Recombinant bovine transmembrane protein C10orf57 homolog is commonly expressed in E. coli expression systems with an N-terminal histidine tag to facilitate purification . The full-length protein (amino acids 1-124) is encoded by the cDNA sequence corresponding to UniProt ID Q0D2G3.
For optimal expression, researchers should consider the following methodological approach:
Clone the full coding sequence into an appropriate bacterial expression vector
Transform into an E. coli strain optimized for protein expression
Induce protein expression under controlled conditions
Lyse cells using appropriate detergents that maintain membrane protein structure
Purify using affinity chromatography (His-tag purification)
The purified protein is typically provided as a lyophilized powder to ensure stability during shipping and storage .
To maintain the functional integrity of recombinant bovine transmembrane protein C10orf57 homolog, specific storage and reconstitution procedures should be followed:
These conditions are optimized to maintain protein stability and function. Prior to experimental use, researchers should verify protein activity using appropriate functional assays specific to transmembrane proteins. The addition of glycerol serves as a cryoprotectant to prevent protein denaturation during freezing and thawing processes .
When conducting immunological assays such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or immunocytochemistry with antibodies against bovine C10orf57 homolog, proper controls are essential for result validation. Based on established protocols for similar proteins:
Positive Control: Include samples known to express bovine C10orf57 homolog
Negative Control: Include samples from tissues/cells that do not express the protein
Antibody Blocking Experiments: Use recombinant protein fragments as blocking controls
For antibody blocking experiments specifically, a recombinant protein control fragment can be used at a 100x molar excess based on the antibody concentration and molecular weight . The antibody-protein control fragment mixture should be pre-incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature before application to the experimental sample .
This methodological approach allows researchers to confirm antibody specificity and eliminate false positive results that may arise from non-specific binding. When interpreting results, any signal that persists despite blocking with the specific peptide fragment should be considered non-specific.
Based on the available data and knowledge of related proteins, C10orf57 homolog/TMEM254 is expected to exhibit specific expression patterns and subcellular localization:
Tissue Expression: The human ortholog TMEM254 is expressed in multiple tissues, with Gene Ontology annotations indicating it functions as an integral component of membrane structures .
Subcellular Localization: As a transmembrane protein, C10orf57 homolog is expected to localize to cellular membranes. The protein contains hydrophobic regions typical of transmembrane domains, suggesting insertion into lipid bilayers.
Topology Prediction: Based on the amino acid sequence, the protein likely has membrane-spanning regions with portions exposed to both the cytoplasmic and extracellular/luminal spaces.
For experimental verification of localization, researchers should consider:
Immunofluorescence with specific antibodies
Subcellular fractionation followed by Western blotting
Epitope tagging (e.g., GFP fusion) for live-cell imaging
When designing such experiments, it's important to ensure that tags do not interfere with the protein's membrane insertion or trafficking.
To elucidate the function of bovine C10orf57 homolog in cellular systems, several complementary experimental approaches can be employed:
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing:
Generate knockout cell lines to observe phenotypic changes
Create knock-in reporter lines for live visualization of protein expression and localization
Introduce specific mutations to identify functional domains
RNA Interference:
Use siRNA or shRNA to achieve transient or stable knockdown
Analyze resulting phenotypes and molecular changes
Compare with CRISPR knockout to identify potential compensation mechanisms
Overexpression Studies:
Express wildtype or tagged protein to assess effects on cell physiology
Perform rescue experiments in knockout backgrounds
Test mutant variants to identify critical functional residues
Interactome Analysis:
Conduct BioID or proximity labeling to identify neighboring proteins
Perform co-immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry
Use yeast two-hybrid screening to identify direct binding partners
Functional Assays:
Assess membrane integrity and transport functions
Measure changes in cellular signaling pathways
Evaluate effects on cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation
These approaches should be tailored to the specific cellular context in which the protein is naturally expressed. Based on findings from related C10orf proteins, particular attention should be paid to membrane dynamics, cellular stress responses, and potential roles in muscle or cardiac cell function .
Comparative analysis of C10orf57 homologs across species can provide valuable insights into conserved functions and evolutionary adaptations:
The gene encoding the C10orf57 homolog is conserved across mammals, with the physical arrangement of this gene and surrounding genes being largely maintained across species, including in the dog genome, though with "minor, but striking differences" .
For human TMEM254 (C10orf57), high sequence identity has been documented with mouse and rat orthologs (86% for both), particularly in the region spanning amino acids 33-60 .
| Species | UniProt ID | Sequence Identity to Human | Key Conserved Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human | Q8TBM7 | 100% | Full protein |
| Bovine | Q0D2G3 | Not specified in sources | Full 124aa protein studied |
| Mouse | Not specified | 86% | Particularly aa 33-60 |
| Rat | Not specified | 86% | Particularly aa 33-60 |
Research methodologies for comparative analysis should include:
Phylogenetic Analysis:
Construct evolutionary trees to understand the divergence patterns
Identify key evolutionary events that shaped protein function
Correlate protein evolution with species-specific adaptations
Conservation Mapping:
Map conserved residues onto predicted structural models
Identify potential functional domains based on conservation patterns
Target highly conserved regions for mutagenesis studies
Expression Pattern Comparison:
Compare tissue-specific expression across species
Identify conserved regulatory elements controlling expression
Correlate expression patterns with species-specific physiological traits
Functional Complementation:
Test whether orthologs from different species can rescue defects in model systems
Identify species-specific functional differences
Create chimeric proteins to map functional domains
This comparative approach can help distinguish fundamental functions that have been preserved throughout evolution from species-specific adaptations, providing insights into both basic biological mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Although specific post-translational modifications (PTMs) of bovine C10orf57 homolog have not been directly reported in the provided search results, the protein's sequence and membrane localization suggest several potential modification sites that could significantly impact its function:
Phosphorylation:
Analysis of the amino acid sequence reveals multiple serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues that could serve as phosphorylation sites
These modifications could regulate protein-protein interactions, subcellular trafficking, or activity
Experimental approaches to study phosphorylation include:
Phospho-specific antibodies
Mass spectrometry with phospho-enrichment
Kinase inhibitor studies
Site-directed mutagenesis of putative phosphorylation sites
Glycosylation:
As a transmembrane protein, N-linked or O-linked glycosylation could occur on extracellular domains
Glycosylation might influence protein stability, trafficking, or interaction with extracellular partners
Methods to investigate glycosylation include:
Treatment with glycosidases
Lectin binding assays
Metabolic labeling with modified sugars
Mass spectrometry glycoprofiling
Ubiquitination/SUMOylation:
These modifications could regulate protein turnover or change interaction properties
Experimental approaches include:
Immunoprecipitation under denaturing conditions
Expression of tagged ubiquitin/SUMO
Proteasome inhibitor studies
Identification of modified lysine residues by mass spectrometry
Palmitoylation/Myristoylation:
These lipid modifications often affect membrane association of proteins
Could influence the protein's localization to specific membrane domains
Can be studied using:
Metabolic labeling with modified fatty acids
Acyl-biotin exchange chemistry
Mass spectrometry with specific enrichment strategies
For each potential modification, researchers should consider both site identification and functional consequences. Comparative analysis with other transmembrane proteins and C10orf family members could provide additional guidance for prioritizing PTM studies.
Based on genetic mapping studies, C10orf57 (TMEM254) is located within a critical genetic interval associated with both myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC7) . This chromosomal region (10q22.3) has been narrowed down to 4.27 Mbp between markers D10S1645 and D10S1786, containing 18 candidate genes including C10orf57 .
While direct causative mutations in C10orf57 coding regions were not found in the patients studied, regulatory mutations affecting one of the 18 genes in this region (including C10orf57) are hypothesized to be responsible for "a heterogeneous spectrum of clinically distinct myodegenerative disorders, affecting both skeletal and cardiac muscles to variable degrees" .
A related C10orf family member, C10orf71, has been definitively linked to dilated cardiomyopathy through frameshift variants that result in functional null alleles . Knockout mouse models of C10orf71 showed:
Abnormal heart morphogenesis during embryonic development
Cardiac dysfunction in adult mice
Altered expression and splicing of contractile cardiac genes
Impaired contractile function while maintaining normal sarcomere structure
Given the positional relationship and potential functional similarities between C10orf family members, C10orf57 warrants investigation in cardiac disease models through:
Expression analysis in normal and diseased cardiac tissue
Generation of knockout or knock-in animal models
Functional studies in cardiomyocyte cell culture systems
Analysis of patient samples for potential regulatory mutations
These approaches could help clarify whether C10orf57 plays a direct role in cardiac pathology or interacts with other genes in the critical interval to contribute to disease phenotypes.
Studying the structure of transmembrane proteins, particularly those with intrinsically disordered regions, presents unique challenges that require specialized approaches. While C10orf57 specifically has not been characterized as intrinsically disordered in the provided search results, related C10orf proteins like C10orf71 have been identified as intrinsically disordered proteins , suggesting similar structural characteristics might exist in C10orf57.
Advanced structural biology techniques applicable to such proteins include:
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy:
Particularly valuable for characterizing flexible or disordered regions
Can provide residue-level dynamics information in solution
Requires isotopic labeling (15N, 13C) of the recombinant protein
Methodological considerations:
Use of membrane mimetics (detergent micelles, bicelles, nanodiscs)
Specific pulse sequences optimized for membrane proteins
Selective labeling to focus on regions of interest
Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM):
Can visualize membrane proteins in near-native environments
May reveal conformational ensembles and structural heterogeneity
Methodological approaches:
Vitrification in detergent micelles or nanodiscs
Use of antibody fragments to increase particle size
Classification algorithms to separate different conformational states
Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS):
Provides information on protein dynamics and solvent accessibility
Can identify structured vs. disordered regions
Methodological considerations:
Optimization of detergent compatibility with MS
Time-resolved measurements to capture dynamics
Analysis of peptic digests to map exchange to specific regions
Molecular Dynamics Simulations:
Complement experimental approaches with atomistic models
Can predict conformational ensembles and membrane interactions
Implementation strategies:
Explicit membrane simulations
Enhanced sampling techniques
Integration with experimental restraints
Cross-linking Mass Spectrometry (XL-MS):
Captures spatial relationships within the protein and with interaction partners
Can identify transient interactions and contact regions
Methodology includes:
Use of membrane-permeable crosslinkers
MS/MS analysis to identify cross-linked peptides
Integration with structural modeling
By combining these approaches, researchers can develop a comprehensive understanding of the conformational dynamics and functional mechanisms of intrinsically disordered transmembrane proteins like C10orf57 homolog.
Developing effective research tools is crucial for advancing our understanding of C10orf57 homolog function across different experimental systems. Based on current approaches and technologies, the following strategies are recommended:
Generation of High-Quality Antibodies:
Develop antibodies against multiple epitopes to enable diverse applications
Create antibodies specific to post-translationally modified forms
Produce antibodies suitable for various applications (Western blot, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry)
Expression Constructs:
Create mammalian expression vectors with different tags (e.g., fluorescent proteins, epitope tags)
Develop inducible expression systems to control expression levels
Design constructs for bacterial, insect, and mammalian expression systems
Create domain deletion and point mutation variants to map functional regions
CRISPR-Based Tools:
Design guide RNAs with minimal off-target effects
Develop conditional knockout systems (e.g., floxed alleles, inducible Cas9)
Create knock-in cell lines with endogenous tags
Implement CRISPRi/CRISPRa systems for expression modulation
Reporter Systems:
Develop promoter-reporter constructs to study transcriptional regulation
Create fusion proteins to visualize subcellular localization
Design biosensors to detect protein-protein interactions or conformational changes
Implement split-reporter systems for protein interaction studies
Recombinant Protein Production Optimization:
Optimize expression conditions for high yield and proper folding
Develop purification protocols that maintain native conformation
Create stable storage formulations to preserve activity
Produce protein variants with specific labels for biophysical studies
These research tools, when developed with rigorous validation and optimization, will enable comprehensive investigation of C10orf57 homolog function across multiple experimental systems and applications.