Biosurfactant production by a thermophilic Bacillus subtilis strain

A strain of Bacillus subtilis was able to grow and produce a biosurfactant on 2% sucrose at 45°C. As a result of biosurfactant synthesis the surface tension of the medium was reduced from 68 dynes cm⁻¹ to 28 dynes cm⁻¹. The strain had the capacity to produce the biosurfactant at high NaCl concentrations (4%) and a wide range of pH (4.5–10.5). The biosurfactant retained its surface-active properties after heating at 100°C for 2 h and at different pH values (4.5–10.5). A maximum amount of biosurfactant was produced when urea or nitrate ions were supplied as nitrogen source. The use of the biosurfactant at high temperatures, acidic, alkaline and saline environments is discussed. As a result of its action, 62% of oil in a sand pack column could be recovered, indicating its potential application in microbiologically enhanced oil recovery. Received 28 March 1996/ Accepted in revised form 16 September 1996     

一种脂肽类生物表面活性剂产生菌的筛选

从油田地层水中筛选分离得到1株能够产生表面活性剂的细菌,经鉴定为枯草芽孢杆菌。分析了该菌株的生理形态和生长特性,以及该菌株代谢产生的生物表面活性剂的性质。薄层色谱与原位水解显色和红外光谱分析表明,培养后菌株代谢产生的生物表面活性为脂肽。它能使水的表面张力降低到26mN/m,其临界胶束浓度为0.025mg/mL。     

Evidence of Isoprenoid Precursor Toxicity in Bacillus subtilis

The mevalonic acid (MVA) and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathways for isoprenoid biosynthesis both culminate in the production of the two-five carbon prenyl diphosphates: dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) and isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP). These are the building blocks for higher isoprenoids, including many that have industrial and pharmaceutical applications. With growing interest in producing commercial isoprenoids through microbial engineering, reports have appeared of toxicity associated with the accumulation of prenyl diphosphates in Escherichia coli expressing a heterologous MVA pathway. Here we explored whether similar prenyl diphosphate toxicity, related to MEP pathway flux, could also be observed in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. After genetic and metabolic manipulations of the endogenous MEP pathway in B. subtilis, measurements of cell growth, MEP pathway flux, and DMAPP contents suggested cytotoxicity related to prenyl diphosphate accumulation. These results have implications as to understanding the factors impacting isoprenoid biosynthesis in microbial systems.     

芬芥素类脂肽生物表面活性剂的结构性能与合成强化

脂肽类生物表面活性剂由亲水的寡肽和疏水的长链脂肪酸两部分组成,根据其结构特征,可将其分为环状脂肽和线性脂肽两大类。芽孢杆菌合成的环状脂肽主要包含芬芥素、表面活性素和伊枯草菌素三大家族,其中芬芥素表现出显著的抑菌活性,在植物病虫害防治方面具有良好的应用前景。综述了芬芥素的基本结构、合成机理、抑菌性能以及生物合成强化的研究进展,旨在为芬芥素的合成与应用研究提供参考。     

Potential application of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 biosurfactants in laundry detergent formulations: Compatibility study with detergent ingredients and washing performance

Surfactants play a very important role in laundry and household cleaning products ingredients. In this research, the application of lipopeptide biosurfactants, produced by Bacillus subtilis SPB1, in the formulation of a washing powder was investigated. The SPB1 biosurfactant was mixed with sodium tripolyphosphate as a builder and sodium sulfate as filler. The efficiency of the formulated detergent composition with different washing conditions to remove a stain from cotton fabric was examined. The results showed that the formulated detergent was effective in oil removal, with optimal washing conditions of pH, temperature, striate and time of washing system of 7, 65°C, 1000 RPM and 60 min, respectively. A comparative study of different detergent compositions (biosurfactant‐based detergent, combined biosurfactant‐commercial detergent, and a commercial detergent) for the removal of oil and tea stains, proved that the bio‐scouring was more effective (>75%) in terms of the stain removal than the commercial powders (<60%). Moreover, the results demonstrated that the biosurfactant acts additively with a commercial detergent and enhances their performance from 33 to 45% in removing oil stain and from 57 to 64% in removing tea stain. As a conclusion, in addition to the low toxicity and the high biodegradability of the microbial biosurfactants, the results of this study have shown that the future use of this lipopeptide biosurfactant as laundry detergent additive is highly promising.     

Nonribosomal Peptide Synthase Gene Clusters for Lipopeptide Biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis 916 and Their Phenotypic Functions

Bacillus cyclic lipopeptides (LPs) have been well studied for their phytopathogen-antagonistic activities. Recently, research has shown that these LPs also contribute to the phenotypic features of Bacillus strains, such as hemolytic activity, swarming motility, biofilm formation, and colony morphology. Bacillus subtilis 916 not only coproduces the three families of well-known LPs, i.e., surfactins, bacillomycin Ls (iturin family), and fengycins, but also produces a new family of LP called locillomycins. The genome of B. subtilis 916 contains four nonribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) gene clusters, srf, bmy, fen, and loc, which are responsible for the biosynthesis of surfactins, bacillomycin Ls, fengycins, and locillomycins, respectively. By studying B. subtilis 916 mutants lacking production of one, two, or three LPs, we attempted to unveil the connections between LPs and phenotypic features. We demonstrated that bacillomycin Ls and fengycins contribute mainly to antifungal activity. Although surfactins have weak antifungal activity in vitro, the strain mutated in srfAA had significantly decreased antifungal activity. This may be due to the impaired productions of fengycins and bacillomycin Ls. We also found that the disruption of any LP gene cluster other than fen resulted in a change in colony morphology. While surfactins and bacillomycin Ls play very important roles in hemolytic activity, swarming motility, and biofilm formation, the fengycins and locillomycins had little influence on these phenotypic features. In conclusion, B. subtilis 916 coproduces four families of LPs which contribute to the phenotypic features of B. subtilis 916 in an intricate way.     

抗微生物脂肽体外抗PRV和PPV的研究

本试验研究了枯草芽孢杆菌fmbJ株产生的抗微生物脂肽(Antimicrobiallipopeptide,AMI)的体外抗伪狂犬病病毒(Pseudorabiesvirus,PRV)、猪细小病毒(Porcineparvovirus,PPV)南京株活性并对其可能的机理进行了初步探讨。结果表明该抗微生物脂肽对猪肾(PorcineKidney,PK-15)细胞的半数中毒浓度(MedianToxicosisDose,TD50)和最大无毒浓度(TD0)分别为47.57mg/L、18.9mg/L;对PRV株、PPV南京株所致细胞病变效应(CytopathicEffects,CPE)有明显的抑制作用,可使细胞存活率显著升高;但不能抑制PRV株、PPV南京株在PK-15细胞上的感染和复制。由此可知,该抗微生物脂肽可以直接作用于PRV株、PPV南京株,从而抑制其对PK-15细胞的感染作用,其作用效果显著低于抗病毒药物阿昔洛韦(Acyclovir,ACV),但由于其对PK-15细胞毒性较弱,可作为一种抗病毒药物进行进一步开发研究。     

Towards a comprehensive understanding of Bacillus subtilis cell physiology by physiological proteomics

Using Bacillus subtilis as a model system for functional genomics, this review will provide insights how proteomics can be used to bring the virtual life of genes to the real life of proteins. Physiological proteomics will generate a new and broad understanding of cellular physiology because the majority of proteins synthesized in the cell can be visualized. From a physiological point of view two major proteome fractions can be distinguished: proteomes of growing cells and proteomes of nongrowing cells. In the main analytical window almost 50% of the vegetative proteome expressed in growing cells of B. subtilis were identified. This proteomic view of growing cells can be employed for analyzing the regulation of entire metabolic pathways and thus opens the chance for a comprehensive understanding of metabolism and growth processes of bacteria. Proteomics, on the other hand, is also a useful tool for analyzing the adaptational network of nongrowing cells that consists of several partially overlapping regulation groups induced by stress/starvation stimuli. Furthermore, proteomic signatures for environmental stimuli can not only be applied to predict the physiological state of cells, but also offer various industrial applications from fermentation monitoring up to the analysis of the mode of action of drugs. Even if DNA array technologies currently provide a better overview of the gene expression profile than proteome approaches, the latter address biological problems in which they can not be replaced by mRNA profiling procedures. This proteomics of the second generation is a powerful tool for analyzing global control of protein stability, the protein interaction network, protein secretion or post-translational modifications of proteins on the way towards the elucidation of the mystery of life.     

抗微生物脂肽体外抗PRV和PPV的研究

本试验研究了枯草芽孢杆菌fmbJ株产生的抗微生物脂肽(Antimicrobial lipopeptide,AMI)的体外抗伪狂犬病病毒(Pseudorabies virus,PRV)、猪细小病毒(Porcine parvovirus, PPV)南京株活性并对其可能的机理进行了初步探讨.结果表明该抗微生物脂肽对猪肾(Porcine Kidney,PK-15)细胞的半数中毒浓度(Median Toxicosis Dose,TD50)和最大无毒浓度(TD0)分别为47.57 mg/L、18.9 mg/L;对PRV株、PPV南京株所致细胞病变效应(Cytopathic Effects,CPE)有明显的抑制作用,可使细胞存活率显著升高;但不能抑制PRV株、PPV南京株在PK-15细胞上的感染和复制.由此可知,该抗微生物脂肽可以直接作用于PRV株、PPV南京株,从而抑制其对PK-15细胞的感染作用,其作用效果显著低于抗病毒药物阿昔洛韦(Acyclovir,ACV),但由于其对PK-15细胞毒性较弱,可作为一种抗病毒药物进行进一步开发研究.     

N-Acyl-l-Homoserine Lactone Autoinducers Control Production of an Extracellular Lipopeptide Biosurfactant Required for Swarming Motility of Serratia liquefaciens MG1

A nonswarming Serratia liquefaciens mutant deficient in serrawettin W2 production was constructed by transposon mutagenesis. Sequence homology indicated that insertion had occurred in gene swrA, which encodes a putative peptide synthetase. Expression of swrA is controlled by quorum sensing.     

Adsorption of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage PBS 1.

Bacteriophage PBS 1 adsorbs initially on the flagella of its host, Bacillus subtilis (stage I). The phage can adsorb to both active and inactive flagella. Flagellar attachment is nonspecific as PBS 1 was shown to attach to the flagella of Bacillus species other than the normal host B. subtilis. The phage particle then quickly moves down the length of the flagellum to its base, the final adsorption site. Flagellar motion is required for flagellar base attachment (stage II). After proper attachment at the flagellar base, the phage tail sheath contracts sending the tail core through the final adsorption site (stage III). The phage DNA is then injected at this site (stage IV). Stage I adsorption does not cause loss of motility in PBS 1 -- resistant bacilli. The loss of motility observed upon infection of sensitive cells by PBS 1 may be associated with either stage II or stage III of adsorption.     

培养基中铁离子对枯草芽孢杆菌CICC 23659发酵产脂肽的影响研究

高性能的生物表面活性剂脂肽在医药、食品、化妆品及微生物采油等领域具有广泛的应用价值.利用高效液相色谱法和电喷雾质谱法分析了Bacillus subtilis CICC 23659所产脂肽的组成,结果表明其所产脂肽是由surfactin的同系物C13、C14和C15组成,其分子量分别为1008、1022和1036.以生物量、脂肽产量、脂肽组成、乳化能力和临界胶束浓度等指标考察在培养基中投加不同浓度的Fe2+对B.subtilis CICC 23659的影响,结果表明添加Fe2+不仅能够提高B.subtilis CICC 23659的生物量,还能大幅提高脂肽产量.当Fe2+添加浓度为5 mmol/L时,生物量达到最大3.69g/L,提高了6倍,脂肽产量也达到最大234.08 mg/L,提高了9.5倍.Fe2+作用下脂肽同系物中C13、C14、C15在脂肽产物中的相对含量发生了变化,脂肽同系物C13和C15的相对含量降低,脂肽同系物C14的相对含量上升.脂肽同系物中C13的相对含量越高,CMC值越大,脂肽同系物中C14和C15的相对含量越高,CMC值则越小.     

The impact of the Bacillus subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant on the midgut histology of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and determination of its putative receptor

SPB1 is a Bacillus subtilis strain producing a lipopeptide biosurfactant. The insecticidal activity of this biosurfactant was evaluated against the Egyptian cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littoralis). It displayed toxicity with an LC(50) of 251 ng/cm(2). The histopathological changes occurred in the larval midgut of S. littoralis treated with B. subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant were vesicle formation in the apical region, cellular vacuolization and destruction of epithelial cells and their boundaries. Ligand-blotting experiments with S. littoralis brush border membrane vesicles showed binding of SPB1 biosurfactant to a protein of 45 kDa corresponding to its putative receptor. The latter differs in molecular size from those recognized by Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3A and Cry1C toxins, commonly known by their activity against S. littoralis. This result wires the application of B. subtilis biosurfactant for effective control of S. littoralis larvae, particularly in the cases where S. littoralis will develop resistance against B. thuringiensis toxins.     

Transduction in Bacillus subtilis by Bacteriophage SPP1

Lysates of the virulent bacteriophage SPP1 were shown to be capable of mediating generalized transduction. Suppressible mutants of this bacteriophage (sus) were capable of transduction at a lower multiplicity of infection than virulent SPP1. Linkage analysis demonstrated that bacteriophage SPP1 transduced segments of the genome equal in size to that transferred by SP10. This bacteriophage should be useful in analyzing the regions of the genome where PBS1 appears to give anomalous results.     

Cloning in Bacillus subtilis of temperature-dependent promoter fragments from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis

Abstract Using promoter-probe plasmids, more than 200 promoter-containing fragments from Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis were cloned in B. subtilis . Among these, 15 promoter fragments were highly temperature-dependent in activity compared to the promoter sequence (TTGAAA for the −35 region, TATAAT for the −10 region) of the amylase gene, amyT , from B. stearothermophilus . Some fragments exhibited higher promoter activities at elevated temperature (48°C), others showed higher activities at lower temperature (30°C). Active promoter fragments at higher and lower temperatures were obtained mainly from the thermophile ( B. stearothermophilus ) and the mesophile ( B. subtilis ), respectively. A promoter fragment active at high temperature was sequenced, and the feature of the putative promoter region was discussed.     

Cloning of the Bacillus subtilis sulfanilamide resistance gene in Bacillus subtilis

A recombinant plasmid was constructed by ligation of chromosomal DNA from a sulfanilamide-resistant strain of Bacillus subtilis to the plasmid vector pUB110 which specifies neomycin resistance. Recombinant molecules generated in vitro were introduced into a B. subtilis recipient strain which carried the recE4 mutation, and selection was for neomycin-sulfanilamide-resistant transformants. A single colony was isolated containing the recombinant plasmid pKO101. This 6.3-megadalton plasmid simultaneously conferred resistance to neomycin and sulfanilamide when transferred into sensitive Rec+ or Rec- cells by either transduction or transformation.