Potential artifacts in using a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein system and spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance methods to study protein-protein interactions

Anal Biochem. 2008 May 1;376(1):160-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2008.02.001. Epub 2008 Feb 7.

Abstract

Site-directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance methods have been an important tool in studying protein-protein interactions. Labels are often attached to a cysteine residue, and spectra are acquired with and without binding partner(s) to provide information on the binding. This requires a knowledge of the label location which is simplified if the label remains faithfully attached to the designated residue in the complex. We report a system where this is not the case because the label was extracted by dialysis-resistant glutathione molecules. Once this artifact is identified, spectral subtraction provides a solution for meaningful data interpretation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / methods*
  • Glutathione Transferase / genetics
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Glutathione Transferase