NDK E.Coli
Description
NDK is fused to a 24 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase (NDP kinase) is a ubiquitous enzyme that plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nucleoside triphosphates within the cell. This enzyme is highly conserved across various species, including bacteria, Drosophila, and humans . In Escherichia coli (E. coli), the enzyme is encoded by the ndk gene .
NDP kinase catalyzes the transfer of phosphate groups between different nucleoside diphosphates (NDPs) and nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs). This reaction is essential for maintaining the equilibrium between the concentrations of various NTPs, which are vital for numerous cellular processes, including DNA and RNA synthesis . The enzyme’s activity ensures that the cell has a balanced supply of NTPs, which is critical for genetic stability and cellular function .
Recombinant NDP kinase from E. coli is produced by expressing the ndk gene in a suitable host, typically E. coli itself. The recombinant protein is often tagged with a His-tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification using affinity chromatography . The recombinant enzyme retains its functional properties and can be used for various research applications, including studies on enzyme kinetics, protein-protein interactions, and cellular metabolism .
The recombinant NDP kinase from E. coli is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain consisting of 167 amino acids, with a molecular mass of approximately 18 kDa . The enzyme’s structure includes a conserved active site that is responsible for its catalytic activity. The His-tagged version of the enzyme allows for easy purification and identification in experimental setups .
NDP kinase is essential for maintaining the balance of deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs) within the cell. In E. coli strains lacking NDP kinase, there is an observed increase in mutation rates, particularly base substitutions and frameshifts . This highlights the enzyme’s role in genetic stability and its potential impact on cellular processes when deficient .
Recombinant NDP kinase from E. coli is widely used in biochemical and molecular biology research. It serves as a model enzyme for studying the mechanisms of phosphate transfer and the regulation of nucleotide pools within the cell. Additionally, the enzyme’s role in genetic stability makes it a valuable tool for studying mutagenesis and DNA repair mechanisms .
