Purification and characterization of the human cysteine-rich S100A3 protein and its pseudo citrullinated forms expressed in insect cells.

High quantity and quality of recombinant Ca(2+)-binding proteins are required to study their molecular interactions, self-assembly, posttranslational modifications, and biological activities to elucidate Ca(2+)-dependent cellular signaling pathways. S100A3 is a unique member of the S100 protein family with the highest cysteine content (10%). This protein, derived from human hair follicles and cuticles, is characterized by an N-terminal acetyl group and irreversible posttranslational citrullination by peptidylarginine deiminase causing its homotetramer assembly. Insect cells, capable of introducing eukaryotic N-terminus and disulfide bonds, are an appropriate host in which to express this cysteine-rich protein. Four out of ten cysteines in the recombinant S100A3 form two intramolecular disulfide bridges that modulate its Ca(2+)-affinity. Three free thiol groups located at the C-terminus are predicted to form the high-affinity Zn(2+)-binding site. Citrullination of specific arginine residues in native S100A3 can be mimicked by site-directed mutagenic substitution of Arg/Ala. This chapter details our procedures used for the purification and characterization of the human S100A3 protein and its pseudo citrullinated forms expressed in insect cells.