KEGG: asa:ASA_2624
STRING: 382245.ASA_2624
For short-term storage, maintain the protein at -20°C. For extended storage and maximum stability, storage at -80°C is recommended. When working with the protein, create working aliquots and store at 4°C for up to one week to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles which can significantly compromise protein activity and structural integrity .
The shelf life varies based on storage conditions:
Liquid form: Approximately 6 months at -20°C/-80°C
Lyophilized form: Up to 12 months at -20°C/-80°C
| Storage Form | Temperature | Shelf Life | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid | -20°C | 6 months | Avoid repeated freeze-thaw |
| Liquid | -80°C | 6 months | Preferred for long-term storage |
| Lyophilized | -20°C | 12 months | Most stable form |
| Working aliquot | 4°C | 1 week | For immediate experimental use |
Factors affecting stability include buffer composition, pH, presence of stabilizing agents, and frequency of temperature fluctuations .
For optimal reconstitution of lyophilized protein:
Briefly centrifuge the vial before opening to ensure all material is at the bottom
Reconstitute in deionized sterile water to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL
Add glycerol to a final concentration of 5-50% (standard recommendation is 50%) for stability
Aliquot into smaller volumes to prevent repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Store reconstituted aliquots at -20°C/-80°C for long-term storage
When designing experiments to study Recombinant Aeromonas salmonicida Queuine tRNA-ribosyltransferase activity, researchers must implement a true experimental design that addresses the unique properties of this enzyme compared to other tRNA modification enzymes.
The experimental design should include:
Control and experimental groups: Use unmodified tRNAs as control substrates and compare with tRNAs exposed to the enzyme under varying conditions
Variable manipulation: Systematically alter pH, temperature, ion concentrations, and substrate concentrations
Random distribution: Ensure statistical validity through randomized assignment of samples
This true experimental approach enables establishing a precise cause-effect relationship between enzyme activity and various parameters .
Key methodological considerations specific to tgt include:
Substrate specificity: Unlike many tRNA modification enzymes that recognize specific nucleotides, tgt recognizes specific tRNA structures. Experimental design must account for this by including appropriate tRNA substrates.
Queuine availability: As a queuine transferase, the availability and purity of queuine or its precursors is critical for accurate activity measurements.
Activity coupling: Consider coupling the tgt reaction with additional detection systems for real-time monitoring of product formation .
Multiple expression systems can be utilized for Recombinant Aeromonas salmonicida Queuine tRNA-ribosyltransferase production, each with distinct advantages and limitations:
| Expression System | Advantages | Limitations | Typical Yield | Purity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | High yield, rapid growth, economical, well-established protocols | Potential endotoxin contamination, limited post-translational modifications | 10-50 mg/L | 80-90% |
| Yeast | Eukaryotic post-translational modifications, secretion capability, moderate cost | Longer production time, hyperglycosylation potential | 5-20 mg/L | 85-95% |
| Baculovirus | Advanced eukaryotic modifications, proper folding of complex proteins | Technical complexity, higher cost, longer production time | 1-10 mg/L | 90-95% |
| Mammalian Cells | Highest fidelity to native protein, complete modification patterns | Highest cost, lowest yield, complex media requirements | 0.5-5 mg/L | 90-98% |
The choice of expression system should be guided by the specific research requirements. For structural studies requiring large quantities, E. coli or yeast systems may be preferable. For functional studies where post-translational modifications are critical, insect or mammalian systems might be necessary despite lower yields .
An effective quasi-experimental approach would be to express the protein in multiple systems simultaneously and compare enzymatic activity, stability, and structural characteristics to determine which system provides the most suitable product for specific research applications .
When researchers encounter data inconsistencies across different preparations, a systematic troubleshooting approach is essential:
Standardize activity measurements using a reference substrate:
Employ a well-characterized tRNA substrate with known modification sites
Establish standard reaction conditions (temperature, pH, ionic strength)
Use internal controls with each experimental batch
Normalize activity data:
Calculate specific activity (units/mg protein) rather than raw activity
Use enzyme kinetics (Km, Vmax, kcat) for more accurate comparisons
Apply statistical corrections for batch-to-batch variation
Examine protein quality metrics:
Verify purity via SDS-PAGE (should be >85%)
Confirm structural integrity through circular dichroism
Assess aggregation state using size exclusion chromatography
Implement pre-experimental research design:
A comprehensive validation approach would include multiple activity assays, preferably using different detection principles, to cross-validate activity measurements across preparations.
A multi-step purification strategy is recommended to achieve high-purity (>85% by SDS-PAGE) Recombinant Aeromonas salmonicida Queuine tRNA-ribosyltransferase:
Initial capture:
Affinity chromatography using histidine tags (if engineered into the construct)
Ion exchange chromatography exploiting the protein's pI
Intermediate purification:
Hydrophobic interaction chromatography
Size exclusion chromatography to remove aggregates
Polishing steps:
High-resolution ion exchange
Hydroxyapatite chromatography
For monitoring purification progress, implement analytical methods:
SDS-PAGE for purity assessment
Western blotting for identity confirmation
A typical purification table would summarize results as follows:
| Purification Step | Total Protein (mg) | Activity (U) | Specific Activity (U/mg) | Yield (%) | Purification Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Extract | 100 | 1000 | 10 | 100 | 1 |
| Affinity Chromatography | 25 | 750 | 30 | 75 | 3 |
| Ion Exchange | 15 | 600 | 40 | 60 | 4 |
| Size Exclusion | 10 | 500 | 50 | 50 | 5 |
Evaluation of purification efficiency should employ true experimental research design principles, with controlled variables and quantitative assessment of purity and activity .
Designing effective activity assays for Recombinant Aeromonas salmonicida Queuine tRNA-ribosyltransferase requires consideration of the enzyme's mechanism and the detection of either substrate consumption or product formation:
Radiochemical assay:
Use radiolabeled substrates ([³H]-guanine or [¹⁴C]-queuine)
Measure incorporation into tRNA substrates
Separate product using TCA precipitation or filter binding
Quantify via liquid scintillation counting
HPLC-based assay:
Monitor the release of guanine or incorporation of queuine
Analyze modified tRNA by reverse-phase HPLC
Detect changes in retention time or UV absorption profile
Fluorescence-based assay:
Utilize fluorescently labeled tRNA substrates
Measure fluorescence changes upon modification
Enable real-time monitoring of reaction kinetics
Coupled enzyme assay:
Link tgt activity to a secondary reaction with easily detectable products
Monitor reaction progress spectrophotometrically
Each assay should be validated against standard samples with known activity levels, and appropriate controls should be included to account for non-enzymatic reactions and background signals .
For robust analysis of enzyme kinetics data for Recombinant Aeromonas salmonicida Queuine tRNA-ribosyltransferase, researchers should implement:
Non-linear regression analysis:
Directly fit experimental data to the Michaelis-Menten equation: v = (Vmax × [S])/(Km + [S])
Determine Km, Vmax, and kcat parameters with associated confidence intervals
Use weighted regression if error magnitude varies with substrate concentration
Linear transformations (for validation):
Lineweaver-Burk plot: 1/v vs. 1/[S]
Eadie-Hofstee plot: v vs. v/[S]
Hanes-Woolf plot: [S]/v vs. [S]
Compare parameters from different transformations to assess consistency
Statistical validation:
Calculate R² values to assess goodness of fit
Perform residual analysis to detect systematic deviations
Use Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) for model comparison when testing alternative kinetic models
Experimental design considerations:
Ensure adequate substrate concentration range (0.2 × Km to 5 × Km)
Include sufficient data points (minimum 7-8 different concentrations)
Perform replicate measurements (n ≥ 3) for error estimation
For inhibition studies, apply appropriate models (competitive, non-competitive, uncompetitive) and determine inhibition constants (Ki) using similar statistical approaches .
Researchers commonly encounter several challenges when working with Recombinant Aeromonas salmonicida Queuine tRNA-ribosyltransferase that can affect experimental outcomes:
Stability issues:
Temperature sensitivity: Activity loss occurs with temperature fluctuations
Freezing/thawing cycles: Each cycle typically reduces activity by 10-20%
Solution stability: Protein may aggregate or precipitate in certain buffers
Buffer considerations:
pH effects: Optimal activity occurs within a narrow pH range
Ion requirements: Specific ions (particularly divalent cations) may be essential
Stabilizing agents: Glycerol (5-50%) significantly improves stability
Handling precautions:
Avoid repeated pipetting that can cause denaturation through shearing forces
Minimize exposure to air/liquid interfaces that promote unfolding
Use low-binding tubes and pipette tips to prevent protein adherence
Storage recommendations:
A pre-experimental research design approach is recommended to identify optimal conditions for your specific preparation before conducting main experiments .
To distinguish between specific enzymatic activity and non-specific reactions:
Implement comprehensive controls:
Heat-inactivated enzyme control (denature at 95°C for 10 minutes)
Substrate-only control (reaction mixture without enzyme)
Buffer control (complete reaction mixture without substrate and enzyme)
Active site inhibitor control (if available)
Conduct specificity tests:
Test activity with structurally similar but non-substrate tRNAs
Perform site-directed mutagenesis of catalytic residues
Compare activity across substrate analogs with varying structures
Analyze reaction kinetics:
Non-specific reactions typically do not follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics
Examine temperature and pH profiles (enzymatic reactions show bell-shaped curves)
Evaluate the effect of known inhibitors on reaction rates
Apply true experimental design principles:
A methodical approach combining these strategies will help differentiate between specific enzymatic activity and background reactions or artifacts.
Expression optimization strategies differ based on the host system:
E. coli expression optimization:
Codon optimization: Adjust codons to match E. coli usage preferences
Fusion tags: Addition of solubility-enhancing tags (MBP, SUMO, Thioredoxin)
Expression temperature: Lower temperature (16-25°C) often improves folding
Specialized strains: Use strains with additional tRNAs for rare codons or chaperones
Yeast expression enhancement:
Promoter selection: Choose inducible vs. constitutive based on toxicity
Signal sequence optimization: Ensure proper targeting to secretory pathway
Cell density control: Optimize induction timing based on growth phase
Media composition: Supplement with amino acids and nitrogen sources
Insect/Baculovirus system improvements:
Virus titer optimization: Determine optimal MOI (multiplicity of infection)
Harvest timing: Identify peak expression window post-infection
Cell line selection: Test multiple insect cell lines (Sf9, Sf21, High Five)
Mammalian expression refinement:
Transfection optimization: Test various transfection reagents and ratios
Stable vs. transient: Develop stable cell lines for consistent expression
Media formulation: Supplement with growth factors and nutrients
A quasi-experimental research design approach is recommended to systematically test multiple conditions in parallel, allowing for identification of optimal expression parameters while controlling for variability .
Structural studies of Recombinant Aeromonas salmonicida Queuine tRNA-ribosyltransferase can provide critical insights for rational inhibitor design:
Active site mapping:
Crystallographic analysis to identify catalytic residues
Molecular docking studies to understand substrate binding modes
Mutational analysis to confirm key binding interactions
Structure-based inhibitor design approach:
Virtual screening against the active site pocket
Fragment-based drug design targeting specific sub-pockets
Rational modification of substrate analogs as competitive inhibitors
Comparative structural analysis:
Identify differences between bacterial and human tgt enzymes
Target bacterial-specific structural features
Design selective inhibitors with minimal host toxicity
Experimental validation workflow:
Biochemical assays to measure inhibition constants (Ki)
Crystallography of enzyme-inhibitor complexes
Cell-based assays to assess antimicrobial potential
Given that Aeromonas species are associated with gastroenteritis and wound infections, developing targeted inhibitors could lead to novel antimicrobial strategies against these pathogens .
Several cutting-edge techniques are transforming research on tRNA modification enzymes:
Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM):
Enables visualization of enzyme-tRNA complexes in near-native states
Reveals conformational changes during catalysis
Provides structural insights without crystallization requirements
Single-molecule enzymology:
FRET-based approaches to monitor individual enzyme-substrate interactions
Optical tweezers to study mechanical aspects of tRNA binding
Real-time observation of catalytic steps previously hidden in bulk measurements
Next-generation sequencing applications:
tRNA-seq to quantify modification levels across the transcriptome
HITS-CLIP to map enzyme-RNA interaction sites in vivo
Ribosome profiling to assess functional impacts on translation
Computational approaches:
Molecular dynamics simulations to study conformational dynamics
Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) to model reaction mechanisms
Machine learning for prediction of substrate specificity and activity
Genome editing technologies:
CRISPR-Cas9 knockout/knockin studies to assess physiological roles
Base editors to introduce specific modifications in tRNA genes
Inducible expression systems for temporal control of enzyme activity
These methodologies, when applied within proper experimental design frameworks, provide unprecedented insights into tRNA modification mechanisms and their biological significance .
Integration of tgt research with bacterial pathogenesis studies requires multidisciplinary approaches:
Transcriptome-wide analysis:
Quantify tRNA modification changes during infection processes
Correlate modifications with virulence gene expression
Examine host response to modified vs. unmodified bacterial tRNAs
Functional genomics approach:
Generate tgt knockout or catalytic mutants
Assess impact on virulence in infection models
Identify genetic interactions with known virulence pathways
Translational fidelity investigation:
Measure mistranslation rates in tgt mutants
Analyze impact on virulence factor production
Examine stress response activation due to translational errors
Host-pathogen interaction studies:
Determine if tgt activity affects host immune recognition
Assess changes in bacterial survival within host cells
Investigate potential recognition of tgt by host pattern recognition receptors
Given that Aeromonas species are associated with gastroenteritis and wound infections, understanding the role of tgt in these processes may reveal new therapeutic targets or diagnostic markers. A true experimental research design with appropriate controls is essential for establishing causal relationships between tgt activity and pathogenesis .