Selection of independent plasmids determining phenol degradation in Pseudomonas putida and the cloning and expression of genes encoding phenol monooxygenase and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase

Long-term cultivation of the Pseudomonas putida multiplasmid strain EST1020 on phenol resulted in the formation of individual PHE plasmids determining phenol degradation. Four types of PHE plasmids, pEST1024, pEST1026, pEST1028, and pEST1029, are characterized. They all contain a transferrable replicon similar to pWWO-8 with a partly duplicated DNA sequence of the 17-kb transposable element of this plasmid and include various amounts of DNA that carry genes encoding phenol degradation (phe genes). We cloned the genes determining phenol monooxygenase and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase from the Pseudomonas sp. parent strain plasmid DNA into the broad host range vector pAYC32 and studied the expression of the cloned DNA. The formation of a new hybrid metabolic plasmid, pEST1354, was demonstrated in P. putida PaW85 as the result of transposition of the 17-kb genetic element from the chromosome of PaW85 into the plasmid carrying cloned phe genes. The target site for the 17-kb transposon was localized in the vector DNA, just near the cloning site. In subcloning experiments we found two regions in the 17-kb DNA stretch that are involved in the expression of the cloned phe genes.     

DNA homology between siderophore genes from fluorescent pseudomonads.

Many species of pseudomonads produce fluorescent siderophores involved in iron uptake. We have investigated the DNA homology between the siderophore synthesis genes of an opportunist animal pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and three plant-associated species Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas sp. B10. There is extensive homology between the DNA from the different species, consistent with the suggestion that the different siderophore synthesis genes have evolved from the same ancestral set of genes. The existence of DNA homology allowed us to clone some of the siderophore synthesis genes from P. aeruginosa, and genetic mapping indicates that the cloned DNA lies in a locus previously identified as being involved in siderophore production.     

Comparison of enzymatic and immunochemical properties of 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-1,2-dioxygenases from four Pseudomonas strains

Abstract A 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-1,2-dioxygenase gene has been cloned from chromosomal DNA of Pseudomonas sp. DJ-12 which can grow on biphenyl or 4-chlorobiphenyl as the sole carbon and energy source. Enzymatic and immunochemical properties of the cloned 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-1,2-dioxygenase were characterized, and compared with those of P. pseudoalcaligenes KF707, Pseudomonas sp. KKS102, and P. putida OU83. The dioxygenase of Pseudomonas sp. DJ-12 was similar to those of P. pseudoalcaligenes KF707, and Pseudomonas sp. KKS102, but significantly different from that of P. putida OU83 in electrophoretic mobilities on native PAGE and SDS-PAGE. The dioxygenases of Pseudomonas sp. DJ-12 and P. putida OU83 exhibited the highest ring-fission activity to 3-methylcatechol, and those of P. pseudoalcaligenes KF707 and Pseudomonas sp. KKS102 to 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl among 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl, catechol, 3-methylcatechol, 4-methylcatechol, and 4-chlorocatechol as substrates. 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-1,2-dioxygenase of P. pseudoalcaligenes KF707 was immunochemically related to that of Pseudomonas sp. KKS102, but was different from those of Pseudomonas sp. DJ-12 and P. putida OU83.     

Enzyme recruitment in vitro: use of cloned genes to extend the range of haloaromatics degraded by Pseudomonas sp. strain B13.

DNA fragments containing the xylD and xylL genes of TOL plasmid pWW0 -161 of Pseudomonas putida, which code for the catabolic enzymes toluate 1,2-dioxygenase and dihydrodihydroxybenzoic acid dehydrogenase, respectively, and the nahG gene of the NAH plasmid NAH7 , which codes for salicylate hydroxylase, were cloned in pBR322 vector plasmid. Deletion and insertion mutagenesis were used to localize these genes with respect to crucial endonuclease cleavage sites. The pBR322-based plasmids were ligated to the broad host range cloning vector pKT231 , or derivatives of it, and the hybrid plasmids were introduced into Pseudomonas sp. B13( WR1 ), a bacterium able to degrade 3-chlorobenzoate but not 4-chlorobenzoate, 3,5- dichlorobenzoate , salicylate, or chlorosalicylates . The cloned xylD gene expanded the catabolic range of WR1 to include 4-chlorobenzoate, whereas the cloned xylD - xylL genes enabled the isolation of derivatives of WR1 that degraded 3-chlorobenzoate, 4-chlorobenzoate, and 3,5- dichlorobenzoate . The cloned nahG gene extended the catabolic range of WR1 to include salicylate and 3-, 4-, and 5- chlorosalicylate .     

S-扁桃酸脱氢酶基因的克隆及表达

S-扁桃酸脱氢酶能够选择性催化S-扁桃酸生成苯甲酰甲酸。通过PCR扩增获得Pseudomonas p utida NUST的S-扁桃酸脱氢酶全长基因(mdlA),并构建了表达载体pET30a(+)-mdlA,转化大肠杆菌E.coli BL21(DE3)后,经异丙基-β-D-硫代吡喃半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导获得表达,SDS-PAGE结果显示表达蛋白为43kDa。所以工程菌细胞具有转化S-扁桃酸生成苯甲酰甲酸能力。     

Cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding cytochrome c-551 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The cytochrome c-551 gene from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cloned by using two oligonucleotide probes, which had been synthesized based on the known primary structure of the protein. The restriction map of the cloned DNA and sequence analysis showed that the cytochrome c-551 gene is located 50 bp downstream of the nitrite reductase gene, which has recently been cloned and sequenced. DNA sequence analysis also indicated that cytochrome c-551 is synthesized in vivo as a precursor having an amino-terminal signal sequence consisting of 22 amino acid residues.     

Molecular cloning of salicylate hydroxylase genes from Pseudomonas cepacia and Pseudomonas putida

The sal gene encoding Pseudomonas cepacia salicylate hydroxylase was cloned and the sal encoding Pseudomonas putida salicylate hydroxylase was subcloned into plasmid vector pRO2317 to generate recombinant plasmids pTK3 and pTK1, respectively. Both cloned genes were expressed in the host Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The parental strain can utilize catechol, a product of the salicylate hydroxylase-catalyzed reaction, but not salicylate as the sole carbon source for growth due to a natural deficiency of salicylate hydroxylase. The pTK1- or pTK3-transformed P. aeruginosa PAO1, however, can be grown on salicylate as the sole carbon source and exhibited activities for the cloned salicylate hydroxylase in crude cell lysates. In wild-type P. cepacia as well as in pTK1- or pTK3-transformed P. aeruginosa PAO1, the presence of glucose in addition to salicylate in media resulted in lower efficiencies of sal expression P. cepacia apparently can degrade salicylate via the meta cleavage pathway which, unlike the plasmid-encoded pathway in P. putida, appears to be encoded on chromosome. As revealed by DNA cross hybridizations, the P. cepacia hsd and ht genes showed significant homology with the corresponding plasmid-borne genes of P. putida but the P. cepacia sal was not homologous to the P. putida sal. Furthermore, polyclonal antibodies developed against purified P. cepacia salicylate hydroxylase inactivated the cloned P. cepacia salicylate hydroxylase but not the cloned P. putida salicylate hydroxylase in P. aeruginosa PAO1. It appears that P. cepacia and P. putida salicylate hydroxylases, being structurally distinct, were probably derived through convergent evolution.     

Thymidine salvage in Pseudomonas stutzeri and Pseudomonas aeruginosa provided by heterologous expression of Escherichia coli thymidine kinase gene.

Unlike enteric bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. generally lack thymidine phosphorylase and thymidine kinase activities, thus preventing their utilization of exogenous thymine or thymidine and precluding specific radioactive labeling of their DNA in vivo. To overcome this limitation, a DNA fragment encoding thymidine kinase (EC 2.7.1.21) from Escherichia coli was cloned into pKT230, a small, broad-host-range plasmid derived from plasmid RSF1010. From transformed E. coli colonies, the recombinant plasmid bearing the thymidine kinase gene was conjugally transferred to Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas mendocina, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes. Thymidine kinase activity was expressed in all of these species, and all gained the ability to incorporate exogenous [2-14C]thymidine into their DNA. Thymidine incorporation into P. stutzeri was enhanced 12-fold more in mutants lacking thymidylate synthetase activity. These mutants produced higher levels of thymidine kinase and were thymidine auxotrophs; thymineless death resulted from removal of thymidine from a growing culture.     

Cloning of Pf3, a filamentous bacteriophage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, into the pBD214 vector of Bacillus subtilis.

The genome of Pf3, a filamentous single-stranded DNA bacteriophage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a gram-negative organism) was cloned into pBD214, a plasmid cloning vector of Bacillus subtilis (a gram-positive organism). Cloning in the gram-positive organism was done to avoid anticipated lethal effects. The entire Pf3 genome was inserted in each orientation at a unique Bc/I site within a thymidylate synthetase gene (from B. subtilis phage beta 22) on the plasmid. Additional clones were made by inserting EcoRI fragments of Pf3 DNA into a unique EcoRI site within this gene.     

Molecular cloning, characterization, and regulation of a Pseudomonas pickettii PKO1 gene encoding phenol hydroxylase and expression of the gene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1c.

A 26-kilobase BamHI restriction endonuclease DNA fragment was cloned from Pseudomonas pickettii PKO1, a strain isolated from a soil microcosm that had been amended with benzene, toluene, and xylene. This DNA fragment, cloned into vector plasmid pRO1727 and designated pRO1957, allowed Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1c to grow on phenol as the sole source of carbon. Physical and functional restriction endonuclease maps have been derived for the cloned DNA fragment. Two DNA fragments carried in trans and derived from subclones of pRO1957 show phenol hydroxylase activity in cell extracts of P. aeruginosa. Deletion and subcloning analyses of these fragments indicated that the gene encoding phenol hydroxylase is positively regulated. Phenol and m-cresol were shown to be inducers of the enzyme. o-Cresol and p-cresol did not induce enzymatic activity but could be metabolized by cells that had been previously exposed to phenol or m-cresol; moreover, the enzyme exhibited a rather broad substrate specificity and was sensitive to thiol-inhibiting reagents. A novel polypeptide with an estimated molecular mass of 80,000 daltons was detected in extracts of phenol-induced cells of P. aeruginosa carrying plasmid pRO1959.     

Molecular characterization and nucleic acid sequence of an avirulence gene from race 6 of Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea.

A gene was previously cloned from Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea race 6, designated avirulence gene A (avrA), that controls the expression of virulence by the pathogen on specific cultivars of soybean. A 3.2-kilobase (kb) AccI subclone from the cosmid clone pPg6L3 was shown to be active when cloned into the broad-host-range vector pRK404. Transposon Tn5 mutagenesis and deletion analysis delineated a span of approximately 2.5 kb of DNA that was necessary for gene activity. The nucleotide sequence of a 3.409-kb segment of DNA which contained the avrA gene has been determined. An open reading frame of 2.721 kb of DNA, which correlates with the region of DNA defined by transposon mutagenesis and deletion analysis, was identified. The open reading frame would encode a protein of 100.866 kilodaltons, which is in good agreement with the 100-kilodalton protein expressed by Escherichia coli maxicells.     

Cloning of bacterial genes specifying degradation of 4-chlorobiphenyl from Pseudomonas putida OU83

Genes capable of 4-chlorobiphenyl (4-CBP) degradation were cloned from 4-CBP-degrading Pseudomonas putida OU83 by using a genomic library which was constructed in the broad-host-range cosmid vector pCP13. P. putida AC812 containing chimeric cosmid-expressing enzymes involved in the 4-CBP degradation pathway were identified by detecting 3-phenylcatechol dioxygenase activity (3-PDA). Chimeric cosmid clones pOH83, pOH84, pOH85, pOH87, and pOH88 positive for 3-PDA grew in synthetic basal medium containing 4-CBP (5 mM) as a carbon source. Restriction digestion analysis of recombinant cosmids showed DNA inserts ranging from 6 to 30 kilobase pairs. Southern hybridization data revealed that the cloned DNA inserts originated from strain OU83. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the metabolites of P. putida AC812(pOH88) incubated with 4-CBP and 4'-chloro-3-phenylcatechol showed the formation of 4-chlorobenzoic acid and benzoic acid. These results demonstrate that the cloned DNA fragments contain genes encoding for chlorobiphenyl dioxygenase (cbpA), dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (cbpB), 4'-chloro-3-phenylcatechol dioxygenase (cbpC), a meta-cleavage compound (a chloro derivative of 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoate) hydrolase (cbpD), and a new dechlorinating activity (dcpE). The location of the cbpC gene specifying 3-PDA was determined by subcloning an EcoRI DNA fragment (9.8 kilobase pairs) of pOH88 in plasmid vector pUC19. The cloned gene encoding 3-PDA was expressed in Escherichia coli HB101 and had substrate specificity only for 3-phenylcatechol and 4'-chloro-3-phenylcatechol.     

Cloning, DNA sequence analysis, and expression in Escherichia coli of the gene for mandelate racemase from Pseudomonas putida

The gene for mandelate racemase (EC 5.1.2.2) from Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 12633) was cloned in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15692). The selection for the cloned gene was based upon the inability of P. aeruginosa to grow on (R)-mandelate as sole carbon source by virtue of the absence of mandelate racemase in its mandelate pathway. Fragments of P. putida DNA obtained by digestion of chromosomal DNA with Sau3A were ligated into the BamHI site of the Gram-negative vector pKT230 and transformed into the P. aeruginosa host. A transformant able to utilize (R)-mandelate as sole carbon source was characterized, and the plasmid was found to contain approximately five kilobase pairs of P. putida DNA. Subcloning of this DNA revealed the position of the gene for the racemase within the cloned DNA from P. putida. The dideoxy-DNA sequencing procedure was used to determine the sequence of the gene and its translated sequence. The amino acid sequence and molecular weight for mandelate racemase deduced from the gene sequence (38 570) are in excellent agreement with amino acid composition and molecular weight data for the polypeptide recently determined with enzyme isolated from P. putida; these recent determinations of the polypeptide molecular weight differ significantly from the originally reported value of 69,500 [Fee, Judith A., Hegeman, G.D., & Kenyon, G.L. (1974) Biochemistry 13,2528], which was used to demonstrate that alpha-phenylglycidate, an active site directed irreversible inhibitor, binds to the enzyme with a stoichiometry of 1:1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cloning of bacterial genes specifying degradation of 4-chlorobiphenyl from Pseudomonas putida OU83.

Genes capable of 4-chlorobiphenyl (4-CBP) degradation were cloned from 4-CBP-degrading Pseudomonas putida OU83 by using a genomic library which was constructed in the broad-host-range cosmid vector pCP13. P. putida AC812 containing chimeric cosmid-expressing enzymes involved in the 4-CBP degradation pathway were identified by detecting 3-phenylcatechol dioxygenase activity (3-PDA). Chimeric cosmid clones pOH83, pOH84, pOH85, pOH87, and pOH88 positive for 3-PDA grew in synthetic basal medium containing 4-CBP (5 mM) as a carbon source. Restriction digestion analysis of recombinant cosmids showed DNA inserts ranging from 6 to 30 kilobase pairs. Southern hybridization data revealed that the cloned DNA inserts originated from strain OU83. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the metabolites of P. putida AC812(pOH88) incubated with 4-CBP and 4'-chloro-3-phenylcatechol showed the formation of 4-chlorobenzoic acid and benzoic acid. These results demonstrate that the cloned DNA fragments contain genes encoding for chlorobiphenyl dioxygenase (cbpA), dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (cbpB), 4'-chloro-3-phenylcatechol dioxygenase (cbpC), a meta-cleavage compound (a chloro derivative of 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoate) hydrolase (cbpD), and a new dechlorinating activity (dcpE). The location of the cbpC gene specifying 3-PDA was determined by subcloning an EcoRI DNA fragment (9.8 kilobase pairs) of pOH88 in plasmid vector pUC19. The cloned gene encoding 3-PDA was expressed in Escherichia coli HB101 and had substrate specificity only for 3-phenylcatechol and 4'-chloro-3-phenylcatechol.     

Integration of a plasmid into the Pseudomonas aeruginosa chromosome mediated by homologous DNA sequences

The integrative vectors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells were constructed on the basis of the plasmid pSUP202. To construct the integrative vectors the fragments of chromosomal DNA mediating the homologous recombination were cloned in the plasmid. The possibility of cloning of different genes in the chromosomes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells was illustrated by KmR gene cloning.     

Activation of Chi recombinational hotspots by RecBCD-like enzymes from enteric bacteria

Chi sites, 5'G-C-T-G-G-T-G-G-3', enhance homologous recombination in Escherichia coli and are activated by the RecBCD enzyme. To test the ability of Chi to be activated by analogous enzymes from other bacteria, we cloned recBCD-like genes from diverse bacteria into an E. coli recBCD deletion mutant. Clones from seven species of enteric bacteria conferred to this deletion mutant recombination proficiency, Chi hotspot activity in lambda Red- Gam- vegetative crosses, and RecBCD enzyme activities, including Chi-dependent DNA strand cleavage. Three clones from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Ps. putida conferred recombination proficiency and ATP-dependent nuclease activity, but neither Chi hotspot activity nor Chi-dependent DNA cleavage. These results imply that Chi has been conserved as a recombination-promoting signal for RecBCD-like enzymes in enteric bacteria but not in more distantly related bacteria such as Pseudomonas spp. We discuss the possibility that other, presently unknown, nucleotide sequences serve the same function as Chi in Pseudomonas spp.     

应用聚合酶链式反应快速特异鉴定假单胞菌和伯克霍尔德氏菌(R)-3-羟基酯酰载酯蛋白-辅酶A转酰基酶基因

聚羟基脂肪酸酯(PHA)是一类具有广泛应用前景的可降解生物塑料。因其可以以葡萄糖等廉价底物直接发酵生产PHA而日益受到重视。目前的研究表明在积累中长链PHA的假单胞菌中,由phaG基因编码的(R)-3-羟基酯酰载酯蛋白-辅酶A转酰基酶(PhaG)起关键作用,但目前为止对该蛋白还知之甚少。通过聚合酶链式反应(PCR)建立了一种快速、特异鉴定phaG基因的方法,应用该方法成功地从两株积累不同PHA的假单胞菌Pseudomonas stutzeri 1317和Pseudamanas nitroreducens 0802中分别克隆得到phaG基因,并在phaG基因突变株Pseudomonas putida PHAGx-21中表达成功。同时,还首次报道了从非假单胞菌菌株Burkholderia caryophylli AS 1．2741中鉴定得到phaG基因,提示PhaG介导的中长链PHA合成途径作为一种通用的代谢模式在细菌中广泛存在,为进一步实现从廉价的非相关底物合成中长链PHA提供了必要的分子生物学基础。     

Stable cosmid vectors that enable the introduction of cloned fragments into a wide range of gram-negative bacteria

A cosmid cloning system has been developed which is useful for the construction of genomic libraries and the introduction of clones into a broad range of bacterial species. The cosmids pMMB33 and pMMB34 allow selective cloning into their unique BamHI site of 36-kb DNA fragments generated by BamHI, Sau3A and MboI partial digestion. This selective cloning is achieved by a strategy that avoids formation of polycosmids without a dephosphorylation step. It uses two unique recognition sites within the vectors for endoncleases that generate blunt-ended DNA fragments for the preparation of left and right cosmid "arms". An alternative method that uses the unique EcoRI and SstI sites and dephosphorylation of the cosmid arms prior to BamHI digestion is also outlined and discussed. The DNA is first cloned with either vector into a rec- E. coli strain, where clones can be maintained stably, and can then be introduced by mobilization into a wide range of Gram-negative species to permit the study of gene expression and complementation. Because mobilization is much more efficient than transformation, the vector has the advantage that it can be transferred between bacterial species that specify different restriction systems, where transformation appears to be inefficient. The vectors have been used to generate gene libraries from the chromosomal DNA of several Pseudomonas and a Thiobacillus species. The genes specifying myo-inositol transport from Pseudomonas strain JD34 have been cloned with this system.     

基因工程菌Pseudomonas sp.B4的构建及其产邻苯二酚发酵条件的初步研究

利用PCR技术以Pseudomonas sp. B3-1基因组DNA为模板,扩增出2.9kb编码苯甲酸双加氧酶基因簇benABC。将该基因簇连接于pLAFRJ载体,电转化至E．coli DH5α,再通过三亲本结合法导入野生菌株Pseudomonas sp. B3-1中,得到了一株邻苯二酚产量提高的基因工程菌,命名为Pseudomonas sp.B4。发酵条件优化表明,当苯甲酸钠浓度为6.0 g/L,聚蛋白胨浓度为2.0 g/L,温度为32℃以及pH值为6.0时,工程菌在200rpm旋转摇床发酵36小时后,邻苯二酚产量达到0.7 mg/ml,比优化前提高了20％。