Characterisation,genome size and genetic manipulation of the myxobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorangium cellulosum</Emphasis> So ce56

In this study, Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 was phenotypically and genotypically analysed in order to evaluate whether this strain can be used in a comprehensive genome project as a representative of the secondary metabolite-producing myxobacteria. In contrast to many other strains of S. cellulosum, strain So ce56 was found to have various advantageous features, including fast and homogeneous growth in submerged cultures and the ability to complete its morphological differentiation cycle on agar, even when the inoculant originates from a liquid culture. Two groups of secondary metabolites isolated from the culture broth were identified, the polyketides etnangien and chivosazole. The presence of polyketide synthase-encoding genes in the genome of strain So ce56 was demonstrated via PCR. The phenotypic classification was confirmed by comparison of 16S rDNA sequences which showed that S. cellulosum So ce56 clusters within a separate lineage together with S. cellulosum ATCC 25531 and the epothilone producer S. cellulosum So ce90. The genome of S. cellulosum So ce56 belongs to the largest bacterial genomes described so far. It is estimated to be 12.2 Mb in size, by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. In order to demonstrate that S. cellulosum So ce56 is a convenient strain for molecular biological studies, a genetic manipulation system was developed. Using triparental mating, polyketide synthase-encoding genes were inactivated, leading to chivosazole-negative mutants.     

Identification of an l-dopa decarboxylase gene from Sorangium cellulosum So ce90

During a screening program intended to identify genes encoding enzymes typical for secondary metabolism in Sorangium cellulosum So ce90, an aromatic amino acid decarboxylase gene (ddc) was detected. Expression of ddc in Escherichia coli and subsequent enzyme assays with cell-free extracts confirmed the proposed function derived from amino acid sequence comparisons. In contrast to other aromatic amino acid decarboxylases of eukaryotic origin, the S. cellulosum Ddc converted only L-dihydroxy phenylalanine. This is the first report of a gene encoding an L-dihydroxy phenylalanine decarboxylase in bacteria.     

Identification and analysis of the chivosazol biosynthetic gene cluster from the myxobacterial model strain Sorangium cellulosum So ce56

Myxobacteria belonging to the genus Sorangium are known to produce a variety of biologically active secondary metabolites. Chivosazol is a macrocyclic antibiotic active against yeast, filamentous fungi and especially against mammalian cells. The compound specifically destroys the actin skeleton of eucaryotic cells and does not show activity against bacteria. Chivosazol contains an oxazole ring and a glycosidically bound 6-deoxyglucose (except for chivosazol F). In this paper we describe the biosynthetic gene cluster that directs chivosazol biosynthesis in the model strain Sorangium cellulosum So ce56. This biosynthetic gene cluster spans 92 kbp on the chromosome and contains four polyketide synthase genes and one hybrid polyketide synthase/nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene. An additional gene encoding a protein with similarity to different methyltransferases and presumably involved in post-polyketide modification was identified downstream of the core biosynthetic gene cluster. The chivosazol biosynthetic gene locus belongs to the recently identified and rapidly growing class of trans-acyltransferase polyketide synthases, which do not contain acyltransferase domains integrated into the multimodular megasynthetases.     

Insights into the complex biosynthesis of the leupyrrins in Sorangium cellulosum So ce690

The anti-fungal leupyrrins are secondary metabolites produced by several strains of the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. These intriguing compounds incorporate an atypically substituted γ-butyrolactone ring, as well as pyrrole and oxazolinone functionalities, which are located within an unusual asymmetrical macrodiolide. Previous feeding studies revealed that this novel structure arises from the homologation of four distinct structural units, nonribosomally-derived peptide, polyketide, isoprenoid and a dicarboxylic acid, coupled with modification of the various building blocks. Here we have attempted to reconcile the biosynthetic pathway proposed on the basis of the feeding studies with the underlying enzymatic machinery in the S. cellulosum strain So ce690. Gene products can be assigned to many of the suggested steps, but inspection of the gene set provokes the reconsideration of several key transformations. We support our analysis by the reconstitution in vitro of the biosynthesis of the pyrrole carboxylic starter unit along with gene inactivation. In addition, this study reveals that a significant proportion of the genes for leupyrrin biosynthesis are located outside the core cluster, a 'split' organization which is increasingly characteristic of the myxobacteria. Finally, we report the generation of four novel deshydroxy leupyrrin analogues by genetic engineering of the pathway.     

Improving conjugation efficacy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorangium cellulosum</Emphasis> by the addition of dual selection antibiotics

The conjugation protocols in myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum are often inapplicable due to the strain-specific sensitivity to the presence of Escherichia coli cells or the resistances to many antibiotics. Here we report that the conjugative transfer of the mobilizable plasmid pCVD442 from E. coli DH5alpha (lambda pir) to Sorangium strains could be greatly increased by the presence of low doses of dual selection antibiotics in the mating medium. The improvement was efficient in either E. coli-tolerant or sensitive Sorangium strains. For those phleomycin and hygromycin tolerant Sorangium strains, chloramphenicol-resistance gene was developed as a new selectable marker by driving the resistance gene with the aphII promoter. Using the improved protocol, the epothilone biosynthetic pathway was inactivated by an insertion mutation in the biosynthetic genes of the producing Sorangium strains.     

Investigation of cytochromes P450 in myxobacteria: excavation of cytochromes P450 from the genome of Sorangium cellulosum So ce56

The exploitation of cytochromes P450 for novel biotechnological application and for the investigation of their physiological function is of great scientific interest in this post genomic era, where an extraordinary biodiversity of P450 genes has been derived from all forms of life. The study of P450s in the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum strain So ce56, the producer of novel secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical interest is the research topic, in which we were engaged since the beginning of its genome sequencing project. We herein disclosed the cytochrome P450 complements (CYPomes) of spore-forming myxobacterial species, Stigmatella aurantiaca DW4/3-1, Haliangium ochraceum DSM 14365 and Myxococcus xanthus DK1622, and their potential pharmaceutical significance has been discussed.     

Myxobacteria: proficient producers of novel natural products with various biological activities--past and future biotechnological aspects with the focus on the genus Sorangium

Myxobacteria are gram-negative bacteria which are most noted for their ability to form fruiting bodies upon starvation. Within the last two decades, they increasingly gained attention as producers of natural products with biological activity. Here, recent and future biotechnological research on certain key myxobacteria and on their ability to produce natural products is reviewed with the focus on the production of myxovirescin, soraphen and epothilone. Aspects of product improvement and yield as well as statistics regarding secondary metabolite formation are discussed. Future research will deal with the exploitation of the biosynthetic potential of the myxobacteria, for example via the isolation of new myxobacterial species with different physiological properties. Additionally, the genetic potential of myxobacteria to form natural products can be exploited by the identification and activation of biosynthetic gene clusters. These can be found frequently within their genomes, which is shown by the analysis of the unfinished genomes of Myxococcus xanthus and Sorangium cellulosum. The current status of the S. cellulosum functional genome project with model strain So ce56 is discussed.     

Complete genome sequence of the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum

The genus Sorangium synthesizes approximately half of the secondary metabolites isolated from myxobacteria, including the anti-cancer metabolite epothilone. We report the complete genome sequence of the model Sorangium strain S. cellulosum So ce56, which produces several natural products and has morphological and physiological properties typical of the genus. The circular genome, comprising 13,033,779 base pairs, is the largest bacterial genome sequenced to date. No global synteny with the genome of Myxococcus xanthus is apparent, revealing an unanticipated level of divergence between these myxobacteria. A large percentage of the genome is devoted to regulation, particularly post-translational phosphorylation, which probably supports the strain's complex, social lifestyle. This regulatory network includes the highest number of eukaryotic protein kinase-like kinases discovered in any organism. Seventeen secondary metabolite loci are encoded in the genome, as well as many enzymes with potential utility in industry.     

Transfer of mobilizable plasmids to Sorangium cellulosum and evidence for their integration into the chromosome.

Recombinant vectors derived from the broad-host-range mobilizable plasmid pSUP2021 were constructed and transferred by IncP-mediated conjugation from Escherichia coli to Sorangium cellulosum, where they were integrated into the chromosome by homologous recombination and maintained stably. This appears to be the first system of gene transfer to S. cellulosum.     

Unusual outer membrane lipid composition of the gram-negative, lipopolysaccharide-lacking myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum So ce56

The gram-negative myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 bears the largest bacterial genome published so far, coding for nearly 10,000 genes. Careful analysis of this genome data revealed that part of the genes coding for the very well conserved biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are missing in this microbe. Biochemical analysis gave no evidence for the presence of LPS in the membranes of So ce56. By analyzing the lipid composition of its outer membrane sphingolipids were identified as the major lipid class, together with ornithine-containing lipids (OL) and ether lipids. A detailed analysis of these lipids resulted in the identification of more than 50 structural variants within these three classes, which possessed several interesting properties regarding to LPS replacement, mediators in myxobacterial differentiation, as well as potential bioactive properties. The sphingolipids with the basic structure C9-methyl-C(20)-sphingosine possessed as an unusual trait C9-methylation, which is common to fungi but highly uncommon to bacteria. Such sphingolipids have not been found in bacteria before, and they may have a function in myxobacterial development. The OL, also identified in myxobacteria for the first time, contained acyloxyacyl groups, which are also characteristic for LPS and might replace those in certain functions. Finally, the ether lipids may serve as biomarkers in myxobacterial development.     

应用优化的双向电泳技术建立纤维堆囊菌So0157-2蛋白质组数据库

堆囊菌丰富的次级代谢产物是新药的重要来源,而蛋白质组学分析是研究代谢调控的有效方法．然而堆囊菌含有大量的胞外多糖以及黏液,干扰了蛋白质组学分析中蛋白质的溶解度、分辨率及重现性．为了高通量地筛选Sorangium cellulosum So0157-2表达的特异性蛋白,实验优化了S. cellulosum So0157-2双向电泳方法．首先,S. cellulosum So0157-2蛋白在裂解液中有更好的溶解度．pH 3～10非线性胶条和1 mg的蛋白上样量适用于第一向等电聚焦,分别提高了蛋白质点的分辨率和低丰度蛋白质的表达．15% SDS-PAGE 改善了S. cellulosum So0157-2蛋白分离的分辨率和重现性．最终,通过优化的双向电泳方法获得了S. cellulosum So0157-2 在M26培养基中培养3天的全蛋白质表达谱,并检测到552个蛋白质点．进而对表达蛋白通过MALDI-TOF-MS进行质谱鉴定,其中474个蛋白质得到鉴定,鉴定率85.9%．得到鉴定的蛋白质包括细胞结构和功能组分,以及细胞代谢合成酶类,其中8个蛋白质与糖类的转化和代谢相关,这有助于糖基化埃博霉素A的深入研究．该优化方法为进一步建立纤维堆囊菌So0157-2在各种培养条件下的蛋白质组表达数据库打下基础．     

CYP264B1 from Sorangium cellulosum So ce56: a fascinating norisoprenoid and sesquiterpene hydroxylase

Many terpenes and terpenoid compounds are known as bioactive substances with desirable fragrance and medicinal activities. Modification of such compounds to yield new derivatives with desired properties is particularly attractive. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are potential enzymes for these reactions due to their capability of performing different reactions on a variety of substrates. We report here the characterization of CYP264B1 from Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 as a novel sesquiterpene hydroxylase. CYP264B1 was able to convert various sesquiterpenes including nootkatone and norisoprenoids (α-ionone and β-ionone). Nootkatone, an important grapefruit aromatic sesquiterpenoid, was hydroxylated mainly at position C-13. The product has been shown to have the highest antiproliferative activity compared with other nootkatone derivatives. In addition, CYP264B1 was found to hydroxylate α- and β-ionone, important aroma compounds of floral scents, regioselectively at position C-3. The products, 3-hydroxy-β-ionone and 13-hydroxy-nootkatone, were confirmed by (1)H and (13)C NMR. The kinetics of the product formation was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the K ( m ) and k (cat) values were calculated. The results of docking α-/β-ionone and nootkatone into a homology model of CYP264B1 revealed insights into the structural basis of these selective hydroxylations.     

Development of a mariner-based transposon for use in Sorangium cellulosum

In order to generate marked insertions in the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum, a transposon based on the eukaryotic mariner transposon was developed. The transposition frequency was increased with the use of a mutated tnp gene. The transposon randomly inserts into the chromosome, as demonstrated by targeted mutagenesis of the epoK gene.     

Mutation in the rel gene of Sorangium cellulosum affects morphological and physiological differentiation

Interruption of the (p)ppGpp synthetase gene ( rel ) of Sorangium cellulosum So ce56 resulted in loss of ppGpp accumulation after norvaline treatment during exponential growth phase. The rel mutant failed to produce wild-type levels of the polyketides chivosazol and etnangien in production media. In wild-type cells expression of the chivosazol biosynthetic operon can be significantly increased by norvaline or α-methylglucoside. This induction does not occur in the rel mutant. The rel mutant also lost the capability to form multicellular fruiting bodies under nutrient starvation.     

纤维堆囊菌的供谢产物及其生物学活性分析

纤维堆囊菌不同菌株不但表现细胞和子实体形态的差异,而且供谢产物的组成和生物学活性也存在差异。纤维堆囊菌对革兰氏阴性细菌不表现任何抑制活性,部分菌株可抑制革兰氏阳性细菌;但所有菌株对真菌和肿瘤细胞有广泛和强烈的抑制作用。薄层层析显示,纤维堆囊菌的次级代谢产物组分较多,且大多数组分具有不同程度的抑制真菌和肿细胞的活性。在筛选中发现四株菌的代谢产物能够促进微管蛋白聚合,其中So33-1活性组分的薄层层析Rf值与已知的Epothilone A相似,而So81的则有较大的差异。研究结果表明纤维堆囊菌是很好的筛选抗真核生物活性的天然化合物资源。     

Nutrient regulation of epothilone biosynthesis in heterologous and native production strains

Fermentation media with different initial concentrations of ammonium and phosphate salts were used to study the inhibitory effects of those ions on growth and production of epothilone in Sorangium cellulosum and Myxococcus xanthus. The native epothilone producer, S. cellulosum was more sensitive to ammonium and phosphate than the heterologous producer, M. xanthus. An ammonium concentration of 12 mM reduced epothilone titers by 90% in S. cellulosum but by only 40% in M. xanthus. When 5 mM phosphate was added to the medium, production in both strains was 60% lower. Higher phosphate concentrations had little additional effect on M. xanthus titers, but epothilone production with 17 mM extra-cellular phosphate in S. cellulosum was 95% lower than in the control condition. The effect of iron supplementation to the fermentation medium was also investigated. Both strains showed best production with 20 microM iron added to the medium.     

响应面法优化纤维堆囊菌So ce90原生质体的制备条件

采用响应面法优化纤维堆囊菌So ce90的原生质体制备条件。选择溶菌酶浓度,酶解时间和酶解温度作为考察因子,在单因素试验的基础上,采用Box—Benhnken中心组合设计方法进行三因素三水平试验设计。以原生质体生成率作为响应值,进行多元二次响应回归分析,得出纤维堆囊菌So ce90原生质体制备的最佳条件为：溶菌酶浓度1．40mg／mL,酶解时间为160min,酶解温度为30℃,响应模型预测的原生质体最高生成率为87．78％,在最优的条件下进行验证试验,得到原生质体生成率为86．23％,与预测值间的相对误差为1．76％,表明采用响应面法优化纤维堆囊茵So ce90原生质体的制备条件是可行的。