A generic protocol for the purification and characterization of water-soluble complexes of affinity-tagged proteins and lipids

Nat Protoc. 2014 Sep;9(9):2256-66. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2014.148. Epub 2014 Aug 28.

Abstract

Interactions between lipids and proteins in the aqueous phases of cells contribute to many aspects of cell physiology. Here we describe a detailed protocol to systematically characterize in vivo-assembled complexes of soluble proteins and lipids. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains expressing physiological amounts of a protein of interest fused to the tandem-affinity purification (TAP) tag are first lysed in the absence of detergent to capture intact protein-lipid complexes. The affinity-purified complexes (typically 30-50 kDa) are subjected to analytical size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) to remove contaminating lipids that elute at the void volume (>600 kDa), in order to achieve sufficient signal-to-background lipid ratios. Proteins in the SEC fractions are then analyzed by denaturing gel electrophoresis. Lipidomics techniques such as high-performance thin-layer chromatography or gas or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry can then be applied to measure the elution profiles of lipids and to pinpoint the true interactors co-eluting with the TAP fusions. The procedure (starting from cell lysis) requires 2 d, and it can easily be adapted to other organisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / methods*
  • Chromatography, Gel / methods
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis / methods
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Isotope Labeling / methods
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Lipids / isolation & purification
  • Macromolecular Substances / isolation & purification*
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / chemistry*
  • Water

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Proteins
  • Water