Identification of uranyl binding proteins from human kidney-2 cell extracts by immobilized uranyl affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry

To improve our knowledge on protein targets of uranyl ion (UO22+), we set up a proteomic strategy based on immobilized metal-affinity chromatography (IMAC). The successful enrichment of UO22+-interacting proteins from human kidney-2 (HK-2) soluble cell extracts was obtained using an ion-exchange chromatography followed by a dedicated IMAC process previously described and designed for the uranyl ion. By mass spectrometry analysis we identified 64 proteins displaying varied functions. The use of a computational screening algorithm along with the particular ligand-based properties of the UO22+ ion allowed the analysis and categorization of the protein collection. This profitable approach demonstrated that most of these proteins fulfill criteria which could rationalize their binding to the UO22+-loaded phase. The obtained results enable us to focus on some targets for more in-depth studies and open new insights on its toxicity mechanisms at molecular level.