枯草芽孢杆菌在系统与合成生物技术中研究进展及工业应用

枯草芽孢杆菌Bacillus subtilis是微生物生理生化机理研究的模式菌株,也是工业应用生产小分子化合物、大宗化学品、工业酶、药物及保健品等生物制剂的良好底盘细胞。近些年,研究枯草芽孢杆菌的合成生物技术和代谢工程方法日新月异,为利用其作为底盘细胞生产目标产品提供了良好的工具和理论参考。文中综述了利用枯草芽孢杆菌为细胞工厂,在代谢改造中通过调节全局调控因子,基因组精简及优化,多位点、多维调控,自身生物传感动态调控,膜蛋白工程等方法,系统调控优化菌株;在蛋白质试剂生产改造中,通过优化基因启动子、蛋白质信号肽、菌株自身蛋白质分泌元件,构建无化学诱导剂表达系统等方法,优化生产菌株。另外,文中对未来进一步针对优化枯草芽孢杆菌进行工业生产中需要注意和重点关注的问题、方向进行展望。     

枯草芽孢杆菌氧化还原感应全局调控因子Rex对乙偶姻合成的影响

【背景】枯草芽孢杆菌体内含有一种可响应胞内氧化还原水平的因子,称之为氧化还原感应全局调控因子Rex (由基因ydiH编码)。Rex可通过感知辅酶NADH/NAD+水平的变化来调节胞内氧化还原平衡。【目的】研究Rex对枯草芽孢杆菌乙偶姻合成和辅因子代谢的相关性。【方法】利用比较转录组挖掘乙偶姻和2,3-丁二醇可逆转化过程中显著差异的基因,并通过Cre/lox基因敲除技术敲除ydiH、acuA (乙酰AcsA)和acoC (二氢脂酰胺乙酰转移酶)。随后,利用实时荧光定量PCR (RT-qPCR)技术分析敲除菌株中乙偶姻相关基因的转录水平。【结果】通过发酵实验发现,敲除ydiH会在一定程度上抑制菌体的生长速率,但发酵前期乙偶姻单位细胞产量和底物转化率都得到了显著提高;敲除acuA和acoC后,对乙偶姻合成、菌体生长和糖耗速率均影响不大;敲除ydiH后,与乙偶姻合成相关基因alsR (alsSD的正转录调控因子)、alsS (α-乙酰乳酸合成酶)、alsD (α-乙酰乳酸脱羧酶)和bdhA (2,3-丁二醇脱氢酶)的转录水平显著上调。【结论】枯草芽孢杆菌氧化还原感应全局调控因子Rex通过抑制与乙偶姻相关基因的转录水平影响乙偶姻合成。本研究首次报道了枯草芽孢杆菌中Rex和乙偶姻合成的相关性,为探索Rex如何通过调控相关基因的转录来影响胞内氧化还原稳态奠定了基础,也为提高枯草芽孢杆菌工业化生产强度和底物转化率提供了借鉴。     

枯草芽孢杆菌转录调控网络的连接结构及分解

对枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillus subtilis）转录调控网络的全局连接性质进行分析之后,基于一种自上而下的思路,将重点放在最大弱连通体,提出了基于距离的分解方法,并对得出的模块进行了明确的生物学功能定义。研究结果表明基于距离的分解方法对于标识转录调控网络中的生物学功能模块十分有效.     

枯草芽孢杆菌168新型转录终止子的构建与表征

转录终止子作为一种位于终止密码子后的调控信号,负责终止DNA的转录和RNA的释放。文中首次改造并分析了来源于噬菌体的λto终止子的发卡结构与富含尿嘧啶的序列对枯草芽孢杆菌168中基因转录终止效率以及mRNA稳定性的影响。结果表明,相对于野生型的λt0终止子,突变体M3、M11和M12表现出了更高的转录终止效率,突变体M3、M4和M11更有利于上游绿色荧光蛋白mRNA的稳定。另外,我们发现插入RNase作用位点同样提高了mRNA的稳定性。研究结果表明终止子中的发卡环对转录终止不是必需的,同时,结果也证明了转录终止子可以作为一种潜在的工具用于提高枯草芽孢杆菌中mRNA的稳定性以及相应酶的 表达。     

枯草芽孢杆菌中高效响应N-乙酰神经氨酸生物传感器的构建

枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)是公认的食品安全菌株,目前已被用于多种高附加值产品的生物合成,包括被广泛用作营养化学品和药物中间体的N-乙酰神经氨酸(N-acetylneuraminic acid, NeuAc)。响应目标产物的生物传感器被广泛用于代谢工程中的动态调控和高通量筛选等方面,以提高生物合成效率。但是,枯草芽孢杆菌中缺乏可高效响应NeuAc的生物传感器。因此,本文首先测试和优化了能将胞外NeuAc转运进胞内的转运蛋白,获得了一系列具有不同转运能力的菌株,以用于后续响应NeuAc的生物传感器的验证;随后将响应NeuAc的转录因子Bbr_NanR的结合位点插入枯草芽孢杆菌组成型启动子的不同位置,筛选具有活性的杂合启动子;接下来,通过在具有NeuAc转运能力的枯草芽孢杆菌中表达Bbr_NanR,选择能响应NeuAc的杂合启动子,并进一步通过优化Bbr_NanR表达量获得了一系列动态范围广、激活倍数高的生物传感器,其中生物传感器P535-N2能灵敏地响应胞内NeuAc浓度的变化,具有最大的动态范围,为(180–20 245) AU/OD;P566-N2则具有最高的激活倍数,为122倍,是已报道的枯草芽孢杆菌中响应N-乙酰神经氨酸的生物传感器的2倍。本文构建的响应NeuAc的生物传感器可用于高产NeuAc的酶突变体和枯草芽孢杆菌菌株的筛选,为枯草芽孢杆菌生物合成NeuAc提供了高效、灵敏的分析和调控工具。     

枯草芽胞杆菌蛋白质表达分泌系统发展及展望

枯草芽胞杆菌作为革兰阳性模式菌株是基础研究和工业应用的常用宿主细胞。介绍了枯草芽胞杆菌中蛋白合成和分泌过程中的重要步骤及重要调控位点。在枯草芽胞杆菌蛋白表达及分泌系统中,可以针对目标基因在体内的转录、翻译、折叠、转运和菌株改造等方面对表达分泌系统进行优化改良,针对不同的目标蛋白,可进行不同优化模块的组装和拼搭,以达到针对目标蛋白产物定制化地提高产量和分泌量的目的。在未来,随着基因编辑和合成生物技术的发展,菌株改良策略的不断优化,枯草芽胞杆菌将会在工业生产蛋白质制品领域发挥更大的应用价值。     

枯草芽孢杆菌168新型转录终止子的构建与表征（英文）

转录终止子作为一种位于终止密码子后的调控信号,负责终止DNA的转录和RNA的释放。文中首次改造并分析了来源于噬菌体的λt_o终止子的发卡结构与富含尿嘧啶的序列对枯草芽孢杆菌168中基因转录终止效率以及mRNA稳定性的影响。结果表明,相对于野生型的λt_0终止子,突变体M3、M11和M12表现出了更高的转录终止效率,突变体M3、M4和M11更有利于上游绿色荧光蛋白mRNA的稳定。另外,我们发现插入RNase作用位点同样提高了mRNA的稳定性。研究结果表明终止子中的发卡环对转录终止不是必需的,同时,结果也证明了转录终止子可以作为一种潜在的工具用于提高枯草芽孢杆菌中mRNA的稳定性以及相应酶的表达。     

猪圆环病毒衣壳蛋白在枯草芽孢杆菌中的表达研究

研究猪圆病毒衣壳蛋白在枯草芽孢杆菌中的表达情况。以3个不同的质粒为基础,构建不同类型的猪圆环病毒衣壳蛋白基因(PCV2-ORF2)重组表达载体,并分别转化进入枯草芽孢杆菌168和WB800中。利用SDS-PAGE和Western blot检测目的蛋白的表达,并通过实时荧光定量PCR检测目的基因的转录水平上的表达情况。结果显示,ORF2基因原序列在枯草芽孢杆菌中难以表达,经过密码子优化后,构建的截短ORF2基因表达载体在枯草芽孢杆菌内表达系统中成功表达目的蛋白。密码子优化促进了目的基因的表达。     

灵杆菌合成灵菌红素的转录调控

灵菌红素是一种具有多种生物活性的红色素,具有巨大的经济价值和广阔的应用前景。灵杆菌是灵菌红素的生产菌株,同时也是研究灵菌红素合成的模式菌株。本文综述了转录水平上调控灵杆菌合成灵菌红素的研究进展,总结了双(多)组分调控系统、群体感应系统、σ因子和转录因子在调控灵杆菌合成灵菌红素过程中发挥的作用,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

基因表达的转录调控的研究进展

基因表达的转录调控的研究进展刘志毅,崔勤,刘耕陶（中国协和医科大学,中国医学科学院药物研究所北京１０００５０）基因表达调控是分子生物学研究的前沿和核心领域。基因表达可在不同水平上进行调控。其中,转录水平的调控是表达调控的关键环节,也是当前研究的重点。...     

茶碱激活型RNA分子开关的构建及在枯草芽胞杆菌中调节外源基因表达的性能

枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillussubtilis在工业生物技术以及合成生物学领域作为一种重要的微生物可广泛用作代谢工程、重组蛋白表达以及新型基因电路的底盘。在B. subtilis中构建基于非编码RNA的高精准调节元件,能够实现不依赖蛋白质因子的基因表达调控,丰富B.subtilis基因表达通用工具。通过基因工程手段,设计了基于茶碱适体域的核糖开关E和适体核酶AZ调节元件,并与不同的B.subtilis内源组成型启动子适配,构建出茶碱激活型基因表达控制元件。测定这两种调节元件与6种组成型启动子组合匹配下报告基因GFP的荧光强度,鉴定并分析各调控元件的工作性能。并进一步以红色荧光蛋白mCherry和普鲁兰酶两种不同的异源蛋白验证核糖开关或适体核酶与启动子的最优组合。结果表明,同一种RNA调节元件与不同启动子组合呈现不同水平的调控效率。在核糖开关与启动子的组合中,启动子PsigW和核糖开关E组合(sigWE)对GFP表达的诱导率最高,达到16.8。在适体核酶与启动子的组合中,AZ与启动子P43、PrpoB组合(P43AZ和rpoBAZ)的诱导率最高,分别达到了6.1和6.2。进一步验证结果显示,sigWE调控mCherry的诱导率最高(9.2),而P43E调控普鲁兰酶的诱导率最高(32.8),产酶水平达到了81U/mL。核糖开关和适体核酶对GFP、mCherry、普鲁兰酶均能实现调控,但是不同元件组合的调控性能有所差异,对不同基因的调控效果也不尽相同。     

Expression of the genes for guanyl-specific ribonucleases from Bacillus intermedius and Bacillus pumilus is regulated by the two component signal transduction system PhoP-PhoR in B. subtilis

Promoters of the genes for guanyl-specific ribonucleases, secreted by B. intermedius (binase) and B. pumilus (Rnase Bp) in phosphate deficient conditions, contain regions similar to appropriate consensus sequences in promoters of the PHO regulated genes of B. subtilis. A number of genes expressed in response to phosphate starvation in B. subtilis are regulated by the two component signal transduction system PhoP-PhoR. Expression of recombinant genes for binase and RNase Bp in B. subtilis strains with mutations in the regulatory protein genes of the PHO regulon was studied. Their expression is strongly regulated by the regulatory proteins of the B. subtilis PHO regulon.     

感受态还是芽胞？细胞命运决定的遗传调控网络

枯草芽胞杆菌作为一般认为安全(GRAS,Generally recognized as safe)菌株,被广泛应用于饲料、食品、生物防治等领域,同时,枯草芽胞杆菌作为表达宿主在工业酶的应用中扮演重要角色。然而,低效的芽胞形成率与感受态效率极大限制了枯草芽胞杆菌的应用潜力。尽管已有大量关于芽胞形成与感受态形成的分子遗传机制的研究报道,但是通过遗传改造提高枯草芽胞杆菌芽胞形成率与感受态效率的研究报道并不多。可能的原因是芽胞形成与感受态形成作为枯草芽胞杆菌生长后期两个主要的发育事件,受胞内复杂的遗传调控机制操纵,且两个遗传通路之间存在相互调控关系,对遗传改造工作形成挑战。随着基因工程与代谢工程研究的不断发展,积累了大量关于细胞生长、代谢与发育等方面的遗传信息,通过综合这些遗传信息构建细胞遗传调控网络,用于指导生产实践,已经成为当前研究的热点之一。基于此,本文简要概述了枯草芽胞杆菌芽胞形成和感受态形成的遗传通路,初步探讨了芽胞形成与感受态形成之间的遗传调控网络,及细胞在生长后期的遗传决定机制,并讨论了该遗传调控网络对枯草芽孢杆菌及其近缘种应用研究的指导作用。     

Industrial biotechnology: Tools and applications

Industrial biotechnology involves the use of enzymes and microorganisms to produce value-added chemicals from renewable sources. Because of its association with reduced energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation, industrial biotechnology is a rapidly growing field. Here we highlight a variety of important tools for industrial biotechnology, including protein engineering, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, systems biology, and downstream processing. In addition, we show how these tools have been successfully applied in several case studies, including the production of 1, 3-propanediol, lactic acid, and biofuels. It is expected that industrial biotechnology will be increasingly adopted by chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and agricultural industries.     

Tetracycline-dependent conditional gene knockout in Bacillus subtilis

Reversible tetracycline-dependent gene regulation allows induction of expression with the tetracycline repressor (TetR) or gene silencing with the newly developed reverse mutant revTetR. We report here the implementation of both approaches with full regulatory range in gram-positive bacteria as exemplified in Bacillus subtilis. A chromosomally located gene is controlled by one or two tet operators. The precise adjustment of regulatory windows is accomplished by adjusting tetR or revtetR expression via different promoters. The most efficient induction was 300-fold in the presence of 0.4 microM anhydrotetracycline obtained with a Pr-xylA-tetR fusion. Reversible 500-fold gene knockouts were obtained in B. subtilis after adjusting expression of revTetR by synthetically designed promoters. We anticipate that these tools will also be useful in many other gram-positive bacteria.     

Regulatory impact on insect biotechnology and pest management

The application of insect biotechnology is promising for the development of environmentally compatible pest management solutions. As we have refined and enhanced genetic engineering techniques in several insect species that cause significant economic loss and public health injury, it has become clear that insect biotechnology will move forward as one of the key tools of pest management in agriculture and in the human environment. Well characterized genetic elements can be manipulated toward specific aims and maintain a viable insect, albeit one with diminished capacity to exchange genetic material, vector a virus or bacterium, or complete its life cycle. Despite this degree of knowledge and precision, there remain unanswered questions regarding environmental fate, release and public acceptance of this technology. The uncertainty surrounding any novel technology inevitably increases the level of regulatory scrutiny associated with its use. Although the term “insect biotechnology” has many connotations, it certainly includes the genetic modification of symbiotic or commensally associated microbes as a means of delivering a trait (e.g. a toxin) to manage plant and human diseases and insect pests. The distinction between this paratransgenic approach and direct genetic modification of insect pests is an important one biologically as well as from a regulatory standpoint. The regulatory framework for microbial applications to agriculture is in many instances in place; however, we must strive to forge the development of guidelines and regulations that will foster deployment of insect biotechnologies.     

Attenuator LRR – a regulatory tool for modulating gene expression in Gram-positive bacteria

With the rapid development of synthetic biology in recent years, particular attention has been paid to RNA devices, especially riboswitches, because of their significant and diverse regulatory roles in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Due to the limited performance and context-dependence of riboswitches, only a few of them (such as theophylline, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin riboswitches) have been utilized as regulatory tools in biotechnology. In the present study, we demonstrated that a ribosome-dependent ribo-regulator, LRR, discovered in our previous work, exhibits an attractive regulatory performance. Specifically, it offers a 60-fold change in expression in the presence of retapamulin and a low level of leaky expression of about 1–2% without antibiotics. Moreover, LRR can be combined with different promoters and performs well in Bacillus thuringiensis, B. cereus, B. amyloliquefaciens, and B. subtilis. Additionally, LRR also functions in the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. Furthermore, we demonstrate its ability to control melanin metabolism in B. thuringiensis BMB171. Our results show that LRR can be applied to regulate gene expression, construct genetic circuits and tune metabolic pathways, and has great potential for many applications in synthetic biology.     

Expression of genes for guanyl-specific ribonucleases in Bacillus intermedius and Bacillus pumilus is regulated by the PhoP-PhoR two-component signal transduction system of PHO regulon of Bacillus subtilis]

Promoters of the genes of guanyl-specific ribonucleases of Bacillus intermedius (binase) and Bacillus pumilus (RNase Bp) were found to contain sequences homologous to those recognizable by the regulatory protein PhoP in the promoters of the PHO regulon of B. subtilis, as well as regions partially homologous to the binding sites of another regulatory protein, PhoB, in the promoters of the PHO regulon of Escherichia coli. The role of the two-component regulatory systems PhoP-PhoR and PhoB-PhoR in the regulation of expression of the genes of binase and RNase Bp in recombinant strains of B. subtilis and E. coli was studied by using mutant strains. It was established that the expression of these genes in recombinant B. subtilis cells is stringently controlled by the PhoP-PhoR two-component regulatory system, whereas the expression of these genes in E. coli cells is not controlled by the regulatory proteins PhoB or PhoR. Presumably, regulatory systems of the response to phosphate starvation, analogous to the PHO regulon of B. subtilis, also function in other representatives of the genus Bacillus.