嗜碱芽孢杆菌产碱性纤维素酶研究概况

碱性纤维素酶是重要的洗涤剂添加剂,不仅可以去除衣物上的污渍,还可以软化衣物和增加衣物的鲜艳度。嗜碱芽孢杆菌是生产碱性纤维素酶的主要菌种。本文概述了其编码的碱性纤维素酶的性质,编码酶的基因、基因的克隆、表达以及作为洗涤剂添加剂的去污机理,指出了今后的研究方向。     

Iron Acquisition by Legionella pneumophila

For nearly 20 years, it was believed that Legionella pneumophila does not produce siderophores. Yet, we have now determined that L. pneumophila secretes a siderophore (legiobactin) that is detectable by the CAS assay. We have optimized conditions for legiobactin expression, shown its biological activity, and found genes (lbtAB) involved in its production and secretion. LbtA is homologous with siderophore synthetases from E. coli (aerobactin), Sinorhizobium (rhizobactin), and Bordetella (alcaligin), while LbtB is a member of the major facilitator superfamily of multidrug efflux pumps. Mutants lacking lbtAB produce 40–70% less CAS reactivity. The lbtA mutant is also defective for growth in deferrated media containing citrate, indicating that legiobactin is required in conditions of severe iron limitation. lbtAB mutants grow normally in macrophages and amoebae host cells as well as within the lungs of mice. L. pneumophila does express lbtA in macrophages, suggesting that legiobactin has a dispensable role in infection. Legiobactin is iron repressed and does not react in the Csáky and Arnow assays. Anion-exchange HPLC has been used to purify legiobactin, and thus far, structural analysis suggests that the molecule is similar but not identical to rhizobactin, rhizoferrin, and alcaligin. The residual CAS reactivity present in supernatants of the lbtAB mutants suggests that L. pneumophila might produce a second siderophore. Besides siderophores, we have determined that ferrous iron transport, encoded by feoB, is critical for L. pneumophila growth in low-iron conditions, in host cells, and in the mammalian lung. Some of our other studies have discovered a critical, yet undefined, role for the L. pneumophila cytochrome c maturation locus in low-iron growth, intracellular infection, and virulence.     

中国新分离碱性耐热芽孢杆菌的木聚糖酶产酶特征

目的：检测由中国新分离碱性耐热芽孢杆菌[1]产生的粗木聚糖酶的酶活。方法：通过DNS法测定粗木聚糖酶的酶活。结果：实验表明,以橡树木聚糖为底物培养的新分离菌株在30-50℃处理2h酶活不丧失。其中,XJU-1菌株在60、70和80℃时粗酶酶活分别丧失是最初酶活的1.54%、19.09%和72.59%;而XJU-80的粗酶酶活分别是3.59%、26.43%和72.59%。两个菌株产生的粗木聚糖酶的最适pH是7.5-8.0。将该粗酶在pH 7.0-9.0（50℃）处理24h后,酶活几乎均降低最初酶活的18%。结论：由XJU-1和XJU-80产生的木聚糖酶是生化领域有用的嗜碱耐热酶。     

Iron Acquisition in Bacillus cereus: The Roles of IlsA and Bacillibactin in Exogenous Ferritin Iron Mobilization

In host-pathogen interactions, the struggle for iron may have major consequences on the outcome of the disease. To overcome the low solubility and bio-availability of iron, bacteria have evolved multiple systems to acquire iron from various sources such as heme, hemoglobin and ferritin. The molecular basis of iron acquisition from heme and hemoglobin have been extensively studied; however, very little is known about iron acquisition from host ferritin, a 24-mer nanocage protein able to store thousands of iron atoms within its cavity. In the human opportunistic pathogen Bacillus cereus, a surface protein named IlsA (Iron-regulated leucine rich surface protein type A) binds heme, hemoglobin and ferritin in vitro and is involved in virulence. Here, we demonstrate that IlsA acts as a ferritin receptor causing ferritin aggregation on the bacterial surface. Isothermal titration calorimetry data indicate that IlsA binds several types of ferritins through direct interaction with the shell subunits. UV-vis kinetic data show a significant enhancement of iron release from ferritin in the presence of IlsA indicating for the first time that a bacterial protein might alter the stability of the ferritin iron core. Disruption of the siderophore bacillibactin production drastically reduces the ability of B. cereus to utilize ferritin for growth and results in attenuated bacterial virulence in insects. We propose a new model of iron acquisition in B. cereus that involves the binding of IlsA to host ferritin followed by siderophore assisted iron uptake. Our results highlight a possible interplay between a surface protein and a siderophore and provide new insights into host adaptation of B. cereus and general bacterial pathogenesis.     

Comparative Genome Analysis of a Novel Alkaliphilic Actinobacterial Species Nesterenkonia Haasae

In the present study, a comparative genome analysis of the novel alkaliphilic actinobacterial Nesterenkonia haasae with other members of the genus Nesterenkonia was performed. The genome size of Nesterenkonia members ranged from 2,188,008 to 3,676,111 bp. N. haasae and Nesterenkonia members of the present study encode the essential glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway genes. In addition, some Nesterenkonia members encode the crucial genes for Entner-Doudoroff pathways. Some Nesterenkonia members possess the genes responsible for sulfate/thiosulfate transport system permease protein/ ATP-binding protein and conversion of sulfate to sulfite. Nesterenkonia members also encode the genes for assimilatory nitrate reduction, nitrite reductase, and the urea cycle. All Nesterenkonia members have the genes to overcome environmental stress and produce secondary metabolites. The present study helps to understand N. haasae and Nesterenkonia members’ environmental adaptation and niches specificity based on their specific metabolic properties. Further, based on genome analysis, we propose reclassifying Nesterenkonia jeotgali as a later heterotypic synonym of Nesterenkonia sandarakina.     

Biodegradation of Phenanthrene by a Bacillus Species

A bacterial strain capable of utilizing phenanthrene as sole source of carbon was isolated from soil and identified as a Bacillus sp. The organism also utilized naphthalene, biphenyl, anthracene, and other aromatic compounds as growth substrates. The organism degraded phenanthrene through the intermediate formation of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, which was further metabolized via o-phthalate by a protocatechuate pathway, as evidenced by oxygen uptake and enzymatic studies. Received: 1 December 1999 / Accepted: 5 January 2000     

Sodium-Dependent Glutamate Uptake by an Alkaliphilic, Thermophilic Bacillus Strain, TA2.A1

A strain of Bacillus designated TA2.A1, isolated from a thermal spring in Te Aroha, New Zealand, grew optimally at pH 9.2 and 70 degrees C. Bacillus strain TA2.A1 utilized glutamate as a sole carbon and energy source for growth, and sodium chloride (>5 mM) was an obligate requirement for growth. Growth on glutamate was inhibited by monensin and amiloride, both inhibitors that collapse the sodium gradient (DeltapNa) across the cell membrane. N, N-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide inhibited the growth of Bacillus strain TA2.A1, suggesting that an F1F0-ATPase (H type) was being used to generate cellular ATP needed for anabolic reactions. Vanadate, an inhibitor of V-type ATPases, did not affect the growth of Bacillus strain TA2.A1. Glutamate transport by Bacillus strain TA2.A1 could be driven by an artificial membrane potential (DeltaPsi), but only when sodium was present. In the absence of sodium, the rate of DeltaPsi-driven glutamate uptake was fourfold lower. No glutamate transport was observed in the presence of DeltapNa alone (i.e., no DeltaPsi). Glutamate uptake was specifically inhibited by monensin, and the Km for sodium was 5.6 mM. The Hill plot had a slope of approximately 1, suggesting that sodium binding was noncooperative and that the glutamate transporter had a single binding site for sodium. Glutamate transport was not affected by the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, suggesting that the transmembrane pH gradient was not required for glutamate transport. The rate of glutamate transport increased with increasing glutamate concentration; the Km for glutamate was 2.90 microM, and the Vmax was 0.7 nmol. min-1 mg of protein. Glutamate transport was specifically inhibited by glutamate analogues.     

嗜碱性芽孢杆菌碱性α淀粉酶的纯化和性质

淀粉是高等植物体内碳水化合物的主要储藏形式,广泛存在于谷物、豆类的种子和果实中.α1,4葡聚糖4葡聚糖水解酶(α1,4glucan4glucanohydrolase,EC3.2.1.1),又简称为α淀粉酶(αamylase),能水解淀粉分子内部α1,4葡萄糖苷键,水解产物有糊精、麦芽寡糖、麦芽糖和葡萄糖.它和β淀粉酶、α葡萄糖苷酶、去分枝酶(普鲁兰酶)和异淀粉酶等都属于糖苷水解酶13家族,即α淀粉酶家族[1].α淀粉酶是目前世界上最早生产、产量最大的工业酶制剂品种之一,在食品、纺织、医药和饲料等工业中都有非常重要的应用;其中碱性α淀粉酶常用于洗涤剂和纺织品工业中,…     

Purification and Properties of Two Thermostable Alkaline Xylanases from an Alkaliphilic Bacillus sp.

Two xylanases, designated XylA and XylB, were purified from the culture supernatant of the alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain AR-009. The molecular masses of the two enzymes were estimated to be 23 kDa (XylA) and 48 kDa (XylB) by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum pHs for activity were 9 for XylA and 9 to 10 for XylB. The temperature optima for the activity of XylA were 60°C at pH 9 and 70°C at pH 8. XylB was optimally active at 75°C at pH 9 and 70°C at pH 8. Both enzymes were stable in a broad pH range and showed good stability when incubated at 60 and 65°C in pH 8 and 9 buffers.     

Non-Transferrin-Bound Iron (NTBI) Uptake by T Lymphocytes: Evidence for the Selective Acquisition of Oligomeric Ferric Citrate Species

Iron is an essential nutrient in several biological processes such as oxygen transport, DNA replication and erythropoiesis. Plasma iron normally circulates bound to transferrin. In iron overload disorders, however, iron concentrations exceed transferrin binding capacity and iron appears complexed with low molecular weight molecules, known as non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI). NTBI is responsible for the toxicity associated with iron-overload pathologies but the mechanisms leading to NTBI uptake are not fully understood. Here we show for the first time that T lymphocytes are able to take up and accumulate NTBI in a manner that resembles that of hepatocytes. Moreover, we show that both hepatocytes and T lymphocytes take up the oligomeric Fe3Cit3 preferentially to other iron-citrate species, suggesting the existence of a selective NTBI carrier. These results provide a tool for the identification of the still elusive ferric-citrate cellular carrier and may also open a new pathway towards the design of more efficient iron chelators for the treatment of iron overload disorders.     

Alkaliphilic sulfidogenesis on cellulose by combined cultures

Soda lakes are characterized by an intense sulfur cycle that begins with sulfidogenesis. Model laboratory experiments that involved combining of pure cultures showed that, during anaerobic decomposition of cellulose by Clostridium alkalicellulosi, the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) of the species Desulfonatronovibrio hydrogenovorans, Desulfonatronum lacustre, and Desulfonatronum cooperativum, different in their nutritional requirements, may directly use the cellulose fermentation products for sulfidogenesis without mediatory microorganisms. In binary cocultures with SRB, the amount of the H₂S formed constituted from one-third to two-thirds of the cellulose [H] equivalents; acetate was among the products formed. When the syntrophic Contubernalis alkalaceticum, capable of acetate oxidation, was incorporated into the trophic chain along with hydrogenotrophic SRB, the amount of the H₂S formed exceeded by 33–42% the amount of the [H] equivalents in the utilized cellulose, water being the source of additional hydrogen. Thus, the trophic pathway from plant residues to sulfide, previously considered to be the longest in the alkaliphilic microbial community, may involve a minimal number of stages and do without intermediate participation of dissipotrophic fermenting organisms.     

Production and Purification of Extracellular D-Xylose Isomerase from an Alkaliphilic, Thermophilic Bacillus sp

An alkaliphilic, thermophilic Bacillus sp. (NCIM 59) produced extracellular xylose isomerase at pH 10 and 50 degrees C by using xylose or wheat bran as the carbon source. The distribution of xylose isomerase as a function of growth in comparison with distributions of extra- and intracellular marker enzymes such as xylanase and beta-galactosidase revealed that xylose isomerase was truly secreted as an extracellular enzyme and was not released because of sporulation or lysis. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by gel filtration, preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and ion-exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of xylose isomerase was estimated to be 160,000 by gel filtration and 50,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating the presence of three subunits. The enzyme is most active at pH 8.0 and with incubation at 85 degrees C for 20 min. Divalent metal ions Mg, Co, and Mn were required for maximum activity of the enzyme. The K(m) values for D-xylose and D-glucose at 80 degrees C and pH 7.5 were 6.66 and 142 mM, respectively, while K(cat) values were 2.3 x 10 s and 0.5 x 10 s, respectively.     

Purification and Properties of a Xylan-Binding Endoxylanase from Alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. Strain K-1

An alkaliphilic bacterium, Bacillus sp. strain K-1, produces extracellular xylanolytic enzymes such as xylanases, β-xylosidase, arabinofuranosidase, and acetyl esterase when grown in xylan medium. One of the extracellular xylanases that is stable in an alkaline state was purified to homogeneity by affinity adsorption-desorption on insoluble xylan. The enzyme bound to insoluble xylan but not to crystalline cellulose. The molecular mass of the purified xylan-binding xylanase was estimated to be approximately 23 kDa. The enzyme was stable at alkaline pHs up to 12. The optimum temperature and optimum pH of the enzyme activity were 60°C and 5.5, respectively. Metal ions such as Fe²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ greatly increased the xylanase activity, whereas Mn²⁺ strongly inhibited it. We also demonstrated that the enzyme could hydrolyze the raw lignocellulosic substances effectively. The enzymatic products of xylan hydrolysis were a series of short-chain xylooligosaccharides, indicating that the enzyme was an endoxylanase.     

Alkaliphilic sulfidogenesis on cellulose by combined cultures

Soda lakes are characterized by an intense sulfur cycle that begins with sulfidogenesis. Model laboratory experiments that involved combining of pure cultures showed that, during anaerobic decomposition of cellulose by Clostridium alkalicellulosi, the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) of the species Desulfonatronovibrio hydrogenovorans, Desulfonatronum lacustre, and Desulfonatronum cooperativum, different in their nutritional requirements, may directly use the cellulose fermentation products for sulfidogenesis without mediatory microorgansims. In binary cocultures with SRB, the amount of the H2S formed constituted from one-third to two-thirds of the cellulose [H] equivalents; acetate was among the products formed. When the syntrophic Contubernalis alkalaceticum, capable of acetate oxidation, was incorporated into the trophic chain along with hydrogenotrophic SRB, the amount of the H2S formed exceeded by 33-42% the amount of the [H] equivalents in the utilized cellulose, water being the source of additional hydrogen. Thus, the trophic pathway from plant residues to sulfide, previously considered to be the longest in the alkaliphilic microbial community, may involve a minimal number of stages and do without intermediate participation of dissipotrophic fermenters.     

A Novel Alkaliphilic Bacillus Esterase Belongs to the 13th Bacterial Lipolytic Enzyme Family

Background

Microbial derived lipolytic hydrolysts are an important class of biocatalysts because of their huge abundance and ability to display bioactivities under extreme conditions. In spite of recent advances, our understanding of these enzymes remains rudimentary. The aim of our research is to advance our understanding by seeking for more unusual lipid hydrolysts and revealing their molecular structure and bioactivities.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Bacillus. pseudofirmus OF4 is an extreme alkaliphile with tolerance of pH up to 11. In this work we successfully undertook a heterologous expression of a gene estof4 from the alkaliphilic B. pseudofirmus sp OF4. The recombinant protein called EstOF4 was purified into a homologous product by Ni-NTA affinity and gel filtration. The purified EstOF4 was active as dimer with the molecular weight of 64 KDa. It hydrolyzed a wide range of substrates including p-nitrophenyl esters (C2–C12) and triglycerides (C2–C6). Its optimal performance occurred at pH 8.5 and 50°C towards p-nitrophenyl caproate and triacetin. Sequence alignment revealed that EstOF4 shared 71% identity to esterase Est30 from Geobacillus stearothermophilus with a typical lipase pentapeptide motif G91LS93LG95. A structural model developed from homology modeling revealed that EstOF4 possessed a typical esterase 6α/7β hydrolase fold and a cap domain. Site-directed mutagenesis and inhibition studies confirmed the putative catalytic triad Ser93, Asp190 and His220.

Conclusion

EstOF4 is a new bacterial esterase with a preference to short chain ester substrates. With a high sequence identity towards esterase Est30 and several others, EstOF4 was classified into the same bacterial lipolytic family, Family XIII. All the members in this family originate from the same bacterial genus, bacillus and display optimal activities from neutral pH to alkaline conditions with short and middle chain length substrates. However, with roughly 70% sequence identity, these enzymes showed hugely different thermal stabilities, indicating their diverse thermal adaptations via just changing a few amino acid residues.     

嗜碱芽孢杆菌Bacillus sp.F26过氧化氢酶的分离纯化及性质研究

从一株低度嗜盐、兼性嗜碱芽孢杆菌Bacillus sp．F26中纯化得到一种碱性过氧化氢酶,并对该酶进行了性质研究。纯化过程经硫酸铵沉淀、阴离子交换层析、凝胶过滤层析及疏水层析四步最终获得电泳纯的目标酶(纯化58．5倍)。该过氧化氢酶的分子量为140kD,由两个大小相同的亚基组成。天然酶分子在408nm处显示特征吸收峰(Soret band)。吡啶血色素光谱显示了酶分子以原卟啉Ⅸ(protoheme Ⅸ)作为辅基。计算获得酶的表观米氏常数为32．5mmol／L。该过氧化氢酶不受连二亚硫酸钠的还原作用影响,但被氰化物、叠氮化物和3．氨基．1,2,4-三唑(单功能过氧化氢酶的专一抑制剂)强烈抑制。以邻联茴香胺、邻苯二胺和二氨基联苯胺作为电子供体测定酶活时,该酶不显示过氧化物酶活性。同时,酶的N-端序列比对结果说明,该过氧化氢酶与单功能过氧化氢酶亚群有一定的相似性,而与双功能过氧化氢酶亚群及猛过氧化氢酶亚群均没有同源性。因此,本文将纯化的碱性过氧化氢酶定性为单功能过氧化氢酶。此外,该酶具有热敏感的特点,且酶活在pH5～9的范围内不受pH影响,此后,活性随着pH的升高而升高,并在pH 11处有明显的酶活高峰。20℃、pH 11条件下的酶活半衰期达49h。在pH 11的高碱条件下表现出最高活力和一定的稳定性,这在已报道的过氧化氢酶中还未见描述。同时,该酶也显示了良好的盐碱稳定性,0．5mol／L NaCl、pH 10．5条件下的酶活半衰期达90h。另一方面,本文所研究的过氧化氢酶是第一个来源于嗜碱微生物的同源二聚体单功能过氧化氢酶,也是第一个来源于天然碱湖的单功能过氧化氢酶,它能部分地反映出细胞抗氧化体系对相应环境的适应情况。     

Enhancement of Green Gram Nodulation and Growth by Bacillus Species

Rhizobacteria belonging to Bacillus sp. were isolated from the rhizosphere of green gram (Vigna radiata). Seed inoculation with the rhizobacteria showed stunting effect on root growth whereas four Bacillus strains caused stimulation of shoot growth at both 4 and 7 d of observations. Coinoculation of some Bacillus strains with effective Bradyrhizobium strain S24 resulted in enhanced nodulation and plant growth of green gram. The shoot dry mass (ratio to uninoculated control) varied from 1.32 to 6.33 at day 30 and from 1.28 to 3.55 at day 40 of plant growth. Nodule promoting effect after 40 d of plant growth was observed with majority of Bacillus strains except for MRS9 and MRS26. Maximum gains in nodulation, nitrogenase activity and plant growth were observed with Bacillus strains MRS12, MRS18, MRS22 and MRS27 after 40 d of plant growth, suggesting the usefulness of introduced rhizobacteria in improving crop productivity.