Production of Hyaluronic Acid by Mutant Strains of Group C Streptococcus

This study addresses the influence of upstream region sequence on the strength of has operon promoter in highly encapsulated S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ). For this purpose, seven different strains were constructed. Each strain carries a point mutation in one of the following positions upstream of the has promoter: ?43, ?44, ?49, and ?50 bp. To facilitate measuring of the recombinant promoter relative strength, ß-glucuronidase gene was used as a reporter gene. Three mutations located in positions ?49 and ?50: AT, GT, and AG, positively impacted has promoter strength when compared to the wild type sequence GG. Conversely, two other mutations: TG and TT, exhibited a slight inhibitory effect. Further, three different strains carrying chromosomal mutations in the has promoter region were constructed. In two cases, the has operon is under the control of a stronger promoter and in the third strain the has operon is controlled by a weaker promoter. The laboratory fermenter scale cultivations confirmed the increase of hyaluronan yields for SEZPhasAG and SEZPhas2G, resulting 116 and 105 %, respectively. As expected, the yield of the hyaluronic acid of SEZPhas2B strain fell to 41 %.     

A strong promoter, PMagpd, provides a tool for high gene expression in entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum

A glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (gpd) promoter (PMagpd) was obtained from Metarhizium acridum and its active region analyzed by 5′-deletion strategy using β-glucuronidase (GUS) as a reporter. Sequence analysis revealed that typical regulatory elements of PMagpd were included in the 1.7 kb region upstream of the start codon of the Magpd gene. Deletion of the region from −1,691 bp to −1,463 bp, where the gpd box is harbored, did not significantly affect the PMagpd activity. Deletions of the regions upstream of −946 bp and upstream of −684 bp caused a major decrease of GUS activity. Compared with PgpdA (2.2 kb) in Aspergillus nidulans, PMagpd (1.4 kb) had a shorter sequence and significantly higher activity in M. acridum. This study provides an applicable promoter for over-expression of target genes in M. acridum.     

SNPs of the PSMA6 gene: Investigation of possible association with myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes mellitus

In our preceding studies, we have identified microsatellite polymorphisms inside the PSMA6 gene and in its 5′ upstream region. Following the observed associations of microsatellite polymorphisms with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and Graves’ disease, we extended the evaluation of PSMA6 genetic variations to cardiovascular disorders and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. New polymorphisms in the promoter region and exon 6 of the gene were identified by direct sequencing of the promoter region and all seven exons of the gene in 30 individuals of the European descent. Two SNPs at positions −110 and −8 from the translation start, in the promoter region and 5′ UTR, respectively, were analyzed. Neither polymorphism was associated with the risk of myocardial infarction. No significant association of the polymorphisms with plasma lipid levels or BMI was observed. A borderline association of both polymorphisms with diastolic blood pressure was observed in the control group. Genotype −8CG was significantly more frequent in type 2 diabetes patients, and haplotype C⁻¹¹⁰/G⁻⁸, compared to C⁻¹¹⁰/G⁻⁸ was associated with a higher risk of NIDDM. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

A 20 nucleotide upstream element is essential for the nopaline synthase (nos) promoter activity

The nopaline synthase (nos) promoter is expressed in a wide range of plant cell types and regulated by various developmental and environmental factors. The nos upstream control region essential for this regulation was studied by means of synthetic oligomers using transient and stable transformation systems. Insertion of a 20 nucleotide sequence containing two hexamer motifs and a spacer region into deletion mutants lacking the upstream control region was essential for promoter activity. Mutation of one or more nucleotides of either hexamer sequence significantly altered the strength of expression of the nos promoter. Point mutations within the spacer region also strongly influenced promoter strength. Insertion of multiple copies of the 20 nucleotide sequence into the nonfunctional deletion mutants proportionally increased the promoter activity. These results suggest that this twenty nucleotide sequence is essential for the nos promoter to function. Substitution of the nos element with the ocs or 35S as-1 which contain similar hexamer motifs restored not only promoter activity but also responses to wounding, auxin, methyl jasmonate, and salicylic acid.     

AmpC Promoter and Attenuator Mutations Affect Function of Three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> Strains

To investigate the correlation between mutations in promoter, attenuator, and the AmpC enzyme overproduction in Escherichia coli. ampC Promoters from 4 Escherichia coli clinical isolates were cloned upstream to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene in pCAT3 reporter plasmid. Promoter strengths were measured by chloramphenicol MIC and gene sequencing was done on the cloned ampC promoter and attenuator. The strength of promoters from AmpC hyperproducers were 8- to 64-fold higher than those from a low-level AmpC producers. In one of the high-strength promoters, the mutations were located at positions −32, +22, +26, +32 (attenuator), −76, and +79. In another promoter, the mutations were located at positions −88, −82, −18, −1, and +58. In the third promoter, mutations were found at positions −1, +58, −80, −73, −28, and +82. Mutations in Escherichia coli promoter and attenuator sequences promoted Chloramphenicol MICs, which may be the primary causal mechanism for resistance to β-lactams antibiotics.