Site-specific protein modification using immobilized sortase in batch and continuous-flow systems

Nat Protoc. 2015 Mar;10(3):508-16. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2015.026. Epub 2015 Feb 26.

Abstract

Transpeptidation catalyzed by sortase A allows the preparation of proteins that are site-specifically and homogeneously modified with a wide variety of functional groups, such as fluorophores, PEG moieties, lipids, glycans, bio-orthogonal reactive groups and affinity handles. This protocol describes immobilization of sortase A on a solid support (Sepharose beads). Immobilization of sortase A simplifies downstream purification of a protein of interest after labeling of its N or C terminus. Smaller batch and larger-scale continuous-flow reactions require only a limited amount of enzyme. The immobilized enzyme can be reused for multiple cycles of protein modification reactions. The described protocol also works with a Ca(2+)-independent variant of sortase A with increased catalytic activity. This heptamutant variant of sortase A (7M) was generated by combining previously published mutations, and this immobilized enzyme can be used for the modification of calcium-senstive substrates or in instances in which low temperatures are needed. Preparation of immobilized sortase A takes 1-2 d. Batch reactions take 3-12 h and flow reactions proceed at 0.5 ml h(-1), depending on the geometry of the reactor used.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminoacyltransferases / genetics
  • Aminoacyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Catalysis
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / metabolism*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Peptidyl Transferases / metabolism*
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sepharose

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Proteins
  • Sepharose
  • Aminoacyltransferases
  • sortase A
  • Peptidyl Transferases
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases