Labeling and purification of cellulose-binding proteins for high resolution fluorescence applications

Jose M. Moran-Mirabal, Stephane C. Corgie, Jacob C. Bolewski, Hanna M. Smith, Benjamin R. Cipriany, Harold G. Craighead, Larry P. Walker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

The study of enzymatic reactions through fluorescence spectroscopy requires the use of bright, functional fluorescent molecules. In the case of proteins, labeling with fluorescent dyes has been carried out through covalent reactions with specific amino acids. However, these reactions are probabilistic and can yield mixtures of unlabeled and labeled enzymes with catalytic activities that can be modified by the addition of fluorophores. To have meaningful interpretations of results from the study of labeled enzymes, it is then necessary to reduce the variability in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the labeled products. In this paper, a solid phase labeling protocol is described as an advantageous alternative to free solution labeling of cellulose-binding proteins and is applied to tag cellulases with three different fluorophores. The products from the labeling reactions were purified to remove the unreacted dye and separate labeled and unlabeled enzymes. Characterization of the catalytic and spectroscopic properties of the isolated labeled species confirmed that highly homogeneous populations of labeled cellulases can be achieved. The protocol for the separation of labeled products is applicable to any mixture of labeled proteins, making this an attractive methodology for the production of labeled proteins suitable for single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7981-7987
Number of pages7
JournalAnalytical Chemistry
Volume81
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry

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