Part:BBa_K5398020:Experience
This experience page is provided so that any user may enter their experience using this part.
Please enter
how you used this part and how it worked out.
Applications of BBa_K5398020
In order to obtain proteins with self-healing properties, we used the pET-29a(+) vector to express TRn5 ( BBa_K5398001) ). We tried different strategies for TRn5 protein production and purification and tested its function.
Characterization
In order to obtain proteins, test suitable expression conditions, and evaluate the function of TRn4-mfp5, we chose three different expression vectors (Fig. 1)—pET-28a(+), pET SUMO, and pET-21a(+)—and tried different strategies for TRn4-mfp5 protein production and purification.
Fig. 1 | Three different vectors used in protein expression.
a. The plasmid map of pET-28a(+)-His-SUMO-TRn4-mfp5; b. The plasmid map of pET SUMO-TRn4-mfp5; c. The plasmid map of pET-21a(+)-TRn4-mfp5.
Protein Expression
We expressed the protein in E. coli BL21 (DE3) using LB medium. After incubation at 16°C for 20 hours and then at 37°C for 4 hours, we found that the protein expressed better under the 16°C for 20 hours condition, as indicated by the stronger bands in Fig. 2. This suggests that lower temperature incubation may enhance protein solubility and proper folding, resulting in improved yield.
Fig. 2 | Comparison of fusion protein expression in different temperature use vector pET-21a(+).
Lanes 1-6 (LB 37°C 4 h): 1. Protein ladder; 2. total liquid (+IPTG); 3. supernatant (+IPTG); 4. precipitate (+IPTG); 5. total liquid (-IPTG); 6. supernatant (-IPTG); 7. precipitate (-IPTG); Lanes 8-13 (TB 16°C 20 h): 8. Protein ladder; 9. total liquid (+IPTG); 10. supernatant (+IPTG); 11. precipitate (+IPTG); 12. total liquid (-IPTG); 13. supernatant (-IPTG); 14. precipitate (-IPTG).
Since there was some discrepancy in the target band size observed in the protein gel image, and the bands were not very distinct, we also tried another medium in an attempt to increase the expression level of the fusion protein. We additionally used TB medium and compared its expression efficiency with that of LB medium. We found that the bands in the TB medium were indeed thicker than those in the LB medium, indicating a slight increase in expression levels, although the difference was not significant.
Fig. 3 | Comparison of fusion protein expression in LB and TB media use vector pET-21a(+).
Lanes 1-6 (LB 16°C 20 h): 1. Protein ladder; 2. total liquid (+IPTG); 3. supernatant (+IPTG); 4. precipitate (+IPTG); 5. total liquid (-IPTG); 6. supernatant (-IPTG); 7. precipitate (-IPTG); Lanes 8-13 (TB 16°C 20 h): 8. Protein ladder; 9. total liquid (+IPTG); 10. supernatant (+IPTG); 11. precipitate (+IPTG); 12. total liquid (-IPTG); 13. supernatant (-IPTG); 14. precipitate (-IPTG).
Fig. 4 | Comparison of fusion protein expression in E. coli strains BL21(DE3) and Rosetta.
1. Protein ladder Lanes 2-4 (BL21(DE3) LB 37℃ 4h) 2. total liquid (+IPTG); 3. supernatant (+IPTG); 4. precipitate (+IPTG); Lanes 5-7 (Rosetta LB 37℃ 4h) 5. total liquid (+IPTG); 6. supernatant (+IPTG); 7. precipitate (+IPTG).
Protein Purification
After testing various expression conditions, the optimal condition was found to be 16°C for 20 hours in LB medium using the pET SUMO-TRn4-mfp5 plasmid. However, due to practical constraints, we ultimately expressed the fusion protein under 37°C for 4 hours in LB medium using the pET SUMO-TRn4-mfp5 plasmid. As shown in Figures 4-6, the target protein was present in the pellet after cell lysis. Therefore, we denatured the pellet of the fusion protein TRn4-mfp5 with 8M urea overnight and renatured it through dialysis. This process resulted in some protein loss, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Consequently, we proceeded to purify the fusion protein TRn4-mfp5 using a Ni-NTA Gravity Column. The target protein bands were present in lanes 4 to 7, indicating successful expression of the target protein, with a particularly strong band in the supernatant after denaturation (Fig 7, lane 7). After purification, the target protein was mainly found in the 150 mM and 300 mM imidazole elution fractions.
Fig. 4 | SDS-PAGE of purified fusion protein TRn4-mfp5(35.4 kDa) uses vector pET SUMO.
Lane 1: Protein - Binding buffer; Lane 2: 20 mM imidazole and 8 M urea elution; Lane 3: 50 mM imidazole and 8 M urea elution; Lane 4: 150 mM imidazole and 8 M urea elution; Lane 5: 300 mM imidazole and 8 M urea elution; Lane 6: 500 mM imidazole and 8 M urea elution; Lane 7: Supernatant; Lane 8: Impurities; Lane 9: Protein ladder.
To further confirm the expression of TRn4-mfp5, we performed a Western blot, which provided a clear and definitive conclusion, verifying the successful expression of the TRn4-mfp5 protein under the conditions mentioned above. WB的图片
Protein Purification
We obtained protein samples of TRn4-mfp5 by freezedrying 24 h (Fig. 6). The final yield was about 25 mg/L bacterial culture.
Fig. 6 | The protein sample freeze-dried by a lyophilizer.
Next, we dissolved protein samples in Buffer A (10 ml 20 mM Tris pH8) to reach 0.3 mg/mL, and conduct adhesive ability tests on the fusion protein(Fig. 7). 200 μL of the protein solution was applied, and the pipette tip was placed on a plastic Petri dish lid. After incubation at 37°C for 8 hours, the pipette tip successfully adhered.
Fig. 7 | Adhesive Ability Test of Fusion Protein on Plastic Surface
Reference
<p>[1] Jung H., Pena-Francesch A., Saadat A, et al. Molecular tandem repeat strategy for elucidating mechanical properties of high-strength proteins[J]. <i>PNAS, 2016, 113(23), 6478–6483.[2] Zhang C, Wu B, Zhou Y, et al. Mussel-inspired hydrogels: from design principles to promising applications[J]. Chem Soc Rev, 2020, 49(3605): 3605-3637.
User Reviews
UNIQff64d1c4a194b74d-partinfo-00000007-QINU UNIQff64d1c4a194b74d-partinfo-00000008-QINU