Specific cell surface labeling of GPCRs using split GFP

Sci Rep. 2016 Feb 9:6:20568. doi: 10.1038/srep20568.

Abstract

Specific cell surface labeling is essential for visualizing the internalization processes of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and for gaining mechanistic insight of GPCR functions. Here we present a rapid, specific, and versatile labeling scheme for GPCRs at living-cell membrane with the use of a split green fluorescent protein (GFP). Demonstrated with two GPCRs, GPR17 and CysLT2R, we show that two β-stands (β-stands 10 and 11) derived from a superfolder GFP (sfGFP) can be engineered to one of the three extracellular loop of a GPCR. The complementary fragment of sfGFP has nine β-strands (β-stands 1-9) that carries the mature fluorophore, and can be proteolytically derived from the full-length sfGFP. Separately the GFP fragments are non-fluorescent, but become fluorescent upon assembly, thus allowing specific labeling of the target proteins. The two GFP fragments rapidly assemble and the resulting complex is extremely tight under non-denaturing conditions, which allows real-time and quantitative assessment of the internalized GPCRs. We envision that this labeling scheme will be of great use for labeling other membrane proteins in various biological and pharmacological applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Green Fluorescent Proteins* / chemistry
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins* / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins* / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled* / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins* / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins* / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins* / metabolism
  • Staining and Labeling / methods*

Substances

  • GPR17 protein, human
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins