Biosynthesis of spectinomycin: heterologous production of spectinomycin and spectinamine in an aminoglycoside-deficient host, Streptomyces venezuelae YJ003

Aims:  To obtain spectinomycin and spectinamine by heterologous expression into the biosynthetic deoxysugar (desosamine) gene-deleted host Streptomyces venezuelae YJ003.
Methods and Results:  The 17-kb spectinomycin biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces spectabilis ATCC 27741 was heterologously expressed into Streptomyces venezuelae YJ003. Furthermore, the speA , speB and spcS2 encoded in the spectinomycin biosynthetic gene cluster of cosmid pSPC8 were also heterologously characterized to be responsible for the production of spectinamine.
Conclusions:  The results of this study indicated that pSPC8 contains all the genes necessary for the biosynthesis of spectinomycin. We also concluded that SpeA, SpeB and SpcS2 are sufficient for the biosynthesis of spectinamine. We also verified that SpeB and SpcS2 show dual character in the biosynthetic pathway of spectinomycin in Streptomyces spectabilis .
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This is the report regarding the expression of a biosynthetic gene cluster that gives rise to the production of aminoglycoside antibiotics in Streptomyces venezuelae YJ003. Therefore, this work may serve as a foundation for further research on spectinomycin biosynthesis and other aminoglycosides.     

Determination of chromosome size and number of rrn loci in Lactobacillus plantarum by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

Abstract When genomic DNA fragments from Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230 were probed at moderate stringency with recA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis a 2.0-kb Sma I fragment was identified. The fragment was isolated by cloning a Bam HI digest of S. venezuelae DNA in pHJL400 and screening the plasmids in Escherichia coli by Southern hybridization using a sib-selection technique. Sequencing the hybridizing region located an open reading frame encoding 377 amino acids. Its deduced amino acid sequence resembled that of recA genes from other bacteria. The cloned S. venezuelae gene conferred partial resistance to ethyl methanesulfonate when expressed in E. coli from the lacZ promoter.     

Expression and Characterization of the Streptomyces coelicolor Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase PkaD

We identified and characterized the gene encoding a new eukaryotic-type protein kinase from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) M145. PkaD, consisting of 598 amino acid residues, contained the catalytic domain of eukaryotic protein kinases in the N-terminal region. A hydrophobicity plot indicated the presence of a putative transmembrane spanning sequence downstream of the catalytic domain, suggesting that PkaD is a transmembrane protein kinase. The recombinant PkaD was found to be phosphorylated at the threonine and tyrosine residues. In S. coelicolor A3(2), pkaD was transcribed as a monocistronic mRNA, and it was expressed constitutively throughout the life cycle. Disruption of chromosomal pkaD resulted in a significant loss of actinorhodin production. This result implies the involvement of pkaD in the regulation of secondary metabolism.     

New olivosyl derivatives of methymycin/pikromycin from an engineered strain of Streptomyces venezuelae

A mutant strain of Streptomyces venezuelae was engineered by deletion of the entire gene cluster related to biosynthesis of the endogenous deoxysugar (TDP-D-desosamine) and replacement with genes required for biosynthesis of an intermediate sugar (TDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose) or an exogenous sugar (TDP-D-olivose), from the oleandomycin and urdamycin deoxysugar pathways. The 'sugar-flexible' glycosyltransferase (DesVII) was able to attach the intermediate sugar and the new sugar to both 12- and 14-membered macrolactones thus producing quinovose or olivose glycosylated 10-deoxymethynolide and narbonolide, respectively. In addition, hydroxylated analogs of the new metabolites were detected. These results demonstrate a successful attempt of engineering the deoxysugar pathway for generation of novel hybrid macrolide antibiotics.     

链霉菌基因组及次生代谢研究进展

链霉菌属革兰氏阳性放线菌,具有复杂的生活周期和次生代谢途径,并产生大量具有重要价值的天然代谢物。本文概述了链霉菌基因组染色体的独特结构与次生代谢途径的研究进展,重点论述了利用基因组信息改造和调控链霉菌次生代谢途径的研究成果。后基因组时代的功能基因组研究使人类能深入了解链霉菌家族,对链霉菌进行更加合理高效的遗传操作,为提高具有重要价值的天然代谢物的产量和获得新代谢物创造更有利的条件。     

天蓝色链霉菌代谢物组测定方法优化及其代谢特征

链霉菌能够产生多种抗生素,具有重要的研究与应用价值。代谢物组学能够定性和定量测定胞内外主要低分子量代谢产物。相对于其他组学,代谢物组学在监控胞内代谢状态、指导物种理性改造方面具有独特优势。本文旨在建立一种快速、准确的链霉菌胞内代谢物分析方法。以模式菌株天蓝色链霉菌为研究对象,基于GC-MS分析平台优化了代谢物组学样品制备流程中的细胞淬灭时间、菌体分离方法、代谢物提取及代谢物衍生化条件,并利用该方法对天蓝色链霉菌不同生长时期各代谢途径的相对活性进行了初步分析。采用"低温淬灭(–40℃,4 min)-快速过滤分离-反复冻融(45 s/3 min)-衍生化(40℃,90 min)"的流程能够鉴定出中心代谢途径(糖酵解、戊糖磷酸途径和TCA循环)、氨基酸代谢途径、脂肪酸代谢途径、核酸代谢途径及部分次级代谢途径中的103种主要代谢物。利用该流程测定发现天蓝色链霉菌细胞生长周期中存在显著的代谢时序差异,并且发现氨基酸与脂肪酸代谢在衔接初级代谢与次级代谢生物合成中具有重要作用。本研究建立的测定方法能够有效地用于天蓝色链霉胞内代谢物分析,该方法将有助于深入刻画链霉菌细胞代谢过程,为菌株代谢工程改造增加次级代谢产物产量提供理性指导。     

西藏土壤中分离的链霉菌含有丰富的线型和环型质粒

【目的】研究极端自然环境对链霉菌线型和环型质粒分布的影响。【方法】从西藏高原采集了20份土壤样品,分离和初步鉴定链霉菌,提取和检测质粒DNA。【结果】从中分离到46株链霉菌,其中有23株菌含有1 4个线型质粒,大小在19 650 kb之间,8个菌株含有1 4个环型质粒,大小在4 80 kb之间。【结论】西藏土壤来源的链霉菌含有大量的、多样的线型质粒和环型质粒,暗示极端环境中诸如强紫外辐射等可能会引发DNA损伤和修复,进而造成质粒的多样性。     

LmbJ and LmbIH protein levels correlate with lincomycin production in Streptomyces lincolnensis

AIMS: To demonstrate the expression of two overlapping genes lmbJ and lmbIH in Streptomyces lincolnensis and to document LmbJ and LmbIH protein levels during the lincomycin production phase. To analyse presumable function of the LmbIH protein. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lincomycin production was monitored by thin-layer chromatography, proteins LmbJ and LmbIH were assayed in the cell-free extracts of S. lincolnensis by immunodetection. LmbJ occurred at stable level (2-4 mg x g(-1) of total proteins) for a long time period (36-96 h of cultivation) covering the whole production phase. This fairly corresponds to the catalytic function of the protein in the antibiotic biosynthesis (N-demethyllincomycin methyltransferase). On the contrary, LmbIH reached the detectable level (0.1 and 0.7 mg x g(-1)) just for a short period at 60-72 h. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of LmbIH protein at a detectable level during the major part of the antibiotic production phase casts doubt on its possible catalytic function. Rather a different connection with the final biosynthetic steps, e.g. regulatory, can be envisaged. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Expression of a newly found putative regulatory gene was demonstrated during production of industrial antibiotic, lincomycin.     

Spatial structure increases the benefits of antibiotic production in Streptomyces*

Bacteria in the soil compete for limited resources. One of the ways they might do this is by producing antibiotics, but the metabolic costs of antibiotics and their low concentrations have caused uncertainty about the ecological role of these products for the bacteria that produce them. Here, we examine the benefits of streptomycin production by the filamentous bacterium Streptomyces griseus. We first provide evidence that streptomycin production enables S. griseus to kill and invade the susceptible species, S. coelicolor, but not a streptomycin-resistant mutant of this species. Next, we show that the benefits of streptomycin production are density dependent, because production scales positively with cell number, and frequency dependent, with a threshold of invasion of S. griseus at around 1%. Finally, using serial transfer experiments where spatial structure is either maintained or destroyed, we show that spatial structure reduces the threshold frequency of invasion by more than 100-fold, indicating that antibiotic production can permit invasion from extreme rarity. Our results show that streptomycin is both an offensive and defensive weapon that facilitates invasion into occupied habitats and also protects against invasion by competitors. They also indicate that the benefits of antibiotic production rely on ecological interactions occurring at small local scales.     

sanC--a novel gene involved in nikkomycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces ansochromogenes

AIMS: To investigate the genes involved in the nikkomycin biosynthesis and their molecular mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 0.9 kbp SmaI fragment was cloned and sequenced which contains a complete open reading frame designated sanC (GenBank accession no. AF228522). In search of database, the deduced product of sanC was not homologous with any known proteins. The disruption and complementation of sanC showed that sanC is essential for nikkomycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces ansochromogenes. CONCLUSIONS, SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: sanC is a novel and essential gene involved in nikkomycin biosynthesis in S. ansochromogenes.     

Genetic and mutational tools for investigating the genetics and molecular biology of trichothecene production inGibberella pulicaris (Fusarium sambucinum)

Gibberella pulicaris (Fusarium sambucinum) is a promising organism for studying the genetics and regulation of trichothecene biosynthesis; conditions for obtaining fertile crosses have been defined (Desjardins & Beremand, 1987) and crosses between natural variants have provided some information about the number, location, arrangement, and role of genes which determine trichothecene production (Desjardins & Beremand, 1987; Beremand & Desjardins, 1988). The development of some additional experimental tools and methodologies required for the further genetic analysis of trichothecene production inG. pulicaris are described in the present study. A highly fertile, isogenic line was constructed forG. pulicaris strain R-6380. The ability to readily generate mutants in this strain was also demonstrated. Both biochemical and morphological mutants were obtained following UV-mutagenesis. The inheritance of some of these mutations through meiosis indicated that they will be useful genetic markers for crosses and mapping studies. Since strain R-6380 is also transformable (Salch & Beremand, 1988), it is an excellent choice for transmission and molecular genetic studies involving trichothecene production.The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned.     

Assessment of virus production and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase expression by insect cells in serum-free and serum-supplemented media using a temperature-sensitive baculovirus

Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells were grown in Sf-900 serum-free medium and two kinds of serum-supplemented media (IPL -41 and Grace's). The specific growth rates of uninfected cells were found to be 0.024, 0.35, and 0.034 h(-1) respectively, at 33 degrees C. The IPL -41 medium supported to highest maximum cell density (10.6 x 10(6) cells/mL) compared to 3.5 x 10(6) and 8.7 x 10(6) cells/mL with the Grace's and serum-free media, respectively. In temperature shifdown experiments with a temperature-sensitive baculo-virus (acts10YM1CAT), virus titer and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) expression were highest in the IPL -41 (5.1 x 10(7) PFU/mL and 20000 U/mL). Use of Grace's medium gave higher virus titers than the serum-free medium (4.4 x 10(6) vs 4.1 x 10(5) PFU/mL) as well as higher CAT titers (7050 vs 1980 U/mL). Interestingly, in the three media used, the highest virus and CAT titers were obtained at MOI (multiplicity of infection) of 0.02 At MOI of 2.0 virtually no increase in virus of CAT titer was observed. This result is contrary to those obtained at constant-temperature (27 degrees C) infection and cell culture, in which higher virus titers and recombinant protein expression and obtained at higher MOI.     

Purification and crystallization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa chloramphenicol acetyltransferase

A chloramphenicol acetyltransferase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa genomic DNA has been overexpressed, refolded, purified, and crystallized. Crystals suitable for a three-dimensional x-ray structure determination were obtained from solutions of polyethyleneglycol methyl ether 2000 containing NiCl₂ at pH 8.5. These crystals belong to the cubic space group P4_1/332 (a = 154.8 Å) and diffract x-rays to ≈3.2 Å resolution. Proteins 28:298–300, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Chemical Structures of New Piericidins Produced by Streptomyces pactum

Chemical structures of new piericidins produced by Streptomyces pactum are elucidated on the basis of mass, PMR and CMR spectral analyses. Consequently, these piericidins were shown to be constructed by a combination of variations in each four functionalities and carbon skeletons.     

Characterization and Functional Modification of StaC and RebC,Which Are Involved in the Pyrrole Oxidation of Indolocarbazole Biosynthesis

The diversity of indolocarbazole natural products results from the differences in oxidation states of the pyrroline ring moiety. In the biosynthetic pathways for staurosporine and rebeccamycin, two homologous enzymes having 64% identity, StaC and RebC, are responsible for the selective production of K252c, which has one oxo group at the pyrroline ring, and arcyriaflavin A, which has two. Although StaC has a FAD-binding motif, most StaC molecules do not contain FAD, and the protein cannot be reconstituted with FAD in vitro. In this study, we mutated Ala-118 in StaC by replacing a glutamine that is conserved in FAD monooxygenases, resulting in increased FAD content as well as catalytic activity. In addition, mutations around the substrate-binding sites of StaC and RebC can change the product selectivity. Specifically, StaC-N244R-V246T and RebC-F216V-R239N mutants produced substantial amounts of arcyriaflavin A and K252c, respectively.     

Influence of dimethylsulfoxide on tylosin production in Streptomyces fradiae

The polyketide aglycone, tylactone (protylonolide), does not normally accumulate during tylosin production in Streptomyces fradiae, suggesting that the capacity of the organism to glycosylate tylactone exceeds the capacity for polyketide synthesis. Consistent with this model, tylosin yields were significantly increased (due to bioconversion of the added material) when exogenous tylactone was added to fermentations. However, tylosin yield improvements were also observed (albeit at lower levels) in solvent controls to which dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was added. At least in part, the latter effect resulted from stimulation of polyketide metabolism by DMSO. This was revealed when the solvent was added to fermentations containing the tylA mutant, S. fradiae GS14, which normally accumulates copious quantities of tylactone. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 27, 46–51. Received 18 March 2001/ Accepted in revised form 29 May 2001     

链霉菌小质粒pDYM4.3k的复制与接合转移

【目的】链霉菌(Streptomyces)X335是从西藏高原活拉山口分离到的,其中含有一个大小为4.3 kb的环型质粒pDYM4.3k。克隆、测序和分析pDYM4.3k,以及鉴定复制和接合转移的基因。【方法】通过克隆和引物延伸获得pDYM4.3k的全序列,利用比对分析推测基因的功能,通过Southern杂交检测复制中间体,利用平板杂交实验证明接合转移功能。【结果】克隆和测序获得了全长为4346 bp的pDYM4.3k序列,预测仅有3个基因,其中1个基因与链霉菌主要接合转移基因同源,另外2个为功能未知。鉴定新的基因orf1及其上游的约300 bp构成了质粒的基本复制区域。检测到质粒存在单链的复制中间体,表明它以滚环方式进行复制。实验证明pDYM4.3k在变铅青链霉菌(Streptomyces lividans)中具有接合转移功能。【结论】质粒pDYM4.3k可以滚环方式进行复制和在链霉菌之间进行接合转移。这是目前报道的最小的、具有游离复制和接合转移功能的链霉菌质粒。     

Biochemistry and genetics of interorganelle aminoglycerophospholipid transport

The organelle specific reactions that constitute the biosynthetic pathway for aminoglycerophospholipid synthesis provide an important means for examining the biochemistry and genetics of intracellular lipid transport. Biochemical studies with intact and permeabilized cells, and isolated organelles have defined some of the essential features of lipid transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria and Golgi/vacuole. Genetic screens have now also identified mutations and genes that are involved in aminoglycerophospholipid traffic between different membranes in mammalian cells, yeast and bacteria. Increasingly, studies focused upon intermembrane lipid movement are revealing important new information about this essential aspect of membrane biogenesis.