Hu-antigen R (HuR) is a ubiquitous RNA-binding protein that comprises three RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). The first two tandem RRMs are known to bind to AU-rich elements (AREs) in the 3'-untranslated region of many mRNAs. The third RRM is connected to the second RRM through a basic hinge region that contains a localization signal termed HuR nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Binding of HuR to the ARE in the 3'-untranslated region of mRNA leads to nuclear export, stabilization, and/or translational de-repression of the mRNA, resulting in upregulation of the encoded protein. Among the various ARE binding proteins known to date, HuR is still the only known ubiquitous antagonist of posttranscriptional gene silencing by AREs. Given the wide repertoire of known and suspected targets of HuR, it is considered to be a central node in the ARE pathway. Here, the x-ray crystal structure of the first RRM of HuR (amino acids 18-99) at 2.0 angstrom resolution is presented. The overall fold consists of two alpha-helices and a four-stranded beta-sheet, with a beta 1-alpha 1-beta 2-beta 3-alpha 2-beta 4 topology and a beta-hairpin between alpha 2 and beta 4. The asymmetric unit consists of four chains. The large crystal contact interfaces observed between chains A/B and C/D contain hydrophobic residues located at the a-helix side of the fold, opposite to the RNA-binding interface. This hydrophobic region structurally resembles the protein protein interaction site of RRM domains of other proteins. Because the nature of the assumed HuR homodimerization is mechanistically not well understood to date, we used site-directed mutagenesis, analytical size-exclusion chromatography and multiangle light scattering to investigate HuR interactions via the RRM hydrophobic region. Our data indicate that in vitro, HuR RRM1 and RRM1,2 homodimerization involves a disulfide bond at cysteine 13. This homodimerization mode may have a functional significance in redox modulation of HuR activity in response to oxidative stress. Because HuR is involved in many diseases (e.g., cancer, cachexia, and inflammatory bowel disease), the presented structure may provide a basis for rational drug design. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This report shows for the first time the efficient uniform isotope labeling of a recombinant protein expressed using Baculovirus-infected insect cells. The recent availability of suitable media for 15N- and 13C/15N-labeling in insect cells, the high expression of Abl kinase in these labeling media and a suitable labeling protocol made it possible to obtain a 1H–15N-HSQC spectrum for the catalytic domain of Abl kinase of good quality and with label incorporation rates > 90%. The presented isotope labeling method should be applicable also to further proteins where successful expression is restricted to the Baculovirus expression system.

Culture conditions for successful amino–acid-type selective isotope labeling of proteins expressed in Baculovirus-infected insect cells are described. The method was applied to the selective labeling of the catalytic domain of c-Abl kinase with 15N-phenylalanine, 15N-glycine, 15N-tyrosine or 15N-valine. For the essential amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine and valine high 15N-label incorporation rates of ≥90% and approximately the expected number of resonances in the HSQC spectra were observed, which was not the case for the non-essential amino acid glycine. The method should be applicable to amino-acid-type selective isotope labeling of other recombinant proteins which have not been amenable to NMR analysis.

The production and regulatory approval processes for biopharmaceuticals require detailed characterization of potential products. Therapeutic proteins should preferably be homogeneous, although limited, reproducible, heterogeneity may be tolerated. A diphtheria toxin‐based anti‐(human CD3) immunotoxin, DT389–scFv(UCHT1), was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified following refolding [DT389 corresponds to amino acids 1–389 of diphtheria toxin, scFv is single‐chain variable‐region antibody fragment and UCHT1is an anti‐(human CD3) monoclonal antibody]. Biochemical characterization of this molecule by MS and N‐terminal sequencing by Edman degradation revealed that the protein was heterogeneous at the N‐terminus, containing species both with (60%) and without (40%) the initiator methionine residue. In an attempt to generate an N‐terminally homogeneous molecule, a panel of seven N‐terminal variants was designed, based on the published specificity of bacterial methionine aminopeptidase. Following bacterial expression, partial purification and separation on SDS/PAGE, these proteins were subjected to N‐terminal sequencing by Edman degradation. Three of the mutants yielded a 100% homogeneous amino acid sequence. By contrast, the original DT389–scFv(UCHT1) protein and four variant proteins yielded two sequences with varying ratios corresponding to species with and without methionine. The N‐terminal sequences of the three homogeneous clones were MLADD and MLDD, where the methionine was completely retained, and SADD, where the methionine was completely removed. One of the homogeneous mutants (SADD) was expressed, refolded and purified and found to be equipotent with the parent immunotoxin. Thus, using a rational mutagenesis approach, three N‐terminally homogeneous variants of DT389–scFv(UCHT1) have been identified, at least one of which is functionally indistinguishable from the parent immunotoxin. This approach is generally applicable to biopharmaceutical production and immunotoxin development in particular.

A novel protein, belonging to the yeast family of FKBPs (FK-binding proteins), FKBP-70, was isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by its interaction with the immunosuppressive agent FK-520. Its structural gene, FPR3, was cloned and the protein expressed and purified from Escherichia coli. This third member of the FKBP family in yeast is homologous to the other FKBPs at its carboxy terminus, showing conserved ligand binding and proline isomerase regions. It is, however, a longer acidic protein with several potential nuclear targeting sequences and a region of homology to nucleolins. Yeast strains deleted for FPR3, as well as a triple deletion mutant of this family of genes, FPR1, FPR2 and FPR3, are viable under normal conditions of growth, indicating that the FPR genes are not essential for life.