Cloning, expression, purification, and crystallisation of HIV-2 reverse transcriptase

Protein Expr Purif. 2003 Jan;27(1):12-8. doi: 10.1016/s1046-5928(02)00567-3.

Abstract

A purification procedure is described for the isolation of recombinant HIV-2 reverse transcriptase expressed in Escherichia coli. The p68 subunit is expressed, in the absence of induction, and use of a heparin-Sepharose column produces substantially pure protein. Concentration of the homodimeric p68 reverse transcriptase pool, followed by incubation at room temperature for several days, results in full conversion by E. coli proteases to the heterodimer (p68/p55). This extended incubation simplifies the purification process and improves the yield of heterodimeric reverse transcriptase, which shows a truncation of the smaller subunit to 427 residues. The protein is then purified further by hydroxyapatite and gel-filtration chromatography to homogeneity. The HIV-2 RT is active and has been used to produce crystals that diffract to beyond 3.0 A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Crystallization
  • Gene Expression*
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase
  • HIV-1 / enzymology*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / biosynthesis
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / chemistry*
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / isolation & purification*
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • reverse transcriptase, Human immunodeficiency virus 2
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase