This recombinant E.coli K12 dxr protein is an E.coli-expressed Full Length protein. At the theoretical level, the steps needed for obtaining a recombinant protein are pretty straightforward. Obtain the dxr gene, clone it in an expression vector, transform it into the host of choice, induce it, and then, the protein is ready for purification and characterization. In practice, however, dozens of things can go wrong. Poor growth of the host, inclusion body formation, protein inactivity, and even not obtaining any protein at all are some of the problems often found down the pipeline. So we choose the most suitable strain and vector for this recombinant dxr protein expression and adopt the most optimized expression condition and purification method. Finally, mild condition and subsequent cumbersome protein-refolding procedures ensure this dxr protein is soluble.

dxr (also known as ispC or yaeM) is a protein encoding gene that provides an instruction in making a protein named 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (short name is DXP reductoisomerase) in Escherichia coli. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to DXR family and has a role as an Escherichia coli metabolite. This enzyme converts 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) into the branched compound 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP). It has been shown to be the molecular target for fosmidomycin, a promising antimalarial drug.