Illegitimate integration of single-stranded DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

 We studied illegitimate recombination by transforming yeast with a single-stranded (ss) non-replicative plasmid. Plasmid pCW12, containing the ARG4gene, was used for transformation of yeast strains deleted for the ARG4, either in native (circular) form or after linearization within the vector sequence by the restriction enzyme ScaI. Both circular and linearized ss plasmids were shown to be much more efficient in illegitimate integration than their double-stranded (ds) counterparts and more than two-thirds of the transformants analysed contained multiple tandem integrations of the plasmid. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA revealed significant changes in the karyotype of some transformants. Plasmid DNA was frequently detected on more than one chromosome and on mitotically unstable, autonomously replicating elements. Our results show that the introduction of nonhomologous ss DNA into yeast cells can lead to different types of alterations in the yeast genome. Received: 9 February 1996/Accepted: 7 July 1996     

Molecular cloning of the ADE1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and stability of the transformants

Plasmid YEp(ADE1)1a, containing a 2.7-kb Sau3A fragment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA inserted at the BamHI site of the yeast shuttle vector pBTI-1 (Morris et al., 1981), results in high frequency, unstable transformation of ade1 yeast strains. A second plasmid, YRp(ADE1)2, containing adjacent 0.5-kb and 3.0-kb BamHI fragments in pBR322 gave three types of yeast transformants: (1) transformants carrying extrachromosomal copies of the plasmid which indicate the presence of a functional ars sequence, (2) transformants indistinguishable from ade1 strains by hybridization analyis, and (3) a transformant carrying a multimeric form of YRp(ADE1)2. Cells transformed with either of the plasmids are free of the red pigment characteristic of ade1 mutants and indicate potential for direct colour-based selection of yeast transformants using ADE1 plasmids.     

Study of the stability of hybrid plasmids replicating in Saccharomyces cerevisiae due to DNA fragments from polyoma virus

Hybrid plasmid pSP97 carrying the entire genome of polyoma virus (PY), inserted into bacterial vector psV3, transforms yeast cells with the frequency 1 x 10(-2). Plasmid pSP97 is capable of autonomous replication in S. cerevisiae, while its structure remains unaltered, the stability of hybrid plasmid in transformants is 44%--100%. Plasmid pSP155 consisting of Ori-containing DNA segment from polyoma, pBR322 and yeast gene arg4, transforms yeast cells with the frequency 5 x 10(-3), the stability of plasmid in transformants is 23%--29%. Two types of plasmids were isolated from transformants: one was identical to SP155, while the another differed structurally and phenotypically from SP155. Plasmids pSP113 and pSP114, in addition to pBR322 and yeast gene arg4, contain a viral DNA segment that encodes genes from small and middle T-antigens. These plasmids transform yeast cells with low frequency (2 x 10(-4), 3 x 10(-5)), the stability of plasmids in yeast transformants is 100%. However, hybrid plasmids identical to pSP113 were isolated from transformants. Structural rearrangements have been observed in pSP114, which carries the arg4 gene in reversed orientation compared to pSP113.     

Replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae of plasmid pBR313 carrying DNA from the yeast trpl region.

Plasmid pBR313 carrying a 1.4 kb EcoRI fragment from the yeast TRP1 region (designated pLC544) is capable of transforming yeast trp1 mutants to Trp+ at high frequency (10(3)--10(4) transformants/micrograms DNA). Transformation can be achieved either by using purified plasmid DNA or by fusion of yeast spheroplasts with partially lysed Escherichia coli [pLC544] protoplast preparations. The Trp+ yeast transformants are highly unstable, segregating Trp- cells at frequencies of 0.18 per cell per generation (haploids) and 0.056 per cell per generation (diploids) in media containing tryptophan. Plasmid pLC544 replicates autonomously in the nucleus of yeast cells and segregation of Trp-cells is associated with the complete loss of plasmid sequences. In genetic crosses, pLC544 is randomly assorted during meiosis and is carried unchanged through the mating process into haploid recombinants.     

Transformation of the yeast Hansenula polymorpha by a hybrid plasmid containing the fragment of host DNA

Spheroplasts of Hansenula polymorpha strain deficient in 2-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase have been shown to be transformed by the DNA of a hybrid plasmid pHRI, carrying the LEU2 gene from S. cerevisiae and 2.0 kilobase HindIII fragment of H. polymorpha genomic DNA. The frequency of transformants has reached 10(3) per 1 microgram of transforming DNA. Plasmid pHRI is maintained in transformants as an autonomous circular DNA molecule and is inherited by 1-2% fraction of cells from the population growing under the selective conditions. Transformation takes place under the same conditions that are required for spheroplast fusion. Thus, H. polymorpha becomes one more species of yeast susceptible to hybrid plasmid-mediated gene transfer in the process of DNA transformation.     

Properties and transforming activities of two plasmids in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Summary Two plasmids from group B streptococcus were introduced into pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and examined for copy number, stability, and some features of the process by which they transform pneumococcal recipients. The 3.6 Mdal pMV158 (tet) was present at a minimum of 12 to 16 copies per chromosome and was never observed to be cured. The 20 Mdal pIP501 (cat erm) had a minimum copy number of 3 to 4 per chromosome and was lost spontaneously at a frequency near 0.03 per division. The presence of novobiocin increased this frequency 2 to 3-fold. Competence for chromosomal transformation and the membrane endonuclease needed for normal DNA entry were required for plasmid transformation. Plasmid transformants segregated transformed cells one generation ahead of chromosomal transformants. Both single and multiple hit components of the transformation reaction kinetics were observed, but the latter could not be seen in the presence of competing chromosomal DNA. The majority of the transforming activity behaved as covalently closed circular DNA in dye-buoyancy gradients. Although most of the activity for both plasmids sedimented in sucrose gradients more rapidly than did monomeric closed circular DNA, a significant fraction was found at a position suggesting that it may have been due to monomeric plasmids.     

Isolation of physarum DNA segments that support autonomous replication in yeast

Summary Hybrid plasmids containing the bacterial resistance-transfer factor pBR322 and the yeast leu2 ⁺gene have been used to isolate DNA fragments of Physarum that are capable of initiating DNA replication in a yeast host. Five of forty hybrid plasmids containing Physarum sequences transform leu2 ^-yeast to Leu⁺ at high frequency. The resulting Leu⁺ transformants are characterized by phenotypic instability. Supercoiled plasmid molecules containing pBR322 sequences can be detected in the transformed yeast, indicating that the transforming DNA replicates autonomously. Plasmid DNA isolated from Leu⁺ yeast can transform leuB bacteria. The hybrid plasmid recovered from the Leu⁺ bacterial transformants is identical to the original plasmid, indicating structural integrity is maintained during passage through the yeast host. These hybrid plasmids containing Physarum sequences have the same characteristics as those containing autonomously replicating yeast chromosomal sequences. As the temporal sequence of DNA replication is particularly accessible to study in Physarum plasmodia, the functional significance of these segments should be amenable to study.     

Efficient Transformation of the Astaxanthin-Producing Yeast Phaffia Rhodozyma

An efficient transformation system for the astaxanthin-producing yeast Phaffia rhodozyma was developed based on electroporation that routinely yields approximately 1000 transformants per g of plasmid DNA. The high transformation efficiency depends on vector integration in the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the presence of the homologous glycolytic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) promoter and terminator to drive the expression of the transposon Tn5 encoded kanamycin resistance gene (Km^R) as a selective marker. Using this system stable transformants were obtained, carrying multiple plasmid copies. Plasmid copy number could be markedly increased by deletion of the gpd terminator from the transforming plasmid.     

Genetic analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae transformed by plasmid containing a supressor transfer ribonucleic acid gene.

The behavior in Saccharomyces cerevisiae of plasmid pYTE1, which contains yeast tyrosine-inserting ochre suppressor SUP4.o, a 4-kilobase EcoRI fragment of yeast 2muDNA, and the bacterial plasmid pBR322, has been studied. Selection of yeast transformants was by suppression of multiple ochre mutations. About 10(3) to 10(4) transformants per microgram of pYTE1 dfeoxyribonucleic acid were obtained. The majority of transformants contained both an integrated copy of the SUP4.o gene plus pBR322 deoxyribonucleic acid sequences and autonomously replicating forms of the plasmid. The integrated copy was extremely stable mitotically and meiotically, but the associated nonintegrated copies were lost at meiosis. The chromosomally integrated pBR322 sequences were linked to the SUP4.o gene. The integration site was at the SUP4+ locus. In transformants with only nonintegrated copies of pYTE1, the expression of suppression was reduced, and the plasmid was unstable in mitosis. Plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid preparations from both types of transformant could be used to retransform yeast cells. Plasmid pYTE1 has restriction enzyme sites useful for the high frequency and stable transformation of other genes into yeasts. The potential uses of this plasmid for transformation of other organisms is discussed.     

Expression of a Thermomonospora fusca Cellulase Gene in Streptomyces lividans and Bacillus subtilis

A cellulase gene from Thermomonospora fusca coding for endocellulase E₅ was introduced into Streptomyces lividans by using shuttle plasmids that can replicate in either S. lividans or Escherichia coli. Plasmid DNA isolated from E. coli was used to transform S. lividans, selecting for thiostrepton resistance. The transformants expressed and excreted the endocellulase, but the ability to produce the endocellulase was unstable. This instability was shown to result from deletion of the endocellulase gene from the plasmid. Plasmid DNA prepared from a culture in which plasmid modification had occurred was used to transform E. coli, selecting for Amp⁺ cells, and all of the transformants were cellulase positive, showing that pBR322 and T. fusca DNA were deleted together. When a plasmid was constructed containing only T. fusca DNA in plasmid pIJ702, the transformants were more stable, and the level of endocellulase activity produced in the culture supernatant after growth on 0.2% glucose was close to the level produced by T. fusca cultures grown on 0.2% cellulose. About 50% of the total protein in the culture supernatant of the S. lividans transformant was endocellulase E₅. The enzyme produced by the S. lividans transformant was identical to pure T. fusca E₅ in its electrophoretic mobility and was completely inhibited by antiserum to E₅. Shuttle plasmids containing the E₅ gene that could replicate in Bacillus subtilis and E. coli were also constructed and used to transform B. subtilis. Again there was extensive deletion of the plasmid DNA during transformation and growth in B. subtilis. There was no evidence of E₅ activity, even in those B. subtilis transformants that retained the E₅ gene.     

Insertion of a genetic marker into the ribosomal DNA of yeast

Plasmid pBR322 carrying the yeast LEU2+ gene transforms leu⁻ yeast into LEU+ at a low frequency by integration at homologous chromosomal DNA. When one-half of the yeast rDNA repeat unit (BglII-A) is inserted into the plasmid, the frequency of yeast transformation increases 100- to 200-fold, in proportion to the increased amount of homologous repetitive rDNA available for integration. When the other half of the repeat unit (BglII-B) is inserted into the plasmid, the transformation frequency increases by a factor of 10⁴, and the transformants are very unstable. It is likely that this fragment of rDNA contains a yeast origin of replication. This plasmid is a useful vector for cloning fragments of yeast DNA in yeast. We have used the LEU2+ gene, inserted into the rDNA locus, as a genetic marker for mapping the rDNA, in a procedure analogous to the use of antibiotic resistance transposons in the mapping of bacterial genes. Yeast ribosomal DNA is on chromosome XII between asp5 and ura4 as determined by mitotic linkage. Genetic analysis of markers inserted at the rDNA locus should be a useful tool for studying the conservation of sequence homology and the conservation of copy number of repeated genes.     

A Simple and Rapid Method for Genetic Transformation of Lactic Streptococci by Electroporation

An electroporation procedure for the plasmid-mediated genetic transformation of intact cells of Streptococcus cremoris and Streptococcus lactis was performed. Ten different strains were transformed. The method was simple and rapid and yielded transformant colonies in 14 to 24 h. The method was optimized for S. lactis LM0230, and transformation frequencies of between 1 × 10⁴ and 5 × 10⁵ transformants per μg of purified plasmid (pMU1328) were achieved routinely. The optimized procedure involved lysozyme treatment of cells. Transformation of LM0230 occurred at comparable frequencies with pLS1 (4.4 kilobase pair [kbp]), pMU1328 (7.4 kbp), and pAMβ1 (26.5 kbp). Plasmid DNA isolated from transformants had not undergone detectable deletions or rearrangements. Transformation was possible with plasmid DNA which was religated after restriction endonuclease digestion. Phage DNA-dependent transfection of S. lactis LM0230 and S. lactis C6 was also achieved.     

Isolation and characterization of sporulation-specific promoters in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A library of random yeast genomic DNA:lacZ fusions has been constructed using an episomal yeast-Escherichia coli shuttle vector (pCS1). Plasmid pCS1 requires insertion of a promoter and an in frame ATG codon upstream of its resident truncated lacZ gene to regulate expression in yeast. Yeast genomic DNA fragments of 4-6 kb were generated by partial digestion with Sau3A and ligated into the unique BamHI site of plasmid pCS1 to generate a library of 5 x 10(4) individual E. coli transformants. This library was screened to identify promoter-lacZ fusions that were expressed uniquely during sporulation. Of 342 yeast transformants that exhibited beta-galactosidase activity, two were found to express the lacZ gene in a sporulation-specific manner. This paper presents the characterization of two genomic yeast DNA fragments containing promoters that control lacZ expression during the sporulation process. Expression from the promoter present in plasmid pJC18 occurred from 11-21 hours into the sporulation process, while the promoter in plasmid pJC217 was active from 4-14 hours. Staining of nuclear DNA to correlate nuclear morphology with timing of gene expression showed when each of these promoters was active in terms of the morphological stages of sporulation.     

Efficient gene targeting in the filamentous fungusAlternaria alternata

To characterize homologous recombination of transforming DNA in the filamentous fungusAlternaria alternata, we have compared the frequencies of gene targeting by circular and linear DNA fragments in the fungus. TheA. alternata BRM1 gene, which is an essential gene for melanin biosynthesis, was selected as a target locus.BRM1 targeting events are easily identified because loss of function leads to a change in mycelial color from black to light brown. We constructed targeting vectors by inserting 0.6 to 3.1 kb internalBRM1 segments into a plasmid containing the hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene. When circular plasmids were used, melanin-deficient (Me1^?) transformants accounted for 30 to 80% of hygromycin B-resistant (Hy^R) transformants, correlating closely with the size of theBRM1 segment in the transforming DNA. Restriction enzyme digestion within theBRM1 region greatly enhanced the frequency of gene targeting: integration of the linear plasmids was almost completely attributable to homologous recombination, regardless of the size of theBRM1 segments. Plasmids carrying bothBRM1 segments and rDNA segments were transformed into the fungus to examine the effect of the number of target copies on homologous recombination. Using the circular plasmids, Me1^? transformants accounted for only 5% of Hy^R transformants. In contrast, when the linear plasmid produced by restriction enzyme digestion within theBRM1 segment was used, almost all transformants were Me1^?. These results indicate that homologous integration of circular molecules inA. alternata is sensitive to the length of homology and the number of targets, and that double-strand breaks in transforming DNA greatly enhance homologous recombination.     

Construction of Plasmid Vectors and Transformation of the Marine Yeast Debaryomyces hansenii

We have constructed two plasmid vectors (pMR95 and pMR96) with selectable markers for the marine yeast Debaryomyces hansenii. Plasmid pMR95 contains an autonomously replicating sequence previously isolated from Debaryomyces and a hygromycin B resistance gene from the plasmid pLG90 under the control of the isocytochrome C1 promoter and terminator sequences, while pMR96 has, in addition, the Saccharomyces URA3 gene. Transformation in Debaryomyces was accomplished by electroporation. Plasmid pMR95 was capable of transforming both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and D. hansenii to hygromycin resistance at low frequencies; pMR96 transformed both yeasts at low frequencies when selected for hygromycin B resistance and at very high efficiencies when selected for uracil prototrophy. The presence of the plasmids in the transformed yeast was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. The plasmids could be recovered back in Escherichia coli when transformed with total DNA from the yeast transformants, indicating at least a partial autonomous existence of the plasmids in the marine yeast. To our knowledge this is the first successful attempt to transform D. hansenii. Received April 16, 1998; accepted June 30, 1998.     

Transformation of a glucose negative mutant ofPachysolen tannophilus with a plasmid carrying the cloned hexokinase PII gene fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae

Lithium treated cells of the yeastPachysolen tannophilus have been transformed with a plasmid carrying the gene encoding for the hexokinase PII enzyme fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae. The gene was expressed and the presence of the enzyme within the cell was demonstrated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography of cell-free extracts. Plasmid DNA from the transformants was used to transformE. coli HB101. Plasmid DNA from the bacterial transformants had the same mobility on an agarose gel as the original plasmid.     

Cloning of Escherichia coli lacZ and lacY Genes and Their Expression in Gluconobacter oxydans and Acetobacter liquefaciens

An efficient transformation protocol for Gluconobacter oxydans and Acetobacter liquefaciens strains was developed by preparation of electrocompetent cells grown on yeast extract-ethanol medium. Plasmid pBBR122 was used as broad-host-range vector to clone the Escherichia coli lacZY genes in G. oxydans and A. liquefaciens. Although both lac genes were functionally expressed in both acetic acid bacteria, only a few transformants were able to grow on lactose. However, this ability strictly depended on the presence of a plasmid expressing both lac genes. Mutations in the plasmids and/or in the chromosome were excluded as the cause of growth ability on lactose.     

Genetic transformation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with single-stranded circular DNA vectors

We asked if single-stranded vector DNA molecules could be used to reintroduce cloned DNA sequences into a eukaryotic cell and cause genetic transformation typical of that observed using double-stranded DNA vectors. DNA was presented to Saccharomyces cerevisiae following a standard transformation protocol, genetic transformants were isolated, and the physical state of the transforming DNA sequence was determined. We found that single-stranded DNA molecules transformed yeast cells 10- to 30-fold more efficiently than double-stranded molecules of identical sequence. More cells were competent for transformation by the single-stranded molecules. Single-stranded circular (ssc) DNA molecules carrying the yeast 2 μ plasmid-replicator sequence were converted to autonomously replicating double-stranded circular (dsc) molecules, suggesting their efficient utilization as templates for DNA synthesis in the cell. Single-stranded DNA molecules carrying 2 μ plasmid non-replicator sequences recombined with the endogenous multicopy 2 μ plasmid DNA. This recombination yielded either the simple molecular adduct expected from homologous recombination (40% of the transformants examined) or aberrant recombination products carrying incomplete transforming DNA sequences, endogenous 2 μ plasmid DNA sequences, or both (60% of the transformants examined). These aberrant recombination products suggest the frequent use of a recombination pathway that trims one or both of the substrate DNA molecules. Similar aberrant recombination products were detected in 30% of the transformants in cotransformation experiments employing single-stranded and double-stranded DNA molecules, one carrying the 2 μ plasmid replicator sequence and the other the selectable genetic marker. We conclude that single-stranded DNA molecules are useful vectors for the genetic transformation of a eukaryotic cell. They offer the advantage of high transformation efficiency, and yield the same intracellular DNA species obtained upon transformation with double-stranded DNA molecules. In addition, single-stranded DNA molecules can participate in a recombination pathway that trims one or both DNA recombination substrates, a pathway not detected, at least at the same frequency, when transforming with double-stranded DNA molecules     

Effect of oxygen tension on stability and expression of a killer toxin chimeric plasmid in a chemostat culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary The effects of oxygen tension and dilution rate on expression and stability of killer toxin chimeric plasmid (pADH-10A) in transformants of wine yeast (Montrachet 522) were investigated using a glucose-limited chemostat culture. Killer toxin activity increased as a function of dilution rate when transformants were grown in N₂ or air, but not in 100% O₂. Killer transformants grown in the presence of N₂ had 2–4 fold and 10–15 fold higher toxin expression than that in the presence of air and 100% O₂, respectively. Plasmid stability increased as a function of dilution rate, regardless of the oxygen tension used. However, transformants grown in air gave the highest plasmid stability.Paper Number 10918 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC 27695. The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service of the products named. nor criticism of similar ones not mentioned.