激光复合诱变选育叶酸高产菌

利用高效液相色谱测定发酵液中叶酸含量,比较产朊假丝酵母(Candida utilis)、异常汉逊酵母(ftan-senula anomala)和枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)产叶酸能力的高低,从而确定生产叶酸的最佳菌种.出发菌株经紫外照射诱变后,再采用激光复合诱变方式进行进一步的筛选,并对其传代稳定性进行研究,以期进一步获得稳产高产叶酸产生菌突变株.结果表明产朊假丝酵母产叶酸量最高.紫外照射3 min得到的Y1.4菌株产叶酸量与原始菌株相比,产量提高了33.8%.激光一紫外复合诱变后筛选出4株产量较高的菌株,其中以Y2.12产量最高.Y2.12产叶酸量与原始菌株相比,提高了65.8%.经传代培养分析,Y2.12诱变株的产量稳定.该结果表明,激光复合诱变是获得高产叶酸的有效途径.     

Bacillus subtilis F0F1 ATPase: DNA sequence of the atp operon and characterization of atp mutants.

We cloned and sequenced an operon of nine genes coding for the subunits of the Bacillus subtilis F0F1 ATP synthase. The arrangement of these genes in the operon is identical to that of the atp operon from Escherichia coli and from three other Bacillus species. The deduced amino acid sequences of the nine subunits are very similar to their counterparts from other organisms. We constructed two B. subtilis strains from which different parts of the atp operon were deleted. These B. subtilis atp mutants were unable to grow with succinate as the sole carbon and energy source. ATP was synthesized in these strains only by substrate-level phosphorylation. The two mutants had a decreased growth yield (43 and 56% of the wild-type level) and a decreased growth rate (61 and 66% of the wild-type level), correlating with a twofold decrease of the intracellular ATP/ADP ratio. In the absence of oxidative phosphorylation, B. subtilis increased ATP synthesis through substrate-level phosphorylation, as shown by the twofold increase of by-product formation (mainly acetate). The increased turnover of glycolysis in the mutant strain presumably led to increased synthesis of NADH, which would account for the observed stimulation of the respiration rate associated with an increase in the expression of genes coding for respiratory enzymes. It therefore appears that B. subtilis and E. coli respond in similar ways to the absence of oxidative phosphorylation.     

Uncoupling expression of genes coding for the synthesis of proteins involved in transport and utilization of fructose in Escherichia coli K-12]

A novel mutation fruS localised in the fru operon has been obtained. The mutation uncouples expression of genes determining fructose specific uptake and utilization. In the fruS bacteria fruA and fruF genes (coding for enzyme II and FPr, respectively) become constitutive, while the fruK gene (responsible for fructose-1-phosphate kinase synthesis) remains inducible. In contrast to the already known mutations making the whole fru operon constitutive, the fruS mutation: 1) does not lead to xylitol sensitivity; 2) does not depress growth on lactate, pyruvate and alanine; 3) does not decrease PEP-synthase activity.     

Loss of protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of HPr, a phosphocarrier protein of the phosphotransferase system, by mutation of the ptsH gene confers catabolite repression resistance to several catabolic genes of Bacillus subtilis.

In gram-positive bacteria, HPr, a phosphocarrier protein of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS), is phosphorylated by an ATP-dependent, metabolite-activated protein kinase on seryl residue 46. In a Bacillus subtilis mutant strain in which Ser-46 of HPr was replaced with a nonphosphorylatable alanyl residue (ptsH1 mutation), synthesis of gluconate kinase, glucitol dehydrogenase, mannitol-1-P dehydrogenase and the mannitol-specific PTS permease was completely relieved from repression by glucose, fructose, or mannitol, whereas synthesis of inositol dehydrogenase was partially relieved from catabolite repression and synthesis of alpha-glucosidase and glycerol kinase was still subject to catabolite repression. When the S46A mutation in HPr was reverted to give S46 wild-type HPr, expression of gluconate kinase and glucitol dehydrogenase regained full sensitivity to repression by PTS sugars. These results suggest that phosphorylation of HPr at Ser-46 is directly or indirectly involved in catabolite repression. A strain deleted for the ptsGHI genes was transformed with plasmids expressing either the wild-type ptsH gene or various S46 mutant ptsH genes (S46A or S46D). Expression of the gene encoding S46D HPr, having a structure similar to that of P-ser-HPr according to nuclear magnetic resonance data, caused significant reduction of gluconate kinase activity, whereas expression of the genes encoding wild-type or S46A HPr had no effect on this enzyme activity. When the promoterless lacZ gene was put under the control of the gnt promoter and was subsequently incorporated into the amyE gene on the B. subtilis chromosome, expression of beta-galactosidase was inducible by gluconate and repressed by glucose. However, we observed no repression of beta-galactosidase activity in a strain carrying the ptsH1 mutation. Additionally, we investigated a ccpA mutant strain and observed that all of the enzymes which we found to be relieved from carbon catabolite repression in the ptsH1 mutant strain were also insensitive to catabolite repression in the ccpA mutant. Enzymes that were repressed in the ptsH1 mutant were also repressed in the ccpA mutant.     

Molecular cloning, sequencing, and physiological characterization of the qox operon from Bacillus subtilis encoding the aa3-600 quinol oxidase.

Bacillus subtilis contains two aa3-type terminal oxidases (caa3-605 and aa3-600) catalyzing cytochrome c and quinol oxidation, respectively, with the concomitant reduction of O2 to H2O (Lauraeus, M., Haltia, T., Saraste, M., and Wikstr?m, M. (1991) Eur. J. Biochem. 197, 699-705). Previous studies characterized only the structural genes of caa3-605 oxidase. We isolated the genes coding for the four subunits of a B. subtilis terminal oxidase from a genomic DNA library. These genes, named qoxA to qoxD, are organized in an operon. Examination of the deduced amino acid sequence of Qox subunits showed that this oxidase is structurally related to the large family of mitochondrial-type aa3 terminal oxidases. In particular, the amino acid sequences are very similar to those of subunits of Escherichia coli bo quinol oxidase and B. subtilis caa3-605 cytochrome c oxidase. We produced, by in vitro mutagenesis, a mutation in the qox operon. From the phenotype of the mutant strain devoid of Qox protein, the study of expression of the qox operon in different growth conditions, and the analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of the subunits, we concluded that Qox protein and aa3-600 quinol oxidase are the same protein. Although several terminal oxidases are found in B. subtilis, Qox oxidase (aa3-600) is predominant during the vegetative growth and its absence leads to important alterations of the phenotype of B. subtilis.     

The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase also catalyzes C3 carboxylation at the interface of glycolysis and the TCA cycle of Bacillus subtilis

Quantitative physiological characterization and isotopic tracer experiments revealed that pyruvate kinase mutants of Bacillus subtilis produced significantly more CO(2) from glucose in the tricarboxylic acid cycle than is explained by the remaining conversion of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to pyruvate catalyzed by the phosphotransferase system. We show here that this additional catabolic flux into the tricarboxylic acid cycle was catalyzed by the PEP carboxykinase. In contrast to its normal role in gluconeogenesis, PEP carboxykinase can operate in the reverse direction from PEP to oxaloacetate upon knockout of pyruvate kinase in a riboflavin-producing B. subtilis strain and in wild-type 168. At least in the industrial strain, we demonstrate the additional capacity of PEP carboxykinase to function as a substitute anaplerotic reaction when the normal pyruvate carboxylase is inactivated. Presumably as a consequence of the unfavorable kinetics of an ATP-synthesizing anaplerotic PEP carboxykinase reaction, such pyruvate carboxylase mutants grow slowly or, as in the case of wild-type 168, not at all.     

Genetic analysis of an incomplete bio operon in a biotin auxotrophic strain of Bacillus subtilis natto OK2

We describe the genetic analysis of the bio operon of the biotin auxotrophic Bacillus subtilis natto OK2 strain. The OK2 strain would only cross-feed with the Escherichia coli bioB mutant and also grew well in medium containing dethiobiotin. Sequencing analysis revealed two significant genetic alterations in the bioW and bioF genes within the bio operon of the OK2 strain. Complementation analysis with B. subtilis 168 bio mutants demonstrated that only the bioB gene could complement, but other bio operon genes could not. A bio(+) transformant, isolated from an OK2 strain, has biotin autotrophy.     

A novel mutation FruS, altering synthesis of components of the phosphoenolpyruvate: fructose phosphotransferase system in Escherichia coli K12

Summary A novel mutation, FruS localised in the fru operon was obtained. It uncouples expression of the genes determining synthesis of the fructose-specific transport proteins and fructose- l-phosphate kinase. In FruS bacteria the fruA and fruF genes (coding for Enzyme II^fru and FPr, respectively) are constitutive by expressed while fruK (encoding fructose-1-phosphate kinase) remains inducible. In contrast to other mutations, which render expression of the whole fru operon constitutive, the FruS mutation: (1) does not lead to d-xylitol sensitivity; (2) does not inhibit growth on D-lactate, pyruvate and l-alanine; (3) does not decrease phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) synthase activity.     

增强胞内NDAH水平和乙偶姻还原酶活力提高2,3-丁二醇产量

枯草芽孢杆菌Bacillus subtilis 168是一株安全生产菌株,首次通过弱化B.subtilis 168磷酸戊糖途径(PPP)中的关键酶葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G6PDH)基因zwf,研究了其对胞内NADH水平的影响,进而研究其对2,3-丁二醇(2,3-BD)及副产物合成的影响。弱化菌株B. subtilis168△zwf进行摇瓶发酵实验,与出发菌株相比,胞内辅酶NADH水平得到了增强, 2,3-BD产量提高了15.0%,主要副产物AC积累量下降了10.6%,但乙酸、乳酸等有机酸的积累量提高。为了进一步提高2,3-BD生产效率,在B. subtilis168中克隆表达了不同来源的ACR基因,研究发现克雷伯氏菌来源的ACR酶活力最高,将此来源的ACR的基因kphs克隆到B.subtilis168△zwf中加强表达,对重组菌株B.subtilis168△zwf/pMA5-kphs进行摇瓶发酵实验,与出发菌相比,2,3-BD产量提高了37.3 %,主要副产物AC积累量下降了28.1%,同时,乙酸等分支路径的其他副产物也有不同程度的降低。     

A Bacillus subtilis 168 mutant with increased xylose uptake can utilize xylose as sole carbon source

Abstract Bacillus subtilis 168 is unable to effectively utilize xylose as sole carbon source. We demonstrate here that this strain cannot actively transport xylose into the cell. After leaving B. subtilis 168 for a few days on minimal plates with xylose as sole carbon source large colonies arise with a frequency of 1 × 10⁻⁶/cell. These mutants grow well on xylose and efficiently take up that sugar. This new property is not inducible by xylose, indicating that the mutation is neither in the xyl nor in the xyn operon.     

Anaerobic synthesis of succinic acid by Escherichia coli strains with activated NAD+ reducing pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Effect of constitutive expression of the aceEF-lpdA operon genes coding for the enzymes of NAD+ reducing pyruvate dehydrogenase complex on the anaerobic production of succinic acids from glucose by recombinant Escherichia coli strains was studied. Basic producer strains were obtained by inactivation of the main pathways for synthesis of acetic and lactic acids by deletion of the genes ackA, pta, poxB, and ldhA (SGMO.1) in E. coli strain MG 1655 cells and additional introduction of the Bacillus subtilis pyruvate carboxylase (SG M0.1 [pPYC]). A constitutive expression of the genes aceEF-lpdA in derivatives of the basic strains SGM0.1 PL-aceEF-lpdA and SGM0.1 PL-aceEF-lpdA [pPYC] was provided by replacing the native regulatory region of the operon with the lambda phage PL promoter. Molar yields of succinic acid in anaerobic glucose fermentation by strains SGM0.1 P(L)-aceEF-lpdA and SGM0.1 PL-aceEF-lpdA [pPYC] exceeded the corresponding yields displayed by several control strains (exceeded considerably in the case of the strains with a pyruvate carboxylase activity). It is concluded that an increase in the succinic acid production by strain SGM0.1 PL-aceEF-lpdA [pPYC] as compared with the strains SGM0.1 and SGM0.1 [pPYC], which synthesize this substance in the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle, is determined by activation of the glyoxylate shunt.     

Cloning of genetic material in Bacillus

Plasmid vectors capable for propagation of Bacillus subtilis DNA fragments containing riboflavin genes were constructed. Cloning of rib operon using pUB110 derivatives was performed in recE4 strain by using sequentional rescue of plasmids containing subfragments of the operon. Also, rib operon was cloned on the vectors containing DNA repeats. It was shown that the presence of direct and inverted repeats within plasmids allows to transform B. subtilis cells by monomers of plasmid DNA. Vectors that contained repeated sequences of DNA and ensured efficient cloning of genetic material in B. subtilis recipient cells were constructed. The use of streptococcal plasmid pSM19035 allowed to obtain vectors which were suitable for cloning large DNA fragments (6 MD and even more) in B. subtilis. A model of B. subtilis transformation by various types of plasmid DNA is presented. The model is in agreement with the general conception of chromosomal DNA transformation.     

Secretory S complex of Bacillus subtilis: sequence analysis and identity to pyruvate dehydrogenase.

We have cloned the operon coding for the Bacillus subtilis S complex, which has been proposed to be a component in protein secretion machinery. A lambda gt10 library of B. subtilis was screened with antiserum directed against the Staphylococcus aureus membrane-bound ribosome protein complex, which is homologous to the B. subtilis S complex. Two positive overlapping lambda clones were sequenced. The S-complex operon, 5 kilobases in size, was shown to contain four open reading frames and three putative promoters, which are located upstream of the first, the third, and the last gene. The four proteins encoded by the operon are 42, 36, 48, and 50 kilodaltons in size. All of these proteins were recognized by antisera separately raised against each protein of the S. aureus membrane-bound ribosome protein and B. subtilis S complexes, thus verifying the S-complex identity of the lambda clones. Sequence analysis revealed that all four proteins of the B. subtilis S complex are homologous to the four subunits of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). Also, the N terminus of the 48-kilodalton protein was found to have 70% amino acid identity with the N-terminal 211 amino acids, determined so far, from the E2 subunit of B. stearothermophilus PDH. Furthermore, chromosomal mapping of the S-complex operon gave a linkage to a marker gene located close to the previously mapped B. subtilis PDH genes. Thus, the S complex is evidently identical to the B. subtilis PDH, which has been shown to contain four subunits with molecular weights very similar to those of the S complex. Therefore, we propose that the S complex is not a primary component of protein secretion.     

The characterization and cloning of a gluconate (gnt) operon of Bacillus subtilis

The enzymes involved in gluconate utilization in Bacillus subtilis seemed to be gluconate permease and gluconate kinase. Several mutants unable to grow on gluconate were isolated. The mutations they harboured (gnt) were clustered between iol-6 and fdp-74 on the B. subtilis chromosome (a tentative map order of gnt-10, gnt-4, gnt-26, gnt-23 and gnt-9 was obtained). The gnt-10 mutation seemed to be located within the structural gene of the kinase, and the gnt-23 and gnt-26 mutations seemed to be within that of the permease. An EcoRI fragment (4.5 MDal) containing an intact gluconate (gnt) operon consisting of these two structural genes was cloned in phage phi 105 by prophage transformation and was mapped physically. The physical location of the mutations coincided with their order on the genetic map. The HindIII-A fragment (2.4 MDal), which corrects all the gnt mutations, was subcloned in plasmid pC194. The fragment contained the structural genes for the gluconate permease and kinase, but not the regulatory region of the gluconate operon.     

蜡样芽孢杆菌ATCC14579核黄素操纵子的克隆及在枯草芽孢杆菌中的表达

利用BLAST从B．cereus ATCC14579的基因组中找到一段与枯草芽孢杆茵核黄素操纵子具有较高相似性的4．6kb大小的基因组DNA片段,该片段中含有完整的核黄素操纵子。该操纵子结构基因的编码产物的氨基酸序列与枯草芽孢杆菌核黄素操纵子相应结构基因的编码产物的氨基酸序列具有99％的同源性。该片段被克隆到大肠杆茵一枯草芽孢杆茵穿梭载体pHP13M中。表达分析的结果表明B．cereus ATCC14579核黄素操纵子可在大肠杆茵和枯草芽孢杆菌中表达。利用PCR方法用来自枯草杆菌的sac B基因的启动子替换B．cereus ATCC14579核黄素操纵子原有的启动子使其更好表达。替换启动子后的核黄素操纵子在本文使用的发酵条件下有较好的表达,核黄素产量从39．5mg／L增加到61．7mg/L.     

Role of the Bacillus subtilis gsiA gene in regulation of early sporulation gene expression.

The Bacillus subtilis gsiA operon was induced rapidly, but transiently, as cells entered the stationary phase in nutrient broth medium. A mutation at the gsiC locus caused sporulation to be defective and expression of gsiA to be elevated and prolonged. The sporulation defect in this strain was apparently due to persistent expression of gsiA, since a gsiA null mutation restored sporulation to wild-type levels. Detailed mapping experiments revealed that the gsiC82 mutation lies within the kinA gene, which encodes the histidine protein kinase member of a two-component regulatory system. Since mutations in this gene caused a substantial blockage in expression of spoIIA, spoIIG, and spoIID genes, it seems that accumulation of a product of the gsiA operon interferes with sporulation by blocking the completion of stage II. It apparently does so by inhibiting or counteracting the activity of KinA.