盐胁迫条件下古菌超氧化物歧化酶增强细菌降解硝基酚

【背景】Burkholderia sp. SJ98利用对硝基酚和2-氯-4-硝基酚为唯一碳源和能源进行生长,通过异源表达嗜盐古菌Haloferax sp. D1227中的超氧化物歧化酶SodA,使菌株SJ98在500 mmol/L NaCl条件下仍具有降解对硝基酚的能力。然而该重组细菌在普通和高盐条件下其降解基因的转录和降解酶比活力的高低,以及该菌在高盐条件下是否还能降解对硝基酚衍生物尚未知晓。【目的】研究Burkholderia sp. SJ98的耐盐上限,观察含有sodA的细菌SJ98在普通和高盐条件下降解对硝基酚和2-氯-4-硝基酚的能力,检测重组菌中pnpA基因的转录和硝基酚单加氧酶的活力。【方法】在添加葡萄糖、对硝基酚或2-氯-4-硝基酚的无机盐培养基(分别含400-800 mmol/L NaCl)或M9培养基(含0和500 mmol/L NaCl)中培养细菌SJ98及其重组菌。通过紫外分光光度计和高效液相色谱法检测菌株生长和底物降解。通过实时荧光定量PCR分别以两种硝基酚为诱导物,检测未添加和添加500 mmol/L NaCl时,硝基酚单加氧酶编码基因pnpA的转录量变化。利用紫外分光光度计分别以两种硝基酚为底物,检测在添加500 mmol/L NaCl时,重组菌和空载体菌的粗酶液中硝基酚单加氧酶对两种底物的活力变化。【结果】野生型菌株SJ98以葡萄糖为碳源生长的NaCl耐受浓度是600mmol/L。未添加NaCl时,重组菌SJ98[pCM-pnpR-PpnpA-sodA-rfp]生长和降解对硝基酚的能力远优于野生菌。添加500 mmol/L NaCl时,重组菌SJ98[pBBR-sodA]仍保持了利用2-氯-4-硝基苯酚底物生长和降解该底物的能力,而空载体菌SJ98[pBBR1MCS-2]的生长和降解能力完全丧失;重组菌SJ98[pBBR-sodA]粗酶液中单加氧酶对于对硝基酚和2-氯-4-硝基酚的活力均约为野生菌的1/3。分别以两种硝基酚为诱导物时,无论是否添加NaCl,重组菌SJ98[pBBR-sodA]中硝基酚单加氧酶编码基因pnpA的转录量比野生型中高出约17-25倍;但添加500 mmol/L NaCl时,pnpA的转录均受到部分抑制。【结论】本研究为利用古菌超氧化物歧化酶对细菌进行改造以提高普通环境和高盐环境中细菌降解硝基芳烃污染物能力的应用提供了潜在的可行性。     

阿特拉津降解菌Acinetobacter sp. DNS32对无机氮源的响应

【目的】研究Acinetobacter sp.DNS32的生长、阿特拉津降解能力和降解基因转录水平的表达对无机氮素的响应关系,为菌株的工程应用提供指导与理论基础。【方法】以Acinetobactersp.DNS32为对象,采用摇瓶法研究菌株在阿特拉津培养基中菌株生长情况及降解能力对外加硝态氮与铵态氮的响应关系,利用荧光定量PCR技术检测DNS32降解基因表达量对外加无机氮源的响应关系。【结果】外加无机氮源可以促进DNS32菌株的生长,提高阿特拉津降解能力,无机氮源对DNS32菌株的trzN、atzB和atzC 3种降解基因表达均有促进作用,加入无机氮源的试验处理中DNS32菌株trzN基因的表达量最高可达对照的11.252±2.408倍,推断DNS32菌株的这3种降解基因所编码的酶是稳定表达的组成酶。【结论】DNS32降解阿特拉津不受"氮饥饿"诱导机制调控,且无机氮源的存在对菌株的生长与降解有促进作用,因此菌株在土壤修复实践中具有广阔的应用前景。     

苯酚降解菌红球菌(Rhodococcus sp.) P1的鉴定及其在焦化废水中的应用

摘要:【目的】酚类物质的去除是焦化废水处理的关键问题,目的是从焦化废水中分离高效的苯酚降解细菌。【方法】以苯酚为唯一碳源筛选纯化降解苯酚细菌,菌株鉴定采用菌落形态和16S rRNA 序列分析方法,并研究其苯酚降解特性和在焦化废水中的除酚作用。【结果】菌落形态和16S rRNA序列比对分析表明分离的P1菌株为红球菌属(Rhodococcus sp.)细菌;其耐酚浓度高达1400 mg/L,苯酚降解的最适条件为32℃－42℃、pH 7.0和0－4%盐;苯酚降解动力学曲线符合Haldane动力学模型,qmax=0.517/h,Ks=77.487 mg/L,Ki=709.965 mg/L;不同重金属对红球菌P1菌株的苯酚降解抑制作用不同,Zn2+、Mn2+和低浓度的Pb2+对菌株降酚没有影响,Cu2+、Ni2+、Cd2+均抑制菌株对酚的降解;红球菌P1菌株2d内可完全降解1/3焦化原水中的279.9 mg/L酚类物质。【结论】P1菌株是1株高效的苯酚降解菌,具有生物处理焦化废水酚类物质的潜力。     

新疆两盐湖可培养极端嗜盐菌组成及功能多样性研究

【目的】通过分析不同成盐类型盐湖中的极端嗜盐菌群落组成差异,探究可培养极端嗜盐菌的功能特性。【方法】采集新疆硫酸盐型盐湖七角井和碳酸盐型盐湖南湖的土壤样品,通过平板稀释涂布法分离极端嗜盐菌,经过形态学观察、特征分析获取代表菌株,通过耐盐性测定和16S rRNA基因序列测序等对代表菌株进行鉴定,并对极端嗜盐菌的蛋白酶、淀粉酶、纤维素酶和酯酶活性进行筛选,同时检测苯酚降解能力。【结果】本研究共获得1 679株极端嗜盐菌,代表菌株45株,隶属于5门14个属,古菌数量(70.58%)明显多于细菌,最优盐浓度生长范围为18.4%–20.0%。在属水平上,盐湖中优势类群为古菌的Haloterrigena属(32.94%)和Natrialba属(26.03%),以及细菌的Aquisalimonas属(9.85%)和Aliifodinibius属(8.10%)。两盐湖中,盐度较低的南湖物种丰富度高于七角井盐湖,古菌物种组成相似,均以Haloterrigena属为主;细菌群落组成有差异,南湖以Aquisalimonas属为主,而七角井以Aliifodinibius属为主。功能筛选表明,盐湖中80%的嗜盐...     

对硝基苯酚对细菌产生持留菌的影响及其相关机制

【目的】研究对硝基苯酚(PNP)对大肠杆菌和铜绿假单胞菌产生持留菌的影响,并对转录组进行分析,阐明对硝基苯酚影响持留菌形成的相关机制。【方法】采用氧氟沙星抗生素探究对硝基苯酚对细菌产生持留菌的影响,并通过检测细菌自溶情况和呼吸抑制剂羰酰氰氯苯腙(CCCP)对持留菌比例的影响,然后通过转录组分析其相关基因的表达,最后通过实时荧光定量PCR和反义核酸进行相关功能基因的验证。【结果】PNP可以通过抑制大肠杆菌和铜绿假单胞菌的呼吸作用使其产生持留菌的比例增加,PNP不同浓度、作用不同时间和作用不同生长时期的菌体都会影响细菌产生持留菌的比例。PNP和呼吸抑制剂CCCP均能够抑制2个菌体的自溶情况,包括溶解氧含量的变化、蛋白质降解情况、细胞尺寸的变化和RNA完整性。转录组分析和实时荧光定量PCR实验结果表明加入PNP后,cyo A、app C两个基因在大肠杆菌和铜绿假单胞菌中的表达量均显著下降,再通过反义核酸抑制cyo A、app C的表达发现持留菌的比例和原始菌株相比均有所增加。【结论】PNP可以通过抑制细胞呼吸作用来增加细菌产生持留菌的比例。     

柴油降解基因工程菌的构建及降解特性

【目的】构建柴油降解基因工程菌,提高柴油降解速率,研究p450基因在柴油降解过程中的作用。【方法】将Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2的p450基因合成后,连接至烷烃响应表达载体p Com8中,构建该基因的表达载体p450-SK2/p Com8,并将其转入大肠杆菌DH5α中,通过SDS-PAGE检测该基因在大肠杆菌DH5α中的表达,并将重组质粒p450-SK2/p Com8转入柴油降解菌Acinetobacter sp.Y9中,构建基因工程菌p450-SK2/Y9,研究工程菌p450-SK2/Y9对柴油的降解特性及p450基因在构建的工程菌p450-SK2/Y9中的表达。【结果】PCR、酶切及测序结果表明重组质粒p450-SK2/p Com8构建正确。当柴油诱导浓度大于1%时,目的基因在大肠杆菌DH5α中的蛋白表达量较大,且随着诱导时间的延长而呈增加趋势。通过PCR检测构建的基因工程菌p450-SK2/Y9中的p450基因表明,工程菌构建正确,利用单菌株降解柴油时,宿主菌Y9与工程菌p450-SK2/Y9的柴油降解效率未见明显差异,但工程菌p450-SK2/Y9在构建的菌群中对柴油降解的促进效果明显。SDS-PAGE结果表明,p450基因在构建的工程菌p450-SK2/Y9中能得到准确表达,在混合菌中的表达量高于单菌株。【结论】柴油降解基因工程菌在混合菌群中对柴油降解具有促进作用,而在单菌株情况下未见促进作用,且p450基因的蛋白表达在混合菌中也高于单菌株,这对于提高柴油的降解速率及研究p450基因在柴油降解过程中的作用机理具有一定意义。     

嗜盐古菌Haloferax volcanii WFD11中龙胆酸1,2-双加氧酶HagA的研究

【目的】研究嗜盐古菌Haloferax volcanii WFD11菌株以不同芳香酸作为碳源的生长情况;鉴定其通过龙胆酸途径代谢芳香酸过程中的开环酶龙胆酸1,2-双加氧酶的基因,并对其进行生化水平的研究;初步揭示古菌和细菌代谢芳香酸的可能差异。【方法】分别以4 mmol/L的6种不同芳香酸为唯一碳源培养菌株WFD11,利用全自动生长曲线分析仪测定菌株生长情况并绘制生长曲线;利用高效液相色谱检测菌株WFD11代谢3-羟基苯甲酸的中间产物;对菌株WFD11的基因组进行生物信息学分析,寻找潜在的龙胆酸1,2-双加氧酶编码基因,并在Haloferax volcanii H1424中异源表达;通过快速纯化系统(采用Ni2+-NTA亲和层析柱)纯化异源表达的蛋白,以龙胆酸为底物通过紫外分光光度计检测粗酶液和纯化后的龙胆酸1,2-双加氧酶和相关酶学特性;通过实时定量PCR观察hag A的表达类型。【结果】菌株WFD11能以4 mmol/L的3-羟基苯甲酸和3-羟基苯丙酸为唯一碳源和能源生长;高效液相色谱检测证明菌株WFD11通过龙胆酸代谢3-羟基苯甲酸(3HBA);克隆和异源表达了龙胆酸1,2-双加氧酶基因hag A;Hag A粗酶液和纯化蛋白均具龙胆酸1,2-双加氧酶的活性,催化龙胆酸开环生成顺丁二酸单酰丙酮酸;Hag A的龙胆酸1,2-双加氧酶比活力为0.024 8 U/mg,且其活性不依赖于Fe2+;荧光定量PCR实验结果证明hag A是组成型表达。【结论】嗜盐古菌H.volcanii WFD11可能是通过龙胆酸途径代谢芳香酸类物质,为进一步研究古菌和细菌代谢芳香酸的可能差异打下了基础。     

高产二羟基丙酮重组菌株的构建

旨在构建一株过量表达编码膜系甘油脱氢酶的sld AB基因的重组菌株,以提高二羟基丙酮产量。以氧化葡萄糖酸杆菌ATCC621H的基因组DNA为模板,运用PCR方法扩增得到基因sld AB,并连接到p BBR1MCS-2质粒上,构建表达载体p BBR1MCS-2-sld AB。通过电转化将载体p BBR1MCS-2-sld AB转化进入氧化葡萄糖酸杆菌ATCC621H内,得到重组菌株GOX205。结果显示,重组菌株构建成功,其甘油脱氢酶的酶活力较之于出发菌株提高了26%。在甘油初始浓度100 g/L的甘油发酵培养基中,较之于出发菌株,GOX205的生长状况良好,发酵52 h时DHA浓度达到94.1 g/L,较之于出发菌株提高了19.7%,甘油残量降低了15.1 g/L。     

石油降解菌HX-2耐盐机制及甜菜碱转运蛋白基因的研究

【背景】修复石油烃污染的高盐水体及土壤是具有挑战性的,因此探究石油烃降解菌株的耐盐机制尤为重要。【目的】对石油降解菌HX-2的耐盐机制及与耐盐性相关的基因进行研究。【方法】通过GC分析菌株HX-2在不同石油加入量及高盐条件下的烃降解情况;利用电导率仪及原子吸收光谱对细胞内离子含量进行分析;比较外源添加甜菜碱前后对胞外多糖(extracellular polysaccharide,EPS)及高盐土壤中石油降解情况的影响;最后对耐盐相关基因进行了qPCR分析研究。【结果】石油降解菌Rhodococcus sp. HX-2可以对10 000-100 000 mg/L的石油进行降解,3 d降解率均达到70%以上,并可在1%-10%NaCl存在下降解石油,在6%Na Cl浓度下仍有43.8%的降解率。对HX-2菌株耐盐机制的研究表明,细胞内阳离子浓度随着盐浓度的变化没有显著差异,而积累相容性物质甜菜碱并促进EPS的合成才是石油降解菌HX-2的耐盐机制。同时,扫描电镜结果表明,外源甜菜碱的添加通过刺激EPS的合成提高菌株的耐盐性。由HX-2菌株得到4种甜菜碱转运蛋白基因H0、H1、H3、H5和1种甜菜碱合成相关基因BetB。对菌株HX-2的基因转录分析表明,NaCl、甜菜碱诱导H0、H1、H3和H5的表达;在甜菜碱与Na Cl共存时,基因转录水平达到最大值。【结论】Rhodococcus sp. HX-2具有在盐渍化环境中修复烃类污染物的应用潜力。     

Ketogulonigenium vulgare四环素诱导表达穿梭质粒的构建

采用重叠延伸PCR方法合成阻遏蛋白的编码基因tetr和插入操纵基因teto的Ketogulonigenium vulgare山梨糖脱氢酶启动子psndhteto的基因序列,借助宽宿主质粒p BBR1MCS-5,构建四环素诱导表达的穿梭质粒,转化Ketogulonigenium vulgare,获得阳性重组菌株,实现卡那霉素抗性的调控表达,结果表明:培养重组菌株2小时后,添加0.4μg/ml的四环素诱导剂后,能够在含有卡那霉素的培养基中生长,不添加四环素诱导剂的重组菌株不能在含卡那霉素的培养基中生长,确定了最适四环素的诱导浓度为0.6μg/ml。     

对硝基苯酚降解菌Pseudomonas sp. PDS-7的降解特性及 其降解相关基因的克隆

[目的]本研究的目的是分离对硝基苯酚(PNP)降解菌,研究其对PNP的降解特性;克隆其降解相关基因,并进行表达.[方法]本研究通过富集培养法和系列稀释平板涂布法分离PNP降解菌株;采用形态观察、生理生化特征测定和16S rDNA分析对菌株进行初步鉴定;通过摇瓶试验研究菌株降解特性;利用SEFA-PCR技术克隆降解相关基因,并亚克隆到表达载体pET29a中,构建重组表达质粒pETpnpC,再转入受体菌E.coli BL21(DE3)中进行诱导表达;通过分光光度法测定表达产物的酶活力.[结果]分离到一株PNP降解菌PDS-7,将该菌株鉴定为假单胞菌属(Pseudomonassp.);该菌株能够以PNP作为唯一碳源、氮源和能源生长,菌株对PNP的最高耐受浓度为80 mg/L,最适降解温度为30℃,偏碱性条件有利于菌株对PNP的降解;克隆了PNP降解过程中的偏苯三酚1,2-双加氧酶基因pnpC及马来酰醋酸还原酶基因pnpD(GenBank登陆号EU233791);将pnpC在E.coli BL21(DE3)菌株进行了诱导表达,表达产物对偏苯三酚和邻苯二酚均有邻位开环活性,比活力分别为0.45 U/mg protein和0.37 U/mg protein,表明偏苯三酚1,2-双加氧酶基因pnpC得到了活性表达.[结论]分离鉴定了一株PNP降解菌Pseudomonas sp.PDS-7,研究了该菌株的降解特性,克隆和表达了降解相关基因.     

Genes Involved in Degradation of para-Nitrophenol Are Differentially Arranged in Form of Non-Contiguous Gene Clusters in Burkholderia sp. strain SJ98

Biodegradation of para-Nitrophenol (PNP) proceeds via two distinct pathways, having 1,2,3-benzenetriol (BT) and hydroquinone (HQ) as their respective terminal aromatic intermediates. Genes involved in these pathways have already been studied in different PNP degrading bacteria. Burkholderia sp. strain SJ98 degrades PNP via both the pathways. Earlier, we have sequenced and analyzed a ~41 kb fragment from the genomic library of strain SJ98. This DNA fragment was found to harbor all the lower pathway genes; however, genes responsible for the initial transformation of PNP could not be identified within this fragment. Now, we have sequenced and annotated the whole genome of strain SJ98 and found two ORFs (viz., pnpA and pnpB) showing maximum identity at amino acid level with p-nitrophenol 4-monooxygenase (PnpM) and p-benzoquinone reductase (BqR). Unlike the other PNP gene clusters reported earlier in different bacteria, these two ORFs in SJ98 genome are physically separated from the other genes of PNP degradation pathway. In order to ascertain the identity of ORFs pnpA and pnpB, we have performed in-vitro assays using recombinant proteins heterologously expressed and purified to homogeneity. Purified PnpA was found to be a functional PnpM and transformed PNP into benzoquinone (BQ), while PnpB was found to be a functional BqR which catalyzed the transformation of BQ into hydroquinone (HQ). Noticeably, PnpM from strain SJ98 could also transform a number of PNP analogues. Based on the above observations, we propose that the genes for PNP degradation in strain SJ98 are arranged differentially in form of non-contiguous gene clusters. This is the first report for such arrangement for gene clusters involved in PNP degradation. Therefore, we propose that PNP degradation in strain SJ98 could be an important model system for further studies on differential evolution of PNP degradation functions.     

Kinetics of biodegradation of p-nitrophenol by different bacteria

Three bacterial species, i.e., Ralstonia sp. SJ98, Arthrobacter protophormiae RKJ100, and Burkholderia cepacia RKJ200, have been examined for their efficiency and kinetics behavior toward PNP degradation. All the three bacteria utilized PNP as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. The rates of radiolabeled [U-(14)C]PNP degradation by all the bacteria were higher in the nitrogen-free medium compared to the medium with nitrogen. The apparent K(m) values of PNP degradation by SJ98, RKJ100, and RKJ200 were 0.32, 0.28, and 0.23 mM, respectively, as determined from the Michaelis-Menten curves. The maximum rates of PNP degradation (V(max)) according to Lineweaver-Burk's plots were 11.76, 7.81, and 3.84 micromol PNP degraded/min/mg dry biomass, respectively. The interpretation drawn from the Lineweaver-Burk's plots showed that the PNP degradation by SJ98 was stimulated by 4-nitrocatechol and 1, 2,4-benzenetriol. Benzoquinone and hydroquinone inhibited PNP degradation by RKJ100 noncompetitively and competitively, respectively, whereas in the case of RKJ200, benzoquinone and hydroquinone inhibited PNP degradation in an uncompetitive manner. beta-Ketoadipate did not affect the rate of PNP degradation in any case.     

Chemotaxis of a Ralstonia sp. SJ98 toward co-metabolizable nitroaromatic compounds

We have earlier reported chemotaxis of a Gram-negative, motile Ralstonia sp. SJ98 towards p-nitrophenol (PNP), 4-nitrocatechol (NC), o-nitrobenzoate (ONB), p-nitrobenzoate (PNB), and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (MNP) that also served as sole source of carbon and energy to the strain [S.K. Samanta, B. Bhushan, A. Chauhan, R.K. Jain, Biochem. Biophy. Res. Commun. 269 (2000) 117; B. Bhushan, S.K. Samanta, A. Chauhan, A.K. Chakraborti, R.K. Jain, Biochem. Biophy. Res. Commun. 275 (2000) 129]. In this paper, we report chemotaxis of a Ralstonia sp. SJ98 toward seven different nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) by drop assay, swarm plate assay, and capillary assay. These NACs do not serve as sole carbon and energy source to strain SJ98 but are partially transformed in the presence of an alternate carbon source such as succinate. This is the first report showing chemotaxis of a bacterial strain toward co-metabolizable NACs.     

三氯卡班降解菌株Sphingomonas sp. YL-JM2C中多个邻苯二酚双加氧酶的功能

【目的】研究Sphingomonas sp.YL-JM2C菌株的生长特性,确定以三氯卡班作为碳源的生长情况。挖掘菌株YL-JM2C潜在的邻苯二酚1,2-双加氧酶及邻苯二酚2,3-双加氧酶基因,在大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)中异源表达邻苯二酚双加氧酶基因并研究其酶学性质。【方法】优化S.sp.YL-JM2C菌株以三氯卡班作为碳源时的培养条件,并利用全自动生长曲线测定仪测定菌株生长情况,绘制生长曲线。通过生物信息学方法挖掘潜在的邻苯二酚双加氧酶基因,并分别在Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)中进行异源表达,通过AKTA快速纯化系统纯化蛋白,分别以邻苯二酚、3-和4-氯邻苯二酚为底物检测重组蛋白的酶学特性。【结果】菌株在pH为7.0-7.5时生长最优。在以浓度为4-8 mg/L的三氯卡班做为底物时,菌株适宜生长。当R2A培养基仅含有0.01%酵母提取物和无机盐时,加入终浓度为4 mg/L的三氯卡班可促进菌株生长。挖掘到6个潜在的邻苯二酚双加氧酶基因stcA1、stcA2、stcA3、stcE1、stcE2和stcE3,表达并通过粗酶液分析证明其中5个基因stcA1、stcA2、stcA3、stcE1和stcE2编码的酶均具有邻苯二酚双加氧酶和氯邻苯二酚双加氧酶的活性;纯化酶的底物范围研究揭示了StcA1、StcA2和StcA3均属于Ⅱ型邻苯二酚1,2-双加氧酶,StcE1和StcE2为两个新型邻苯二酚2,3-双加氧酶;它们酶动力学分析研究证明了5个酶对邻苯二酚的亲和力和催化效率最高,4-氯邻苯二酚次之。【结论】在同一菌株中发现了5个具有功能的邻苯二酚双加氧酶基因,stcA1、stcA2和stcA3编码的酶均属于Ⅱ型邻苯二酚1,2-双加氧酶,stcE1和stcE2为两个新型邻苯二酚2,3-双加氧酶编码基因。5个酶均具有催化邻苯二酚和氯邻苯二酚开环反应的功能,这为更好地理解微生物基因组内代谢邻苯二酚及其衍生物氯代邻苯二酚基因的多样性奠定了基础。     

Reductive dehalogenation mediated initiation of aerobic degradation of 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol (2C4NP) by Burkholderia sp. strain SJ98

Burkholderia sp. strain SJ98 (DSM 23195) was previously isolated and characterized for degradation and co-metabolic transformation of a number nitroaromatic compounds. In the present study, we evaluated its metabolic activity on chlorinated nitroaromatic compounds (CNACs). Results obtained during this study revealed that strain SJ98 can degrade 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol (2C4NP) and utilize it as sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy under aerobic conditions. The cells of strain SJ98 removed 2C4NP from the growth medium with sequential release of nearly stoichiometric amounts of chloride and nitrite in culture supernatant. Under aerobic degradation conditions, 2C4NP was transformed into the first intermediate that was identified as p-nitrophenol by high-performance liquid chromatography, LCMS-TOF, and GC-MS analyses. This transformation clearly establishes that the degradation of 2C4NP by strain SJ98 is initiated by "reductive dehalogenation"; an initiation mechanism that has not been previously reported for microbial degradation of CNAC under aerobic conditions.     

Construction of expression vectors for protein production in Gluconobacter oxydans

The characteristic ability of Gluconobacter oxydans to incompletely oxidize numerous sugars, sugar acids, polyols, and alcohols has been exploited in several biotechnological processes, for example vitamin C production. The genome sequence of G. oxydans 621H is known but molecular tools are needed for the characterization of putative proteins and for the improvement of industrial strains by heterologous and homologous gene expression. To this end, promoter regions for the genes encoding G. oxydans ribosomal proteins L35 and L13 were introduced into the broad-host-range plasmid pBBR1MCS-2 to construct two new expression vectors for gene expression in Gluconobacter spp. These vectors were named pBBR1p264 and pBBR1p452, respectively, and have many advantages over current vectors for Gluconobacter spp. The uidA gene encoding β-D-glucuronidase was inserted downstream of the promoter regions and these promoter-reporter fusions were used to assess relative promoter strength. The constructs displayed distinct promoter strengths and strong (pBBR1p264), moderate (pBBR1p452) and weak (pBBR1MCS-2 carrying the intrinsic lac promoter) promoters were identified.