Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the NIH under award number R01AI114362 and Welch Foundation grant I-1782 to Iv&#225;n D'Orso.

1. Plating Cells
<ol>
	<li>One day prior to transfection, plate 3.5 x 106 HEK293T cells in 10 mL of Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% (v/v) penicillin/Streptomycin (10,000 U/ml stock) per 100 mm dish. Plate 3 - 5 100 mm dishes per experiment/condition to ensure sufficient protein recovery. 
	&#8203;NOTE: The number of plates has to be determined for each experiment/condition, which will rely on the expression levels and solubility of the protein complex of interest. Alternatively, if larger scale purification is needed, cell lines can be adapted to grow in suspensions in spinner flasks2, but this method will not work for transient transfections.</li>
</ol>
2. Transfecting Cells or Inducing Stable Cell Lines&#160;
<ol>
	<li>On the following day, check the cells under the microscope. Cells must be 70 - 80% confluent before proceeding.</li>
	<li>Transfect the cells with a total mixture of 7 &#181;g of plasmid DNA and 21 &#181;l of transfection reagent per 100 mm dish. Transfect cells with a vector expressing GFP (Table 1) as a control for transfection efficiency. 
	NOTE: If using an HEK293-T-REx or similar stable cell line that induces the expression of two or more complex subunits in response to doxycycline14,15, the inducer will have to be added to the cells and incubated for 48 hr. Similarly, a stable cell line that induces the expression of GFP upon the addition of the inducer would also be required for validation purposes. Proceed to step 2.7.</li>
	<li>Prepare the transfection mixture per 100 mm dish. In a 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube, mix 500 &#181;l of unsupplemented DMEM with 7 &#181;g of total plasmid DNA (corresponding to two or more plasmids). In a separate microcentrifuge tube, mix 500 &#181;l of unsupplemented DMEM with 21 &#181;l of the transfection reagent. Repeat for each transfection reaction.</li>
	<li>Pipette the transfection reagent solution into the plasmid DNA solution (do not mix solutions in the reverse order). Mix by pipetting at least 4 times.</li>
	<li>Incubate this mixture at room temperature for 10 - 15 min, but no longer than 15 min.</li>
	<li>Tilt the plate to create a media reservoir and carefully pipette the transfection mixture drop-wise onto the interior side of the plate without disturbing the cells. Return the dish to its original flat position and swirl gently to distribute the mixture.</li>
	<li>Incubate the cells at 37 &#176;C in a humidified cell culture incubator with 5% CO2 (this condition is hereafter referred to as &#34;tissue culture incubator&#34;). Replace the media 5 hr post-transfection (optional).</li>
</ol>
3. Checking Transfection or Induction Efficiency
<ol>
	<li>At 24 hr post-transfection, visualize the cells under a fluorescent microscope to check for transfection efficiency (or induction of control HEK293T-REx stable cell line expressing GFP). Incubate for another 24 hr.</li>
</ol>
4. STREP Affinity Purification (STREP AP)
<ol>
	<li>Collecting the cells
	<ol>
		<li>At 48 hr post-transfection, remove the media and add 8 ml of cold 1x phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Pipette up and down to detach cells from the plate.</li>
		<li>Collect and transfer the cell suspension into a 15 mL tube and spin the cells down at 800 x g for 4 min at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Remove the PBS supernatant. Repeat the spin down (800 x g for 1 min at 4 &#176;C) to eliminate any residual PBS. Store the cell pellet at -80 &#176;C for future use or follow the procedure below to continue protein purification.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Lysing the cells
	<ol>
		<li>Resuspend the cell pellets using 5&#215; the cell pellet volume (~250 &#181;l per plate) of Passive Lysis Buffer (PLB: 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 1.5 mM MgCl2, 1 mM DTT, protease inhibitor cocktail tablet, 5% v/v glycerol, and 1.0% NP-40) and transfer the cell suspension to a 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube.</li>
		<li>Briefly vortex the suspension and nutate for 30 min at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Spin down the cell suspension at 10,000 x g for 10 min at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Transfer the soluble lysates into a new 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube and discard the cell pellets. Save 10% of the final volume of the soluble lysate as &#34;STREP AP Input.&#34; Store at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Equilibrating the STREP beads 
	NOTE: Use STREP beads for the first AP step! Complexes pulled down with STREP beads recover significantly more protein than those pulled down with FLAG beads.
	<ol>
		<li>Take out (n &#215; 40 &#181;l) + n &#181;l of the 50% STREP bead slurry (n = number of samples) and spin down at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#176;C. 
		NOTE: Use wide-mouthed tips to pipette beads.</li>
		<li>Remove the supernatant and add 500 &#181;l of PLB to the beads. Nutate the beads mixture for 5 min at 4 &#176;C. Spin down at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#176;C.
		<ol>
			<li>Repeat for a total of 3 washes. Resuspend the beads in PLB to a final volume of n &#215; 40 &#181;l.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Add 40 &#181;l of 50% STREP bead slurry to each cell lysate sample and nutate for 2 hr at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>STREP AP
	<ol>
		<li>Spin down solution at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#730;C.</li>
		<li>Remove the supernatant and store as &#34;STREP AP Flow-through (FT)&#34; at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Add 500 &#181;l of STREP AP Wash Buffer I (20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 250 mM NaCl, 1.5 mM MgCl2, 1 mM DTT, 5% glycerol and 0.2% NP-40) to the beads. Nutate the beads mixture for 5 min at 4 &#176;C and centrifuge at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#176;C. Discard the supernatant.
		<ol>
			<li>Repeat for a total of 4 washes. 
			&#8203;NOTE: Before the fourth wash, transfer the beads solution to a new 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube to reduce the protein background. This step is essential.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Add 500 &#181;l Wash Buffer II (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 150 mM NaCl, and 1 mM EDTA) and equilibrate the beads by inverting the tubes. Spin down at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#176;C and discard the supernatant.</li>
		<li>Elute the protein of interest with 50 &#181;l of STREP Elution Buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, and 2.5 mM Desthiobiotin). Vortex at 800 rpm for 15 min at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Spin down the beads at 1,500 x g for 1 min at 4 &#176;C. Collect the supernatant. This fraction corresponds to the &#34;STREP AP Elution&#34; sample.</li>
		<li>Save the beads fraction at 4 &#176;C for a second elution, which could yield up to half of the amount of protein obtained with the first elution. Aliquot 10% of the STREP AP Elution for silver staining and/or western blotting16.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Equilibrating the FLAG beads
	<ol>
		<li>Take out (n x 16 &#181;l) + n &#181;l of FLAG beads solution (n = number of samples) and spin down at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#176;C. 
		&#8203;NOTE: Use wide-mouthed tips to pipette beads.</li>
		<li>Remove the supernatant and add 500 &#181;L of FLAG wash buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, and 0.1% NP-40) to the beads. Spin down at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#176;C. Repeat for a total of 3 washes.</li>
		<li>Resuspend the beads in FLAG wash buffer to a final volume of n x 16 &#181;l.</li>
		<li>Add 16 &#181;l of the FLAG bead slurry to the remaining STREP AP elution and nutate overnight at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
5. FLAG IP
<ol>
	<li>Spin down the FLAG beads suspension at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#176;C. Save the supernatant and store as the &#34;FLAG IP Flow-through&#34; (FT) at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Add 500 &#181;l of FLAG wash buffer to the solution. Nutate for 5 min at 4 &#176;C and centrifuge at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#176;C. Repeat for a total of 4 washes and remove the supernatant after each wash. 
	NOTE: Before the fourth wash, transfer the protein-beads solution to a new 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube to reduce background. This step is essential.</li>
	<li>Remove the supernatant from the final spin and add 30 &#181;L of FLAG wash buffer containing 200 ng/&#181;l of FLAG peptide into the beads. Vortex at 800 rpm for 2 hr at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Spin down the suspension at 1,500 x g for 2 min at 4 &#176;C. Harvest the supernatant and store at 4 &#176;C as the &#34;FLAG IP Elution.&#34; 
	NOTE: The elution samples can be confirmed by silver stain and/or western blot using standard protocols16, and are ready for further protein assays. When setting up a western blot, run all of the following samples: (1) STREP AP Input, (2) STREP AP FT, (3) STREP AP Elution, (4) FLAG IP FT, and (5) FLAG IP Elution. Volumes loaded will have to be determined for each experiment. All collected samples and beads can be stored at 4 &#176;C for short-term storage and at -80 &#176;C for long-term storage. TAP samples could be analyzed by mass spectrometry to verify the identity of their components, to identify novel post-translational modifications (PTMs), and/or to discover any novel protein interaction with the purified complex2,17. For this purpose, after running a coomassie gel or silver stain, bands can be excised from the gel using a clean scalpel. Several excellent reviews that discuss mass spectrometry methods were previously published18,19.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Sharan, R., Ulitsky, I., Shamir, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Network-based+prediction+of+protein+function.">Network-based prediction of protein function.</a> Mol Syst Biol. 3, 88-99 (2007).</li><li>Jager, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Global+landscape+of+HIV-human+protein+complexes.">Global landscape of HIV-human protein complexes.</a> Nature. 481, 365-370 (2012).</li><li>Fields, S., Song, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+genetic+system+to+detect+protein-protein+interactions.">A novel genetic system to detect protein-protein interactions.</a> Nature. 340, 245-246 (1989).</li><li>Luo, Y., Batalao, A., Zhou, H., Zhu, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mammalian+two-hybrid+system:+a+complementary+approach+to+the+yeast+two-hybrid+system.">Mammalian two-hybrid system: a complementary approach to the yeast two-hybrid system.</a> Biotechniques. 22, 350-352 (1997).</li><li>Lee, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Coimmunoprecipitation+assay.">Coimmunoprecipitation assay.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 362, 401-406 (2007).</li><li>Puig, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+tandem+affinity+purification+(TAP)+method:+a+general+procedure+of+protein+complex+purification.">The tandem affinity purification (TAP) method: a general procedure of protein complex purification.</a> Methods. 24, 218-229 (2001).</li><li>Jager, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Purification+and+characterization+of+HIV-human+protein+complexes.">Purification and characterization of HIV-human protein complexes.</a> Methods. 53, 13-19 (2011).</li><li>Price, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=P-TEFb,+a+cyclin-dependent+kinase+controlling+elongation+by+RNA+polymerase+II.">P-TEFb, a cyclin-dependent kinase controlling elongation by RNA polymerase II.</a> Mol Cell Biol. 20, 2629-2634 (2000).</li><li>Peterlin, B. M., Price, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Controlling+the+elongation+phase+of+transcription+with+P-TEFb.">Controlling the elongation phase of transcription with P-TEFb.</a> Mol Cell. 23, 297-305 (2006).</li><li>McNamara, R. P., McCann, J. L., Gudipaty, S. A., D'Orso, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transcription+factors+mediate+the+enzymatic+disassembly+of+promoter-bound+7SK+snRNP+to+locally+recruit+P-TEFb+for+transcription+elongation.">Transcription factors mediate the enzymatic disassembly of promoter-bound 7SK snRNP to locally recruit P-TEFb for transcription elongation.</a> Cell Rep. 5, 1256-1268 (2013).</li><li>Adelman, K., Lis, J. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Promoter-proximal+pausing+of+RNA+polymerase+II:+emerging+roles+in+metazoans.">Promoter-proximal pausing of RNA polymerase II: emerging roles in metazoans.</a> Nat Rev Genet. 13, 720-731 (2012).</li><li>D'Orso, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=7SKiing+on+chromatin:+move+globally,+act+locally.">7SKiing on chromatin: move globally, act locally.</a> RNA Biol. 13, 545-553 (2016).</li><li>McNamara, R. P., Bacon, C. W., D'Orso, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transcription+Elongation+Control+by+the+7SK+snRNP+Complex:+Releasing+the+Pause.">Transcription Elongation Control by the 7SK snRNP Complex: Releasing the Pause.</a> Cell Cycle. 15, 2115-2123 (2016).</li><li>Yao, F., Svensjo, T., Winkler, T., Lu, M., Eriksson, C., Eriksson, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tetracycline+repressor,+tetR,+rather+than+the+tetR-mammalian+cell+transcription+factor+fusion+derivatives,+regulates+inducible+gene+expression+in+mammalian+cells.">Tetracycline repressor, tetR, rather than the tetR-mammalian cell transcription factor fusion derivatives, regulates inducible gene expression in mammalian cells.</a> Hum Gene Ther. 9, 1939-1950 (1998).</li><li>McNamara, R. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=KAP1+Recruitment+of+the+7SK+snRNP+Complex+to+Promoters+Enables+Transcription+Elongation+by+RNA+Polymerase+II.">KAP1 Recruitment of the 7SK snRNP Complex to Promoters Enables Transcription Elongation by RNA Polymerase II.</a> Mol Cell. 61, 39-53 (2016).</li><li>Ausubel, F. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. , (1994).</li><li>Trudgian, D. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparative+evaluation+of+label-free+SINQ+normalized+spectral+index+quantitation+in+the+central+proteomics+facilities+pipeline.">Comparative evaluation of label-free SINQ normalized spectral index quantitation in the central proteomics facilities pipeline.</a> Proteomics. 11, 2790-2797 (2011).</li><li>Choudhary, C., Mann, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Decoding+signalling+networks+by+mass+spectrometry-based+proteomics.">Decoding signalling networks by mass spectrometry-based proteomics.</a> Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 11, 427-439 (2010).</li><li>Bensimon, A., Heck, A. J., Aebersold, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mass+spectrometry-based+proteomics+and+network+biology.">Mass spectrometry-based proteomics and network biology.</a> Annu Rev Biochem. 81, 379-405 (2012).</li><li>Rogers, S., Wells, R., Rechsteiner, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Amino+acid+sequences+common+to+rapidly+degraded+proteins:+the+PEST+hypothesis.">Amino acid sequences common to rapidly degraded proteins: the PEST hypothesis.</a> Science. 234, 364-368 (1986).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The protocol described here for the expression and isolation of protein complexes from eukaryotic cells is not limited to the biochemical characterization of such molecular assemblies, but can also be utilized for the identification of novel interactors and post-translational modifications that could regulate their function. The utilization of affinity tags is not restricted to what is mentioned in this protocol; but our experience suggests that using STREP as the first AP step significantly enhances the yield of the fin...

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are critical for the precise regulation of biological processes1, and further studies on these PPIs can inform about their function2. Several approaches have been devised for the study and characterization of PPIs as well as for the de novo identification of novel regulatory protein components. In 1989, Stanley Fields and colleagues reported the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay3. This approach allows for the unbiased and comprehensive identification of interactors (preys) for a defined protein of interest (bait) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition to its remarkable utility for discovering PPIs, the Y2H assay can be used for characterizing protein pairs in yeast cells, defining minimal interacting domains, and identifying mutations that abolish such interactions. By modifying the Y2H assay, PPIs can also be studied in mammalian cells4. Variations of the Y2H assay (e.g., yeast three-hybrid system) can also be applied to study protein-RNA and protein-small organic ligand interactions in cells.
Another commonly used tool to study PPIs in a homologous system is the co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assay5. By using an antibody to immunoprecipitate a protein of interest, the co-IP assay allows researchers to monitor PPIs in cells for various environmental conditions and experimental situations. The use of epitope-tagged proteins (e.g., FLAG, Myc, STREP, and HA, among others) in affinity purification (AP) methods has facilitated the isolation of proteins from complex protein mixtures for several downstream assays, including western blot, silver stain, and enzymatic analysis. However, none of these previous approaches enable the isolation of large quantities of protein complexes for further characterization including in vitro assays, discovery of regulatory subunits by mass spectrometry, and identification of post-translational modifications. An improved version of the AP method is called Tandem AP (TAP), which is a purification technique for studying PPIs by creating a fusion protein with two epitopes that is purified through two subsequent APs6,7. In this article, we present a variation of the TAP method for purifying protein complexes in which two subunits are tagged with different epitopes and then purified through two sequential APs (STREP AP followed by FLAG IP). We first provide a minimalistic overview of TAP (Figure 1) and then a detailed description of all the experimental steps (Figure 2), so that researchers can apply them to their protein complex of interest.
To demonstrate the applicability of the TAP method, we chose a well-characterized cyclin-CDK complex (referred to as P-TEFb kinase), which is composed of the regulatory subunit cyclin T1 (CycT1) and a kinase (CDK9), and is involved in the regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II)8,9,10. P-TEFb phosphorylates the C-terminal domain of Pol II and its associated negative elongation factors, which relieves transcriptional pausing at the promoter and thereby facilitates transcription elongation11,12,13. With this known interaction in mind, STREP-tagged CycT1 and FLAG-tagged CDK9 were over expressed in HEK293T cells. A reciprocal TAP experiment was performed with STREP-tagged CDK9 and FLAG-tagged CycT1 to further validate that the protein interaction is independent of the epitopes utilized. Cells were collected and lysed 48 h post transfection. The soluble lysate was purified by TAP (STREP AP followed by FLAG IP). Input and purified proteins were analyzed by western blot and silver stain (Figure 3).

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>SH30022FS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal bovine serum</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>SH30071</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>MP091670049</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PolyJet</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>50-478-8</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Protease inhibitor cocktail&#160;</td>
			<td>Roche&#160;</td>
			<td>11836153001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>STREP-Tactin Superflow</td>
			<td>IBA</td>
			<td>2-1208-010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>STREP-tag elution buffer</td>
			<td>IBA</td>
			<td>2-1000-025</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EZview Red ANTI-FLAG M2 Affinity Gel</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>SLBQ1981V</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning 100mm &#215; 20 mm style Dish cell culture treated nonpyrogenic polystyrene 20/sleeve</td>
			<td>Corning&#160;</td>
			<td>430167</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Protein Lo-Bind Eppendorf</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>13-698-794</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digital Vortex Mixer</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific&#160;</td>
			<td>02-215-370</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>48 hole micro tube foam rack</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>02-215-386</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Labquake shaker rotisserie&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermo&#160;</td>
			<td>415110</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

tandem affinity purification of protein complexes from eukaryotic cells

The purification of active protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid complexes is crucial for the characterization of enzymatic activities and de novo identification of novel subunits and post-translational modifications. Bacterial systems allow for the expression and purification of a wide variety of single polypeptides and protein complexes. However, this system does not enable the purification of protein subunits that contain post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation and acetylation), and the identification of novel regulatory subunits that are only present/expressed in the eukaryotic system. Here, we provide a detailed description of a novel, robust, and efficient tandem affinity purification (TAP) method using STREP- and FLAG-tagged proteins that facilitates the purification of protein complexes with transiently or stably expressed epitope-tagged proteins from eukaryotic cells. This protocol can be applied to characterize protein complex functionality, to discover post-translational modifications on complex subunits, and to identify novel regulatory complex components by mass spectrometry. Notably, this TAP method can be applied to study protein complexes formed by eukaryotic or pathogenic (viral and bacterial) components, thus yielding a wide array of downstream experimental opportunities. We propose that researchers working with protein complexes could utilize this approach in many different ways.

In this article, we demonstrate the applicability of the TAP method to the well-characterized CycT1-CDK9 complex (also known as P-TEFb kinase).
Plasmids encoding Cyclin T1-STREP (CycT1:S) and CDK9-FLAG (CDK9:F), or CDK9-STREP (CDK9:S) and Cyclin T1-FLAG (CycT1:F) (Table 1), were transfected into HEK293T cells. Negative controls included transfections with an empty vector and the CDK9:F or CycT1:F plasmids (<stro...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Tandem Affinity Purification of Protein Complexes from Eukaryotic Cells at JoVE.com

Tandem Affinity Purification of Protein Complexes from Eukaryotic Cells

We describe here a novel, robust, and efficient tandem affinity purification (TAP) method for the expression, isolation, and characterization of protein complexes from eukaryotic cells. This protocol could be utilized for the biochemical characterization of discrete complexes as well as the identification of novel interactors and post-translational modifications that regulate their function.

The purification of active protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid complexes is crucial for the characterization of enzymatic activities and de novo ...

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Biochemistry

14.8K Views.  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. We describe here a novel, robust, and efficient tandem affinity purification (TAP) method for the expression, isolation, and characterization of protein complexes from eukaryotic cells. This protocol could be utilized for the biochemical characterization of discrete complexes as well as the identification of novel interactors and post-translational modifications that regulate their function.

Video: Tandem Affinity Purification of Protein Complexes from Eukaryotic Cells

Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution

Ribonucleoprotein particles direct the biogenesis and post-transcriptional regulation of all mRNAs through distinct combinations of RNA binding proteins. They are composed of position-dependent, cis-acting RNA elements and unique combinations of RNA binding proteins. Defining the composition of a specific RNP is essential to achieving a fundamental understanding of gene regulation. The isolation of a select RNP is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Here, we demonstrate an approach to isolate RNPs associated at the 5' untranslated region of a select mRNA in asynchronous, transfected cells. This cognate RNP has been demonstrated to be necessary for the translation of select viruses and cellular stress-response genes.
The demonstrated RNA-protein co-precipitation protocol is suitable for the downstream analysis of protein components through proteomic analyses, immunoblots, or suitable biochemical identification assays. This experimental protocol demonstrates that DHX9/RNA helicase A is enriched at the 5' terminus of cognate retroviral RNA and provides preliminary information for the identification of its association with cell stress-associated huR and junD cognate mRNAs.

This manuscript describes an approach to isolate select cognate RNPs formed in eukaryotic cells via a specific oligonucleotide-directed enrichment. We demonstrate the applicability of this approach by isolating a cognate RNP bound to the retroviral 5' untranslated region that is composed of DHX9/RNA helicase A.

Ribonucleoprotein particles direct the biogenesis and post-transcriptional regulation of all mRNAs through distinct combinations of RNA binding proteins. ...

Protein Complex Affinity Capture from Cryomilled Mammalian Cells

Affinity capture is an effective technique for isolating endogenous protein complexes for further study. When used in conjunction with an antibody, this technique is also frequently referred to as immunoprecipitation. Affinity capture can be applied in a bench-scale and in a high-throughput context. When coupled with protein mass spectrometry, affinity capture has proven to be a workhorse of interactome analysis. Although there are potentially many ways to execute the numerous steps involved, the following protocols implement our favored methods. Two features are distinctive: the use of cryomilled cell powder to produce cell extracts, and antibody-coupled paramagnetic beads as the affinity medium. In many cases, we have obtained superior results to those obtained with more conventional affinity capture practices. Cryomilling avoids numerous problems associated with other forms of cell breakage. It provides efficient breakage of the material, while avoiding denaturation issues associated with heating or foaming. It retains the native protein concentration up to the point of extraction, mitigating macromolecular dissociation. It reduces the time extracted proteins spend in solution, limiting deleterious enzymatic activities, and it may reduce the non-specific adsorption of proteins by the affinity medium. Micron-scale magnetic affinity media have become more commonplace over the last several years, increasingly replacing the traditional agarose- and Sepharose-based media. Primary benefits of magnetic media include typically lower non-specific protein adsorption; no size exclusion limit because protein complex binding occurs on the bead surface rather than within pores; and ease of manipulation and handling using magnets.

Here we describe protocols to disrupt mammalian cells by solid-state milling at a cryogenic temperature, produce a cell extract from the resulting cell powder, and isolate protein complexes of interest by affinity capture upon antibody-coupled micron-scale paramagnetic beads.

Affinity capture is an effective technique for isolating endogenous protein complexes for further study. When used in conjunction with an antibody, this ...

Resolving Affinity Purified Protein Complexes by Blue Native PAGE and Protein Correlation Profiling

Most proteins act in association with others; hence, it is crucial to characterize these functional units in order to fully understand biological processes. Affinity purification coupled to mass spectrometry (AP-MS) has become the method of choice for identifying protein-protein interactions. However, conventional AP-MS studies provide information on protein interactions, but the organizational information is lost. To address this issue, we developed a strategy to unravel the distinct functional assemblies a protein might be involved in, by resolving affinity-purified protein complexes prior to their characterization by mass spectrometry. Protein complexes isolated through affinity purification of a bait protein using an epitope tag and competitive elution are separated through blue native electrophoresis. Comparison of protein migration profiles through correlation profiling using quantitative mass spectrometry allows assignment of interacting proteins to distinct molecular entities. This method is able to resolve protein complexes of close molecular weights that might not be resolved by traditional chromatographic techniques such as gel filtration. With little more work than conventional AP-geLC-MS/MS, we demonstrate this strategy may in many cases be adequate for obtaining protein complex topological information concomitantly to identifying protein interactions.

Here we present protocols for affinity purification of protein complexes and their separation by blue native PAGE, followed by protein correlation profiling using label free quantitative mass spectrometry. This method is useful to resolve interactomes into distinct protein complexes.

Most proteins act in association with others; hence, it is crucial to characterize these functional units in order to fully understand biological ...

2 in 1: One-step Affinity Purification for the Parallel Analysis of Protein-Protein and Protein-Metabolite Complexes

Cellular processes are regulated by interactions between biological molecules such as proteins, metabolites, and nucleic acids. While the investigation of protein-protein interactions (PPI) is no novelty, experimental approaches aiming to characterize endogenous protein-metabolite interactions (PMI) constitute a rather recent development. Herein, we present a protocol that allows simultaneous characterization of the PPI and PMI of a protein of choice, referred to as bait. Our protocol was optimized for Arabidopsis cell cultures and combines affinity purification (AP) with mass spectrometry (MS)-based protein and metabolite detection. In short, transgenic Arabidopsis lines, expressing bait protein fused to an affinity tag, are first lysed to obtain a native cellular extract. Anti-tag antibodies are used to pull down protein and metabolite partners of the bait protein. The affinity-purified complexes are extracted using a one-step methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)/methanol/water method. Whilst metabolites separate into either the polar or the hydrophobic phase, proteins can be found in the pellet. Both metabolites and proteins are then analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS or UPLC-MS/MS). Empty-vector (EV) control lines are used to exclude false positives. The major advantage of our protocol is that it enables identification of protein and metabolite partners of a target protein in parallel in near-physiological conditions (cellular lysate). The presented method is straightforward, fast, and can be easily adapted to biological systems other than plant cell cultures.

Protein-protein and protein-metabolite interactions are crucial for all cellular functions. Herein, we describe a protocol that allows parallel analysis of these interactions with a protein of choice. Our protocol was optimized for plant cell cultures and combines affinity purification with mass spectrometry-based protein and metabolite detection.

Cellular processes are regulated by interactions between biological molecules such as proteins, metabolites, and nucleic acids. While the investigation of ...

An Oligonucleotide-based Tandem RNA Isolation Procedure to Recover Eukaryotic mRNA-Protein Complexes

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play key roles in the post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Therefore, biochemical characterization of mRNA-protein complexes is essential to understanding mRNA regulation inferred by interacting proteins or non-coding RNAs. Herein, we describe a tandem RNA isolation procedure (TRIP) that enables the purification of endogenously formed mRNA-protein complexes from cellular extracts. The two-step protocol involves the isolation of polyadenylated mRNAs with antisense oligo(dT) beads and subsequent capture of an mRNA of interest with 3&#39;-biotinylated 2&#39;-O-methylated antisense RNA oligonucleotides, which can then be isolated with streptavidin beads. TRIP was used to recover in vivo crosslinked mRNA-ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complexes from yeast, nematodes and human cells for further RNA and protein analysis. Thus, TRIP is a versatile approach that can be adapted to all types of polyadenylated RNAs across organisms to study the dynamic re-arrangement of mRNPs imposed by intracellular or environmental cues.

A tandem RNA isolation procedure (TRIP) for recovery of endogenously formed mRNA-protein complexes is described. Specifically, RNA-protein complexes are crosslinked in vivo, polyadenylated RNAs are isolated from extracts with oligo(dT) beads, and particular mRNAs are captured with modified RNA antisense oligonucleotides. Proteins bound to mRNAs are detected by immunoblot analysis.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play key roles in the post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Therefore, biochemical characterization of mRNA-protein ...

Affinity Purification of Chloroplast Translocon Protein Complexes Using the TAP Tag

Chloroplast biogenesis requires the import of thousands of nucleus-encoded proteins into the plastid. The import of these proteins depends on the translocon at the outer (TOC) and inner (TIC) chloroplast membranes. The TOC and TIC complexes are multimeric and probably contain yet unknown components. One of the main goals in the field is to establish the complete inventory of TOC and TIC components. For the isolation of TOC-TIC complexes and the identification of new components, the preprotein receptor TOC159 has been modified N-terminally by the addition of the tandem affinity purification (TAP) tag resulting in TAP-TOC159. The TAP-tag is designed for two sequential affinity purification steps (hence "tandem affinity"). The TAP-tag used in these studies consists of a N-terminal IgG-binding domain derived from Staphylococcus aureus Protein A (ProtA) followed by a calmodulin-binding peptide (CBP). Between these two affinity tags, a tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease cleavage site has been included. Therefore, TEV protease can be used for gentle elution of TOC159-containing complexes after binding to IgG beads. In the protocol presented here, the second Calmodulin-affinity purification step was omitted. The purification protocol starts with the preparation and solubilization of total cellular membranes. After the detergent-treatment, the solubilized membrane proteins are incubated with IgG beads for the immunoisolation of TAP-TOC159-containing complexes. Upon binding and extensive washing, TAP-TOC159 containing complexes are cleaved and released from the IgG beads using the TEV protease whereby the S. aureus IgG-binding domain is removed. Western blotting of the isolated TOC159-containing complexes can be used to confirm the presence of known or suspected TOC and TIC proteins. More importantly, the TOC159-containing complexes have been used successfully to identify new components of the TOC and TIC complexes by mass spectrometry. The protocol that we present potentially allows the efficient isolation of any membrane-bound protein complex to be used for the identification of yet unknown components by mass spectrometry.

We here present a proven and tested protocol for the purification of chloroplast protein import complexes (TOC-TIC complex) using the TAP-tag. The one-step affinity-isolation protocol can potentially be applied to any protein and be used to identify new interaction partners by mass spectrometry.

Chloroplast biogenesis requires the import of thousands of nucleus-encoded proteins into the plastid. The import of these proteins depends on the ...

Expression, Solubilization, and Purification of Eukaryotic Borate Transporters

The Solute Carrier 4 (SLC4) family of proteins is called the bicarbonate transporters and includes the archetypal protein Anion Exchanger 1 (AE1, also known as Band 3), the most abundant membrane protein in the red blood cells. The SLC4 family is homologous with borate transporters, which have been characterized in plants and fungi. It remains a significant technical challenge to express and purify membrane transport proteins to homogeneity in quantities suitable for&#160;structural or functional studies. Here we describe detailed procedures for the overexpression of borate transporters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, isolation of yeast membranes, solubilization of protein by detergent, and purification of borate transporter homologs from S. cerevisiae, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa. We also detail a glutaraldehyde cross-linking experiment to assay multimerization of homomeric transporters. Our generalized procedures can be applied to all three proteins and have been optimized for efficacy. Many of the strategies developed here can be utilized for the study of other challenging membrane proteins.

Here we present a protocol to express, solubilize, and purify several eukaryotic borate transporters with homology to the SLC4 transporter family using yeast. We also describe a chemical cross-linking assay to assess the purified homomeric proteins for multimeric assembly. These protocols can be adapted for other challenging membrane proteins.

The Solute Carrier 4 (SLC4) family of proteins is called the bicarbonate transporters and includes the archetypal protein Anion Exchanger 1 (AE1, also ...

Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP) for RNA Isolation from Endothelial Cells In Vivo

Many studies have been limited to using in vitro cellular assays and whole tissues or isolating of specific cell types from animals for in vitro analysis of transcriptome and gene expression by qPCR and RNA sequencing. Comprehensive transcriptome and gene expression analysis of specific cell types in complex tissues and organs will be critical to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms by which genes are regulated and their association with tissue homeostasis and organ functions. In this article, we demonstrate the methodology for isolation of ribosome-bound RNA directly in vivo in the vascular endothelia of animal lungs as an example. The specific materials and procedures for tissue processing and RNA purification will be described, including the assessment of RNA quality and yield as well as real time qPCR for arteriogenic gene assays. This approach, known as translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) technique, can be utilized for characterization of gene expression and transcriptome analysis of certain cell types directly in vivo in any specific type in complex tissues.

Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification TRAP for RNA Isolation from Endothelial Cells In Vivo

We present an approach to purify ribosome-bound mRNA from vascular endothelial cells (ECs) directly in mouse brain, lung and heart tissues via EC-specific genetic tag of enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)in ribosomes in combination with RNA purification.

Many studies have been limited to using in vitro cellular assays and whole tissues or isolating of specific cell types from animals for in vitro analysis ...

Bacterial Expression and Purification of Human Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 using Affinity Chromatography

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to the family of metzincin proteases with central roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and remodeling, as well as interactions with several growth factors and cytokines. Overexpression of specific MMPs is responsible in several diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disease. MMPs have been the center of attention recently as targets to develop therapeutics that can treat diseases correlated to MMP overexpression.
To study the MMP mechanism in solution, more facile and robust recombinant protein expression and purification methods are needed for the production of active, soluble MMPs. However, the catalytic domain of most MMPs cannot be expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) in soluble form due to lack of posttranslational machinery, whereas mammalian expression systems are usually costly and have lower yields. MMP inclusion bodies must undergo the tedious and laborious process of extensive purification and refolding, significantly reducing the yield of MMPs in native conformation. This paper presents a protocol using Rosetta2(DE3)pLysS (hereafter referred to as R2DP) cells to produce matrix metalloproteinase-3 catalytic domain (MMP-3cd), which contains an N-terminal His-tag followed by pro-domain (Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd) for use in affinity purification. R2DP cells enhance the expression of eukaryotic proteins through a chloramphenicol-resistant plasmid containing codons normally rare in bacterial expression systems. Compared to the traditional cell line of choice for recombinant protein expression, BL21(DE3), purification using this new strain improved the yield of purified Hisx6-pro-MMP-3cd. Upon activation and desalting, the pro domain is cleaved along with the N-terminal His-tag, providing active MMP-3cd for immediate use in countless in vitro applications. This method does not require expensive equipment or complex fusion proteins and describes rapid production of recombinant human MMPs in bacteria.

His-tag purification, dialysis, and activation are employed to increase yields of soluble, active matrix metalloproteinase-3 catalytic domain protein expression in bacteria. Protein fractions are analyzed via SDS-PAGE gels.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) belong to the family of metzincin proteases with central roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and remodeling, ...

Extraction and Purification of FAHD1 Protein from Swine Kidney and Mouse Liver

Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase domain-containing protein 1 (FAHD1) is the first identified member of the FAH superfamily in eukaryotes, acting as oxaloacetate decarboxylase in mitochondria. This article presents a series of methods for the extraction and purification of FAHD1 from swine kidney and mouse liver. Covered methods are ionic exchange chromatography with fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), preparative and analytical gel filtration with FPLC, and proteomic approaches. After total protein extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation and ionic exchange chromatography were explored, and FAHD1 was extracted via a sequential strategy using ionic exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. This representative approach may be adapted to other proteins of interest (expressed at significant levels) and modified for other tissues. Purified protein from tissue may support the development of high-quality antibodies, and/or potent and specific pharmacological inhibitors.

This protocol describes how to extract fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase domain-containing protein 1 (FAHD1) from swine kidney and mouse liver. The listed methods may be adapted to other proteins of interest and modified for other tissues.