A Fluorescence-Based Assay to Determine PDZ-Ligand Binding Thermodynamics

Methods Mol Biol. 2021:2256:137-148. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1166-1_8.

Abstract

Postsynaptic density-95, disks-large, and zonula occludens-1 (PDZ) domain interactions with cognate linear binding motifs (i.e., PDZ-binding motifs or PBMs) are important for many biological processes and can be pathological when disrupted. There are hundreds of PDZ-PBM interactions reported but few have been quantitatively determined. Moreover, PDZ-PBM interactions have been identified as potential therapeutic targets. To thoroughly understand PDZ-PBM binding energetics and their specificity, we have developed a sensitive and quantitative equilibrium binding assay. Here, we describe a protocol for determining PDZ-PBM binding energetics using fluorescence anisotropy-based methodology.

Keywords: CASK; Fluorescence anisotropy; PDZ domain; PDZ-binding motif; Protein–protein binding; SGEF; Scribble.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Binding Sites
  • Fluorescence Polarization / methods*
  • Fluorescence*
  • Guanylate Kinases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • PDZ Domains*
  • Thermodynamics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins
  • SCRIB protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • CASK kinases
  • Guanylate Kinases