The aim of this research is the development of a bacterial host/vector system for the expression of heterologous membrane proteins. The unusual properties of the bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum will be exploited for this purpose. This organism forms an intracytoplasmic membrane (ICM) that is not essential for growth. While mutants that do not make major membrane proteins do not form ICM, they retain the capacity to do so. Over expression of a membrane protein in such a mutant should result in production of ICM containing the overexpressed proteins. Because the ICM can be readily isolated, protein purification should be facilitated. Use of R. rubrum in this application will require development of an expression vector. For this purpose, an R. rubrum membrane protein will be used as a reporter for expression. Heterologous proteins will then be expressed in R. rubrum mutants using the newly developed expression vector. Ultimately this host/expression system should be useful for many eukaryotic proteins, including those of human origin as well as those of pathogens. This will have important applications in basic biomedical research. Over expression of proteins that naturally occur in low abundance is necessary for structural studies including X-ray crystallography. Analysis of proteins encoded by open reading frames identified by sequencing of partial or complete genomes will be facilitated by expression in this bacterial host/vector system. Finally, this system has potential for production of materials including vaccines.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21GM057322-02
Application #
6017122
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
1998-06-01
Project End
2000-06-30
Budget Start
1999-06-01
Budget End
2000-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Milwaukee
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53201
Butzin, Nicholas C; Owen, Heather A; Collins, Mary Lynne Perille (2010) A new system for heterologous expression of membrane proteins: Rhodospirillum rubrum. Protein Expr Purif 70:88-94
Cheng, Y S; Brantner, C A; Tsapin, A et al. (2000) Role of the H protein in assembly of the photochemical reaction center and intracytoplasmic membrane in Rhodospirillum rubrum. J Bacteriol 182:1200-7