Abstract
Biophysical and structural characterization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been limited due to difficulties in expression, purification, and vitro stability of the full-length receptors. "Divide and conquer" approaches aimed at the NMR characterization of peptides corresponding to specific regions of the receptor have yielded insights into the structure and dynamics of GPCR activation and signaling. Though significant progress has been made in the generation of peptides that are composed of GPCR transmembrane domains, current methods utilize fusion protein strategies that require chemical cleavage and peptide separation via chromatographic means. We have developed an expression and purification system based on fusion to ketosteroid isomerase, thrombin cleavage, and tandem affinity chromatography that enables the solubilization, cleavage, and characterization in a single detergent system relevant for biophysical and structural characterization. We have applied this expression and purification system to the production and characterization of peptides of the adenosine receptor family of GPCRs in Escherichia coli. Herein, we demonstrate using a model peptide that includes extracellular loop 3, transmembrane domain 7, and a portion of the carboxy-terminus of the adenosine A(2)a receptor that the peptide is sufficiently pure for biophysical characterization, where it adopts α-helical structure. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of this system by optimizing the construct for thrombin processing and apply the system to peptides with more complex structures.