Consensus Brain-derived Protein, Extraction Protocol for the Study of Human and Murine Brain Proteome Using Both 2D-DIGE and Mini 2DE Immunoblotting

Summary

A common protein extraction protocol using urea/thiourea/SDS buffer for human and mice brain tissue allows indentification of proteins by 2D-DIGE and their subsequent characterization by mini 2DE immunoblotting. This method enables one to obtain more reproducible and reliable results from human biopsies and experimental models.

Abstract

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) is a powerful tool to uncover proteome modifications potentially related to different physiological or pathological conditions. Basically, this technique is based on the separation of proteins according to their isoelectric point in a first step, and secondly according to their molecular weights by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In this report an optimized sample preparation protocol for little amount of human post-mortem and mouse brain tissue is described. This method enables to perform both two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and mini 2DE immunoblotting. The combination of these approaches allows one to not only find new proteins and/or protein modifications in their expression thanks to its compatibility with mass spectrometry detection, but also a new insight into markers validation. Thus, mini-2DE coupled to western blotting permits to identify and validate post-translational modifications, proteins catabolism and provides a qualitative comparison among different conditions and/or treatments. Herein, we provide a method to study components of protein aggregates found in AD and Lewy body dementia such as the amyloid-beta peptide and the alpha-synuclein. Our method can thus be adapted for the analysis of the proteome and insoluble proteins extract from human brain tissue and mice models too. In parallel, it may provide useful information for the study of molecular and cellular pathways involved in neurodegenerative diseases as well as potential novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Introduction

Mental and neurological disorders represent 13% of the global burden of disease, new challenges like pathophysiological mechanisms, risk factors and prodromal biomarkers must be explored¹. In line with this objective, proteomics studies of the human brain become indispensable to uncover molecular pathways involved in processes like memory, behavior, emotions and neuronal plasticity for instance, not only for physiological but also for pathological conditions. Therefore, the use of animal models and more specifically the transgenic mice, brings a wide range of possibilities to mimic the etiology of human neurodegenerative disorders².

Protocol

1. Homogenization and Total Protein Extraction from Human and Mouse Brain Tissue

1. Brain tissue homogenization. Homogenize the brain tissue 10% (w/v) in 8 M urea, 2 M thiourea and 1% w/v SDS buffer (UTS) using a potter glass (for human samples) or Teflon homogenizer (for mice samples). Sonicate at 60 Hz 30 pulses with a ultrasound generator applying 0.5 sec for total tissue disintegration^13,14.
   1. Determine protein concentration with Bradford assay, using BSA as standard. This UTS buffer extraction is totally compatible with one dimension SDS-PAGE as long as lysates are not over-heated to avoid carbamylation¹⁵

Results

Proteomics on brain tissue remains challenging since no ideal buffer exists to recover 100% of proteins, especially membrane-associated or cytoskeleton proteins. The first set of experiments were focused on the search for a suitable lysis buffer compatible with the two approaches and which enables to recover a large panel of protein. Thus, three lysis buffers were assayed to determine the most appropriate one. Firstly, it was used the common biochemical and molecular biology buffer Tris-HCl²⁰ at 10 mM with 1% .......

Discussion

Discovering pathological expression changes of proteins, search for biomarkers and the modulation of potential pathways for pharmacological targets are among the aims of the neuroproteomics approaches³⁰. Amid the emerging tools, the 2DE field adds a promising expectative. Nevertheless, a consensus should be reached in order to minimize variability and increase reproducibility in the experiments. In line of this idea a standardized protocol to perform 2D-DIGE (Figure 2) and the subsequent 2DE i.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
CyDye DIGE FLUOR MIN KIT 5 nmol 1 * 5 Nmo	GE Healtcare	25-8010-65
Immobiline DryStrip	GE Healtcare		Reference in function of the pH interval/size
IPG Buffer, pH X-X	GE Healtcare		Reference in function of the pH interval desired
AMBERLITE IRN-150L MIXED BED RESIN 1	GE Healtcare	551797N
DRYSTRIP COVER FLUID IMMOBILINE 1 * 1 l	GE Healtcare	17-1335-01
KIT BOX IPG 1 * 1 KIT	GE Healtcare	28-9334-92	Plastic box to make the passive rehydration
MILLEX GS Filter	Millipore	SLGS033SB
Criterion XT Precast Gels 13.3 x 8.7 cm (W x L)	Bio-Rad		Reference in function of the MW to separate
IPGphor III Isoelectric Focusing Unit	GE Healtcare	11-0033-64
Ettan DALTsix Large Electrophoresis System	GE Healtcare	80-6485-08
OneTouch 2D Gel SpotPicker 1.5 mm	Gel Company	P2D1.5