Assessing the stability of membrane proteins to detect ligand binding using differential static light scattering.

Protein stabilization upon ligand binding has frequently been used to identify ligands for soluble proteins. Methods such as differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) and differential static light scattering (DSLS) have been employed in the 384-well format and have been useful in identifying ligands that promote crystallization and 3D structure determination of proteins. However, finding a generic method that is applicable to membrane proteins has been a challenge as the high hydrophobicity of membrane proteins and the presence of detergents essential for their solubilization interfere with fluorescence-based detections.

Crystal structure of the CorA Mg2+ transporter.

The magnesium ion, Mg2+, is essential for myriad biochemical processes and remains the only major biological ion whose transport mechanisms remain unknown. The CorA family of magnesium transporters is the primary Mg2+ uptake system of most prokaryotes and a functional homologue of the eukaryotic mitochondrial magnesium transporter. Here we determine crystal structures of the full-length Thermotoga maritima CorA in an apparent closed state and its isolated cytoplasmic domain at 3.

High-throughput production of prokaryotic membrane proteins.

Membrane proteins constitute ~30% of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes but comprise a small fraction of the entries in protein structural databases. A number of features of membrane proteins render them challenging targets for the structural biologist, among which the most important is the difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of purified protein. We are exploring procedures to express and purify large numbers of prokaryotic membrane proteins.