自克隆技术在工业啤酒酵母改良中的研究概况

自克隆技术由于具有生物安全的优点,已成为对工业微生物、尤其是食品微生物进行遗传修饰的首选技术,简要介绍了自克隆技术在工业啤酒酵母菌种改良中的研究概况。     

争议不断的转基因作物

<正>今天,转基因作物正在逐渐而广泛地进入我们的生活。转基因作物的含义是,将人工分离(克隆)和修饰过的基因(外源性基因)导入到作物的基因组中,使导入的基因得到表达,引起作物的性状产生可遗传的修饰。     

2011年第7期《遗传》封面说明

不完全的表观遗传重编程是造成转基因克隆动物效率低下的主要原因,组蛋白修饰作为表观遗传修饰的一个重要部分,可以直接影响克隆胚胎的发育和外源基因的表达情况。TSA(Trichostatin A)作为一种组蛋白去乙酰化抑制剂,可以改变组蛋白的乙酰化水平,促进表观遗传重编程,提高克隆动物的效率。同时TSA     

家畜体细胞克隆中核重编程机理研究进展

体细胞克隆在绵羊、山羊、牛、猪等家畜中获得了成功,但目前的克隆效率非常低。克隆效率低使家畜体细胞克隆技术在畜牧业生产及其他领域的应用受到极大的限制,问题的根源在于对体细胞克隆中核重编程的分子机理缺乏了解。供体细胞核移入去核的卵母细胞后,必须经过后成表观遗传修饰的重编程,从而恢复供体细胞核的全能性,才能保证重构胚的正常发育及个体的正常生长。本文从移植核的重构、DNA甲基化总体改变、组蛋白修饰、X染色体失活、端粒长度和端粒酶活性恢复、印迹基因及其他与发育相关基因的表达及核重编程的影响因素等几个方面探讨了体细胞克隆中的核重编程机理,为克隆效率提高的方法研究提供理论依据。     

表观遗传调控在哺乳动物体细胞核移植上的应用研究进展

体细胞核移植也称为克隆,是指将体细胞经显微操作植入到去核的卵母细胞质中,不通过精子和卵子结合,在体外生产出与供体细胞具有相同遗传物质的胚胎以及动物个体。近年来克隆技术不断发展,但其效率依然有待提高,导致克隆效率低下的重要原因之一便是供体细胞核物质表观遗传重编程不完全。DNA甲基化和组蛋白乙酰化是人们研究最多的两种表观遗传修饰,此外,基因印记、X染色体失活和端粒长度异常修饰状态也受到研究者的关注。因此如何调节和修复植入前克隆胚胎异常的表观遗传学状态对于提高克隆效率有着重要的意义。本综述植入前克隆胚胎存在的异常表观遗传现象,为建立更为高效的体细胞核移植体系提供一定的理论依据。     

争议不断的转基因作物

今天,转基因作物正在逐渐而广泛地进入我们的生活。转基因作物的含义是,将人工分离（克隆）和修饰过的基因（外源性基因）导入到作物的基因组中,使导入的基因得到表达,引起作物的性状产生可遗传的修饰。     

转录因子DREB1A基因的克隆与Gateway克隆技术构建植物表达载体

目的:研究转录因子DREB1A在植物抗渗透胁迫反应中的作用,并探讨利用Gateway克隆技术构建植物表达载体的方法。方法:根据GenBank中登录的DREB1A基因的全长mRNA序列设计引物,克隆了拟南芥的转录因子DREBIA基因。根据Gateway克隆技术的要求,设计含有attB接头的引物,利用高保真的PlatinumpfxDNA聚合酶,通过PCR方法在克隆基因的两端加上B序列。通过BP反应将包含有attB接头的PCR产物克隆到含有attP的donor载体上以产生Entry克隆,通过LR反应将已经重组入Entry载体的DREB1A基因再克隆到pH2GW7双元载体。结果:对重组载体pH2GW7-DREB1A的鉴定结果表明成功构建了DREB1A基因的植物表达载体。结论:利用Gateway克隆技术构建植物表达载体简便易行,该结果为遗传转化研究奠定了基础。     

TSA促进转基因猪体细胞核移植胚胎发育和外源基因表达

不完全的表观遗传重编程是造成转基因克隆动物效率低下的主要原因,组蛋白修饰作为表观遗传修饰的一个重要部分,可以直接影响克隆胚胎的发育和外源基因的表达情况。TSA(Trichostatin A)作为一种组蛋白去乙酰化抑制剂,可以改变组蛋白的乙酰化水平,促进表观遗传重编程,提高克隆动物的效率。同时TSA能改变染色质结构,使转录因子易于与DNA序列结合,促进外源基因的表达。文章确定了TSA处理转基因猪成纤维细胞和核移植胚胎的最佳条件,分别为250 nmol/L、24 h和40 nmol/L、24 h,通过进一步正交实验发现,TSA同时处理供体细胞和克隆胚胎可以显著的促进核移植胚胎的体外发育。此外,无论TSA处理转基因猪成纤维细胞或核移植胚胎,都可以提高外源基因的表达水平。     

酵母菌的载体系统研究进展

由于酵母菌特别是酿酒酵母是单细胞生物,具生长快、易于遗传操作、能对外源蛋白进行翻译后加工和修饰、不产生有毒产物等优点,被认为是表达外源蛋白的最适受体菌。随着重组DNA技术的发展,酿母菌的转化和载体系统的研究已取得很大的进展,已有许多细菌、真菌和高等动植物的基因在酿酒酵母中克隆和表达,已应用酵母工程菌来生产一些重要的外源蛋白,并显示出巨大的优越性。本文着重介绍酵母菌载体系统的研究进展。根据其在酵母菌遗传工程中的应用,可将酵母菌载体系统分为普通的克隆载体和特殊用途的载体两大类。回酵母菌的克隆载体依据…     

Molecular cloning of fungal xylanases: an overview

Xylanases have received great attention in the development of environment-friendly technologies in the paper and pulp industry. Their use could greatly improve the overall lignocellulosic materials for the generation of liquid fuels and chemicals. Fungi are widely used as xylanase producers and are generally considered as more potent producers of xylanases than bacteria and yeasts. Large-scale production of xylanases is facilitated with the advent of genetic engineering. Recent breakthroughs in genomics have helped to overcome the problems such as limited enzyme availability, substrate scope, and operational stability. Genes encoding xylanases have been cloned in homologous and heterologous hosts with the objectives of overproducing the enzyme and altering its properties to suit commercial applications. Owing to the industrial importance of xylanases, a significant number of studies are reported on cloning and expression of the enzymes during the last few years. We, therefore, have reviewed recent knowledge regarding cloning of fungal xylanase genes into various hosts for heterologous production. This will bring an insight into the current status of cloning and expression of the fungal xylanases for industrial applications.     

Construction and evaluation of self‐cloning bottom‐fermenting yeast with high SSU1 expression

Aim: To construct a self‐cloning brewer’s yeast that can minimize the unfavourable flavours caused by oxidation and certain kinds of sulfur compounds. Methods and Results: DNA fragments of a high‐expression promoter from the TDH3 gene originating from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were integrated into the promoter regions of the S. cerevisiae‐type and Saccharomyces bayanus‐type SSU1 genes of bottom‐fermenting brewer’s yeast. PCR and sequencing confirmed the TDH3 promoter was correctly introduced into the SSU1 regions of the constructed yeasts, and no foreign DNA sequences were found. Using the constructed yeasts, the concentration of sulfite in fermenting wort was higher when compared with the parent strain. In addition, the concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, 3‐methyl‐2‐buten‐1‐thiol (MBT) and 2‐mercapto‐3‐methyl‐1‐butanol (2M3MB) were lower when compared with the parent strain. Conclusion: We successfully constructed a self‐cloning brewer’s yeast with high SSU1 expression that enhanced the sulfite‐excreting ability and diminished the production ability of hydrogen sulfide, MBT and 2M3MB. Significance and Impact of the Study: The self‐cloning brewer’s yeast with high SSU1 expression would contribute to the production of superior quality beer with a high concentration of sulfite and low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, MBT and 2M3MB.     

Production,characterization and gene cloning of the extracellular enzymes from the marine-derived yeasts and their potential applications

In this review article, the extracellular enzymes production, their properties and cloning of the genes encoding the enzymes from marine yeasts are overviewed. Several yeast strains which could produce different kinds of extracellular enzymes were selected from the culture collection of marine yeasts available in this laboratory. The strains selected belong to different genera such as Yarrowia, Aureobasidium, Pichia, Metschnikowia and Cryptococcus. The extracellular enzymes include cellulase, alkaline protease, aspartic protease, amylase, inulinase, lipase and phytase, as well as killer toxin. The conditions and media for the enzyme production by the marine yeasts have been optimized and the enzymes have been purified and characterized. Some genes encoding the extracellular enzymes from the marine yeast strains have been cloned, sequenced and expressed. It was found that some properties of the enzymes from the marine yeasts are unique compared to those of the homologous enzymes from terrestrial yeasts and the genes encoding the enzymes in marine yeasts are different from those in terrestrial yeasts. Therefore, it is of very importance to further study the enzymes and their genes from the marine yeasts. This is the first review on the extracellular enzymes and their genes from the marine yeasts.     

Endless versatility in the biotechnological applications of Kluyveromyces LAC genes

Most microorganisms adapted to life in milk owe their ability to thrive in this habitat to the evolution of mechanisms for the use of the most abundant sugar present on it, lactose, as a carbon source. Because of their lactose-assimilating ability, Kluyveromyces yeasts have long been used in industrial processes involved in the elimination of this sugar. The identification of the genes conferring Kluyveromyces with a system for permeabilization and intracellular hydrolysis of lactose (LAC genes), along with the current possibilities for their transfer into alternative organisms through genetic engineering, has significantly broadened the industrial profitability of lactic yeasts. This review provides an updated overview of the general properties of Kluyveromyces LAC genes, and the multiple techniques involving their biotechnological utilization. Emphasis is also made on the potential that some of the latest technologies, such as the generation of transgenics, will have for a further benefit in the use of these and related genes.     

Mutagenesis and gene cloning in Schizosaccharomyces pombe using nonhomologous plasmid integration and rescue

Genes are commonly cloned in yeasts and bacteria by plasmid complementation, where the introduction of the gene of interest into a host strain carrying a recessive mutation in that gene suppresses the host's mutant phenotype. However, a lack of low copy cloning vectors in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe can complicate this approach especially when overexpression of one gene may suppress a defect in another gene or when overexpression of the desired gene is detrimental, if not lethal, to the cell. We describe here a method of identifying mutations in S. pombe that allows for the rapid and direct cloning of the defective gene. This involves the nonhomologous integration of a marked plasmid into the yeast genome and its subsequent rescue into Escherichia coli, so that DNA at the site of insertion is incorporated into the recovered plasmid. As two of three insertions obtained in this study occurred outside of the affected gene's open reading frame, this method should be applicable to cloning both essential genes and nonessential genes.     

Wine yeast fermentation vigor may be improved by elimination of recessive growth-retarding alleles.

The presence of recessive growth-retarding alleles can reduce the fitness of industrial wine yeasts. In nature, these alleles are supposed to be eliminated through "genome renewal". We emulated this process in the laboratory to increase the fermentation vigor of wine yeasts. The procedure is simply to sporulate the yeast strains and select new homozygous single-spore descendants. Most of the yeasts achieve a faster onset of fermentation when recessive deleterious genes are eliminated. The increase of the degree of homozygosity has no relation, either direct or inverse, with the fermentation vigor of the yeasts or with the quality of the resulting wine. However, in some strains in which recessive growth-retarding alleles have been eliminated, the fermentation vigor and the quality of the wine were found to be improved simultaneously.     

HO gene polymorphism in Saccharomyces industrial yeasts and application of novel HO genes to convert homothallism to heterothallism in combination with the mating-type detection cassette

Southern blot analysis of industrial yeasts showed that all top-fermenting yeasts, distiller's yeasts and a proportion of wine yeasts tested in the present study produced a hybridization signal (approximately 7 kb), corresponding to a Saccharomyces cerevisiae-type HO gene (Sc-HO). It also showed that bottom-fermenting yeasts gave rise to 7-kb and 4-kb hybridization signals, corresponding to the Sc-HO gene and the lager yeast HO gene (Lg-HO), respectively. Two wine yeasts produced a 4-kb hybridization signal, corresponding to Lg-HO; and one wine yeast produced 2.5-kb and 1.5-kb hybridization bands, corresponding to a S. uvarum-type HO gene (Uv-HO). Partial nucleotide sequences of HO genes amplified from these wine yeasts perfectly matched those of Lg-HO and Uv-HO, respectively. HO disruption vectors were constructed by inserting a dominant selective marker PGK1p-neo and the mating-type detection cassette MFalpha1p-PHO5 within the Lg-HO or Uv-HO gene. From transformants carrying a single-disrupted ho gene, mating-competent progenies were easily obtained through meiosis. Moreover, mating-competent derivatives appearing at very low frequency could be obtained from a double-disrupted ho transformant without meiosis (even from a wine yeast lacking sporulation ability), because the sensitive phosphatase-staining method allowed detection of the Pho+ mating-competent derivatives from confluent colonies by the random spore method. Our study describes a rapid and convenient method for isolating mating-competent clones from industrial yeasts.     

Metagenomics: Future of microbial gene mining

Modern biotechnology has a steadily increasing demand for novel genes for application in various industrial processes and development of genetically modified organisms. Identification, isolation and cloning for novel genes at a reasonable pace is the main driving force behind the development of unprecedented experimental approaches. Metagenomics is one such novel approach for engendering novel genes. Metagenomics of complex microbial communities (both cultivable and uncultivable) is a rich source of novel genes for biotechnological purposes. The contributions made by metagenomics to the already existing repository of prokaryotic genes is quite impressive but nevertheless, this technique is still in its infancy. In the present review we have drawn comparison between routine cloning techniques and metagenomic approach for harvesting novel microbial genes and described various methods to reach down to the specific genes in the metagenome. Accomplishments made thus far, limitations and future prospects of this resourceful technique are discussed.     

Chromosomal polymorphism and adaptation to specific industrial environments of Saccharomyces strains

Several industrial Saccharomyces strains, including bakers', wine, brewers' and distillers' yeasts, have been characterized with regards to their DNA content, chromosomal polymorphism and homologies with the DNA of laboratory strains. Measurement of the DNA contents of cells suggested that most of the industrial yeasts were aneuploids. Polymorphisms in the electrophoretic chromosomal pattern were so large that each strain could be individually identified. However, no specific changes relating to a particular group were observed. Hybridization using different probes from laboratory strains was very strong in all cases, indicating that all industrial strains possess a high degree of DNA homology with laboratory yeasts. Probes URA3, CUP1, LEU2, TRP1, GAL4 or ADC1 demonstrated the presence of one or two bands, two especially in bakers' strains. Also, results indicate that all hybridized genes are located on the same chromosomes both in laboratory and industrial strains. Translocation from chromosome VIII to XVI seems to have occurred in a distillers' strain, judging by the location of the CUP1 probe. Finally, when the SUC2 probe is used, results indicate a very widespread presence of the SUC genes in only bakers' and molasses alcohol distillers' strains. This clearly suggests that amplification of SUC genes is an adaptive mechanism conferring better fitness upon the strains in their specific industrial conditions. The widespread presence of Ty1 and Ty2 elements as well as Y′ subtelomeric sequences could account for the inter- and intrachromosomal changes detected. Received: 21 July 1997 / Accepted: 25 August 1997     

Biology of killer yeasts

Killer yeasts secrete proteinaceous killer toxins lethal to susceptible yeast strains. These toxins have no activity against microorganisms other than yeasts, and the killer strains are insensitive to their own toxins. Killer toxins differ between species or strains, showing diverse characteristics in terms of structural genes, molecular size, mature structure and immunity. The mechanisms of recognizing and killing sensitive cells differ for each toxin. Killer yeasts and their toxins have many potential applications in environmental, medical and industrial biotechnology. They are also suitable to study the mechanisms of protein processing and secretion, and toxin interaction with sensitive cells. This review focuses on the biological diversity of the killer toxins described up to now and their potential biotechnological applications. Electronic Publication