Quantitation of recombinant protein in whole cells and cell extracts via solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Recombinant proteins (RPs) are commonly expressed in bacteria followed by solubilization and chromatography. Purified RP yield can be diminished by losses at any step with very different changes in methods that can improve the yield. Time and labor can therefore be saved by first identifying the specific reason for the low yield.

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of human immunodeficiency virus gp41 protein that includes the fusion peptide: NMR detection of recombinant Fgp41 in inclusion bodies in whole bacterial cells and structural characterization of purified and membrane-associated Fgp41.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of a host cell begins with fusion of the HIV and host cell membranes and is mediated by the gp41 protein, a single-pass integral membrane protein of HIV. The 175 N-terminal residues make up the ectodomain that lies outside the virus. This work describes the production and characterization of an ectodomain construct containing the 154 N-terminal gp41 residues, including the fusion peptide (FP) that binds to target cell membranes.