Purification and partial chemical characterization of the antimicrobial peptide cerein 8A

AIMS: To purify and to characterize the antimicrobial compound cerein 8A. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cerein 8A was isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, 1-butanol extraction and ion-exchange chromatography. Direct activity on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was observed. The purified substance corresponded to a 26 kDa peptide band. The native protein eluted at the void volume of Sephadex G-100, but within the included volume when a 1.5 mol l(-1) NaCl buffer was used, indicating that cerein 8A aggregates extracellularly. The antimicrobial activity was lost by treatment with proteases and heat. The ultraviolet spectrum was typical of a polypeptide and the infrared spectrum indicates that the peptide contains acyl group(s) in its structure. Intact Bacillus cereus spores were sensitive to cerein 8A at 1600 AU ml(-1). CONCLUSIONS: Cerein 8A show distinct properties from other antimicrobial peptides of B. cereus, and has a significant inhibitory effect on spores. Significance and Impact of the Study: The characterization of a substance active against important pathogens addresses an important aspect of food safety.     

Purification and sequencing of cerein 7B, a novel bacteriocin produced by Bacillus cereus Bc7

Cerein 7B is a new bacteriocin produced simultaneously with cerein 7A by Bacillus cereus Bc7 in liquid brain heart infusion cultures. Both bacteriocins are not synergistic. The two peptides have been purified to homogeneity by hydrophobic interaction, cation exchange and reverse-phase liquid chromatography. They can be distinguished by their N-terminal amino acid sequences N-Gly-Trp-Gly-Asp-Val-Leu (7A) and N-Gly-Trp-Trp-Asn-Ser-Trp-Gly-Lys (7B). Pre-cerein 7B is 74 amino acids long and contains an 18 aminoacid double-glycine type leader sequence that is removed to produce the mature bacteriocin. The leader peptide sequence is related to that of sec-independent secretion signals suggesting that cerein 7B belongs to class II sec-independent bacteriocins.     

Characterization, N-terminal sequencing and classification of cerein MRX1, a novel bacteriocin purified from a newly isolated bacterium: Bacillus cereus MRX1

AIM: To purify and characterize the bacteriocin produced by strain MRX1. METHODS AND RESULTS: A bacteriocin-producing strain was isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus. The bacteriocin, called cerein MRX1, was purified from the culture supernatant using hydrophobic interaction, cation-exchange chromatography and RP-HPLC. It could also be purified in abundance from the cell surfaces of the producer strain. Mass spectrometry revealed its molecular mass of 3137.93 Da. Sequencing of chemically modified bacteriocin identified its partial sequence: DWTCWSCLVCAACSVELL. Amino acid analysis, confirmed by (1)H-NMR, suggested cerein MRX1 to be a class II bacteriocin. This bacteriocin was remarkably hydrophobic, heat-stable and could withstand a wide range of pH. It exhibited a bactericidal mode of action against Bacillus coagulans JCM 2257(T). Cerein MRX1 was especially active against spoilage bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Listeria innocua (MICs in the 1 microg ml(-1) range). In contrast, lactic acid bacteria were resistant or required higher concentrations to be inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: Cerein MRX1 is similar by its N-terminal sequence to thuricin 17 recently isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis NEB17. However, the two bacteriocins are different by their molecular masses and amino acid compositions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Chemical stability of cerein MRX1 and its ability to inhibit a large number of undesirable bacteria may give an advantage to its food or clinical application as an antibacterial agent.     

Isolation of the Bacillus subtilis antimicrobial peptide subtilosin from the dairy product-derived Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Aims: To purify and characterize an antimicrobial protein (bacteriocin) isolated from the dairy product‐derived Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Methods and Results: An unknown bacterial species cultured from the Yogu Farm? probiotic dairy beverage was identified through 16S ribosomal RNA analysis as B. amyloliquefaciens, a phylogenetically close relative of Bacillus subtilis. The cell‐free supernatant (CFS) of overnight cultures was active against Listeria monocytogenes and also against clinical isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis and Streptococcus agalactiae. At the same time, several isolates of vaginal probiotic Lactobacilli were resistant to the CFS. The nature of the compound causing inhibitory activity was confirmed as proteinaceous by enzymatic digestion. The protein was isolated using ammonium sulfate precipitation, and further purified via column chromatography. PCR analysis was conducted to determine relatedness to other bacteriocins produced by Bacillus spp. Conclusion: The antimicrobial protein isolated from B. amyloliquefaciens was shown to be subtilosin, a bacteriocin previously reported as produced only by B. subtilis. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report of intra‐species horizontal gene transfer for subtilosin and the first fully characterized bacteriocin isolated from B. amyloliquefaciens. Finally, this is the first report on subtilosin’s activity against bacterial vaginosis‐associated pathogens.     

Purification and identification of the pediocin produced by Pediococcus acidilactici MM33, a new human intestinal strain

Aims:  The aim of this study was to purify and identify the bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus acidilactici MM33, a strain previously isolated from human gut.
Methods and Results:  Purification of the bacteriocin was performed by cationic exchange chromatography followed by a reverse phase step. Biochemical and mass spectrometry analysis showed homology with pediocin PA-1. To verify if P. acidilactici MM33 carried the pediocin PA-1 gene, total DNA was used to amplify the pediocin gene. The PCR product obtained was then sequenced and the nucleotide sequence revealed to be identical to that of pediocin PA-1. Treatment of P. acidilactici MM33 with novobiocin resulted in a plasmid-cured strain without bacteriocin-producing capacity. Antimicrobial assay and molecular analysis demonstrated that this strain was ped ⁻ suggesting that the ped cluster is plasmid encoded. Antimicrobial assay revealed that pediocin was bactericidal against Listeria monocytogenes , showing a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 200 AU ml⁻¹.
Conclusions:  A two-step purification procedure was elaborated in this study. The bacteriocin secreted by the human strain P. acidilactici MM33 is carried on a plasmid and the amino acid sequence is identical to pediocin PA-1.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Pediococcus acidilactici MM33 is the first human pediocin-producing strain reported and could be used as probiotic to prevent enteric pathogen colonization.     

Proteomic analysis of the bacteriocin thuricin 17 produced by Bacillus thuringiensis NEB17

Thuricin 17 is a recently discovered bacteriocin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis NEB17. The objective of this work was to conduct a proteomic analysis of this bacteriocin. The partial N- and C-terminal amino-acid sequences of thuricin 17 have now been determined using the Edman degradation and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-quadrapole time of flight mass spectrometry (MS)/MS. A hydrophobic cluster analysis indicates that thuricin 17 contains a hydrophobic region, potentially corresponding to a membrane associated domain. Based on time of production, this bacteriocin may be produced as a secondary metabolite. Interestingly, thuricin 17 shares the same N-terminal sequence, DWTXWSXL, with a previously reported bacteriocin, Bacthuricin F4, produced by B. thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki strain BUPM4. This is the first time two bacteriocins from different Bacillus species have been shown to share similar N-terminal sequences.     

A versatile system for the expression of nonmodified bacteriocins in Escherichia coli

AIMS: To develop a method and plasmid vectors suitable for expression of class II bacteriocins from Escherichia coli. METHODS AND RESULTS: The expression vector pSuV1 was constructed by inserting the PelB secretion signal coding sequence and a number of restriction endonuclease sites for cloning, into pTYB1. Codon optimized genes encoding the active mature region of each bacteriocin were constructed and inserted into pSuV1. Transfer of these constructs to a host expressing T7 RNA polymerase allowed for expression of secreted mature or fusion forms of the bacteriocins. Generation of the fusion, to the adjacent intein-chitin-binding domain gene, was achieved by removal of a small intervening BseRI fragment. The bacteriocins BacR1, divercin V41, enterocin P, pediocin PA-1 and piscicolin 126 were expressed from this system. For piscicolin 126, expression levels of 200 microg l(-1) in the mature form and 1100 microg l(-1) when cleaved from the fusion partner were achieved. All expressed bacteriocins displayed antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSIONS: Several class II bacteriocins have been expressed in E. coli using purpose designed plasmid vectors described here. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This method provides a common expression system capable of producing a range of different class II bacteriocins. It allows researchers to study class II bacteriocins without access to the original producer strain, the native bacteriocin gene, or highly specific heterologous producing strains. Resulting expression levels are as high or higher than those previously reported for related bacteriocins.     

Influence of pH and sodium chloride on kinetics of thermal inactivation of the bacteriocin-like substance P34

Aims: To investigate the kinetics of thermal inactivation of the bacteriocin‐like substance P34 at different pH and sodium chloride concentration. Methods and Results: Samples of bacteriocin were treated at different time–temperature combinations in the range of 0–300 min and 90–120°C and the kinetic parameters for bacteriocin inactivation were calculated. For all treatments, the thermal inactivation reaction fitted adequately to first‐order model. D‐ and k‐values were smaller and higher, respectively, for pH 4·5 than for 6·0 or 7·0, indicating that bacteriocin P34 was less thermostable at lower pH. At 120, 115 and 100°C, the addition of sodium chloride decreased thermal stability. For other temperatures, addition of NaCl increased stability of the peptide. The presence of greater amount of the salt (50 g l^?1) resulted in a higher thermal stability of bacteriocin P34, suggesting that the reduction in water activity of the solution interfered on the stability of the peptide. Conclusions: Based on an isothermal experiment in the temperature range of 90–120°C, and by thermal death time models, bacteriocin P34 is less heat stable at low pH and has increased thermal stability in the presence of NaCl. Addition of NaCl improved the stability of the peptide P34 at high temperatures. Significance and Impact of the Study: Studies on kinetics of thermal inactivation of bacteriocins are essential to allow their proper utilization in the food industry.     

抗菌肽的基因工程研究进展

近年来细菌耐药性问题日趋严峻,寻找新型抗生素已迫在眉睫。抗菌肽是生物体产生的一种阳离子短肽,具有天然的抗菌活性。由于抗菌肽具有与传统抗生素不同的作用机制,不产生耐药性,因而具有重要的临床应用价值。但实践表明,抗菌肽的开发并非易事。针对近年来抗菌肽开发的基因工程策略和实践,尤其是大肠杆菌表达系统和酵母表达系统,进行了简要综述。     

Studies on the Lipase of Thermophilic Fungus Humicola lanuginosa

A protease occurring in the endosperm fraction of germinating corn was purified by means of (NH₄)₂SO₄ fractionation, CM-celluIose chromatography, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified protease was found to have a molecular weight of about 21,000 and an isoelectric point of pH 2.3 or lower. The optimum pH was found to lie at 3.0 when measured with denatured hemoglobin as substrate. The protease was generally activated by thiol compounds and completely inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid. Neither diisopropylphosphofluoridate nor diazoacetyl-dl-norleucine methyl ester affected the protease activity. Antipain greatly inhibited the protease action whereas pepstatin had no significant effect. These data indicate, in conclusion, that the protease possesses a unique property to be a sulfhydryl enzyme most active in an acidic region around pH 3.     

A novel bacteriocin, thuricin 17, produced by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria strain Bacillus thuringiensis NEB17: isolation and classification

AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify and characterize a compound produced by the plant growth promoting bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis non-Bradyrhizobium Endophytic Bacterium 17. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bacterial peptide was analysed and purified via HPLC. Using the disk diffusion assay this peptide inhibited the growth of 16/19 B. thuringiensis strains, 4/4 Bacillus cereus strains, among others, as well as a Gram-negative strain Escherichia coli MM294 (pBS42). Both bactericidal and bacteristatic effects were observed on B. cereus ATCC 14579 and bactericidal effects were observed on B. thuringiensis ssp. thuringiensis Bt1267. The molecular weight of the peptide was estimated via SDS-PAGE and confirmed with Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Quadrapole Time of Flight mass spectrometry; its weight is 3162 Da. The peptide is biologically active after exposure to 100 degrees C for 15 min, and within the pH range 1.00-9.25. Its activity disappeared when treated with proteinase K and protease, but not with alpha-amylase or catalase. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that this is the first report of a bacteriocin produced by a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (B. thuringiensis) species and have named the bacteriocin thuricin 17. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our work has characterized a bacteriocin produced by a plant growth promoting bacterium. This strain is previously reported to increase soya bean nodulation.     

MTT方法的优化

目的：对MTT法检测悬浮细胞增殖活性的实验条件进行筛选。方法：以K562细胞为实验对象,分别测定不同MTT用量、细胞浓度、MTT溶剂种类及作用时间等实验条件下的OD570值。结果：检测K562细胞的增殖活性时,细胞浓度应选取0．8×108～0．2×108/L,MTT加入量不应超过20μL/孔,若不考虑时间成本,应以三联溶液作为甲硂溶剂,反应12 h后检测,所获结果精密度最高;若需快速获得结果,也可选择DMSO作为甲硂溶剂,反应10 min后检测。结论：建立了优化的MTT法检测悬浮细胞增殖活性。     

测定昆虫细胞存活或死亡的MTT方法的改进

MTT方法具有灵敏、简便、稳定可靠、不需同位素等特点。为了摸索测定昆虫细胞存活（或死亡）的MTT方法的各种最适条件,本文以中国棉铃虫细胞系为对象,确定了一些基本参数、并比较了三种MTT测定方法。结果表明：改进的方法所选用的溶剂——pH为4.5的3％SDS异丙醇效果最好,溶解甲所需时间短、OD值高。测定昆虫细胞范围为每孔500～60000细胞,测试波长为560nm,参考波长为690nm.     

Partial characterization of bacteriocins produced by human Lactococcus lactis and Pediococccus acidilactici isolates

AIMS: The aim of this study was to isolate bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from human intestine. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 111 LAB were isolated from human adult stool and screened for their bacteriocin production. Neutralized cell-free supernatants from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis MM19 and Pediococcus acidilactici MM33 showed antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobials in the supernatant from a culture of L. lactis inhibited Enterococcus faecium, various species of Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus aureus; while those in the supernatant from a culture of P. acidilactici inhibited Enterococcus spp., some lactobacilli and various serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes. The antimicrobial metabolites were heat-stable and were active over a pH range of 2-10. The antimicrobial activities of the supernatants of both bacteria were inhibited by many proteases but not by catalase. The plate overlay assay allowed an approximation of size between 3.5 and 6 kDa for both antimicrobial substances. CONCLUSIONS: As the antagonistic factor(s) produced by L. lactis MM19 and P. acidilactici MM33 were sensitive to proteolytic enzymes, it could be hypothesized that bacteriocins were involved in the inhibitory activities. Inhibition spectrum and biochemical analysis showed that these bacteria produced two distinct bacteriocins. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: We are the first to isolate bacteriocin-producing strains of Pediococcus and Lactococcus from human intestine. These strains might be useful for control of enteric pathogens.     

荞麦rBTI-2的表达及其对肿瘤细胞的生长抑制作用

设计一种适合基因工程开发的无标签重组荞麦胰蛋白酶抑制剂rBTI-2,并研究其对肿瘤细胞的生长抑制作用。构建原核表达载体pExSecI-BTI-2,诱导表达获得可溶性目的蛋白,经Resource~(TM) Q纯化后作用于HL-7702、HepG2、EC9706和QBC-939细胞,MTT检测rBTI-2对其生长的影响,并与前期获得的几种融合蛋白酶抑制剂进行功能比对。结果表明:质粒pEXSecI-BTI-2构建成功,SDS-PAGE分析表明分子量约为7.8 kDa。MTT检测表明rBTI-2对几种肿瘤细胞的生长有明显的抑制作用,而对正常细胞HL-7702作用很小。几种蛋白酶抑制剂对肿瘤细胞的生长均有不同程度的影响,其中rBTI-2对肿瘤细胞的生长抑制作用要大于融合蛋白酶抑制剂rBTI,这为深入研究BTI诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的分子机制及其应用开发提供了重要基础和研究依据。     

一种新的以影像为基础的细胞增殖和细胞毒性检测方法

3-(4,5-二甲基-2-噻唑)-2,5-二苯基溴化四唑盐)（MTT）比色法是传统上检测细胞增殖和细胞毒性的常用方法.
CloneSelectTM成像系统是一种以影像为基础的用于分析细胞生长的可视检测系统.本研究采用人结直肠癌HCT116细胞系,运用CloneSelect成像系统和MTT方法分别检测药物阿的平的细胞毒性,并采用Bland Altman作图法比较两种实验方法获得的pEC50值,分析两种研究方法获得的结果的一致性. 结果表明,CloneSelectTM成像系统和MTT法获得的pEC50值具有较好的一致性.与MTT方法相比,基于影像的CloneSelectTM成像分析技术检测快速、无损伤且结果更准确,获取资料不损伤细胞,允许后续其它时间点或动力学检测. 研究提示,这种新的以影像为基础的检测技术可以替代MTT方法,用于分析不同药物的抗细胞增殖活性.     

Use of the mitochondria toxicity assay for quantifying the viable cell density of microencapsulated jurkat cells

The mitochondria toxicity assay (MTT assay) is an established method for monitoring cell viability based on mitochondrial activity. Here the MTT assay is proposed for the in situ quantification of the living cell density of microencapsulated Jurkat cells. Three systems were used to encapsulate the cells, namely a membrane consisting of an interpenetrating polyelectrolyte network of sodium cellulose sulphate/poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (NaCS/PDADMAC), a calcium alginate hydrogel covered with poly(L ‐lysine) (Ca‐alg‐PLL), and a novel calcium alginate‐poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid material (Ca‐alg‐PEG). MTT results were correlated to data obtained by the trypan blue exclusion assay after release of the cells from the NaCS/PDADMAC and Ca‐alg‐PLL capsules, while a resazurin‐based assay was used for comparison in case of the Ca‐alg‐PEG material. Analysis by MTT assay allows quick and reliable determination of viable cell densities of encapsulated cells independent of the capsule material. The assay is highly reproducible with inter‐assay relative standard deviations below 10%. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:986–993, 2013