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Abstract
The transmembrane domain proteins of the claudin superfamily are the major structural components of cellular tight junctions. One family member, claudin-1, also associates with tetraspanin CD81 as part of a receptor complex that is essential for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection of the liver. To understand the molecular basis of claudin-1/CD81 association we previously produced and purified milligram quantities of functional, full-length CD81, which binds a soluble form of HCV E2 glycoprotein (sE2). Here we report the production, purification and characterization of claudin-1. Both yeast membrane-bound and detergent-extracted, purified claudin-1 were antigenic and recognized by specific antibodies. Analytical ultracentrifugation demonstrated that extraction with n-octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside yielded monodispersed, dimeric pools of claudin-1 while extraction with profoldin-8 or n-decylphosphocholine yielded a dynamic mixture of claudin-1 oligomers. Neither form bound sE2 in line with literature expectations, while further functional analysis was hampered by the finding that incorporation of claudin-1 into proteoliposomes rendered them intractable to study. Dynamic light scattering demonstrated that claudin-1 oligomers associate with CD81 in vitro in a defined molar ratio of 1∶2 and that complex formation was enhanced by the presence of cholesteryl hemisuccinate. Attempts to assay the complex biologically were limited by our finding that claudin-1 affects the properties of proteoliposomes. We conclude that recombinant, correctly-folded, full-length claudin-1 can be produced in yeast membranes, that it can be extracted in different oligomeric forms that do not bind sE2 and that a dynamic preparation can form a specific complex with CD81 in vitro in the absence of any other cellular components. These findings pave the way for the structural characterization of claudin-1 alone and in complex with CD81.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | e64517 |
Journal | PLoS ONE |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Production, purification and characterization of recombinant, full-length human claudin-1'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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The Role of Hepatitis C Virus Glycoprotein-Receptor Polymorphism in Viral Pathogenesis
McKeating, J.
1/01/12 → 30/06/17
Project: Research Councils
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Mechanisms of Hepatitis C Virus Induced Hepatocyte Injury
McKeating, J. & Balfe, P.
1/10/09 → 30/09/12
Project: Research Councils