PhaP介导EGFR靶向多肽修饰的肿瘤靶向PHBHHx纳米药物递送载体的构建

聚羟基脂肪酸(PHA)颗粒表面结合蛋白Pha P具有与疏水性高分子材料表面紧密结合的能力,本研究将EGFR靶向多肽(ETP)与PhaP进行融合表达,构建了ETP-PhaP融合蛋白表达的重组工程菌Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)(pPI-ETP-P)。经对工程菌株的诱导表达及ETP-PhaP融合蛋白的纯化后,通过PhaP蛋白介导能够有效地将ETP-PhaP融合蛋白修饰于3-羟基丁酸-3-羟基己酸共聚酯(PHBHHx)纳米微球表面,构建成为具有EGFR靶向作用的药物递送载体。分别检测宫颈癌细胞系SiHa(EGFR高表达)和CaSKi(EGFR低表达)对ETP-PhaP修饰的PHBHHx纳米药物载体和未经修饰的纳米药物载体的吞噬情况。结果显示,纯化的ETP-PhaP融合蛋白能够很好地吸附于PHBHHx颗粒的表面,经ETP-PhaP融合蛋白修饰的PHBHHx纳米药物载体对EGFR高表达的宫颈癌Si Ha细胞的靶向效果强于EGFR低表达的CaSKi细胞系。这一结果表明了PhaP介导的PHBHHx纳米微球表面EGFR靶向多肽修饰具有简便、高效的优势,为疏水性纳米药物载体表面功能多肽修饰提供了一种新策略。     

磁性复合微球固定化酶制备过程及其研究进展

磁性复合微球作为一种优良的载体,广泛应用于生物医学和技术上,如蛋白纯化、药物绑定、酶固定化等.磁性复合微球制备过程包括纳米磁性粒子合成、磁性复合微球制备,将酶与经表面戎基、氛基、环氧基等功能基团修饰或直接与磁性微球共价结合,或者与表面经金属离子鳌合的磁性微球吸附从而实现酶固定化.本文介绍了磁性复合微球的制备过程及其在固定化酶方面的研究进展.     

基于PHA颗粒-PhaP标签和内含肽元件的极端嗜盐古菌蛋白的表达纯化系统

【目的】建立一个基于PHA颗粒-PhaP标签的简便实用的极端嗜盐古菌蛋白表达纯化系统,并探讨嗜盐古菌内含肽在该系统优化中的应用。【方法】以嗜盐古菌-大肠杆菌穿梭载体pWL502为基本骨架,构建带有嗜盐古菌强启动子和PhaP融合标签的表达载体;在地中海富盐菌phaP缺陷株(ΔphaP)中融合表达目的基因,通过蔗糖密度梯度离心分离纯化结合于PHA颗粒上的PhaP融合蛋白;在phaP基因与多克隆位点之间引入特定的嗜盐古菌内含肽元件,尝试通过定点突变改变该内含肽的剪切活性。【结果】成功构建了以PhaP作为N端融合标签的表达载体pPM以及作为C端融合标签的载体pIP;在phaP基因簇强启动子控制下,二者均实现了目标蛋白的高效表达;通过PHA颗粒介导的蛋白分离纯化策略,实现了以PhaP为融合标签的目标蛋白的分离纯化;发现内含肽序列Hbt21在地中海富盐菌中保持了高效的剪接活性,通过定点突变其C端末位氨基酸天冬酰胺(N182)及邻位的丝氨酸(S183)失活了该内含肽的C端剪接活性。【结论】首次建立了一个基于PHA颗粒-PhaP标签的简便节约的极端嗜盐古菌蛋白表达纯化系统,并确定了嗜盐古菌型内含肽C端剪接的活性位点,为该内含肽将来应用于PhaP融合蛋白的标签去除奠定了基础。     

代谢工程构建重组耶氏解脂酵母生产中长链聚羟基脂肪酸酯

中长链聚羟基脂肪酸酯(mcl-PHA)是一大类由微生物合成的天然生物聚酯,因具有可再生性和生物降解性越来越受到人们的关注。Mcl-PHA可由一些假单胞菌类利用自身的脂肪酸合成途径或β-氧化途径来合成。耶氏解脂酵母具有很好的脂/脂肪酸分解代谢能力,但是它体内缺乏PHA合成酶不能合成mcl-PHA。采用代谢工程策略构建重组解脂酵母,外源表达来自铜绿假单胞菌PAO1(Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1)的PHA合成酶。在PHA合成酶的C端添加PTS1过氧化物酶体定位信号序列,使其在过氧化物酶体内发挥功能,并对其编码基因PhaC1进行密码子优化得到oPhaC1。利用pINA1312载体构建表达框,借助载体上的zeta序列元件将oPhaC1基因表达框整合至酵母基因组,完成基因的稳定表达。重组菌PSOC在葡萄糖为唯一碳源的培养基中几乎不产PHA,添加0.5%的油酸时可合成占细胞干重0.67%的mcl-PHA。在含三油酸甘油酯的培养基中发酵72h产生1.51% mcl-PHA(wt%)。实验结果充分证明重组解脂酵母作为有潜力的微生物细胞工厂可以用于生产mcl-PHA,也为将来利用富含油脂和其他营养的餐厨垃圾水解液等廉价资源生产mcl-PHA打下基础。     

启动子优化提高重组大肠杆菌PHA产量

聚羟基脂肪酸酯(PHA)是一类由微生物合成的高分子聚酯的统称,具有生物可降解性、生物可再生性和良好的生物相容性,应用前景广阔。PHA具有类似塑料的材料学性能,倍受到科学界和工业界的关注,但是生产成本较高等原因极大地限制了其大规模应用。本研究通过筛选优化在微氧条件下能够高效调控基因表达的启动子,能有效提高生产菌株在微氧条件下积累PHA的能力,减少生产能耗,降低成本。首先,在大肠杆菌基因表达库中筛选出5个在微氧条件下高效调控基因表达的启动子,与编码红色荧光蛋白的RFP报告基因相连,通过酶标仪检测RFP的荧光信号值,对5个不同的微氧启动子的表达强度进行评估,比较得到其中最高效的启动子Pslp。为进一步提高生产PHA的效率,将2个Pslp序列采用串联的方式构建得到一个新启动子P2slp,利用其调控PHA代谢合成途径中3个关键基因phbC、phbA和phbB的表达。通过发酵扩大生产,在启动子P2slp的调控下,重组大肠杆菌的细胞干重由22 g/L提高至29 g/L,PHA的产量由49.1%提高至81.3%。本研究通过筛选优化启动子提高了重组大肠杆菌生产PHA的产量,为PHA的产业化应用提供了一种有效的提高PHA产量的方法,具有实际价值。     

枯草芽孢杆菌疏水蛋白BslA的结构及应用

疏水蛋白(Hydrophobin)是具有表面活性的小分子量蛋白质,可以在界面自组装形成双亲性蛋白膜,从而改变界面亲疏水性。研究表明疏水蛋白无毒性且无免疫原性,基于这样的性质,疏水蛋白可用于材料表面修饰、食品塑形剂、纳米药物载体而进行靶向运输或生物传感器的信号精确识别等。近年来,在枯草芽孢杆菌生物被膜中发现了一种分泌型小分子量疏水蛋白BslA (原名YuaB)。研究表明,枯草芽孢杆菌疏水蛋白BslA表达产量高,纯化过程简单、易于操作,可实现大规模生产,因而BslA具有更大的应用优势和开发价值。本文总结了BslA的性质、功能、结构等方面的信息,并与真菌疏水蛋白进行了比较分析,系统分析了其结构特点及应用价值。     

酿酒酵母表面展示表达系统及应用

酵母细胞表面展示表达系统是一种固定化表达异源蛋白质的真核展示系统,即把异源靶蛋白基因序列与特定的载体基因序列融合后导入酵母细胞,利用酿酒酵母细胞内蛋白转运到膜表面的机制（GPI锚定）使靶蛋白定位于酵母细胞表面并进行表达。它利用细胞表面展示技术使外源蛋白固定化于细胞表面,从而生产微生物细胞表面蛋白,可应用于生物催化剂、细胞吸附剂、活疫苗、环境治理、蛋白质文库筛选、高亲和抗体、生物传感器、抗原／抗体库构建、免疫检测及亲和纯化、癌症诊断等领域。国内对这一方面研究较少,本文主要介绍了该技术的基本原理、研究现状、应用及其发展前景。     

利用含油培养基富集、分离和评估海洋产聚羟基脂肪酸酯细菌

【背景】细菌可通过脂肪酸代谢途径耦合聚羟基脂肪酸酯(Polyhydroxyalkanoate,PHA)合成途径实现合成中长链PHA;其拉伸强度、玻璃化温度等加工特性均优于短链PHA,是未来工业化PHA材料的发展方向。【目标】为了获得新的可代谢油类的产PHA细菌,使用3种分离策略从海洋沉积物中分离和鉴定细菌,并评估菌株产PHA的能力。【方法】采集深圳大鹏湾近海沉积物样品;样品通过直接分离,5周连续培养分离,或10周连续提高盐度(3.5%-12.5%)和含油量(1%-10%)富集培养分离,纯化得到菌株;通过16S rRNA基因相似性及系统进化分析鉴定细菌分类地位,利用PHA聚合酶(PhaC)基因鉴定细菌合成PHA的能力;通过测定基因组框架图,分析细菌的PhaC类型、代谢通路及系统进化关系;通过气相色谱分析细菌产PHA的含量及组成。【结果】从深圳大鹏湾近海底泥样品中分离得到96株细菌,phaC基因阳性率达38%,其中包含9个此前未通过产物证实可产PHA的属,包括尖球菌属(Acuticoccus)、海洋源菌属(Idiomarina)、盐芽孢杆菌属(Halobacillus)、微泡菌属(Micr...     

废油脂生物合成聚羟基脂肪酸酯的研究进展

聚羟基脂肪酸酯(PHA)是微生物细胞内合成的高分子生物聚酯,当培养基中生长所必需的营养物质含量有限,而碳源物质过多时,会促进PHA的积累。众多PHA产品均具有生物可降解性以及优异的物理化学特性,有望替代传统塑料从而减少"白色塑料垃圾"的产生。但是较高的生产成本限制了PHA进一步的产业化和大规模应用。利用廉价易得的原材料作为微生物的碳源制备PHA是降低生产成本的有效途径之一。废弃油脂作为碳氢化合物,具有良好的微生物利用潜力。目前,以废油脂为原料、通过微生物合成可生物降解塑料已成为研究热点。该方法不但可以降低PHA的生产成本,解决废油脂的处理和高值化利用问题,还可以替代部分传统塑料的使用,符合我国绿色循环可持续发展的战略。文章系统总结了PHA的种类和应用,利用废弃油脂微生物合成PHA的最新进展以及微生物胞内PHA的提取方法,并对其合成PHA的有效实现和发展前景进行了展望。     

真菌疏水蛋白HGFI自组装分子机制和材料表面修饰功能的研究

真菌疏水蛋白是高等丝状真菌在特定生理时期分泌的一类小分子量、两亲性蛋白质,其可以在两相界面处通过自我装配形成纳米级蛋白膜,改变介质表面的亲水性和疏水性.疏水蛋白独特的自组装性质使其在不同的领域均具有应用潜力,如材料表面修饰、乳化、蛋白纯化、药物传送和生物传感器制作等.本文主要介绍了真菌疏水蛋白的国内外研究进展,并针对本课题组发现的灰树花真菌疏水蛋白,介绍其自组装分子机制、在材料表面修饰以及药物缓/控释等方面的应用研究.     

The Ralstonia eutropha PhaR Protein Couples Synthesis of the PhaP Phasin to the Presence of Polyhydroxybutyrate in Cells and Promotes Polyhydroxybutyrate Production

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyoxoesters that are produced by many bacteria and that accumulate as intracellular granules. Phasins (PhaP) are proteins that accumulate during PHA synthesis, bind PHA granules, and promote further PHA synthesis. Interestingly, PhaP accumulation seems to be strictly dependent on PHA synthesis, which is catalyzed by the PhaC PHA synthase. Here we have tested the effect of the Ralstonia eutropha PhaR protein on the regulation of PhaP accumulation. R. eutropha strains with phaR, phaC, and/or phaP deletions were constructed, and PhaP accumulation was measured by immunoblotting. The wild-type strain accumulated PhaP in a manner dependent on PHA production, and the phaC deletion strain accumulated no PhaP, as expected. In contrast, both the phaR and the phaR phaC deletion strains accumulated PhaP to higher levels than did the wild type. This result implies that PhaR is a negative regulator of PhaP accumulation and that PhaR specifically prevents PhaP from accumulating in cells that are not producing PHA. Transfer of the R. eutropha phaR, phaP, and PHA biosynthesis (phaCAB) genes into a heterologous system, Escherichia coli, was sufficient to reconstitute the PhaR/PhaP regulatory system, implying that PhaR both regulates PhaP accumulation and responds to PHA directly. Deletion of phaR caused a decrease in PHA yields, and a phaR phaP deletion strain exhibited a more severe PHA defect than a phaP deletion strain, implying that PhaR promotes PHA production and does this at least partially through a PhaP-independent pathway. Models for regulatory roles of PhaR in regulating PhaP and promoting PHA production are presented.     

Heterologous expression of human costimulatory molecule B7-2 and construction of B7-2 immobilized polyhydroxyalkanoate nanoparticles for use as an immune activation agent

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Costimulation of T cells via costimulatory molecules such as B7 is important for eliciting cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Presenting costimulation molecules by immobilizing recombinant B7 on the surface of nanovectors is a novel strategy for complementary therapy. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a family of biodegradable, non-toxic, biocompatible polyesters, which can be used as a nonspecific immobilizing matrix for protein presentation. Recombinant protein fusion with PHA granule binding protein phasin (PhaP) can be easily immobilized on the surface of PHA nanoparticles through hydrophobic interactions between PhaP and PHA, and therefore provides a low-cost protein presenting strategy. RESULTS: In this study, the extracellular domain of the B7-2 molecule (also named as CD86) was fused with PhaP at its N-terminal and heterogeneously expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3). The purified B7-2-PhaP protein was immobilized on the surface of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx)-based nanoparticles. Loading of 240 ug (3.2 pMol) of B7-2-PhaP protein per mg nanoparticles was achieved. Immobilized B7-2-PhaP on PHBHHx nanoparticles induced T cell activation and proliferation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: A PHA nanoparticle-based B7-2 costimulation molecule-presenting system was constructed. The PHA-based B7 presenting nanosystem provided costimulation signals to induce T cell activation and expansion in vitro. The B7-2-PhaP immobilized PHA nanosystem is a novel strategy for costimulation molecule presentation and may be used for costimulatory molecule complementary therapy.     

Identification of a multifunctional protein, PhaM, that determines number, surface to volume ratio, subcellular localization and distribution to daughter cells of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, granules in Ralstonia eutropha H16

A two‐hybrid approach was applied to screen for proteins with the ability to interact with PHB synthase (PhaC1) of Ralstonia eutropha. The H16_A0141 gene (phaM) was identified in the majority of positive clones. PhaM (26.6 kDa) strongly interacted with PhaC1 and with phasin PhaP5 but not with PhaP1 or other PHB granule‐associated proteins. A ΔphaM mutant accumulated only one or two large PHB granules instead of three to six medium‐sized PHB granules of the wild type, and distribution of granules to daughter cells was disordered. All three phenotypes (number, size and distribution of PHB granules) were reversed by reintroduction of phaM. Purified PhaM revealed DNA‐binding properties in gel mobility shift experiments. Expression of a fusion of the yellow fluorescent protein (eYfp) with PhaM resulted in formation of many small fluorescent granules that were bound to the nucleoid region. Remarkably, an eYfp–PhaP5 fusion localized at the cell poles in a PHB‐negative background and overexpression of eYfp–PhaP5 in the wild type conferred binding of PHB granules to the cell poles. In conclusion, subcellular localization of PHB granules in R. eutropha depends on a concerted expression of at least three PHB granule‐associated proteins, namely PhaM, PhaP5 and PHB synthase PhaC1.     

In vivo monitoring of PHA granule formation using GFP-labeled PHA synthases

For the first time a functional protein was fused to a PHA synthase resulting in PHA granule formation and display of the respective function at the PHA granule surface. The GFP reporter protein was N-terminally fused to the class I PHA synthase of Cupriavidus necator (PhaC) and the class II PHA synthase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 (PhaC1), respectively, while maintaining PHA synthase activity and PHA granule formation. Fluorescence microscopy studies of GFP-PHA synthase attached to emerging PHA granules indicated that emerging PHA granules locate to cell poles and to midcell representing the future cell poles. A rapid oscillating movement of GFP-PHA synthase foci from pole to pole was observed. In cell division impaired Escherichia coli, PHA granules were localized between nucleoids at regular spacing suggesting that nucleoid occlusion occurred. Accordingly, anucleate regions of the E. coli mukB mutant showed no regular spacing, but PHA granules with twofold increased diameter were formed. First evidence was provided that the cell division and the localization of GFP-PHA synthase foci are in vivo co-located.     

Binding of the major phasin, PhaP1, from Ralstonia eutropha H16 to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) granules

The surface of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) storage granules in bacteria is covered mainly by proteins referred to as phasins. The layer of phasins stabilizes the granules and prevents coalescence of separated granules in the cytoplasm and nonspecific binding of other proteins to the hydrophobic surfaces of the granules. Phasin PhaP1(Reu) is the major surface protein of PHB granules in Ralstonia eutropha H16 and occurs along with three homologues (PhaP2, PhaP3, and PhaP4) that have the capacity to bind to PHB granules but are present at minor levels. All four phasins lack a highly conserved domain but share homologous hydrophobic regions. To identify the region of PhaP1(Reu) which is responsible for the binding of the protein to the granules, N-terminal and C-terminal fusions of enhanced green fluorescent protein with PhaP1(Reu) or various regions of PhaP1(Reu) were generated by recombinant techniques. The fusions were localized in the cells of various recombinant strains by fluorescence microscopy, and their presence in different subcellular protein fractions was determined by immunodetection of blotted proteins. The fusions were also analyzed to determine their capacities to bind to isolated PHB granules in vitro. The results of these studies indicated that unlike the phasin of Rhodococcus ruber, there is no discrete binding motif; instead, several regions of PhaP1(Reu) contribute to the binding of this protein to the surface of the granules. The conclusions are supported by the results of a small-angle X-ray scattering analysis of purified PhaP1(Reu), which revealed that PhaP1(Reu) is a planar, triangular protein that occurs as trimer. This study provides new insights into the structure of the PHB granule surface, and the results should also have an impact on potential biotechnological applications of phasin fusion proteins and PHB granules in nanobiotechnology.     

Localization of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) Granule-Associated Proteins during PHB Granule Formation and Identification of Two New Phasins,PhaP6 and PhaP7, in Ralstonia eutropha H16

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) granules are covered by a surface layer consisting of mainly phasins and other PHB granule-associated proteins (PGAPs). Phasins are small amphiphilic proteins that determine the number and size of accumulated PHB granules. Five phasin proteins (PhaP1 to PhaP5) are known for Ralstonia eutropha. In this study, we identified three additional potential phasin genes (H16_B1988, H16_B2296, and H16_B2326) by inspection of the R. eutropha genome for sequences with “phasin 2 motifs.” To determine whether the corresponding proteins represent true PGAPs, fusions with eYFP (enhanced yellow fluorescent protein) were constructed. Similar fusions of eYFP with PhaP1 to PhaP5 as well as fusions with PHB synthase (PhaC1), an inactive PhaC1 variant (PhaC1-C319A), and PhaC2 were also made. All fusions were investigated in wild-type and PHB-negative backgrounds. Colocalization with PHB granules was found for all PhaC variants and for PhaP1 to PhaP5. Additionally, eYFP fusions with H16_B1988 and H16_B2326 colocalized with PHB. Fusions of H16_B2296 with eYFP, however, did not colocalize with PHB granules but did colocalize with the nucleoid region. Notably, all fusions (except H16_B2296) were soluble in a ΔphaC1 strain. These data confirm that H16_B1988 and H16_B2326 but not H16_B2296 encode true PGAPs, for which we propose the designation PhaP6 (H16_B1988) and PhaP7 (H16_B2326). When localization of phasins was investigated at different stages of PHB accumulation, fusions of PhaP6 and PhaP7 were soluble in the first 3 h under PHB-permissive conditions, although PHB granules appeared after 10 min. At later time points, the fusions colocalized with PHB. Remarkably, PHB granules of strains expressing eYFP fusions with PhaP5, PhaP6, or PhaP7 localized predominantly near the cell poles or in the area of future septum formation. This phenomenon was not observed for the other PGAPs (PhaP1 to PhaP4, PhaC1, PhaC1-C319A, and PhaC2) and indicated that some phasins can have additional functions. A chromosomal deletion of phaP6 or phaP7 had no visible effect on formation of PHB granules.     

A repressor protein,PhaR, regulates polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthesis via its direct interaction with PHA

Phasins (PhaP) are predominantly polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) granule-associated proteins that positively affect PHA synthesis. Recently, we reported that the phaR gene, which is located downstream of phaP in Paracoccus denitrificans, codes for a negative regulator involved in PhaP expression. In this study, DNase I footprinting revealed that PhaR specifically binds to two regions located upstream of phaP and phaR, suggesting that PhaR plays a role in the regulation of phaP expression as well as autoregulation. Many TGC-rich sequences were found in upstream elements recognized by PhaR. PhaR in the crude lysate of recombinant Escherichia coli was able to rebind specifically to poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] [P(3HB)] granules. Furthermore, artificial P(3HB) granules and 3HB oligomers caused the dissociation of PhaR from PhaR-DNA complexes, but native PHA granules, which were covered with PhaP or other nonspecific proteins, did not cause the dissociation. These results suggest that PhaR is able to sense both the onset of PHA synthesis and the enlargement of the granules through direct binding to PHA. However, free PhaR is probably unable to sense the mature PHA granules which are already covered sufficiently with PhaP and/or other proteins. An in vitro expression experiment revealed that phaP expression was repressed by the addition of PhaR and was derepressed by the addition of P(3HB). Based on these findings, we present here a possible model accounting for the PhaR-mediated mechanism of PHA synthesis. Widespread distribution of PhaR homologs in short-chain-length PHA-producing bacteria suggests a common and important role of PhaR-mediated regulation of PHA synthesis.     

The inherent property of polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase to form spherical PHA granules at the cell poles: the core region is required for polar localization

Only the PHA synthase is required for formation of spherical intracellular PHA granules emerging at cell poles. This study aims to assign the polar targeting signal in the PHA synthase and to provide insight into molecular mechanisms of granule formation. Random in-frame insertion mutagenesis indicated dispensable and essential regions suggesting that only the N terminus (<100 aa) is dispensable and forms a random coil structure. The inactive PHA synthase (C319A) is still localized to cell poles, indicating that the nascent PHA chain does not serve as an anchor or signal for subcellular localization and granule formation. Deletion of the N terminus did neither affect subcellular localization nor PHA granule formation. The deletion of the hydrophobic C terminus (68 aa) did not impact on subcellular localization of the PHA synthase, but abolished PHA synthase activity. The structural protein PhaP1 was found to be not required for subcellular localization and initiation of granule formation. PhaP1 only localizes to the cell poles, when PHA granules are formed. These data suggested that the PHA synthase itself localizes to the cell poles via its core region (93-521 aa), which is structurally constraint and comprises the polar positional information for self-assembly of PHA granules at the cell poles.     

Identification of the haloarchaeal phasin (PhaP) that functions in polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulation and granule formation in Haloferax mediterranei

The polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) granule-associated proteins (PGAPs) are important for PHA synthesis and granule formation, but currently little is known about the haloarchaeal PGAPs. This study focused on the identification and functional analysis of the PGAPs in the haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei. These PGAPs were visualized with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-tandem time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS). The most abundant protein on the granules was identified as a hypothetical protein, designated PhaP. A genome-wide analysis revealed that the phaP gene is located upstream of the previously identified phaEC genes. Through an integrative approach of gene knockout/complementation and fermentation analyses, we demonstrated that this PhaP is involved in PHA accumulation. The ΔphaP mutant was defective in both PHA biosynthesis and cell growth compared to the wild-type strain. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy results indicated that the number of PHA granules in the ΔphaP mutant cells was significantly lower, and in most of the ΔphaP cells only a single large granule was observed. These results demonstrated that the H. mediterranei PhaP was the predominant structure protein (phasin) on the PHA granules involved in PHA accumulation and granule formation. In addition, BLASTp and phylogenetic results indicate that this type of PhaP is exclusively conserved in haloarchaea, implying that it is a representative of the haloarchaeal type PHA phasin.