Structure and expression of the Lactococcus lactis gene for phospho-beta-galactosidase (lacG) in Escherichia coli and L. lactis

The Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis 712 lacG gene encoding phospho-beta-galactosidase was isolated from the lactose mini-plasmid pMG820 and cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and L. lactis. The low phospho-beta-galactosidase activity in L. lactis transformed with high-copy-number plasmids containing the lacG gene contrasted with the high activity found in L. lactis containing the original, low-copy-number lactose plasmid pMG820, and indicated that the original lactose promoter was absent from the cloned DNA. In E. coli the phospho-beta-galactosidase could be overproduced using the strong inducible lambda PL promoter, which allowed a rapid purification of the active enzyme. The complete nucleotide sequence of the L. lactis lacG gene and its surrounding regions was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence was confirmed by comparison with the amino acid composition of the purified phospho-beta-galactosidase and its amino-terminal sequence. This also allowed the exact positioning of the lacG gene and identification of its characteristic Gram-positive translation initiation signals. The homologous expression data and the sequence organization of the L. lactis lacG gene indicate that the gene is organized into a large lactose operon which contains an intergenic promoter located in an inverted repeat immediately preceding the lacG gene. The organization and sequence of the L. lactis lacG gene were compared with those of the highly homologous lacG gene from Staphylococcus aureus. A remarkable bias for leucine codons was observed in the lacG genes of these two species. Heterogramic homology was observed between the deduced amino acid sequence of the L. lactis phospho-beta-galactosidase, that of the functionally analogous E. coli phospho-beta-glucosidase, and that of an Agrobacterium beta-glucosidase (cellobiase).     

Molecular characterization of plasmids pS7a and pS7b from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis S50 as a base for the construction of mobilizable cloning vectors

Aims:  Strain Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis S50 harbours five theta-replicating plasmids (pS6, pS7a, pS7b, pS80 and pS140). The aim of this study was to characterize domains involved in the replication and conjugative mobilization of the small plasmids pS7a and pS7b, which are structurally very similar.
Methods and Results:  Complete nucleotide sequences of pS7a and pS7b were determined by cloning DNA fragments of different sizes into Escherichia coli vectors. Linearized plasmids and four Eco RI fragments of the pS7a and pS7b were cloned into an origin probe vector. Constructed plasmids (pSEV10, pSK10, pISE1a and pISE1b) were able to replicate in the strain L. lactis subsp. cremoris MG1363. In addition, experiments showed that plasmids pS7a and pS7b contained oriT sequences and their conjugative transfer directly depended on the presence of pS80 in donor cells.
Conclusions:  Plasmids pS7a and pS7b contained typical lactococcal theta replication origin and repB gene that enable them to replicate in the strain L. lactis subsp. cremoris MG1363. Plasmid pS80 plays a key role in the conjugative transfer of small plasmids.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Plasmids pS7a and pS7b-based derivatives could be valuable tools for genetic manipulation, studying processes of plasmid maintenance and horizontal gene transfer in lactococci.     

Cloning and expression of an alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase gene from Streptococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis in Escherichia coli

The Streptococcus lactis gene coding for alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase (ADC) was cloned in Escherichia coli. Subsequent subcloning in E. coli showed that the ADC gene was located within a 1.3-kilobase DNA fragment. The ADC gene was controlled by its own promoter. Gas chromatography showed that S. lactis and the transformed E. coli strains produced the two optical isomers of acetoin in different ratios.     

Cloning and expression of an alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase gene from Streptococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis in Escherichia coli.

The Streptococcus lactis gene coding for alpha-acetolactate decarboxylase (ADC) was cloned in Escherichia coli. Subsequent subcloning in E. coli showed that the ADC gene was located within a 1.3-kilobase DNA fragment. The ADC gene was controlled by its own promoter. Gas chromatography showed that S. lactis and the transformed E. coli strains produced the two optical isomers of acetoin in different ratios.     

Specificity determinants of conjugative DNA processing in the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pCF10 and the Lactococcus lactis plasmid pRS01

The DNA-processing region of the Enterococcus faecalis pheromone-responsive plasmid pCF10 is highly similar to that of the otherwise unrelated plasmid pRS01 from Lactococcus lactis. A transfer-proficient pRS01 derivative was unable to mobilize plasmids containing the pCF10 origin of transfer, oriT. In contrast, pRS01 oriT-containing plasmids could be mobilized by pCF10 at a low frequency. Relaxases PcfG and LtrB were both capable of binding to single-stranded oriT DNAs; LtrB was highly specific for its cognate oriT, whereas PcfG could recognize both pCF10 and pRS01 oriT. However, pcfG was unable to complement an ltrB insertion mutation. Genetic analysis showed that pcfF of pCF10 and ltrF of pRS01 are also essential for plasmid transfer. Purified PcfF and LtrF possess double-stranded DNA binding activities for the inverted repeat within either oriT sequence. PcfG and LtrB were recruited into their cognate F-oriT DNA complex through direct interactions with their cognate accessory protein. PcfG also could interact with LtrF when pCF10 oriT was present. In vivo cross-complementation analysis showed that ltrF partially restored the pCF10DeltapcfF mutant transfer ability when provided in trans, whereas pcfF failed to complement an ltrF mutation. Specificity of conjugative DNA processing in these plasmids involves both DNA-protein and protein-protein interactions.     

Cloning of a chromosomal fragment from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis partially complementing Escherichia coli recA functions

A recA-like gene was isolated from a gene library of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis by intergeneric complementation of an E. coli recA mutant. A plasmid was obtained which fully complemented the RecA response to DNA damaging agents and UV inducibility of prophage, but not P1 plating efficiency in an E. coli recA mutant. The cloned DNA fragment also partially complemented the rec mutation in Lc. lactis MMS36. Hybridization studies showed that there was no detectable sequence homology between the recA gene of E. coli and Lc. lactis subsp. lactis chromosomal DNA.     

Rapid electroporation-mediated plasmid transfer between Lactococcus lactis and Escherichia coli without the need for plasmid preparation

A simple and rapid method for the transfer of plasmids between the Gram-positive species Lactococcus lactis and Escherichia coli without the need for plasmid preparation is described. The donor strain was subjected to an electroporation pulse which released plasmid DNA into the suspending buffer which was then centrifuged to remove cells and debris. The supernatant was mixed with the recipient strain and subjected to a second electroportion pulse, resulting in the transfer of plasmid from donor to recipient. In cases where a high transformation efficiency is not required, such as the transfer of a cloned construct from E. coli to Lactococcus or vice versa , this method has the advantages of convenience and rapidity.     

幽门螺杆菌热休克蛋白A在乳酸乳球菌中的表达及免疫学活性分析

目的构建含幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)热休克蛋白A编码基因的重组载体,并电转入乳酸乳球菌MG1363,表达目的蛋白并分析其免疫原性,为H.pylori基因工程口服疫苗的研究和开发奠定基础。方法以H.py-loriNCTC 11637株基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增hspA基因,并克隆至乳酸乳球菌表达载体pMG36e中。将重组质粒转化E.coliDH5α,经鉴定的阳性重组质粒命名为pMG36e/hspA。以电穿孔法将pMG36e/hspA转化乳酸乳球菌MG1363并用Western blot检测HspA蛋白的表达。结果克隆重组后得到pMG36e/hspA。将pMG36e/hspA电转化MG1363后,收集菌体蛋白进行Western blot分析,在HspA的相对分子质量(Mr≈13 kDa)处出现特异性条带。结论首次成功构建了表达H.pyloriHspA的重组乳酸乳球菌MG1363,为进一步口服疫苗的相关研究奠定了基础。     

Cloning and expression of the Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris SK11 gene encoding an extracellular serine proteinase

The Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris SK11 plasmid-located prtP gene, encoding a cell-envelope-located proteinase (PrtP) that degrades alpha s1-, beta- and kappa-casein, was identified in a lambda EMBL3 gene library in Escherichia coli using immunological methods. The complete prtP gene could not be cloned in E. coli and L. lactis on high-copy-number plasmid vectors. However, using a low-copy-number vector, the complete prtP gene could be cloned in strains MG1363 and SK1128, proteinase-deficient derivatives of L. lactis subsp. lactis 712 and L. lactis subsp. cremoris SK11, respectively. The proteinase deficiency of these hosts was complemented to wild-type (wt) levels by the cloned SK11 prtP gene. The caseinolytic specificity of the proteinase specified by the cloned prtP gene was identical to that encoded by the wt proteinase plasmid, pSK111. The expression of recombinant plasmids containing 3' and 5' deletions of prtP was analyzed with specific attention directed towards the location of the gene products. In this way the expression signals of prtP were localized and overproduction was obtained in L. lactis subsp. lactis. Furthermore, a region at the C terminus of PrtP was identified which is involved in cell-envelope attachment in lactococci. A deletion derivative of prtP was constructed which specifies a C-terminally truncated proteinase that is well expressed and fully secreted into the medium, and still shows the same capacity to degrade alpha s1-, beta- and kappa-casein.     

Cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of the Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis DSM7290 cysteine aminopeptidase gene pepC

Abstract A genomic library of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis DSM7290 in the low copy number vector pLG339, was screened for the presence of peptidase genes. Using the chromogenic substrate gly-ala-β-naphthylamide, which is not a substrate for any of the recently cloned peptidases of DSM7290, and the multiple peptidase deficient Escherichia coli strain CM89, allowed the isolation of clones, which contained the equivalent hydrolytic activity. To identify genes encoding the conserved catalytic active site of cysteine proteases, partial nucleotide sequencing with a degenerate oligonucleotide was performed on recombinant plasmids isolated from such clones. This allowed to identify two out of nine clones to carry the Lactobacillus pepC gene. A total of 2026 nucleotides were determined, and sequence analysis revealed a gene with strong homology to the recently cloned Lb. helveticus (73.2%) and Lactococcus lactis (51.03%) pepC genes, and the derived protein showed homology with the active site of a large number of cysteine proteases. The predicted open reading frame consists of 449 codons, coding for a protein of 50 909 Da. The enzyme is functional and extremely overexpressed in E. coli .     

Mutational analysis of cat-86 gene expression controlled by lactococcal promoters in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and Escherichia coli.

Promoters were cloned from the chromosomal DNA of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NP4510 by using promoter-probe vector pGKV210. N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced mutagenesis of L. lactis-(pBV413), with low-level expression of the cat-86 gene, resulted in enhanced expression. Subcloning and sequencing of the mutated plasmid designated pBV415 revealed that the mutation is located within the PstI-HindIII fragment containing the coding sequence of the cat-86 gene (the 10th CTG codon was replaced by a TTG; both code for leucine). A set of otherwise identical plasmids with four combinations of CTG and TTG codons at the 10th and 46th positions in the cat-86 gene were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis. These plasmids containing cat-86 derivatives displayed a significant variation in cat expression in L. lactis and E. coli. The data suggest that cat expression is dependent on the secondary structure of the cat mRNA. New cat-86 derivatives described here can be used in lactococci, in which they provide additional flexibility for promoter cloning.     

Nucleotide sequence and analysis of pBL1, a bacteriocin-producing plasmid from Lactococcus lactis IPLA 972

The complete sequence of the 10.9-kbp bacteriocinogenic plasmid pBL1 from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IPLA 972 has been determined. Thirteen ORFs were encountered, of which 5 were incomplete. pBL1 proved to be a narrow-host-range plasmid which replicates neither in Bacilus subtilis nor in Lactobacillus spp. The structural organization of the pBL1 replication region was highly similar to other well-known theta-replicating plasmids of lactococci, at both the untranslated (the replication origin) and the translated (repB and orfX) sequences. As in other plasmids, the product of orfX was not necessary for plasmid replication. However, it was shown to be involved in plasmid stability. Three genes organized in an operon-like structure encompassed, most likely, the bacteriocin-encoding region. Upstream of the origin of replication a nicking site (oriT) was found. This oriT sequence proved to be functional by mobilization of plasmids wearing it. One complete and several partial IS elements were identified on pBL1.     

Cloning and expression of a Streptococcus cremoris proteinase in Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus lactis

Previously, curing experiments suggested that plasmid pWV05 (17.5 megadaltons [Md]) of Streptococcus cremoris Wg2 specifies proteolytic activity. A restriction enzyme map of pWV05 was constructed, the entire plasmid was subcloned in Escherichia coli with plasmids pBR329 and pACYC184. A 4.3-Md HindIII fragment could not be cloned in an uninterrupted way in E. coli but could be cloned in two parts. Both fragments showed homology with the 9-Md proteinase plasmid of S. cremoris HP. The 4.3-Md HindIII fragment was successfully cloned in Bacillus subtilis on plasmid pGKV2 (3.1 Md). Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of extracts of B. subtilis carrying the recombinant plasmid (pGKV500; 7.4 Md) showed that the fragment specifies two proteins of the proteolytic system of S. cremoris Wg2. PGKV500 was introduced in a proteinase-deficient Streptococcus lactis strain via protoplast transformation. Both proteins were also present in cell-free extracts of S. lactis(pGKV500). In S. lactis, pGKV500 enables the cells to grow normally in milk with rapid acid production, indicating that the 4.3-Md HindIII fragment of plasmid pWV05 specifies the proteolytic activity of S. cremoris Wg2.     

Cloning and expression of a Streptococcus cremoris proteinase in Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus lactis.

Previously, curing experiments suggested that plasmid pWV05 (17.5 megadaltons [Md]) of Streptococcus cremoris Wg2 specifies proteolytic activity. A restriction enzyme map of pWV05 was constructed, the entire plasmid was subcloned in Escherichia coli with plasmids pBR329 and pACYC184. A 4.3-Md HindIII fragment could not be cloned in an uninterrupted way in E. coli but could be cloned in two parts. Both fragments showed homology with the 9-Md proteinase plasmid of S. cremoris HP. The 4.3-Md HindIII fragment was successfully cloned in Bacillus subtilis on plasmid pGKV2 (3.1 Md). Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of extracts of B. subtilis carrying the recombinant plasmid (pGKV500; 7.4 Md) showed that the fragment specifies two proteins of the proteolytic system of S. cremoris Wg2. PGKV500 was introduced in a proteinase-deficient Streptococcus lactis strain via protoplast transformation. Both proteins were also present in cell-free extracts of S. lactis(pGKV500). In S. lactis, pGKV500 enables the cells to grow normally in milk with rapid acid production, indicating that the 4.3-Md HindIII fragment of plasmid pWV05 specifies the proteolytic activity of S. cremoris Wg2.     

A host factor absent from Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis MG1363 is required for conjugative transposition

In matings between Lactococcus lactis strains, the conjugative transposons Tn916 and Tn919 are found in the chromosome of the transconjugants in the same place as in the chromosome of the donor, indicating that no transposition has occurred. In agreement with this, the frequency of L. lactis transconjugants from intraspecies matings is the same whether the donor contains the wild-type form of the transposon or the mutant Tn916-int1, which has an insertion in the transposon's integrase gene. However, in intergeneric crosses with Bacillus subtilis or Enterococcus faecalis donors, Tn916 and Tn919 transpose to different locations on the chromosome of the L. lactis transconjugants. Moreover, Tn916 and Tn919 could not be transferred by conjugation from L. lactis and B. subtilis, E. faecalis or Streptococcus pyogenes. This suggests that excision of these elements does not occur in L. lactis. When cloned into E. coli with adjacent chromosomal DNA from L. lactis, the conjugative transposons were able to excise, transpose and promote conjugation. Therefore, the inability of these elements to excise in L. lactis is not caused by a permanent structural alteration in the transposon. We conclude that L. lactis lacks a factor required for excision of conjugative transposons.     

New secretory strategies for Kluyveromyces lactis beta-galactosidase.

We examined several strategies for the secretion of Kluyveromyces lactis beta-galactosidase into the culture medium, in order to facilitate the downstream processing and purification of this intracellular enzyme of great industrial interest. We constructed plasmids by fusing the LAC4 gene or engineered variants to the secretion signal of the K.lactis killer toxin or to the secretion signal of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-factor. With these plasmids we transformed strains of the yeasts K.lactis and S.cerevisiae, respectively and tested beta-galactosidase extracellular activity in different culture media. We achieved partial secretion of beta-galactosidase in the culture medium since the high molecular weight and oligomeric nature of the enzyme, among other factors, preclude full secretion. The percentage of secretion was improved by directed mutagenesis of the N-terminus of the protein. We developed several deletion mutants which helped us to propose structure-function relationships by comparison with the available data on the homologous Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase. The influence of the culture conditions on heterologous beta-galactosidase secretion was also studied.     

大肠埃希菌Mn-SOD在乳酸乳球菌中的表达

本文根据GenBank中报道的大肠埃希菌MG1655全基因组DNA序列中SOD的编码基因序列设计引物,PCR扩增大肠埃希菌锰超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD)基因,并将其克隆入原核高效表达质粒载体pBV220中构建重组质粒pBV220-sod,并将其电转入乳酸乳球菌MG1363中获得了成功表达,为SOD发酵奶的研制奠定了基础。