in vitro by using the TNT-coupled transcription and translation system (Promega, Madison, USA) following the manufacturer’s instruction. GST constructs were transformed into
Escherichia coli BL21 cells and the protein expression was induced by IPTG (up to 1 mM) at 37°C for 4 h. The GST or GST fusion proteins were extracted and immobilized onto Glutathione Sepharose 4B beads (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, USA) at 4°C for 4 h. Equal amounts of GST and GST-fusion proteins were incubated with
in vitro translated protein at 4°C overnight. After centrifugation and three times wash with lysis buffer, the beads were eluted with 30 μL of 1×SDS loading buffer and then boiled for 10 min, followed by western blot analysis using anti-Flag-tag M2 antibody (1:5000) as the primary antibody. Ponceau stain indicated the loading of GST or GST-fusion proteins.