Reliable quantification of in vitro synthesized green fluorescent protein: comparison of fluorescence activity and total protein levels.

At any time in vitro or in vivo expressed unlabeled proteins have to be quantified it is difficult to find a reliable method, especially with nonpurified samples. Quantification via protein activity can result in too low levels if the proteins analyzed tend to aggregate into inactive forms. Here, wild-type green fluorescent protein (GFPwt) was expressed in high amounts in vitro using the Rapid Translation System 500 based on Escherichia coli lysates.

Structure and expression of the human p68 RNA helicase gene.

Nuclear DEAD box protein p68 is immunologically related to SV40 large tumour antigen and both proteins possess RNA helicase activity. In this report, we describe the structural organisation of the human p68 gene and aspects of the regulation of its expression. Northern blot and primer extension analyses indicate that, although its level is variable, the p68 RNA helicase appears to be expressed from a single transcription start site in all tissues tested.

p53-catalyzed annealing of complementary single-stranded nucleic acids.

p53 has been reported to inhibit the DNA helicase intrinsic to simian virus 40 large tumor antigen (T antigen). We found that inhibition is not restricted to T antigen, but also affects several other DNA and RNA helicases. Complexing of the helicases by the p53 protein as a possible inactivation mechanism could be excluded.