Expression and purification of full length mouse metal response element binding transcription factor-1 using Pichia pastoris

Abstract

The metal response element binding transcription factor-1 (MTF-1) is an important stress response, heavy metal detoxification, and zinc homeostasis factor in eukaryotic organisms from Drosophila to humans. MTF-1 transcriptional regulation is primarily mediated by elevated levels of labile zinc, which direct MTF-1 to bind the metal response element (MRE). This process involves direct zinc binding to the MTF-1 zinc fingers, and zinc dependent interaction of the MTF-1 acidic region with the p300 coactivator protein. Here, the first recombinant expression system for mutant and wild type (WT) mouse MTF-1 (mMTF-1) suitable for biochemical and biophysical studies in vitro is reported. Using the methyltropic yeast Pichia pastoris, nearly half-milligram recombinant WT and mutant mMTF-1 were produced per liter of P. pastoris cell culture, and purified by a FLAG-tag epitope. Using a first pass ammonium sulfate purification, followed by anti-FLAG affinity resin, mMTF-1 was purified to >95% purity. This recombinant mMTF-1 was then assayed for direct protein–protein interactions with p300 by co-immunoprecipitation. Surface plasmon resonance studies on mMTF-1 provided the first quantitative DNA binding affinity measurements to the MRE promotor element (Kd=5±3nM). Both assays demonstrated the functional activity of the recombinant mMTF-1, while elucidating the molecular basis for mMTF-1-p300 functional synergy, and provided new insights into the mMTF-1 domain specific roles in DNA binding. Overall, this production system provides accessibility for the first time to a multitude of in vitro studies using recombinant mutant and WT mMTF-1, which greatly facilitates new approaches to understanding the complex and varied functions of this protein.