This work was supported by La Ligue contre le Cancer, l&#8217;Association Neurofibromatoses et Recklinghausen, and la R&#233;gion Centre Val de Loire. Many thanks to Aur&#233;lie Cosson and D&#233;borah Casas for flow cytometry data, and to Keyron Hickman-Lewis for thorough proofreading of the manuscript.

1. Cell preparation for transfection
CAUTION: All the steps of the cell culture must be performed in a dedicated laboratory, and cells are manipulated within a Class 2 microbiological cabinet.
<ol>
	<li>Seed HEK-293 (Human Embryonic Kidney) cells in &#216; 10 cm plates in 10 mL of DMEM (Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagles Medium) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. Culture for 3 to 5 days under 5% CO2, at 37 &#176;C, until the cells reach ~90% confluence.</li>
	<li>Treat &#216; 10 cm plates with Collagen R to increase cell adhesion to the plastic plates.
	<ol>
		<li>Add 5 mL of a solution of Collagen R, 200-fold diluted in Phosphate Saline Buffer (PBS) in a &#216; 10 cm plate. Overlay the liquid over the whole surface of the plate.</li>
		<li>Incubate at room temperature for at least 1 h within the biosafety cabinet.</li>
		<li>Remove collagen solution, and discard it. Add 5 mL of PBS, spread it all over the surface of the plate, remove it and discard it. Repeat this wash once.</li>
		<li>Add 8 mL of DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. Keep the prepared plates within the biosafety cabinet.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Take HEK-293 plates from step 1.1 within the biosafety cabinet. Remove the medium from the plates and discard it in a dedicated bleach trash. Add 2 mL of supplemented DMEM, and flush the cells to detach them using the flow of a 1 mL micropipette, taking care to avoid making foam.</li>
	<li>Collect the cells in a 15 mL tube and add 4 mL of supplemented DMEM. Homogenize with a 10 mL pipette, by pipetting up and down 3 times.</li>
	<li>Take 2 mL of this cell solution and add them to collagen-treated plates containing supplemented DMEM from step 1.2.4.</li>
	<li>Grow for 24 hours in the incubator at 5% CO2 and 37 &#176;C. Cells should be 50-80% confluent at the time of transfection.</li>
</ol>
2. Transient transfections
<ol>
	<li>Remove the medium from the plates, discard it in a dedicated bleach trash, and add 10 mL of fresh supplemented DMEM. Put back the plates into the incubator at 37 &#176;C while preparing the transfection mixture.</li>
	<li>In a 15 mL tube, add 450 &#956;L of a 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5/1 mM EDTA (Tris stands for Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, and EDTA for ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid) solution and 50 &#956;L of a 2.5 M CaCl2 solution. Mix by inversion.</li>
	<li>Add 10 &#956;g of plasmidic DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) prepared from a midi preparation on a liquid culture of bacteria transformed with the dedicated plasmid. Mix by inversion.</li>
	<li>Under smooth agitation on a vortex, add 500 &#956;L of BES buffered saline 2x concentrate (composition: BES, 10.7 g/L, NaCl, 16.0 g/L, Na2HPO4, 0.27 g/L; BES stands for N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)taurine) slowly drop by drop.</li>
	<li>Incubate for at least 15 min (up to 45 min) at room temperature within the biosafety cabinet. Do not vortex, do not mix! Move the tubes very carefully not to disturb the complex formation between DNA and calcium phosphate.</li>
	<li>Take the plates from step 2.1 to the safety cabinet. Add the DNA complexes very carefully, drop by drop, onto the cells all over the surface of the plate.</li>
	<li>Incubate for 24 to 72 hours in the incubator at 37 &#176;C. Usually maximum protein expression is reached within 48 hours.</li>
</ol>
3. Lysis
NOTE: Work on ice, and with cold buffers to prevent protein degradation.
<ol>
	<li>Prepare lysis buffer: 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 100 mM NaCl, 5 mM EDTA, 0.1% Triton X-100, 50 mM NaF, 10 mM sodium pyrophosphate, 1 mM Na3VO4, 20 mM p-nitrophenyl phosphate, 20 mM &#946;-glycerophosphate, 10 &#956;g/mL aprotinin, 0.05 &#956;g/mL okaidic acid, 1 &#956;g/mL leupeptin, and 1 mM PMSF (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride). Around 4 mL of lysis buffer are required for each transfected plate.</li>
	<li>Remove plates with transfected cells from the incubator. Put them on ice. 
	NOTE: From this step, it is possible to work on a &#8220;normal&#8221; bench.</li>
	<li>Remove the media, and discard it in a dedicated bleach trash.</li>
	<li>Wash twice with 3 mL of cold PBS: add 3 mL of PBS on the side of the plate drop by drop to avoid detaching transfected cells, spread all over the surface of the plate, remove PBS and discard it; repeat this step once more. At the end, remove carefully the rest of PBS by tilting the plate to prevent lysis buffer dilution for next step.</li>
	<li>Add 500 &#956;L of cold lysis buffer on the transfected washed cells. Spread it all over the surface of the plate.</li>
	<li>Incubate for 10 min on ice. From time to time (at least twice), spread again the buffer all over the surface of the plate.</li>
	<li>Scrap the cells and collect them in a microcentrifuge tube.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge for 10 min at 10,000 x g at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Collect supernatant in a new microcentrifuge tube. This fraction corresponds to the lysate (whole cell extract). Discard the pellet which corresponds to cell membrane debris.</li>
	<li>Collect an aliquot of this fraction to a new microcentrifuge tube (around 50 &#956;L). This fraction corresponds to the &#8220;TOTAL fraction&#8221; or &#8220;Cell Lysate&#8221; or &#8220;Whole Cell extract&#8221; allowing analysis of whether transfected proteins are expressed by Western Blot. 
	NOTE: At this point, samples can be directly used for Western Blot analyses. Laemmli buffer must&#160;be added to the sample, which is then heated at 95 &#176;C for 5 min, centrifuged at 10,000 x g for 5 min, and loaded on appropriate SDS-PAGE. Samples may also be stored at -80 &#176;C.</li>
</ol>
4. Immunoprecipitation
<ol>
	<li>Gently resuspend agarose beads coupled with the appropriate antibody: HA (Human influenza hemagglutinin), Flag, or GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) by smooth inversion.</li>
	<li>Cut the end of a 200 &#956;L tip from a micropipette to allow beads to enter the tip. Pipette the beads up and down several times to saturate the tip to ensure to take the correct volume of beads.</li>
	<li>Take 40 &#956;L of beads in a microcentrifuge tube.</li>
	<li>Add 500 &#956;L of TENET (30 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM EDTA, 1% Triton X-100) buffer. Mix by inversion. Centrifuge for 2 min at 1,000 x g at 4 &#176;C. Remove carefully supernatant and discard it. Add 500 &#956;L of TENET. Incubate for at least 1 hour at 4 &#176;C on a rotating wheel. 
	NOTE: This pre-incubation step in TENET allows to reduce non-specific interactions and so to decrease background signal.</li>
	<li>Wash the beads twice with 500 &#956;L of lysis buffer.
	<ol>
		<li>Centrifuge 2 min at 1,000 x g at 4&#176;C.</li>
		<li>Remove carefully supernatant buffer, and discard it. 
		NOTE: Take care not to aspirate beads during these washing steps.</li>
		<li>Add 500 &#956;L of lysis buffer. Homogenize by inverting the tube.</li>
		<li>Repeat steps 4.5.1- 4.5.3.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Centrifuge for 2 min at 1,000 x g at 4&#176;C. Carefully remove supernatant buffer, and discard it.</li>
	<li>Incubate beads with the lysate from step 3.9 for 2 to 4 hours at 4 &#176;C on a rotating wheel.</li>
	<li>Wash immunoprecipitated beads. 
	NOTE: At this point, the immunoprecipitated beads may be washed five times with the lysis buffer, and then eluted with Laemmli buffer. The eluate may be used for Western Blot analyses or stored at -80 &#176;C. Alternatively, beads may be washed twice with the lysis buffer and then three times with the kinase buffer to perform &#947;[32P] ATP labeling.</li>
</ol>
5. Coimmunoprecipitation analyses
<ol>
	<li>Wash immunoprecipitated beads from step 4.7 with the lysis buffer.
	<ol>
		<li>Centrifuge for 2 min at 1,000 x g in a refrigerated centrifuge at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Carefully remove the supernatant, and discard it.</li>
		<li>Add 500 &#956;L of lysis buffer. Homogenize by inverting the tube.</li>
		<li>Repeat steps 5.1.1-5.1.3 four times.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Elution
	<ol>
		<li>Centrifuge for 2 min at 1,000 x g in a refrigerated centrifuge at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Carefully remove the supernatant, and discard it. Remove the last drops of supernatant with a Hamilton syringe in order to avoid aspiration of the beads, and discard the supernatant.</li>
		<li>Add 40 &#956;L of 4x Laemmli buffer (200 mM Tris/HCl pH 6.8, 4% SDS, 40% glycerol, 0.5 M &#946;-mercaptoethanol, 0.02% bromophenol blue). Homogenize by gently tapping the tube.</li>
		<li>Incubate for 5 min at room temperature.</li>
		<li>Centrifuge for 5 min at 10,000 x g at room temperature.</li>
		<li>With a Hamilton syringe, remove the supernatant and collect it in a new microcentrifuge tube. This fraction corresponds to the &#8220;Eluate&#8221;, which may be stored at -80 &#176;C, or directly analyzed by Western Blot.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
6. Kinase assay
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the kinase buffer: 50 mM HEPES-NaOH pH 7.5 (HEPES stands for 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid), 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM MgCl2, 5 mM MnCl2, 50 mM NaF, 1 mM Na3VO4, 20 mM &#946;-glycerophosphate, 1 &#956;g/mL leupeptin, and 1 mM PMSF. Around 2 mL of the kinase buffer is required for each immunoprecipitation condition.</li>
	<li>Wash immunoprecipitated beads from step 4.7 twice with 500 &#956;L of lysis buffer.
	<ol>
		<li>Centrifuge for 2 min at 1,000 x g in a refrigerated centrifuge at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Carefully remove supernatant, and discard it. Add 500 &#956;L of lysis buffer. Homogenize by inversion.</li>
		<li>Repeat steps 6.2.1 and 6.2.2.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Wash immunoprecipitated beads three times with 500 &#956;L of kinase buffer.
	<ol>
		<li>Centrifuge for 2 min at 1,000 x g in a refrigerated centrifuge at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Carefully remove supernatant, and discard it. Add 500 &#956;L of kinase buffer. Homogenize by inversion.</li>
		<li>Repeat steps 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 twice.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Centrifuge for 2 min at 1,000 x g in a refrigerated centrifuge at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Carefully remove supernatant, and discard it. Remove the last drops of supernatant with a Hamilton syringe in order to avoid aspiration of the beads, and discard the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Add 40 &#956;L of kinase buffer to the immunoprecipitated beads. Resuspend the beads by gently tapping the tube.</li>
	<li>Prepare the mix for the &#947;[32P] ATP labeling (final volume is 22.5 &#956;L, complete with kinase buffer) in a safe lock-tube.
	<ol>
		<li>Add the required volume of kinase buffer to reach a final volume of 22.5 &#956;L.</li>
		<li>Cut the end of a 20 &#956;L tip of a micropipette. Resuspend the immunoprecipitated beads from step 6.6 by pipetting up and down several times. Collect 10 &#956;L of these beads into the safe-lock tube.</li>
		<li>Add ATP from a 10 &#956;M stock solution to reach 50 mM of finale concentration. According to the number of sample treated, a dilution of the stock solution of ATP in the kinase buffer is suggested to allow to pipette 1 to 2 &#956;L, to be sure the volume is correct.</li>
		<li>Add 2.5 &#956;g of substrate (cofilin or Myelin Basic Protein, MBP in the present study case).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Add 5 &#956;Ci of &#947;[32P] ATP (3,000 Ci/mmol) to initiate the reaction. Mix by pipetting up and down slowly. 
	CAUTION: From this point, work must be done in a safety place dedicated for radioactivity manipulations with cautious precaution, dedicated protections and appropriate controls (radioactive shields, Geiger counter, specific waste collect, personal breast and finger badges to detect radioactive exposure, filter tips).</li>
	<li>Incubate for 20 min at 30 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Stop the reaction with 6 &#956;L of 5x Laemmli buffer.</li>
	<li>Heat at 95&#176; C for 5 min.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge at 10,000 x g for 5 min at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Load on a SDS-PAGE. Proceed to migration. 
	NOTE: Take care that the front line of free &#947;[32P] ATP does not exit the gel to avoid contamination of the migration tank.</li>
	<li>Stain the gel at room temperature.
	<ol>
		<li>Remove the gel from the glass plates.</li>
		<li>Proceed with three baths in water at room temperature.</li>
		<li>Stain the gel overnight with Coomassie Blue at room temperature.</li>
		<li>Destain the gel with several wash baths with water at room temperature.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Wrap the gel with plastic wrap.</li>
	<li>Expose for one night or more on a phosphorimager screen.</li>
	<li>Read the screen on a phosphorimager to detect labeled bands.</li>
</ol>

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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=Kinase-targeted+cancer+therapies:+progress,+challenges+and+future+directions.">Kinase-targeted cancer therapies: progress, challenges and future directions.</a> Molecular Cancer. 17, 48 (2018).</li><li>Kaboord, B., Perr, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+proteins+and+protein+complexes+by+immunoprecipitation.">Isolation of proteins and protein complexes by immunoprecipitation.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 424, 349-364 (2008).</li><li>Arnau, J., Lauritzen, C., Petersen, G. 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R., 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=p53-mediated+transcriptional+regulation+and+activation+of+the+actin+cytoskeleton.">p53-mediated transcriptional regulation and activation of the actin cytoskeleton.</a> Cell Research. 21, 666-682 (2011).</li><li>Tastet, J., 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=LIMK2-1+is+a+Hominidae-Specific+Isoform+of+LIMK2+Expressed+in+Central+Nervous+System+and+Associated+with+Intellectual+Disability.">LIMK2-1 is a Hominidae-Specific Isoform of LIMK2 Expressed in Central Nervous System and Associated with Intellectual Disability.</a> Neuroscience. 399, 199-210 (2019).</li><li>Vallee, B., 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=LIMK2-1,+a+new+isoform+of+human+LIMK2,+regulates+actin+cytoskeleton+remodeling+via+a+different+signaling+pathway+than+that+of+its+two+homologs,+LIMK2a+and+LIMK2b.">LIMK2-1, a new isoform of human LIMK2, regulates actin cytoskeleton remodeling via a different signaling pathway than that of its two homologs, LIMK2a and LIMK2b.</a> The Biochemical Journal. 475, 3745-3761 (2018).</li><li>Lee, Y. 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=Impact+of+Detergents+on+Membrane+Protein+Complex+Isolation.">Impact of Detergents on Membrane Protein Complex Isolation.</a> Journal of Proteome Research. 17, 348-358 (2018).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Herein, we have used robust biochemical tools to characterize at the molecular level a new protein, LIMK2-1, believed to be a kinase based on its sequence and on its homologs, LIMK2a and LIMK2b20.
Firstly, we demonstrated the existence of LIMK2-1 at the protein level using Western Blot analysis with a specific antibody. Following this, we evaluated its interaction with the upstream kinase ROCK1, which is known to regulate LIMK2a and LIMK2b, the homologs of LIMK2-1. Fina...

For many decades, numerous signaling pathways have been elucidated and their involvement in crucial cellular processes such as cell division, differentiation, motility, programmed cell death, immunity and neurobiology, has been shown. Kinases play a significant role in these signaling pathways as they often finely regulate their activation or inactivation and are part of transient versatile complexes that respond to external stimuli1,2,3. Mutation and dysregulation of kinases often lead to diseases in humans, and they have therefore become one of the most important drug targets over the past forty years4.
In this context, it is important to be able to detect kinase interaction with their upstream regulators or downstream substrates and to identify new partners. Affinity purification and immunoprecipitation are very powerful techniques for the isolation of protein complexes5. The bait protein or kinase may be tagged with a specific peptide sequence allowing the use of commercial beads covalently coupled with antibodies targeting the peptide. This material permits a high reproducibility in experiments6,7,8. Endogenous proteins may also be immunoprecipitated using antibodies targeting directly the bait protein. The antibodies may be cross-linked to Protein A or Protein G agarose beads or simply incubated with these beads prior to adding lysate. Lysis buffers must be optimized to allow protein solubilization without losing interaction and to avoid protein degradation. A major drawback of this approach is that the interaction is detected upon cell lysis; therefore, transient or weak interactions, together with those requiring subcellular context may be missed. Other techniques may be used to work directly in the cell such as Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA)9, in vivo cross-linking-assisted affinity purification (XAP)10, Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) or F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)11,12. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation is not appropriate to determine the thermodynamic constants of the binding, for which physical techniques such as Surface Plasmon Resonance, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry or Microscale Thermophoresis are required13,14.
Kinase activity may be assessed using multiple techniques. Herein, we focused on phospho-specific antibodies and in vitro &#947;[32P] ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate) labeling. Phospho-specific antibodies target the phosphate modification of a particular residue within a protein. They may be used in Western Blot or ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) after cell lysis, for immunohistochemistry, and also on intact cells using flow cytometry or immunofluorescence. Their drawbacks may include their lack of specificity, which can be evaluated using a mutated version of the target protein, and their not being commercially available for all proteins. In vitro &#947;[32P] ATP labeling is a very robust, well-established and highly sensitive method15. Immunoprecipitated or recombinant proteins may be used, and different substrates may be tested. The effects of drugs may also be assessed as this method is quantitative. Its major drawback is that the radioactivity associated with the approach requires handling with caution. Alternative methods are also possible based on the measurement of fluorescent or luminescent peptide substrates and taking advantage of altered fluorescent/luminescent properties upon phosphorylation. Such methods also allow high throughput, which is required, for example, in the screening of molecules that may be potential inhibitors of the target kinase. Indeed, kinases represent one of the largest classes of drug targets pursued by pharmaceutical companies16.
In this study, we focused on the LIMK2-1 protein (LIMK2-1 stands for Lin11, Isle1, Mec3 Kinase isoform 2-1). The LIMK2 kinase protein was first described in 199517. Three isoforms of LIMK2 are produced by alternative splicing: LIMK2a, LIMK2b and LIMK2-1. At present, LIMK2-1 has only been described at the mRNA level in a single study18. Herein, we characterize this potential new kinase protein at the molecular level using robust biochemical approaches. Firstly, we demonstrate that LIMK2-1 is indeed synthesized. Similar to its two counterparts, LIMK2a and LIMK2b, it interacts with the upstream kinase ROCK (Rho-associated protein kinase). We show LIMK2-1 has a kinase activity on Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), but not on cofilin, the canonical substrate of LIM kinases.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibody anti-actin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A1978</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibody anti-c-Myc</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>MA1-21316</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibody anti-cofilin</td>
			<td>Cell signaling Technology</td>
			<td>3312/5175</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibody anti-GFP</td>
			<td>Santa Cruz</td>
			<td>sc-9996</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibody anti-HA</td>
			<td>Roche Applied Science</td>
			<td>11687423001</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibody anti-phospho-cofilin</td>
			<td>Cell signaling Technology</td>
			<td>3313</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibody Anti-PP1i</td>
			<td>Eurogentec</td>
			<td>designed for this study</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aprotinin</td>
			<td>Euromedex</td>
			<td>A-162B</td>
			<td>for lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ATP</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>PV3227</td>
			<td>for g[32P] labeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>g[32P] ATP</td>
			<td>Perkin Elmer</td>
			<td>NEG502A</td>
			<td>for g[32P] labeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BES buffered saline</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>14280</td>
			<td>for transfection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>b-glycerophosphate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G9422</td>
			<td>for lysis and kinase buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>b-mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M3148</td>
			<td>for Laemmli</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A3059</td>
			<td>for blocking buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bromophenol Blue</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>B0126</td>
			<td>for Laemmli</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>C3881</td>
			<td>for transfection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centrifuge</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>111-541</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagen R</td>
			<td>Pan Biotech</td>
			<td>P06-20166</td>
			<td>for transfection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Control siRNA</td>
			<td>Ambion</td>
			<td>AM4611</td>
			<td>for PP1i antibody specificity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coomassie PageBlue Protein Staining Solution</td>
			<td>Thermo-Fisher</td>
			<td>24620</td>
			<td>for gel staining</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EDTA</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>3690</td>
			<td>for lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electrophoresis Unit</td>
			<td>Biorad</td>
			<td>Mini-Protean</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EZview Red anti-HA affinity gel</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>E6779</td>
			<td>for immunoprecipitation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GeneSys software</td>
			<td>Ozyme</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>for Western Blot acquisition</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GeneTolls software</td>
			<td>Ozyme</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>for Western Blot quantification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GFP-trap beads</td>
			<td>Chromtek</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>for immunoprecipitation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glycine</td>
			<td>Euromedex</td>
			<td>26-128-6405</td>
			<td>for transfer buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GST-cofilin</td>
			<td>Upstate Cell signaling</td>
			<td>12-556</td>
			<td>for g[32P] labeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hamilton syringe 100 mL</td>
			<td>Hamilton</td>
			<td>710</td>
			<td>to remove carefully supernatant from beads without aspirating them</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>H3375</td>
			<td>for kinase buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImageQuant TL software</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>for radioactivity acquisition and quantification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LIMK2 siRNA</td>
			<td>Ambion</td>
			<td>s8191</td>
			<td>for PP1i antibody specificity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Leupeptin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>SP-04-2217</td>
			<td>for lysis and kinase buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MBP</td>
			<td>Upstate Cell signaling</td>
			<td>13-173</td>
			<td>for g[32P] labeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M8266</td>
			<td>for kinase buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MnCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>244589</td>
			<td>for kinase buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Euromedex</td>
			<td>1112</td>
			<td>for lysis and kinase buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaF</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S-1504</td>
			<td>for lysis and kinase buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Okaidic acid</td>
			<td>Euromedex</td>
			<td>0-2220</td>
			<td>for lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PMSF</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>78830</td>
			<td>for lysis and kinase buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>p-nitrophenylphosphate</td>
			<td>Euromedex</td>
			<td>1026</td>
			<td>for lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PVDF membrane Immobillon-P</td>
			<td>Merck-Millipore</td>
			<td>IPVH00010 pore size 0,45 mm</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rotating wheel</td>
			<td>Labinco</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>for bead incubation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Safe lock eppendorf</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>0030120.086</td>
			<td>for kinase assay</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SDS</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>5030</td>
			<td>for Laemmli and migration buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium orthovanadate</td>
			<td>LC Laboratories</td>
			<td>S8507</td>
			<td>for lysis and kinase buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium pyrophosphate</td>
			<td>Fluka</td>
			<td>71501</td>
			<td>for lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Super Signal West Dura</td>
			<td>Protein Biology</td>
			<td>34075</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syngene Pxi</td>
			<td>Ozyme</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue extracts 
			 
			&#160;</td>
			<td>Biochain 
			 
			&#160;</td>
			<td>P1234035 Brain 
			P12345152 Lung 
			P1234149 Liver 
			P1234188 Pancreas 
			P1234260 Testis</td>
			<td>for Western Blot analysis 
			 
			&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transfer Unit</td>
			<td>Biorad</td>
			<td>Mini-Trans-Blot</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris</td>
			<td>Euromedex</td>
			<td>26-128-3094 B</td>
			<td>for lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween-20</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P7949</td>
			<td>for blocking buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Typhoon FLA9500</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>to read autoradiography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Typhoon Trio</td>
			<td>Amersham Bioscience</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>to read autoradiography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Whatman paper</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>3030-672</td>
			<td>for Western Blot</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

characterization at the molecular level using robust biochemical approaches of a new kinase protein

Extensive whole genome sequencing has identified many Open Reading Frames (ORFs) providing many potential proteins. These proteins may have important roles for the cell and may unravel new cellular processes. Among proteins, kinases are major actors as they belong to cell signaling pathways and have the ability to switch on or off many processes crucial to the fate of the cell, such as cell growth, division, differentiation, motility, and death.
In this study, we focused on a new potential kinase protein, LIMK2-1. We demonstrated its existence by Western Blot using a specific antibody. We evaluated its interaction with an upstream regulating protein using coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Coimmunoprecipitation is a very powerful technique able to detect the interaction between two target proteins. It may also be used to detect new partners of a bait protein. The bait protein may be purified either via a tag engineered to its sequence or via an antibody specifically targeting it. These protein complexes may then be separated by SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate PolyAcrylamide Gel) and identified using mass spectrometry. Immunoprecipitated LIMK2-1 was also used to test its kinase activity in vitro by &#947;[32P] ATP labeling. This well-established assay may use many different substrates, and mutated versions of the bait may be used to assess the role of specific residues. The effects of pharmacological agents may also be evaluated since this technique is both highly sensitive and quantitative. Nonetheless, radioactivity handling requires particular caution. Kinase activity may also be assessed with specific antibodies targeting the phospho group of the modified amino acid. These kinds of antibodies are not commercially available for all the phospho modified residues.

LIMK2-1 protein is synthesized 
LIMK2-1 is mentioned in databanks, but thus far only one paper has shown the existence of its mRNA18. Compared to its two homologs, LIMK2a and LIMK2b, LIMK2-1 has an extra C-terminal domain identified as a Protein Phosphatase 1 Inhibitory domain (PP1i). We designed an antibody that targets a peptide of this domain, amino acids 671-684 (Figure 1A). 
BLAST research against human ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Characterization at the Molecular Level using Robust Biochemical Approaches of a New Kinase Protein at JoVE.com

Characterization at the Molecular Level using Robust Biochemical Approaches of a New Kinase Protein

We characterized a new kinase protein using robust biochemical approaches: Western Blot analysis with a dedicated specific antibody on different cell lines and tissues, interactions by coimmunoprecipitation experiments, kinase activity detected by Western Blot using a phospho-specific antibody and by &#947;[32P] ATP labeling.

Extensive whole genome sequencing has identified many Open Reading Frames (ORFs) providing many potential proteins. These proteins may have important ...

characterization-at-molecular-level-using-robust-biochemical

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

6.1K Views.  University of Orléans and INSERM. We characterized a new kinase protein using robust biochemical approaches: Western Blot analysis with a dedicated specific antibody on different cell lines and tissues, interactions by coimmunoprecipitation experiments, kinase activity detected by Western Blot using a phospho-specific antibody and by γ[32P] ATP labeling.

Video: Characterization at the Molecular Level using Robust Biochemical Approaches of a New Kinase Protein

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 ...

Assaying Protein Kinase Activity with Radiolabeled ATP

Protein kinases are able to govern large-scale cellular changes in response to complex arrays of stimuli, and much effort has been directed at uncovering allosteric details of their regulation. Kinases comprise signaling networks whose defects are often hallmarks of multiple forms of cancer and related diseases, making an assay platform amenable to manipulation of upstream regulatory factors and validation of reaction requirements critical in the search for improved therapeutics. Here, we describe a basic kinase assay that can be easily adapted to suit specific experimental questions including but not limited to testing the effects of biochemical and pharmacological agents, genetic manipulations such as mutation and deletion, as well as cell culture conditions and treatments to probe cell signaling mechanisms. This assay utilizes radiolabeled [&#947;-32P] ATP, which allows for quantitative comparisons and clear visualization of results, and can be modified for use with immunoprecipitated or recombinant kinase, specific or typified substrates, all over a wide range of reaction conditions.

Protein kinases are highly evolved signaling enzymes and scaffolds that are critical for inter- and intracellular signal transduction. We present a protocol for measuring kinase activity through the use of radiolabeled adenosine triphosphate ([&#947;-32P] ATP), a reliable method to aid in elucidation of cellular signaling regulation.

Protein kinases are able to govern large-scale cellular changes in response to complex arrays of stimuli, and much effort has been directed at uncovering ...

High Precision FRET at Single-molecule Level for Biomolecule Structure Determination

A protocol on how to perform high-precision interdye distance measurements using F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) at the single-molecule level in multiparameter fluorescence detection (MFD) mode is presented here. MFD maximizes the usage of all &#34;dimensions&#34; of fluorescence to reduce photophysical and experimental artifacts and allows for the measurement of interdye distance with an accuracy up to ~1 &#197; in rigid biomolecules. This method was used to identify three conformational states of the ligand-binding domain of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor to explain the activation of the receptor upon ligand binding. When comparing the known crystallographic structures with experimental measurements, they agreed within less than 3 &#197; for more dynamic biomolecules. Gathering a set of distance restraints that covers the entire dimensionality of the biomolecules would make it possible to provide a structural model of dynamic biomolecules.

A protocol for high-precision FRET experiments at the single molecule level is presented here. Additionally, this methodology can be used to identify three conformational states in the ligand-binding domain of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Determining precise distances is the first step towards building structural models based on FRET experiments.

A protocol on how to perform high-precision interdye distance measurements using F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) at the single-molecule ...

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP0092

Development of new antimicrobials and vaccines for Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) are necessary to halt the rapid rise in multiple resistant strains. Carbohydrate substrate binding proteins (SBPs) represent viable targets for the development of protein-based vaccines and new antimicrobials because of their extracellular localization and the centrality of carbohydrate import for pneumococcal metabolism, respectively. Described here is a rationalized integrated protocol to carry out a comprehensive characterization of SP0092, which can be extended to other carbohydrate SBPs from the pneumococcus and other bacteria. This procedure can aid the structure-based design of inhibitors for this class of proteins. Presented in the first part of this manuscript are protocols for biochemical analysis by thermal shift assay, multi angle light scattering (MALS), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC), which optimize the stability and homogeneity of the sample directed to crystallization trials and so enhance the probability of success. The second part of this procedure describes the characterization of the SBP crystals using a tunable wavelength anomalous diffraction synchrotron beamline, and data collection protocols for measuring data that can be used to resolve the crystallized protein structure.

A streamlined protocol for performing an extensive biochemical and structural characterization of a carbohydrate substrate binding protein from Streptococcus pneumoniae is presented.

Development of new antimicrobials and vaccines for Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) are necessary to halt the rapid rise in multiple resistant ...

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) is a master controller for the cell cycle in all eukaryotes and phosphorylates an estimated 8 - 13% of the proteome; however, the number of identified targets for Cdk1, particularly in human cells is still low. The identification of Cdk1-specific phosphorylation sites is important, as they provide mechanistic insights into how Cdk1 controls the cell cycle. Cell cycle regulation is critical for faithful chromosome segregation, and defects in this complicated process lead to chromosomal aberrations and cancer.
Here, we describe an in vitro kinase assay that is used to identify Cdk1-specific phosphorylation sites. In this assay, a purified protein is phosphorylated in vitro by commercially available human Cdk1/cyclin B. Successful phosphorylation is confirmed by SDS-PAGE, and phosphorylation sites are subsequently identified by mass spectrometry. We also describe purification protocols that yield highly pure and homogeneous protein preparations suitable for the kinase assay, and a binding assay for the functional verification of the identified phosphorylation sites, which probes the interaction between a classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS) and its nuclear transport receptor karyopherin &#945;. To aid with experimental design, we review approaches for the prediction of Cdk1-specific phosphorylation sites from protein sequences. Together these protocols present a very powerful approach that yields Cdk1-specific phosphorylation sites and enables mechanistic studies into how Cdk1 controls the cell cycle. Since this method relies on purified proteins, it can be applied to any model organism and yields reliable results, especially when combined with cell functional studies.

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) is activated in the G2 phase of the cell cycle and regulates many cellular pathways. Here, we present a protocol for an in vitro kinase assay with Cdk1, which allows the identification of Cdk1-specific phosphorylation sites for establishing cellular targets of this important kinase.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) is a master controller for the cell cycle in all eukaryotes and phosphorylates an estimated 8 - 13% of the proteome; ...

Human Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Isolation for Interrogating the Parkinson's Associated LRRK2 Kinase Pathway by Assessing Rab10 Phosphorylation

The leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is the most frequently mutated gene in hereditary Parkinson&#8217; disease (PD) and all pathogenic LRRK2 mutations result in hyperactivation of its kinase function. Here, we describe an easy and robust assay to quantify LRRK2 kinase pathway activity in human peripheral blood neutrophils by measuring LRRK2-controlled phosphorylation of one of its physiological substrates, Rab10 at threonine 73. The immunoblotting analysis described requires a fully selective and phosphospecific antibody that recognizes the Rab10 Thr73 epitope phosphorylated by LRRK2, such as the MJFF-pRab10 rabbit monoclonal antibody. It uses human peripheral blood neutrophils, because peripheral blood is easily accessible and neutrophils are an abundant and homogenous constituent. Importantly, neutrophils express relatively high levels of both LRRK2 and Rab10. A potential drawback of neutrophils is their high intrinsic serine protease activity, which necessitates the use of very potent protease inhibitors such as the organophosphorus neurotoxin diisopropylfluorophosphate (DIFP) as part of the lysis buffer. Nevertheless, neutrophils are a valuable resource for research into LRRK2 kinase pathway activity in vivo and should be considered for inclusion into PD biorepository collections.

Mutations in the leucine rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) cause hereditary Parkinson&#8217;s disease. We have developed an easy and robust method for assessing LRRK2-controlled phosphorylation of Rab10 in human peripheral blood neutrophils. This may help identify individuals with increased LRRK2 kinase pathway activity.

The leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is the most frequently mutated gene in hereditary Parkinson&#8217; disease (PD) and all pathogenic LRRK2 ...

Identification of Novel CK2 Kinase Substrates Using a Versatile Biochemical Approach

The study of kinase-substrate relationships is essential to gain a complete understanding of the functions of these enzymes and their downstream targets in both physiological and pathological states. CK2 is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase with a growing list of hundreds of substrates involved in multiple cellular processes. Due to its pleiotropic properties, identifying and characterizing a comprehensive set of CK2 substrates has been particularly challenging and remains a hurdle in the study of this important enzyme. To address this challenge, we have devised a versatile experimental strategy that enables the targeted enrichment and identification of putative CK2 substrates. This protocol takes advantage of the unique dual co-substrate specificity of CK2 allowing for specific thiophosphorylation of its substrates in a cell or tissue lysate. These substrate proteins are subsequently alkylated, immunoprecipitated, and identified by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We have previously used this approach to successfully identify CK2 substrates from Drosophila ovaries and here we extend the application of this protocol to human glioblastoma cells, illustrating the adaptability of this method to investigate the biological roles of this kinase in various model organisms and experimental systems.

The objective of this protocol is to label, enrich, and identify substrates of protein kinase CK2 from a complex biological sample such as a cell lysate or tissue homogenate. This method leverages unique aspects of CK2 biology for this purpose.

The study of kinase-substrate relationships is essential to gain a complete understanding of the functions of these enzymes and their downstream targets ...

Proteome-wide Quantification of Labeling Homogeneity at the Single Molecule Level

Cell proteomes are often characterized using electrophoresis assays, where all species of proteins in the cells are non-specifically labeled with a fluorescent dye and are spotted by a photodetector following their separation. Single molecule fluorescence imaging can provide ultrasensitive protein detection with its ability for visualizing individual fluorescent molecules. However, the application of this powerful imaging method to electrophoresis assays is hampered by the lack of ways to characterize the homogeneity of fluorescent labeling of each protein species across the proteome. Here, we developed a method to evaluate the labeling homogeneity across the proteome based on a single molecule fluorescence imaging assay. In our measurement using a HeLa cell sample, the proportion of proteins labeled with at least one dye, which we termed &#8216;labeling occupancy&#8217; (LO), was determined to range from 50% to 90%, supporting the high potential of the application of single molecule imaging to sensitive and precise proteome analysis.

Here, we present a protocol to assess the labeling homogeneity for each protein species in a complex protein sample at the single molecule level.

Cell proteomes are often characterized using electrophoresis assays, where all species of proteins in the cells are non-specifically labeled with a ...

Robust Comparison of Protein Levels Across Tissues and Throughout Development Using Standardized Quantitative Western Blotting

Western blotting is a technique that is commonly used to detect and quantify protein expression. Over the years, this technique has led to many advances in both basic and clinical research. However, as with many similar experimental techniques, the outcome of Western blot analyses is easily influenced by choices made in the design and execution of the experiment. Specific housekeeping proteins have traditionally been used to normalize protein levels for quantification, however, these have a number of limitations and have therefore been increasingly criticized over the past few years. Here, we describe a detailed protocol that we have developed to allow us to undertake complex comparisons of protein expression variation across different tissues, mouse models (including disease models), and developmental timepoints. By using a fluorescent total protein stain and introducing the use of an internal loading standard, it is possible to overcome existing limitations in the number of samples that can be compared within experiments and systematically compare protein levels across a range of experimental conditions. This approach expands the use of traditional western blot techniques, thereby allowing researchers to better explore protein expression across different tissues and samples.

This method describes a robust and reproducible approach for the comparison of protein levels in different tissues and at different developmental timepoints using a standardized quantitative western blotting approach.

Western blotting is a technique that is commonly used to detect and quantify protein expression. Over the years, this technique has led to many advances ...

Enhancing the Engraftment of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes via a Transient Inhibition of Rho Kinase Activity

A crucial factor in improving cellular therapy effectiveness for myocardial regeneration is to safely and efficiently increase the cell engraftment rate. Y-27632 is a highly potent inhibitor of Rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (RhoA/ROCK) and is used to prevent dissociation-induced cell apoptosis (anoikis). We demonstrate that Y-27632 pretreatment for human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs+RI) prior to implantation results in a cell engraftment rate improvement in a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we describe a complete procedure of hiPSC-CMs differentiation, purification, and cell pretreatment with Y-27632, as well as the resulting cell contraction, calcium transient measurements, and transplantation into mouse MI models. The proposed method provides a simple, safe, effective, and low-cost method which significantly increases the cell engraftment rate. This method cannot only be used in conjunction with other methods to further enhance the cell transplantation efficiency but also provides a favorable basis for the study of the mechanisms of other cardiac diseases.

In this protocol, we demonstrate and elaborate on how to use human induced pluripotent stem cells for cardiomyocyte differentiation and purification, and further, on how to improve its transplantation efficiency with Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor pretreatment in a mouse myocardial infarction model.

A crucial factor in improving cellular therapy effectiveness for myocardial regeneration is to safely and efficiently increase the cell engraftment rate. ...