This work was supported by NIH R01-HL119813 (to T.J.B.), American Lung Association RG-196051 (to T.J.B.), a CIMED Pilot and Feasibility grant (to T.J.B.), American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowships 14PRE19970008 (to Z.Y.) and 15PRE22110004 (to D.L.K.).

1. Production of Milligram Quantities of Plasmid DNA for Large-scale Transient Transfection
<ol>
	<li>Clone the protein of interest into a high copy number mammalian expression vector using restriction site cloning, or other appropriate technique.
	<ol>
		<li>For optimal results, use pHLsec 7 vector, which has a built-in C-terminal 6His-tag, a strong promoter Kozak sequence and an optimized secretion signal.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Transform the plasmid onto competent cells.
	<ol>
		<li>Add 20 &#181;l of competent E. coli cells onto 1 &#181;g of plasmid DNA and incubate on ice for 30 min.</li>
		<li>Heat shock cells at 42 &#176;C for 35 sec, then incubate on ice for 2 min.</li>
		<li>Add 300 &#181;l of microbial growth medium (SOC) and incubate at 37 &#176;C for 45 mins, shaking at 220 rpm.</li>
		<li>Plate cells on agar plate with appropriate antibiotic selection.
		<ol>
			<li>Use 100 &#181;g/ml carbenicillin if the plasmid is in the pHLsec vector.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Culture colonies in 250 ml of Luria Broth (LB) Media supplemented with 100 &#181;g/ml antibiotic (carbenicillin) O/N at 37 &#176;C, shaking at 220 rpm.</li>
	<li>Purify DNA from culture using Hi-Speed Plasmid Maxi Kit according to manufacturer&#39;s protocol.
	<ol>
		<li>Elute DNA in buffer EB (10 mM Tris-Cl, pH 8.5), instead of buffer TE.</li>
		<li>Aliquot the purified plasmid at amount needed for transfection and store at -20 &#176;C.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Large-scale Culture and Transient Transfection of 293F Cells
<ol>
	<li>Supplement 1 L 293F media with 10 ml of glutamine and 5 ml Pen/Strep (both 100x). Store at 4 &#176;C. 5 ml Pen/Strep is a sufficient strength in serum-free conditions and the reduced antibiotic concentration improves cell viability during transfection, which improves protein yields.</li>
	<li>Culture 293F cells in 300 ml media in 1 L polycarbonate baffled Erlenmeyer flasks with vented caps at 37 &#176;C with 8% CO2, while shaking in a standard tissue culture incubator.</li>
	<li>Dilute cells to 5 x 105/ml density one day before transfection.</li>
	<li>On the day of transfection, supplement culture medium by adding 10% volume of 2% w/v Cell Boost in 293F media.
	<ol>
		<li>Measure glucose concentration using a glucose monitor according to the manufacturer&#39;s instructions and use supplements as needed to achieve a glucose concentration of 500 mg/dL.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Add kifunensine (1 &#181;g/ml final concentration) at this step to control protein glycosylation.</li>
	<li>Calculate volume of DNA required for 1 &#181;g plasmid per 1 x 106 cells. Under sterile conditions, dilute DNA in 5 ml serum-free medium.</li>
	<li>Calculate volume of transfection reagent required for 1 &#181;g plasmid per 2 &#181;l transfection reagent. Under sterile conditions, dilute transfection reagent (PEI-TMC-25) in 5 ml serum-free medium.</li>
	<li>Add transfection reagent into DNA solution in 1 ml increments, mixing gently. Incubate for 30 min&#160;at RT for reagent-DNA complexes to form. Then add the solution onto the cells in a drop-wise fashion.</li>
	<li>Allow transfected cells to express protein for 72-96 hr. Supplement with ~10% volume Cell Boost Media daily, or as necessary to keep glucose reading 400-600 mg/dl.</li>
</ol>
3. Purification
<ol>
	<li>Decant culture into a centrifuge flask, centrifuge for 20 min at 1,300 x g to pellet cells and then collect the supernatant. If necessary, spin a second time and/or use 0.22 &#181;m filter to clarify supernatant.</li>
	<li>Add 10% volume 10x Ni-NTA binding buffer (1.5 M NaCl, 0.5 M K2HPO4, 0.1 M Tris pH 8.5, 50 mM imidazole).</li>
	<li>Prepare a gravity column by adding 2 ml of Ni-NTA slurry in a column and equilibrating with 10 column volumes (CV) of 1x binding buffer. If possible, do all column steps in a 4 &#176;C room. Alternatively, chill protein and all buffers on ice before column step, and keep protein and collected flow-through on ice. 
	Note: Ni-NTA slurry is 50% resin by volume and the manufacture&#39;s stated binding capacity is 50 mg/ml. Ni-NTA beads can be re-charged for multiple uses</li>
	<li>Flow the supernatant over the resin and collect flow-through. Repeat this step.</li>
	<li>Wash with 10 CV of wash buffer (300 mM NaCl, 50 mM K2HPO4, 20 mM imidazole pH 8).</li>
	<li>Elute the protein in 5 CV of elution buffer (300 mM NaCl, 50 mM K2HPO4, 250 mM imidazole pH 8).</li>
	<li>If deglycosylation is required:
	<ol>
		<li>For a final volume of 0.5 ml, concentrate eluate to 0.43 ml using a centrifugation concentrator. If precipitates form, pellet any debris by centrifugation at 16,000 x g and 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Add 50 &#181;l of 500 mM Na-Citrate pH 5.5.</li>
		<li>Add 20 &#181;l of EndoHf (1 x 106 U/ml). Incubate at RT for 2 hr. 
		Note: The enzyme works optimally at 37 &#176;C, which may cause the concentrated protein to aggregate. Extend the RT incubation, if deglycosylation, assessed by SDS-PAGE or immunoblotting, is incomplete. The enzyme does not have activity at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>To remove EndoHf: Wash Amylose Resin 3x in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or final storage buffer. Incubate protein with resin for 1 hr at 4 &#176;C. Spin 5 min at 1,000 x g to pellet beads and collect the supernatant.</li>
		<li>Concentrate protein using appropriate molecular weight cutoff centrifugation filter and buffer exchange into storage buffer (150 mM NaCl and 20 mM HEPES pH 7.5).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Meyer, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multi-host+expression+system+for+recombinant+production+of+challenging+proteins.">Multi-host expression system for recombinant production of challenging proteins.</a> PLoS One. 8, e68674 (2013).</li><li>Chang, V. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Glycoprotein+structural+genomics:+solving+the+glycosylation+problem.">Glycoprotein structural genomics: solving the glycosylation problem.</a> Structure. 15, 267-273 (2007).</li><li>Rich, J. R., Withers, S. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Emerging+methods+for+the+production+of+homogeneous+human+glycoproteins.">Emerging methods for the production of homogeneous human glycoproteins.</a> Nat Chem Biol. 5, 206-215 (2009).</li><li>Wu, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=TREM-2+promotes+macrophage+survival+and+lung+disease+after+respiratory+viral+infection.">TREM-2 promotes macrophage survival and lung disease after respiratory viral infection.</a> J Exp Med. 212, 681-697 (2015).</li><li>Yang, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitigated+cytotoxicity+and+tremendously+enhanced+gene+transfection+efficiency+of+PEI+through+facile+one-step+carbamate+modification.">Mitigated cytotoxicity and tremendously enhanced gene transfection efficiency of PEI through facile one-step carbamate modification.</a> Adv Healthc Mater. 2, 1304-1308 (2013).</li><li>Elbein, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Glycosidase+inhibitors:+inhibitors+of+N-linked+oligosaccharide+processing.">Glycosidase inhibitors: inhibitors of N-linked oligosaccharide processing.</a> FASEB J. 5, 3055-3063 (1991).</li><li>Aricescu, A. R., Lu, W., Jones, E. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+time-+and+cost-efficient+system+for+high-level+protein+production+in+mammalian+cells.">A time- and cost-efficient system for high-level protein production in mammalian cells.</a> Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 62, 1243-1250 (2006).</li><li>Kelker, M. S., Debler, E. W., Wilson, I. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Crystal+structure+of+mouse+triggering+receptor+expressed+on+myeloid+cells+1+(TREM-1)+at+1.76+A.">Crystal structure of mouse triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) at 1.76 A.</a> J Mol Biol. 344, 1175-1181 (2004).</li><li>Kober, D. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation,+crystallization,+and+preliminary+crystallographic+analysis+of+wild-type+and+mutant+human+TREM-2+ectodomains+linked+to+neurodegenerative+and+inflammatory+diseases.">Preparation, crystallization, and preliminary crystallographic analysis of wild-type and mutant human TREM-2 ectodomains linked to neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases.</a> Protein Expr Purif. 96, 32-38 (2014).</li><li>Yurtsever, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Self-cleavage+of+human+CLCA1+protein+by+a+novel+internal+metalloprotease+domain+controls+calcium-activated+chloride+channel+activation.">Self-cleavage of human CLCA1 protein by a novel internal metalloprotease domain controls calcium-activated chloride channel activation.</a> J Biol Chem. 287, 42138-42149 (2012).</li><li>Sala-Rabanal, M., Yurtsever, Z., Nichols, C. G., Brett, T. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Secreted+CLCA1+modulates+TMEM16A+to+activate+Ca-dependent+chloride+currents+in+human+cells.">Secreted CLCA1 modulates TMEM16A to activate Ca-dependent chloride currents in human cells.</a> Elife. 4, (2015).</li><li>Niesen, F. H., Berglund, H., Vedadi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+use+of+differential+scanning+fluorimetry+to+detect+ligand+interactions+that+promote+protein+stability.">The use of differential scanning fluorimetry to detect ligand interactions that promote protein stability.</a> Nat Protoc. 2, 2212-2221 (2007).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

HEK 293F cells offer robust production of proteins requiring post-translational modifications. This system allows rapid and scalable expression of natively folded proteins containing disulfides, glycosylation, and phosphorylation that would otherwise be absent using more routine expression tools. In addition, this system can be used for the expression and purification of multi-protein complexes simply by co-transfection of multiple plasmids. Besides TREM2, this system has been extensively used for functional studies with...

Understanding protein structure at an atomic level is key to uncovering the molecular basis of biological pathways and diseases. X-ray protein crystallography is the most widely used/applicable method for determining macromolecular structures. The main challenge of this method is obtaining sufficient amounts of properly folded, pure protein. This becomes an issue particularly when working with secreted mammalian proteins, which undergo specific post-translational modifications.
Bacterially-expressed proteins are the primary source of crystallized proteins deposited in the Protein Data Bank1. Bacterial expression systems are largely preferred because they are fast, inexpensive and typically produce high yields of protein. However, extracellular domains of mammalian proteins expressed in bacteria are often not properly folded, in which case refolding and extensive purification steps are required for obtaining homogeneously folded protein. Additionally, many mammalian proteins require post-translational glycosylation to achieve proper folding2. Although expression and glycosylation in yeast or insect cells can overcome the folding problem, post-translational modifications, including glycosylation, differ significantly from those of mammalian cells3, yielding proteins with incorrect or non-homogeneous modifications.
Mammalian cells express all the required molecular machinery to ensure proper post-translational modifications and folding; however, these expression systems are not typically preferred by most labs, due to limited yields and high costs of reagents and consumables. Polyethyleneimine (PEI), a standard transfection reagent is relatively cheap but imposes considerable cytotoxicity and low transfection efficiency, resulting in increased costs in cell media, DNA, and culturing equipment. Many alternatives to PEI are prohibitively expensive. We address these issues by describing a combination of improved cell culture tools and chemically modified PEI for the quick and relatively inexpensive method for the expression of secreted mammalian proteins, followed by single-step purification. This robust method gives sufficient yields for functional and biochemical studies4, and in some cases, results in protein amenable to crystallization without further purification.
This protocol describes several techniques to maximize expression and yield for secreted mammalian proteins in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293F cells grown in suspension. Transfection efficiency (and cost), protein production and purification are all greatly enhanced by following this protocol. PEI modified by the addition of carbamates through a single-step ring-opening reaction (PEI-TMC-25, synthesis and properties described in detail in ref 5) greatly improves transfection efficiency, reduces the cytotoxicity from cationic membrane disruption and accordingly reduces experiment costs. Furthermore, cell viability and protein expression are greatly improved with the addition of culture supplements to supply glucose and vitamins. Importantly for the production of glycosylated proteins, treatment with kifunensine, a non-toxic chemical inhibitor of Mannosidase I, produces proteins with defined, immature glycans, which can be removed by the endoglycosidase EndoHf to yield proteins with a single N-acetylglucosamine in place of a full-length N-linked glycan6. Finally, the secretion of proteins into a serum-free, chemically defined medium allows rapid and facile purification for structural and biochemical studies. Single-step nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) resin purification removes the majority of contaminating species in the supernatant and, in some cases, can yield protein of sufficient purity for crystallization.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Culture Flasks</td>
			<td>GeneMate</td>
			<td>F-5909B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>293 Freestyle Media</td>
			<td>Gibco/Life Technologies</td>
			<td>12338-018</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GlutaMAX</td>
			<td>Gibco/Life Technologies</td>
			<td>35050-061</td>
			<td>Use in place of Glutamine</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hype 5 transfection reagent</td>
			<td>Oz Biosciences</td>
			<td>HY01500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>293fectin transfection reagent</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>12347019</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PEI transfection reagent</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>408727</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Maxiprep Kit</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>12162</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ni-NTA Superflow&#160;</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>30430</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Endo Hf</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>P0703L</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Amylose Resin</td>
			<td>NEB</td>
			<td>E8021S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Boost R05.2</td>
			<td>HyClone</td>
			<td>SH30584.02</td>
			<td>Cell Culture Supplement</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GlucCell</td>
			<td>CESCO Bioengineering</td>
			<td>DG2032</td>
			<td>Glucose Monitoring System</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Opti-MEM</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>519850.91</td>
			<td>Serum Free Medium for DNA transfection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Luria Broth (LB Media)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>10855-001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GC10 Competent Cells</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G2919</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

efficient mammalian cell expression and single-step purification of extracellular glycoproteins for crystallization

Production of secreted mammalian proteins for structural and biophysical studies can be challenging, time intensive, and costly. Here described is a time and cost efficient protocol for secreted protein expression in mammalian cells and one step purification using nickel affinity chromatography. The system is based on large scale transient transfection of mammalian cells in suspension, which greatly decreases the time to produce protein, as it eliminates steps, such as developing expression viruses or generating stable expressing cell lines. This protocol utilizes cheap transfection agents, which can be easily made by simple chemical modification, or moderately priced transfection agents, which increase yield through increased transfection efficiency and decreased cytotoxicity. Careful monitoring and maintaining of media glucose levels increases protein yield. Controlling the maturation of native glycans at the expression step increases the final yield of properly folded and functional mammalian proteins, which are ideal properties to pursue X-ray crystallography. In some cases, single step purification produces protein of sufficient purity for crystallization, which is demonstrated here as an example case.

Herein follows the results of this expression system applied to a secreted 13 kDa immunoglobin (Ig) domain from the human protein triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (hTREM2, residues 19-132). TREM2 is a type I transmembrane protein containing a single extracellular Ig domain that has two disulfide bonds and two N-linked glycosylation sites. Unlike many other Ig domain proteins8, TREM2 was not amenable to refolding from bacterial inclusion bodies9. Subsequent mutagenesis confirmed N-lin...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Efficient Mammalian Cell Expression and Single-step Purification of Extracellular Glycoproteins for Crystallization at JoVE.com

Efficient Mammalian Cell Expression and Single-step Purification of Extracellular Glycoproteins for Crystallization

This is a quick, cost-efficient protocol for the production of secreted, glycosylated mammalian proteins and subsequent single-step purification with sufficient yields of homogenous protein for X-ray crystallography and other biophysical studies.

Production of secreted mammalian proteins for structural and biophysical studies can be challenging, time intensive, and costly. Here described is a time ...

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13.7K vistas.  Washington University School of Medicine. This is a quick, cost-efficient protocol for the production of secreted, glycosylated mammalian proteins and subsequent single-step purification with sufficient yields of homogenous protein for X-ray crystallography and other biophysical studies.

Video: Efficient Mammalian Cell Expression and Single-step Purification of Extracellular Glycoproteins for Crystallization

The Preparation of Primary Hematopoietic Cell Cultures From Murine Bone Marrow for Electroporation

It is becoming increasingly apparent that electroporation is the most effective way to introduce plasmid DNA or siRNA into primary cells. The Gene Pulser MXcell  electroporation system and Gene Pulser  electroporation buffer were specifically developed to transfect nucleic acids into mammalian cells and difficult-to-transfect cells, such as primary and stem cells.This video demonstrates how to establish primary hematopoietic cell cultures from murine bone marrow, and then prepare them for electroporation in the MXcell system. We begin by isolating femur and tibia. Bone marrow from both femur and tibia are then harvested and cultures are established. Cultured bone marrow cells are then transfected and analyzed.

This procedure describes how to establish primary hematopoietic cell cultures from murine bone marrow and is followed by transfection using the Gene Pulser MXCell electroporation system.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that electroporation is the most effective way to introduce plasmid DNA or siRNA into primary cells. The Gene Pulser ...

Staining of Proteins in Gels with Coomassie G-250 without Organic Solvent and Acetic Acid

In classical protein staining protocols using Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB), solutions with high contents of toxic and flammable organic solvents (Methanol, Ethanol or 2-Propanol) and acetic acid are used for fixation, staining and destaining of proteins in a gel after SDS-PAGE. To speed up the procedure, heating the staining solution in the microwave oven for a short time is frequently used. This usually results in evaporation of toxic or hazardous Methanol, Ethanol or 2-Propanol and a strong smell of acetic acid in the lab which should be avoided due to safety considerations. In a protocol originally published in two patent applications by E.M. Wondrak (US2001046709 (A1), US6319720 (B1)), an alternative composition of the staining solution is described in which no organic solvent or acid is used. The CBB is dissolved in bidistilled water (60-80mg of CBB G-250 per liter) and 35 mM HCl is added as the only other compound in the staining solution. The CBB staning of the gel is done after SDS-PAGE and thorough washing of the gel in bidistilled water. By heating the gel during the washing and staining steps, the process can be finished faster and no toxic or hazardous compunds are evaporating. The staining of proteins occurs already within 1 minute after heating the gel in staining solution and is fully developed after 15-30 min with a slightly blue background that is destained completely by prolonged washing of the stained gel in bidistilled water, without affecting the stained protein bands.

A short protocol for protein staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) G-250 in polyacrylamide gels is described without using organic solvents or acetic acid as in the classical staining procedures with CBB.

In classical protein staining protocols using Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB), solutions with high contents of toxic and flammable organic solvents ...

Pulse-chase Analysis of N-linked Sugar Chains from Glycoproteins in Mammalian Cells

Attachment of the Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 precursor oligosaccharide to nascent polypeptides in the ER is a common modification for secretory proteins. Although this modification was implicated in several biological processes, additional aspects of its function are emerging, with recent evidence of its role in the production of signals for glycoprotein quality control and trafficking. Thus, phenomena related to N-linked glycans and their processing are being intensively investigated. Methods that have been recently developed for proteomic analysis have greatly improved the characterization of glycoprotein N-linked glycans. Nevertheless, they do not provide insight into the dynamics of the sugar chain processing involved. For this, labeling and pulse-chase analysis protocols are used that are usually complex and give very low yields. We describe here a simple method for the isolation and analysis of metabolically labeled N-linked oligosaccharides. The protocol is based on labeling of cells with [2-3H] mannose, denaturing lysis and enzymatic release of the oligosaccharides from either a specifically immunoprecipitated protein of interest or from the general glycoprotein pool by sequential treatments with endo H and N-glycosidase F, followed by molecular filtration (Amicon). In this method the isolated oligosaccharides serve as an input for HPLC analysis, which allows discrimination between various glycan structures according to the number of monosaccharide units comprising them, with a resolution of a single monosaccharide. Using this method we were able to study high mannose N-linked oligosaccharide profiles of total cell glycoproteins after pulse-chase in normal conditions and under proteasome inhibition. These profiles were compared to those obtained from an immunoprecipitated ER-associated degradation (ERAD) substrate. Our results suggest that most NIH 3T3 cellular glycoproteins are relatively stable and that most of their oligosaccharides are trimmed to Man9-8GlcNAc2. In contrast, unstable ERAD substrates are trimmed to Man6-5GlcNAc2 and glycoproteins bearing these species accumulate upon inhibition of proteasomal degradation.

We describe a method for analysis of the alteration of N-linked glycans through the early life of glycoproteins after their biosynthesis in mammalian cells. This is achieved by pulse-chase analysis of metabolically labeled glycans, enzymatic release from glycoproteins and examination by HPLC.

Attachment of the Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 precursor oligosaccharide to nascent polypeptides in the ER is a common modification for secretory proteins. Although ...

Using an Automated Cell Counter to Simplify Gene Expression Studies: siRNA Knockdown of IL-4 Dependent Gene Expression in Namalwa Cells

The use of siRNA mediated gene knockdown is continuing to be an important tool in studies of gene expression.  siRNA studies are being conducted not only to study the effects of downregulating single genes, but also to interrogate signaling pathways and other complex interaction networks.  These pathway analyses require both the use of relevant cellular models and methods that cause less perturbation to the cellular physiology.  Electroporation is increasingly being used as an effective way to introduce siRNA and other nucleic acids into difficult to transfect cell lines and primary cells without altering the signaling pathway under investigation. There are multiple critical steps to a successful siRNA experiment, and there are ways to simplify the work while improving the data quality at several experimental stages.  To help you get started with your siRNA mediated gene knockdown project, we will demonstrate how to perform a pathway study complete from collecting and counting the cells prior to electroporation through post transfection real-time PCR gene expression analysis.  The following study investigates the role of the transcriptional activator STAT6 in IL-4 dependent gene expression of CCL17 in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line (Namalwa).  The techniques demonstrated are useful for a wide range of siRNA-based experiments on both adherent and suspension cells.  We will also show how to streamline cell counting with the TC10 automated cell counter, how to electroporate multiple samples simultaneously using the MXcell electroporation system, and how to simultaneously assess RNA quality and quantity with the Experion automated electrophoresis system.

This procedure describes a quick and easy workflow to introduce siRNA into difficult to transfect cell lines and follow gene expression by real-time PCR. Use of an automated cell counter, multi-well electroporation plate, and automated electrophoresis station provide quick and reliable results without the need for expensive robotic handling.

The use of siRNA mediated gene knockdown is continuing to be an important tool in studies of gene expression.  siRNA studies are being conducted not only ...

MISSION esiRNA for RNAi Screening in Mammalian Cells

RNA interference (RNAi) is a basic cellular mechanism for the control of gene expression. RNAi is induced by short double-stranded RNAs also known as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The short double-stranded RNAs originate from longer double stranded precursors by the activity of Dicer, a protein of the RNase III family of endonucleases. The resulting fragments are components of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), directing it to the cognate target mRNA. RISC cleaves the target mRNA thereby reducing the expression of the encoded protein1,2,3. RNAi has become a powerful and widely used experimental method for loss of gene function studies in mammalian cells utilizing small interfering RNAs.
Currently two main methods are available for the production of small interfering RNAs. One method involves chemical synthesis, whereas an alternative method employs endonucleolytic cleavage of target specific long double-stranded RNAs by RNase III in vitro. Thereby, a diverse pool of siRNA-like oligonucleotides is produced which is also known as endoribonuclease-prepared siRNA or esiRNA. A comparison of efficacy of chemically derived siRNAs and esiRNAs shows that both triggers are potent in target-gene silencing. Differences can, however, be seen when comparing specificity. Many single chemically synthesized siRNAs produce prominent off-target effects, whereas the complex mixture inherent in esiRNAs leads to a more specific knockdown10.
In this study, we present the design of genome-scale MISSION esiRNA libraries and its utilization for RNAi screening exemplified by a DNA-content screen for the identification of genes involved in cell cycle progression. We show how to optimize the transfection protocol and the assay for screening in high throughput. We also demonstrate how large data-sets can be evaluated statistically and present methods to validate primary hits. Finally, we give potential starting points for further functional characterizations of validated hits.

Here we use a human esiRNA library in a high-throughput screen for genes involved in cell division. We demonstrate how to set up and conduct an esiRNA screens, as well as how to analyze and validate the results.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a basic cellular mechanism for the control of gene expression. RNAi is induced by short double-stranded RNAs also known as ...

Expression Analysis of Mammalian Linker-histone Subtypes

Linker histone H1 binds to the nucleosome core particle and linker DNA, facilitating folding of chromatin into higher order structure. H1 is essential for mammalian development1 and regulates specific gene expression in vivo2-4. Among the highly conserved histone proteins, the family of H1 linker histones is the most heterogeneous group. There are 11 H1 subtypes in mammals that are differentially regulated during development and in different cell types. These H1 subtypes include 5 somatic H1s (H1a-e), the replacement H10, 4 germ cell specific H1 subtypes, and H1x5. The presence of multiple H1 subtypes that differ in DNA binding affinity and chromatin compaction ability6-9 provides an additional level of modulation of chromatin function. Thus, quantitative expression analysis of individual H1 subtypes, both of mRNA and proteins, is necessary for better understanding of the regulation of higher order chromatin structure and function.
Here we describe a set of assays designed for analyzing the expression levels of individual H1 subtypes (Figure 1). mRNA expression of various H1 variant genes is measured by a set of highly sensitive and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) assays, which are faster, more accurate and require much less samples compared with the alternative approach of Northern blot analysis. Unlike most other cellular mRNA messages, mRNAs for most histone genes, including the majority of H1 genes, lack a long polyA tail, but contain a stem-loop structure at the 3' untranslated region (UTR)10. Therefore, cDNAs are prepared from total RNA by reverse transcription using random primers instead of oligo-dT primers. Realtime PCR assays with primers specific to each H1 subtypes (Table 1) are performed to obtain highly quantitative measurement of mRNA levels of individual H1 subtypes. Expression of housekeeping genes are analyzed as controls for normalization. 
The relative abundance of proteins of each H1 subtype and core histones is obtained through reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis of total histones extracted from mammalian cells11-13. The HPLC method and elution conditions described here give optimum separations of mouse H1 subtypes. By quantifying the HPLC profile, we calculate the relative proportion of individual H1 subtypes within H1 family, as well as determine the H1 to nucleosome ratio in the cells.

We describe a set of assays to analyze expression levels of H1 linker histones. mRNA of individual H1 genes are quantitatively measured by random primer based reverse transcription followed by real-time PCR, whereas protein quantification of H1 histones is achieved by HPLC analysis.

Linker histone H1 binds to the nucleosome core particle and linker DNA, facilitating folding of chromatin into higher order structure.  H1 is essential ...

Efficient Agroinfiltration of Plants for High-level Transient Expression of Recombinant Proteins

Mammalian cell culture is the major platform for commercial production of human vaccines and therapeutic proteins. However, it cannot meet the increasing worldwide demand for pharmaceuticals due to its limited scalability and high cost. Plants have shown to be one of the most promising alternative pharmaceutical production platforms that are robust, scalable, low-cost and safe. The recent development of virus-based vectors has allowed rapid and high-level transient expression of recombinant proteins in plants. To further optimize the utility of the transient expression system, we demonstrate a simple, efficient and scalable methodology to introduce target-gene containing Agrobacterium into plant tissue in this study. Our results indicate that agroinfiltration with both syringe and vacuum methods have resulted in the efficient introduction of Agrobacterium into leaves and robust production of two fluorescent proteins; GFP and DsRed. Furthermore, we demonstrate the unique advantages offered by both methods. Syringe infiltration is simple and does not need expensive equipment. It also allows the flexibility to either infiltrate the entire leave with one target gene, or to introduce genes of multiple targets on one leaf. Thus, it can be used for laboratory scale expression of recombinant proteins as well as for comparing different proteins or vectors for yield or expression kinetics. The simplicity of syringe infiltration also suggests its utility in high school and college education for the subject of biotechnology. In contrast, vacuum infiltration is more robust and can be scaled-up for commercial manufacture of pharmaceutical proteins. It also offers the advantage of being able to agroinfiltrate plant species that are not amenable for syringe infiltration such as lettuce and Arabidopsis. Overall, the combination of syringe and vacuum agroinfiltration provides researchers and educators a simple, efficient, and robust methodology for transient protein expression. It will greatly facilitate the development of pharmaceutical proteins and promote science education.

Plants offer a novel system for the production of pharmaceutical proteins on a commercial scale that is more scalable, cost-efficient and safe than current expression paradigms. In this study, we report a simple and convenient, yet scalable approach to introduce target-gene containing Agrobacterium tumefaciens into plants for protein transient expression.

Mammalian cell culture is the major platform for commercial production of human vaccines and therapeutic proteins. However, it cannot meet the increasing ...

Efficient Production and Purification of Recombinant Murine Kindlin-3 from Insect Cells for Biophysical Studies

Kindlins are essential coactivators, with talin, of the cell surface receptors&#160;integrins and also participate in integrin outside-in signalling, and the control of gene transcription in the cell nucleus. The kindlins are ~75 kDa multidomain proteins and bind to an NPxY motif and upstream T/S cluster of the integrin &#946;-subunit cytoplasmic tail. The hematopoietically-important kindlin isoform, kindlin-3, is critical for platelet aggregation during thrombus formation, leukocyte rolling in response to infection and inflammation and osteoclast podocyte formation in bone resorption. Kindlin-3&#39;s role in these processes has resulted in extensive cellular and physiological studies. However, there is a need for an efficient method of acquiring high quality milligram quantities of the protein for further studies. We have developed a protocol, here described, for the efficient expression and purification of recombinant murine kindlin-3 by use of a baculovirus-driven expression system in Sf9 cells yielding sufficient amounts of high purity full-length protein to allow its biophysical characterization. The same approach could be taken in the study of the other mammalian kindlin isoforms.

Kindlins are fundamental to cell adhesion through integrins but studies of them have been hampered by the difficulty encountered in expressing them recombinantly in bacterial hosts. We describe here methods for their efficient production in baculovirus-infected insect cells.

Kindlins are essential coactivators, with talin, of the cell surface receptors&#160;integrins and also participate in integrin outside-in signalling, and ...

Analysis of Global RNA Synthesis at the Single Cell Level following Hypoxia

Hypoxia or lowering of the oxygen availability is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. At the molecular level, cells initiate a particular transcriptional program in order to mount an appropriate and coordinated cellular response. The cell possesses several oxygen sensor enzymes that require molecular oxygen as cofactor for their activity. These range from prolyl-hydroxylases to histone demethylases. The majority of studies analyzing cellular responses to hypoxia are based on cellular populations and average studies, and as such single cell analysis of hypoxic cells are seldom performed. Here we describe a method of analysis of global RNA synthesis at the single cell level in hypoxia by using Click-iT RNA imaging kits in an oxygen controlled workstation, followed by microscopy analysis and quantification.&nbsp; Using cancer cells exposed to hypoxia for different lengths of time, RNA is labeled and measured in each cell. This analysis allows the visualization of temporal and cell-to-cell changes in global RNA synthesis following hypoxic stress.

We describe a technique for analysis of global RNA synthesis in hypoxia using imaging. Click-chemistry labeling of RNA has not previously been performed under hypoxia and allows visualization of global RNA changes at the single cell level. This approach complements the existing averaged RNA techniques, allowing direct visualization of cell-to-cell changes in global RNA synthesis.

Hypoxia or lowering of the oxygen availability is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. At the molecular level, cells initiate a ...

siRNA Screening to Identify Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like System Regulators of Biological Pathways in Cultured Mammalian Cells

Post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like molecules (UBLs) is emerging as a dynamic cellular signaling network that regulates diverse biological pathways including the hypoxia response, proteostasis, the DNA damage response and transcription.&#160; To better understand how UBLs regulate pathways relevant to human disease, we have compiled a human siRNA &#8220;ubiquitome&#8221; library consisting of 1,186 siRNA duplex pools targeting all known and predicted components of UBL system pathways. This library can be screened against a range of cell lines expressing reporters of diverse biological pathways to determine which UBL components act as positive or negative regulators of the pathway in question.&#160; Here, we describe a protocol utilizing this library to identify ubiquitome-regulators of the HIF1A-mediated cellular response to hypoxia using a transcription-based luciferase reporter.&#160; An initial assay development stage is performed to establish suitable screening parameters of the cell line before performing the screen in three stages: primary, secondary and tertiary/deconvolution screening. &#160;The use of targeted over whole genome siRNA libraries is becoming increasingly popular as it offers the advantage of reporting only on members of the pathway with which the investigators are most interested.&#160; Despite inherent limitations of siRNA screening, in particular false-positives caused by siRNA off-target effects, the identification of genuine novel regulators of the pathways in question outweigh these shortcomings, which can be overcome by performing a series of carefully undertaken control experiments.

Here, we describe a methodology to perform a targeted siRNA &#8220;ubiquitome&#8221; screen to identify novel ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like regulators of the HIF1A-mediated cellular response to hypoxia.&#160; This can be adapted to any biological pathway where a robust read out of reporter activity is available.

Post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like molecules (UBLs) is emerging as a dynamic cellular signaling network that ...