Síntesis y purificación de apolipoproteína apo A-I Zaragoza (L144R) recombinante

Abstract

Introduction Apolipoprotein A-I Zaragoza (apo A-I Z, L144R mutation) is an apolipoprotein A-I variant whose carriers have low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) concentrations but, paradoxically, no atherosclerotic symptoms despite the presence of additional atherogenic risks. In vivo metabolic studies performed on heterozygous carriers of this apo A-I variant revealed a two-fold increased fractional catabolic rate compared to the wild type protein, suggesting an enhanced effect on the overall reverse cholesterol transport process. Objectives To establish an expression and purification system of recombinant wild type apo A-I and apo A-I Z with high yield and purity in order to compare their properties related to reverse cholesterol transport as well as other anti-atherogenic characteristics. Methods A cDNA clone of wild type apo A-I was used as a PCR template to amplify the mature peptide sequence. Specially designed primers allowed the cloning of the sequence into an inducible expression pET-45 plasmid adding a Histidine tag in the N-terminal expressed peptide. Site directed mutagenesis was used to produce the L144R mutation in the apo A-I sequence to be expressed in the same system. E. coli BL21(DE3) were transformed with the prepared plasmids, peptide expression was induced and purification was performed in non-denaturing conditions by nickel affinity chromatography. Results Expression and purification of both proteins was achieved and verified by SDS-PAGE and immunochemical procedures. Actual yields were over 30 mg of purified protein per litre of culture and a 94% purity grade for the wild type protein and 93% for the mutant protein were obtained. Conclusions A system for the expression and purification of wild type apo A-I and apo A-I Z with high yield and purity grade has been set up. This will be the basis for future structural and functional characterization of the L144R apo A-I mutant allowing the study of its anti-atherogenic properties.