Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements of the chlamydia outer protein B (CopB) made by cell-free protein synthesis

We demonstrate the use of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to characterize fluorescently-labeled protein production. We use cell-free protein synthesis to express the protein YFP-CopB, a fusion of Chlamydia Outer Protein (Cop) B and Yellow Fluorescent Protein (YFP). CopB is a [~]50 kDa protein believed to have a critical role in chlamydial infection.1 After adding a plasmid encoding YFP-CopB to an E. coli cell-free lysate, protein expression begins. We track the cell-free reaction over several hours using the EI-FLEX, a commercial instrument with FCS capability. As protein is expressed over time, YFP-CopB increases in concentration, and the EI-FLEX detects an increase in fluorescent signal above the background of the cell-free lysate. The FCS data collected gives information about the size, aggregation tendencies, rates of production and fluorescent protein maturation, and concentration of the YFP-CopB produced. The use of FCS concurrent with cell-free synthesis presents a simple method to characterize proteins of interest as they are produced without the need for purification.