Characterization of an arylesterase from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32

An esterase gene (estA) was isolated from a previously constructed genomic library of Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32. The estA gene consisted of a 558 bp open reading frame encoding a putative peptide of 21.3 kDa. Protein sequence homology searches using BLAST revealed that EstA had low amino acid sequence identity with the serine-dependent arylesterases TesI (24%) and EtpA (26%) from Escherichia coli and Vibrio mimicus, respectively. A recombinant EstA fusion protein containing a C-terminal six-histidine tag was constructed and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. Characterization of EstA revealed that it was a serine-dependent enzyme having a monomeric Mr of 22.6-25.1 kDa. Optimum temperature, NaCl concentration and pH for EstA activity were determined to be 35-40 degrees C, 3.5% NaCl and 7.5-8.0, respectively. EstA had significant activity under conditions simulating those of ripening cheese (10 degrees C, 4% NaCl, pH 5.1). EstA hydrolysed a variety of ester compounds and preferred those with substituted phenyl alcohol and short-chain fatty acid groups. Site-directed mutagenesis suggested that the S10 and H164 residues were essential for EstA activity.     

Characterization of a thiol-dependent endopeptidase from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32.

An endopeptidase gene (pepE) was isolated from a previously constructed genomic library of Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32. The pepE gene consisted of a 1,314-bp open reading frame encoding a putative peptide of 52.1 kDa. Significant identity was found between the deduced amino acid sequence of pepE and the sequences for aminopeptidase C from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis DSM7290, L. helveticus CNRZ32, Streptococcus thermophilus CNRZ302, and Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris AM2. A recombinant PepE fusion protein containing an N-terminal six-histidine tag was constructed and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. Characterization of PepE revealed that it was a thiol-dependent protease having a monomeric mass of 50 kDa, with optimum temperature, NaCl concentration, and pH for activity at 32 to 37 degrees C, 0.5%, and 4.5, respectively. PepE had significant activity under conditions which simulate those of ripening cheese (10 degrees C, 4% NaCl, pH 5.1). PepE hydrolyzed internal peptide bonds in Met-enkephalin and bradykinin; however, hydrolysis of alpha-, beta-, and kappa-caseins was not detected.     

Characterization of the Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32 pepC gene.

Sequence analysis of the aminopeptidase C gene (pepC) from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32 identified a 1,332-nucleotide open reading frame coding for a polypeptide with motifs characteristic of cysteine proteinases. Homology to the pepC gene appears to be widely distributed among lactic acid bacteria.     

Genetic Characterization of a Cell Envelope-Associated Proteinase from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32

A cell envelope-associated proteinase gene (prtH) was identified in Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32. The prtH gene encodes a protein of 1,849 amino acids and with a predicted molecular mass of 204 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of the prtH product has significant identity (45%) to that of the lactococcal PrtP proteinases. Southern blot analysis indicates that prtH is not broadly distributed within L. helveticus. A prtH deletion mutant of CNRZ32 was constructed to evaluate the physiological role of PrtH. PrtH is not required for rapid growth or fast acid production in milk by CNRZ32. Cell surface proteinase activity and specificity were determined by hydrolysis of alpha(s1)-casein fragment 1-23 by whole cells. A comparison of CNRZ32 and its prtH deletion mutant indicates that CNRZ32 has at least two cell surface proteinases that differ in substrate specificity.     

Purification and Partial Characterization of a Prolyl-Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidase from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32

X-prolyl-dipeptidyl aminopeptidase, which hydrolyzed Gly-Pro-p-nitroanilide (relative activity [RA] = 100%) and Arg-Pro-p-nitroanilide (RA, 130%), was purified to homogeneity from the cell extract of Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32. The enzyme also hydrolyzed Ala-Pro-Gly (RA, 11%) and Ala-Ala-p-nitroanilide (RA, 2%) but was not active on Ala-Leu-Ala, dipeptides, and endopeptidase and carboxypeptidase substrates. The enzyme was purified 145-fold by streptomycin sulfate precipitation, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and a series of column chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, arginine-Sepharose 4B, and glycyl-prolyl-AH-Sepharose 4B. The purified enzyme appeared as a single band on native polyacrylamide gel and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses and had a molecular weight of 72,000. Optima for activity by the purified enzyme were pH 7.0 and 40°C. The enzyme was incubated at 40°C for 15 min with various metal ions. It was activated by Mg²⁺ (2.5 mM), Ca²⁺ (0.1 to 2.5 mM), Na⁺ (10 to 50 mM), and K⁺ (10 to 50 mM) and was inhibited by Hg²⁺ (0.1 to 2.5 mM), Cu²⁺ (0.1 to 2.5 mM), and Zn²⁺ (0.1 to 2.5 mM). Enzyme activity was partially inhibited by EDTA (1.0 mM, 20 h at 40°C), 1,10-phenanthroline (1.0 mM, 15 min at 40°C), phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (1.0 mM), N-ethylmaleimide (1.0 mM), and iodoacetate (1.0 mM). It was completely inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate (1.0 mM, 2 h at 40°C) and p-chloromercuribenzoate (1.0 mM, 15 min at 40°C). The enzyme was not affected by dithioerythritol (1.0 to 10 mM).     

Genetic Characterization and Physiological Role of Endopeptidase O from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32

A previously identified insert expressing an endopeptidase from a Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32 genomic library was characterized. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame of 1,941 bp encoding a putative protein of 71.2 kDa which contained a zinc-protease motif. Protein homology searches revealed that this enzyme has 40% similarity with endopeptidase O (PepO) from Lactococcus lactis P8-2-47. Northern hybridization revealed that pepO is monocistronic and is expressed throughout the growth phase. CNRZ32 derivatives lacking PepO activity were constructed via gene replacement. Enzyme assays revealed that the PepO mutant had significantly reduced endopeptidase activity when compared to CNRZ32 with two of the three substrates examined. Growth studies indicated that PepO has no detectable effect on growth rate or acid production by Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32 in amino acid defined or skim milk medium.     

Cloning of peptidase genes from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32

Lactic acid bacteria express a complex proteolytic enzyme system that is capable of hydrolyzing casein to amino acids. We have begun to examine the number and specificity of exopeptidases from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32. A genomic library of L. helveticus CNRZ 32 DNA fragments from a Sau3A partial digestion was constructed in Escherichia coli DH5 utilizing pJDC9. This library was screened for the presence of aminopeptidase, X-prolyl dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (X-PDAP), and dipeptidase activities by two methods. The first screening identified an aminopeptidase II (APII) and X-PDAP. The X-PDAP was determined to be present on four independent DNA inserts ranging in size from 3.5 to 7.7 kilobase pairs (kbp). EcoRI/EcoRV digests of these plasmids suggested that all inserts had 1.0 and 1.8 kbp fragments in common. The gene for APII was determined to be present on three independent DNA inserts ranging in size from 8.2 to 11.3 kbp. EcoRI digestion of these plasmids indicated that 1.2 and 1.8 kbp fragments were in common. The second screening identified an additional aminopeptidase (API), a di/tripeptidase (DTP) with prolinase activity, a broad-specificity dipeptidase (DPI), and a narrow-specificity dipeptidase (DPII). The insert size of clones expressing API, DTP, DPI, DPII were 4.8, 9.5, 5.8, and 6.3 kbp, respectively. Histochemical staining of native polyacrylamide gels from recombinant E. coli cultures demonstrated that the cloned peptidase co-migrated with native L. helveticus CNRZ 32 enzymes. Correspondence to: J. L. Steele     

Partial characterization of a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus helveticus

AIMS: To investigate the antimicrobial activity of a strain of Lactobacillus helveticus. METHODS AND RESULTS: The culture supernatant fluid Lact. helveticus G51 showed antimicrobial activity against thermophilic strains of Lactobacillus. Purification of the active compound was achieved after gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. As revealed by SDS-PAGE, active fractions were relatively homogeneous, showing a protein with a molecular mass of 12.5 kDa. The antimicrobial compound was heat labile, inactivated by proteolytic enzymes and had a bactericidal mode of action. CONCLUSION: The antimicrobial activity expressed by Lact. helveticus G51 was correlated with the production of a bacteriocin with properties that were different to other helveticins. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study has provided further data on Lact. helveticus bacteriocins. The strong activity of the bacteriocin towards various thermophilic lactobacilli warrants further investigation for its potential to obtain attenuated cultures for the enhancement of the cheese-ripening process.     

Structure of a viscous exopolysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus helveticus K16

A viscous extracellular polysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus helveticus K16 has been investigated. Sugar and methylation analysis, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy revealed that the polysaccharide is composed of a hexasaccharide repeating unit. The sequence of sugar residues was determined by use of two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy and heteronuclear multiple bond connectivity experiments. The structure of the repeating unit of the exopolysaccharide from L. helveticus K16 is as follows: carbohydrate sequence [see text].     

Nucleotide sequence and distribution of the pepPN gene from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32

Abstract The Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32 gene encoding a di-/tri- peptidase with prolinase activity ( pep PN) was sequenced. An open reading frame of 912 base pairs was identified corresponding to a peptide with a molecular mass of 35.04 kDa. Southern hybridization indicated that the gene sequence is well conserved in strains of lactobacilli and pediococci.     

Phenotypic and Genotypic Analysis of Amino Acid Auxotrophy in Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32

The conversion of amino acids into volatile and nonvolatile compounds by lactic acid bacteria in cheese is thought to represent the rate-limiting step in the development of mature flavor and aroma. Because amino acid breakdown by microbes often entails the reversible action of enzymes involved in biosynthetic pathways, our group investigated the genetics of amino acid biosynthesis in Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ 32, a commercial cheese flavor adjunct that reduces bitterness and intensifies flavor notes. Most lactic acid bacteria are auxotrophic for several amino acids, and L. helveticus CNRZ 32 requires 14 amino acids. The reconstruction of amino acid biosynthetic pathways from a draft-quality genome sequence for L. helveticus CNRZ 32 revealed that amino acid auxotrophy in this species was due primarily to gene absence rather than point mutations, insertions, or small deletions, with good agreement between gene content and phenotypic amino acid requirements. One exception involved the phenotypic requirement for Asp (or Asn), which genome predictions suggested could be alleviated by citrate catabolism. This prediction was confirmed by the growth of L. helveticus CNRZ 32 after the addition of citrate to a chemically defined medium that lacked Asp and Asn. Genome analysis also predicted that L. helveticus CNRZ 32 possessed ornithine decarboxylase activity and would therefore catalyze the conversion of ornithine to putrescine, a volatile biogenic amine. However, experiments to confirm ornithine decarboxylase activity in L. helveticus CNRZ 32 by the use of several methods were unsuccessful, which indicated that this bacterium likely does not contribute to putrescine production in cheese.     

Biochemical and molecular characterization of PepR, a dipeptidase, from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32.

A dipeptidase with prolinase activity from Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32, which was designated PepR, was purified to gel electrophoretic homogeneity and characterized. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified protein had 96% identity to the deduced NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the pepR gene, which was previously designated pepPN, from L. helveticus CNRZ32. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed Pro-Met, Thr-Leu, and Ser-Phe as well as dipeptides containing neutral, nonpolar amino acid residues at the amino terminus. Purified PepR was determined to have a molecular mass of 125 kDa with subunits of 33 kDa. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was determined to be 4.5. The optimal reaction conditions, as determined with Pro-Leu as substrate, were pH 6.0 to 6.5 and 45 to 50 degrees C. The purified PepR had a Km of 4.9 to 5.2 mM and a Vmax of 260 to 270 mumol of protein per min/mg at pH 6.5 and 37 degrees C. The activity of purified PepR was inhibited by Zn2+ but not by other cations or cysteine, serine, aspartic, or metal-containing protease inhibitors or reducing agents. Results obtained by site-directed mutagenesis indicated that PepR is a serine-dependent protease. Gene replacement was employed to construct a PepR-deficient derivative of CNRZ32. This mutant did not differ from the wild-type strain in its ability to acidify milk. However, the PepR-deficient construct was determined to have reduced dipeptidase activity compared to the wild-type strain with all dipeptide substrates examined.     

Characterization and purification of helveticin J and evidence for a chromosomally determined bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus helveticus 481.

Lactobacillus helveticus 481 produced an antimicrobial agent active against five closely related species. The sensitive indicators included L. helveticus 1846 and 1244, L. bulgaricus 1373 and 1489, and L. lactis 970. The antimicrobial compound was active at neutral pH under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, was sensitive to proteolytic enzymes and heat (30 min at 100 degrees C), and demonstrated a bactericidal mode of action against sensitive indicators. These data confirmed that antimicrobial activity of L. helveticus 481 was mediated by a bacteriocin, designated helveticin J. Production of helveticin J was maximized in an anaerobic fermentor held at a constant pH of 5.5. Ultrafiltration experiments on culture supernatants containing the bacteriocin revealed that helveticin J was present as an aggregate with a molecular weight in excess of 300,000. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of helveticin J purified through Sephadex chromatography resolved a 37,000-dalton protein band with bacteriocin activity. L. helveticus 481 was shown to harbor a single 8-megadalton plasmid (pMJ1008). Isolates cured of pMJ1008 were phenotypically identical to plasmid-bearing cells in fermentation patterns, helveticin J activity, and immunity spectra. The data provided evidence for a chromosomal location of helveticin J and host immunity determinants.     

Cloning and heterologous expression of hematin-dependent catalase produced by Lactobacillus plantarum CNRZ 1228

Lactobacillus plantarum CNRZ 1228 exhibited heme-dependent catalase activity under environmental conditions similar to those encountered during sausage fermentation. The 1,455-bp catalase gene (katL) was cloned and encoded a protein of 484 amino acids. Expression of katL in a heterologous host showed that katL encodes a functional catalase. PCR screening of selected strains of lactic acid bacteria for katL indicated the presence of similar genes in other strains of lactobacilli.     

Metabolic engineering of Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32 for production of pure L-(+)-lactic acid

Expression of D-(-)-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) and L-(+)-LDH genes (ldhD and ldhL, respectively) and production of D-(-)- and L-(+)-lactic acid were studied in Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32. In order to develop a host for production of pure L-(+)-isomer of lactic acid, two ldhD-negative L. helveticus CNRZ32 strains were constructed using gene replacement. One of the strains was constructed by deleting the promoter region of the ldhD gene, and the other was constructed by replacing the structural gene of ldhD with an additional copy of the structural gene (ldhL) of L-LDH of the same species. The resulting strains were designated GRL86 and GRL89, respectively. In strain GRL89, the second copy of the ldhL structural gene was expressed under the ldhD promoter. The two D-LDH-negative strains produced only L-(+)-lactic acid in an amount equal to the total lactate produced by the wild type. The maximum L-LDH activity was found to be 53 and 93% higher in GRL86 and GRL89, respectively, than in the wild-type strain. Furthermore, process variables for L-(+)-lactic acid production by GRL89 were optimized using statistical experimental design and response surface methodology. The temperature and pH optima were 41 degrees C and pH 5.9. At low pH, when the growth and lactic acid production are uncoupled, strain GRL89 produced approximately 20% more lactic acid than GRL86.     

Structural elucidation of the viscous exopolysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus helveticus Lb161

A viscous extracellular polysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus helveticus Lb161 isolated from raw milk has been investigated. Sugar and methylation analysis, and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy revealed that the polysaccharide is composed of a heptasaccharide repeating unit. The sequence of sugar residues was determined by use of two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy and heteronuclear multiple bond connectivity experiments. The structure of the repeating unit of the exopolysaccharide from L. helveticus Lb161 is as follows: carbohydrate structure [see text]. The polysaccharide contains approximately 0.6 equivalents of O-acetyl group per repeating unit (not located).     

Zymogram and Preliminary Characterization of Lactobacillus helveticus Autolysins

The autolysins of Lactobacillus helveticus ISLC5 were detected and partially characterized by renaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with substrate-containing gels (zymogram). By using lyophilized Micrococcus luteus cells or heated whole cells of L. helveticus ISLC5 (0.2% [wt/vol]) as a substrate, several lytic activities were detected in the whole-cell SDS extract of strain ISLC5 (i) one activity at 42.4 kDa, which was named autolysin A, and (ii) six other activities having very similar molecular weights (29.1, 29.6, 30, 30.8, 31.7, and 32.8 kDa), which were named autolysins B (B1 through B6, respectively). As regards the temporal distribution of the enzymes, autolysins A and B were detected in the cells harvested from the beginning of the exponential growth phase. Autolysin A appeared to be associated only with viable cells, whereas the autolysins B remained associated with the cell envelope several days after the complete loss of culture viability. When SDS-treated walls of L. helveticus ISLC5 were used as a substrate, a supplementary lytic activity appeared at 37.5 kDa; it was considered a peptidoglycan hydrolase, since it was not able to induce lysis of whole-cell substrate. The autolysins of 30 other strains of L. helveticus from various geographical origins were also analyzed by zymogram; all the activity profiles obtained were similar to that of strain ISLC5 in terms of the number of lytic bands and their apparent molecular weights. Only the relative intensities of the lytic bands corresponding to autolysins A and B were variable depending on the strains. This observation suggested that autolysins are highly conserved enzymes. A concentrated crude lysate of the virulent bacteriophage 832-B1 infecting L. helveticus was also analyzed by zymogram; one lytic activity with an apparent molecular weight of 31.7 kDa, very close to the weights of the autolysins B, was observed. Finally, the autolysins of L. helveticus ISLC5 were successfully extracted from whole cells by using a 1 M lithium chloride solution; they were partially purified by precipitation, selective resolubilization, and gel filtration chromatography, which led to a 20-fold increase in specific activity.     

Identification and characterization of helveticin V-1829, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus helveticus 1829

Lactobacillus helveticus 1829 produced an antimicrobial agent, designated helveticin V-1829, that demonstrated antagonistic activity against closely-related species. The agent was excreted into MRS agar, and was present in the supernatant fluids from both overnight broth and clotted milk cultures. It was heat labile (inactivated by 50°C for 30 min) and was stable over the pH range 2.5 to 6.5. Production of the substance was pH-dependent and maximum yields were obtained in MRS broth cultures maintained at pH 5.5. Helveticin V-1829 was partially purified following growth of the producing strain in a semi-defined MRS medium and precipitating the cell-free filtrate with ammonium sulphate to 30% saturation. The cleared supernatant fluid was then brought to 60% saturation and the resulting precipitate pelleted and dialysed in 0.3 mol/l phosphate buffer. The partially purified inhibitor was sensitive to several proteolytic enzymes, and it was bactericidal in its mode of action against indicator cells of Lact. helveticus 1844 and Lact. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus 1489, indicating that it was a bacteriocin. A DNA probe specific for the helveticin J structural gene failed to hybridize to total genomic DNA of Lact. helveticus 1829, indicating that helveticin V-1829 is not significantly related to helveticin J.