Production of Human Norovirus Protruding Domains in E. coli for X-ray Crystallography

Summary

Here, we describe a method to express and purify high quality norovirus protruding (P) domains in E. coli for use in X-ray crystallography studies. This method can be applied to other calicivirus P domains, as well as non-structural proteins, i.e., viral protein genome-linked (VPg), protease, and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp).

Abstract

The norovirus capsid is composed of a single major structural protein, termed VP1. VP1 is subdivided into a shell (S) domain and a protruding (P) domain. The S domain forms a contiguous scaffold around the viral RNA, whereas the P domain forms viral spikes on the S domain and contains determinants for antigenicity and host-cell interactions. The P domain binds carbohydrate structures, i.e., histo-blood group antigens, which are thought to be important for norovirus infections. In this protocol, we describe a method for producing high quality norovirus P domains in high yields. These proteins can then be used for X-ray crystallography and ELISA in order to study antigenicity and host-cell interactions.

The P domain is firstly cloned into an expression vector and then expressed in bacteria. The protein is purified using three steps that involve immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography. In principle, it is possible to clone, express, purify, and crystallize proteins in less than four weeks, which makes this protocol a rapid system for analyzing newly emerging norovirus strains.

Introduction

Human noroviruses are the major cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide¹. These viruses belong to the Caliciviridae family, of which there are at least five genera, including Norovirus, Sapovirus, Lagovirus, Vesivirus, and Nebovirus. Despite their high impact on the healthcare system and wide distribution, the study of human noroviruses is hampered by the lack of a robust cell culture system. To date, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral strategies available.

The norovirus major capsid protein, termed VP1, can be divided into a shell (S) domain and a protruding (P) dom....

Protocol

1. P Domain Cloning

1. Determine the P domain coding region by sequence alignment of norovirus strains (e.g., GII.10 strain, GenBank: AF504671, pdb-ID: 3ONU)⁶. Moreover, remove the flexible region at the C-terminal end of the P domain (Figure 2A). Codon-optimize the DNA for E. coli expression and include BamHI (N-terminal) and NotI (C-terminal) restriction sites in order to sub-clone the P domain coding region into the pMalc2x expression vector^6,7.
   Note: The P domain coding region is optimized and synthesized by a commercial service. The P domain coding region (insert) is approximately 1 kb in le....

Results

The schematic of the described protocol is depicted in Figure 1. The protocol covers 6 major parts that include cloning of the target gene, expression, a three-step purification, and crystallization. Figure 2 illustrates the design of the expression construct (EC) and characteristics of the pMalc2x expression vector. The sequence of the multiple cloning site (MCS) of the pMalc2x vector shows restriction and protease cleavage sites. Figure 3

Discussion

Here, we describe a protocol for the expression and purification of norovirus P domains in high quality and quantity. Noroviruses are not well studied and structural data are continuously needed. To our knowledge, P domain production using other protocols (e.g., GST-tagged P domains) has been problematic, so far, and sufficient structural data on norovirus-host interaction have been missing. With the method described here, we have recently contributed significantly to the understanding of the molecular details o.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
P domain DNA	Life Technologies		GeneArt Gene Synthesis
pMalc2x  vector	On request
BamHI	New England Biolabs	R0136L
NotI	New England Biolabs	R0189L
T4 DNA Ligase	New England Biolabs	M0202S
QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit	Qiagen	28704
QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit	Qiagen	27104
S.O.C. Medium	Life Technologies	15544-034
Econo-Column Chromatography Column	Bio-Rad	7372512	2.5 x 10 cm, possible to use other size
Ni-NTA Agarose	Qiagen	30210
Vivaspin 20	GE Healthcare	various	cutoff of 10 kDa, 30 kDa and 50 kDa used
Subcloning Efficiency DH5α Competent Cells	Life Technologies	18265-017
One Shot BL21(DE3) Chemically Competent E. coli	Life Technologies	C6000-03
HRV 3C Protease	Merck Millipore	71493
HiLoad 26/600 Superdex 75 PG	GE Healthcare	28-9893-34	SEC column
JCSG Core suites	Qiagen	various	4 screens with each 96 wells
Carbohydrates	Dextra Laboratories, UK	various	Blood group products