Zinc-fingers are small protein structural motifs that coordinate zinc ions with cysteine and histidine in order to stabilize their structures. Proteins that possess theses motifs are known as zinc finger proteins, and their functions vary due to the different types of zinc finger structures. In addition, these zinc-finger proteins often interact with DNA and RNA.     The Myxoma Virus (MV) is the agent that is responsible for myxomatosis, which is a lethal disease of the European rabbit. Several proteins within MV are associated with malignancy within mammalian cells and the immune system. One protein in particular is known as the MV leukemia-associated protein (MV-LAP). This protein is responsible for the decrease in class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) molecules in the host. The down regulation of MHC molecules allows for viruses to enhance their ability to avoid detection by the host's immune system. The MV-Lap was expressed and purified as a fusion protein, fused to both Maltose Binding Protein (MBP) and NusA. MBP fusion proteins, though easily and successfully purified as fusion proteins, were difficult to separate after cleavage and liberation of the MBP solubility tag. The NusA fusion protein system was therefore screened as an alternative fusion protein system.

Expression, purification, and cleavage of MV-LAP fused to NusA

247th National Meeting (2014)

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