Streptomyces marker plasmids for monitoring survival and spread of streptomycetes in soil.

Plasmid constructs pNW1 through pNW6 containing a controllable xylE gene (for catechol 2,3-dioxygenase) were introduced into Streptomyces lividans strains to provide a selectable marker system. xylE functions in S. lividans under the control of bacteriophage lambda promoters lambda pL and lambda pR. Thermoregulated expression of xylE is provided through the lambda repressor cI857. Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity was increased 2.8-fold from plasmid construct pNW2 (lambda pL, xylE, cI857) and 9.5- and 7.4-fold from constructs pNW3 (lambda pR, xylE, cI857) and pNW5 (lambda pR, xylE, cI857), respectively, when the temperature was shifted from 28 degrees C to 37 degrees C. The stability of the constructs varied from 4.7% for pNW2 to 99.4% for pNW4 (lambda pL, xylE) over two rounds of sporulation. Marked S. lividans strains released into soil systems retained the XylE phenotype for more than 80 days, depending on the marker plasmid, when examined by a selective plating method. Furthermore, S. lividans harboring plasmid pNW5 was detectable by nucleic acid hybridization at less than 10 CFU g-1 (dry weight) of soil as mycelium and 10(3) CFU g-1 (dry weight) of soil as spores with the xylE marker DNA extracted from soil and amplified by using the polymerase chain reaction.     

Occurrence and diversity of plasmids in populations of streptomycetes in soil

Studies were made of naturally occurring plasmids hosted in Streptomyces strains isolated from two different terrestrial ecosystems: an agricultural field and a protected forest area. Six out of the 147 screened isolates contained plasmids. The strains containing these plasmids were all isolated from the agricultural soil. Plasmids were not found among the strains isolated from the forest area. Cross hybridization of the six newly isolated plasmids revealed very high similarities between four of them. However, no similarities were found between the six newly isolated plasmids and well studied streptomycete plasmids such as pIJ101 and SCP2^*. The host strains of the four similar plasmids belonged to three different species S. anulatus, S. rochei and S. diastaticus. This implies a possible conjugative transfer of these plasmids within the streptomycete population in the agricultural area. The reason for the absence of streptomycete plasmids from the populations derived from the forest area is discussed.     

Classification of novel soil streptomycetes as Streptomyces aureus sp. nov., Streptomyces laceyi sp. nov. and Streptomyces sanglieri sp. nov

The taxonomic positions of soil isolates known as Streptomyces groups A, B and C were clarified. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence studies indicated that representatives of all three taxa formed distinct phyletic lines within the Streptomyces tree though the group A strains were shown to be related to Streptomyces griseus and associated validly described species. The taxonomic integrity of all three groups was highlighted by DNA:DNA relatedness and ribotype data though the group A strains encompassed a higher degree of genetic variation than the group B and C strains. In light of these and earlier phenotypic data it is proposed that Streptomyces groups A, B and C be given species status as Streptomyces sanglieri sp. nov., Streptomyces aureus sp. nov. and Streptomyces laceyi sp. nov., respectively. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Integrated DNA sequences in three streptomycetes form related autonomous plasmids after transfer to Streptomyces lividans

When Streptomyces parvulus ATCC 12434 was crossed with a plasmid-free S. lividans 66 derivative, some S. lividans exconjugants contained plasmid DNA, pIJ110 (13.6 kb). In a similar way, pIJ408 (15.05 kb) was found after mating S. glaucescens ETH 22794 with S. lividans. CCC DNA was not visualized in the donor strains. pIJ110 and pIJ408 each originates from a larger replicon, probably the chromosome, of S. parvulus or S. glaucescens. Restriction maps of pIJ110 and pIJ408, each for 10 enzymes, were derived. Derivatives of each plasmid were constructed carrying antibiotic-resistance markers (thiostrepton or viomycin) in a nonessential region and each plasmid was cloned into an Escherichia coli plasmid vector (pBR327 or pBR325). pIJ110 and pIJ408 resemble, in their origin, the previously known SLP1 plasmids (such as SLP1.2) which come from integrated sequences in the chromosome of S. coelicolor A3(2). pIJ110 and pIJ408, like SLP1.2, are self-transmissible, elicit the so-called lethal zygosis reaction (pock formation) and mobilize chromosomal markers. The three plasmids, in spite of their very different restriction maps, were found to be related: SLP1.2 and pIJ110 were strongly incompatible, showed complete resistance to each other's lethal zygosis reaction, and shared a segment of DNA with a considerable degree of cross-hybridization; pIJ110 and pIJ408 were weakly incompatible and showed partial resistance to lethal zygosis and a weak DNA cross-hybridization; pIJ408 and SLP1.2 were only distantly related on these criteria. pIJ110, pIJ408, and SLP1.2 hybridized with varying degrees of homology in Southern transfer experiments to DNA from 7 out of 13 of an arbitrary collection of wild-type streptomycetes. Integrated sequences capable of forming plasmids after transfer to S. lividans may therefore be widespread in the genus Streptomyces.     

Isolation and characterization of pock-forming plasmids for Streptomyces griseus from soil actinomycetes

Thirty independent actinomycetes strains carrying plasmids were isolated from soil. These plasmids were purified as cccDNA by CsCl-EtBr equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation. Plasmids that induce "pocks", namely formation of circular zones of sporulation-inhibition, were selected by protoplast transformation of streptomycin-producing strain, Streptomyces griseus ATCC10137. Six pock-forming plasmids, pOA7, pOA11, pOA15, pOA23, pOA29 and pOA30, were obtained, and their cleavage maps, transformation frequencies, and copy numbers, as well as their stability, are described.     

Gene transfer between streptomycetes in soil.

The growth and activity of Streptomyces violaceolatus and Streptomyces lividans was studied in soil under controlled conditions. The life cycle was followed under differing nutrient regimes and the fate of plasmid- and phage-borne genes determined by direct and indirect techniques. Methods were developed for the direct monitoring of plasmid DNA extracted from soil which allowed differentiation of the cellular location of plasmid DNA between mycelium and spores. In a dynamic, nutrient-fed soil microcosm, inoculants survived poorly, but a specific stage was defined by direct and indirect methods when the inoculants were most active and this correlated with the detection of gene transfer events. Plasmid transfer, phage infection and lysogeny only occurred to a significant extent within this stage at days 15-17 during a 60-day incubation. Estimates based on plasmid DNA recovery indicated that viable counts underestimated spore and mycelial propagules by a factor of greater than 100.     

Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor-like proteins are distributed widely in streptomycetes.

Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor-like proteins were found to be distributed widely in streptomycetes by using the combination of the convenient, newly developed plate assay system and an established liquid culture assay. Almost all the strains formerly categorized as Streptoverticillium species produced proteins that exhibited inhibitory activity against both subtilisin BPN' and trypsin. N-terminal regions of three purified proteins showed high structural similarity to those of other previously reported SIL inhibitors.     

Interspecific transfer of Streptomyces giant linear plasmids in sterile amended soil microcosms

The interspecific transfer of two giant linear plasmids was investigated in sterile soil microcosms. Plasmids pRJ3L (322 kb) and pRJ28 (330 kb), both encoding mercury resistance, were successfully transferred in amended soil microcosms from their streptomycete hosts, the isolates CHR3 and CHR28, respectively, to a plasmidless and mercury-sensitive strain, Streptomyces lividans TK24. Transconjugants of S. lividans TK24 were first observed after 2 to 3 days of incubation at 30 degrees C, which corresponded to the time taken for the formation of mycelia in soil. Transfer frequencies were 4.8 x 10(-4) and 3.6 x 10(-5) CFU/donor genome for pRJ3L and pRJ28, respectively. Transconjugants were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for the presence of plasmids, and plasmid identity was confirmed by restriction digests. Total genomic DNA digests confirmed that transconjugants were S. lividans TK24. The mercury resistance genes were shown to be on the plasmid in the transconjugants by hybridization analysis and were still functional. This is the first demonstration of transfer of giant linear plasmids in sterile soil microcosms. Giant linear plasmids were detected in many Streptomyces spp. isolated from mercury-contaminated sediments from Boston Harbor (United States), Townsville Harbor (Australia), and the Sali River (Tucuman, Argentina). Mercury resistance genes were shown to be present on some of these plasmids. Our findings that giant linear plasmids can be transferred between Streptomyces spp. and are common in environmental Streptomyces isolates suggest that these plasmids are important in gene transfer between streptomycetes in the environment.     

Genetic determinants of active antibiotic-producing soil streptomycetes.

Plasmids or covalently closed circular (CCC)-DNA molecules are abundant in the genus Streptomyces, and have been suggested to be involved in the genetic control of the production of many antibiotics in these organisms. In this study, 21 active antibiotic-producing Streptomyces isolates were screened for their plasmid content by an alkaline lysis method which revealed the presence of a small plasmid DNA in the positive control Streptomyces lividans ATCC 35287, containing pIJ702 plasmid (5.65 kb in size). However, no low molecular weight plasmids were observed in the tested antibiotic-producing Streptomyces strains suggesting that antibiotic production in these strains is likely chromosomally encoded DNA. Treatment of 2 Streptomyces strains with 10 mM ethidium bromide (EB) resulted in the failure to produce aerial mycelia and antibiotic activity.     

Monitoring the spread of broad host and narrow host range plasmids in soil microcosms

Abstract: Escherichia coli recipient and E. coli donor strains carrying streptothricin-resistance genes were inoculated together into different soil microcosms. These genes were localized on the narrow host range plasmids of incompatibility (Inc) groups FII, Il, and on the broad host range plasmids of IncP1, IncN, IncW3, and IncQ. The experiments were intended to study the transfer of these plasmids in sterile and non-sterile soil with and without antibiotic selective pressure and in planted soil microcosms. Transfer of all broad host range plasmids from the introduced E. coli donor into the recipient was observed in all microcosm experiments. These results indicate that broad host range plasmids encoding short and rigid pili might spread in soil environments by conjugative transfer. In contrast, transfer of the narrow host range plasmids of IncFII and IncI1, into E. coli recipients was not found in sterile or non-sterile soil. These plasmids encoded flexible pili or flexible and rigid pili, respectively. In all experiments highest numbers of transconjugants were detected for the IncP1-plasmid (pTH16). There was evidence with plasmids belonging to IncP group transferred by conjugation into a variety of indigenous soil bacteria at detectable frequencies. Significantly higher numbers of indigenous transconjugants were obtained for the IncP-plasmid under antibiotic selection pressure, and a greater diversity of transconjugants was detected. Availability of nutrients and rhizosphere exudates stimulated transfer in soil. Furthermore, transfer of the IncN-plasmid (pIE1037) into indigenous bacteria of the rhizosphere community could be detected. The transconjugants were determined by BIOLOG as Serratia liquefaciens . Despite the known broad host range of IncW3 and IncQ-plasmids, transfer into indigenous soil bacteria could not be detected.     

Method for isolating cyanobacteria-lysing streptomycetes from soil

A new technique is described for the isolation and enumeration of cyanobacteria-lysing Streptomyces spp from soil or water. Two cyanobacteria, Anabaena cylindrica (ACTT 27899) and Tolypothrix tenuis (ATCC 27914) were used as the test organisms. Ten-day-old cyanobacterial cultures were vacuum-filtered to form a lawn on a 7 cm Whatman No. 1 filter paper which was then supported on Allen's agar. When the lawn was inoculated with dilutions of a heavy clay prairie soil and incubated at 27 PT 1dEC under constant illumination, white or grey colonies of streptomycetes grew. These colonies were surrounded by zones where a yellowing and lysis of the algal cells occurred. Streptomyces achromogenes was identified as a major lytic species within a population of 5 times 10₃ plaque-producing streptomycetes/g (dry weight) soil.     

Lack of plasmids in Streptomyces hydrogenans

Abstract Wild-type cells of Streptomyces hydrogenans ATCC 19631, strain HY A₁, show a remarkable degree of genetic instability with regard to the biosynthesis of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. As plasmids might be responsible for this phenomenon we tried to detect plasmids in lysates of this microorganism. Streptomyces lividans , strain TK64 (pIJ916), was used as reference strain, containing a 19-kb plasmid with low abundancy. Whereas plasmid DNA could be shown in lysates of S. lividans TK64, no plasmid DNA was detectable in lysates of S. hydrogenans .     

链霉菌质粒的复制与进化

近年来, 随着大质粒提取和检测技术的发展, 尤其是高通量DNA测序技术的应用, 使得链霉菌大的环型质粒和线型质粒的研究取得了较快的进展。相比于研究透彻的细菌Theta型复制的质粒, 链霉菌Theta型质粒在复制区的结构、复制蛋白和调控蛋白作用的分子机理等方面具有多样性和新颖性。新鉴定的许多线型质粒的中心复制区表明中心复制的起始可以靠近端粒, 一个质粒也可以有2个以上的复制区。新分离的端粒序列显示端粒“折返”不是必需的, 而形成二级结构对于端粒复制是重要的。链霉菌环型和线型质粒的测序分析显示它们之间存在亲缘关系。环型质粒可以与噬菌体共整合, 实验证明它们在一定条件下可以相互转换。这些研究结果表明, 链霉菌环型、线型质粒和噬菌体从结构到功能到进化具有多样性、新颖性和亲缘关系。     

Transfer of conjugative plasmids and mobilization of a nonconjugative plasmid between Streptomyces strains on agar and in soil.

The conjugative plasmid pIJ101 and its conjugative nondeletion derivatives pIJ303 and pIJ211 were tested for their transferability between strains of Streptomyces on laboratory media and in the soil environment. Their roles in the mobilization of the cloning vector plasmid pIJ702, a nonconjugative deletion derivative of pIJ101, were also examined. Biparental and triparental crosses were performed on agar slants and in sterile soil between the plasmid donor Streptomyces lividans and several recipient Streptomyces strains previously isolated from soil. Conjugative plasmids were transferred to seven recipients in slant crosses and to three recipients in soil. Plasmids isolated from recipients showed restriction fragment patterns identical to that of the original plasmid in S. lividans. Plasmid pIJ303 was transferred less frequently in soil than on slants, and the frequency of transfer was higher at 30 degrees C than at the other temperatures examined. Transconjugant Streptomyces strains differed in their ability to maintain pIJ303. The nonconjugative plasmid pIJ702 was mobilized on agar slants into S. coelicolor 2708, which already contains a self-transmissible plasmid. Plasmid pIJ702 was also mobilized into S. flavovirens, Streptomyces sp. strain 87A, and S. parvulus on slants and in sterile soil after triparental crosses with two donors, one containing pIJ702 and the other containing either pIJ101 or pIJ211. The presence of a conjugative plasmid donor was required for the transfer of pIJ702 to S. parvulus 1234, S. flavovirens 28, and Streptomyces sp. strain 87A. Plasmid pIJ702 was always transferred in its normal, autonomous form. Chromosomal recombination also occurred in transconjugants after the transfer of pIJ702. This is the first report of gene transfer between Streptomyces strains in soil.     

Construction of two stable bifunctional plasmids for Streptomyces spp. and Escherichia coli

Two bifunctional plasmid vectors pZG5 (7.45 kb) and pZG6 (6.95 kb), for gene transfer between Streptomyces spp. and Escherichia coli have been constructed by fusion of the multicopy broad-host-range Streptomyces plasmid pIJ350 with E. coli plasmids Bluescribe M13- (pZG5) or pUC18 (pZG6). Both plasmids possess several unique restriction sites suitable for DNA cloning. Stable transformants of Streptomyces rimosus R6 and S. lividans 66 were obtained, harboring intact plasmids regardless of colony age or multiple subculturing. Moreover, pZG5 and pZG6 were successfully used to introduce several homologous transfer RNA genes into S. rimosus.     

Spontaneous sector formation in soil streptomycetes colonies

A model of the formation of sectors during the growth and zone formation of a colony of the soil radiant fungus streptomycetes was developed. It was shown that the basic parameters determining the shape of the sector border are the correlations between the growth rates of the sector of mycelium hyphae and the remainder of the colony and between the frequency and the numbers of branching order of these hyphae. Based on the long-standing observations, a polyseasonal dependence of spontaneous sector formation in streptomycetes zone-forming colonies was demonstrated.     

Isolation and characterization of Streptomyces erythreus plasmids

Streptomyces erythreus strains were found to carry several plasmids of molecular weights ranging from about 2 X 10(6) Mr to 40 X 10(6) Mr. Restriction enzyme maps for the streptomycete plasmids pPC7 and pPC8 were constructed for the enzymes Bg/II, EcoRI, XbaI, HindIII, BamHI and SalI. The smaller, pPC8, plasmid appears to be a naturally occurring deletion variant of pPC7. These plasmids belong to the group of conjugative streptomycete plasmids.     

IncP plasmids are most effective in mediating conjugation between Escherichia coli and streptomycetes

Mobilizable shuttle plasmids containing the origin of transfer (oriT) region of plasmid F (IncFI), ColIb-P9 (IncI1), and RP4/RP1 (IncPalpha) were constructed to test the ability of the cognate conjugation system to mediate gene transfer from Escherichia coli to Streptomyces. The conjugative system of the IncPalpha plasmids was shown to be most effective in conjugative transfer, giving peak values of (2.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(-2) S. lividans TK24 exconjugants per recipient cell. To assess whether the mating-pair formation system or the DNA-processing apparatus of the IncPalpha plasmids is crucial in conjugative transfer, an assay with an IncQ-based mobilizable plasmid (RSF1010) specifying its own DNA-processing system was developed. Only the IncPalpha plasmid mobilized the construct to S. lividans indicating that the mating-pair formation system is primarly responsible for the promiscuous transfer of the plasmids between E. coli and Streptomyces. Dynamic of conjugative transfer from E. coli to S. lividans was investigated and exconjugants starting from the first hour of mating were obtained.     

IncP plasmids are most effective in mediating conjugation between Escherichia coli and streptomycetes

Mobilizable shuttle plasmids containing the origin of transfer (oriT) region of plasmid F (IncFI), ColIb-P9 (IncI1), and RP4/RP1 (IncPα) were constructed to test the ability of the cognate conjugation system to mediate gene transfer from Escherichia coli to Streptomyces. The conjugative system of the IncPα plasmids was shown to be most effective in conjugative transfer, giving peak values of (2.7 ± 0.2) × 10⁻² S. lividans TK24 exconjugants per recipient cell. To assess whether the mating-pair formation system or the DNA-processing apparatus of the IncPα plasmids is crucial in conjugative transfer, an assay with an IncQ-based mobilizable plasmid (RSF1010) specifying its own DNA-processing system was developed. Only the IncPα plasmid mobilized the construct to S. lividans indicating that the mating-pair formation system is primarly responsible for the promiscuous transfer of the plasmids between E. coli and Streptomyces. Dynamic of conjugative transfer from E. coli to S. lividans was investigated and exconjugants starting from the first hour of mating were obtained. The text was submitted by the authors in English.