不同培养时期的大肠杆菌和枯草芽孢杆菌间发生的跨属自然遗传转化

携带穿梭质粒的大肠杆菌与作为受体的枯草芽孢杆菌分别培养至不同生长阶段混合均匀后静置40min,涂布选择性平板,37℃培养30h后得到一定数目的转化子,DNaseⅠ敏感实验证实质粒是通过自然遗传转化而非其它形式发生转移。实验发现大肠杆菌可以在特定生长时期向胞外分泌DNA,并且在对数期具有最高的提供质粒的能力,而生长后期的细胞因为体系中DNase量的增加转化频率下降。进一步的研究发现枯草芽孢杆菌在营养丰富的LB培养基中也具有与基本培养基中相当的转化能力,并且在对数生长前期具有较高的转化频率。     

Mutational analysis of the nucleoid-associated protein HBsu of Bacillus subtilis

The essential nucleoid-associated protein HBsu of Bacillus subtilis comprises 92 residues, 20% of which are basic amino acids. To investigate the role of the residues located within the DNA-binding arm, the arginine residues R58 and R61 were changed to leucine, while lysine residues K80 and K86 were replaced by alanine. All altered proteins exhibited a reduction in DNA binding capacity, ranging from 10% to 30% of HBsu wild type DNA-binding ability. To investigate the physiological effect of these mutations in B. subtilis, the indigenous hbs gene was replaced by the mutated genes. B. subtilis strain PK20, which carries the HBsu mutation R58L which exhibits the lowest DNA binding ability in vitro, showed the strongest retardation of growth compared to the wild type. Furthermore, PK20 cells displayed an increased rate of cell lysis, diminished sporulation efficiency and a reduced level of negatively supercoiled DNA. These observations suggest that the DNA binding ability of HBsu DNA is important for growth and differentiation and influences DNA topology. Received: 27 July 1998 / Accepted: 22 September 1998     

Cloning and expression of a Bacillus cellulase gene in Escherichia coli

A Bacillus cellulase gene coding for carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) has been cloned in Escherichia coli using pBR 322 as a vector. The gene was expressed independently of its orientation in the cloning vector showing enzyme activity 40 times greater than that produced by the original Bacillus species. The high production of CMCase in E. coli by the foreign gene did not impede growth of the host cells and the E. coli produced CMCase responded to various pH values and temperatures in the same way as that produced by the gene donor cells.     

PVA-biocatalyst with entrapped viable Bacillus subtilis cells

Bacillus subtilis cells were entrapped in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-cryogel beads without decay in their viability and capability of secretion of proteolytic enzymes (metalloproteinase and subtilisin). Conditions for preparation of the PVA-biocatalyst with suitable stability and viability of B. subtilis cells were optimized. Diffusion of various compounds into the cryogel (sliced beads) has been monitored on-line using image analysis system. Optimal working conditions and kinetic constants for hydrolysis of proteins catalyzed by the PVA-biocatalyst containing whole B. subtilis cells were estimated. The PVA-biocatalyst was applied in the hydrolysis of casein. The productivity of the biocatalyst (expressed as an amount of liberated aromatic amino acids) reached a maximal level of 12 mg g⁻¹ h⁻¹. Composition of mixture of peptides was dependent on pH, concentrations of Na⁺ and glucose, and in the reaction milieu. Protein hydrolysates of desired composition can be obtained using B. subtilis viable cells immobilized in PVA-gel. Incubation of the immobilized cells in a nutrient medium with casein successfully regenerated proteolytic activity of the biocatalyst.     

枯草芽胞杆菌孢子表面展示外源蛋白的研究

枯草芽胞杆菌孢子表面展示技术是最近十几年新兴的一种外源蛋白固定方法,已在酶学、疫苗学、靶向药物制备、金属污染治理等领域获得了广泛应用。以孢子衣壳蛋白为载体蛋白,已经成功地把许多抗原、酶和其他蛋白展示在孢子外表面。枯草芽胞杆菌孢子衣壳由多种衣壳蛋白组成,但可用做载体蛋白的并不多,且它们的特性不同。综合介绍了枯草芽胞杆菌孢子表面展示外源蛋白这种新型技术的具体机理,及其在国内外各领域应用的研究进展。     

Translational coupling in a penP-lacZ gene fusion in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli: Use of AUA as a restart codon

Summary An out-of-frame fusion between the penicillinase gene (penP) of Bacillus licheniformis and the -galactosidase gene (lacZ) of Escherichia coli was shown to direct the synthesis of an active -galactosidase with the same electrophoretic mobility as the wild-type protein, both in B. subtilis and E. coli. This synthesis was dependent on translation of the truncated penP gene and appeared to result from translational coupling. The fusion point between penP and lacZ contained the sequence AUAG, in which the UAG and AUA codons were in-frame with the penP and lacZ reading units, respectively. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the -galactosidase protein suggested that, both in B. subtilis and E. coli, reinitiation of translation occurred at the AUA codon present at the gene fusion point.     

recO and recR mutations delay induction of the SOS response in Escherichia coli

RecF, RecO and RecR, three of the important proteins of the RecF pathway of recombination, are also needed for repair of DNA damage due to UV irradiation. recF mutants are not proficient in cleaving LexA repressor in vivo following DNA damage; therefore they show a delay of induction of the SOS response. In this communication, by measuring the in vivo levels of LexA repressor using anti-LexA antibodies, we show that recO and recR mutant strains are also not proficient in LexA cleavage reactions. In addition, we show that recO and recR mutations delay induction of -galactosidase activity expressed from a lexA-regulated promoter following exposure of cells to UV, thus further supporting the idea that recF, recO and recR gene products are needed for induction of the SOS response.     

Septation and chromosome segregation during sporulation in Bacillus subtilis

The early stages of sporulation in Bacillus subtilis incorporate a modified, highly asymmetric cell division. It is now clear that most, if not all, of the components of the vegetative division machinery are used also for asymmetric division. However, the machinery for chromosome segregation may differ significantly between vegetative growth and sporulation. Several interesting checkpoint mechanisms couple cell cycle events to gene expression early in sporulation. This review summarises important advances in the understanding of chromosome segregation and cell division at the onset of sporulation in B.subtilis in the past three years.     

Rapid production of thermostable cellulase-free xylanase by a strain of Bacillus subtilis and its properties

A Bacillus subtilis strain isolated from a hot-spring was shown to produce xylanolytic enzymes. Their associative/synergistic effect was studied using a culture medium with oat spelts xylan as xylanase inducer. Optimal xylanase production of about 12 U ml⁻¹ was achieved at pH 6.0 and 50°C, within 18 h fermentation. At 50°C, xylanase productivity obtained after 11 h in shake-flasks, 96,000 U l⁻¹ h⁻¹, and in reactor, 104,000 U l⁻¹ h⁻¹ was similar. Increasing temperature to 55°C a higher productivity was obtained in the batch reactor 45,000 U l⁻¹ h⁻¹, compared to shake-flask fermentations, 12,000 U l⁻¹ h⁻¹. Optimal xylanolytic activity was reached at 60°C on phosphate buffer, at pH 6.0. The xylanase is thermostable, presenting full stability at 60°C during 3 h. Further increase in the temperature caused a correspondent decrease in the residual activity. At 90°C, 20% relative activity remains after 14 min. Under optimised fermentation conditions, no cellulolytic activity was detected on the extract. Protein disulphide reducing agents, such as DTT, enhanced xylanolytic activity about 2.5-fold. When is used xylan as substrate, xylanase production decreased as function of time in contrast, with trehalose as carbon source, xylanase production in maintained constant for at least 80 h fermentation.     

Expression of a Bacillus subtilis pectate lyase gene in Pichia pastoris

The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris is an attractive heterologous protein expression host, mainly for genes from higher eukaryotes. However, no successful examples for the expression of bacterial gene encoding pectate lyase in P. pastoris have been reported. The present study reports for the first time the cloning and functional expression of the bacterial Bacillus subtilis gene encoding alkaline pectate lyase in P. pastoris. A molecular weight of 43,644 Da was calculated from the deduced amino acid sequence. A pectate lyase activity as high as 100 U/ml was attained in the fermentation broth of P. pastoris GS 115, which was about 10 times higher than when the gene is expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant pectate lyase was purified to homogeneity and maximal activity of the enzyme was observed at 65 °C, and pH 9.4. The recombinant enzyme showed a wider pH and thermal stability spectrum than the purified pectate lyase from B. subtilis WSHB04-02. Pectate lyase activity slightly increased in the presence of Mg²⁺ (ion) but decreased in the presence of other metal ions. Analysis of polygalacturonic acid degradation products by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry revealed that the degradation products were unsaturated trigalacturonic acid and unsaturated bigalacturonic acid, which confirms that the enzyme catalyzes a trans-elimination reaction.     

Comparison and functional characterisation of three homologous intracellular carboxylesterases of Bacillus subtilis

Enzymatic hydrolysis of racemic mixtures may provide an attractive method for the enantiopure production of chiral pharmaceuticals. For example, the carboxylesterase NP of Bacillus subtilis Thai I-8 is an excellent biocatalyst in the kinetic resolution of NSAID esters, such as naproxen and ibuprofen methyl esters. Two homologues of this enzyme were identified when the genome sequence of B. subtilis 168 was revealed in 1997. We characterised one of the homologous, YbfK, as a very enantioselective 1,2-O-isopropylidene-sn-glycerol caprylate esterase, while only modest enantioselectivity towards the naproxen ester was observed. The other homologue, the carboxylesterase NA has not been characterised yet. The purpose of the present study was to fully characterise these three highly homologous esterases with respect to their applicability towards the enantiospecific hydrolysis of a wide range of compounds. The esterase genes were cloned and expressed in B. subtilis using a combination of two strong promotors in a multi-copy vector. After purification of the enzymes from the cytoplasm of B. subtilis, the biochemical and enantioselective properties of the enzymes were determined. Although all carboxylesterases have similar physico-chemical properties, comparison of their specific activities and enantioselectivities towards several compounds revealed rather different substrate specificities. We conclude that carboxylesterase NP and carboxylesterase NA are particularly suited for the enzymatic conversion of naproxen esters, while YbfK offers enantiopure (+)-IPG from its caprylate ester. Given the carboxylesterase activities of the esterases it has been proposed to rename the nap gene of B. subtilis 168 into cesA and the ybfK gene into cesB.     

枯草芽孢杆菌纳豆亚种后生元的健康促进作用

枯草芽孢杆菌纳豆亚种是一种食用历史悠久的益生菌,其安全性和健康促进作用已在人群和临床应用上得到很好的证明。特殊的培养、灭活及膜过滤等技术可以利用枯草芽孢杆菌纳豆亚种发酵产生多种后生元成分,如菌体壁、胞外多糖、纳豆激酶、维生素K₂和γ-多聚谷氨酸等,这些后生元成分可赋予枯草芽孢杆菌纳豆亚种益生菌潜力。枯草芽孢杆菌纳豆亚种后生元具有重要的健康促进功能,如整肠通便、促进消化、预防和溶解血栓、降血压、促进骨骼钙吸收、降尿酸及抑菌消炎等。本文从后生元的定义出发,探讨枯草芽孢杆菌纳豆亚种后生元的制备方法、功能成分及可能的健康促进作用。

     

米曲霉果胶酸酯裂解酶（pectin lyase 1）在原核系统中重组表达

来自米曲霉(Aspergillus oryzae)和黑曲霉(Aspergillus niger)的果胶酸酯裂解酶(pectinlyase)一直被用于传统发酵食品的生产,但自然条件下A.oryzae和A.niger的果胶酸酯裂解酶产量较低。通过RT-PCR的方法,获得不含信号肽的A.oryzaePel1cDNA,将Pel1cDNA连入pET-28a( )载体,构建pET-28a( )-pel1质粒。pET-28a( )-pel1转化Turner(DE3)placⅠ细胞,得到转化子pET-28a( )-pel1-Turner(DE3)placⅠ,表达与6个组氨酸融合的Pel1。进一步对Pel1在E.coli系统中表达的条件进行了研究,在37℃,220r/min条件下,培养pET-28a( )-pel1-Turner(DE3)placⅠ细胞,当OD600至0.8左右时,用500μmol/Lisopropylβ-D-thiogalactogalactop-yranoside(IPTG)进行诱导表达,在15℃和170r/min条件下,继续培养60h后,表达效果最好,产酶可达到400u/mL,是A.oryzae自然条件下产酶量的4000倍,也高于已报道的真菌果胶酸酯裂解酶在真菌体系中重组表达的效果。     

Kinetics of the unfolding-folding transition of Bacillus subtilislevansucrase precursor

The reversible folding-unfolding transition of mature and precursor forms of Bacillus subtilis levansucrase were compared under physiological conditions of pH and temperature. The time constant of the folding reaction was not modified by the presence of the signal sequence and the precursor in the native form was slightly more resistant to the denaturing action of urea. However, the folding pathway could be different for each protein since a domain of the mature levansucrase underwent an independent transition which is not observed during the renaturation process of prelevansucrase.     

Functional relationship between Escherichia coli RNase E and the CafA protein

We analyzed the functional relationship between the Escherichia coli RNase E and the CafA protein, which show extensive sequence similarity. The temperature-sensitive growth of the RNase E mutant strain ams1 was partially suppressed by multicopy plasmids bearing the cafA gene. Introduction of a cafA::cat mutation enhanced the temperature sensitivity of the ams1 mutant. These results suggest that there is a functional homology between these two proteins. Received: 17 May 1996 / Accepted: 1 October 1996