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Past Issue in 2021
Volume: 11, Issue: 4
Biochemistry
Expression and Purification of Yeast-derived GPCR, Gα and Gβγ Subunits for Structural and Dynamic Studies
In the last several years, as evidence of a surged number of GPCR-G complex structures, the expressions of GPCRs and G proteins for structural biology have achieved tremendous successes, mostly in insect and mammalian cell systems, resulting in more than 370 structures of over 70 GPCRs have been resolved. However, the challenge remains, particularly in the conformational transition and dynamics study area where a much higher quantity of the receptors and G proteins is required even in comparison to X-ray and cryo-EM (5 mg/ml, 3 μl/sample) when NMR spectroscopy (5 mg/ml, 250 μl /sample) is applied. As a result, the expression levels of the insect and mammalian systems are also difficult to meet this demand, not to mention the prohibitive cost of producing GPCRs and G proteins using these systems for a vast majority of laboratories. Therefore, exploration of an effective, affordable, and practical approach with broad applicability is demanded. Pichia pastoris expression system has shown its promise in the GPCR preparation with many merits that other eukaryotic expression systems can’t compete with. GPCRs expressed in this system are inexpensive, easy-to-manipulate, and capable of isotopically labeling. Herein, we present related protocols recently developed and upgraded in our lab, including expressions and purifications of P. pastoris derived GPCR along with Gα and Gβγ proteins. We anticipate that these protocols will advance the conformational transition and dynamics studies of the GPCR and its complexes.
Extraction and Quantification of Sphingolipids from Hemiptera Insects by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Sphingolipids are major structural components of endomembranes and have also been described as an intracellular second messenger involved in various biological functions in all eukaryotes and a few prokaryotes. Ceramides (Cer), the central molecules of sphingolipids, have been depicted in cell growth arrest, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. With the development of lipidomics, the identification of ceramides has been analyzed in many species, mostly in model insects. However, there is still a lack of research in non-model organisms. Here we describe a relatively simple and sensitive method for the extraction, identification, and quantification of ceramides in Hemiptera Insects (brown planthooper), followed by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). C18 is used as the separation column for quantitative detection and analysis on the triple quadruple liquid mass spectrometer. In this protocol, the standard curve method is adopted to confirm the more accurate quantification of ceramides based on the optional detection conditions.
Tracing Nitrogen Metabolism in Mouse Tissues with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Nitrogen-containing metabolites including ammonia, amino acids, and nucleotides, are essential for cell metabolism, growth, and neural transmission. Nitrogen metabolism is tightly coordinated with carbon metabolism in the breakdown and biosynthesis of amino acids and nucleotides. Both nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC MS) and liquid chromatography (LC MS) have been used to measure nitrogen metabolism. Here we describe a protocol to trace nitrogen metabolism in multiple mouse tissues using 15N-ammonia coupled with GC MS. This protocol includes detailed procedures in tracer injection, tissue preparation, metabolite extraction, GC MS analysis and natural abundance corrections. This protocol will provide a useful tool to study tissue-specific nitrogen in metabolically active tissues such as the retina, brain, liver, and tumor.
Biophysics
Live Cell FRET Analysis of the Conformational Changes of Human P-glycoprotein
The molecular mechanisms of P-glycoprotein (P-gp; also known as MDR1 or ABCB1) have been mainly investigated using artificial membranes such as lipid-detergent mixed micelles, artificial lipid bilayers, and membrane vesicles derived from cultured cells. Although these in vitro experiments help illustrate details about the molecular mechanisms of P-gp, they do not reflect physiological membrane environments in terms of lateral pressure, curvature, constituent lipid species, etc. The protocol presented here includes a detailed guide for analyzing the conformational change of human P-gp in living HEK293 cells by using intramolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), in which excitation of the donor fluorophore is transferred to the acceptor without emission of a photon when two fluorescent proteins are in close proximity. Combining FRET analysis with membrane permeabilization, the contribution of small molecules such as nucleotides to the conformational change can be evaluated in living cells.
Cell Biology
Bioorthogonal Labeling and Chemoselective Functionalization of Lung Extracellular Matrix
Decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterials derived from native tissues and organs are widely used for tissue engineering and wound repair. To boost their regenerative potential, ECM biomaterials can be functionalized via the immobilization of bioactive molecules. To enable ECM functionalization in a chemoselective manner, we have recently reported an effective approach for labeling native organ ECM with the click chemistry-reactive azide ligand via physiologic post-translational glycosylation. Here, using the rat lung as a model, we provide a detailed protocol for in vivo and ex vivo metabolic azide labeling of the native organ ECM using N-Azidoacetylgalactosamine-tetraacylated (Ac4GalNAz), together with procedures for decellularization and labeling characterization. Our approach enables specific and robust ECM labeling within three days in vivo or within one day during ex vivo organ culture. The resulting ECM labeling remains stable following decellularization. With our approach, ECM biomaterials can be functionalized with desired alkyne-modified biomolecules, such as growth factors and glycosaminoglycans, for tissue engineering and regenerative applications.
Developmental Biology
Molecular and Phenotypic Characterization Following RNAi Mediated Knockdown in Drosophila
Loss of function studies shed significant light on the involvement of a gene or gene product in different cellular processes. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) mediated RNA interference (RNAi) is a classical yet straightforward technique frequently used to knock down a gene for assessing its function. Similar perturbations in gene expression can be achieved by siRNA, microRNA, or CRISPR-Cas9 methods also. In Drosophila genetics, the UAS-GAL4 system is utilized to express RNAi and make ubiquitous and tissue-specific knockdowns possible. The UAS-GAL4 system borrows genetic components of S. cerevisiae, hence rule out the possibility of accidental expression of the system. In particular, this technique uses a target-specific shRNA, and the expression of the same is governed by the upstream activating sequence (UAS). Controlled expression of GAL4, regulated by specific promoters, can drive the interfering RNA expression ubiquitously or in a tissue-specific manner. The knockdown efficiency is measured by RNA isolation and semiquantitative RT-PCR reaction followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. We have employed immunostaining procedure also to assess knockdown efficiency.RNAi provides researchers with an option to decrease the gene product levels (equivalent to hypomorph condition) and study the outcomes. UAS-GAL4 based RNAi method provides spatio-temporal regulation of gene expression and helps deduce the function of a gene required during early developmental stages also.
Immunology
An Imaging Flow Cytometry Method to Measure Citrullination of H4 Histone as a Read-out for Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Formation
The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is thought to play a critical role in infections and propagating sterile inflammation. Histone citrullination is an essential and early step in NETs formation, detectable prior to the formation of the hallmark extracellular DNA-scaffolded strands. In addition to the classical microscopy method, new technologies are being developed for studies of NETs and their detection, both for research and clinical purposes. Classical microscopy studies of NETs are subjective, low throughput and semi-quantitative, and limited in their ability to capture the early steps. We have developed this novel Imaging Flow Cytometry (IFC) method that specifically identifies and quantifies citrullination of histone H4 as a NETs marker and its relationship with other alterations at nuclear and cellular level. These include nuclear decondensation and super-condensation, multi-lobulated nuclei versus 1-lobe nuclei and cell membrane damage. NETs markers can be quantified following variable periods of treatment with NETs inducers, prior to the formation of the specific extracellular DNA-scaffolded strands. Because these high throughput image-based cell analysis features can be performed with statistical rigor, this protocol is suited for both experimental and clinical applications as well as clinical evaluations of NETosis as a biomarker.
In vitro Measurement of Membrane Attack Complex in RPE Cells
Initiation of the complement system results in the formation of a multiprotein pore termed the membrane attack complex (MAC, C5b-C9). MAC pores accumulate on a cell surface and can result in cell lysis. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a single monolayer of pigmented epithelial cells located at the posterior poll of the eye that forms the outer blood retinal barrier. RPE cells are highly polarized with apical microvilli and basolateral contact with Bruch’s membrane. In order to obtain biologically relevant polarized RPE cultures in vitro, RPE cells are seeded onto the apical side of a transwell filter and cultured for 4 weeks in low serum media. MAC formation on RPE cells has been reported to be sub-lytic. MAC formation can be achieved in vitro by introduction of normal human serum (NHS) to media following serum starvation for 24 h. NHS contains all serum complement proteins required to initiate complement activation and MAC formation. We combined in vitro RPE polarization and complement activation to visualize MAC formation in vitro utilizing confocal microscopy allowing for high resolution MAC imaging.
Microbiology
Rapid Genome Engineering of Pseudomonas Assisted by Fluorescent Markers and Tractable Curing of Plasmids
Precise genome engineering has become a commonplace technique for metabolic engineering. Also, insertion, deletion and alteration of genes and other functional DNA sequences are essential for understanding and engineering cells. Several techniques have been developed to this end (e.g., CRISPR/Cas-assisted methods, homologous recombination, or λ Red recombineering), yet most of them rely on the use of auxiliary plasmids, which have to be cured after the editing procedure. Temperature-sensitive replicons, counter-selectable markers or repeated passaging of plasmid-bearing cells have been traditionally employed to circumvent this hurdle. While these protocols work reasonably well in some bacteria, they are not applicable for other species or are time consuming and laborious. Here, we present a fast and versatile protocol of fluorescent marker-assisted genome editing in Pseudomonas putida, followed by clean curing of auxiliary plasmids through user-controlled plasmid replication. One fluorescent marker facilitates identification of genome-edited colonies, while the second reporter enables detection of plasmid-free bacterial clones. Not only is this protocol the fastest available for Pseudomonas species, but it can be easily adapted to any type of genome modifications, including sequence deletions, insertions, and replacements.Graphical abstract:Rapid genome engineering of Pseudomonas with curable plasmids
Molecular Biology
RI-SEC-seq: Comprehensive Profiling of Nonvesicular Extracellular RNAs with Different Stabilities
Exosomes and other extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered the main vehicles transporting RNAs in extracellular samples, including human bodily fluids. However, a major proportion of extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) do not copurify with EVs and remain in ultracentrifugation supernatants of cell-conditioned medium or blood serum. We have observed that nonvesicular exRNA profiles are highly biased toward those RNAs with intrinsic resistance to extracellular ribonucleases. These highly resistant exRNAs are interesting from a biomarker point of view, but are not representative of the actual bulk of RNAs released to the extracellular space. In order to understand exRNA dynamics and capture both stable and unstable RNAs, we developed a method based on size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) fractionation of RNase inhibitor (RI)-treated cell-conditioned medium (RI-SEC-seq). This method has allowed us to identify and study extracellular ribosomes and tRNAs, and offers a dynamical view of the extracellular RNAome which can impact biomarker discovery in the near future.Graphical abstract:Overview of the RI-SEC-seq protocol: sequencing of size-exclusion chromatography fractions from nonvesicular extracellular samples treated or not with RNase inhibitors (+/- RI)
Plant Science
Phytophthora infestans (Late blight) Infection Assay in a Detached Leaf of Potato
Phytophthora infestans is a hemibiotroph oomycete that primarily infects potato and tomato. It infects stems, leaves, and tubers and fruits of potato and tomato. High throughput and reproducible infection assays are prerequisites to find sources of resistance in any crop. In this protocol, we describe a detached leaf assay (DLA) for conducting the virulence assay of P. infestans in potato leaves. A late blight infection assay using a potato detached leaf is a semi-high throughput assay in which hundreds of plants can be screened in a laboratory setting.
Stem Cell
Generation of the Compression-induced Dedifferentiated Adipocytes (CiDAs) Using Hypertonic Medium
Current methods to obtain mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) involve sampling, culturing, and expanding of primary MSCs from adipose, bone marrow, and umbilical cord tissues. However, the drawbacks are the limited numbers of total cells in MSC pools, and their decaying stemness during in vitro expansion. As an alternative resource, recent ceiling culture methods allow the generation of dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) from mature adipocytes. Nevertheless, this process of spontaneous dedifferentiation of mature adipocytes is laborious and time-consuming. This paper describes a modified protocol for in vitro dedifferentiation of adipocytes by employing an additional physical stimulation, which takes advantage of augmenting the stemness-related Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Specifically, this protocol utilizes a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-containing hypertonic medium to introduce extracellular physical stimulation to obtain higher efficiency and introduce a simpler procedure for adipocyte dedifferentiation.
Systems Biology
EmPC-seq: Accurate RNA-sequencing and Bioinformatics Platform to Map RNA Polymerases and Remove Background Error
Transcription errors can substantially affect metabolic processes in organisms by altering the epigenome and causing misincorporations in mRNA, which is translated into aberrant mutant proteins. Moreover, within eukaryotic genomes there are specific Transcription Error-Enriched genomic Loci (TEELs) which are transcribed by RNA polymerases with significantly higher error rates and hypothesized to have implications in cancer, aging, and diseases such as Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s. Therefore, research into transcription errors is of growing importance within the field of genetics. Nevertheless, methodological barriers limit the progress in accurately identifying transcription errors. Pro-Seq and NET-Seq can purify nascent RNA and map RNA polymerases along the genome but cannot be used to identify transcriptional mutations. Here we present background Error Model-coupled Precision nuclear run-on Circular-sequencing (EmPC-seq), a method combining a nuclear run-on assay and circular sequencing with a background error model to precisely detect nascent transcription errors and effectively discern TEELs within the genome.