Efficient transformation ofMicromonospora melanosporea protoplasts byStreptomyces plasmid

An efficient and relatively simple procedure forMicromonospora melanosporea protoplast preparation and transformation is described. Transformation ofM. melanosporea protoplast by theStreptomyces plasmid pIJ702 was optimized by altering parameters affecting the formation, regeneration, and transformation of protoplasts. Improvement of regeneration medium resulted in relatively quick growth of transformants (only 7 days). As a result of these experiments we describe a new transformation method that has routinely yielded 10⁶ transformants/µg plasmid DNA.     

High frequency transformation of Streptomyces niveus protoplasts by plasmid DNA.

A procedure has been developed for transforming protoplasts of the novobiocin producing strain Streptomyces niveus at high frequency. This required the isolation of strains LH13 and LH20 defective in DNA restriction from the wild type (ATCC 19793) which is transformed at very low frequencies. The LH13 and LH20 derivatives were obtained by curing pIJ702 DNA from the few S. niveus transformed protoplasts obtained by transformation of the wild type with high concentrations of pIJ702 DNA. Protoplasts of S. niveus strains LH13 and LH20 produced about 10(6) transformants/micrograms DNA with modified pIJ702 DNA derived by replication in S. niveus. Unmodified DNA (derived from replication in S: lividans) from a series of pIJ101, SCP2 and pSN2-based derivatives, gave transformation frequencies in the range of 10(2)-10(3) transformants/micrograms DNA. Optimal conditions for the formation and transformation of S. niveus protoplasts are described.     

High frequency transformation of Streptomyces niveus protoplasts by plasmid DNA

H.A. HUSSAIN AND D.A. RITCHIE. 1991. A procedure has been developed for transforming protoplasts of the novobiocin producing strain Streptomyces niveus at high frequency. This required the isolation of strains LH13 and LH20 defective in DNA restriction from the wild type (ATCC 19793) which is transformed at very low frequencies. The LH13 and LH20 derivatives were obtained by curing pIJ702 DNA from the few S. niveus transformed protoplasts obtained by transformation of the wild type with high concentrations of pIJ702 DNA. Protoplasts of S. niveus strains LH13 and LH20 produced about 10⁶ transformants/μg DNA with modified pIJ702 DNA derived by replication in S. niveus. Unmodified DNA (derived from replication in S. lividans ) from a series of pIJ101, SCP2 and pSN2-based derivatives, gave transformation frequencies in the range of 10²-10³ transformants/μg DNA. Optimal conditions for the formation and transformation of S. niveus protoplasts are described.     

Efficient plasmid transformation of the beta-lactam producer Streptomyces clavuligerus.

The conditions for optimal formation and regeneration of protoplasts of Streptomyces clavuligerus were established. The optimal temperature for regeneration of protoplasts and for transformation was 26 degrees C in three different regeneration media. The best efficiency of transformation was obtained with 40% polyethylene glycol 1000. The efficiencies of regeneration and transformation increased greatly when protoplasts were obtained from cultures in the early stationary phase of growth. The number of transformants per assay increased linearly with rising concentrations of protoplasts. However, the number of transformants per protoplast decreased at concentrations of protoplasts above 1.5 X 10(9). The total number of transformants rose linearly at increasing plasmid DNA concentrations, but the number of the transformants per microgram of DNA became constant at concentrations above 1 microgram of DNA. Transformation frequencies as high as 5 X 10(5) transformants per microgram of DNA were obtained when plasmid pIJ702 was isolated from S. clavuligerus but not when isolated from Streptomyces lividans.     

Transduction and transformation of plasmid DNA in Streptomyces fradiae strains that express different levels of restriction.

We constructed nonrestricting strains of Streptomyces fradiae blocked in different steps in tylosin biosynthesis. Plasmid transformation frequencies were 10(3)- to 10(4)-fold higher and bacteriophage plating efficiencies were 10(4)- to 10(8)-fold higher in the nonrestricting strains than in the restricting strains. The efficiencies of transduction of plasmid pRHB101 in S. fradiae strains varied by over 1,000-fold, depending on growth conditions, and optimum transduction frequencies were obtained when cells were grown to mid-exponential phase at 39 degrees C. Under these conditions, restricting and nonrestricting strains were transduced at frequencies that differed by only two- to fivefold.     

Efficient plasmid transformation of the beta-lactam producer Streptomyces clavuligerus

The conditions for optimal formation and regeneration of protoplasts of Streptomyces clavuligerus were established. The optimal temperature for regeneration of protoplasts and for transformation was 26 degrees C in three different regeneration media. The best efficiency of transformation was obtained with 40% polyethylene glycol 1000. The efficiencies of regeneration and transformation increased greatly when protoplasts were obtained from cultures in the early stationary phase of growth. The number of transformants per assay increased linearly with rising concentrations of protoplasts. However, the number of transformants per protoplast decreased at concentrations of protoplasts above 1.5 X 10(9). The total number of transformants rose linearly at increasing plasmid DNA concentrations, but the number of the transformants per microgram of DNA became constant at concentrations above 1 microgram of DNA. Transformation frequencies as high as 5 X 10(5) transformants per microgram of DNA were obtained when plasmid pIJ702 was isolated from S. clavuligerus but not when isolated from Streptomyces lividans.     

Site-specific integration in Streptomyces ambofaciens: localization of integration functions in S. ambofaciens plasmid pSAM2.

In Streptomyces ambofaciens ATCC 15154, an 11.1-kilobase element, pSAM2, exists as a single integrated copy in the chromosome. In S. ambofaciens 3212 (a derivative of ATCC 15154), pSAM2 exists as a free, circular plasmid as well as an integrated element. BclI fragments from the free form of pSAM2 were cloned into an Escherichia coli plasmid vector. By using gene transplacement methods, the chromosomally integrated form of pSAM2 was marked with a gene coding for apramycin resistance. This enabled us to isolate both a segregant that had lost the integrated pSAM2 element and a cosmid clone containing integrated pSAM2 along with the flanking chromosomal sequences. One of the BclI fragments derived from free pSAM2 was shown to contain all the plasmid-specified information required to direct site-specific recombination in a derivative of S. ambofaciens lacking the resident pSAM2 element as well as in a number of other Streptomyces strains. The attachment sites used by the plasmid and the chromosome in site-specific recombination and the junctions created after integration were cloned and sequenced. Certain structural features in common with other integrating elements in actinomycetes were noted.     

Efficient transformation of Amycolatopsis orientalis (Nocardia orientalis) protoplasts by Streptomyces plasmids.

Conditions for efficient transformation of Amycolatopsis orientalis (Nocardia orientalis) protoplasts by Streptomyces plasmid cloning vectors were identified. Three streptomycete plasmid origins of replication function in A. orientalis, as do the apramycin resistance gene from Escherichia coli, the thiostrepton resistance gene from Streptomyces azureus, and the tyrosinase gene from Streptomyces antibioticus. A. orientalis appears to express some restriction and modification, because highest transformation frequencies (10(6)/micrograms of DNA) were obtained when plasmid pIJ702 was modified by passage in A. orientalis.     

Gene expression after transformation of Streptomyces lividans protoplasts with plasmid pIJ2 DNA

A new method has been developed for the selection of antibiotic-resistant clones after transformation of Streptomyces protoplasts with plasmid DNA. This method is based on establishing a spatial concentration gradient for the antibiotic, the resistance to which is encoded by the transforming plasmid. By this method, the resistance development of regenerating protoplasts can be followed. The results suggest that antibiotic resistance is inducible. In addition, we were able to show that resident plasmids incompatible with the incoming ones are eliminated when this direct selection principle is used. Moreover, this method, which may facilitate the application of gene technology in Streptomyces, works even though the transformation procedure gives variable results.     

Amino acid catabolism and antibiotic synthesis: valine is a source of precursors for macrolide biosynthesis in Streptomyces ambofaciens and Streptomyces fradiae.

Targeted inactivation of the valine (branched-chain amino acid) dehydrogenase gene (vdh) was used to study the role of valine catabolism in the production of tylosin in Streptomyces fradiae and spiramycin in Streptomyces ambofaciens. The deduced products of the vdh genes, cloned and sequenced from S. fradiae C373.1 and S. ambofaciens ATCC 15154, are approximately 80% identical over all 363 amino acids and 96% identical over a span of the first N-terminal 107 amino acids, respectively, to the deduced product of the Streptomyces coelicolor vdh gene. The organization of the regions flanking the vdh genes is the same in all three species. Inactivation of the genomic copy of the vdh gene in S. fradiae and S. ambofaciens by insertion of a hygromycin resistance (hyg) gene caused loss of the valine dehydrogenase (Vdh) activity, and thus only one enzyme is responsible for the Vdh activity in these organisms. Analysis of the culture broth by bioassay revealed that the vdh::hyg mutants produce an approximately sixfold-lower level of tylosin and an approximately fourfold-lower level of spiramycin than the wild-type S. fradiae and S. ambofaciens strains, while maintaining essentially identical growth in a defined minimal medium with either 25 mM ammonium ion or 0.05% asparagine as the nitrogen source. The addition of the valine catabolite, propionate or isobutyrate, and introduction of the wild-type vdh gene back to each vdh::hyg mutant reversed the negative effect of the vdh::hyg mutation on spiramycin and tylosin production. These data show that the catabolism of valine is a major source of fatty acid precursors for macrolide biosynthesis under defined growth conditions and imply that amino acid catabolism is a vital source of certain antibiotic precursors in actinomycetes.     

The integrated conjugative plasmid pSAM2 of Streptomyces ambofaciens is related to temperate bacteriophages.

Streptomyces ambofaciens ATCC23877 and derivatives contain the 11-kb element pSAM2 present in an integrated state or as a free and integrated plasmid. This element, able to integrate site-specifically in the genome of different Streptomyces species, is conjugative and mobilizes chromosomal markers. Besides these plasmid functions, we have shown that the site-specific recombination system of pSAM2 presents strong similarities with that of several temperate phages. The integration event is promoted by a site-specific recombinase of the integrase family. The int gene encoding this integrase is closely linked to the plasmid attachment site (attP). A small open reading frame (ORF) overlaps the int gene and the predicted protein exhibits similarities with Xis proteins involved in phages excision. The integrated copy of pSAM2 in strain ATCC23877 is flanked by att sequences (attL and attR). Another att sequence (attX) is present in this strain and attX and attL are the boundaries of a 42-kb fragment (xSAM1) absent, as well as pSAM2, from S.ambofaciens DSM40697. Sequences partially similar to pSAM2 int gene are found near the chromosomal integration zone in both S.ambofaciens strains. The possible origin of pSAM2, an element carrying plasmid as well as phage features, is discussed.     

High-frequency transformation of Brevibacterium lactofermentum protoplasts by plasmid DNA.

An efficient polyethylene glycol-assisted method for transformation of Brevibacterium lactofermentum protoplasts that uses plasmid vectors has been developed. Two small plasmids, pUL330 (5.2 kilobases) and pUL340 (5.8 kilobases), both containing the kanamycin resistance gene from transposon Tn5 and the replication origin of the natural plasmid pBL1 of B. lactofermentum, were selected as vectors. Supercoiled forms of the plasmids yielded a 100-fold higher transformation frequency than did linear forms. The optimal transformation frequency was achieved with 10 ng of DNA in 1 ml of transformation buffer. Higher concentrations of plasmid DNA resulted in a decrease in transformation frequency per microgram of DNA. Optimal transformation was obtained with 25 to 35% polyethylene glycol 6000. Under optimal conditions, 10(6) transformants per microgram of DNA were obtained.     

High-efficiency transformation of Streptococcus lactis protoplasts by plasmid DNA.

Streptococcus lactis IL1403 protoplasts were transformed by plasmid pIL204 (5.5 kilobases), which conferred erythromycin resistance with an average efficiency of 5 X 10(6) transformants per microgram of supercoiled DNA. The procedure used and transformation efficiencies obtained were close to those described for Bacillus subtilis (G. Chang and S. N. Cohen, Mol. Gen. Genet. 168:111-115, 1979).     

Amplified DNA in Streptomyces fradiae.

A spontaneous mutant of Streptomyces fradiae contained an amplifiable unit of DNA with a sequence length of approximately 10.5 kilobases that was amplified to approximately 500 copies per chromosome. The amplified DNA appears to be cryptic. SalI fragments of the amplified DNA were cloned into Escherichia coli to construct a restriction map and characterize the amplified DNA. The amplified DNA contained tandem repeats of the amplifiable unit of DNA. The unit had an average base composition of 71% guanine plus cytosine, similar to the chromosomal DNA of Streptomyces species. At least a portion of the amplifiable unit of DNA was present at a low copy number in the wild-type strain. The phenotype of amplified DNA was designated Ads1SF for amplified DNA sequence 1 in S. fradiae.     

Genome mining of Streptomyces ambofaciens

Since the discovery of the streptomycin produced by Streptomyces griseus in the middle of the last century, members of this bacterial genus have been largely exploited for the production of secondary metabolites with wide uses in medicine and in agriculture. They have even been recognized as one of the most prolific producers of natural products among microorganisms. With the onset of the genomic era, it became evident that these microorganisms still represent a major source for the discovery of novel secondary metabolites. This was highlighted with the complete genome sequencing of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) which revealed an unexpected potential of this organism to synthesize natural products undetected until then by classical screening methods. Since then, analysis of sequenced genomes from numerous Streptomyces species has shown that a single species can carry more than 30 secondary metabolite gene clusters, reinforcing the idea that the biosynthetic potential of this bacterial genus is far from being fully exploited. This review highlights our knowledge on the potential of Streptomyces ambofaciens ATCC 23877 to synthesize natural products. This industrial strain was known for decades to only produce the drug spiramycin and another antibacterial compound, congocidine. Mining of its genome allowed the identification of 23 clusters potentially involved in the production of other secondary metabolites. Studies of some of these clusters resulted in the characterization of novel compounds and of previously known compounds but never characterized in this Streptomyces species. In addition, genome mining revealed that secondary metabolite gene clusters of phylogenetically closely related Streptomyces are mainly species-specific.     

High frequency transformation of Bacillus subtilis protoplasts by plasmid DNA.

Summary A highly efficient method for transformation of Bacillus subtilis by plasmid DNA is reported. The procedure, which involves polyethylene glycolinduced DNA uptake by protoplasts and subsequent regeneration of the bacterial cell wall, yields up to 80% transformants with an efficiency of 4x10⁷ transformants per g of supercoiled DNA. Plasmids constructed by in vitro ligation or endonuclease-generated fragments of linear plasmid DNA can also transform PEG-treated protoplasts, but at a lower frequency.     

High-efficiency transformation of Streptococcus lactis protoplasts by plasmid DNA

Streptococcus lactis IL1403 protoplasts were transformed by plasmid pIL204 (5.5 kilobases), which conferred erythromycin resistance with an average efficiency of 5 X 10(6) transformants per microgram of supercoiled DNA. The procedure used and transformation efficiencies obtained were close to those described for Bacillus subtilis (G. Chang and S. N. Cohen, Mol. Gen. Genet. 168:111-115, 1979).     

Proteinases of Streptomyces fradiae. II. Specificity.

It has been shown that extracellular proteinases synthesized by a keratinolytic strain of S. fradiae are characterized by diversified activity in the decomposition of both proteins and synthetic substrates. Among the six proteinases isolated, apart from the ones dominating and having relatively low specificity, there are two enzymes characterized by narrow catalytic abilities--extremely similar to those of trypsin. These proteinases intensively degraded all the trypsin substrates studied, but they were inactive or showed slight activity toward others. They were also highly sensitive to such specific inhibitors of trypsin as TLCK, SBTI and TIO.     

Liposome-mediated transformation of tobacco mesophyll protoplasts by an Escherichia coli plasmid.

An Escherichia coli plasmid, pLGV23neo, carrying a kanamycin resistance gene expressed in plant cells, was encapsulated into negatively charged liposomes prepared by the reverse phase evaporation technique. These liposomes were induced to fuse with tobacco mesophyll protoplasts by polyethyleneglycol treatment. Kanamycin-resistant clones were reproducibly isolated from transfected cultures at an average frequency of 4 X 10(-5). Plants regenerated from these resistant colonies were confirmed to be transformed according to three criteria. Protoplasts isolated from their leaves were resistant to 100 micrograms/ml kanamycin. The enzyme aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase II encoded by the plasmid pLGV23neo was detected in leaf extracts. Approximately 3-5 copies of the gene encoding for kanamycin resistance were inserted in the genome of at least one of the studied transformants. The restriction pattern of inserted DNA was best explained by assuming a tandem integration of the pPLGV23neo sequences, implying an homologous recombination event between these sequences during transformation. Kanamycin resistance was transmitted as a single dominant nuclear marker to the progeny of resistant plants after selfing or cross-pollination with the wild-type.