Sulfation of a FLAG tag mediated by SLC35B2 and TPST2 affects antibody recognition

PLoS One. 2021 May 5;16(5):e0250805. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250805. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

A FLAG tag consisting of DYKDDDDK is an epitope tag that is frequently and widely used to detect recombinant proteins of interest. In this study, we performed a CRISPR-based genetic screening to identify factors involved in the detection of a FLAG-tagged misfolded model protein at the cell surface. In the screening, SLC35B2, which encodes 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate transporter 1, was identified as the candidate gene. The detection of FLAG-tagged misfolded proteins at the cell surface was significantly increased in SLC35B2-knockout cells. Furthermore, protein tyrosine sulfation mediated by tyrosyl-protein sulfotransferase 2 (TPST2) suppressed FLAG-tagged protein detection. Localization analysis of the FLAG-tagged misfolded proteins confirmed that defects in tyrosine sulfation are only responsible for enhancing anti-FLAG staining on the plasma membrane but not inducing the localization change of misfolded proteins on the plasma membrane. These results suggest that a FLAG tag on the misfolded protein would be sulfated, causing a reduced detection by the M2 anti-FLAG antibody. Attention should be required when quantifying the FLAG-tagged proteins in the secretory pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Epitopes / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Sulfate Transporters / metabolism*
  • Sulfotransferases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Epitopes
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • SLC35B2 protein, human
  • Sulfate Transporters
  • Sulfotransferases
  • TPST2 protein, human

Grants and funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 31770853 National Natural Science Foundation of China 32071278 the Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities 111-2-06 National first-class discipline program of Light Industry Technology and Engineering LITE2018-015 Top-notch Academic Programs Project of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions the International Joint Research Laboratory for Investigation of Glycoprotein Biosynthesis at Jiangnan University.