Role of Aminotransferase IlvE in Production of Branched-Chain Fatty Acids by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis

The objective of this study was to determine the role of a lactococcal branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase gene, ilvE, in the production of branched-chain fatty acids. Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LM0230 and an ilvE deletion mutant, JLS450, produced branched-chain fatty acids from amino and α-keto acids at levels above α-keto acid spontaneous degradation and the fatty acids' flavor thresholds. The deletion mutant produced the same amounts of branched-chain fatty acids from precursor amino acids as did the parent. This was not the case, however, for the production of branched-chain fatty acids from the corresponding precursor α-keto acids. The deletion mutant produced a set of fatty acids different from that produced by the parent. We concluded from these observations that ilvE plays a role in the specific type of fatty acids produced but has little influence on the total amount of fatty acids produced by lactococci.     

A nystatin-resistant mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: isolation and characterization by electron microscopy and chemical analysis of whole cells, cell-walls and protoplasts

A mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC 239 with a high minimum inhibitory concentration (35 micrograms ml-1) for nystatin, compared to that of the parent strain (2 micrograms ml-1), was derived by a series of subcultures in media containing increasing antibiotic concentrations. In the absence of nystatin, the growth rate of the mutant was significantly lower than the parent strain, although mean cell-size and size-distribution were similar. No differences between strains were detectable by electron microscopy. Analysis of whole cells showed the total sterol present and the ratio of ergosterol:24(28)dehydroergosterol was similar. However, there were marked differences in amino acid content and chain-length of fatty acids in the cell wall, and protoplasts from resistant cells had decreased amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. It is suggested that alterations in cell wall components in the mutant may be directly linked to the mechanism of nystatin resistance.     

Toxic fatty acid resistant mutant of Trichophyton rubrum.

A mutant of Trichophyton rubrum which could tolerate high concentration (110 microgram/ml) of undecanoic acid was isolated from undecanoic (27.5 microgram/ml) sensitive parent. The mutant showed cross resistance towards other fatty acids like propionic acid, caprylic acid and undecenoic acid which were toxic for the parent strain. Development of fatty acid resistance in the mutant strain was associated with increased pigment production. There was no difference in colony or cell morphology between fatty acid resistant mutant and fatty acid sensitive parent.     

轮状病毒LLR株VP7抗原表位的预测与验证

在GenBank中检索A组轮状病毒不同血清型的VP7基因信息,在氨基酸水平上与G10血清型LLR株的VP7序列进行序列对比,分析其血清型特异的氨基酸保守序列位点。结合蛋白质二级结构预测理论方案,设计合成3条具有轮状病毒G10血清型特异性氨基酸序列的多肽。通过检测合成肽对轮状病毒免疫血清与LLR抗原的结合抑制,证实三条多肽均具备了LLR表位属性。     

Growth of Escherichia coli on Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Nature of the Uptake System

Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 which grow on butyrate and valerate were studied with respect to uptake of these substrates. To utilize short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids, E. coli must synthesize the beta-oxidation enzymes constitutively. In addition, growth on the C(4) and C(5) acids requires a second mutation which permits entry of these substrates. At pH 5, both in the parent and mutant strains, butyrate and valerate penetrate as the undissociated acids but appear not to be activated and thus inhibit growth. At pH 7, the parent strain is not permeable to the anions, whereas the mutant concentrates these substrates. There appear to be two components of the uptake system, a nonspecific diffusion component and an energy-linked activating enzyme. Two mutant types which take up short-chain fatty acids are described. One synthesizes the uptake system constitutively and is inhibited by 4-pentenoate when cultured on acetate. In the other, the uptake system is inducible, and the strain is pentenoate-resistant when grown on acetate but pentenoate-sensitive when cultured on butyrate or valerate.     

A role for long-lived radicals (LLR) in radiation-induced mutation and persistent chromosomal instability: counteraction by ascorbate and RibCys but not DMSO.

Miazaki, Watanabe, Kumagai and their colleagues reported that induction of HPRT(-) mutants by X-rays in cultured human cells was prevented by ascorbate added 30min after irradiation. They attributed extinction of induced mutation to neutralization by ascorbate of radiation-induced long-lived mutagenic radicals (LLR), found using spectroscopy to have half-lives of minutes or hours. We find that post-irradiation treatment with ascorbate reduces, but does not eliminate, induction of CD59(-) mutants in human-hamster hybrid A(L) cells exposed to high-LET carbon-ions (LET of 100KeV/microm). A(L) cells contain a standard set of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) chromosomes and a single copy of human chromosome 11 containing the CD59 gene which encodes the CD59 cell surface antigen, a convenient marker for mutation. RibCys [2(R, S)-D-ribo-(1',2',3',4'-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acid] a 'prodrug' of l-cysteine which also scavenges LLR, had a similar but lesser effect on induced mutation. DMSO, which scavenges classical radicals like H* and OH* but not LLR, also reduced mutation, but only when it was present during irradiation. The lethality of carbon-ions was not altered by ascorbate, RibCys no matter when added. Post-radiation addition of ascorbate and RibCys also affected the quality of CD59(-) mutations induced by carbon-ions. The major change in mutant spectra was a reduction in the prevalence of small, intragenic mutations (mutations not detected by PCR) and in the prevalence of unstable, complicated mutants, which display high levels of persistent chromosomal instability. Thus, ascorbate and RibCys may suppress some kinds of mutations induced by ionizing radiation including those displaying aspects of radiation-induced genomic instability. Countering the effects of both classical radicals and LLR may be important in preventing genetic diseases.     

Teichoic acids and lipids associated with the membrane of a Bacillus licheniformis mutant and the membrane lipids of the parental strain.

Bacillus licheniformis 6346 MH-1 and a phosphoglucomutase-deficient poorly lytic mutant, B. licheniformis 6346 MH-5, both contain cardiolipin, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and phosphatidyl glycerol but are devoid of phosphoglycolipids. Gentiobiosyl diglyceride is present in the parent organism but glycolipids are absent from the mutant. Lipoteichoic acid was extracted from the whole cells of MH-5 with hot aqueous phenol and contained fatty acids, glucosamine, and 1,3-polyglycerol phosphate. The fatty acids were predominantly of the branched-chain type and were esterified to hydroxyl groups of a terminal glycerol residue. The polyglycerol phosphate chains contained, on average, 32 to 40 glycerol residues, some of which were substituted at the secondary hydroxyl group with alpha-N-acylglucosaminyl residues. Phenol extraction of the supernatant fluid that remained when walls were removed from preparations of disrupted cells of MH-5 yielded membrane teichoic acid, which consisted of substituted polyglycerol phosphate but was devoid of fatty acids.     

Effect of Exogenous Fatty Acids on the Cellular Fatty Acid Composition and Neomycin Formation in a Mutant Strain of Streptomyces fradiae

A mutant of Streptomyces fradiae which requires oleic acid for neomycin formation was isolated and the effects of exogenous fatty acids and other additives on the formation of neomycin were studied. Palmitic acid and high concentration of sodium ions could replace oleic acid in neomycin formation. The fatty acid spectrum of the mutant strain ST–5B was quite different from that of the parent strain 3123. The major fatty acid components of the mutant and the parent were anteiso 15:0 and iso 16: 0, respectively. However the fatty acid composition of the mutant was changed from the anteiso 15: 0-type to the parental iso 16: 0-type by the supplement of oleic acid or high concentration of sodium ions in the medium. In the case of palmitic acid, the major fatty acid component of the mutant cells was changed from anteriso 15: 0 to normal 16:0. The role of these additives in neomycin formation by the mutant is discussed.     

Elongation of C16:0 to C18:0 fatty acids in methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha CBS 1976 and fatty acid auxotrophic mutants

Fatty acid elongation defective mutant was isolated from the ethyl methanesulfonate treated Hansenula polymorpha based on the growth ability. Using biochemical and genetic approaches, the mutant was characterized. When compared with the fatty acid phenotype of the parental strain, the differences in profile and content of fatty acids in V1 mutant were found. In this V1 mutant, polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, could not be detected with a corresponding increase in the content of mono-unsaturated fatty acids. The ratio of C16/C18 fatty acids revealed that the accumulation of C16 fatty acids was increased significantly. The experiments on fatty acid supplementation indicated that the mutant required C18:0 for the proper growth. The results of genetic complementation with the elongase genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae confirmed that the lesion was occurred at least in the extension of C16:0 to C18:0 of V1. The H. polymorpha mutant obtained in this work will be used as a useful tool for unraveling the pathway of fatty acid synthesis and the role of fatty acids on biological processes.     

Function of the Glyoxylate-condensing Enzymes I. Growth of Escherichia coli on n-Valeric Acid

Growth of Escherichia coli E-26 on valeric acid results in the formation of a mutant population characterized by the ability to form constitutively several glyoxylate-condensing enzymes. This mutant also differs from the parent organism in the ability to effect rapid growth on a series of short-chain fatty acids. These mutants were utilized in postulating genetic relationships among the various glyoxylate-condensing activities and also in correlating the presence of these enzymes with the ability of the mutants to initiate growth quickly on short-chain fatty acids.     

Genetic analysis and characterization of a Caulobacter crescentus mutant defective in membrane biogenesis.

A mutant of Caulobacter crescentus has been isolated which has an auxotrophic requirement for unsaturated fatty acids or biotin for growth on medium containing glucose as the carbon source. This mutant exhibits a pleiotropic phenotype which includes (i) the auxotrophic requirement, (ii) cell death in cultures attempting to grow on glucose in the absence of fatty acids or biotin, and (iii) a major change in the outer membrane protein composition before cell death. This genetic lesion did not appear to affect directly a fatty acid biosynthetic reaction because fatty acid and phospholipid syntheses were found to continue in the absence of supplement. Oleic acid repressed fatty acid biosynthesis and induced fatty acid degradation in the wild-type parent, AE5000 . The mutant strain, AE6000 , was altered in both of these regulatory functions. The AE6000 mutant also showed specific inhibition of the synthesis of outer membrane and flagellar proteins. Total phospholipid, DNA, RNA, and protein syntheses were unaffected. The multiple phenotypes of the AE6000 mutant were found to cosegregate and to map between hclA and lacA on the C. crescentus chromosome. The defect in this mutant appears to be associated with a regulatory function in membrane biogenesis and provides evidence for a direct coordination of membrane protein synthesis and lipid metabolism in C. crescentus.     

Comparative molecular characterization of gene segment 11-derived NSP6 from lamb rotavirus LLR strain used as a human vaccine in China

Sequence-length polymorphism is known for rotavirus genetic segment 11 (encodes non-structural protein, NSP6). With the exception of 11 strains that have the coding potential for a 98-residue NSP6, majority of the strains have the potential for a 92-residue NSP6. In nine strains, the coding potential for this protein is even shorter. This report focuses on the NSP6 gene nucleotide sequence of Lanzhou Lamb Rotavirus (LLR) strain and its comparative molecular characterization. The LLR strain is a G10 P12 type, which is in use as a licensed human vaccine in China. The LLR NSP6 was compared with 56 other rotaviral NSP6 sequences including a rhesus strain (RRV) available in the database. Analyses indicate that while RRV-NSP6 belongs to the majority (92-residue) group, the LLR NSP6 belongs to the 98-residue group. When the rotavirus NSP6 protein was expressed in cells as GFP fusion protein from human, simian and the LLR strains, they all demonstrated punctate cytoplasmic distribution and, contrary to the computer-aided prediction, the NSP6 did not undergo phosphorylation, which in itself is a novel observation for the rotavirus NSP6.     

LLR株口服轮状病毒活疫苗在制品稳定性观察

对LLR株口服轮状病毒活疫苗生产中各阶段产物(在制品)放置于-20℃、2～8℃,进行稳定性观察,用细胞微量病变滴定法(CCID50)结合酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测其病毒感染滴度。结果显示,LLR株口服轮状病毒活疫苗单一收获物-20℃放置18个月,病毒滴度不低于5.50logCCID50/ml,原液-20℃放置18个月,病毒滴度不低于5.50logCCID50/ml。2～8℃存放49d,疫苗原液的病毒滴度不低于5.75logCCID50/ml,疫苗半成品病毒滴度不低于5.50logCCID50/ml。结果表明,LLR株口服轮状病毒活疫苗生产各阶段产物在-20℃及2～8℃存放,其稳定性良好。     

The RssAB two-component signal transduction system in Serratia marcescens regulates swarming motility and cell envelope architecture in response to exogenous saturated fatty acids

Serratia marcescens swarms at 30 degrees C but not at 37 degrees C on a nutrient-rich (LB) agar surface. Mini-Tn5 mutagenesis of S. marcescens CH-1 yielded a mutant (WC100) that swarms not only vigorously at 37 degrees C but also earlier and faster than the parent strain swarms at 30 degrees C. Analysis of this mutant revealed that the transposon was inserted into a gene (rssA) predicted to encode a bacterial two-component signal transduction sensor kinase, upstream of which a potential response regulator gene (rssB) was located. rssA and rssB insertion-deletion mutants were constructed through homologous recombination, and the two mutants exhibited similar swarming phenotypes on LB swarming agar, in which swarming not only occurred at 37 degrees C but also initiated at a lower cell density, on a surface with a higher agar concentration, and more rapidly than the swarming of the parent strain at 30 degrees C. Both mutants also exhibited increased hemolysin activity and altered cell surface topologies compared with the parent CH-1 strain. Temperature and certain saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were found to negatively regulate S. marcescens swarming via the action of RssA-RssB. Analysis of the fatty acid profiles of the parent and the rssA and rssB mutants grown at 30 degrees C or 37 degrees C and under different nutrition conditions revealed a relationship between cellular fatty acid composition and swarming phenotypes. The cellular fatty acid profile was also observed to be affected by RssA and RssB. SFA-dependent inhibition of swarming was also observed in Proteus mirabilis, suggesting that either SFAs per se or the modulation of cellular fatty acid composition and hence homeostasis of membrane fluidity may be a conserved mechanism for regulating swarming motility in gram-negative bacteria.     

FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF CEREBROSIDES, SULPHATIDES AND CERAMIDES IN MURINE LEUCODYSTROPHY: THE QUAKING MUTANT

Abstract— The fatty acid composition of cerebrosides, sulphatides and ceramides has been determined at 20 days postpartum in the brains of Quaking mutant mice and of littermate controls. There was a significant deficit in the proportion of long-chain fatty acids (C₂₂-C₂₄) affecting both normal and a-hydroxy fatty acids of the cerebrosides. The proportion of normal but not the a-hydroxy long-chain fatty acids of the sulphatides was also decreased. Striking and disproportionate deficits of the C_24:1 and C_{24 h:1} fatty acids of cerebrosides, sulphatides and ceramides characterized the brain of the Quaking mutant, and an increased proportion of C_{23 h:O} fatty acid was found in the cerebrosides and sulphatides of the brain of this mutant. We compared these data with findings on the Jimpy mutant which has been examined by the same techniques. The deficiency of long-chain fatty acids which was found in the cerebrosides and sulphatides of both mutants was less extensive but more selective in the Quaking mutant.     

Fatty acids in the roe lipids of common food fishes

The roe lipid fatty acids of Baltic herring, roach, perch, burbot and rainbow trout were quantitatively studied by capillary-GLC. The composition of roe fatty acids remain fairly stable during the fish maturation. The fatty acid profiles are very similar in various fish roes though differences exist in the relative amounts of individual components. On average perch and burbot have longer chain lengths and higher unsaturation degrees in their roe fatty acids compared to the other species. Variations in the fatty acids can be related to the roe lipid compositions and apparently also to the diet of the parent fish.     

Lipids of initial and mutant cultures of Penicillium chrysogenum, producers of penicillin

Comparative investigation of lipogenesis in 2 initial and 4 mutant strains of Penicillium chrysogenum showed that there were no noticeable differences in the composition of the lipid fatty acids in these strains. Certain shifts in the ratio of definite lipid fatty acids in the mutant strain deficient by synthesis of lysine and isoleucine (increased contents of oleic acid) were revealed. A marked influence of the physiological conditions on lipogenesis in the mutant with multiple deficiency by amino acids, vitamins and nucleotides was observed.     

Genome sequence of the unclassified marine Gammaproteobacterium BDW918

The unclassified marine gammaproteobacterium BDW918, which utilizes volatile fatty acids but not most common carbohydrates and amino acids, was isolated from Dokdo seawater in South Korea. Here we present a draft genome of the strain BDW918, which encodes many putative genes related to fatty acid metabolism and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation.     

Effect of acetate formation pathway and long chain fatty acid CoA-ligase on the free fatty acid production in E. coli expressing acy-ACP thioesterase from Ricinus communis

Microbial biosynthesis of fatty acid like chemicals from renewable carbon sources has attracted significant attention in recent years. Free fatty acids can be used as precursors for the production of fuels or chemicals. Wild type E. coli strains produce fatty acids mainly for the biosynthesis of lipids and cell membranes and do not accumulate free fatty acids as intermediates in lipid biosynthesis. However, free fatty acids can be produced by breaking the fatty acid elongation through the overexpression of an acyl-ACP thioesterase. Since acetyl-CoA might be an important factor for fatty acid synthesis (acetate formation pathways are the main competitive pathways in consuming acetyl-CoA or pyruvate, a precursor of acetyl-CoA), and the long chain fatty acid CoA-ligase (FadD) plays a pivotal role in the transport and activation of exogenous fatty acids prior to their subsequent degradation, we examined the composition and the secretion of the free fatty acids in four different strains including the wild type MG1655, a mutant strain with inactivation of the fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway (fadD mutant (ML103)), and mutant strains with inactivation of the two major acetate production pathways (an ack-pta (acetate kinase/phosphotransacetylase), poxB (pyruvate oxidase) double mutant (ML112)) and a fadD, ack-pta, poxB triple mutant (ML115). The engineered E. coli cells expressing acyl-ACP thioesterase with glucose yield is higher than 40% of theoretical yield. Compared to MG1655(pXZ18) and ML103(pXZ18), acetate forming pathway deletion strains such as ML112(pXZ18) and ML115(pXZ18) produced similar quantity of total free fatty acids, which indicated that acetyl-CoA availability does not appear to be limiting factor for fatty acid production in these strains. However, these strains did show significant differences in the composition of free fatty acids. Different from MG1655(pXZ18) and ML103(pXZ18), acetate formation pathway deletion strains such as ML112(pXZ18) and ML115(pXZ18) produced similar level of C14, C16:1 and C16 free fatty acids, and the free fatty acid compositions of both strains did not change significantly with time. In addition, the strains bearing the fadD mutation showed significant differences in the quantities of free fatty acids found in the broth. Finally, we examined two potential screening methods for selecting and isolating high free fatty acids producing cells.     

Growth of Escherichia coli on Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Growth Characteristics of Mutants

The parent Escherichia coli K-12 is constitutive for the enzymes of the glyoxylate bypass and adapts to growth on long-chain fatty acids (C(12) to C(18)). It does not utilize medium-chain (C(6) to C(11)) or short-chain (C(4), C(5)) n-monocarboxylic acids. Several mutants of this strain which grow using short- or medium-chain acids, or both, as the sole carbon source were selected and characterized. One mutant (D(1)) synthesizes the beta-oxidation enzymes constitutively and grows on medium-chain but not on short-chain acids. A second (N(3)) is partially derepressed for synthesis of these enzymes and grows both on medium-chain and on short-chain acids. Secondary mutants (N(3)V(-), N(3)B(-), N(3)OL(-)) were derived from N(3). N(3)V(-) grows on even-chain but not on odd-chain acids and exhibits a lesion in propionate oxidation. N(3)B(-) grows on odd-chain but not on even-chain acids and exhibits no crotonase activity as assayed by hydration of crotonyl-CoA. N(3)OL(-) grows on acetate and propionate but does not utilize fatty acids C(4) to C(18); it exhibits multiple deficiencies in the beta-oxidation pathway. Growth on acetate of N(3), but not of the parent strain, is inhibited by 4-pentenoate. Revertants of N(3) which are resistant to growth inhibition by 4-pentenoate (N(3)PR) exhibit loss of ability to grow on short-chain acids but retain the ability to grow on medium-chain and long-chain acids. The growth characteristics of these mutants suggest that in order to grow at the expense of butyrate and valerate, E. coli must be (i) derepressed for synthesis of the beta-oxidation enzymes and (ii) derepressed for synthesis of a short-chain fatty acid uptake system.