The Use of His-tagged EGFP- and mCherry-Drosophila Ultrabithorax (Ubx) Fusion Proteins for Student Designed Biomaterials Formation Projects

 

Donna L. Pattison & Sarah E. Bondos

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2012, Volume 33

Abstract

The Ultrabithorax (Ubx) protein from Drosophila melanogastor is a Hox protein that serves as a transcription factor in vivo, regulating fly development. In vitro, the protein self-aggregates into remarkably stable, elastic, heat-resistant ordered materials making Ubx a promising candidate for development of a wide variety of biological applications. In this module, students purify either his-tagged EGFP- or his-tagged mCherry-Ubx fusion protein using affinity chromatography. Students design their own experiments to test the biomaterial forming characteristics of the purified fusion proteins. Students learn how to do polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Bradford assays, and protein purification through their participation in this project.

Keywords:  protein purification, biomaterials, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), fluorescent protein, column chromatography

New Mexico State University (2011)