Purifying tagged proteins

What is tagged protein purification?

Tagged protein purification uses affinity chromatography (AC) to purify recombinant proteins that have been engineered to include a specific peptide or protein sequence (tag). The use of tags significantly simplifies purification and enables use of standard protocols.

How does it work?

The target protein, with an affinity tag attached, is specifically and reversibly bound to a chromatographic resin containing a binding substance (ligand) with affinity to the tag.

When should tagged protein purification be used?

Affinity purification of tagged proteins can be used as the only purification step in applications that do not require very high purity. When very high purity is needed (95% to 99%), this technique can be used as the first (capture) step followed by a size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) step.

Tagged protein purification step by step

1. The sample is applied to the column under conditions that favour binding to the ligand. Unbound material is washed out of the column.
2. The bound tagged protein is recovered (eluted), typically using a competitive ligand.
3. The eluted protein is usually at a high concentration. If tag removal is needed prior to use of the protein, cleavage may be performed using a site-specific protease.

Common applications

Tagged proteins are expressed in hosts such as E. coli and yeast, as well as insect and mammalian cells. Common choices for protein affinity tags are polyhistidine (histidine-tag), glutathione S-transferase (GST), maltose-binding protein (MBP), Strep-tag^® II, and FLAG™ tags. His-tagged proteins are purified with a variant of affinity chromatography called IMAC (immobilized metal affinity chromatography).

Protocol example — a his-tagged protein purification using ÄKTA™ go

ÄKTA go is a small and compact liquid chromatography system that allows researchers to perform routine protein purification with ease while allowing for efficient use of bench and cold cabinet space.

His-tagged green fluorescent protein (GFP-His) was purified from an E. coli cell extract using two chromatography steps. The columns for each step were connected to the system at the same time using the column valve (Fig 1).

Fig 1. The HisTrap and HiLoad columns were mounted at the same time on ÄKTA go (left) using the optional column valve (right). For a larger image, click here.

In the first step, affinity purification using a HisTrap HP column, a HiTrap column prefilled with Ni Sepharose HP resin, was used. The eluate was passed on to a second chromatography step using a HiLoad 16/600 Superdex 75 pg SEC column to further improve purity.

Predefined methods simplified the purification

ÄKTA go is fully supported by UNICORN 7 support software, which gives real-time control of the chromatography system. Automated methods can be created in minutes for most common chromatography techniques using predefined methods. In this application, the methods below were generated using predefined methods (Fig 2).

Fig 2. Predefined methods for affinity chromatography and size exclusion chromatography steps in UNICORN software. For a larger image, click here.

Results: efficient and reliable his-tagged protein purification

His-tagged protein purification simplified protein purification and enabled the use of standard protocols. In Figures 3 and 4 results from the two-step protocol are shown. The results from SDS-PAGE verified that GFP-His was effectively purified already after the affinity chromatography step even though some smaller impurities were removed after the final SEC step (Fig 5).

Protocol summary

• Sample: GFP-His expressed in E. coli cells
• Sample prep: Frozen paste was resuspended, sonicated, and centrifuged; 10 mL of the supernatant was filtered through a 0.45 µm filter
• Affinity chromatography: HisTrap HP, 1 mL (Buffer A: 20 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM NaCl, pH 7.4; Buffer B: 20 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM NaCl, 500 mM imidazole, pH 7.4)
• Affinity chromatography step: HisTrap HP 1 mL
• Size exclusion chromatography: HiLoad 16/600 Superdex 75 pg (Buffer A: PBS)
• Analysis: SDS-PAGE
• Affinity chromatography step: HisTrap HP 1 mL

Fig 3. The 5 mL sample of E. coli lysate containing GFP-His was applied on a HisTrap HP column. Bound material was eluted by a linear gradient of up to 50% of Buffer B containing 20 mM sodium phosphate, 500 mM NaCl, and 500 mM imidazole. Impurities with weaker affinity to the resin eluted at lower imidazole concentration compared to GFP-His. Fraction 7 and 8, containing GFP-His, were pooled and applied on a HiLoad 16/600 Superdex 75 pg SEC column. For a larger image, click here.

Fig 4. Fractions 7 and 8 from the AC step were pooled to make a total volume of 3.8 mL. The pooled fraction was applied on the HiLoad 16/600 Sephadex 75 pg SEC column. For a larger image, click here.

Fig 5. Coomassie blue stained SDS-PAGE gel showing GFP-His purity after the two chromatographic steps. Lane 4 shows the purified GFP-His. For a larger image, click here.

Tips for tagged protein purification

1. Define the required level of purity and identify options to achieve this level of purity.
2. If the sample is not pure enough after SEC, for example, several bands are observed in the SDS-PAGE gel, optimize the AC step or add an extra intermediate purification step such as ion exchange chromatography.
3. Purifying Tagged Proteins Using ÄKTA Go Protein Purification System.
4. Determine whether or not you need to remove the tag and how.
5. Select the appropriate chromatography resin, format, and instrument that meets your needs.

Which affinity tag should I choose?

Adding an affinity tag to your protein can simplify purification and detection and can improve solubility and stability. But if a tag could interfere with use of your protein, you might consider either removing it after purification or purifying the native protein instead.

If you do decide to add a tag, considerations for choosing the appropriate tag should include the purification priorities, size of the tag, and cost of the chromatography resins.

For a larger image, click here.

How can I remove the affinity tag from my protein?

Your tagged protein must include a recognition sequence for the protease that you plan to use. Cleavage can be done on the column or after the tagged protein has been eluted. Common proteases with low specificity are thrombin and factor Xa. Proteases with higher specificities are available. Recombinant proteases that have the same tag as the target protein can be removed with the same resin that was used to purify the target.

Learn more about ÄKTA go.