Non-reducing alkaline solubilization and rapid on-column refolding of recombinant prion protein

Prep Biochem Biotechnol. 2012;42(1):77-86. doi: 10.1080/10826068.2011.564256.

Abstract

Mature prion protein (PrP) is a 208-residue polypeptide that contains a single disulfide bond. We report an alternative method to purify recombinant mouse PrP produced in Escherichia coli. Bacterial inclusion bodies were solubilized in a buffer containing 2 M urea at pH 12.5. The solubilized protein was rapidly purified on a nickel affinity column without a chaotrope gradient, followed by ion-exchange chromatography. The yield and purity of PrP produced by this alternative approach was similar to that obtained using a conventional solubilization and on-column refolding protocol. Recombinant PrP produced using the non-reducing purification protocol is properly folded, as determined by circular dichroism, and a competent substrate for amyloid fibril formation, as determined by Thoflavin-T dye binding assays. In summary, this report describes a rapid method for producing properly folded recombinant PrP without reducing agents or a chaotrope gradient.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Gel / methods
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange / methods
  • Circular Dichroism / methods
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Inclusion Bodies / chemistry
  • Inclusion Bodies / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Prion Proteins
  • Prions / chemistry*
  • Prions / genetics
  • Prions / isolation & purification*
  • Prions / metabolism
  • Protein Folding
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Prion Proteins
  • Prions
  • Prnp protein, mouse
  • Recombinant Proteins