Recombinant Methanococcus voltae Putative Cobalt Transport Protein CbiM (cbiM) is a genetically engineered protein critical for cobalt ion uptake in methanogenic archaea. Cobalt is essential for synthesizing vitamin B12 and other metalloenzymes involved in methanogenesis. This recombinant variant, expressed in E. coli with an N-terminal His tag, enables advanced biochemical studies and industrial applications .
The protein contains a conserved CX₂CX₂C ferredoxin-like motif, indicative of metal-binding capability . Its transmembrane domains suggest involvement in energy-coupling factor (ECF) transport systems .
Host System: E. coli optimized for high-yield soluble expression .
Tag: N-terminal His tag for affinity chromatography purification .
Reconstitution: Recommended concentration of 0.1–1.0 mg/mL in sterile water with 5–50% glycerol for stability .
CbiM functions as a substrate-capture component of the ECF transporter system, facilitating cobalt uptake for biosynthesis of cobalt-dependent enzymes like methyltransferases .
Genetic Regulation: Co-expressed with FeoAB (Fe²⁺ transporter) and DtxR (metal-sensing transcription factor), suggesting coordinated metal homeostasis .
Environmental Response: Upregulated under cobalt limitation, as inferred from proteomic studies of M. voltae grown on FeS₂ or aqueous Fe²⁺/HS⁻ .
Metal-Binding Assays: Used to characterize cobalt affinity and transport kinetics .
Structural Biology: Serves as a template for crystallography or cryo-EM studies of ECF transporters .
KEGG: mvo:Mvol_1622
STRING: 456320.Mvol_1622