Recombinant beta-lactamase refers to the enzyme that has been genetically engineered and produced in a host organism, such as E. coli. This recombinant form is often used in research and industrial applications due to its high purity and consistency. The recombinant beta-lactamase is typically expressed with a His tag (histidine tag), which is a sequence of histidine residues added to the protein to facilitate purification through affinity chromatography .
The recombinant beta-lactamase is produced in E. coli cells, which are genetically modified to include the gene encoding the enzyme. The His tag is usually added to the N-terminus of the protein, allowing for easy purification. The His tag binds to nickel ions, enabling the protein to be isolated from other cellular components using a nickel-affinity column .
The recombinant beta-lactamase from E. coli typically consists of 379 amino acids, including the His tag, and has a molecular mass of approximately 41.8 kDa . The enzyme is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain and is highly purified using proprietary chromatographic techniques . The His tag not only aids in purification but also does not interfere with the enzyme’s activity.
Recombinant beta-lactamase is widely used in various research applications, including:
Recombinant beta-lactamase is typically stored at 4°C for short-term use and at -20°C for long-term storage. It is important to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles to maintain the enzyme’s activity and stability .
In summary, recombinant beta-lactamase from E. coli with a His tag is a valuable tool in scientific research and industrial applications. Its ability to confer antibiotic resistance and its ease of purification make it an essential component in the study of bacterial resistance mechanisms and the development of new therapeutic strategies.