Cutting out Aspercetin to sequence

Feb 24, 2018

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Cutting out Aspercetin to sequence 
This image is of serial dilutions of Aserpcetin run out on an SDS-PAGE in reducing conditions. You can see here in the most dilute samples (the ones all the way to the right) that the two chains of this protein separate nicely! We actually use a razor blade to physically cut these bands out separately and send them to the proteomics center to sequence!
 
This is what the gel looks like after the bands are cut out! 

Elaine and Linda like this.

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Robert Evans

Yes, it is easy to see that the proteins are separating across the entire gel. It will be fantastic if the crystal structure elucidates both sequences.

Feb 26, 20180

Claudia Karen TynesBacker

I am so excited by your research! We have a young family member that was bitten twice in 30 days by copperheads. The current treatment cost $500,000!!!

Feb 24, 20181

Danielle DrabeckResearcher

Claudia, SO excited to hear about your interest! That's terrible about the copperhead bites! Where were they located?

Feb 24, 20180

About This Project

Uncovering the sequence and crystal structure of snake venom proteins

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Some South American opossums have a blood protein (vWF) which has evolved resistance to snake venom. Our lab examines how three venom proteins interact and evolve with vWF. However, necessary data for one of these proteins, Aspercetin, are lacking. This project aims to sequence Aspercetin and obtain the crystal structure of vWF complexed with Aspercetin, to understand how this protein has evolved to target vWF, and how opossums have co-evolved to combat its deadly function.