Functional Qbeta replicase genetically fusing essential subunits EF-Ts and EF-Tu with beta-subunit

J Biosci Bioeng. 2006 May;101(5):421-6. doi: 10.1263/jbb.101.421.

Abstract

Qbeta replicase, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of RNA coliphage Qbeta, is a heterotetramer composed of a phage-encoded beta-subunit and three host-encoded proteins: the ribosomal protein S1 (alpha-subunit), EF-Tu, and EF-Ts. Several purification methods for Qbeta replicase were described previously. However, in our efforts to improve the production of Qbeta replicase, a substantial amount of the beta-subunit overproduced in Escherichia coli cells was found as insoluble aggregates. In this paper, we describe two kinds of method of producing Qbeta replicase. In one kind, both EF-Tu and EF-Ts subunits were expressed with the beta-subunit, and in the other kind, the beta-subunit was genetically fused with EF-Tu and EF-Ts. The fused protein, a single-chain alpha-less Qbeta replicase, was mostly found in the soluble fraction and could be readily purified. These results pave the way for the large-scale production of the highly purified form of this enzyme.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Enzyme Activation
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Genetic Enhancement
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • Protein Subunits
  • Q beta Replicase / biosynthesis*
  • Q beta Replicase / chemistry*
  • Q beta Replicase / genetics
  • Q beta Replicase / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Protein Subunits
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Q beta Replicase