Recombinant Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. laumondii UPF0350 protein plu3555 (plu3555)

Shipped with Ice Packs
In Stock

Description

Introduction

Photorhabdus luminescens is a Gram-negative, bioluminescent bacterium known for its complex life cycle, involving a symbiotic relationship with entomopathogenic nematodes, which together infect and kill insect larvae . This bacterium colonizes various niches, including soil, nematode intestines, and insect larvae . Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. laumondii TT01 is a widely studied type strain . The bacterium produces several toxins, including Tc-toxins and other putative toxins with unknown functions . One such toxin is the Recombinant Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. laumondii UPF0350 protein plu3555 (plu3555).

Taxonomy and Classification

Photorhabdus classification is complex, with three recognized species: P. luminescens, P. temperate, and P. asymbiotica . Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. laumondii is a subspecies within P. luminescens .

Characteristics of Photorhabdus luminescens

Photorhabdus species exhibit several notable characteristics:

  • Morphology: Rod-shaped bacteria .

  • Gram Stain: Gram-negative .

  • Metabolism: Facultatively anaerobic .

  • Catalase Activity: Strongly catalase positive .

  • Oxidase Activity: Oxidase negative .

  • Motility: Motile .

  • Bioluminescence: Produces faint luminescence, visible in total darkness after eye adjustment .

  • Growth Conditions: Forms colonies on tryptic soy agar with 5% sheep or horse blood at 35°C and room temperature in 24–48 hours . It also grows on MacConkey agar .

plu3555 Protein Function and Research

The plu3555 protein is encoded by a locus tag in Photorhabdus . Photorhabdus also produces Rhs proteins, which include an N-terminal region for secretion machinery attachment and a central domain with Tyrosine/Aspartate-rich (YD) repeats, predicted to form a β-cage encapsulating the C-terminal toxin domain .

One of these toxins, a polymorphic Rhs-ART-HYD1 toxin, interacts with the T6SS VgrG spike, suggesting delivery into target cells via the T6SS (Type VI Secretion System) . The C-terminal ART-HYD1 domain blocks protein synthesis by ADP-ribosylation of helix 44 of the 23S ribosomal RNA, which impairs elongation factor activity .

Photorhabdus and Insecticidal Activity

Photorhabdus luminescens produces insecticidal toxins effective against harmful insects, especially lepidoptera . These toxins can be used in plants and compositions to inactivate or destroy insects, offering preventive or curative treatments for crops against pests . Nucleotide sequences coding for these toxins are available under GenBank accession numbers AQ991079, AQ989921, AQ989724, and AQ991166 .

Photorhabdus Interaction with Human Cells

Photorhabdus species interact with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) differently . Flow cytometry analysis of infection rates of different Photorhabdus strains showed varying cell type interaction profiles . P. asymbiotica PB68 and P. luminescens TT01 exhibit similar profiles, with low association levels with most PBMC cell types (~0–30%) . Dendritic cells showed high bacterial association (~70–90% at 28°C) .

The Australian P. asymbiotica clinical strain (Kingscliff) showed different behavior, with low cell association at 28°C but increased association at 37°C (60–100%) . The Texas strain showed a distinct phenotype from other strains .

Genetic Transformation of Photorhabdus

Photorhabdus is transformed using electroporation, as it does not readily produce chemically competent cells . Competent cells must be created on the same day as the transformation, as Photorhabdus loses competency when frozen .

Electroporation Protocol:

  1. Sub-culture 100 mL of LB with 4 mL of overnight-grown Photorhabdus .

  2. Grow until OD ~0.2 (approximately 4 hours) .

  3. Place on ice for 90 minutes .

  4. Pellet bacteria at 4,000× g for 10 minutes at 4°C .

  5. Resuspend in 100 mL of ice-cold SH buffer (5% [wt/vol] sucrose, 100 mM HEPES) .

  6. Pellet and resuspend in decreasing volumes of SH buffer: 50 mL, 1.6 mL, and finally 160 μL .

  7. Add 40 μL of cells to pre-chilled 2 mm electroporation cuvettes .

  8. Add 4 μL of DNA to the cells while on ice .

  9. Electroporate at 2.5 kV, 25 μF, and 200 Ω .

  10. Add 1 mL of LB quickly and incubate under normal Photorhabdus growth conditions for 1 hour .

  11. Plate onto LB plates with appropriate antibiotics .

Phenotypic and Genotypic Variations

Significant phenotypic and genotypic differences exist between P. luminescens strains . For example, the rifampicin-resistant strain DJC, initially thought to be a mutant of TT01, exhibits major differences in bioluminescence, pigmentation, biofilm formation, hemolysis, and growth . Genomic analysis revealed that DJC has extensive variations from TT01, including 13,000 point mutations, 330 frameshifts, and 220 strain-specific regions . Thus, DJC is considered an independent isolate within P. luminescens subsp. laumondii .

Product Specs

Form
Lyophilized powder
Note: While we prioritize shipping the format currently in stock, please specify your format preference in order notes for customized preparation.
Lead Time
Delivery times vary depending on the purchasing method and location. Please consult your local distributor for precise delivery estimates.
Note: All proteins are shipped with standard blue ice packs unless dry ice shipping is specifically requested and agreed upon in advance. Additional fees apply for dry ice shipping.
Notes
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Store working aliquots at 4°C for up to one week.
Reconstitution
Centrifuge the vial briefly before opening to collect the contents. Reconstitute the protein in sterile, deionized water to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL. For long-term storage, we recommend adding 5-50% glycerol (final concentration) and aliquoting at -20°C/-80°C. Our standard glycerol concentration is 50%, which can serve as a reference.
Shelf Life
Shelf life depends on various factors, including storage conditions, buffer composition, temperature, and protein stability. Generally, liquid formulations have a 6-month shelf life at -20°C/-80°C, while lyophilized forms have a 12-month shelf life at -20°C/-80°C.
Storage Condition
Upon receipt, store at -20°C/-80°C. Aliquoting is essential for multiple uses. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Tag Info
Tag type is determined during the manufacturing process.
The tag type will be determined during production. If you require a specific tag, please inform us, and we will prioritize its development.
Synonyms
sdhE; plu3555; FAD assembly factor SdhE
Buffer Before Lyophilization
Tris/PBS-based buffer, 6% Trehalose.
Datasheet
Please contact us to get it.
Expression Region
1-88
Protein Length
full length protein
Purity
>85% (SDS-PAGE)
Species
Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. laumondii (strain DSM 15139 / CIP 105565 / TT01)
Target Names
sdhE
Target Protein Sequence
MDIDNKARIH WACRRGMREL DISIMPFFKY EYDSLSDDDK RLFIRLLACA DPDLFNWLMN HGRPEDEELF RMIKLIQNRN KDRGPVEV
Uniprot No.

Target Background

Function
An FAD assembly protein that accelerates the covalent attachment of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) to other proteins. It plays a crucial role in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH, respiratory complex II) assembly. SDH is involved in both the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain, coupling succinate oxidation to fumarate with ubiquinone reduction to ubiquinol. This protein is essential for the flavinylation (covalent FAD attachment) of the SdhA flavoprotein subunit of SDH and other flavinylated proteins.
Database Links

KEGG: plu:plu3555

STRING: 243265.plu3555

Protein Families
SdhE FAD assembly factor family
Subcellular Location
Cytoplasm.

Q&A

What is the optimal storage condition for Recombinant Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. laumondii UPF0350 protein plu3555?

Proper storage is critical for maintaining protein integrity and experimental reproducibility. The shelf life of plu3555 is influenced by several factors including storage state, buffer components, temperature, and the intrinsic stability of the protein itself.

For optimal results:

  • Liquid formulations should be stored at -20°C/-80°C with an expected shelf life of approximately 6 months

  • Lyophilized formulations can be stored at -20°C/-80°C with an extended shelf life of up to 12 months

  • Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles as these can compromise protein integrity

  • Working aliquots can be maintained at 4°C for up to one week

How should Recombinant Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. laumondii UPF0350 protein plu3555 be reconstituted for experimental use?

Proper reconstitution is essential for experimental success. Follow these methodological steps:

  • Briefly centrifuge the vial prior to opening to ensure all contents are at the bottom

  • Reconstitute the protein in deionized sterile water to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL

  • Add glycerol to a final concentration of 5-50% for long-term storage stability (50% is the standard recommendation)

  • Aliquot the reconstituted protein to minimize freeze-thaw cycles

  • Store at -20°C/-80°C for maximum shelf life

How can I design experiments to investigate the biological function of plu3555 (sdhE) in bacterial systems?

When designing experiments to elucidate the function of plu3555, consider employing a factorial design approach to examine multiple variables simultaneously. This protein, being identified as sdhE, may have roles in succinate dehydrogenase function.

Recommended experimental design:

FactorLevel 1Level 2Level 3
plu3555 concentration0 nM (control)50 nM200 nM
Growth conditionsAerobicMicroaerobicAnaerobic
Carbon sourceGlucoseSuccinateFumarate

This 3×3×3 factorial design allows for assessment of main effects and interactions between factors, providing insight into how plu3555 functions under various metabolic conditions . When analyzing the resulting data, use ANOVA to determine:

  • Main effects of each factor

  • Two-way interactions between factors

  • Three-way interactions among all factors

Remember that factorial designs require careful interpretation of interactions, as significant interactions indicate that the effect of one factor depends on the level of another factor .

What approaches can be used to study protein-protein interactions involving plu3555?

To investigate protein-protein interactions of plu3555, consider these methodological approaches:

  • Co-immunoprecipitation studies:

    • Use anti-plu3555 antibodies to pull down protein complexes

    • Identify binding partners via mass spectrometry

    • Verify interactions with reverse co-IP experiments

  • Yeast two-hybrid screening:

    • Construct bait plasmids containing plu3555 coding sequence

    • Screen against prey libraries from relevant bacterial or host systems

    • Confirm positive interactions with secondary assays

  • Crosslinking mass spectrometry:

    • Apply chemical crosslinkers to stabilize transient interactions

    • Digest and analyze by LC-MS/MS

    • Map interaction interfaces through identification of crosslinked peptides

When interpreting interaction data, present findings as network diagrams alongside tables quantifying interaction strengths under various experimental conditions .

How should I design control experiments when working with Recombinant Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. laumondii UPF0350 protein plu3555?

Robust control experiments are essential when working with recombinant proteins like plu3555. Consider implementing a randomized complete block (RCB) design to account for potential batch-to-batch variability.

Control strategy table:

Control TypePurposeImplementation
Negative controlEstablish baseline responsesUse buffer-only or heat-inactivated protein
Positive controlValidate assay functionalityUse a protein with known activity in your assay system
Vehicle controlAccount for carrier effectsInclude samples with reconstitution buffer alone
Concentration gradientEstablish dose-responseTest serial dilutions of plu3555 (0.1-1000 nM)
Time courseDetermine temporal dynamicsSample at multiple time points (0, 1, 4, 8, 24 hrs)

When analyzing data from these control experiments, check for sphericity in repeated measures designs and apply appropriate corrections (e.g., Greenhouse-Geisser) if violations are detected . This approach ensures that observed effects can be reliably attributed to plu3555 activity rather than experimental artifacts.

What considerations should be taken into account when expressing plu3555 in different host systems?

The choice of expression system can significantly impact protein yield, folding, and post-translational modifications. While the standard preparation of plu3555 utilizes a Baculovirus expression system , researchers may consider alternative platforms:

Expression system comparison:

Expression SystemAdvantagesLimitationsSpecific Considerations for plu3555
Baculovirus/insect cellsHigher eukaryotic folding, PTMsLonger production timeStandard system with validated >85% purity
E. coliRapid, high yield, cost-effectiveLimited PTMs, inclusion body riskMay require optimization of codon usage
Cell-free systemsRapid, avoids toxicity issuesLower yield, higher costUseful for preliminary functional studies
Mammalian cellsNative-like folding and PTMsLower yield, higher costConsider when studying interactions with host proteins

When selecting an expression system, design parallel experiments to compare protein activity across different preparations. Implement nested ANOVA designs to analyze sources of variation (e.g., between expression systems, between batches within systems) .

How should researchers analyze and present data from experiments involving plu3555?

When analyzing experimental data involving plu3555, follow these methodological guidelines:

  • Begin with descriptive statistics to characterize central tendencies and dispersion

  • Apply appropriate statistical tests based on experimental design:

    • t-tests for simple comparisons between two conditions

    • ANOVA for multiple conditions or factorial designs

    • Non-parametric alternatives when normality assumptions are violated

When presenting data in publications:

  • Emphasize interpretation rather than just reporting numbers

  • Avoid redundancy across text, tables, and figures

  • Use past tense when describing results

  • Omit qualitative adjectives like "remarkable" or "obvious" - let the data speak for itself

Example data presentation format:

TreatmentMean plu3555 Activity (units/mg)SDnp-value vs. Control
Control42.35.66-
Condition A68.77.260.003
Condition B37.94.860.189
Condition C82.49.16<0.001

Rather than writing "Condition A showed remarkably higher plu3555 activity than control," present the interpretation: "plu3555 activity increased significantly under Condition A compared to control (68.7 vs. 42.3 units/mg, p=0.003)."

How can researchers address data variability and contradictions in plu3555 functional studies?

When encountering variability or contradictory results in plu3555 research:

  • Identify sources of variability:

    • Implement a partly nested design to differentiate between-batch and within-batch variation

    • Calculate intraclass correlation coefficients to quantify reliability

    • Assess the sphericity assumption for repeated measures using Mauchly's test

  • Resolution strategies:

    • Increase replication to improve statistical power

    • Standardize protocols across laboratories

    • Consider blocking factors that may influence outcomes

    • Implement robust statistical methods when assumptions are violated

When reporting contradictory findings, present all data transparently in comparative tables with appropriate statistical analyses. Consider implementing profile analysis to examine trends across multiple experimental conditions or time points .

What regulatory guidelines apply to research with Recombinant Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. laumondii UPF0350 protein plu3555?

Research involving recombinant proteins like plu3555 must adhere to institutional and national guidelines. In the United States, such research typically falls under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.

Key regulatory considerations include:

  • Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) review and approval:

    • Required for experiments involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids

    • Research involving the gene encoding plu3555 typically requires IBC approval under section III-D-4 of the NIH Guidelines

  • Biosafety level determination:

    • Assess appropriate containment based on risk assessment

    • Standard work with purified plu3555 protein typically requires BSL-1 practices

    • Gene cloning and expression work may require BSL-2 based on vector systems used

  • Documentation requirements:

    • Maintain detailed records of experimental protocols

    • Document risk assessments and safety measures

    • Ensure proper training of all personnel

For international collaborations, ensure compliance with regulations across all jurisdictions involved in the research project.

What considerations apply when transferring plu3555-related materials between institutions?

Material transfers involving plu3555 or its encoding genetic constructs require careful attention to compliance:

  • Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs):

    • Ensure proper documentation of material provenance

    • Define terms of use, including publication rights

    • Clarify intellectual property considerations

  • Regulatory approvals:

    • Transfer of transgenic organisms requires IBC approval at both sending and receiving institutions

    • Note that the purchase or transfer of transgenic animals other than rodents at BL1 is not exempt from NIH Guidelines

  • Shipping requirements:

    • Follow appropriate packaging and labeling regulations

    • Include documentation of biosafety classification

    • Ensure recipient has appropriate facilities and approvals

Develop a comprehensive checklist for material transfers to ensure compliance with all institutional and governmental regulations.

Quick Inquiry

Personal Email Detected
Please use an institutional or corporate email address for inquiries. Personal email accounts ( such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook) are not accepted. *
© Copyright 2025 TheBiotek. All Rights Reserved.