Recombinant nahG protein

Here’s a concise overview of the nahG recombinant protein:

The **nahG** gene, originally identified in soil bacteria like *Pseudomonas putida*, encodes **salicylate hydroxylase**, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of salicylic acid (SA) into catechol. This reaction plays a key role in bacterial degradation of aromatic compounds. In plant research, the nahG protein gained prominence as a molecular tool to study salicylic acid signaling. When expressed transgenically in plants (e.g., *Arabidopsis* or tobacco), nahG depletes endogenous SA levels, effectively silencing SA-mediated defense responses. This has been instrumental in demonstrating SA’s critical role in plant immunity, particularly in systemic acquired resistance (SAR) against pathogens.

Recombinant nahG protein is produced via heterologous expression systems (e.g., *E. coli*), enabling large-scale purification for biochemical studies. Its applications extend beyond plant science: engineered variants are explored for bioremediation due to their ability to degrade phenolic pollutants. However, its use in transgenic plants remains controversial in some contexts, as SA depletion can alter plant-microbe interactions and stress responses. Recent studies also investigate nahG’s structure-function relationships to optimize its enzymatic activity for biotechnological purposes. Despite being a bacterial enzyme, nahG’s integration into plant systems has fundamentally shaped our understanding of phytohormone networks.