Misaminoacylation and tRNA-dependent transamidation in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

Abstract Streptomyces coelicolor was found to be devoid of glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase. In this bacterium, tRNA^Gln is aminoacylated by glutamyl-tRNA synthetase to yield glutamyl-tRNA^Gln, followed by correction to glutaminyl-tRNA^Gln by a tRNA-dependent amidotransferase.     

Asn-tRNA in Lactobacillus bulgaricus is formed by asparaginylation of tRNA and not by transamidation of Asp-tRNA.

In many organisms (e.g., gram-positive eubacteria) Gin-tRNA is not formed by direct glutaminylation of tRNAGln but by a specific transamidation of Glu-tRNAGln. We wondered whether a similar transamidation pathway also operates in the formation of Asn-tRNA in these organisms. Therefore we tested in S-100 preparations of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, a gram-positive eubacterium, for the conversion by an amidotransferase of [14C]Asp-tRNA to [14C]Asn-tRNA. As no transamidation was observed, we searched for genes for asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (AsnRS). Two DNA fragments (from different locations of the L.bulgaricus chromosome) were found each containing an ORF whose sequence resembled that of the Escherichia coli asnS gene. The derived amino acid sequences of the two ORFs (432 amino acids) were the same and 41% identical with E.coli AsnRS. When one of the ORFs was expressed in E.coli, it complemented the temperature sensitivity of an E.coli asnS mutant. S-100 preparations of this transformant showed increased charging of unfractionated L.bulgaricus tRNA with asparagine. Deletion of the 3'-terminal region of the L.bulgaricus AsnRS gene led to loss of its complementation and aminoacylation properties. This indicates that L.bulgaricus contains a functional AsnRS. Thus, the transamidation pathway operates only for Gin-tRNAGln formation in this organism, and possibly in all gram-positive eubacteria.     

Autoregulation of the biosynthesis of the CcpA-like protein, PepR1, in Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus

PepR1 from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus (Lb. bulgaricus) is involved in biosynthesis regulation of the prolidase PepQ. In this paper, we demonstrated that Lb. bulgaricus PepR1 biosynthesis is not constitutive like those of several bacteria but is auto-regulated and depends on the glucose concentration of the culture medium. We propose a model for PepQ regulation by PepR1.     

Inducible thermotolerance in Lactobacillus bulgaricus

The effect of a sublethal heat challenge on the subsequent thermotolerance of Lactobacillus bulgaricus at different stages of growth was investigated along with the effect of heating menstrum on survival.
The response of the cells to heat stress was shown to be dependent upon both cell age and heating menstrum. Heat-inducible thermotolerance could be provoked in cells which had been growing exponentially when they were subjected to the sublethal heat stress: pre-incubation at 10^°C above the optimum growth temperature. The same effect could not, however, be reproduced in cells taken from the stationary phase.
Cells from the stationary phase were shown to always be more thermotolerant as compared to exponential phase cells. Cells showed a greater thermotolerance when heated in milk as compared to buffer.     

Exopolysaccharides production in Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus casei exploiting microfiltration

The physiology of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Lactobacillus casei, extensively used in the dairy industry, was studied in order to evaluate key parameters in the synthesis of exopolysaccharides and to improve their production through novel fermentation processes. Selected strains were studied in shake flasks and in fermentor experiments using glucose and lactose as main carbon sources and bacto casitone as the only complex component, in a temperature range between 35 and 42°C. The production of exopolysaccharides was monitored and correlated to the growth conditions using both a colorimetric assay and chromatographic methods. Fermentor experiments in batch mode yielded 100 mg l⁻¹ of EPS from L. bulgaricus and 350 mg l⁻¹ from L. casei. Moreover, the use of a microfiltration (MF) bioreactor resulted in exopolysaccharides (EPS) concentrations threefold and sixfold those of batch experiments, respectively. The monosaccharidic composition of the two analyzed polymers differed from those previously reported. The optimization of the production of EPSs using the MF fermentation strategy could permit the use of these molecules produced by generally recognised as safe (GRAS) microorganisms in the place of other polysaccharides in the food industry.     

保加利亚乳杆菌冻干保护剂的优化

目的 研究4种常用冻干保护剂的添加量.方法 以保加利亚乳杆菌为出发菌株,以其冻干菌粉活菌数为指标,通过正交试验优化4种常用冻干保护剂的添加量.结果 保加利亚乳杆菌的最佳冻干保护剂配比为乳糖∶谷氨酸钠∶抗坏血酸∶脱脂奶粉=3∶1∶2∶7,其中脱脂奶粉对菌体保护效果极显著(P＜0.01),乳糖对菌体保护效果显著(P＜0.05).结论 通过对保加利亚乳杆菌的4种常用冻干保护剂的添加量进行优化,为保加利亚乳杆菌的冻干工艺提供基础.     

Identification of Stimulants for Lactobacillus bulgaricus in Tomato Juice

Acid production in milk by Lactobacillus bulgaricus was stimulated by tomato juice or its serum. Preliminary purification of the stimulants involved adsorption and elution on a cation-exchange resin. Unidimensional paper chromatography in two solvent systems was employed in further isolation and purification. Identification of the stimulatory components was based on ultraviolet spectral analysis and thin-layer chromatography. The stimulants were identified as adenine and adenosine.     

Purification and Characterization of Lactobacillus bulgaricus Diaphorase

γ-Isomer of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC) showed greater decomposition on γ or UV irradiation of five isomers of BHC in crystalline state or in 2-propanol solution. The α- and δ-isomer of BHC and known la, 2a, 3e, 4e, 5e-pentachlorocyclohexane were separated from the irradiation product of crystalline γ-BHC. Four compounds were isolated from the irradiation product of γ-BHC in 2-propanol. Two compounds were tetrachloro-cyclohexenes (C₆H₆C1₄): γ-isomer (mp 86 ~87°C) and ?-isomer (mp 99 ~ 100°C). The other two were isomers of pentachlorocyclohexane (C₆H₇C1₅). One of them (mp 78 ~ 8.5°C) was consistent with known meso-1e,2a,3a,4a,5e isomer. The molecular structure of the other (mp 75°C) established by X-ray crystal structure analysis was 1α, 2α, 3α, 4β, 5α configuration or le 2a 3e 4e 5e conformation of CI atoms. A reaction mechanism was proposed that included a radical chain reaction and chlorine atom migration.     

酸奶中保加利亚乳杆菌的抗药性实验研究

测定了10种常用抗菌药物对市售酸奶中分离的57株保加利亚乳杆菌的MIC,结果显示泰能、克林霉素、林可霉素、头孢唑啉和红霉素对乳杆菌的抗菌活性最强,MIC90值为0.25～2.0mg/L,敏感率为96.5%～86.0%。其次是阿莫西林、复方新诺明、青霉素,其MIC90值为2.0～4.0mg/L,敏感率为84.3%～78.9%。庆大霉素、氯霉素其MIC90值为4.0～16.0mg/L,敏感率为63.2%～59.7%。可见,酸奶中的保加利亚乳杆菌存在抗药性,其抗药性基因是否具转移性有待于进一步研究。     

Characterization of an Inhibitor for Lactobacillus bulgaricus in Tomato Juice

Tomato juice (serum) added to milk in high concentration caused inhibition of acid production by Lactobacillus bulgaricus. The inhibitor was partially purified by adsorption on charcoal. Further isolation and purification involved paper chromatography in two different solvent systems. Ultraviolet-absorption spectra and thin-layer chromatography were used in characterization studies. The inhibitor was found to be a xylose- and adenine-containing nucleotide.     

保加利亚乳杆菌原生质体的制备与回复研究

目的:通过对保加利亚乳杆菌的原生质体的制备和回复的方法学探讨,为乳杆菌的基因操作和其相关研究提供技术思路和实验条件.方法:用酶浓度分别为1 μg/ml、4 μg/ml、10μg/ml Mutanolysin(变溶菌素)对保加利亚乳杆菌进行处理,脱去细胞壁以探讨其原生质体形成与时间和酶浓度的关系;并选用较为适宜的酶浓度制备其原生质体,在自制的双层再生培养基上观察其原生质体在普通培养、CO2培养、厌氧培养时的回复生长情况.结果:保加利亚乳杆菌对Mutanolysin较敏感,酶浓度为1 μg/ml时只需40min大部分菌体形成原生质体.经1μg/ml Mutanolysin处理后制得的保加利亚乳杆菌原生质体倾入自制的双层再生培养基中,置于CO2和厌氧环境条件下培养能很好的回复生长.结论:本文的研究为乳杆菌的基因工程方面的研究提供了相关的技术条件和实验基础.     

Multiple protein phosphatases are required for mitosis in Drosophila

BACKGROUND: Approximately one-third of the Drosophila kinome has been ascribed some cell-cycle function. However, little is known about which of its 117 protein phosphatases (PPs) or subunits have counteracting roles. RESULTS: We investigated mitotic roles of PPs through systematic RNAi. We found that G(2)-M progression requires Puckered, the JNK MAP-kinase inhibitory phosphatase and PP2C in addition to string (Cdc25). Strong mitotic arrest and chromosome congression failure occurred after Pp1-87B downregulation. Chromosome alignment and segregation defects also occurred after knockdown of PP1-Flapwing, not previously thought to have a mitotic role. Reduction of several nonreceptor tyrosine phosphatases produced spindle and chromosome behavior defects, and for corkscrew, premature chromatid separation. RNAi of the dual-specificity phosphatase, Myotubularin, or the related Sbf "antiphosphatase" resulted in aberrant mitotic chromosome behavior. Finally, for PP2A, knockdown of the catalytic or A subunits led to bipolar monoastral spindles, knockdown of the Twins B subunit led to bridged and lagging chromosomes, and knockdown of the B' Widerborst subunit led to scattering of all mitotic chromosomes. Widerborst was associated with MEI-S332 (Shugoshin) and required for its kinetochore localization. CONCLUSIONS: We identify cell-cycle roles for 22 of 117 Drosophila PPs. Involvement of several PPs in G(2) suggests multiple points for its regulation. Major mitotic roles are played by PP1 with tyrosine PPs and Myotubularin-related PPs having significant roles in regulating chromosome behavior. Finally, depending upon its regulatory subunits, PP2A regulates spindle bipolarity, kinetochore function, and progression into anaphase. Discovery of several novel cell-cycle PPs identifies a need for further studies of protein dephosphorylation.     

VibD and VibH are required for late steps in vibriobactin biosynthesis in Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae synthesizes the catechol siderophore vibriobactin. In this report, we present the complete map of a vibriobactin gene region containing two previously unreported vibriobactin biosynthetic genes. vibD encodes a phosphopantetheinyl transferase, and vibH encodes a novel nonribosomal peptide synthase. Both VibD and VibH are required for vibriobactin biosynthesis.     

MnmA and IscS are required for in vitro 2-thiouridine biosynthesis in Escherichia coli

Thionucleosides are uniquely present in tRNA. In many organisms, tRNA specific for Lys, Glu, and Gln contain hypermodified 2-thiouridine (s(2)U) derivatives at wobble position 34. The s(2) group of s(2)U34 stabilizes anticodon structure, confers ribosome binding ability to tRNA and improves reading frame maintenance. Earlier studies have mapped and later identified the mnmA gene (formerly asuE or trmU) as required for the s(2)U modification in Escherichia coli. We have prepared a nonpolar deletion of the mnmA gene and show that it is not required for viability in E. coli. We also cloned mnmA from E. coli, and overproduced and purified the protein. Using a gel mobility shift assay, we show that MnmA binds to unmodified E. coli tRNA(Lys) with affinity in the low micromolar range. MnmA does not bind observably to the nonsubstrate E. coli tRNA(Phe). Corroborating this, tRNA(Glu) protected MnmA from tryptic digestion. ATP also protected MnmA from trypsinolysis, suggesting the presence of an ATP binding site that is consistent with analysis of the amino acid sequence. We have reconstituted the in vitro biosynthesis of s(2)U using unmodified E. coli tRNA(Glu) as a substrate. The activity requires MnmA, Mg-ATP, l-cysteine, and the cysteine desulfurase IscS. HPLC analysis of thiolated tRNA digests using [(35)S]cysteine confirms that the product of the in vitro reaction is s(2)U. As in the case of 4-thiouridine synthesis, purified IscS-persulfide is able to provide sulfur for in vitro s(2)U synthesis in the absence of cysteine. Small RNAs that represent the anticodon stem loops for tRNA(Glu) and tRNA(Lys) are substrates of comparable activity to the full length tRNAs, indicating that the major determinants for substrate recognition are contained within this region.     

Characterization of genetic elements required for site-specific integration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus bacteriophage mv4 and construction of an integration-proficient vector for Lactobacillus plantarum.

Temperate phage mv4 integrates its DNA into the chromosome of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains via site-specific recombination. Nucleotide sequencing of a 2.2-kb attP-containing phage fragment revealed the presence of four open reading frames. The larger open reading frame, close to the attP site, encoded a 427-amino-acid polypeptide with similarity in its C-terminal domain to site-specific recombinases of the integrase family. Comparison of the sequences of attP, bacterial attachment site attB, and host-phage junctions attL and attR identified a 17-bp common core sequence, where strand exchange occurs during recombination. Analysis of the attB sequence indicated that the core region overlaps the 3' end of a tRNA(Ser) gene. Phage mv4 DNA integration into the tRNA(Ser) gene preserved an intact tRNA(Ser) gene at the attL site. An integration vector based on the mv4 attP site and int gene was constructed. This vector transforms a heterologous host, L. plantarum, through site-specific integration into the tRNA(Ser) gene of the genome and will be useful for development of an efficient integration system for a number of additional bacterial species in which an identical tRNA gene is present.