Distance between RBS and AUG plays an important role in overexpression of recombinant proteins.

The spacing between ribosome binding site (RBS) and AUG is crucial for efficient overexpression of genes when cloned in prokaryotic expression vectors. We undertook a brief study on the overexpression of genes cloned in Escherichia coli expression vectors, wherein the spacing between the RBS and the start codon was varied. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis indicated a high level of protein expression only in constructs where the spacing between RBS and AUG was approximately 40 nucleotides or more, despite the synthesis of the transcripts in the representative cases investigated.

Conformational characterization of human eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha: a single tryptophan protein.

The alpha-subunit of the human eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (heIF2alpha), a GTP binding protein, plays a major role in the initiation of protein synthesis. During various cytoplasmic stresses, eIF2alpha gets phosphorylated by eIF2alpha-specific kinases resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis. The cloned and over expressed heIF2alpha, a protein with a single tryptophan (trp) residue was examined for its conformational characteristics using steady-state and time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) and hydrophobic dye binding. The steady-state fluorescence spectrum, fluorescence lifetimes (tau(1)=1.13ns and tau(2)=4.74ns) and solute quenching studies revealed the presence of trp conformers in hydrophobic and differential polar environment at any given time. Estimation of the alpha-helix and beta-sheet content showed: (i) more compact structure at pH 2.0, (ii) distorted alpha-helix and rearranged beta-sheet in presence of 4M guanidine hydrochloride and (iii) retention of more than 50% ordered structure at 95 degrees C. Hydrophobic dye binding to the protein with loosened tertiary structure was observed at pH 2.0 indicating the existence of a molten globule-like structure. These observations indicate the inherent structural stability of the protein under various denaturing conditions.

A Single-Step Simultaneous Protein Staining Procedure for Polyacrylamide Gels and Nitrocellulose Membranes by Alta During Western Blot Analysis.

A simple method for staining of proteins simultaneously on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels and nitrocellulose membranes by Alta during Western blot analysis is described. A 5% solution of Alta, a commercially available cosmetic preparation, is added in the upper tank buffer during electrophoresis. On completion of electrophoresis, the gel is washed in distilled water, viewed on a white light plate and a transilluminator to photograph the protein profiles. The gel is processed for Western blot transfer of proteins onto a nitrocellulose membrane, and upon completion, the protein profiles on the membrane are viewed and photographed as stated above. The membrane can then be processed for immunostaining as per the standard procedure. Thus, the staining procedure using Alta is simple, rapid (without any need of destaining) and cost-effective.

Activation of HRI is mediated by Hsp90 during stress through modulation of the HRI-Hsp90 complex.

Heme Regulated Inhibitor (HRI) is known to get activated in various stresses such as heme deficiency, heat shock, heavy metal toxicity etc. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a ubiquitous cytoplasmic protein interacts with HRI in order to regulate protein synthesis. However, it still remains to establish this interaction of HRI and Hsp90 at cellular levels and how this modulation of HRI activity is mediated by Hsp90 during stress. In the present report, using co-immunoprecipitation analysis we show that HRI interacts with Hsp90 and this association is independent of other co-chaperones in in vitro conditions. Further, analysis using truncated domains of HRI revealed that the K1 subdomain is essential for HRI - Hsp90 complex formation. Our in silico protein - protein interaction studies also indicated interaction of Hsp90 with K1 subdomain of HRI. Mammalian two hybrid assay validated this HRI - Hsp90 interaction at cellular levels. When the in vitro kinase assay was carried out with the co-immunoprecipitated complex of HRI - Hsp90, an increase in the kinase activity was observed resulting elevated levels of eIF2α phosphorylation upon heavy metal stress and heat shock. Thus, our results clearly indicate modulation of HRI kinase activity with simultaneous Hsp90 association under stress conditions.

Vimentin is a component of a complex that binds to the 5'-UTR of human heme-regulated eIF2α kinase mRNA and regulates its translation.

The human heme-regulated eIF2α kinase, also called the human heme-regulated inhibitor (hHRI) is significantly up-regulated particularly at the level of translation during stress. In this report we show that during lead-stress, the regulation of hHRI mRNA translation is mediated through its 5'-untranslated region (UTR) that interacts with specific trans-acting factors. Further, vimentin has been identified as one of the trans-acting factors that contribute to this regulation.

A single-step simultaneous protein staining procedure for polyacrylamide gels and nitrocellulose membranes by Alta during western blot analysis.

A simple method for staining of proteins simultaneously on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels and nitrocellulose membranes by Alta during western blot analysis is described. A 5% solution of Alta, a commercially available cosmetic preparation, is added in the upper tank buffer during electrophoresis. On completion of electrophoresis, the gel is washed in distilled water and viewed on a white light plate and a transilluminator to photograph the protein profiles. The gel is processed for western blot transfer of proteins onto a nitrocellulose membrane, and upon completion, the protein profiles on the membrane are viewed and photographed as stated above. The membrane can then be processed for immunostaining as per the standard procedure. Thus, the staining procedure using Alta is simple, rapid (without any need of destaining), and cost-effective.