPCs, since it can determine the stoichiometry of an MPC in cell lysates. The NAMOS-assay is also compatible with use of epitope tags appended to the protein of interest, as e.g. the widely used HA-tag, and anti-epitope antibodies for the assay. Given its general applicability, this method has a wide potential for MPC research.

A complexomic study of Escherichia coli using two-dimensional blue native/SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Study of the complexome - all the protein complexes of the cell - is essential for a better understanding and more global vision of cell function. Using two-dimensional blue native/SDS-PAGE (2-D BN/SDS-PAGE) technology, the cytosolic and membrane protein complexes of Escherichia coli were separated. Then, the different partners of each protein complex were identified by LC-MS/MS. In this report, 306 protein complexes were separated and identified. Among these protein complexes, 50 heteromultimeric and 256 homomultimeric protein complexes were found. Among the 50 heteromultimeric protein complexes, 18 previously described protein complexes validate the technology. In this study, 109 new protein complexes were found, providing insight into the function of previously uncharacterized bacterial proteins.

Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) for the Identification and Analysis of Multiprotein Complexes

Multiprotein complexes (MPCs) play crucial roles in cell signaling. Two kinds of MPCs can be distinguished: (i) Constitutive, abundant MPCs--for example, multisubunit receptors or transcription factors; and (ii) signal-induced, transient, low copy number MPCs--for example, complexes that form upon binding of Src-homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing proteins to tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. Blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) is a separation method with a higher resolution than gel filtration or sucrose density ultracentrifugation that can be used to analyze abundant, stable MPCs from 10 kD to 10 MD. In contrast to immunoprecipitation and two-hybrid approaches, it allows the determination of the size, the relative abundance, and the subunit composition of an MPC. In addition, it shows how many different complexes exist that share a common subunit, whether free monomeric forms of individual subunits exist, and whether these parameters change upon cell stimulation. Here, we give a detailed protocol for the separation of MPCs from total cellular lysates or of prepurified MPCs by one-dimensional BN-PAGE or by two-dimensional BN-PAGE and SDS-PAGE.

Two dimensional Blue Native-/SDS-PAGE analysis of SLP family adaptor protein complexes

SH2 domain containing leukocyte protein (SLP) adaptor proteins serve a central role in the antigen-mediated activation of lymphocytes by organizing multiprotein signaling complexes. Here, we use two dimensional native-/SDS-gel electrophoresis to study the number, size and relative abundance of protein complexes containing SLP family proteins. In non-stimulated T cells all SLP-76 proteins are in a approximately 400 kDa complex with the small adaptor protein Grb2-like adaptor protein downstream of Shc (Gads), whereas half of Gads is monomeric. This constitutive SLP-76/Gads complex could be reconstituted in Drosophila S2 cells expressing both components, suggesting that it might not contain additional subunits. In contrast, in B cells SLP-65 exists in a 180 kDa complex as well as in monomeric form. Since the complex was not found in S2 cells expressing only SLP-65, it was not di/trimeric SLP-65. Upon antigen-stimulation only the complexed SLP-65 was phosphorylated. Surprisingly, stimulation-induced alteration of SLP complexes could not be detected, suggesting that active signaling complexes form only transiently, and are of low abundance.

Blue-native PAGE in plants: a tool in analysis of protein-protein interactions

Intact protein complexes can be separated by apparent molecular mass using a standard polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system combining mild detergents and the dye Coomassie Blue. Referring to the blue coloured gel and the gentle method of solubilization yielding native and enzymatically active protein complexes, this technique has been named Blue-Native Polyacrylamide Gel-Electrophoresis (BN-PAGE). BN-PAGE has become the method of choice for the investigation of the respiratory protein complexes of the electron transfer chains of a range of organisms, including bacteria, yeasts, animals and plants. It allows the separation in two dimensions of extremely hydrophobic protein sets for analysis and also provides information on their native interactions. In this review we discuss the capabilities of BN-PAGE in proteomics and the wider investigation of protein:protein interactions with a focus on its use and potential in plant science.

Separation methods in the analysis of protein membrane complexes

The separation of membrane protein complexes can be divided into two categories. One category, which is operated on a relatively large scale, aims to purify the membrane protein complex from membrane fractions while retaining its native form, mainly to characterize its nature. The other category aims to analyze the constituents of the membrane protein complex, usually on a small scale. Both of these face the difficulty of isolating the membrane protein complex without interference originating from the hydrophobic nature of membrane proteins or from the close association with membrane lipids. To overcome this difficulty, many methods have been employed. Crystallized membrane protein complexes are the most successful example of the former category. In these purification methods, special efforts are made in the steps prior to the column chromatography to enrich the target membrane protein complexes. Although there are specific aspects for each complex, the most popular method for isolating these membrane protein complexes is anion-exchange column chromatography, especially using weak anion-exchange columns. Another remarkable trend is metal affinity column chromatography, which purifies the membrane protein complex as an intact complex in one step. Such protein complexes contain subunit proteins which are genetically engineered so as to include multiple-histidine tags at carboxyl- or amino-termini. The key to these successes for multi-subunit complex isolation is the idea of keeping the expression at its physiological level, rather than overexpression. On the other hand, affinity purification using the Fv fragment, in which a Strep tag is genetically introduced, is ideal because this method does not introduce any change to the target protein. These purification methods supported by affinity interaction can be applied to minor membrane protein complexes in the membrane system. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) and blue native (BN) electrophoresis have also been employed to prepare membrane protein complexes. Generally, a combination of two or more chromatographic and/or electrophoretic methods is conducted to separate membrane protein complexes. IEF or BN electrophoresis followed by 2nd dimension electrophoresis serve as useful tools for analytical demand. However, some problems still exist in the 2D electrophoresis using IEF. To resolve such problems, many attempts have been made, e.g. introduction of new chaotropes, surfactants, reductants or supporting matrices. This review will focus in particular on two topics: the preparative methods that achieved purification of membrane protein complexes in the native (intact) form, and the analytical methods oriented to resolve the membrane proteins. The characteristics of these purification and analytical methods will be discussed along with plausible future developments taking into account the nature of membrane protein complexes.