Application of a Fluorescence Anisotropy-Based Assay to Quantify Transglutaminase 2 Activity in Cell Lysates

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Sandra Hauser - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Paul Sommerfeld - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Johanna Wodtke - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Christoph Hauser - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Paul Schlitterlau - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Jens Pietzsch - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Reik Löser - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Markus Pietsch - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Robert Wodtke - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)

Abstract

Transglutaminase 2 (TGase 2) is a multifunctional protein which is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes. The latter also include its participation in the development and progression of malignant neoplasms, which are often accompanied by increased protein synthesis. In addition to the elucidation of the molecular functions of TGase 2 in tumor cells, knowledge of its concentration that is available for targeting by theranostic agents is a valuable information. Herein, we describe the application of a recently developed fluorescence anisotropy (FA)-based assay for the quantitative expression profiling of TGase 2 by means of transamidase-active enzyme in cell lysates. This assay is based on the incorporation of rhodamine B-isonipecotyl-cadaverine (R-I-Cad) into N,N-dimethylated casein (DMC), which results in an increase in the FA signal over time. It was shown that this reaction is not only catalyzed by TGase 2 but also by TGases 1, 3, and 6 and factor XIIIa using recombinant proteins. Therefore, control measurements in the presence of a selective irreversible TGase 2 inhibitor were mandatory to ascertain the specific contribution of TGase 2 to the overall FA rate. To validate the assay regarding the quality of quantification, spike/recovery and linearity of dilution experiments were performed. A total of 25 cancer and 5 noncancer cell lines were characterized with this assay method in terms of their activatable TGase 2 concentration (fmol/µg protein lysate) and the results were compared to protein synthesis data obtained by Western blotting. Moreover, complementary protein quantification methods using a biotinylated irreversible TGase 2 inhibitor as an activity-based probe and a commercially available ELISA were applied to selected cell lines to further validate the results obtained by the FA-based assay. Overall, the present study demonstrates that the FA-based assay using the substrate pair R-I-Cad and DMC represents a facile, homogenous and continuous method for quantifying TGase 2 activity in cell lysates.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number4475
JournalInternational journal of molecular sciences
Volume23
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • activity-based protein profiling, cancer, ELISA, enzyme assay, transamidase activity