A novel, generic and effective method for the rapid purification of G protein-coupled receptors

Protein Expr Purif. 2009 Mar;64(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pep.2008.09.007. Epub 2008 Sep 19.

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of membrane receptors and are of major therapeutic importance. Structure determination of G protein-coupled receptors and other applications require milligram quantities of purified receptor proteins on a regular basis. Recombinant GPCRs fused to a heterologous biotinylation domain were produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris. We describe an efficient method for their rapid purification that relies on the capture of these receptors with streptavidin immobilized on agarose beads, and their subsequent release by enzymatic digestion with TEV protease. This method has been applied to several GPCRs belonging to the class A rhodopsin subfamily, leading to high yields of purified proteins; it represents a method of choice for biochemical and biophysical studies when large quantities of purified GPCRs are needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biotinylation
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Microspheres
  • Models, Biological
  • Pichia / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / isolation & purification*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sepharose / metabolism
  • Solubility
  • Streptavidin / isolation & purification
  • Streptavidin / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Sepharose
  • Streptavidin
  • Endopeptidases
  • TEV protease