Cloning,expression, and characterization of a Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> DSM 50106 in <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis>

A gene encoding a Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO) identified in Pseudomonas fluorescens DSM 50106 was cloned and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli JM109. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis showed an estimated 56 kDa-size protein band corresponding to the recombinant enzyme. Expression in BL21 (DE3) resulted mainly in the formation of inclusion bodies. This could be overcome by coexpression of molecular chaperones, especially the DnaK/DnaJ/GrpE complex, leading to increased production of soluble BVMO enzyme in recombinant E. coli. Examination of the substrate spectra using whole-cell biocatalysis revealed a high specificity of the BVMO for aliphatic open-chain ketones. Thus, octyl acetate, heptyl propionate, and hexyl butyrate were quantitatively formed from the corresponding ketone substrates. Several other esters were obtained in conversion >68%. Selected esters were also produced on preparative scale.     

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent invasion of microvascular endothelial cells of human brain by Escherichia coli K1

Escherichia coli K1 invasion of microvascular endothelial cells of human brain (HBMEC) is required for E. coli penetration into the central nervous system, but the microbial-host interactions that are involved in this invasion of HBMEC remain incompletely understood. We have previously shown that FimH, one of the E. coli determinants contributing to the binding to and invasion of HBMEC, induces Ca²⁺ changes in HBMEC. In the present study, we have investigated in detail the role of cellular calcium signaling in the E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC, the main constituents of the blood-brain barrier. Addition of the meningitis-causing E. coli K1 strain RS218 (O18:K1) to HBMEC results in transient increases of intracellular free Ca²⁺. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U-73122 and the chelating of intracellular Ca²⁺ by BAPTA/AM reduces bacterial invasion of HBMEC by approximately 50%. Blocking of transmembrane Ca²⁺ fluxes by extracellular lanthanum ions also inhibits the E. coli invasion of HBMEC by approximately 50%. In addition, E. coli K1 invasion is significantly inhibited when HBMEC are pretreated by the calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine or calmidazolium, or by ML-7, a specific inhibitor of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent myosin light-chain kinase. These findings indicate that host intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling contributes in part to E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC. This work was supported by the American Heart Association (grant SDG 0435177N to Y.K.) and by NIH grants (to K.S.K.).     

Extracellular production of active vibriolysin engineered by random mutagenesis in Escherichia coli

Vibriolysin, an extracellular protease of Vibrio proteolyticus, is synthesized as a preproenzyme. The N-terminal propeptide functions as an intramolecular chaperone and an inhibitor of the mature enzyme. Extracellular production of recombinant vibriolysin has been achieved in Bacillus subtilis, but not in Escherichia coli, which is widely used as a host for the production of recombinant proteins. Vibriolysin is expressed as an inactive form in E. coli possibly due to the inhibitory effect of the N-terminal propeptide. In this study, we isolated the novel vibriolysin engineered by in vivo random mutagenesis, which is expressed as active mature vibriolysin in E. coli. The Western blot analysis showed that the N-terminal propeptide of the engineered enzyme was processed and degraded, confirming that the propeptide inhibits the mature enzyme. Two mutations located within the engineered vibriolysin resulted in the substitution of stop codon for Trp at position 11 in the signal peptide and of Val for Ala at position 183 in the N-terminal propeptide (where position 1 is defined as the first methionine). It was found that the individual mutations are related to the enzyme activity. The novel vibriolysin was extracellularly overproduced in BL21(DE3) and purified from the culture supernatant by ion-exchange chromatography followed by hydrophobic-interaction chromatography, resulting in an overall yield of 2.2 mg/L of purified protein. This suggests that the novel engineered vibriolysin is useful for overproduction in an E. coli expression system.     

The efficient expression of human fibroblast collagenase in Escherichia coli and the discovery of flavonoid inhibitors

Human skin fibroblast collagenase also known as Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is a key enzyme in remodeling and degradation of extracellular matrix, and the inhibitors of human MMP-1 are effective drug candidates for the treatment of cancer. In this study, we report an improved method for high-level expression of soluble human MMP-1 catalytic domain (cd-MMP-1) in E.coli. The enzymatic activity is found maximum at pH 7.5 and temperature 40°C with a K_m value of 13.02 µM. Effects of 17 structure-related flavonoids on MMP-1 activity are evaluated using a fluorescent assay, 6 inhibitors are identified with IC₅₀ < 10 µM. Fisetin is the most active agent with an IC₅₀ value of 1.35 µM and is identified as a mixed type inhibitor. Our improved soluble cd-MMP-1 expression method provides a basis for inhibitors identification and may be beneficial to discover novel anti-cancer agent targeting human MMP-1.     

A simple method for the purification of over-expressed extracellular sucrase of Zymomonas mobilis from a recombinant Escherichia coli

The over-expressed extracellular sucrase (SacC) of Zymomonas mobilisfrom a recombinant Escherichia coli (pZSP62) carrying the sacC gene was purified partially by repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. This method separated the highly expressed recombinant protein from the bulk of endogenous E. coli proteins. The enzyme was further purified 14 fold with a 55% yield from the cellular extract of E. coli by hydroxyapatite chromatography. The purified enzyme had a Mr of 46 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Its km value for sucrose was 86 mM and was optimal at pH 5.0 and at 36°C.     

Increasing recombinant protein production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> through metabolic and genetic engineering

Different hosts have been used for recombinant protein production, ranging from simple bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, to more advanced eukaryotes as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris, to very complex insect and animal cells. All have their advantages and drawbacks and not one seems to be the perfect host for all purposes. In this review we compare the characteristics of all hosts used in commercial applications of recombinant protein production, both in the area of biopharmaceuticals and industrial enzymes. Although the bacterium E. coli remains a very often used organism, several drawbacks limit its possibility to be the first-choice host. Furthermore, we show what E. coli strains are typically used in high cell density cultivations and compare their genetic and physiological differences. In addition, we summarize the research efforts that have been done to improve yields of heterologous protein in E. coli, to reduce acetate formation, to secrete the recombinant protein into the periplasm or extracellular milieu, and to perform post-translational modifications. We conclude that great progress has been made in the incorporation of eukaryotic features into E. coli, which might allow the bacterium to regain its first-choice status, on the condition that these research efforts continue to gain momentum.     

Recombinant production of active Streptococcus pneumoniae CysE in E. coli facilitated by codon optimized BL21(DE3)-RIL and detergent

Abstract

The emergence of drug resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is a global health threat and necessitates discovery of novel therapeutics. The serine acetyltransferase (also known as CysE) is an enzyme of cysteine biosynthesis pathway and is reported to be essential for the survival of several pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, it appears to be a very attractive target for structure–function understanding and inhibitor design. This study describes the molecular cloning of cysE from Spn in the pET21c vector and efforts carried out for expression and purification of active recombinant CysE. Significant expression of recombinant Spn cysE could be achieved in codon optimized BL21(DE3)-RIL strain as opposed to conventional BL21(DE3) strain. Analysis of codon adaptation index (CAI) with levels of eukaryotic genes and prokaryotic cysEs expressed in heterologous E. coli host suggests that codon optimized E. coli BL21(DE3)-RIL may be a better host for expressing genes with low CAI. Here, an efficient protocol has been developed for recovery of recombinant Spn CysE in soluble and biologically active form by the usage of nonionic detergent Triton X-100 at a concentration as low as 1%. Altogether, this study reports a simple strategy for producing functionally active Spn CysE in E. coli.     

New Approaches for Functional Expression of Recombinant Horseradish Peroxidase C In Escherichia Coli

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is an important enzyme in bio- and immunochemical analysis. In a first approach we expressed HRP with a C-terminal histidine tag in the Escherichia coli (E. coli) periplasm. On the one hand this led to functionally active HRP-His at a low yield of 0.5mg/l of culture medium. On the other hand the affinity tag introduced allowed for optimization of the downstream processing of HRP-His refolded from inclusion bodies, thereby increasing the yield of homogeneous enzyme to 8-10mg/l of E. coli culture medium when expressed conventionally in E. coli cytosol as the second approach. The final refolding/reconstitution protocol includes crucial gel filtration steps to remove constituents of the refolding medium and, in particular, imidazole from the active site of HRP-His, resulting in spectral (Soret band maximum of 403 nm) and catalytic properties of the refolded HRP-His (1160U/mg with 2, 2′-Azino-bis[3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate] as substrate) indistinguishable from those of the plant-derived HRP.     

Improvement of extracellular production of a thermophilic subtilase expressed in Escherichia coli by random mutagenesis of its N-terminal propeptide

Limited secretion capacity remains a drawback of using Escherichia coli as the host for the production of recombinant proteins. In this report, random mutagenesis was performed within the N-terminal propeptide of thermostable WF146 protease, a subtilase from thermophilic Bacillus sp. WF146, generating a variant named WBM^MT with improved capacity for extracellular production when expressed in E. coli. Two mutations, L(-57)Q and E(-10)D, were identified within the N-terminal propeptide. The amount of WBM^MT in the culture medium was found to be about three times higher than that of wild type. Besides, the introduction of mutations L(-57)Q/E(-10)D into the N-terminal propeptide also accelerated the maturation of the enzyme. Biochemical analysis indicated that the thermostability and the catalytic activity of mature WBM^MT were similar to those of wild type. Far-UV CD spectra analysis and limited proteolysis experiments suggested that the mutations L(-57)Q/E(-10)D resulted in a structural change in the N-terminal propeptide of the proform, and the N-terminal propeptide became more flexible, which might be beneficial for the proform to keep in a translocation-competent state. Our result indicates that N-terminal propeptide engineering may be a valuable approach for improving extracellular production of recombinant subtilases expressed in E. coli.     

基质金属蛋白酶-2在酵母系统中表达的初步研究

基质金属蛋白酶-2（明胶酶A）在肿瘤侵袭和转移中具有重要作用,为进一步研究其作用机制,在酵母系统中表达了金属蛋白酶-2通过PCR方法获得明胶酶A的表达序列,酶切和测序结果证明序列正确后,构建明胶酶A的表达载体pPIC9/GelA,电击法转化酵母得到阳性克隆.明胶酶谱分析说明表达产物具有明胶底物特异性,SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳表明,表达产物的分子质量为66 ku.     

Extracellular accumulation of recombinant protein by Escherichia coli in a defined medium

Extracellular accumulation of recombinant proteins in the culture medium of Escherichia coli is desirable but difficult to obtain. The inner or cytoplasmic membrane and the outer membrane of E. coli are two barriers for releasing recombinant proteins expressed in the cytoplasm into the culture medium. Even if recombinant proteins have been exported into the periplasm, a space between the outer membrane and the inner membrane, the outer membrane remains the last barrier for their extracellular release. However, when E. coli was cultured in a particular defined medium, recombinant proteins exported into the periplasm could diffuse into the culture medium automatically. If a nonionic detergent, Triton X-100, was added in the medium, recombinant proteins expressed in the cytoplasm could also be released into the culture medium. It was then that extracellular accumulation of recombinant proteins could be obtained by exporting them into the periplasm or releasing them from the cytoplasm with Triton X-100 addition. The tactics described herein provided simple and valuable methods for achieving extracellular production of recombinant proteins in E. coli.     

Acetate scavenging activity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>: interplay of acetyl–CoA synthetase and the PEP–glyoxylate cycle in chemostat cultures

Impairment of acetate production in Escherichia coli is crucial for the performance of many biotechnological processes. Aerobic production of acetate (or acetate overflow) results from changes in the expression of central metabolism genes. Acetyl−CoA synthetase scavenges extracellular acetate in glucose-limited cultures. Once converted to acetyl−CoA, it can be catabolized by the tricarboxylic acid cycle or the glyoxylate pathway. In this work, we assessed the significance of these pathways on acetate overflow during glucose excess and limitation. Gene expression, enzyme activities, and metabolic fluxes were studied in E. coli knock-out mutants related to the glyoxylate pathway operon and its regulators. The relevance of post-translational regulation by AceK-mediated phosphorylation of isocitrate dehydrogenase for pathway functionality was underlined. In chemostat cultures performed at increasing dilution rates, acetate overflow occurs when growing over a threshold glucose uptake rate. This threshold was not affected in a glyoxylate-pathway-deficient strain (lacking isocitrate lyase, the first enzyme of the pathway), indicating that it is not relevant for acetate overflow. In carbon-limited chemostat cultures, gluconeogenesis (maeB, sfcA, and pck), the glyoxylate operon and, especially, acetyl−CoA synthetase are upregulated. A mutant in acs (encoding acetyl−CoA synthetase) produced acetate at all dilution rates. This work demonstrates that, in E. coli, acetate production occurs at all dilution rates and that overflow is the result of unbalanced synthesis and scavenging activities. The over-expression of acetyl−CoA synthetase by cAMP−CRP-dependent induction limits this phenomenon in cultures consuming glucose at low rate, ensuring the recycling of the acetyl−CoA and acetyl−phosphate pools, although establishing an energy-dissipating substrate cycle.     

Expression and Purification of Recombinant lysostaphin in Escherichia coli

Summary A 1.5 kb plasmid-encoded lysostaphin gene fragment of Staphylococcus staphylolyticus was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned in Escherichia coli by using plasmid pET29b(+) as an expression vector. By optimizing culture conditions, the activities of lysostaphin were expressed as 66 %, 30 %, and 4 % in extracellular, intracellular, and periplasmic fractions of recombinant E. coli, respectively. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by using a simple one-step fractionation on bacterial cells of lysostaphin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus mutant. The recombinant enzyme had an Mr of approximate 27 kDa, and its bacteriolytic activity was indistinguishable to the authentic lysostaphin purified from Staphylococcus staphylolyticus.     

The DsbA signal peptide-mediated secretion of a highly efficient raw-starch-digesting,recombinant α-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 9945a

In this study, a new approach for extracellular production of recombinant α-amylase in Escherichia coli was investigated. A gene encoding a highly efficient raw-starch-digesting α-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 9945a was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The gene encoding mature α-amylase was cloned into the pDAss expression vector, and secretion of the gene product was regulated by fusion to the signal peptide of DsbA, a well-characterized E. coli periplasmic protein. E. coli BL21 (DE3) carrying pDAss vector containing amylase gene had approximately 2.5-fold higher volumetric enzyme productivity than the natural system. The recombinant enzyme showed higher efficiency for digesting diverse raw starches when compared with the native enzyme and was similar to commercial α-amylase in its ability to hydrolyze raw starches. The properties of the recombinant enzyme demonstrate the potential of the DsbA signal peptide approach for the secretory production of the fully active, industrially important recombinant enzyme.     

Oxygen-mediated regulation of gelatinase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 expression by invasive cells.

The relative expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) is an important determinant in trophoblast invasion of the uterus and tumor invasion and metastasis. Our previous studies have shown that low oxygen levels increase the in vitro invasiveness of trophoblast and tumor cells. The present study examined whether changes in oxygen levels affect TIMP and MMP expression by cultured trophoblast and breast cancer cells. Reverse zymographic analysis demonstrated reduced TIMP-1 protein secretion by HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells as well as MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells cultured in 1% vs 20% oxygen for 24 h. While gelatin zymography revealed no changes in the levels of MMP-9 secreted by HTR-8/SVneo trophoblasts cultured under various oxygen concentrations for 24 h, human MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells displayed increased MMP-9 secretion and human MCF-7 breast cancer cells exhibited reduced secretion of this enzyme when cultured under similar conditions. In contrast, MMP-2 levels remained unchanged in all cultures incubated under similar conditions. Western blot analysis of MMP-9 protein in cell extracts confirmed the results of zymography. To assess the contribution of enhanced MMP activity to hypoxia-induced invasion, the effect of an MMP inhibitor (llomastat) on the ability of MDA-MB-231 cells to penetrate reconstituted extracellular matrix (Matrigel) was examined. Results showed that MMP inhibition significantly decreased the hypoxic upregulation of invasion by these cells. These findings indicate that the increased cellular invasiveness observed under reduced oxygen conditions may be due in part to a shift in the balance between MMPs and their inhibitors favoring increased MMP activity.     

Osteoactivin regulates head and neck squamous cell carcinoma invasion by modulating matrix metalloproteases

Nearly 60% of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) die of metastases or locoregional recurrence. Metastasis is mediated by cancer cell migration and invasion, which are in part dependent on extracellular matrix degradation by matrix metalloproteinases. Osteoactivin (OA) overexpression plays a role in metastases in several malignancies, and has been shown to upregulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity. To determine how OA modulates MMP expression and activity in HNSCC, and to investigate OA effects on cell invasion, we assessed effects of OA treatment on MMP mRNA and protein expression, as well as gelatinase and caseinolytic activity in HNSCC cell lines. We assessed the effects of OA gene silencing on MMP expression, gelatinase and caseinolytic activity, and cell invasion. OA treatment had differential effects on MMP mRNA expression. OA treatment upregulated MMP‐10 expression in UMSCC14a (p = 0.0431) and SCC15 (p < 0.0001) cells, but decreased MMP‐9 expression in UMSCC14a cells (p = 0.0002). OA gene silencing decreased MMP‐10 expression in UMSCC12 cells (p = 0.0001), and MMP‐3 (p = 0.0005) and ‐9 (p = 0.0036) expression in SCC25 cells. In SCC15 and SCC25 cells, OA treatment increased MMP‐2 (p = 0.0408) and MMP‐9 gelatinase activity (p < 0.0001), respectively. OA depletion decreased MMP‐2 (p = 0.0023) and ‐9 (p < 0.0001) activity in SCC25 cells. OA treatment increased 70 kDa caseinolytic activity in UMSCC12 cells consistent with tissue type plasminogen activator (p = 0.0078). OA depletion decreased invasive capacity of UMSCC12 cells (p < 0.0001). OA's effects on MMP expression in HNSCC are variable, and may promote cancer cell invasion.     

Enzymatic synthesis of on the preparative scale

The problems inherent in the enzymatic and chemical synthesis of (SAM) led us to develop an efficient, simple method for the synthesis of large amounts of labeled SAM. Previously, we reported that the problem of product inhibition of E. coli SAM synthetase encoded by the metK gene was successfully overcome in the presence of sodium p-toluenesulfonate (pTsONa). This research has now been expanded to demonstrate that product inhibition of this enzyme can also be overcome by adding a high concentration of β-mercaptoethanol (βME), acetonitrile, or urea. In addition, a recombinant strain of E. coli has been constructed that expresses the yeast SAM synthetase encoded by the sam2 gene. The yeast enzyme does not have the problem of product inhibition seen with the E. coli enzyme. Complete conversion of 10 mM methionine to SAM was achieved in incubations with either the recombinant yeast enzyme and 1 molar potassium ion or the E. coli enzyme in the presence of additives such as βME, acetonitrile, urea, or pTsONa. The recombinant yeast SAM synthetase was used to generate SAM in situ for use in the multi-enzymatic synthesis of precorrin 2.     

3个植物源苯甲醇酰基转移酶合成乙酸肉桂酯的研究

[背景]乙酸肉桂酯是一种重要的香料化合物,在化妆品和食品工业上具有广泛的应用,传统的生产方法主要依靠植物提取和化学合成。[目的]通过筛选不同植物源的酰基转移酶,利用大肠杆菌从头合成乙酸肉桂酯。[方法]首先,通过在苯丙氨酸高产菌BPHE中表达异源基因苯丙氨酸解氨酶(Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase from Arabidopsis thaliana,AtPAL)、对羟基肉桂酰辅酶A连接酶(Hydroxycinnamate:CoA Ligase from Petroselinum crispum,Pc4CL)和肉桂酰辅酶 A 还原酶(Cinnamyl-CoA Reductase from Arabidopsis thaliana,AtCCR),并结合大肠杆菌自身的内源性醇脱氢酶(Alcohol Dehydrogenases,ADHs)或醛酮还原酶(Aldo-Keto Reductases,AKRs)的催化作用构建了从苯丙氨酸到肉桂醇的生物合成途径。然后,苯甲醇苯甲酰转移酶(Benzyl Alcohol O-Benzoyltransferase from Nicotiana tabacum,ANN09798;Benzyl Alcohol O-Benzoyltransferase from Clarkia breweri,ANN09796)或苯甲醇乙酰转移酶(Benzyl Alcohol Acetyltransferase from Clarkia breweri,BEAT)被引入到上述重组大肠杆菌中发酵培养生产乙酸肉桂酯。最后,在大肠杆菌中过表达乙酰辅酶A合成酶(Acetyl Coenzyme A Synthetase,ACS)来提高底物乙酰辅酶A的量。[结果]探讨了 3个植物源苯甲醇酰基转移酶生物合成乙酸肉桂酯的能力,并应用于合成乙酸肉桂酯的细胞工厂,最终使乙酸肉桂酯最高产量达到166.9±6.6mg/L。[结论]植物源苯甲醇酰基转移酶具有一定的底物宽泛性,能以肉桂醇为底物催化合成乙酸肉桂酯。首次利用植物源的苯甲醇酰基转移酶合成乙酸肉桂酯,为微生物细胞工厂以葡萄糖作为碳源生产乙酸肉桂酯提供参考。     

Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of a subtilisin-like serine protease from a deep-sea bacterium, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alkalimonas collagenimarina</Emphasis> AC40<Superscript>T</Superscript>

The acpI gene encoding an alkaline protease (AcpI) from a deep-sea bacterium, Alkalimonas collagenimarina AC40^T, was shotgun-cloned and sequenced. It had a 1,617-bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 538 amino acids. Based on analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence, AcpI is a subtilisin-like serine protease belonging to subtilase family A. It consists of a prepropeptide, a catalytic domain, and a prepeptidase C-terminal domain like other serine proteases from the genera Pseudomonas, Shewanella, Alteromonas, and Xanthomonas. Heterologous expression of the acpI gene in Escherichia coli cells yielded a 28-kDa recombinant AcpI (rAcpI), suggesting that both the prepropeptide and prepeptidase C-terminal domains were cleaved off to give the mature form. Analysis of N-terminal and C-terminal amino acid sequences of purified rAcpI showed that the mature enzyme would be composed of 273 amino acids. The optimal pH and temperature for the caseinolytic activity of the purified rAcpI were 9.0–9.5 and 45°C in 100 mM glycine–NaOH buffer. Calcium ions slightly enhanced the enzyme activity and stability. The enzyme favorably hydrolyzed gelatin, collagen, and casein. AcpI from A. collagenimarina AC40^T was also purified from culture broth, and its molecular mass was around 28 kDa, indicating that the cleavage manner of the enzyme is similar to that in E. coli cells.