Sequence Analysis of the Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt dexA Gene Encoding Extracellular Dextranase

The complete nucleotide sequence (3,747 bp) of the dextranase gene (dexA) and flanking regions of the chromosome of Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt (serotype c) were determined. The open reading frame for dexA was 2,550 bp, ending with a stop codon TGA. A putative ribosome-binding site, promoter preceding the start codon, and potential stem-loop structure were identified. The presumed dextranase protein (DexA) consisting of 850 amino acids was estimated to have a molecular size of 94,536 Da and a pI of 4.79. The nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequences of S. mutans dexA exhibited homologies of 57.8% and 47.0%, respectively, to those of Streptococcus sobrinus dex. The homologous region of dex of S. sobrinus was in the N-terminal half. The C terminus of DexA consisted of a hexapeptide LPQTGD, followed by 7 charged amino acids, 21 amino acids with a strongly hydrophobic character, and a charged hexapeptide tail, which have been reported as a common structure of C termini of not only the surface-associated proteins of Gram-positive cocci but also the extracellular enzymes such as β-fructosidase of S. mutans and dextranase of S. sobrinus. The DexA protein had no significant homology with the glucosyltransferases, the glucan-binding protein, or the dextranase inhibitor of mutans streptococci.     

Molecular characterization of dextranase from Streptococcus rattus

The complete nucleotide sequence of the dextranase gene of Streptococcus rattus ATCC19645 was determined. An open reading frame of the dextranase gene was 2,760 bp long and encoded a dextranase protein consisting of 920 amino acids with a molecular weight of 100,163 Da and an isoelectric point of 4.67. The S. rattus dextranase purified from recombinant Escherichia coli cells showed dextran-hydrolyzing activity with optimal pH (5.0) and temperature (40 C) similar to those of dextranases from Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. The deduced amino acid sequence of the S. rattus dextranase revealed that the dextranase molecule consists of two variable regions and a conserved region. The variable regions contained an N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal cell wall sorting signal; the conserved region contained two functional domains, catalytic and dextran-binding sites. This structural feature of the S. rattus dextranase is quite similar to that of other cariogenic species such as S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and Streptococcus downei.     

Nucleotide sequence and molecular characterization of a dextranase gene from Streptococcus downei

DNA fragments encoding the Streptococcus downei dextranase were amplified by PCR and inverse PCR based on a comparison of the dextranase gene (dex) sequences from S. sobrinus, S. mutans, and S. salivarius, and the complete nucleotide sequence of the S. downei dex was determined. An open reading frame (ORF) of dex was 3,891 bp long. It encoded a dextranase protein (Dex) consisting of 1,297 amino acids with a molecular mass of 139,743 Da and an isoelectric point of 4.49. The deduced amino acid sequence of S. downei Dex had homology to those of S. sobrinus, S. mutans and S. salivanus Dex in the conserved region (made of about 540 amino acid residues). DNA hybridization analysis showed that a dex DNA probe of S. downei hybridized to the chromosomal DNA of S. sobrinus as well as that of S. downei, but did not to other species of mutans streptococci. The C terminus of the S. downei Dex had a membrane-anchor region which has been reported as a common structure of C termini of both the S. mutans and S. sobrinus Dex. The recombinant plasmid which harbored the dex ORF of S. downei produced a recombinant Dex enzyme in Escherichia coli cells. The analysis of the recombinant enzyme on SDS-PAGE containing blue dextran showed multiple active forms as well as dextranases of S. mutans, S. sobrinus and S. salivarius.     

Cloning,Nucleotide Sequence,and Disruption of Streptococcus mutans Glutathione Reductase Gene (gor)

We cloned and sequenced the glutathione reductase gene (gor) of an oxygen-tolerant Streptococcus mutans, and constructed a gor-disruption mutant by homologous recombination. The gor gene consisted of 1,350 bp, coding for a protein of 450 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the S. mutans gor gene product showed extensive similarity with those of glutathione reductases from prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Although the mutant could grow aerobically, it showed no growth in the presence of 2 mM diamide, a thiol-specific oxidant. In contrast, growth of the wild-type strain was not significantly inhibited by 2 mM diamide, and glutathione reductase activity was increased 2.2-fold under these conditions. In addition, the level of glutathione reductase activity in the wild-type strain was increased 3.6-fold upon exposure to air, and the elevated level of the enzyme was retained throughout the aerobic growth. Thus, glutathione reductase may be important in protection of S. mutans against oxidative stress.     

The carboxyl terminal domain of Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferases prevents secretion in Escherichia coli

The extracellular glucosyltransferases (GTFs) of Streptococcus mutans are not secreted into the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli when the corresponding gtf genes are isolated in the latter organism. The utilization of both deletion analysis and gtfB: phoA fusions indicate that the signal sequences of the GTFs are functional in E. coli. However, these results further suggest that amino acid sequences present in the carboxyl terminus of the GTFs inhibit secretion through the cytoplasmic membrane in E. coli.     

The role of glucan-binding proteins in the cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans produces glucan-binding proteins (Gbps), which appear to contribute to the virulence of S. mutans. GbpA and GbpC genes were inactivated by the insertion of antibiotic-resistant genes into each gbp gene of S. mutans MT8148 to generate Gbp-defective mutants. Sucrose dependent adherences of the GbpA- and GbpC-defective mutants were found to be significantly lower than those of their parent strains MT8148. Caries inducing activity of the mutants in rats was significantly lower than that of strain MT8148R (streptomycin-resistant strain of MT8148). These results suggest that GbpA and GbpC participate in cellular adherence to tooth surfaces and contribute to the cariogenicity of S. mutans.     

日本血吸虫中国大陆株TPI基因的克隆及其表达产物特性

磷酸丙糖异构酶（ＴＰＩ）是血吸虫病疫苗重要的候选抗原基因之一。参考日本血吸虫已发表的ＴＰＩｃＤＮＡ序列,以日本血吸虫中国大陆株成虫ｍＲＮＡ为模板,用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ法快速克隆出一大小约８００ｂｐ的ＤＮＡ片段。ＤＮＡ序列分析证实,所扩增到的ＤＮＡ片段即为日本血吸虫中国大陆株磷酸丙糖异构酶（ＳｊＴＰＩｃ）基因。将该基因重组到表达型质粒ｐＧＥＸ－４Ｔ中,表达的ＧＳＴ融合蛋白分子量约５４ｋＤ。用谷胱甘肽琼脂糖凝胶亲和层析柱纯化的重组蛋白不仅纯度好,而且得率高,纯化产量可达３０ｍｇ／Ｌ培养物。免疫试验结果表明该重组蛋白具有良好的抗原性,是一种较为理想的抗原分子。     

cre基因在大肠杆菌中的表达及表达蛋白活性的检测

Cre重组酶来自噬菌体P1,可以识别特异的loxP位点的DNA序列,并进行专一性的剪切和拼接,利用PCR技术将cre基因克隆至原核表达载体pET-29a,在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）得到了高效表达,采用DEAE－52柱层析的方法对表达蛋白进行了纯化,体外生物学活性检测表明,表达蛋白对含有同向loxP位点的质粒有切割活性。     

Characterization of a suppressor mutation complementing an acid-sensitive mutation in Streptococcus mutans

We isolated a spontaneous suppressor mutant complementing the acid-sensitive phenotype of Streptococcus mutans strain Tn-1, a mutant previously generated in this laboratory, defective in the activity of the dgk-encoded putative undecaprenol kinase. A relatively simple genetic method was developed to identify the suppressor mutation, based on selection for transformants containing two closely linked markers: a selectable allele of the unknown suppressor gene and an antibiotic resistance gene introduced on a suicide plasmid at random sites into the chromosome via homologous recombination. While we have not actually identified the original suppressor mutation, another mutated gene restoring acid resistance has been isolated, which suggests a possible mechanism of suppression.     

Application of in vitro mutagenesis to identify the gene responsible for cold agglutination phenotype of Streptococcus mutans

A previously unidentified protein with an apparent molecular mass of 120 kDa was detected in some Streptococcus mutans strains including the natural isolate strain Z1. This protein was likely involved in the cold-agglutination of the strain, since a correlation between this phenotype and expression of the 120 kDa protein was found. We have applied random mutagenesis by in vitro transposition with the Himar1 minitransposon and isolated three cold-agglutination-negative mutants of this strain from approximately 2,000 mutants screened. A 2.5 kb chromosomal fragment flanking the minitransposon in one of the three mutants was amplified by PCR-based chromosome walking and the minitransposon insertion in the other two mutants occurred also within the same region. Nucleotide sequencing of the region revealed a 1617 nt open reading frame specifying a putative protein of 538 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 57,192. The deduced eight amino acid sequence following a putative signal sequence completely coincided with the N-terminal octapeptide sequence of the 120 kDa protein determined by the Edman degradation. Therefore, the 1617 nt gene unexpectedly encoded the 120 kDa protein from S. mutans. Interestingly, this gene encoded a collagen adhesin homologue. In vitro mutagenesis using the Himar1 minitransposon was successfully applied to S. mutans.     

Complete nucleotide sequence of the sr gene from Streptococcus mutans OMZ 175

The nucleotide sequence encoding the SR protein of Streptococcus mutans OMZ 175 (serotype f) has been determined. The sr gene consists of 4667 bp and codes for a 171177 Da protein. Comparison of the inferred amino acid sequence with the one of PAc antigen from S. mutans MT 8148 (serotype c) indicates a 88% conservation of amino acid residues which reflects the close relatedness of both proteins. Major differences in amino acid composition are located at the C-terminal part of the sequence where only 298 amino acids of the terminal 420 are conserved.     

Identification of A New Gene Responsible for the Oxygen Tolerance in Aerobic Life of Streptococcus mutans

Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase in Streptococcus mutans consists of two components, Nox-1 and AhpC. Deletion of nox-1 and ahpC in a double mutant as well as the wild-type of Streptococcus mutans can form colonies in the presence of air to the same extent. The evidence suggested the presence of some other antioxidant system(s) independent of the Nox-1/AhpC system in the bacterium. Here we identified a new antioxidant gene (dpr) and the gene product (Dpr) which complements the defect of peroxidase activity caused by the deletion of nox-1 and ahpC in S. mutans. The dpr-disruption mutant of S. mutans could form colonies anaerobically but not aerobically.     

Analysis of the mechanical stability and surface detachment of mature Streptococcus mutans biofilms by applying a range of external shear forces

Well-established biofilms formed by Streptococcus mutans via exopolysaccharide matrix synthesis are firmly attached to tooth surfaces. Enhanced understanding of the physical properties of mature biofilms may lead to improved approaches to detaching or disassembling these highly organized and adhesive structures. Here, the mechanical stability of S. mutans biofilms was investigated by determining their ability to withstand measured applications of shear stress using a custom-built device. The data show that the initial biofilm bulk (~ 50% biomass) was removed after exposure to 0.184 and 0.449 N m^?2 for 67 and 115 h old biofilms. However, removal of the remaining biofilm close to the surface was significantly reduced (vs initial bulk removal) even when shear forces were increased 10-fold. Treatment of biofilms with exopolysaccharide-digesting dextranase substantially compromised their mechanical stability and rigidity, resulting in bulk removal at a shear stress as low as 0.027 N m^?2 and > a two-fold reduction in the storage modulus (G′). The data reveal how incremental increases in shear stress cause distinctive patterns of biofilm detachment, while demonstrating that the exopolysaccharide matrix modulates the resistance of biofilms to mechanical clearance.     

变形链球菌F-ATPase启动子荧光蛋白载体的构建及表达

目的构建由质子移位膜ATP酶(membrane-bound proton-translocating ATPase,F-ATPase)启动子启动的绿色荧光蛋白报告基因穿梭表达载体,观察其在大肠埃希菌中的表达同时鉴定表达产物。方法以变形链球菌(UA159)基因组为模板,扩增F-ATPase启动子片段,构建由F-ATPase启动子启动的绿色荧光表达载体pFgfp,酶切F-ATPase启动子及绿色荧光蛋白编码基因,连接到穿梭质粒pDL276,构建重组载体pLFgfp。结果重组质粒pLFgfp酶切及基因序列分析证实目的片段成功插入,重组载体转化后的大肠埃希菌有绿色荧光蛋白的表达,并能随着细菌传代继续表达。结论 F-ATPase启动子启动的绿色荧光蛋白穿梭表达载体pLFgfp构建成功,为研究生物膜环境中耐酸菌F-ATPase毒力因子的表达奠定基础。     

猪传染性胸膜肺炎放线杆菌apxIA基因在大肠杆菌中的融合表达与纯化

选取猪传染性胸膜肺炎放线杆菌(APP)apx1A基因序列中的抗原决定簇集中的区域,采用PCR方法从APP血清1型参考株259的基因组DNA中,扩增apxIA基因中约954 bp的片段,连接到pMD-18T载体,经测序正确后,以EcoR I和Not I双酶切,亚克隆到原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1中,转化大肠杆菌DH5α,经0.4 mmol/L IPTG诱导表达,产物通过尿素变性复性,并以Glutathione Sepharose 4B亲和层析的方法对目的蛋白进一步纯化.SDS-PAGE分析结果显示,目的基因在大肠杆菌DH5ct中以包涵体形式高效表达,经薄层凝胶扫描分析占菌体总蛋白的32%,纯化后的GST融合蛋白纯度达到95%,为亚单位疫苗和诊断抗原的研究奠定了基础.     

Adenine Deaminase Activity of the yicP Gene Product of Escherichia coli

During previous work on deriving inosine-producing mutants of Escherichia coli, we observed that an excess of adenine added to the culture medium was quickly converted to hypoxanthine. This phenomenon was still apparent after disruption of the known adenosine deaminase gene (add) on the E. coli chromosome, suggesting that, like Bacillus subtilis, E. coli has an adenine deaminase. As the yicP gene of E. coli shares about 35% identity with the B. subtilis adenine deaminase gene (ade), we cloned yicP from the E. coli genome and developed a strain that overexpressed its product. The enzyme was purified from a cell extract of E. coli harboring a plasmid containing the cloned yicP gene, and had significant adenine deaminase [EC 3.5.4.2] activity. It was deduced to be a homodimer, each subunit having a molecular mass of 60 kDa. The enzyme required manganese ions as a cofactor, and adenine was its only substrate. Its optimum pH was 6.5-7.0 and its optimum temperature was 60°C. The apparent K_m for adenine was 0.8 mM.     

esat6基因表达载体的构建及其在戈登链球菌中的表达

为了构建结核分枝杆菌(MTb)esat6基因表达载体并在戈登链球菌GP251中进行分泌表达, 以结核杆菌H37Rv基因组DNA为模板扩增esat6基因, 将esat6基因TA克隆到pMD18-T, 构建pMD18-esat6重组载体。酶切消化pMD18-esat6, 将esat6基因亚克隆到质粒PSMB104, 生成PSMB104-esat6重组载体, 用于转化感受态戈登链球菌表达菌株GP251。用Tricine-SDS-PAGE和Western印迹检测esat6蛋白的表达, 并用ELISA技术检测该蛋白     

Construction of region-specific partial duplication mutants (merodiploid mutants) to identify the regulatory gene for the glucan-binding protein C gene in vivo in Streptococcus mutans

The gbpC gene encoding the glucan-binding protein C which is involved in dextran (glucan)-dependent aggregation (ddag) of Streptococcus mutans has been identified by random mutagenesis. We analyzed ddag(-) mutants containing the intact gbpC gene and found that these mutants possessed a large and characteristic duplication of a region of the chromosome which was responsible for the phenotype. Based upon characterization of these duplications, we developed a strategy to introduce a duplication into any specific region of the chromosome of these organisms. The 690-bp gene responsible for the ddag(-) phenotype was identified within a 60-kb region by observing ddag (positive or negative) phenotypes of successively constructed specific duplication mutants.     

透明颤菌血红蛋白的表达及对基因工程菌的影响

利用已克隆的透明颤菌(Vitreoscilla)血红蛋白基因(vgb),构建了一批复制类型和抗生标记不同的vgb表达载体,并就vgb基因表达及其对几种基因工程大肠杆菌的影响进行了初步研究。实验证明vgb基因的表达具有氧调控特性,在溶氧水平下跌至20％饱和度时迅速合成。Vgb基因的表达产物(Vitreoscilla Hemoglogin,VHb)可促进青霉素酰化酶和TNF、IL-2等基因工程菌在低氧条件下细胞生长和产物表达的状况,由于vgb基因的表达降低了细胞对氧的敏感程度,可望运用它来改善发酵过程中溶氧控制裕度。这些实验结果预示着vgb基因在耗氧生物过程中,如抗生素工业和基因工程菌高密度发酵,有着良好的应用前景。