Expression of Bacillar Glutamyl Endopeptidase Genes in Bacillus subtilis by a New Mobilizable Single-Replicon Vector pLF

The pLF1311 natural plasmid from Lactobacillus fermentum 1311 was used to construct a single-replicon vector suitable for rapid cloning in a wide range of gram-positive hosts and Escherichia coli. The new vector is capable of conjugative mobilization from E. coli to various hosts by conjugal transfer. The final vector (3.4 kb) showed a high segregational and structural stability and a high copy number. Glutamyl endopeptidase genes from Bacillus licheniformis (gseBL) and B. intermedius (gseBI) were cloned in both pLF9 and pLF14 vectors and introduced to B. subtilis. The yield of enzymes in the pLF-derived producers was 6- to 30-fold more than in the natural producers and reached 100–150 mg/L of mature protease.     

Comparisons of recombinant protein expression in diverse natural isolates of Escherichia coli

We assessed heterologous protein expression in 64 strains obtained from the Escherichia coli Reference (ECOR) collection, a collection representing diverse natural E. coli populations. A plasmid generating a glutathione S-transferase and plant carbonic anhydrase fusion protein (GST-CA) under the control of the tac promoter was introduced into the ECOR strains, and the quantity of the fusion protein was determined by SDS-PAGE. The foreign protein was generated at various levels, from very high (40 strains, high producers) to very low (six strains, low producers). Immunoblotting showed that the high producers expressed approximately 250-500 times more GST-CA protein than the low producers. The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the low producers generated mRNA levels comparable to those of the high producers, thereby suggesting that, at least in this case, inefficient translation is a major cause of the low production. We introduced a different plasmid, which expressed a maltose binding protein and plant guanylate kinase fusion protein (MBP-GK) into the six low producers. Interestingly, five of these expressed MBP-GK at very high levels. Thus, we conclude that the production of a particular protein from an expression vector can vary considerably, depending on the host strain. Strains in the ECOR collection could function as useful alternative hosts when a desired level of protein expression is not obtained from commonly used strains, such as E. coli K12 or B derivatives.     

A family of shuttle vectors for lactobacilli and other gram-positive bacteria based on the plasmid pLF1311 replicon

A set of broad-host-range single-replicon shuttle vectors for cloning nucleotide sequences in gram-positive bacteria (lactobacilli, enterococci, lactococci, bacilli, etc.) was created. The vectors are based on the cryptic plasmid pLF1311 from Lactobacillus fermentum VKM 1311 belonging to a family of the sigma-type pE194-like plasmids. The vectors can replicate in gram-positive bacteria and Escherichia coli. They are stable in many gram-positive bacteria, have small sizes, and allow the selection of recombinants on media with X-Gal. The vectors that contain the region of initiation of the conjugal transfer of plasmid RP4 belonging to the incompatibility group IncP alpha can be mobilized in a great number of bacteria using a helper plasmid from E. coli but not from gram-positive bacteria.     

A family of shuttle vectors for lactic acid bacteria and other gram-positive bacteria based on the plasmid pLF1311 replicon

A set of broad-host-range single-replicon shuttle vectors for cloning nucleotide sequences in gram-positive bacteria (lactobacilli, enterococci, lactococci, bacilli, etc.) was created. The vectors are based on the cryptic plasmid pLF 1311 fromLactobacillus fermentum VKM 1311, belonging to the family of the σ-type pE194-like plasmids. The vectors can replicate in gram-positive bacteria andEscherichia coli. They are stable in many gram-positive bacteria, have small sizes, and allow the selection of recombinants on media with X-Gal. The vectors that contain the region of initiation of the conjugal transfer of plasmid RP4 belonging to the incompatibility group IncPα can be mobilized in a great number of bacteria using a helper plasmid fromE. coli but not from gram-positive bacteria     

pPSX: a novel vector for the cloning and heterologous expression of antitumor antibiotic gene clusters

A cosmid cloning vector has been constructed that demonstrates high levels of segregational stability in Escherichia coli K12. pPSX is a 14-kilobase vector derived from the IncW plasmid pR388. pPSX is highly stable in E. coli in the absence of antibiotic selection, even while expressing the toxic indolocarbazole antitumor antibiotic violacein. The incorporation of the lambdacos sequence enables construction of cosmid libraries with inserts ranging from 24 to 36kb. The inclusion of a lacZalpha multiple cloning site (MCS) allows blue/white screening. pPSX cosmids can be extracted from the host cell with commercial plasmid extraction kits facilitating downstream analysis, sequencing and sub-cloning. pPSX can be transferred to a variety of heterologous hosts by either electroporation or mobilization from E. coli S17-1. While it is unstable in non-E. coli hosts without antibiotic selection, heterologous host strains such as Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Pseudomonas stutzeri will maintain the plasmid under antibiotic selection to allow screening of expressed inserts. pPSX provides the benefits of large insert sizes with high stability to allow cloning of chemotherapeutic gene clusters in E. coli and a range of other heterologous hosts.     

Improved cloning vectors for Bifidobacterium spp.

The recombinant plasmids pDLI41, pDGA7 and pDCO7 were constructed by cloning in pDG7, a vector based on Bifidobacterium longum replicon pMB1, the following heterologous genes: Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase, Bacillus licheniformis α-amylase and Streptomyces sp. cholesterol oxidase. The hybrid plasmids efficiently transformed Bifidobacterium belonging to five different species. A novel Escherichia coli-Bifidobacterium set of shuttle vectors based on the replicon pMB1 (pLF5, pCLJ15, pSPEC1) featuring chloramphenicol, erythromycin and spectinomycin resistance genetic determinants as selection marker for bifidobacteria, was developed. The plasmid pTRE3, a derivative of pLF5, was the smallest (2·8 kb) Bifidobacterium vector, possessed a convenient multicloning site and presented high structural and segregational stability.     

Heterologous gene expression in Bacteroides fragilis.

Bacteroides fragilis and other gastrointestinal tract Bacteroides are unusual gram-negative eubacteria in that genes from other gram-negative eubacteria are not expressed when introduced into these organisms. To analyze gene expression in Bacteroides, expression vector and promoter probe (detection) vector systems were developed. The essential feature of the expression vector was the incorporation of a Bacteroides insertion sequence element, IS4351, which possesses promoter activity directed outward from its ends. Genes inserted into the multiple cloning site downstream from an IS4351 DNA fragment were readily expressed in B. fragilis. The chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) structural gene from Tn9 was tested and conferred chloramphenicol resistance on B. fragilis. Both chloramphenicol resistance and CAT activity were shown to be dependent on the IS4351 promoters. Similar results were obtained with the Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase gene (uidA) but activity was just 30% of the levels seen with cat. Two tetracycline resistance determinants, tetM from Streptococcus agalactiae and tetC from E. coli, also were examined. tetC did not result in detectable tetracycline resistance but the gram-positive tetM gene conferred high-level resistance to tetracycline and minocycline in Bacteroides hosts. Based on the cat results, promoter probe vectors containing the promoterless cat gene were constructed. These vectors were used to clone random B. fragilis promoters from partial genomic libraries and the recombinants displayed a range of CAT activities and chloramphenicol MICs in B. fragilis hosts. In addition, known E. coli promoters (Ptet, Ptac, Ptrc, Psyn, and P1P2rrnB) were tested for activity in B. fragilis. No chloramphenicol resistance or CAT activity was observed in B. fragilis with these promoters.     

Cloning and expression of the ponB gene, encoding penicillin-binding protein 1B of Escherichia coli, in heterologous systems.

A fragment from the ponB region of the Escherichia coli chromosome comprising the promoterless sequence encoding penicillin-binding protein 1B (PBP 1B) has been cloned in a broad-host-range expression vector under the control of the kanamycin resistance gene promoter present in the vector. The hybrid plasmid (pJP3) was used to transform appropriate strains of Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas putida, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In all instances, the coding sequence was expressed in the heterologous hosts, yielding a product with electrophoretic mobility, protease accessibility, membrane location, and beta-lactam-binding properties identical to those of native PBP 1B in E. coli. These results indicated that PBP 1B of E. coli is compatible with the cytoplasmic membrane environment of unrelated bacterial species and support the idea that interspecific transfer of mutated alleles of genes coding for PBPs could potentially be an efficient spreading mechanism for intrinsic resistance to beta-lactams.     

Expression and stability of a recombinant plasmid in Zymomonas mobilis and Escherichia coli

A recombinant plasmid was constructed by ligating EcoRI digests of the plasmid cloning vector pBR325 and pZMO2, one of the natural plasmids of Zymomonas mobilis ATCC 10988. This vector, named pDS212 (total size 7.9 kb), which was able to transform Escherichia coli efficiently, was also transferred to Z. mobilis hosts by mobilization during conjugation using the helper plasmid pRK2013. pDS212 was inherited stably in both E. coli and Z. mobilis hosts and could be recovered intact from them. Markers of pBR325 and pRK2013 were also transferred in Z. mobilis but at very low frequencies. Neither pBR325 nor pRK2013 could be recovered intact from the Z. mobilis hosts. It is proposed that expression and stability of pDS212 in Z. mobilis is due to the origin of replication of pZMO2 that it carries, and that it may be used for developing a gene transfer system in Z. mobilis.     

Enhanced heterologous expression of two Streptomyces griseolus cytochrome P450s and Streptomyces coelicolor ferredoxin reductase as potentially efficient hydroxylation catalysts

The herbicide-inducible, soluble cytochrome P450s CYP105A1 and CYP105B1 and their adjacent ferredoxins, Fd1 and Fd2, of Streptomyces griseolus were expressed in Escherichia coli to high levels. Conditions for high-level expression of active enzyme able to catalyze hydroxylation have been developed. Analysis of the expression levels of the P450 proteins in several different E. coli expression hosts identified E. coli BL21 Star(DE3)pLysS as the optimal host cell to express CYP105B1 as judged by CO difference spectra. Examination of the codons used in the CYP1051A1 sequence indicated that it contains a number of codons corresponding to rare E. coli tRNA species. The level of its expression was improved in the modified forms of E. coli BL21(DE3), which contain extra copies of rare codon E. coli tRNA genes. The activity of correctly folded cytochrome P450s was further enhanced by cloning a ferredoxin reductase from Streptomyces coelicolor downstream of CYP105A1 and CYP105B1 and their adjacent ferredoxins. Expression of CYP105A1 and CYP105B1 was also achieved in Streptomyces lividans 1326 by cloning the P450 genes and their ferredoxins into the expression vector pBW160. S. lividans 1326 cells containing CYP105A1 or CYP105B1 were able efficiently to dealkylate 7-ethoxycoumarin.     

Lactoferrin: an iron-binding antimicrobial protein against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> infection

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the most common aerobic gram-negative bacilli in a normal intestinal tract. They cause most of the intra-abdominal infections, wound infections associated with abdominal surgery, and septicemia. Most of these infections are of endogenous intestinal origin. Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in milk and various external secretions. This protein has been found to have a number of biological functions, including antimicrobial, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Partial degradation of LF by pepsin can give rise to peptides termed lactoferricin (LFcin) with more potent antimicrobial activity. LF and LFcin have been shown to inhibit the growth of a number of pathogenic bacteria (including E. coli and antibiotic-resistant strains), fungi, and even viruses in both in vitro and in vivo studies. We previously demonstrated that both recombinant porcine LF (pLF) produced from yeast and a synthetic 20-residue porcine LFcin peptide exhibit antimicrobial activity in vitro. In one of our recent studies, we performed pathogen challenges, including pathogenic E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, of the digestive tract of a transgenic milk-fed animal model. The results showed that LF has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity in the digestive tract and protects the mucosa of the small intestine from injury. Our following study also revealed that pLF as a feedstuff additive enhances avian immunity, including antibody formation and cell-mediated immunity. All of these results suggest that LF could be a novel natural protein in the treatment and prevention of infections with E. coli or antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains.     

Molecular cloning and expression of Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase gene in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.

The chromosomal beta-lactamase (penicillinase, penP) gene from Bacillus licheniformis 749/C has been cloned in Escherichia coli. The locations of the target sites for various restriction enzymes on the 4.2-kilobase EcoRI fragment were determined. By matching the restriction mapping data with the potential nucleotide sequences of the penP gene deduced from known protein sequence, we established the exact position of the penP gene on the fragment. A bifunctional plasmid vector carrying the penP gene, plasmid pOG2165, was constructed which directs the synthesis of the heterologous beta-lactamase in both E. coli and Bacillus subtilis hosts. The protein synthesized in E. coli and B. subtilis is similar in size to the processed beta-lactamase made in B. licheniformis. Furthermore, the beta-lactamase made in B. subtilis is efficiently secreted by the host into the culture medium, indicating that B. subtilis is capable of carrying out the post-translational proteolytic cleavage(s) to convert the membrane-bound precursor enzyme into the soluble extracellular form.     

Construction of plasmid vectors for gene cloning in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis

The construction and some properties of new hybrid plasmids which are able to replicate in both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis are presented. A 5.5 Md hybrid plasmid pJP9 was constructed from pBR322 (Tc, Ap) and pUB110 (Nm) plasmids. pIM1 (7.0 Md) and pIM3 (7.7 Md) plasmids are its different erythromycin resistant derivatives. Tetracycline, ampicillin, neomycin and possibly erythromycin resistance genes are expressed in E. coli while neomycin and erythromycin resistance genes are expressed in B. subtilis. Insertional inactivation of only one gene is possible using the pJP9 plasmid as a vector in B. subtilis. However, insertional inactivation of at least two different genes can be achieved and monitored in E. coli and B. subtilis transformants in cloning experiments with PIM1 and pIM3 plasmids. Insertional inactivation of antibiotic resistance genes present in pJP9 plasmid was achieved by cloning of Streptococcus sanguis DNA fragments generated by appropriate restriction endonucleases. The pJP9 plasmid and its derivatives were found to be stable in both hosts cells.     

Inhibitorily active recombinant human stefin B. Gene synthesis, expression and isolation of an inhibitory active MS-2 pol-stefin B fusion protein and preparation of Des[Met1,2(2)]stefin B

A synthetic gene coding for the human intracellular cysteine proteinase inhibitor, stefin B, was constructed from 13 chemically synthesized oligonucleotides according to the method of Khorana. The gene was inserted into the plasmid vector pTZ, amplified and sequenced. For expression, a temperature-inducible system producing fusion proteins was used. With the vector pEx31A containing the synthetic cystatin B gene, E. coli strain 537 produced a fusion protein of the N-terminal part of bacteriophage MS-2 polymerase and [Met-2Gly-1]stefin B. Lysates of the induced bacteria were inhibitorily active against papain. The fusion protein was expressed in high yield (about 20% of total E. coli proteins) and mostly deposited as inclusion bodies. The unfolded fusion protein was partially purified in the presence of urea. After refolding, approx. 6% of the protein was inhibitorily active against papain, human cathepsin H and B. Des[Met1,2(2)]stefin B was released by cyanogen bromide cleavage of the fusion protein and identified by N-terminal amino-acid sequence analysis. The non-separated cleavage products were also inhibitorily active after refolding. The estimated inhibition constants for the fusion protein and its cleavage products were similar to those reported for natural stefin B.     

Cloning and expression of an actinokinase gene from a thermophilic Streptomyces in Escherechia coli

A thermophilic Streptomyces megasporus strain SD5, could secrete a new fibrinolytic (actinokinase) at 55 degrees C. The gene (ackS) encoding actinokinase was isolated from the chromosomal DNA of S. megasporus SD5 and cloned in different hosts and vectors. The expression was obtained in E. coli JM109 using Cla I linearized pBR322 as vector (pSR 500). The recombinant E. coli containing pSR 500 expressed active actinokinase but the expression was low and the recombinant was unstable in liquid culture. Deletion analysis revealed that removal of Bam H I-Sal I fragment from down stream and Cla I-EcoRI from upsream enhanced the stability and expression of ackS in both solid and liquid media. For over expresion, the ackS gene was cloned in E. coli C 600 using Bam HI linearized pT7-7. This seemed to be the most suitable host vector system. The recombinant and native form of actinokinase exhibited similar characteristics. Actinokinase was the first thrombolytic enzyme from a thermophile to be cloned and over expressed in a mesophilic heterologous expression system.     

Cloning of lysozyme and lysostaphin genes of Staphylococcus aureus and their expression in Bacillus subtilis cells

The gene of microbial lysozyme (lyz) of S. aureus 118 and the gene of lysostaphin (lzf) of S. aureus RN 3239 were cloned and their expression in B. subtilis cells was shown. Lysozyme production in B. subtilis recombinant clone pLF14-Lyz, obtained as the result of cloning, was 2.5-fold greater than lysozyme production in S. aureus wild strain 118. Lysostaphin production in B. subtilis recombinant strain pLF14-Lzf which had inherited the cloned genes was approximately equal to lysostaphin production observed in S. aureus initial strain RN 3239. The production of lysozyme and lysostaphin in the cells of B. subtilis recombinant strains was observed at 30 degrees C and pH 5.5, while in S. aureus initial strains 118 and RN 3239 bacteria produced lysozyme and lysostaphin at 37 degrees C and pH 7.5 respectively.     

Enhanced production of arginine and urea by genetically engineered Escherichia coli K-12 strains.

Escherichia coli strains capable of enhanced synthesis of arginine and urea were produced by derepression of the arginine regulon and simultaneous overexpression of the E. coli carAB and argI genes and the Bacillus subtilis rocF gene. Plasmids expressing carAB driven by their natural promoters were unstable. Therefore, E. coli carAB and argI genes with and without the B. subtilis rocF gene were constructed as a single operon under the regulation of the inducible promoter ptrc. Arginine operator sequences (Arg boxes) from argI were also cloned into the same plasmids for titration of the arginine repressor. Upon overexpression of these genes in E. coli strains, very high carbamyl phosphate synthetase, ornithine transcarbamylase, and arginase catalytic activities were achieved. The biosynthetic capacity of these engineered bacteria when overexpressing the arginine biosynthetic enzymes was 6- to 16-fold higher than that of controls but only if exogenous ornithine was present (ornithine was rate limiting). Overexpression of arginase in bacteria with a derepressed arginine biosynthetic pathway resulted in a 13- to 20-fold increase in urea production over that of controls with the parent vector alone; in this situation, the availability of carbamyl phosphate was rate limiting.