Recombinant Arabidopsis thaliana Probable 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase 14 (KCS14)
Description
Functional Role in VLCFA Biosynthesis
KCS14 is part of the fatty acid elongase complex, which extends malonyl-CoA-derived acyl-CoA chains into VLCFAs (C18–C34). While its exact substrate specificity remains unclear, related KCS enzymes (e.g., KCS1, KCS3) are known to contribute to:
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Cuticular wax biosynthesis: Chain elongation for aliphatic waxes in epidermal tissues.
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Suberin formation: Production of aliphatic suberins in seed coats and roots .
Interactions and Functional Partners
KCS14 interacts with other elongation enzymes, including:
These interactions suggest KCS14 may coordinate with reductases and regulatory complexes to modulate VLCFA chain length and downstream lipid metabolism .
Recombinant Production and Applications
Recombinant KCS14 is commercially available for research, enabling studies of:
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Enzymatic activity: In vitro assays to determine substrate specificity and elongation efficiency.
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Structural biology: Crystallization or cryo-EM studies to resolve active-site architecture.
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Mutagenesis: Functional analysis of conserved residues (e.g., catalytic motifs) .
Production Parameters
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Expression System | E. coli BL21(DE3) or similar strains |
| Yield | ~0.4 mg/g fresh weight (Arabidopsis-based systems) , though E. coli yields vary. |
| Purity | >90% (SDS-PAGE) |
Tissue-Specific Expression
KCS14 is predominantly expressed in reproductive organs (e.g., flowers, seeds), as inferred from phylogenetic clustering with KCS13 (group VIII) . This contrasts with KCS3 and KCS12, which are active in vegetative tissues .
Functional Redundancy
While KCS14’s role is less characterized than other KCS enzymes (e.g., KCS1, KCS3), its classification as a “probable” synthase suggests potential redundancy with:
Phylogenetic and Functional Relationships
KCS14 belongs to the Arabidopsis KCS family (21 members), which includes:
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FAE1-type (e.g., KCS1, KCS20): Specialized for wax elongation.
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ELO-type (e.g., KCS14, KCS26): Potential roles in suberin or sphingolipid biosynthesis .
Knowledge Gaps and Future Directions
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Substrate Specificity: No direct evidence exists for KCS14’s chain-length preference (e.g., C18 vs. C24).
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In Vivo Function: Mutant phenotypes (e.g., kcs14) are not yet reported, limiting functional validation.
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Regulatory Mechanisms: Post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation) remain unstudied.
Product Specs
Note: While we prioritize shipping the format currently in stock, please specify your preferred format in order notes for customized preparation.
Note: All proteins are shipped with standard blue ice packs. Dry ice shipping requires prior arrangement and incurs additional charges.
The tag type is determined during production. If you require a specific tag, please inform us, and we will prioritize its development.
