Spy&Go purification of SpyTag-proteins using pseudo-SpyCatcher to access an oligomerization toolbox

Nat Commun. 2019 Apr 15;10(1):1734. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-09678-w.

Abstract

Peptide tags are a key resource, introducing minimal change while enabling a consistent process to purify diverse proteins. However, peptide tags often provide minimal benefit post-purification. We previously designed SpyTag, forming an irreversible bond with its protein partner SpyCatcher. SpyTag provides an easy route to anchor, bridge or multimerize proteins. Here we establish Spy&Go, enabling protein purification using SpyTag. Through rational engineering we generated SpyDock, which captures SpyTag-fusions and allows efficient elution. Spy&Go enabled sensitive purification of SpyTag-fusions from Escherichia coli, giving superior purity than His-tag/nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid. Spy&Go allowed purification of mammalian-expressed, N-terminal, C-terminal or internal SpyTag. As an oligomerization toolbox, we established a panel of SpyCatcher-linked coiled coils, so SpyTag-fusions can be dimerized, trimerized, tetramerized, pentamerized, hexamerized or heptamerized. Assembling oligomers for Death Receptor 5 stimulation, we probed multivalency effects on cancer cell death. Spy&Go, combined with simple oligomerization, should have broad application for exploring multivalency in signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Models, Molecular
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Periplasmic Proteins
  • Proteins / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Periplasmic Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Spy protein, E coli