Directed Evolution of an Enantioselective Bacillus subtilis Lipase

Chiral compounds are of steadily increasing importance to the chemical industry, in particular for the production of pharmaceuticals. Where do these compounds come from? Apart from natural resources, two synthetic strategies are available: asymmetric chemical catalysis using transition metal catalysts and biocatalysis using enzymes. In the latter case, screening programs have identified a number of enzymes. However, their enantioselectivity is often not high enough for a desired reaction. This problem can be solved by applying directed evolution to create enantioselective enzymes as shown here for a lipase from Bacillus subtilis. The reaction studied was the asymmetric hydrolysis of meso-1,4-diacetoxy-Zcyclopentene with the formation of chiral alcohols which were detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Iterative cycles of random mutagenesis and screening allowed the identification of several variants with improved enantioselectivities. In parallel, we have started to use X-ray structural data to simulate the Bacillus subtilis lipase A-catalyzed substrate hydrolysis by using quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical calculations. This combined approach should finally enable us to devise more efficient strategies for the directed evolution of enantioselective enzymes.     

A highly stable laccase from Bacillus subtilis strain R5: gene cloning and characterization

The gene encoding copper-dependent laccase from Bacillus subtilis strain R5 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Initially the recombinant protein was produced in insoluble form as inclusion bodies. Successful attempts were made to produce the recombinant protein in soluble and active form. The laccase activity of the recombinant protein was highly dependent on the presence of copper ions in the growth medium and microaerobic conditions during protein production. The purified enzyme exhibited highest activity at 55 °C and pH 7.0. The recombinant protein was highly thermostable, albeit from a mesophilic source, with a half-life of 150 min at 80 °C. Similar to temperature, the recombinant protein was stable in the presence of organic solvents and protein denaturants such as urea. Furthermore, the recombinant protein was successfully utilized for the degradation of various synthetic dyes reflecting its potential use in treatment of wastewater in textile industry.

Abbreviations: ABTS,2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid; CBB, Coomassie brilliant blue; SGZ, syringaldazine; DMP, 2,2-dimethoxy phenol.     

Gene cloning and characterization of a second alanine racemase from Bacillus subtilis encoded by yncD

Alanine racemase activity was investigated in Bacillus subtilis. A putative second alanine racemase gene (yncD) was cloned in parallel with the previously identified alanine racemase gene, dal. Each of the B. subtilis genes, dal and yncD complemented the Escherichia coli Alr- DadX- double mutant alanine auxotrophic strain MB2159 in vivo, restoring the prototrophic phenotype. Alanine racemase activity was also detected in vitro in cell-free extracts prepared from cultures of E. coli MB2159 harboring plasmids expressing either of the cloned B. subtilis genes and preliminary characterization of enzyme activity is presented.     

枯草芽胞杆菌乙酰木聚糖酯酶的鉴定及诱导剂对酯酶活力的影响

以枯草芽胞杆菌CICC 20034为研究对象,对其分泌的高相对分子质量酯酶进行鉴定,并考察诱导剂对其活力的影响。结果表明:枯草芽胞杆菌CICC 20034可分泌一种相对分子质量为1.07×105的酯酶,经蛋白质质谱鉴定为乙酰木聚糖酯酶,单体分相对子质量为3.56×104。在发酵培养基中添加乙酸乙酯和木糖可以显著的促进乙酰木聚糖酯酶的活力,而三丁酸甘油酯和大分子诱导剂——木聚糖、玉米芯粉和壳聚糖对酯酶的活力几乎无促进作用。枯草芽胞杆菌CICC 20034以乙酸乙酯为诱导剂时最高比酶活为0.62 U/mL,为已知报道的野生细菌乙酰木聚糖酯酶的最高酯酶活力。     

A novel esterase from Bacillus subtilis (RRL 1789): purification and characterization of the enzyme

An esterase (EC 3.1.1.1) produced by an isolated strain of Bacillus subtilis RRL 1789 exhibited moderate to high enantioselectivity in the kinetic resolution of several substrates like aryl carbinols, hydroxy esters, and halo esters. The enzyme named as B. subtilis esterase (BSE), was purified to >95% purity with a specific activity of 944 U/mg protein and 12% overall yield. The purified enzyme is approximately 52 kDa monomer, maximally activity at 37 degrees C and pH 8.0 and fairly stable up to 55 degrees C. The enzyme does not exhibit the phenomenon of interfacial activation with tributyrin and p-nitrophenyl butyrate beyond the saturation concentration. The enzyme showed preference for triacyglycerols and esters of p-nitrophenol with short chain fatty acid. Presence of Ca2+ ions increases the activity of enzyme by approximately 20% but its presence does not have any influence on the thermostability of the enzyme. The enzyme is not a metalloprotein and belongs to the family of serine proteases. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of BSE determined, as Met-Thr-Pro-Glu-Iso-Val-Thr-Thr-Glu-Tyr-Gly- revealed similarity with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of p-nitrobenzylesterase of B. subtilis.     

Expression, purification, and characterization of a thermophilic neutral protease from Bacillus stearothermophilus in Bacillus subtilis

The gene coding for a thermophilic neutral protease from Bacillus stearothermophilus was expressed in Bacillus subtilis DB104, under the control of the sacB gene promoter. This was followed by either the native signal peptide sequence of this protease or the signal peptide sequence of the sacB gene. The protease was purified 3.8-fold, with a specific activity of 16530 U mg-1. As analyzed by SDS-PAGE, the molecular mass of the expressed protease was about 35 kDa, and the optimal temperature and pH of the protease were 65℃ and 7.5, respectively. Moreover, it still had about 80% activity after 1 h reaction at 65 ℃ .     

Cloning in Bacillus subtilis of temperature-dependent promoter fragments from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis

Abstract Using promoter-probe plasmids, more than 200 promoter-containing fragments from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis were cloned in B. subtilis . Among these, 15 promoter fragments were highly temperature-dependent in activity compared to the promoter sequence (TTGAAA for the −35 region, TATAAT for the −10 region) of the amylase gene, amyT , from B. stearothermophilus . Some fragments exhibited higher promoter activities at elevated temperature (48°C), others showed higher activities at lower temperature (30°C). Active promoter fragments at higher and lower temperatures were obtained mainly from the thermophile ( B. stearothermophilus ) and the mesophile ( B. subtilis ), respectively. A promoter fragment active at high temperature was sequenced, and the feature of the putative promoter region was discussed.     

Expression, purification, and characterization of a thermophilic neutral protease from Bacillus stearothermophilus in Bacillus subtilis

The gene coding for a thermophilic neutral protease from Bacillus stearothermophilus was expressed in Bacillus subtilis DB104, under the control of the sacB gene promoter. This was followed by either the native signal peptide sequence of this protease or the signal peptide sequence of the sacB gene. The protease was purified 3.8-fold, with a specific activity of 16530 U mg-1. As analyzed by SDS-PAGE, the molecular mass of the expressed protease was about 35 kDa, and the optimal temperature and pH of the protease were 65℃ and 7.5, respectively. Moreover, it still had about 80% activity after 1 h reaction at 65℃.     

Prochymosin expression in Bacillus subtilis

Prochymosin (PC) sequence was cloned in Bacillus subtilis using two kinds of plasmid constructions. In plasmid pSM316 the cDNA was inserted to obtain the intracellular expression of the enzyme. The enzyme turned out to be expressed in an insoluble form which could be converted to native enzyme under proper denaturing and refolding conditions. The levels of intracellular expression of PC were further enhanced by modifying the 5' region of the gene in a way that a two-cistron expression system was created. For the PC secretion, the cDNA was fused to the subtilisin leader sequence and expressed under the control of the B. subtilis neutral protease promoter. A properly folded PC was secreted by the cells, although to low levels.     

Maltose uptake and its regulation in Bacillus subtilis

Extracts prepared from cultures of Bacillus subtilis, grown on maltose as the sole carbon source, lacked maltose phosphotransferase system activity. There was, however, evidence for a maltose phosphorylase activity, and such extracts also possessed both glucokinase and glucose phosphotransferase system activities. Maltose was accumulated by whole cells of B. subtilis by an energy-dependent mechanism. This uptake was sensitive to the effects of uncouplers, suggesting a role for the proton-motive force in maltose transport. Accumulation of maltose was inhibited in the presence of glucose, and there was no accumulation of maltose by a strain carrying the ptsI6 null-mutation. A strain carrying the temperature-sensitive ptsI1 mutation accumulated maltose normally at 37 degrees C but, in contrast to the wild-type, was devoid of maltose transport activity at 47 degrees C. The results indicate a role for the phosphotransferase system in the regulation of maltose transport activity in this organism.     

枯草芽孢杆菌C-36内切葡聚糖酶基因的克隆及其在大肠杆菌中融合表达

以自行分离筛选出的天然枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillus subtilis）C-36的染色体DNA为模板,PCR扩增得到含有内切葡聚糖酶基因的DNA片段,将其克隆到pMD-18T载体中,序列分析表明,克隆得到的DNA片段全长1602bp,编码一个含有499个氨基酸的多肽。与其他芽孢杆菌内切葡聚糖酶基因序列比对,其核苷酸同源率为90％～93％,其编码的氨基酸序列的同源性在90％～98％,已将此基因注册GenBank（DQ782954）。将含内切葡聚糖酶基因的重组克隆质粒进行亚克隆,用Kpn I和EcoR I双酶切后,与相同酶切的表达载体pET-32a相连接,并导入大肠杆菌BL21中表达。蛋白质电泳实验结果表明在6．47×10^4处有表达蛋白带。经测定表达蛋白比酶活力达99．02U／mL,为出发菌C-36（63．78U／mL）的1．55倍。     

Structures of Bacillus subtilis PdaA, a family 4 carbohydrate esterase, and a complex with N-acetyl-glucosamine

Family 4 carbohydrate esterases deacetylate polymeric carbohydrate substrates such as chitin, acetyl xylan and peptidoglycan. Although some of these enzymes have recently been enzymologically characterised, neither their structure nor their reaction mechanism has been defined. Sequence conservation in this family has pointed to a conserved core, termed the NodB homology domain. We describe the cloning, purification and 1.9 Å crystal structure of PdaA, a peptidoglycan deacetylase from Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme assumes a fold related to a (β/)₈ barrel, with a long groove on the surface of the protein that harbours all conserved residues. A complex with the substrate analogue N-acetyl-glucosamine was refined to 2.25 Å resolution, revealing interactions of an aspartic acid and three histidines, all conserved in the NodB homology domain, with the ligand. The PdaA structure provides a template for interpreting the wealth of sequence data on family 4 carbohydrate esterases in a structural context and represents a first step towards understanding the reaction mechanism of this family of enzymes.     

枯草芽孢杆菌BS-26菌株纤溶酶的性质分析及活性组分的分离纯化

[目的]溶栓疗法是血栓性疾病安全且有效的治疗手段,从微生物中寻找溶栓药物是一种理想有效的途径,枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)BS-26菌株发酵液具有很强的体外纤溶活性,本文分析了发酵液中纤溶酶的性质并对活性组分进行了分离纯化.[方法]利用纤维蛋白平板法检测纤溶酶活性,利用硫酸铵分级盐析、DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow阴离子交换层析和聚丙烯酰胺制备电泳等方法,进行分离纯化.[结果]此菌株产生的纤溶酶在50℃以下和pH5.0～11.0范围内具有较好的稳定性,最适作用温度为42℃;最适pH值为9.0;Mg2 、Ca2 对此酶有明显的激活作用,而Cu2 能完全抑制酶的活性;174.2μg/mL的苯甲基磺酰氟、1000μg/mL的鸡卵类粘蛋白和1000μg/mL大豆胰蛋白酶抑制剂能完全抑制酶活性,初步说明此酶属于丝氨酸蛋白酶类;体外溶纤作用表明,该酶溶解纤维蛋白的方式是直接溶解,而不是通过激活纤溶酶原.从该菌株的发酵液中获得了一种纤溶酶组分,比活力达8750 U/mg,回收率为3.2%,所获得样品纯度相对于发酵液提高了41倍,该酶在SDS-PAGE中是单肽链蛋白,分子量为32 kDa.[结论]获得了一种纤溶酶的单一组分,为纤溶酶发酵产品的大规模纯化及进一步研制和开发新的溶栓药物提供重要理论依据.     

产纤溶酶枯草杆菌液体发酵工艺优化研究

采用单因子实验和正交实验对高产纤溶酶的枯草杆菌最佳发酵工艺进行了优化,结果表明,该菌株分泌的胞外酶具有较强的体外溶栓作用,产纤溶酶最佳的发酵条件为：3％可溶性淀粉,2％豆浆全汁(鲜豆),0．02％CaCl2,培养温度为37℃,初始pH8．3,装液量为250mL三角瓶50mL,发酵时间44h左右,Ca^2 、Mg^2 和Mn^2 对酶活力有促进作用,Cu^2 对酶活性有强烈抑制作用。     

枯草芽孢杆菌内切木聚糖酶的分离纯化与鉴定

目的：建立一种简便、快速的木聚糖酶分离和提取方法。方法：采用活性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和均质提取法相结合,分离纯化枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)固体培养基发酵产物中的木聚糖酶,进一步用薄层色谱和高压液相色谱对木聚糖酶进行鉴定。结果：采用活性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和均质提取法相结合,从枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)固体培养基发酵产物中分离得到了两种内切木聚糖酶,酶解桦木木聚糖的产要产物以木二糖和木三糖为主。结论：活性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和均质提取法相结合是一种新的分离纯化木聚糖酶的简便、有效方法。     

Purification, characterization and functional analysis of an endo-arabinanase (AbnA) from Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilis synthesizes at least one arabinanase encoded by the abnA gene that is able to degrade the polysaccharide arabinan. Here, we report the expression in Escherichia coli of the full-length abnA coding region with a His6-tag fused to the C-terminus. The recombinant protein was secreted to the periplasmic space and correctly processed by the E. coli signal peptidase. The substrate specificity of purified AbnA, the physico-chemical properties and kinetic parameters were determined. Functional analysis studies revealed Glu 215 as a key residue for AbnA hydrolytic activity and indicated that in addition to AbnA B. subtilis secretes other enzyme(s) able to degrade linear 1,5-alpha-l-arabinan.     

枯草芽孢杆菌群β-甘露聚糖酶基因克隆及同源性分析

本文对33株枯草芽孢杆菌群菌株进行β-甘露聚糖酶活性筛选,其中的32株具有β-甘露聚糖酶活性,只有1株无β-甘露聚糖酶活性.通过基因克隆测序的方法获得33株枯草芽孢杆菌群菌株β-甘露聚糖酶基因编码区全序列,对酶基因进行同源性分析并构建系统发育树;在β-甘露聚糖酶基因系统发育树中,33株枯草芽孢杆菌群菌株聚为3个分支,分别是枯草芽孢杆菌分支、地衣芽孢杆菌分支和解淀粉芽孢杆菌分支;枯草芽孢杆菌、地衣芽孢杆菌和解淀粉芽孢杆菌β-甘露聚糖酶基因种内同源性大于91%,而种间同源性为60%69%.     

冷榨花生粕蛋白胨质量分析及其在枯草芽胞杆菌增殖中的应用

为降低微生物培养基制备成本和实现冷榨花生粕蛋白质的深加工,本试验以双酶协同酶解（胃蛋白酶+碱性蛋白酶）冷榨花生粕蛋白质制备植物蛋白胨,从一般性状检查和化学指标两个方面对冷榨花生粕蛋白胨进行了质量分析。参考《微生物培养基的制造与应用》和《中国生物制品主要原辅材料质控标准》对蛋白胨进行了质量评价,并以枯草芽胞杆菌为试验菌进行了冷榨花生粕蛋白胨对细菌的增殖培养试验以评价其质量优劣。结果表明,双酶协同酶解制备得到的冷榨花生粕蛋白胨各项指标均满足生化蛋白胨的质量标准,与标准蛋白胨（胰蛋白胨）的对照试验发现两者差异不显著（p>0.05）,冷榨花生粕蛋白胨可完全替代胰蛋白胨用于枯草芽胞杆菌的增殖培养。