Recombinant Yersinia enterocolitica ail/Attachment invasion locus Protein, N-His-SUMO

Description of Recombinant Yersinia enterocolitica ail/Attachment invasion locus Protein, N-His-SUMO

Introduction

The Recombinant Yersinia enterocolitica ail/Attachment invasion locus Protein, also known as Ail protein, is a key virulence factor in the pathogenesis of Yersinia enterocolitica, a gram-negative bacterium that causes foodborne illness in humans. The Ail protein is a surface-exposed outer membrane protein that plays a crucial role in the attachment and invasion of host cells by Y. enterocolitica. In recent years, the recombinant form of this protein has gained significant attention in the field of biotechnology and medicine due to its potential applications in vaccine development and diagnostic assays.

Structure of Recombinant Ail Protein

The Ail protein is a 17 kDa outer membrane protein that is highly conserved among different Yersinia species. It is composed of 159 amino acids and has a predicted β-barrel structure with eight transmembrane β-strands and four extracellular loops. The recombinant form of Ail protein is produced by cloning the full-length gene into an expression vector and expressing it in a suitable host organism, such as Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein retains its native structure and function and can be purified using standard protein purification techniques.

Activity of Recombinant Ail Protein

The Ail protein is a multifunctional protein that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Y. enterocolitica. It acts as an adhesin, allowing the bacterium to attach to host cells, particularly intestinal epithelial cells. It also functions as an invasin, facilitating the entry of Y. enterocolitica into host cells by interacting with host cell receptors. In addition, the Ail protein has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects, suppressing the host’s immune response and aiding the survival of the bacterium in the host.

Application of Recombinant Ail Protein

Recombinant Ail protein has several potential applications in the fields of biotechnology and medicine.

Vaccine Development

The Ail protein has been identified as a potential vaccine candidate for Y. enterocolitica. Recombinant Ail protein can be used to develop subunit vaccines, which are safer and more specific than traditional live attenuated vaccines. Studies have shown that vaccination with recombinant Ail protein can protect mice from lethal Y. enterocolitica infection, making it a promising candidate for the development of a human vaccine.

Diagnostic Assays

The Ail protein has been shown to be highly immunogenic, making it a potential antigen for the development of diagnostic assays for Y. enterocolitica. Recombinant Ail protein can be used in serological assays, such as ELISA, to detect the presence of antibodies against Y. enterocolitica in patient samples. It can also be used in lateral flow assays for rapid and point-of-care diagnosis of Y. enterocolitica infection.

Therapeutic Applications

The Ail protein has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects, making it a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Recombinant Ail protein can be used to develop immunomodulatory therapies that target specific immune cells or pathways, offering a more targeted and effective treatment option.

Future Directions

Further research is needed to fully understand the structure and function of the Ail protein and its potential applications. Studies are ongoing to determine the effectiveness of recombinant Ail protein as a vaccine candidate and its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Additionally, efforts are being made to develop more efficient and cost-effective methods for the production of recombinant Ail protein.

Conclusion

The Recombinant Yersinia enterocolitica ail/Attachment invasion locus Protein is a key virulence factor in Y.