Abstract
Most protein purification procedures include an affinity tag fused to either the N or C-terminal end of the protein of interest as well as a procedure for tag removal. Tag removal is not straightforward and especially tag removal from the C-terminal end is a challenge due to the characteristics of enzymes available for this purpose. In the present study, we demonstrate the utility of the divalent uranyl ion in a new procedure for protein purification and tag removal. By employment of a GFP (green florescence protein) recombinant protein we show that uranyl binding to a phosphorylated C-terminal tag enables target protein purification from an E. coli extract by immobilized uranyl affinity chromatography. Subsequently, the tag can be efficiently removed by UV-irradiation assisted uranyl photocleavage. We therefore suggest that the divalent uranyl ion (UO22+) may provide a dual function in protein purification and subsequent C-terminal tag removal procedures.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e91138 |
| Journal | PloS one |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| ISSN | 1932-6203 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Mar 2014 |