Construction and characterization of Enterococcus faecalis CG110/gfp/pRE25*, a tool for monitoring horizontal gene transfer in complex microbial ecosystems

Enterococci are among the most notorious bacteria involved in the spread of antibiotic resistance (ABR) determinants via horizontal gene transfer, a process that leads to increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In complex microbial communities with a high background of ABR genes, detection of gene transfer is possible only when the ABR determinant is marked. Therefore, the conjugative multiresistance plasmid pRE25, originating from a sausage-associated Enterococcus faecalis, was tagged with a 34-bp random sequence marker spliced by tet(M). The plasmid constructed, designated pRE25(*) , was introduced into E. faecalis CG110/gfp, a strain containing a gfp gene as chromosomal marker. The plasmid pRE25(*) is fully functional compared with its parental pRE25, occurs at one to two copies per chromosome, and can be transferred to Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua at frequencies of 6 × 10(-6) to 8 × 10(-8) transconjugants per donor. The markers on the chromosome and the plasmid enable independent quantification of donor and plasmid, even if ABR genes occur at high numbers in the background ecosystem. Both markers were stable for at least 200 generations, permitting application of the strain in long-running experiments. Enterococcus faecalis CG110/gfp/pRE25(*) is a potent tool for the investigation of horizontal ABR gene transfer in complex environments such as food matrices, biofilms or colonic models.     

利用乳酸乳球菌AcmA表面展示β-1,3-1,4-葡聚糖酶

采用PCR扩增乳酸乳球(Lactococcus lactis)MBl91菌株的全长肽聚糖水解酶基因acmA,通过C-末端融合构建了与绿色荧光基因gfp的融合基因acmA-gfp,再连接于表达载体pMG36k上后得到可组成型表达AcmA-GFP融合蛋白的重组质粒pMB137,然后将该质粒电转化导入到乳酸乳球菌AS1.2829中获得重组菌MB137.经SDS-PAGE检测.重组菌MB137可表达预期的分子量约74 kD的蛋白质.Western blotting、细胞分级分离组分的荧光活性测定和特异GFP 二抗标记的流式细胞仪检测证实GFP被成功锚定在重组茵细胞表面,被锚定蛋白约占总表达融合蛋白的35%.进一步通过从枯草芽胞杆菌BF7658基因组中扩增去信号肽序列的β-1,3-1,4葡聚糖酶基因gls,来取代pMB137中的gfp,得到携带融合基因acmA-gls的重组质粒pMB138,经导入到乳酸乳球茵AS1.2829后得到重组菌MB138,其全细胞β-1,3-1,4-葡聚糖水解酶的活性约为12 U/mL茵液,明显高于对照茵株.     

利用乳酸乳球菌AcmA表面展示b-1, 3-1, 4-葡聚糖酶

采用PCR扩增乳酸乳球菌(Lactococcus lactis)MB191菌株的全长肽聚糖水解酶基因acmA, 通过C-末端融合构建了与绿色荧光基因gfp的融合基因acmA-gfp, 再连接于表达载体pMG36k上后得到可组成型表达AcmA-GFP融合蛋白的重组质粒pMB137, 然后将该质粒电转化导入到乳酸乳球菌AS1.2829中获得重组菌MB137。经SDS-PAGE检测, 重组菌MB137可表达预期的分子量约74 kD的蛋白质。Western blotting、细胞分级分离组分的荧光活性测定和特异GFP二抗标记的流式细胞仪检测证实GFP被成功锚定在重组菌细胞表面, 被锚定蛋白约占总表达融合蛋白的35%。进一步通过从枯草芽胞杆菌BF7658基因组中扩增去信号肽序列的b-1, 3-1, 4葡聚糖酶基因gls, 来取代pMB137中的gfp, 得到携带融合基因acmA-gls的重组质粒pMB138, 经导入到乳酸乳球菌AS1.2829后得到重组菌MB138, 其全细胞b-1, 3-1, 4-葡聚糖水解酶的活性约为12 U/mL菌液, 明显高于对照菌株。     

Chromosomal integration of plasmid DNA by homologous recombination in Enterococcus faecalis and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis hosts harboring Tn919.

Integration of pCI192, a pBR322-derived vector plasmid containing homology to the chromosomally located conjugative transposon Tn919 was observed in two strains that harbor Tn919, namely, Enterococcus faecalis GF590 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CH919. Hybridization analysis indicated that single-copy integration of the plasmid had occurred at low frequency. The Tn919::plasmid structure was conjugated from an E. faecalis donor to a L. lactis recipient, although at lower frequencies than was Tn919. Segregation of the tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistance markers during conjugation was observed. The integration strategy described allows for DNA manipulations to be performed in an easily manipulated model host strain with the subsequent transfer of integrated structures by conjugation to any strain capable of receiving Tn919. The results indicate that homologous recombination events may be used to introduce plasmid-encoded genes to the lactococcal chromosome.     

Chromosomal integration of plasmid DNA by homologous recombination in Enterococcus faecalis and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis hosts harboring Tn919.

Integration of pCI192, a pBR322-derived vector plasmid containing homology to the chromosomally located conjugative transposon Tn919 was observed in two strains that harbor Tn919, namely, Enterococcus faecalis GF590 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CH919. Hybridization analysis indicated that single-copy integration of the plasmid had occurred at low frequency. The Tn919::plasmid structure was conjugated from an E. faecalis donor to a L. lactis recipient, although at lower frequencies than was Tn919. Segregation of the tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistance markers during conjugation was observed. The integration strategy described allows for DNA manipulations to be performed in an easily manipulated model host strain with the subsequent transfer of integrated structures by conjugation to any strain capable of receiving Tn919. The results indicate that homologous recombination events may be used to introduce plasmid-encoded genes to the lactococcal chromosome.     

用gfp基因标记法研究大豆根瘤菌在大豆根部定殖结瘤情况

采用三亲本杂交的方法,将绿色荧光蛋白基因(gfp)转入高效、抗逆、广适应性的快生大豆根瘤菌Sinorhizobium frediiCCBAU 01287中,获得含gfp基因的转基因菌株CBAU 01287(G);平板传代和共生检测表明:外源质粒在CCBAU 01287中能够自我复制,稳定遗传。进一步研究表明,gfp标记菌CCBAU 01287(G)可用于实时监测根瘤菌在大豆根部的早期定殖情况和定殖密度的测定;标记菌株对大豆的生长及生物量的积累与出发菌株的效果无显著差异。     

Development of an antibiotic-free plasmid selection system based on thymine auxotrophy in Lactococcus lactis

Lactococcus lactis has become the best studied species of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) clade and an ideal cell factory for heterogenous proteins. We have constructed an antibiotic-free expression vector, pMG-thyA, using thymidine synthase gene thyA as the selection marker. The thyA gene was cloned from the food industry strain Streptococcus thermophilus St-JY and was used to replace the erythromycin resistance genes on L. lactis expression vector pMG36e in order to construct pMG-thyA. The construction of the new vector and thyA-null host L. lactis MG1363-TT yielded an antibiotic-free expression system. The α-amylase gene (amy) was cloned onto the multiple cloning site of the vector pMG-thyA as a reporter gene, yielding the recombinant plasmid pMGthyA-amy. This plasmid was electroporated into L. lactis MG1363-TT, and the recombinant strain grown on SA plates containing 0.5 % (w/v) soluble starch formed distinct bacterial colonies and clear zones (halo) around the colonies following the addition of iodine solution. These research findings lay the foundation for food-grade expression in L. lactis.     

利用荧光蛋白研究产甘油假丝酵母胞浆3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶基因CgGPD启动子

[目的]克隆产甘油假丝酵母(Candida glycerinogenes)胞浆3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶基因CgGPD的启动子(PCggpd),并通过报告基因gfp的差异表达来研究葡萄糖浓度对PCggpd在酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)中的诱导特性.[方法]采用PCR扩增的方法分别从产甘油假丝酵母基因组和pCAMBIA1302载体中克隆出CgGPD的启动序列PCggpd和绿色荧光蛋白基因gfp.将两个基因同时构建到酿酒酵母表达载体pYX212-zeocin中,构建时将绿色荧光蛋白基因gfp置于CgGPD的启动序列下游,获得重组质粒pYX212-zeocin-PCggpd-gfp.通过电击转化酿酒酵母W303-lA.将重组酿酒酵母S.cerevisiae W303-1A-GFP置于不同葡萄糖浓度培养基中进行培养,利用荧光显微技术对其进行荧光检测.[结果]重组酿酒酵母能产生稳定的荧光,当葡萄糖浓度为2%时,重组酿酒酵母在YEPD培养基中产生较弱的荧光,随着葡萄糖浓度的升高,荧光强度有明显的增强.[结论]PCggpd属于环境胁迫诱导型启动子,高浓度的葡萄糖能诱导PCggpd启动绿色荧光蛋白的高水平表达,这对完善产甘油假丝酵母的遗传背景研究,阐明其高产甘油的机理具有重要意义.     

Heterologous inducible expression of Enterococcus faecalis pCF10 aggregation substance asc10 in Lactococcus lactis and Streptococcus gordonii contributes to cell hydrophobicity and adhesion to fibrin

Aggregation substance proteins encoded by the sex pheromone plasmid family of Enterococcus faecalis have been shown previously to contribute to the formation of a stable mating complex between donor and recipient cells and have been implicated in the virulence of this increasingly important nosocomial pathogen. In an effort to characterize the protein further, prgB, the gene encoding the aggregation substance Asc10 on pCF10, was cloned in a vector containing the nisin-inducible nisA promoter and its two-component regulatory system. Expression of aggregation substance after nisin addition to cultures of E. faecalis and the heterologous bacteria Lactococcus lactis and Streptococcus gordonii was demonstrated. Electron microscopy revealed that Asc10 was presented on the cell surfaces of E. faecalis and L. lactis but not on that of S. gordonii. The protein was also found in the cell culture supernatants of all three species. Characterization of Asc10 on the cell surfaces of E. faecalis and L. lactis revealed a significant increase in cell surface hydrophobicity upon expression of the protein. Heterologous expression of Asc10 on L. lactis also allowed the recognition of its binding ligand (EBS) on the enterococcal cell surface, as indicated by increased transfer of a conjugative transposon. We also found that adhesion of Asc10-expressing bacterial cells to fibrin was elevated, consistent with a role for the protein in the pathogenesis of enterococcal endocarditis. The data demonstrate that Asc10 expressed under the control of the nisA promoter in heterologous species will be an useful tool in the detailed characterization of this important enterococcal conjugation protein and virulence factor.     

Construction of a food-grade host/vector system for Lactococcus lactis based on the lactose operon

Abstract A plasmid-based food-grade vector system was developed for Lactococcus lactis by exploiting the genes for lactose metabolism. L. lactis MGS267 is a plasmid-free strain containing the entire lactose operon as a chromosomal insertion. The lacF gene was deleted from this strain by a double cross-over homologous recombination event. The lacF -deficient strain produced a Lac⁻ phenotype on indicator agar. A cloned copy of the lacF gene expressed on a plasmid was capable of complementing the lacF -deficient strain resulting in a Lac⁺ phenotype. This stably maintained system fits the requirements of a self-selecting vector system and has the potential to be exploited in the food industry.     

灰树花gpd-Gf启动子的功能分析

利用从灰树花菌丝体中克隆的gpd-Gf（615bp）启动子片段串联于报告基因gfp上游,构建启动子功能活性检测表达质粒pGg-gfp。采用PEG介导法把表达质粒pGg-gfp与辅助质粒pCc1001（含有trp1基因）共转化进色氨酸营养缺陷型的灰盖鬼伞粉孢子的原生质体中。经过选择培养基筛选、假定转化子的分子鉴定以及GFP荧光检测, 结果表明：灰树花gpd-Gf启动子在灰盖鬼伞菌丝中具有较强驱动gfp基因表达的活性,在荧光显微镜和共聚焦显微镜下可以观察到转化子菌丝发出的强烈荧光。     

Survival, physiology, and lysis of Lactococcus lactis in the digestive tract.

The survival and the physiology of lactococcal cells in the different compartments of the digestive tracts of rats were studied in order to know better the fate of ingested lactic acid bacteria after oral administration. For this purpose, we used strains marked with reporter genes, the luxA-luxB gene of Vibrio harveyi and the gfp gene of Aequora victoria, that allowed us to differentiate the inoculated bacteria from food and the other intestinal bacteria. Luciferase was chosen to measure the metabolic activity of Lactococcus lactis in the digestive tract because it requires NADH, which is available only in metabolically active cells. The green fluorescent protein was used to assess the bacterial lysis independently of death. We report not only that specific factors affect the cell viability and integrity in some digestive tract compartments but also that the way bacteria are administrated has a dramatic impact. Lactococci which transit with the diet are quite resistant to gastric acidity (90 to 98% survival). In contrast, only 10 to 30% of bacteria survive in the duodenum. Viable cells are metabolically active in each compartment of the digestive tract, whereas most dead cells appear to be subject to rapid lysis. This property suggests that lactococci could be used as a vector to deliver specifically into the duodenum the proteins produced in the cytoplasm. This type of delivery vector would be particularly appropriate for targeting digestive enzymes such as lipase to treat pancreatic deficiencies.     

乳酸乳球菌Nisin抗性基因nisI的克隆及作为筛选标记的研究

摘要：【目的】为了优化LJ1菌株的培养条件使之产生高活性的胞外褐藻胶裂解酶。【方法】通过富集培养技术从海带筛选到一株褐藻胶裂解酶产生菌LJ1, 依据表型特征、脂肪酸组成分析及16S rRNA基因序列分析对该菌株进行鉴定。通过单因子和正交试验对LJ1 菌株产胞外褐藻胶裂解酶的培养条件进行了优化。【结果】LJ1菌株属于假交替单胞菌属（Pseudoalteromonas）。该菌株产酶的最佳培养基组成为：褐藻胶3 g/L、(NH4)2SO4 3 g/L、NaCl 20 g/L、KH2PO4 0.1 g/L、CaCl2 0.1 g/L;最佳培养条件为：250 mL三角烧瓶中装液量25 mL、接种量3%、摇瓶转速150 r/min、pH7.5、培养温度为28℃、培养时间为24 h。LJ1菌株所产褐藻胶裂解酶的最适温度为40℃,最适pH7.6,最适NaCl浓度为0.3 mol/L。1 mol/L金属离子Mg2+对酶活力有明显的促进作用,而Co2+ 和Zn2+对酶活力有较强的抑制作用。【结论】LJ1菌株是Pseudoalteromonas 新的胞外褐藻胶裂解酶产生菌,在最佳培养条件下,该菌株的酶活力提高了66%。     

Cloning and heterologous production of Hiracin JM79, a Sec-dependent bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus hirae DCH5, in lactic acid bacteria and Pichia pastoris

Hiracin JM79 (HirJM79), a Sec-dependent bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus hirae DCH5, was cloned and produced in Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus sakei, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pichia pastoris. For heterologous production of HirJM79 in lactic acid bacteria (LAB), the HirJM79 structural gene (hirJM79), with or without the HirJM79 immunity gene (hiriJM79), was cloned into the plasmid pMG36c under the control of the constitutive promoter P(32) and into the plasmid pNZ8048 under the control of the inducible P(NisA) promoter. For the production of HirJM79 in P. pastoris, the gene encoding the mature HirJM79 protein was cloned into the pPICZalphaA expression vector. The recombinant plasmids permitted the production of biologically active HirJM79 in the supernatants of L. lactis IL1403, L. lactis NZ9000, L. sakei Lb790, E. faecalis JH2-2, and P. pastoris X-33, the coproduction of HirJM79 and nisin A in L. lactis DPC5598, and the coproduction of HirJM79 and enterocin P in E. faecium L50/14-2. All recombinant LAB produced larger quantities of HirJM79 than E. hirae DCH5, although the antimicrobial activities of most transformants were lower than that predicted from their production of HirJM79. The synthesis, processing, and secretion of HirJM79 proceed efficiently in recombinant LAB strains and P. pastoris.     

杆状病毒转移载体的构建及绿色荧光蛋白在斜纹夜蛾幼虫中的表达

为构建斜纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒 （SpltMNPV）的重组病毒,以该病毒日本C3株基因组DNA为PCR扩增模板,根据GenBank SpltMNPV中国G2株基因序列,设计了两对引物分别扩增多角体蛋白基因的5′端侧翼序列（含启动子）和3′端侧翼序列（含终止子）,将这两个片段依次克隆于pUC18质粒载体后,再将绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)基因亚克隆到上述载体的多角体蛋白基因启动子和终止子之间,获得转移载体pSplt-gfp。将pSplt-gfp与野生型SpltMNPV 基因组DNA共转染Spli细胞,通过同源重组和有限稀释法筛选,获得了以gfp基因替代多角体蛋白基因的重组病毒SpltMNPV-gfp。SpltMNPV-gfp感染Spli细胞和斜纹夜蛾幼虫,分别在感染24h和48h后可发现绿色荧光蛋白的表达。该重组病毒的获得,为建立斜纹夜蛾核型多角体病毒表达体系奠定了基础。     

Greenhouse and Field Evaluations of an Autoselective System Based on an Essential Thymidylate Synthase Gene for Improved Maintenance of Plasmid Vectors in Modified Rhizobium meliloti

The stability of the thy autoselective system, based on an essential thymidylate synthase gene, for enhanced maintenance of plasmid vectors in Rhizobium meliloti was evaluated in the greenhouse and with field-grown alfalfa. The thy autoselective system consists of a free-replicating, broad-host-range plasmid vector containing a copy of the thyA gene from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and a spontaneous mutant of R. meliloti deficient in thymidylate synthase (Thy(sup-)). Under greenhouse conditions, Thy(sup-) rhizobia did not persist in rooting solution alone unless supplemented with thymidine but survived in the presence of the host plant. Nodules formed on alfalfa plants grown in thymidine-free rooting solution and inoculated with Thy(sup-) rhizobia contained only Thy(sup+) revertants. In soil, Thy(sup-) rhizobia were compromised and failed to nodulate alfalfa. Thy(sup-) mutants containing a thy plasmid survived in the rhizosphere and nodulated alfalfa like the wild-type strain. The thy autoselective system was tested in the field with Thy(sup-) strain Rm24T and pPR602, a thy plasmid vector devoid of antibiotic resistance genes and marked with constitutively expressed lacZY. At 80 days after sowing, most rhizobia isolated from the nodules of field-grown alfalfa inoculated with Rm42T(pPR602) contained pPR602. The thy autoselective system proved useful to ensure maintenance of the plasmid vector under greenhouse and field conditions in R. meliloti.     

Expression of green fluorescent protein in Lactococcus lactis

The gfp gene from Aequorea victoria, encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) has been expressed in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar cremoris MG1363, upon construction and introduction of plasmid pLS1GFP into this host. GFP was monitored in living cells during growth to evaluate its use in molecular and physiological studies. Quantification of the levels of GFP expressed by cultures was feasible by fluorescence spectroscopy. Phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy allowed us to distinguish, in mixed cultures, lactococcal cells expressing GFP. Our results indicate that GFP can be used as a reporter in L. lactis.