pLEF, a novel vector for expression of glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins in mammalian cells.

An expression vector, pLEF, has been used to produce the intracellular domain (IC) of the human CD95 (Fas/APO-1) apoptosis receptor as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein in murine L929 fibroblasts. GST::CD95IC was affinity-purified in a single step using glutathione-Sepharose. Purification of GST::CD95IC from 32P-labelled L929 cells and cleavage with thrombin revealed that CD95IC was phosphorylated in vivo when produced as a GST fusion protein. Therefore, pLEF may facilitate the mapping of in vivo-modified sites of eukaryotic proteins.