Construction of a new high-copy number shuttle vector of Bacillus thuringiensis

AIMS: Construction and characterization of a new cloning shuttle vector for gene transfer and expression in Bacillus thuringiensis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A novel short and high-copy number shuttle vector called pHBLBIV, was constructed for gene transfer and expression in Bacillus thuringiensis. A 1.6-kbp replicon of a relatively high-copy number endogenous plasmid of a selected B. thuringiensis strain was ligated to Escherichia coli pUC18 replicon containing the ampicillin and the erythromycin resistance genes used for the selection of respectively E. coli and B. thuringiensis transformants. The constructed vector was shown to have a high copy number compared with the conventional B. thuringiensis vectors, and used successfully for the transfer of vegetative insecticidal protein-encoding gene (vip) in between B. thuringiensis strains. CONCLUSIONS: A new shuttle vector of B. thuringiensis-E. coli named pHBLBIV was constructed. It was characterized by its high copy number, small size and segregational stability. This vector was successfully used for vip gene cloning and transfer in B. thuringiensis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A novel shuttle vector has been constructed, which has demonstrated potential for the cloning and expression of genes in B. thuringiensis.     

Characterization of the chitinase gene in Bacillus thuringiensis Mexican isolates

The chitinase gene was molecularly characterized in five Bacillus thuringiensis Mexican isolates, MR10, MR11, MR21, MR33, and RN52. The proteins derived from these genes were tested for their chitinase activity using fluorogenic chitin derivatives. In order to verify if chitinase genes were functional, they were cloned, and enzymatic activity of recombinant chitinases was also tested. Results indicated that enzymes exhibited endochitinase activity. The highest hydrolytic activity shown against the chitin tetrameric derivative occurred at pH value of 6.5, and the optimum activity temperature was around 60 °C. The recombinant endochitinases showed a molecular mass of ～77 kDa with isoelectric points from 6.5 to 7.0. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences showed highly conserved sequences among all isolates (97–99 %). Gene sequence analysis revealed a putative promoter (?35 TTGAGA and ?10 TTAATA) and a Shine–Dalgarno sequence (5´-AGGAGA-3´) upstream from the open reading frame. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that the proteins are modular enzymes composed by a family 18 glycosyl hydrolase domain located between amino acids 134 and 549, a fibronectin-binding domain (580 through 656), and a chitin-binding domain (664 through 771). The deduced amino acid sequences of our isolates showed a similarity close to 100 % respect to the sequences reported in the GenBank database.     

Construction of a shuttle vector for inducible gene expression in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis

The construction of a shuttle vector for inducible gene expression allowing fast and easy cloning in Escherichia coli and subsequent transformation of Bacillus subtilis is presented. The expression is based on the regulation of the tac promoter by the Lac repressor which was assayed with the xylE gene from Pseudomonas putida as a marker gene. The lacIq gene, transcribed by the strong spo promoter, allowed full repression of the weak tac promoter.     

Cloning,sequencing, and expression of the chitinase gene chiA74 from Bacillus thuringiensis

The endochitinase gene chiA74 from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar kenyae strain LBIT-82 was cloned in Escherichia coli DH5 alpha F'. A sequence of 676 amino acids was deduced when the gene was completely sequenced. A molecular mass of 74 kDa was estimated for the preprotein, which includes a putative 4-kDa signal sequence located at the N terminus. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high degree of identity with other chitinases such as ChiB from Bacillus cereus (98%) and ChiA71 from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar pakistani (70%). Additionally, ChiA74 showed a modular structure comprised of three domains: a catalytic domain, a fibronectin-like domain, and a chitin-binding domain. All three domains showed conserved sequences when compared to other bacterial chitinase sequences. A ca. 70-kDa mature protein expressed by the cloned gene was detected in zymograms, comigrating with a chitinase produced by the LBIT-82 wild-type strain. ChiA74 is active within a wide pH range (4 to 9), although a bimodal activity was shown at pH 4.79 and 6.34. The optimal temperature was estimated at 57.2 degrees C when tested at pH 6. The potential use of ChiA74 as a synergistic agent, along with the B. thuringiensis insecticidal Cry proteins, is discussed.     

Development of a versatile shuttle vector for gene expression in Geobacillus spp

An improved, versatile shuttle vector has been created for the metabolic engineering of Geobacillus spp. As kanamycin is the most thermo-tolerant of commonly used antibiotics, the gene encoding a thermostable kanamycin nucleotidyltransferase, together with the origin of replication from the G. stearothermophilus plasmid pBST1 were cloned into the Escherichia coli cloning vector pUC18. The resulting vector, named pUCG18, replicated in both organisms and could be transformed with an efficiency of 1 x 10(4) transformants per microg of DNA in G. thermoglucosidasius and was stable up to 68 degrees C with antibiotic selection. It was used to demonstrate expression of the pyruvate decarboxylase (pdc) gene from Zymomonas palmae in G. thermoglucosidasius at 45 degrees C. Sequence analysis of the pBST1 derived origin of replication revealed homology with a family of theta replicons that have previously only been found in strains of Bacillus megaterium.     

Cloning of a chitinase gene into Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai for enhanced insecticidal activity

Chitinase from a high producing strain (TP-1) of Bacillus licheniformis was used with B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai (B.t.a.) in a combined larvicidal assay against the pest, Spodoptera exigua. With 10 mU of this chitinase, the LD(50) of B.t.a. was reduced by 7.6, 13.8 and 15 times on days 3, 5 and 7, respectively when compared to use of B.t.a. alone. In addition, a combination of chitinase (10 mU) and B.t.a. at a sub-lethal dose retarded growth and development of S. exigua. In preparation for transformation of B.t.a., the TP-1 chitinase gene was cloned in E. coli DH5alpha and sequenced to reveal a single open reading frame of 1,815 bp. This open reading frame encoded for a protein of 604 amino acids and a characteristic signal peptide sequence of 35 amino acids. The gene was subsequently introduced into B.t.a. where it was expressed constitutively. The transformed strain showed slightly improved activity against S. exigua when compared to the non-transformed strain. This was probably due to the low chitinase activity (15 mU/ml) of the transformant, which might be improved by further gene manipulation to overexpress enzyme production.     

A new shuttle vector for gene expression in biopolymer-producing Ralstonia eutropha

Ralstonia eutropha (formerly Alcaligenes eutrophus) is a fascinating microorganism with a great scientific importance and an immense commercial potential. A new genetic transformation system for the organism would greatly facilitate the biological study and molecular engineering of this organism. We report here a versatile gene expression method for the genetic engineering of R. eutropha. This method, based on a simplified electroporation protocol, uses a recombinant plasmid, pBS29-P2, containing a Pseudomonas syringae promoter (P2) and two antibiotic-resistance markers (i.e., genes coding for kanamycin (Km)- and tetracycline (Tc)-resistance). Using this method, we successfully achieved transformation of wild-type R. eutropha and its poly(hydroxyalkanoate)-negative mutant, R. eutropha PHB⁻4, with various pBS29-P2-based recombinants. A transformation frequency as high as 4 × 10³ Km-resistance colonies/μg DNA was obtained per electroporation experiment. We further demonstrated the successful expression of a heterologous gene coding for green-fluorescent-protein by fluorescence measurement. In addition, our results indicated the expression of a truncated but active Streptomyces coelicolor α-galactosidase in R. eutropha.     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the chitinase gene from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar alesti

Endogenous chitinase plays a positive role in the pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis to insect pests. The chitinase gene was cloned from B. thuringiensis serovar alesti strain HD-16, and the deduced 676 amino acid sequence showed a high degree of similarity with other Bacillus chitinases. Additionally, the deduced amino acid sequence showed that the protein contained an amino terminus signal peptide and consisted of a catalytic domain, a fibronectin type III domain and a chitin-binding domain. All three domains showed conserved sequences when compared to other bacterial chitinase or cellulase sequences.     

Transformation and expression of a cloned delta-endotoxin gene in Bacillus thuringiensis

A shuttle vector containing the replication region of a resident plasmid of B. thuringiensis, was used to determine the conditions allowing efficient transformation of B. thuringiensis by electroporation. Using this plasmid a delta-endotoxin gene was cloned and expressed both in Escherichia coli and B. thuringiensis. It was shown that this gene was poorly expressed in the wild type situation whereas after cloning in acrystalliferous strains of B. thuringiensis large amounts of crystal protein were obtained.     

A novel negative regulatory factor for nematicidal Cry protein gene expression in Bacillus thuringiensis

A 3-kb HindIII fragment bearing the cry6Aa2 gene and the adjacent and intergenic regions was cloned from Bacillus thuringiensis strain YBT-1518. Two open reading frames (ORFs), namely, orf1 (termed cry6Aa2) and orf2 that were separated by an inverted-repeat sequence were identified. orf1 encoded a 54-kDa protein that exhibited high toxicity to the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne hapla. The orf2 expression product was not detected by SDS-PAGE, but its mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. The orf2 coexpressed with orf1 at a high level in the absence of the inverted-repeat sequence, whereas, the expression level of orf1 was decreased. When orf2 was mutated, the level of orf1 expression was enhanced obviously. In conclusion, the inverted-repeat sequence disturbs orf2 expression, and the orf2 downregulates orf1 expression. This is an example of novel negative regulation in B. thuringiensis and a potential method for enhancing the expression level of cry genes.     

Development of a novel plasmid as a shuttle vector for heterologous gene expression in Mycoplasma yeatsii

A circular plasmid, pMyBK1, was detected in Mycoplasma yeatsii strain GIH(T). Analysis of the sequence of the 3432-bp replicon identified two predicted open reading frames (ORFs), one with sequence similarity to multiple plasmid mobilization proteins and one that matches only to hypothetical ORFs encoded by integrated chromosomal elements in the sequenced genomes of two Mycoplasma species. Shuttle vectors were constructed in Escherichia coli which could be introduced into M. yeatsii at high efficiency (10(4)-10(5) per μg DNA) by electroporation. Independent deletion analysis of the two ORFs disclosed that whereas mob was dispensable, orf2 was necessary for plasmid replication or maintenance. The absence of plasmid-encoded database matches for ORF2 indicates that pMyBK1 represents a novel plasmid family. One shuttle vector was used to demonstrate heterologous expression of the Mycoplasma fermentans malp gene and was stable during multiple passages. The host-plasmid system described has potential application for genetic manipulation in a genus for which few replicative vectors are available.     

Constructing Bacillus thuringiensis strain that co-expresses Cry2Aa and chitinase

A triple recombineering technique was used with plasmid pHT315 to produce pHTEC, a construct carrying chitinase and cry2Aa genes from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki 4.0718. Transformation of wild-type B. thuringiensis strain HD73 and the acrystalliferous strain Cry-B with pHTEC resulted in the recovery of recombinant strains that expressed Cry2Aa as cubic crystals in the cell pellet and soluble chitinase protein. The toxicity of HD73 (pHTEC) against Helicoverpa armigera larvae increased sevenfold when compared with HD73 (pHT315) harboring pHT315 vector. The triple recombineering protocol was optimized by comparing recombination efficacy mediated by RecE/RecT and Redα/Redβ and by using single-strand DNA as substrate.     

Expression of chitinase A (chiA) gene from a local isolate of Serratia marcescens in Coleoptera-specific Bacillus thuringiensis

Aims:  The present study focused on cloning and expression of chiA gene from a highly chitinolytic local isolate of Serratia marcescens in an anti-Coleopteran Bacillus thuringiensis and comparison of the characteristics of the native and recombinant ChiAs.
Methods and Results:  chiA gene from Ser . marcescens was cloned, sequenced and compared with the previously cloned chiA genes. chiA gene was PCR cloned and expressed in anti-Coleopteran B. thuringiensis strain 3023 as verified by Western blot analysis. Specific ChiA activity of the recombinant B. thuringiensis (strain 3023-SCHI) reached its highest level at 21st hour of growth (16·93 U mg⁻¹), which was 5·2- and 1·3-fold higher than that of its parental strain and Ser . marcescens , respectively. Temperature and pH effects on native and recombinant ChiAs were next determined. The recombinant plasmid was quite stable over 240 generations.
Conclusions:  Serratia marcescens ChiA was heterologously expressed in an anti-Coleopteran B. thuringiensis at levels even higher than that produced by the source organism.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Bacillus thuringiensis 3023-SCHI co-expressing anti-Coleopteran Cry3Aa protein and Ser . marcescens chitinase offers a viable alternative to the use of chitinolytic microbes/enzymes in combination with entamopathogenic bacteria for an increased potency because of synergistic interaction between them.     

Molecular characterization of a novel chitinase from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki

AIMS: The present work aims to study a new chitinase from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. METHODS AND RESULTS: BUPM255 is a chitinase-producing strain of B. thuringiensis, characterized by its high chitinolytic and antifungal activities. The cloning and sequencing of the corresponding gene named chi255 showed an open reading frame of 2031 bp, encoding a 676 amino acid residue protein. Both nucleotide and amino acid sequences similarity analyses revealed that the chi255 is a new chitinase gene, presenting several differences from the published chi genes of B. thuringiensis. The identification of chitin hydrolysis products resulting from the activity, exhibited by Chi255 through heterologous expression in Escherichia coli revealed that this enzyme is a chitobiosidase. CONCLUSIONS: Another chitinase named Chi255 belonging to chitobiosidase class was evidenced in B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and was shown to present several differences in its amino acid sequence with those of published ones. The functionality of Chi255 was proved by the heterologous expression of chi255 in E. coli. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The addition of the sequence of chi255 to the few sequenced B. thuringiensis chi genes might contribute to a better investigation of the chitinase 'structure-function' relation.     

Gram negative shuttle BAC vector for heterologous expression of metagenomic libraries

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vectors enable stable cloning of large DNA fragments from single genomes or microbial assemblages. A novel shuttle BAC vector was constructed that permits replication of BAC clones in diverse Gram-negative species. The "Gram-negative shuttle BAC" vector (pGNS-BAC) uses the F replicon for stable single-copy replication in E. coli and the broad-host-range RK2 mini-replicon for high-copy replication in diverse Gram-negative bacteria. As with other BAC vectors containing the oriV origin, this vector is capable of an arabinose-inducible increase in plasmid copy number. Resistance to both gentamicin and chloramphenicol is encoded on pGNS-BAC, permitting selection for the plasmid in diverse bacterial species. The oriT from an IncP plasmid was cloned into pGNS-BAC to enable conjugal transfer, thereby allowing both electroporation and conjugation of pGNS-BAC DNA into bacterial hosts. A soil metagenomic library was constructed in pGNS-BAC-1 (the first version of the vector, lacking gentamicin resistance and oriT), and recombinant clones were demonstrated to replicate in diverse Gram-negative hosts, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella enterica, Serratia marcescens, Vibrio vulnificus and Enterobacter nimipressuralis. This shuttle BAC vector can be utilized to clone genomic DNA from diverse sources, and then transfer it into diverse Gram-negative bacterial species to facilitate heterologous expression of recombinant pathways.     

苏云金芽胞杆菌内生质粒提取方法的改进

改进了苏云金芽胞杆菌（Bacillus thuringiensis,Bt）内生质粒提取技术,提取了Bt库斯塔克亚种、以色利亚种和一株对鳞翅目害虫有活性的野生菌株的质粒,利用琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析了质粒图谱,进一步检测了质粒的浓度与纯度。实验结果表明,该方法与传统技术相比,操作简单、耗时短,提取的质粒纯度高、条带清晰,染色体DNA污染较少。为Bt杀虫基因克隆、质粒特性分析等研究创造了有利条件。     

A promoter for Bacillus subtilis expression vector

A 117-bp EcoRI-PstI fragment with strong promoter activity (P1 promoter) was cloned from Bacillus subtilis chromosomal DNA and sequenced. The P1 promoter was shown to contain a putative -35 region (TTTACT) and -10 region (TAGATT), and promotes expression of cloned human interleukin-2 (IL-2) and human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) genes in B. subtilis.