Recombinant E.coli eutC protein

EutC is a key component of the ethanolamine utilization (eut) operon, a genetic system found in select bacteria such as *Salmonella enterica* and *Escherichia coli*. Ethanolamine, a compound derived from cell membrane phospholipids, serves as a carbon and nitrogen source for these microbes, particularly in nutrient-limited environments like the vertebrate gut. The eut operon encodes enzymes and structural proteins required for ethanolamine catabolism, a process dependent on vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin) as a cofactor. EutC specifically functions as a structural protein within the bacterial microcompartment (BMC) known as the "eut metabolosome." This protein shell encapsulates enzymes involved in ethanolamine breakdown, enhancing metabolic efficiency by concentrating substrates and protecting the cell from toxic intermediates like acetaldehyde.

Recombinant EutC refers to the protein produced through heterologous expression systems, such as *E. coli*, for biochemical and structural studies. Its purification enables detailed characterization of its role in BMC assembly, substrate channeling, and interactions with other eut proteins. Research on recombinant EutC has provided insights into bacterial metabolic adaptation, particularly in pathogens exploiting ethanolamine as an energy source during host infection. Additionally, engineered EutC variants are explored for biotechnological applications, including synthetic metabolic modules and bioengineering of protein-based nanostructures. Studies on this protein contribute broadly to understanding microbial physiology, host-pathogen interactions, and the design of functional biomaterials.