Recombinant Ectopic P granules protein 4 (epg-4)
Description
Molecular Characterization of Recombinant EPG-4
Recombinant EPG-4 is expressed in E. coli with an N-terminal His tag for purification. Key properties include:
The amino acid sequence features conserved domains involved in protein-protein interactions and membrane association .
Biological Role in Autophagy and Germ Granule Dynamics
EPG-4 is a key component of the autophagy machinery required for the degradation of P granules, germline-specific ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates in C. elegans. Key findings include:
Autophagy Pathway Involvement
EPG-4 functions in the elongation step of autophagosome formation, interacting with other autophagy-related (ATG) proteins :
| C. elegans Gene | Mammalian Homolog | Function | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| epg-4 | EI24 | Autophagic degradation of P granules | |
| bec-1 | BECN1 | Autophagy initiation | |
| lgg-1 | GABARAP | LC3 lipidation |
P Granule Regulation
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Physiological Role: P granules regulate RNA metabolism in germ cells. EPG-4 mediates their autophagic turnover during stress or apoptosis .
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DNA Damage Response: EPG-4-dependent autophagy removes PGL-1/PGL-3 (core P granule proteins) to promote germ cell apoptosis upon UV irradiation .
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Phase Separation: EPG-11 (PRMT1 homolog) methylates PGL-1/PGL-3, destabilizing aggregates. EPG-4 counteracts this by facilitating autophagic clearance .
Functional Studies
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Autophagy Mutants: epg-4 mutants exhibit impaired PGL-1/PGL-3 removal, leading to reduced germ cell apoptosis under DNA damage .
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Interactions: EPG-4 collaborates with scaffold protein EPG-2 and methyltransferase EPG-11 to regulate granule dynamics .
Recombinant Protein Utility
Recombinant EPG-4 is widely used to:
Comparative Analysis of EPG-4 Homologs
EPG-4 is evolutionarily conserved, with functional parallels in mammals:
| Organism | Homolog | Function | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| C. elegans | EPG-4 | P granule autophagy | |
| Human | EI24 | ER-phagy, tumor suppression | |
| Mouse | EI24 | Mitochondrial quality control |
Technical Considerations for Recombinant EPG-4
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Stability: Lyophilized form retains activity for 12 months at -80°C; repeated freeze-thaw cycles degrade functionality .
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Activity Assays: LGG-1 (LC3 homolog) foci formation assays validate autophagy induction in C. elegans .
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Cross-Reactivity: Anti-EPG-4 antibodies show specificity for C. elegans but not mammalian EI24 .
Future Directions
Current research focuses on:
Product Specs
Note: We prioritize shipping the format currently in stock. However, if you require a specific format, please indicate your preference when placing the order. We will prepare the product according to your request.
Note: All our proteins are shipped with standard blue ice packs. If you require dry ice shipping, please inform us in advance. Additional fees will apply.
Generally, the shelf life of liquid form is 6 months at -20°C/-80°C. The shelf life of lyophilized form is 12 months at -20°C/-80°C.
