Recombinant Salmonella typhimurium Bifunctional protein aas plays a crucial role in lysophospholipid acylation. Specifically, it transfers fatty acids to the 1-position of lysophospholipids via an enzyme-bound acyl-ACP intermediate, requiring ATP and magnesium ions. Its physiological function is the regeneration of phosphatidylethanolamine from 2-acyl-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (2-acyl-GPE), a byproduct of transacylation reactions or phospholipase A1 degradation.
KEGG: stm:STM3010
STRING: 99287.STM3010
Bifunctional protein aas in Salmonella typhimurium is a 719-amino acid protein (UniProt ID: Q8ZMA4) that likely plays multiple functional roles in bacterial metabolism and potentially in pathogenesis. The "bifunctional" designation indicates it performs dual biochemical functions, which is common for proteins involved in bacterial metabolic pathways. Based on sequence analysis, it appears to contain domains associated with acyl-CoA synthetase activity and potentially phospholipid metabolism. When expressed recombinantly, it can be produced with an N-terminal His tag in E. coli expression systems .
The Bifunctional protein aas consists of 719 amino acids with several functional domains. Analysis of its amino acid sequence reveals potential substrate binding sites and catalytic domains. The protein contains motifs suggesting enzymatic activity, particularly in lipid metabolism pathways. The complete amino acid sequence (MLFGFFRNLFRVLYRVRVTGDVRALQGNRVLITPNHVSFIDGMLLALFLPVRPVFAVYTS...) indicates the presence of hydrophobic regions and potential membrane association domains . The protein can be produced in E. coli expression systems and purified to greater than 90% purity using appropriate chromatographic techniques, yielding a stable protein that can be stored as a lyophilized powder .
Both Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella choleraesuis express Bifunctional protein aas with similar characteristics. The proteins from both species are 719 amino acids in length and can be expressed recombinantly with N-terminal His tags in E. coli expression systems . While the exact sequence homology is not specified in the search results, proteins from these closely related Salmonella species likely share high sequence similarity and conserved functional domains. Both can be purified using similar methodologies and maintained in similar buffer conditions (Tris/PBS-based buffer with 6% Trehalose at pH 8.0) . Research approaches for studying either protein would follow similar protocols, though specific antibodies might be needed to distinguish between them in experimental settings.
E. coli has been established as an effective expression system for Recombinant S. typhimurium Bifunctional protein aas. The protein has been successfully expressed with an N-terminal His tag in E. coli, indicating this system provides suitable conditions for proper protein folding and expression . For optimal expression, researchers should consider using T7 promoter-based vectors in BL21(DE3) E. coli strains or derivatives. Induction conditions should be optimized, typically using IPTG at concentrations between 0.1-1.0 mM when the culture reaches OD600 of 0.6-0.8. Lower temperatures during induction (16-25°C) often improve protein solubility. Alternative approaches may include using specialized strains like Rosetta to address potential codon bias issues or SHuffle/Origami strains if disulfide bonds are critical for protein folding.
Given that Recombinant S. typhimurium Bifunctional protein aas is produced with an N-terminal His tag, immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) serves as the primary purification method . To achieve >90% purity as reported in the specifications, a multi-step purification protocol is recommended:
Initial IMAC purification:
Ni-NTA or Co-based resins with imidazole gradient elution (20-250 mM)
Buffer optimization (pH 7.5-8.0, 150-300 mM NaCl) to maintain stability
Secondary purification:
Size exclusion chromatography to remove aggregates
Ion exchange chromatography based on the protein's isoelectric point
Quality control should include SDS-PAGE analysis, Western blotting with anti-His antibodies, and possibly mass spectrometry to confirm identity and integrity. The final purified protein can be stored as a lyophilized powder and reconstituted in deionized sterile water to concentrations of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL .
Based on provided specifications, researchers should follow these guidelines to maintain maximum stability of Recombinant S. typhimurium Bifunctional protein aas :
| Storage Parameter | Recommended Condition |
|---|---|
| Long-term storage | -20°C/-80°C with aliquoting to prevent freeze-thaw cycles |
| Working storage | 4°C for up to one week |
| Buffer composition | Tris/PBS-based buffer with 6% Trehalose, pH 8.0 |
| Reconstitution | Deionized sterile water to 0.1-1.0 mg/mL |
| Cryoprotectant | Add 5-50% glycerol (final concentration) |
The inclusion of 6% Trehalose in the storage buffer is particularly important as it acts as a protein stabilizer, preventing denaturation during freeze-thaw cycles. When reconstituting lyophilized protein, brief centrifugation prior to opening is recommended to ensure all material is at the bottom of the vial . For long-term storage of reconstituted protein, addition of glycerol (typically to a final concentration of 50%) helps prevent freeze damage.
While the specific role of Bifunctional protein aas in vaccine development is not directly addressed in the search results, insights can be drawn from research on attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine vectors. Recombinant S. typhimurium strains are being developed as vaccine delivery systems using regulated delayed attenuation and lysis systems, as evidenced by research delivering infectious bronchitis virus proteins and heterologous O-antigens . In this context, Bifunctional protein aas could potentially be utilized in several ways:
As a potential vaccine antigen:
If conserved across Salmonella strains and immunogenic, it might serve as a target
Recombinant expression facilitates testing of immune responses
In attenuated strain development:
Understanding aas function could inform metabolic engineering of vaccine strains
Mutations in metabolic genes like aas might contribute to attenuation strategies
As a fusion partner for heterologous antigens:
The protein's bifunctional nature might provide stable scaffolding for antigen display
Fusion proteins incorporating aas domains could potentially enhance immunogenicity
Regulated delayed attenuation systems in Salmonella typhimurium, as described in the search results, utilize tightly controlled gene expression mechanisms involving the araC PBAD activator-promoter . These systems often incorporate mutations in genes like asdA and regulated expression of genes like murA to control bacterial attenuation and lysis in vivo . While Bifunctional protein aas is not specifically mentioned in these systems, understanding its potential metabolic roles could inform development of similar attenuation strategies.
The regulated delayed attenuation approach described in the research involves:
Deletion of the sifA gene to prevent Salmonella-containing vacuole formation
ΔasdA mutation combined with arabinose-regulated murA expression
Controlled lysis in vivo to release plasmid DNA encoding heterologous antigens
This system has shown promise in delivering proteins like the S1 protein of infectious bronchitis virus, providing significant protection against viral challenge in chicken models . Similar approaches could potentially incorporate aas-related mechanisms if this protein is found to play roles in bacterial persistence or metabolism during infection.
Based on information from search result about Salmonella's response to oxidative stress, researchers investigating Bifunctional protein aas in this context should consider these methodological approaches:
Proteogenomic analysis:
Use Tn-seq with saturated Tn5 insertion libraries exposed to H2O2 at different concentrations (2.5 mM and 3.5 mM)
Apply data-dependent acquisition (DDA) proteomics to identify differentially expressed proteins
Implement targeted proteomics to confirm upregulation in response to oxidative stress
Genetic validation:
Generate defined aas deletion mutants
Perform phenotypic evaluation of mutants under oxidative stress conditions
Conduct complementation studies with the wild-type gene
Experimental design for H2O2 sensitivity testing:
| Strain | No H2O2 | 2.5 mM H2O2 (H2O2L) | 3.5 mM H2O2 (H2O2H) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild-type | Control | Test | Test |
| Δaas mutant | Control | Test | Test |
| Complemented strain | Control | Test | Test |
This systematic approach would determine whether Bifunctional protein aas is among the 137 genes putatively required for H2O2 resistance in S. Typhimurium, similar to the comprehensive assessment described in the research .
Researchers investigating heterologous expression systems can leverage approaches similar to those described for O-antigen expression in Salmonella . Based on these methodologies, potential strategies for utilizing Recombinant S. typhimurium Bifunctional protein aas include:
Expression platform development:
Create Asd+ plasmid systems similar to pCZ1 described in the research
Incorporate the aas gene under appropriate promoter control
Use balanced lethal systems involving ΔasdA mutations and Asd+ plasmids
Regulated expression strategies:
Implement arabinose-inducible systems (araC PBAD) for controlled expression
Design conditional expression systems that respond to specific environmental cues
Develop dual-expression systems for both homologous and heterologous proteins
Validation approaches:
Perform immunoblotting to confirm expression efficiency
Use specific antibodies to track protein localization
Implement functional assays to verify activity of the expressed protein
The successful expression of heterologous O-antigens in Salmonella Typhimurium through recombinant plasmids described in search result provides a methodological framework that could be adapted for exploring aas expression in various contexts.
While the specific role of Bifunctional protein aas in pathogenesis is not directly addressed in the search results, its potential functions can be inferred based on Salmonella pathogenesis mechanisms described. As a bifunctional protein potentially involved in lipid metabolism, aas might contribute to:
Membrane remodeling during infection:
Adaptation to intracellular environments
Modification of membrane composition in response to host defenses
Maintaining membrane integrity during exposure to antimicrobial factors
Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) formation or maintenance:
Resistance to host defense mechanisms:
Investigation would require generating defined aas deletion mutants, conducting in vitro infection assays with various cell types, and evaluating virulence in appropriate animal models.
Consist of 719 amino acids
Can be expressed recombinantly with N-terminal His tags
Are purified using similar methodologies
Share similar storage and handling requirements
For a thorough comparative analysis, researchers should consider:
Sequence alignment approaches:
Multiple sequence alignment of aas proteins from various bacterial species
Phylogenetic analysis to determine evolutionary relationships
Identification of conserved domains and variable regions
Structural comparison methods:
Homology modeling based on crystal structures if available
Secondary structure prediction and comparison
Domain architecture analysis
Functional conservation testing:
Cross-complementation studies between species
Biochemical assay standardization across orthologs
Heterologous expression of aas variants in model systems
Validating the functional activity of purified Recombinant S. typhimurium Bifunctional protein aas requires assays specific to its biochemical functions. Based on its classification as a bifunctional protein, researchers should consider these validation approaches:
Initial quality assessment:
Functional activity assays:
Enzymatic activity measurements based on predicted functions
If involved in acyl-CoA metabolism, measure ATP consumption or acyl-CoA formation
For phospholipid-related activities, assess membrane lipid modifications
Structural integrity validation:
Thermal shift assays to assess stability and ligand binding
Limited proteolysis to confirm domain organization
Size exclusion chromatography to determine oligomeric state
Biological function verification:
Complementation of aas deletion mutants
Assessment of phenotype restoration in appropriate model systems
In vitro reconstitution of relevant biochemical pathways
When studying Bifunctional protein aas in vaccine development contexts, researchers should adopt experimental designs similar to those used in the Salmonella typhimurium vaccine candidate studies described in the search results . Key considerations include:
Antigen delivery system design:
Construction of attenuated S. typhimurium strains with regulated delayed systems
Development of balanced lethal plasmid systems (similar to ΔasdA mutation with Asd+ plasmids)
Incorporation of regulated promoters (like araC PBAD) for controlled expression
Expression validation protocol:
Immunogenicity assessment framework:
Evaluation of antibody production against target antigens
Cytokine profiling to characterize immune response types
T-cell response analysis through appropriate assays
Protection studies design:
Challenge models in appropriate animal systems
Tissue-specific protection assessment (e.g., lacrimal gland, trachea, cloaca protection rates)
Histopathological examination to evaluate tissue damage reduction
These methodological approaches should be adapted specifically to the hypothesized role of Bifunctional protein aas in the vaccine development context, whether as an antigen itself or as part of the delivery system.
Multiple analytical techniques can be employed to study the interactions of Recombinant S. typhimurium Bifunctional protein aas with other molecules. Based on its potential roles in metabolism and bacterial physiology, these techniques would be particularly valuable:
Protein-protein interaction analysis:
Co-immunoprecipitation using the His-tag for pulldown
Bacterial two-hybrid systems to screen for interaction partners
Crosslinking mass spectrometry to map interaction interfaces
Proximity labeling approaches to identify interaction networks in vivo
Protein-lipid interaction studies:
Liposome binding assays with fluorescently labeled proteins
Lipid overlay assays to determine specificity
Monolayer surface pressure measurements for membrane interactions
Microscale thermophoresis for quantitative binding parameters
Structural investigation approaches:
X-ray crystallography of purified protein with potential ligands
Nuclear magnetic resonance for mapping interaction sites
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to identify conformational changes
Systems biology integration:
Interactome mapping in various environmental conditions
Network analysis to position aas in relevant biochemical pathways
Multi-omics integration to understand context-dependent functions
These techniques would provide complementary data to build a comprehensive understanding of how Bifunctional protein aas functions within bacterial systems and during host-pathogen interactions.