Production of xylanases from a newly isolated alkalophilic thermophilic Bacillus sp.

A new thermophilic strain of Bacillus SPS-0 which produces thermostable xylanases was isolated from a hot spring in Portugal. Xylanase production was 50 nkat/ml in the presence of wheat bran arabinoxylan. The temperature and pH for optimum activity were 75°C and 6–9, respectively. The hydrolysis patterns demonstrated that crude xylanases yield mainly xylose and xylobiose from xylan, whereas xylose and arabinose were produced from destarched wheat bran. An increase in xylose release was observed when SPS-0 xylanase was supplemented by a ferulic acid esterase. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Purification and characterization of an alkaline cellulase from a newly isolated alkalophilic Bacillus sp. HSH-810

An alkaline cellulase from Bacillus sp. HSH-810 was purified 8.7-fold with a 30% yield and a specific activity of 71 U mg^–1 protein. It was optimally active at pH 10 and 50 °C and was stable from pH 6 to 10 with more than 60% activity remaining after heating at 60 °C for 60 min. The molecular mass of cellulase was 80 kDa. It was inhibited by 50% by Fe³⁺ (1 mM) and Mn²⁺ (0.1 mM) but was relatively insensitive to Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ at 1 mM.Revisions requested: 8 October 2004/1 December 2004; Revisions received 29 November 2004/5 January 2005     

Neutral endoglucanases production by a newly isolated alkalophilic Bacillus circulans

Endoglucanase production by Bacillus circulons LS9 was increased through culture medium optimization, leading to 3,6 U/ml titers. Endoglucanase excretion, which is associated with other polysaccharide degrading activities, is not sporulation associated and not totally repressed by glucose or cellobiose. Moreover, the optimum pH for endoglucanase activity is close to pH 7.     

Kinetic properties of electrogenic Na+/H+ antiport in membrane vesicles from an alkalophilic Bacillus sp.

The effects of imposed proton motive force on the kinetic properties of the alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain N-6 Na+/H+ antiport system have been studied by looking at the effect of delta psi (membrane potential, interior negative) and/or delta pH (proton gradient, interior alkaline) on Na+ efflux or H+ influx in right-side-out membrane vesicles. Imposed delta psi increased the Na+ efflux rate (V) linearly, and the slope of V versus delta psi was higher at pH 9 than at pH 8. Kinetic experiments indicated that the delta psi caused a pronounced increase in the Vmax for Na+ efflux, whereas the Km values for Na+ were unaffected by the delta psi. As the internal H+ concentration increased, the Na+ efflux reaction was inhibited. This inhibition resulted in an increase in the apparent Km of the Na+ efflux reaction. These results have also been observed in delta pH-driven Na+ efflux experiments. When Na(+)-loaded membrane vesicles were energized by means of a valinomycin-induced inside-negative K+ diffusion potential, the generated acidic-interior pH gradients could be detected by changes in 9-aminoacridine fluorescence. The results of H+ influx experiments showed a good coincidence with those of Na+ efflux. H+ influx was enhanced by an increase of delta psi or internal Na+ concentration and inhibited by high internal H+ concentration. These results are consistent with our previous contentions that the Na+/H+ antiport system of this strain operates electrogenically and plays a central role in pH homeostasis at the alkaline pH range.     

Cation/proton antiport systems in escherichia coli: properties of the sodium/proton antiporter.

The sodium/proton antiport system of Escherichia coli has been characterized by the effect of Na⁺ on the pH gradient established by respiration in everted membrane vesicles. The system has equal affinity for Na⁺ and Li⁺. Between pH 7 and 9 dissipation of Δψ, membrane potential, has no effect on the affinity for Na⁺ but decreases the V of the antiport reaction. Uptake of ²²Na⁺ by everted membrane vesicles was observed using flow dialysis.     

Potassium/proton antiport system of Escherichia coli

The intracellular level of potassium (K(+)) in Escherichia coli is regulated through multiple K(+) transport systems. Recent data indicate that not all K(+) extrusion system(s) have been identified (15). Here we report that the E. coli Na(+) (Ca(2+))/H(+) antiporter ChaA functions as a K(+) extrusion system. Cells expressing ChaA mediated K(+) efflux against a K(+) concentration gradient. E. coli strains lacking the chaA gene were unable to extrude K(+) under conditions in which wild-type cells extruded K(+). The K(+)/H(+) antiporter activity of ChaA was detected by using inverted membrane vesicles produced using a French press. Physiological growth studies indicated that E. coli uses ChaA to discard excessive K(+), which is toxic for these cells. These results suggest that ChaA K(+)/H(+) antiporter activity enables E. coli to adapt to K(+) salinity stress and to maintain K(+) homeostasis.     

Purification and characterization of two extracellular alkaline proteases from a newly isolated obligate alkalophilic Bacillus sphaericus

Two novel extracellular serine proteases were purified to homogeneity from the cell-free culture filtrate of an obligate alkalophilic Bacillus sphaericus by a combination of ultrafiltration, ammonium sulfate precipitation and chromatographic methods. The enzymes showed similar substrate specificities, but differed in hydrophobicity and molecular mass. Protease A was a monomeric protease with a relative molecular mass (M _r) of 28.7 kDa, whereas protease B, with a M _r of 68.0 kDa, apparently consisted of smaller subunits. The purified protease A had a specific activity on hemoglobin of 5.1 U/mg protein compared to 40.9 U/mg protein in the case of protease B. Both proteases were most active on SAAPF-pNa, a substrate for chymotrypsin-like serine proteases. However, the K _m values of these two proteases on SAAPF-pNa were higher than that for α-chymotrypsin, indicating a lower affinity of proteases A and B for this substrate compared to chymotrypsin. Unlike other Bacillus serine proteases, neither protease A nor B stained with Coomasie blue R-250, even with loading of a large amount of protein, and they stained poorly with the silver staining method. However, NH₂-terminal amino acid sequencing of protease B revealed a high similarity with subtilisin Carlsberg (67% homology). Almost total inhibition of both proteases by PMSF, but very little/no inhibition by trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors (TPCK and TLCK) or thiol reagents (PCMB and iodoacetic acid), further supported the view that the enzyme belonged to the serine protease family. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 26, 387–393. Received 05 November 2000/ Accepted in revised form 23 April 2001     

Role of CcpA in polyhydroxybutyrate biosynthesis in a newly isolated Bacillus sp. MA3.3

The ccpA gene was inactivated in the polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-producing strain Bacillus sp. MA3.3 in order to reduce glucose catabolite repression over pentoses and develop improved bacterial strains for the production of PHB from lignocellulosic hydrolysates. Mutant Bacillus sp. MSL7 ΔCcpA are unable to grow on glucose and ammonia as sole carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Supplementation of glutamate as the nitrogen source or the substitution of the carbon source by xylose allowed the mutant to partially recover its growth performance. RT-PCR showed that CcpA stimulates the expression of the operon (gltAB),responsible for ammonia assimilation via glutamate in Bacillus sp. MA3.3. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the supplementation of xylose or glutamate was capable of stimulating gltAB operon expression independently of CcpA. In PHB production experiments in mineral media, it has been observed that the glucose catabolite repression over the pentoses was partially released in MSL7. Although the carbohydrate consumption is faster in the ccpA mutant, the biomass and PHB biosynthesis are lower, even with supplementation of glutamate. This is attributed to an increase of acetyl-CoA flux towards the tricarboxylic acid cycle observed in the mutant.     

A highly thermostable amylase from a newly isolated thermophilic Bacillus sp. WN11

A thermostable amylase-producing Bacillus sp. WN11 was isolated from Wondo Genet hot spring in Ethiopia. The enzyme had a temperature optimum of 75–80 °C. Over 80% of its peak activity was in the pH range of 5–8, with an optimum at 5·5. Thermal stability of the enzyme at 105 °C was higher with the addition of starch. The stabilizing effect of starch was concentration-dependent, showing better stability with increasing concentration of starch. At liquefying temperature (105 °C), addition of Ca²⁺ did not result in further improvement of the stabilizing effect of starch. This indicates that in the presence of starch, WN11 amylase does not require Ca²⁺ as a stabilizer at liquefying temperatures as high as 105 °C.     

Leucine transport system in a facultatively alkalophilic Bacillus

Some characterizations of the leucine transport system in a facultative alkalophile, which is able to grow over a wide pH range from 7.0 to 10.5, were attempted. Although the direction of a transmembrane pH gradient of the bacterium below pH 8.2 is opposite to that above pH 8.2 (N. Koyama and Y. Nosoh (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 812, 206-212), leucine transport is likely to be driven only by sodium electrochemical potential irrespective of the external pH. It was suggested that histidine and sulfhydryl groups in the leucine transporter are involved in the translocation mechanism and the pK value of the histidine residue involved is approximately 7.0.     

Characterization of a bacteriocin produced by a newly isolated Bacillus sp. Strain 8 A

AIMS: The aim of this research was to investigate the production of bacteriocins by Bacillus spp. isolated from native soils of south of Brazil. METHODS AND RESULTS: A bacteriocin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus 8 A was identified. The antimicrobial activity was produced starting at the exponential growth phase, although maximum activity was at stationary growth phase. A crude bacteriocin obtained from culture supernatant fluid was inhibitory to a broad range of indicator strains, including Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium perfringens, and several species of Bacillus. Clinically relevant bacteria such as Streptococcus bovis and Micrococcus luteus were also inhibited. Bacteriocin was stable at 80 degrees C, but the activity was lost when the temperature reached 87 degrees C. It was resistant to the proteolytic action of trypsin and papain, but sensitive to proteinase K and pronase E.Bacteriocin activity was observed in the pH range of 6.0-9.0. CONCLUSIONS: A bacteriocin produced by Bacillus cereus 8 A was characterized, presenting a broad spectrum of activity and potential for use as biopreservative in food. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: The identification of a bacteriocin with large activity spectrum, including pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, addresses an important aspect of food safety.     

Cation/proton antiport systems in Escherichia coli. Solubilization and reconstitution of delta pH-driven sodium/proton and calcium/proton antiporters

Uptake of 22Na+ and 45Ca2+ into everted membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli was measured with imposed transmembrane pH gradients, acid interior, as driving force. Vesicles loaded with 0.5 M KCl were diluted into 0.5 M choline chloride to create a potassium gradient. Addition of nigericin to produce K+/H+ exchange resulted in formation of a pH gradient. This imposed gradient was capable of driving 45Ca2+ accumulation. In another method vesicles loaded with 0.5 M NH4Cl were diluted into 0.5 M choline chloride, creating an ammonium diffusion potential. A gradient of H+ was produced by passive efflux of NH3. With an ammonium gradient as driving force, everted vesicles accumulated both 45Ca2+ and 22Na+. The data suggest that 22Na+ uptake was via the sodium/proton antiporter and 45Ca2+ via the calcium/proton antiporter. Uptake of both cations required alkaline pHout. A minimum pH gradient of 0.9 unit was needed for transport of either ion, suggesting gating of the antiporters. Octyl glucoside extracts of inner membrane were reconstituted with E. coli phospholipids in 0.5 M NH4Cl. NH4+-loaded proteoliposomes accumulated both 22Na+ and 45Ca2+, demonstrating that the sodium/proton and calcium/proton antiporters could be solubilized and reconstituted in a functional form.     

Purification and properties of cyclomaltodextrinase from alkalophilic Bacillus sp.

An alkalophilic strain isolated from soil produced intracellular cyclomaltodextrinase on the culture medium at an initial pH of 10.6. The strain was identified as closely resembling Bacillus circulans. The enzyme was purified 252-fold from the cell extract by chitosan treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Toyopearl column chromatography, and gel filtration. The pH and temperature optima of the purified enzyme were 6.0 and 50°C. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 126,000, with two subunits of 67,000. The isoelectric point was pH 4.2. Enzyme activity was inhibited by Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and p-chloromercuribenzoate. The enzyme hydrolyzed α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins, as well as linear maltodextrins, to yield maltooligosaccharides. Starch and maltose were not degraded by the enzyme.     

产碱性木聚糖酶菌株的筛选及酶学性质

从青海盐碱湖土壤中筛选到25株产碱性木聚糖酶的菌株, 其中编号为QH14的菌株产酶量达648.79 U/mL, 纯化后比活可达1148.56 U/mg。16 SrDNA鉴定表明菌株QH14属于短小芽孢杆菌, 命名为Bacillus sp. QH14。从该菌株的基因组中克隆获得了碱性木聚糖酶编码基因XynQH14, 并在大肠杆菌E.coliBL21(DE3)中获得重组表达。通过Ni-NTA亲和层析分离纯化后的重组QH14木聚糖酶比活达700.47 U/mg。该碱性木聚糖酶的酶促反应最适温度为60℃, 最适pH为9.2; 55℃处理1h仍保持50%的活力; 在pH7.0~11条件下37℃处理酶液24 h后均保持80%以上的活力, 且在pH11缓冲溶液中50℃处理24 h仍保持31.02%的酶活, 显示了该碱性木聚糖酶较好的热稳定性和碱稳定, 提示该碱性木聚糖酶在制浆造纸、纺织等行业的应用潜力。     

The structure of subtilisin ALP I from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. NKS-21

The gene for an alkaline serine protease from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. NKS-21 (subtilisin ALP I) was cloned, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The gene (aprQ) contained an open reading frame of 1125 bp, encoding a primary product of 374 amino acids. The mature protease, composed of 272 amino acids, was preceded by a putative signal sequence of 37 amino acids and a pro-sequence of 65 amino acids. The mature protease conserved the catalytic triad, Asp, His, and Ser, as subtilisin BPN or other subtilisins, and the subtilisin ALP I might belong to the subtilisin super family. The primary structure of subtilisin ALP I was compared and discussed with those of 13 subtilisins, 5 subtilisins from alkalophilic Bacillus, and 8 from neutrophiles. Low homology was shown between subtilisin ALP I and subtilisins from alkalophiles or subtilisins from neutrophiles. Forty-five amino acid residues of the mature protein of subtilisin ALP I were entirely independent of other subtilisins. According to the homology of ALP I with other subtilisins, subtilisin ALP I might be in the middle point between alkaline subtilisins and neutral ones.     

产碱性木聚糖酶菌株的筛选及酶学性质

从青海盐碱湖土壤中筛选到25株产碱性木聚糖酶的菌株,其中编号为QH14的菌株产酶量达648.79U/mL,纯化后比活可达1148.56 U/mg。16 SrDNA鉴定表明菌株QH14属于短小芽孢杆菌,命名为Bacillus sp.QH14。从该菌株的基因组中克隆获得了碱性木聚糖酶编码基因XynQH14,并在大肠杆菌E.coliBL21(DE3)中获得重组表达。通过Ni-NTA亲和层析分离纯化后的重组QH14木聚糖酶比活达700.47 U/mg。该碱性木聚糖酶的酶促反应最适温度为60℃,最适pH为9.2;55℃处理1h仍保持50%的活力;在pH7.0~11条件下37℃处理酶液24 h后均保持80%以上的活力,且在pH11缓冲溶液中50℃处理24 h仍保持31.02%的酶活,显示了该碱性木聚糖酶较好的热稳定性和碱稳定,提示该碱性木聚糖酶在制浆造纸、纺织等行业的应用潜力。     

Sodium/proton antiport in brush-border-membrane vesicles isolated from rat small intestine and kidney.

Studies on proton and Na+ transport by isolated intestinal and renal brush-border-membrane vesicles were carried out to test for the presence of an Na+/H+-exchange system. Proton transport was evaluated as proton transfer from the intravesicular space to the incubation medium by monitoring pH changes in the membrane suspension induced by sudden addition of cations. Na+ transport was determined as Na+ uptake into the vesicles by filtration technique. A sudden addition of sodium salts (but not choline) to the membrane suspension provokes an acidification of the incubation medium which is abolished by the addition of 0.5% Triton X-100. Pretreatment of the membranes with Triton X-100 prevents the acidification. The acidification is also not observed if the [K+] and proton conductance of the membranes have been increased by the simultaneous addition of valinomycin and carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone to the K+-rich incubation medium. Either valinomycin or carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone when added alone do not alter the response of the membranes to the addition of Na+. Na+ uptake by brush-border microvilli is enhanced in the presence of a proton gradient directed from the intravesicular space to the incubation medium. Under these conditions a transient accumulation of Na+ inside the vesicles is observed. It is concluded that intestinal and renal brush-border membranes contain a NA+/H+ antiport system which catalyses an electroneutral exchange of Na+ against protons and consequently can produce a proton gradient in the presence of a concentration difference for Na+. This system might be involved in the active proton secretion of the small intestine and the proximal tubule of the kidney.     

Cation/proton antiport systems in Escherichia coli.

Three distinct systems which function as proton/cation antiports have been identified in $\text{E.}\text{coli}$ by the ability of the ions to dissipate the ΔpH component of the protonmotive force in everted vesicles. System I exchanges H⁺ for K⁺, Rb⁺ or Na⁺; System II has Na⁺ and Li⁺ as substrates; and System III catalyzes proton exchange for Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺ or Sr²⁺.