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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

A general approach for chemical labeling and rapid, spatially controlled protein inactivation.

Chemical labeling of proteins inside of living cells can enable studies of the location, movement, and function of proteins in vivo. Here we demonstrate an approach for chemical labeling of proteins that uses the high-affinity interaction between an FKBP12 mutant (F36V) and a synthetic, engineered ligand (SLF'). A fluorescein conjugate to the engineered ligand (FL-SLF') retained binding to FKBP12(F36V) and possessed similar fluorescence properties as parental fluorescein. FL-SLF' labeled FKBP12(F36V) fusion proteins in live mammalian cells, and was used to monitor the subcellular localization of a membrane targeted FKBP12(F36V) construct. Chemical labeling of FKBP12(F36V) fusion proteins with FL-SLF' was readily detectable at low expression levels of the FKBP12(F36V) fusion, and the level of fluorescent staining with FL-SLF' was proportional to the FKBP12(F36V) expression level. This FL-SLF'-FKBP12(F36V) labeling technique was tested in fluorophore assisted laser inactivation (FALI), a light-mediated technique to rapidly inactivate fluorophore-labeled target proteins. FL-SLF' mediated FALI of a beta-galactosidase-FKBP12(F36V) fusion protein, causing rapid inactivation of >90% of enzyme activity upon irradiation in vitro. FL-SLF' also mediated FALI of a beta-galactosidase fusion expressed in living NIH 3T3 cells, where beta-galactosidase activity was reduced in 15 s. Thus, FL-SLF' can be used to monitor proteins in vivo and to target rapid, spatially and temporally defined inactivation of target proteins in living cells in a process that we call FK-FALI.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Specific chemical labeling of DNA fragments.

We describe a simple method for specific chemical labeling of DNA fragments at their 3'-termini. The procedure includes enzymatic addition of 4-thiouridine, followed by reaction in mild non-denaturing conditions with the highly reactive alpha-haloacetamido derivatives of several chemical labels. The attached reporter molecule can be removed by extended treatment with beta-mercaptoethanol. Among the potential applications of this labeling method is the study of specific protein-DNA interactions in solution.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed2006

Chemical labeling strategies for cell biology.

Methods to visualize, track, measure and perturb proteins in living cells are central to biomedicine's efforts to characterize and understand the spatial and temporal underpinnings of life inside cells. Although fluorescent proteins have revolutionized such studies, they have shortcomings, which have spurred the creation of alternative approaches to chemically label proteins in live cells. In this review we highlight research questions that can be addressed using site-specific chemical labeling and present a comparison of the various labeling techniques that have been developed. We also provide a 'roadmap' for selection of appropriate labeling techniques(s) and outline generalized strategies to validate and troubleshoot chemical labeling experiments.

Cell Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2001

Differential chemical labeling of the AlcR DNA-binding domain from Aspergillas nidulans versus its complex with a 16-mer DNA target: identification of an essential tryptophan involved in the recognition and the interaction with the nucleic acid.

DNA binding of the ethanol regulon transcription factor AlcR from Aspergillus nidulans was shown to involve a consensus basic region as in the other zinc cluster proteins. However, additional interactions between some residues and DNA were suspected, among which were a hypothetic hydrophobic interaction between Trp45 and the T residue of the consensus TGCGG sequence. In the present study, the differential chemical labeling of both the free protein and the protein/DNA complex showed significantly different behaviors of the three tryptophan residues comprised in the AlcR sequence toward the Koshland reagent. The spectacular decreased reaction rate for Trp45 within the complex confirmed the location of this residue at the protein/DNA interface. A similar result obtained with Trp53, an amino acid present at the C-terminal side of AlcR, also indicated its involvement in the DNA recognition. In contrast, the formation of the complex accompanied by an allosteric rearrangement allowed the Trp36 to be much more exposed to the solvent than in the free protein. These data provide additional evidence that the unique specificity of AlcR among the zinc binuclear cluster family results in new types of interactions between AlcR and its cognate targets. From a methodological point of view, the approach of differential chemical labeling combined with mass spectrometric analyses proved to be an interesting tool for the recognition of hydrophobic interactions between the tryptophan residues of a protein and its macromolecular target.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Transcript quantification based on chemical labeling of RNA associated with fluorescent detection.

A general method for RNA measurement, based on chemical labeling of RNA with digoxigenin (without retrotranscription), has been established. Labeled RNA is hybridized with nylon membranes containing spot blots of PCR-amplified gene fragments and the fluorescence detection is mediated via specific anti-digoxigenin antibody coupled to alkaline phosphatase. The method was optimized in order to be quantitative, and high precision (less than 24% error) was obtained, allowing analysis of relatively small changes in gene expression. When the quantity of cellular RNA used in this method is maintained constant and the amount of RNA in the cell determined, the true intracellular transcript concentrations can be determined, rather than simple abundance of a messenger in RNA population. This RNA quantification technique was extended to macroarrays blotted automatically and the validity of the method was tested by comparison with expression data obtained by Northern blotting.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed2005

Selective chemical labeling of proteins in living cells.

Labeling proteins with fluorophores, affinity labels or other chemically or optically active species is immensely useful for studying protein function in living cells or tissue. The use of genetically encoded green fluorescent protein and its variants has been particularly valuable in this regard. In an effort to increase the diversity of available protein labels, various efforts to append small molecules to selected proteins in vivo have been reported. This review discusses recent advances in selective, in vivo protein labeling based on small molecule ligand-receptor interactions, intein-mediated processes, and enzyme-catalyzed protein modifications.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Arrangement of subunit IV in beef heart cytochrome c oxidase probed by chemical labeling and protease digestion experiments.

The arrangement of subunit IV in beef heart cytochrome c oxidase has been explored by chemical labeling and protease digestion studies. This subunit has been purified from four samples of cytochrome c oxidase that had been reacted with N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)-2-aminoethyl[35S]-sulfonate (NAP-taurine), diazobenzene[35S]sulfonate, 1-myristoyl-2-[12-[(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]lauroyl]-sn-glycero-3- [14C]phosphocholine (I), and 1-palmitoyl-2-(2-azido-4-nitrobenzoyl)-sn-glycero-3-[3H]phosphocholine (II), respectively. The labeled polypeptide was then fragmented by cyanogen bromide, at arginyl side chains with trypsin (after maleylation), and the distribution of the labeling within the sequence was analyzed. The N-terminal part of subunit IV (residues 1-71) was shown to be heavily labeled by water-soluble, lipid-insoluble reagents but not by the phospholipid derivatives. These latter reagents labeled only in the region of residues 62-122, containing the long hydrophobic and putative membrane-spanning stretch. Trypsin cleavage of native cytochrome c oxidase complex at pH 8.2 was shown to clip the first seven amino acids from subunit IV. This cleavage was found to occur in submitochondrial particles but not in mitochondria or mitoplasts. These results are interpreted to show that subunit IV is oriented with its N terminus on the matrix side of the mitochondrial inner membrane and spans the membrane with the extended sequence of hydrophobic lipid residues 79-98 buried in the bilayer.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Sulfhydryl groups of yeast phosphofructokinase-specific localization on beta subunits of fructose 6-phosphate binding sites as demonstrated by a differential chemical labeling study.

Yeast phosphofructokinase contains 83 +/- 2 cysteinyl residues/enzyme oligomer. On the basis of their reactivity toward 5,5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), the accessible cysteinyl residues of the native enzyme may be classified into three groups. For titrations performed with N-ethylmaleimide, subdivisional classes of reactivity are evidenced. In each case, the 6 to 8 most reactive cysteines are not protected by fructose 6-phosphate from chemical labeling and do not seem involved in subsequent enzyme inactivation. Differential labeling studies as well as direct protection experiments in the presence of fructose 6-phosphate, indicate that 12 -SH groups/enzyme oligomer (i.e. three -SH groups per binding site) are protected by the allosteric substrate from the chemical modification. Specific labeling by the differential method of the cysteinyl residues protected by fructose 6-phosphate and further separation of the two types of subunits constituting yeast phosphofructokinase, show that the substrate binding sites are localized exclusively on subunits of beta type. Thus, alpha subunits are not implicated directly in the catalytic mechanism of yeast phosphofructokinase reaction.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2000

Shake-flask test for determination of biodegradation rates of (14)C-labeled chemicals at low concentrations in surface water systems.

A simple shake-flask surface water biodegradability die away test with (14)C-labeled chemicals added to microgram per liter concentrations (usually 1-100 microg/L) is described and evaluated. The aim was to provide information on biodegradation behavior and kinetic rates at environmental (low) concentrations in surface water systems. The basic principle of measurement was to determine evolved CO(2) indirectly from measurements of total organic activity in subsamples after stripping off their content of CO(2). Used with surface water alone the test simulates a pelagic environment and amended with sediments (0.1-1 dry weight/L) the test is intended to simulate a water environment with suspended solids (e.g., resuspended sediments). A protocol of the test used with the (14)C technique or with specific chemical analysis was recently developed by the International Organization for Standardization. Practical experience with the method is presented for a set of reference substances. These substances could be ranked in five groups of decreasing biodegradability: aniline>p-nitrophenol, 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid>4-chloroaniline>maleic hydrazide, pentachlorophenol>atrazine. It was found that degradation rates and lag periods varied considerably among sampling sites and sometimes also among samples from the same site. No significant correlation could be established between degradation rates and microbial biomass estimates. Even small portions of added sediments greatly enhanced biodegradation of the absorbable compound pentachlorophenol, probably by providing sites for microbial attachment. Repeated tests indicated consistent degradation behavior for the readily degradable substances, whereas degradation sometimes stopped or failed with the more recalcitrant substances. A preadaptation step involving regular reinoculation with freshly collected surface water could, however, overcome the problems of false-negative results.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗
PubMed1985

Non-radioactive hybridization probes prepared by the chemical labelling of DNA and RNA with a novel reagent, photobiotin.

A photo-activatable analogue of biotin, N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)-N'-(N-d-biotinyl-3-aminopropyl)-N'-methyl-1,3- propanediamine (photobiotin), has been synthesized and used for the rapid and reliable preparation of large amounts of stable, non-radioactive, biotin-labelled DNA and RNA hybridization probes. Upon brief irradiation with visible light, photobiotin formed stable linkages with single- and double-stranded nucleic acids yielding probes which were purified from excess reagent by 2-butanol extraction and ethanol precipitation. Using single-stranded phage M13 DNA probes chemically labelled with one biotin per 100-400 residues and dot-blot hybridization reactions on nitrocellulose, as little as 0.5 pg (6 X 10(-18) mol) of target DNA was detected colorimetrically by avidin or streptavidin complexes with acid or alkaline phosphatase from three commercial sources. The sensitivity of detection of target RNA in dot-blots and Northern blots was equivalent to that obtained with 32p-labelled DNA probes. Photobiotin was also used for the labelling of proteins with biotin.

Azides↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of folding intermediates of human carbonic anhydrase II: probing substructure by chemical labeling of SH groups introduced by site-directed mutagenesis.

By measurement of UV absorbance, CD spectra, and enzyme activity, we have shown that human carbonic anhydrase II forms a stable and compact folding intermediate at a moderate concentration of guanidine hydrochloride. The major aim of this study was to map the intermediate structure. For that reason, site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce cysteine residues in various parts of the central beta-structure to give in each case a single cysteine residue. Thereafter, the accessibility of the introduced SH group to specific chemical labeling was used to probe the stability and compactness of the area surrounding each cysteine residue. Our results indicate that the folding intermediate has an ordered native-like secondary structure in the central part of the beta-sheet, whereas the peripheral part of the beta-sheet seems to be less ordered. A large hydrophobic cluster situated between the central beta-sheet core and secondary structure elements on the surface appears to be intact in the intermediate and is remarkably stable even at high GuHCl concentrations (> 5 M). This unusually stable substructure might function as a "seed" during the initiation of the folding process.

Alkylation↗
PubMed1999

Conformational changes in rhodopsin. Movement of helix f detected by site-specific chemical labeling and fluorescence spectroscopy.

A recent proposal for the formation of functionally active rhodopsin has placed critical importance on a movement of one of its transmembrane helices (Farrens, D. L., Altenbach, C., Yang, K., Hubbell, W. L., and Khorana, H. G. (1996) Science 274, 768-770). We investigated this hypothesis using a series of eight rhodopsin mutants containing single reactive cysteine residues in the region (helix F) where movement was previously detected. The cysteine mutants were studied in two ways, by measuring their reactivity to a cysteine-specific reagent (PyMPO-maleimide), and by labeling the cysteines with a fluorescent label (monobromobimane) followed by fluorescence spectroscopic analysis. The chemical reactivity data showed sequence-specific variations in reactivity for the mutants in the dark state, resulting in a pattern suggestive of an alpha helix. Interestingly, only upon photoactivation to the MII form did residues found on the inner "face" of this helix react with the PyMPO-maleimide. The ability of the dark state mutants to react with the fluorescent label monobromobimane followed a similar pattern. Furthermore, fluorescence measurements indicate that a bimane label on the inner face of the helix (at V250C) detects changes in the polarity of its environment and accessibility to a fluorescence quenching agent upon MII formation. Viewed together, the data provide further direct evidence that rhodopsin activation involves a conformational change at helix F.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

"Cleavable trifunctional" approach to receptor affinity labeling: chemical regeneration of binding to A1-adenosine receptors.

A general approach for reversible affinity labeling of receptors has been developed. The objective is to carry out a series of chemical modifications resulting in a covalently-modified, yet functionally-regenerated, receptor protein that also may contain a reporter group. The ligand recognition site of A1-adenosine receptors in bovine brain membranes was probed to demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. Use of disulfide or ester linkages, intended for cleavage by exposure of the labeled receptor to either reducing reagents or hydroxylamine, respectively, was considered. Binding of the antagonist radioligand [3H]CPX was preserved following incubation of the native receptor with 3 M hydroxylamine, while binding was inhibited by the reducing reagent dithiothreitol (DTT) with an IC50 of 0.29 M. Hydroxylamine displaced specific agonist ([3H]PIA) binding in a noncovalent manner. Specific affinity labels containing reactive isothiocyanate groups were synthesized from XCC (8-[4-](carboxymethyl)-oxy]phenyl]-1,3-dipropylxanthine) and shown to bind irreversibly to A1-receptors. The ligands were structurally similar to previously reported xanthine inhibitors (e.g., DITC-XAC: (1989) J. Med. Chem. 32, 1043) except that either a disulfide linkage or an ester linkage was incorporated in the chain between the pharmacophore and the isothiocyanate-substituted ring. These groups were intended for chemical cleavage by thiols or hydroxylamine, respectively. Radioligand binding to A1-receptors was inhibited by these reactive xanthines in a manner that was not reversed by repeated washing. Hydroxylamine or DTT restored a significant fraction of the binding of [3H]CPX in A1-receptors inhibited by the appropriate cleavable xanthine isothiocyanate derivative.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1985

Topography of the Protein Complexes of the Chloroplast Thylakoid Membrane : Studies of Photosystem II using Pronase Digestion and Chemical Labeling.

The accessibility of various Photosystem II (PSII)-associated polypeptides to the protease pronase and the chemical modifier trinitrobenzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS) has been investigated. Three polypeptides with apparent molecular weight of 32, 21, and 16 kilodaltons, known to be associated with O(2) evolution, are all resistant to pronase digestion and TNBS labeling in intact thylakoids. All the polypeptides in the isolated PSII preparation were labeled with TNBS while a different pattern of labeling was observed when the PSII complex was isolated from TNBS-modified thylakoids. Attempts to prepare PSII particles from pronase-treated thylakoids using the Triton X-100 solubilization method were unsuccessful. Pronase-treated thylakoids were probed with antisera against the chlorophyll proteins of PSII using immunoblotting techniques. This allowed for a positive identification of proteolytic fragments from the respective proteins. The results are discussed in relation to the transmembrane organization of PSII in spinach thylakoids.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Chemical labeling studies on bovine heart mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase dispersed in nonionic detergents.

In order to investigate the structural interactions of nonionic detergents with bovine heart mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX), a series of hydrophilic chemical modification reagents were used to map regions on COX which are not shielded by dodecyl beta-D-maltoside (DM), Triton X-100 (TX-100), and Tween 80 (TW-80). Low levels of incorporation of the chemical reagents [35S]benzenediazoniumsulfonate (DABS) and N-succinimidyl [3H]propionate (SP) into COX dispersed in TW-80 indicate that the bulky headgroup and hydrophobic moiety of this detergent effectively shield the enzyme from the aqueous environment. Subunits II and Va/Vb [nomenclature of Merle, P., & Kadenbach, B. (1982) Eur. J. Biochem. 125, 239-244] show an increased reactivity to [35S]DABS and [3H]SP in TW-80 and may reflect an increased exposure of these subunits to the aqueous phase in comparison to COX dispersed in TX-100 or DM. More [35S]DABS is incorporated into COX in DM than TX-100-dispersed enzyme; DABS heavily labels subunits III, VIa, and VIb in DM. While COX in TX-100 is more reactive with [3H]SP than DM-dispersed enzyme, there is no difference in the distribution of label (either DABS or SP) within the subunits of COX in DM or TX-100. Increased surface exposure of COX in TX-100 is indicated by an enhanced sensitivity of COX electron-transfer activity in enzyme chemically modified by the cross-linking reagent N-succinimidyl 3-[(4-azidophenyl)dithio]propionate (SADP) in TX-100 as compared to enzyme chemically cross-linked in the other detergents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Dynamics of lactose permease of Escherichia coli determined by site-directed chemical labeling and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Mutants with a single Cys residue in place of Phe27, Pro28, Phe29, Phe30, or Pro31 at the periplasmic end of putative transmembrane helix I were used to study the interaction of lactose permease with ligand by site-directed chemical modification or fluorescence spectroscopy. With permease embedded in the native membrane, mutant Phe27-->Cys or Phe28-->Cys is readily labeled with [14C]-N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), while mutant Phe29-->Cys, Phe30-->Cys, or Phe31-->Cys reacts less effectively. beta,D-Galactopyranosyl 1-thio-beta,D-galactopyranoside (TDG) has little or no effect on the reactivity of Phe27-->Cys, Phe29-->Cys, or Phe30-->Cys permease. Remarkably, however, Pro31-->Cys permease which is essentially unreactive in the absence of ligand becomes highly reactive in the presence of TDG. Ligand also enhances the NEM reactivity of the mutant with Cys in place of Pro28 which is presumably on the same face of helix I as position 31. The five single-Cys mutants which also contain a biotin acceptor domain in the middle cytoplasmic loop were purified by monomeric avidin-affinity chromatography in dodecyl beta,D-maltoside and subjected to site-directed fluorescence spectroscopy. Mutants Phe27-->Cys, Phe29-->Cys, and Phe30-->Cys react rapidly with 2-(4'-maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid (MIANS), and reactivity is not altered in the presence of TDG. In striking contrast, mutants Pro28-->Cys and Pro31-->Cys react extremely slowly with MIANS in the absent of ligand, and TDG dramatically enhances reactivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗