Purification and properties of the sn-glycerol 3-phosphate-binding protein of Escherichia coli.

A binding protein for sn-glycerol 3-phosphate was isolated from the cell envelope of Escherichia coli by the cold osmotic shock procedure. The protein was purified to homogeneity. It has a molecular weight of 45,000 and binds sn-glycerol 3-phosphate with a KD of 0.2 microM. The protein is monomeric and has L-leucine as NH2-terminal amino acid. The intrinsic fluorescence of the protein is altered upon binding of substrate. At an excitation of 285 nm, the emission maximum at 340 nm is quenched and shifted to 330 nm. Binding of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate is reversible and no chemical alteration occurs with the substrate. The appearance of the binding protein in the periplasm is the result of a mutation that renders the cells constitutive for sn-glycerol 3-phosphate transport. Simultaneously, two other proteins appear in the periplasm. These proteins were also purified. They do not bind sn-glycerol 3-phosphate and do not cross-react with antibodies against the pure binding protein.