Protein Lipidation Protocols

In Protein Lipidation Protocols, Michael Gelb brings together a collection of readily reproducible techniques for studying protein lipidation, the covalent attachment of lipids to proteins. These cutting-edge methods-many never published before in a "hands-on" format-deal with glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-containing compounds, protein fatty acylation, and protein prenylation. Included are novel techniques for determining the chemical structure of GPI-anchors, for radiolabeling the prenyl groups of protein in eukaryotic cells, a tool for developing inhibitors of the protein farnesyltransferase, and for an exciting lysosomal enzyme that cleaves fatty acyl groups from proteins, the first fatty acylase discovered. Protein Lipidation Protocols offers biochemists, cell and molecular biologists, medicinal chemists, and pharmaceutical researchers state-of-the-art tools for understanding the complex biochemistry of protein lipidation, as well as catalyzing the development of many important new biopharmaceuticals, including anticancer drugs.

This volume explores techniques used to detect lipids attached to proteins, to analyze the function of lipid modifications, and to characterize the enzymes that add and remove lipids from proteins. The book is organized into seven parts: Part One describes chemically-based strategies to identify substrates for protein lipidation that can be applied to individual proteins or globally using proteomics. Part Two focuses on the enzymes that remove fatty acids from proteins and provides methods to monitor protein biogenesis and palmitate turnover. Part Three addresses biochemical and cellular characterization of DHHC S-acyltransferases, a family of enzymes with 23 members encoded by the human genome. Part Four presents the SwissPalm 2 database and tips on how to use it effectively. Part Five focuses on fatty acylation that occurs in the lumen of the secretory pathway. Parts Six and Seven conclude the book with methods to produce and assay lipid-modified and integral membrane proteins. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and authoritative, Protein Lipidation: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for experts in the field and for investigators who encounter protein lipidation through their research on a particular cellular process or favorite protein.

Protein engineering is a fascinating mixture of molecular biology, protein structure analysis, computation, and biochemistry, with the goal of developing useful or valuable proteins. Protein Engineering Protocols will consider the two general, but not mutually exclusive, strategies for protein engineering. The first is known as rational design, in which the scientist uses detailed knowledge of the structure and function of the protein to make desired changes. The s- ond strategy is known as directed evolution. In this case, random mutagenesis is applied to a protein, and selection or screening is used to pick out variants that have the desired qualities. By several rounds of mutation and selection, this method mimics natural evolution. An additional technique known as DNA shuffling mixes and matches pieces of successful variants to produce better results. This process mimics recombination that occurs naturally during sexual reproduction. The first section of Protein Engineering Protocols describes rational p- tein design strategies, including computational methods, the use of non-natural amino acids to expand the biological alphabet, as well as impressive examples for the generation of proteins with novel characteristics. Although procedures for the introduction of mutations have become routine, predicting and und- standing the effects of these mutations can be very challenging and requires profound knowledge of the system as well as protein structures in general.

Short Protocols in Protein Science provides condensed descriptions of more than 500 protocols compiled from Current Protocols in Protein Science. Drawing from both the original "core" manual as well as the quarterly update service, this compendium includes all step-by-step descriptions of the principal methods covered in Current Protocols in Protein Science.

The first edition of Protein Purification Protocols (1996), edited by Professor Shawn Doonan, rapidly became very successful. Professor Doonan achieved his aims of p- ducing a list of protocols that were invaluable to newcomers in protein purification and of significant benefit to established practitioners. Each chapter was written by an ex- rienced expert in the field. In the intervening time, a number of advances have w- ranted a second edition. However, in attempting to encompass the recent developments in several areas, the intention has been to expand on the original format, retaining the concepts that made the initial edition so successful. This is reflected in the structure of this second edition. I am indebted to Professor Doonan for his involvement in this new edition and the continuity that this brings. Each chapter that appeared in the original volume has been reviewed and updated to reflect advances and bring the topic into the 21st century. In many cases, this reflects new applications or new matrices available from vendors. Many of these have increased the performance and/or scope of the given method. Several new chapters have been introduced, including chapters on all the currently used protein fractionation and ch- matographic techniques. They introduce the theory and background for each method, providing lists of the equipment and reagents required for their successful execution, as well as a detailed description of how each is performed.

Adhesion molecules are of fundamental importance in the regulation of immunity, inflammation, tissue remodeling, and embryonic development. They comprise different families of homologous proteins, such as selectins, integrins, cadherins, and immunoglobins. In addition, beyond these groups, other str- tures with adhesive properties, such as proteoglycans, occludin, and CD44, have been characterized recently. An understanding of the type and characteristics of adhesive molecules expressed by the different cell types and the possibility of manipulating their activity promises considerable clinical potential. Antibodies, small peptidic and nonpeptidic molecules, have recently been used to inhibit thrombosis by blocking platelet aggregation or inflammation through inhibition of leukocyte infiltration and adhesion. Inhibitors of adhesive molecules are used in expe- mental systems for the study of tumor growth and dissemination. Among major goals in the field are the identification of new members of the known adhesive protein families and of independent new adhesive structures. After structural characterization, even more demanding is the study of the biological activity of the new proteins, and the development of simple, rapid tests for the screening of possible inhibitors. In this regard, the production of such reagents as fragments and antibodies would help define the structure–function relati- ship of individual proteins. Data available in the literature show the complexity of the adhesive process and how different molecular epitopes might contribute to the adhesive properties of a single structure. Finally, a new area of investi- tion is the characterization of the intracellular signaling cascade triggered by the engagement of transmembrane adhesive proteins.

As key components of many cell signaling pathways, protein kinases are implicated in a broad variety of diseases, including cancers and neurodegenerative conditions, and offer considerable potential as tractable targets for therapeutic intervention. In Protein Kinase Protocols, a panel of highly skilled laboratory investigators describe both basic and more sophisticated methods for the analysis of kinase-mediated signaling cascades, with emphasis on the identification of proteins according to their interactive relationships and the analysis of their functional properties. Described in step-by-step detail, these readily reproducible techniques offer novices quick access to a complicated field, and provide more experienced investigators many novel time-saving ploys. Emphasis is given to the critical technical steps that are often omitted from methods published in the primary literature. There are also tips on potential pitfalls and copious notes on how to adjust the protocols to work in related systems. Broad in its range of techniques and thoroughly detailed to help ensure experimental success, Protein Kinase Protocols offers both novice and experienced investigators powerful tools for understanding the functional roles of specific protein kinases within signaling cascades and for identification and evaluation of novel therapeutic targets.