Title
A LEA model peptide protects the function of a red fluorescent protein in the dry state
Author
Takao Furuki, Tatsuya Niwa, Hideki Taguchi, Rie Hatanaka, Takahiro Kikawada, Minoru Sakurai
Year
2019
Journal
Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
Abstract
We tested whether a short model peptide derived from a group 3 late embryogenesisabundant (G3LEA) protein is able to maintain the fluorescence activity of a red fluorescent protein, mKate2, in the dry state. The fluorescence intensity of mKate2 alone decreased gradually through repeated dehydration-rehydration treatments. However, in the presence of the LEA model peptide, the peak intensity was maintained almost perfectly during such stress treatments, which implies that the three dimensional structure of the active site of mKate2 was protected even under severe desiccation conditions. For comparison, similar experiments were performed with other additives such as a native G3LEA protein, trehalose and BSA, all of whose protective abilities were lower than that of the LEA model peptide.
Instrument
J-1100, FP-6500
Keywords
Circular dichroism, Secondary structure, Chemical stability, Biochemistry, Fluorescence, Protein structure