A cold-active esterase with a substrate preference for vinyl esters from a psychrotroph, Acinetobacter sp. strain no. 6: gene cloning, purification, and characterization

It has recently been shown that fatty acid vinyl esters serve as effective acylating agents for the synthesis of esters by enzymatic transesterification in high yields. To enhance the usefulness of this system at low temperatures, we have searched for the gene coding for a cold-active lipolytic enzyme with a substrate preference for fatty acid vinyl esters and obtained it from the genomic library of Acinetobacter sp. strain no. 6, a psychrotroph isolated from Siberian soil. The gene (termed aelh, 777 bp) encoded a protein of 258 amino acids, and sequence analysis revealed that the enzyme shows a high sequence similarity to β-ketoadipate enol-lactone hydrolase involved in the β-ketoadipate pathway for the bacterial catabolism of benzoic acid. The aelh gene was expressed in the E. coli C600 cells under the control of lac promoter and the expression product was purified to homogeneity and characterized. It was a monomeric esterase preferentially catalyzing the hydrolysis of enol esters, such as fatty acid vinyl esters with a short-chain acyl group. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, a specific inhibitor for serine hydrolases. The enzyme could also catalyze transesterification, for example, between vinyl propionate and propanol yielding propyl propionate at 4 °C. These results indicate the usefulness of an esterase (termed AELH) for the enzymatic synthesis of esters by transesterification using vinyl esters as an acyl donor.     

Cloning, sequence analysis and expression of the gene encoding a novel wide-spectrum amidase belonging to the amidase signature superfamily from Achromobacter xylosoxidans

Amidases are very important enzymes for industrial biocatalysis. We scored a novel amidase by screening the Achromobacter xylosoxidans gene library with cephalosporin analogous amides. The gene coding for the enzyme, designated ana, was cloned, sequenced and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Sequence analysis of ana showed it to be an amidase signature family member. Interestingly, we noted that almost all Ana homologous amidases are from human pathogens responsible for chronic lung infections. Knowing the genetic context of Ana and its homologous amidases, we suggest that they could be a part of transposon structure. Ana can efficiently hydrolyze a series of cephalosporin analogous amides, including amides with an aninine, p-nitro-aninine, and beta-naphthylamine moiety, while cephalosporin could not serve as its substrate.     

Catalytic performance of a highly enantioselective (R)-ester hydrolase from a new isolate Acinetobacter sp. CGMCC 0789

A highly enantioselective (R)-ester hydrolase was partially purified from a newly isolated bacterium, Acinetobacter sp. CGMCC 0789, whose resting cells exhibited a highly enantioselective activity toward the acetate of (4R)-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-(2-propynyl)- cyclopent-2-enone (R-HMPC). The optimum pH and temperature of the partially purified enzyme were 8.0 and 60 °C, respectively. The enantioselectivity of the crude enzyme was increased by 1.2-fold from 16 to 20 when the reaction temperature was raised from 30 to 60 °C. The activity of the crude enzyme was enhanced by 4.1-fold and the enantioselectivity (E-value) was markedly enhanced by 4.3-fold from 16 to 68 upon addition of a cationic detergent, benzethonium chloride [(diisobutyl phenoxyethoxyethyl) dimethyl benzylammoniom chloride]. The hydrolysis of 52 mM (R,S)-HMPC acetate to (R)-HMPC was completed within 8 h, with optical purity of 91.4% ee_p and conversion of 49%.     

Amide hydrolyzing potential of amidase from halotolerant bacterium Brevibacterium sp. IIIMB2706

Till date, amidases from halophiles and halotolerant micro-organisms have not been much explored. In the present study, Brevibacterium sp. IIIMB2706 strain was isolated from salt fields of Gujarat, India, using propionitrile as a nitrogen source in the mineral base media and explored for its amidase activity. Amidase from Brevibacterium sp. IIIMB2706 exhibited substrate affinity towards isobutyramide, propionamide and butyramide. The optimum temperature and pH required for its maximum activity was 45?°C and 7.0, respectively. Effect of salt concentration on amidase activity was also studied and maximum activity was observed in presence of 50?g L^?1 NaCl with significant activity up to 200?g L^?1 NaCl which justifies its halotolerant nature. Various organic solvents compatibility profile showed that the enzyme was highly active in presence of 10% methyl alcohol. Henceforth, halotolerant enzymes may find application in industrial processes where substrate requires organic solvents for solubilization.     

阿特拉津降解菌Acinetobacter sp. DNS32对无机氮源的响应

【目的】研究Acinetobacter sp.DNS32的生长、阿特拉津降解能力和降解基因转录水平的表达对无机氮素的响应关系,为菌株的工程应用提供指导与理论基础。【方法】以Acinetobactersp.DNS32为对象,采用摇瓶法研究菌株在阿特拉津培养基中菌株生长情况及降解能力对外加硝态氮与铵态氮的响应关系,利用荧光定量PCR技术检测DNS32降解基因表达量对外加无机氮源的响应关系。【结果】外加无机氮源可以促进DNS32菌株的生长,提高阿特拉津降解能力,无机氮源对DNS32菌株的trzN、atzB和atzC 3种降解基因表达均有促进作用,加入无机氮源的试验处理中DNS32菌株trzN基因的表达量最高可达对照的11.252±2.408倍,推断DNS32菌株的这3种降解基因所编码的酶是稳定表达的组成酶。【结论】DNS32降解阿特拉津不受"氮饥饿"诱导机制调控,且无机氮源的存在对菌株的生长与降解有促进作用,因此菌株在土壤修复实践中具有广阔的应用前景。     

来源于海洋细菌Altererythrobacter luteolus SW109T的新型酯酶E29的克隆表达及其酶学性质

【目的】克隆表达一个来源于海洋细菌的酯酶E29,并研究其酶学性质。【方法】从细菌Altererythrobacter luteolus SW109T中筛选并扩增出一个酯酶基因,将其克隆至p SMT3载体上,并将重组质粒转化至大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中进行异源表达,分析表达产物的酶学性质。【结果】氨基酸序列分析结果表明,酯酶E29属于脂类水解酶第二家族(Family II)。酶学性质分析结果显示,酯酶E29的最适反应底物为对硝基苯酚丁酸酯,最适反应温度为45°C,最适反应pH为8.5;10 mmol/L的Co~(2+)和Mn~(2+)及15%的异丙醇和乙腈能强烈抑制酯酶E29的活性,1%的SDS能使酶失活,甘油的存在能促进酶活性。【结论】酯酶E29是一个海洋来源的新型酯酶,其具有较高的酶活力值、较宽的底物谱以及对部分有机溶剂和金属离子较好的耐受性,在工业方面具有潜在的应用价值。     

A nonconjugative mobilizable broad host range plasmid of Acinetobacter sp. that determines HgCl2 resistance

Summary HgCl₂-resistant strains of Acinetobacter sp. obtained from the soil at the Khaidarkan mercury mine (Kirghiz SSR) were found to contain, apart from large plasmids (60 kb), a small plasmid (7.5 kb) designated pKL1. It was established by conjugative crosses and transformation that pKL1 is a broad host range mobilizable plasmid and that it carries the Hg^r determinant. The restriction map of pKL1 was constructed; the site of the Hg^r determinant and the regions essential to replication were localized. A comparison of these results with earlier data suggests that microorganisms belonging to one microbiocenosis may carry Hg^r determinants on plasmids with highly different structures and properties.Deceased on July 16, 1985     

Catalytic resolution of (RS)-HMPC acetate by immobilized cells of Acinetobacter sp. CGMCC 0789 in a medium with organic cosolvent

Kinetic resolution of a chiral alcohol, 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-(2′-propenyl)-2-cyclopentenone (HMPC), a key intermediate for the production of prallethrin insecticides, was successfully carried out by enantioselective hydrolysis of (RS)-HMPC acetate using calcium alginate gel-entrapped cells of a newly isolated esterase-producing bacterium Acinetobacter sp. CGMCC 0789. When the effect of different cosolvents was investigated, it was found that isopropanol could markedly enhance the activity and enantioselectivity of the immobilized cells. The optimum concentration of isopropanol was 10% (v/v) where immobilized cells still showed good operational stability. After 10 cycles of reaction, no significant decrease in the enzyme activity was observed. The catalytic specificity constants (V_max/K_m) for both enantiomers of the substrate were determined with partially purified enzyme, giving 0.0184 and 0.671 h⁻¹ for the (S)- and (R)-ester, respectively.     

Purification and characterization of a novel alginate lyase from the marine bacterium Cobetia sp. NAP1 isolated from brown algae

The application of marine resources, instead of fossil fuels, for biomass production is important for building a sustainable society. Seaweed is valuable as a source of marine biomass for producing biofuels such as ethanol, and can be used in various fields. Alginate is an anionic polysaccharide that forms the main component of brown algae. Various alginate lyases (e.g. exo- and endo-types and oligoalginate lyase) are generally used to degrade alginate. We herein describe a novel alginate lyase, AlgC-PL7, which belongs to the polysaccharide lyase 7 family. AlgC-PL7 was isolated from the halophilic Gram-negative bacterium Cobetia sp. NAP1 collected from the brown algae Padina arborescens Holmes. The optimal temperature and pH for AlgC-PL7 activity were 45 °C and 8, respectively. Additionally, AlgC-PL7 was thermostable and salt-tolerant, exhibited broad substrate specificity, and degraded alginate into monosaccharides. Therefore, AlgC-PL7 is a promising enzyme for the production of biofuels.     

Purification and characterization of a novel halostable cellulase from Salinivibrio sp. strain NTU-05

A halostable cellulase with a molecular mass of 29 kDa was purified from culture supernatants of the halophilic bacterium Salinivibrio sp. NTU-05 by way of the Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography method and the biochemical properties of the halostable cellulase was studied. The enzyme was active over a range of 0–25% sodium chloride examined in culture broth. The optimum cellulase activity was observed at 5% sodium chloride. Results from the salinity stability test indicated 24% of enzyme activity was retained at 25% sodium chloride for 4 h. The enzyme was also shown to be slightly thermostable with 40% residual activity under 60 °C for 4 h. The enzyme has a K_m of 3.03 mg/ml and a V_max of 142.86 mol/min/mg when tested using carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC). The enzyme activity increased in the presence of K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ ions and decreased when Hg²⁺ ions were present. The deduced internal amino acid sequence of the Salinivibrio sp. NTU-05 cellulase showed similarity to the sequence of the glycoside hydrolase family protein. These are some of the novel characteristics that make this enzyme have potential applications in cellulose biodegradation.     

Decolourisation of Remazol Brilliant Blue R via a novel Bjerkandera sp. strain

A novel strain of Bjerkandera sp. (B33/3), with particularly high decolourisation activities upon Poly R-478 and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dyes, was isolated. The role of the ligninolytic extracellular enzymes produced by this strain on decolourisation of RBBR was studied in some depth. The basis of decolourisation is an enzyme-mediated process, in which the main enzyme responsible is a recently described peroxidase with capacity for oxidation of manganese, as well as veratryl alcohol and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol in a manganese-independent reaction.     

Isolation and characterization of Arthrobacter sp. strain MCM B-436, an atrazine-degrading bacterium, from rhizospheric soil

Atrazine is one of the most environmentally prevalent s-triazine-ring herbicides. The widespread use of atrazine and its toxicity necessitates search for remediation technology. As atrazine is still used in India as a major herbicide, exploration of atrazine-degrading bacterial community is of immense importance. Considering lack of reports on well characterized atrazine-degrading bacterial cultures from India and wide diversity and density of microorganisms in rhizosphere, soil sample from rhizosphere of atrazine-resistant plant was studied. Arthrobacter sp. strain isolated in this investigation utilizes atrazine as the sole nitrogen source. In addition, the bacterium degrades other triazines such as ametryn, cyanizine, propazine and simazine. PCR analysis confirms the presence of atzBCD and triazine hydrolase (trzN) genes on chromosomal DNA. Sequencing of the trzN gene reveals high sequence similarity with trzN from Nocardioides sp. C190. An inducible and intracellular atrazine chlorohydrolase enzyme was isolated and partially purified from this isolate. This study confirms the presence of atrazine-degrading microbial population in Indian soils and could be used efficiently for remediation of contaminated soils. Presence of trzN gene indicates possible presence of bacterial community with more efficient and novel enzymatic capabilities. Comparison of enzyme and gene structure of this isolate with other geographically distinct atrazine-degrading strains will help us in the better understanding of gene transfer and evolution.     

Cr(Ⅵ)还原菌Microbacterium sp.BD6的分离鉴定及还原特性

【目的】从电镀厂下水道的淤泥中分离筛选Cr(Ⅵ)高效还原菌,并对其生长和还原特性进行研究,以期为Cr(Ⅵ)污染的生物修复提供优质的菌种资源和应用参考。【方法】采用富集培养法从淤泥中分离、筛选出Cr(Ⅵ)还原菌,通过生理生化及16S rRNA基因序列分析进行初步鉴定。采用单因素实验确定菌株的最佳培养条件和抵抗胁迫环境的能力,利用外加电子供体改善菌株的Cr(Ⅵ)还原能力,筛选出最佳电子供体研究对菌株还原的影响。【结果】经分离筛选得到1株Cr(Ⅵ)耐受还原菌,初步鉴定为微杆菌属(Microbacterium sp.),命名为BD6。菌株BD6适宜在中温、偏碱性的环境条件下生长,能耐受50.0 g/L NaCl的高盐环境。Mn^2+对菌种的生长表现出较高的抑制,Ni^2+、Zn^2+、Cd^2+的抑制作用较小,Cu^2)产生了一定的促进作用。Cr(Ⅵ)对BD6的最低抑菌浓度为1700 mg/L。添加甘油、果糖、乳糖、葡萄糖、丙酮酸钠作为电子供体促进了菌株对Cr(Ⅵ)的还原。选择甘油作为菌株还原Cr(Ⅵ)的最佳电子供体,无电子供体添加时菌株96 h内对100 mg/L Cr(Ⅵ)的还原率仅为69.63%,添加2 g/L的甘油菌株在36 h内的还原率达到了100%。通过加大甘油的添加量可以促进菌株对初始浓度较高Cr(Ⅵ)的还原,但要受到Cr(Ⅵ)的毒性限制。菌株的最适还原条件和最适生长条件吻合,在50.0 g/L NaCl的高盐条件和50 mg/L Cd^2+的毒性环境中,添加2 g/L的甘油,菌株对100 mg/L Cr(Ⅵ)的还原率分别为72 h 96.79%、54 h 99.86%。【结论】分离筛选得到的Microbacterium sp.BD6是一株潜在的可用于Cr(Ⅵ)污染生物还原修复的候选菌株。     

一株从红藻中分离出的产芳基硫酸酯酶的海单胞菌FW-1的全基因组测序及结果分析

【目的】海单胞菌Marinomonas sp. FW-1是1株经验证可以获得高活性芳基硫酸酯酶的菌株。为深入研究FW-1菌株产芳基硫酸酯酶机制,进一步筛选高活性的芳基硫酸酯酶基因片段,有必要解析FW-1菌株的全基因组序列信息。【方法】本研究采用高通量测序技术对FW-1进行全基因组测序,使用相关软件对测序数据进行基因组装、基因预测与功能注释、COG聚类分析等。结合异源表达的方法对其不同基因片段所产生的芳基硫酸酯酶活性进行分析。【结果】全基因组测序结果表明该基因组大小为3964876 bp,GC含量为44.03%,编码3590个蛋白基因,含有78个tRNA和25个rRNA操纵子。从全基因组测序结果中找到22个可能具有芳基硫酸酯酶活性的基因,对其中4个进一步异源表达后发现FW-1中至少含有的3个具有芳基硫酸酯酶活性的基因,其均含有芳基硫酸酯酶的特异性氨基酸基团C-X-P-X-R基团。【结论】本研究首次报道了1株含有多个芳基硫酸酯酶基因序列的菌株FW-1的全基因组序列,分析了基因组的基本特征,为芳基硫酸酯酶的进一步应用提供了思路。     

Gluconacetobacter maltaceti sp. nov., a novel vinegar producing acetic acid bacterium

Comparison of HaeIII- and HpaII-restriction profiles of PCR-amplified 16S-23S rDNA ITS regions of Gluconacetobacter sp. LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 with restriction profiles of reference strains of acetic acid bacteria described by Tr?ek and Teuber [34] revealed the same but unique restriction profiles for LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109. Further analyses of nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences, nearly complete 16S-23S rDNA ITS sequences, as well as concatenated partial sequences of the housekeeping genes dnaK, groEL and rpoB, allocated both strains to a single phylogenetic cluster well separated from the other species of the genus Gluconacetobacter. DNA–DNA hybridizations confirmed their novel species identity by 73% DNA–DNA relatedness between both strains, and values below the species level (<70%) between SKU 1109 and the type strains of the closest phylogenetic neighbors. The classification of strains LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 into a single novel species was confirmed also by AFLP and (GTG)₅-PCR DNA fingerprinting data, as well as by phenotypic data. Strains LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 can be differentiated from their closely related Gluconacetobacter species, Gluconacetobacter entanii and Gluconacetobacter hansenii, by their ability to form 2-keto-d-gluconic acid from d-glucose, their ability to use d-mannitol, d-gluconate and glycerol as carbon source and form acid from d-fructose, and their ability to grow without acetic acid. The major fatty acid of LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 is C_18:1ω7c (60.2–64.8%). The DNA G + C content of LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 is 62.5 and 63.3 mol% respectively. The name Gluconacetobacter maltaceti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMG 1529^T (= NBRC 14815^T = NCIMB 8752^T).     

A role for mrgA, a DPS family protein, in the internal transport of Fe in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

The mrgA protein of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 is a member of the DPS Fe storage protein family. The physiological role of this protein was studied using a disruption mutant in the mrgA gene (slr1894) and by measuring intracellular Fe quotas, 77K chlorophyll fluorescence and growth rates. It was found that the deletion of the mrgA gene did not impair the Fe storage capacity, as the intracellular Fe quotas of the ΔmrgA cells were comparable to those of the wild type. Furthermore, the cellular response to decreasing external Fe concentrations, as detected by the emergence of the CP43′ 77K fluorescence band, was similar in wild type and mutant cultures. On the other hand, a considerable slow down in the growth rate of ΔmrgA cultures was observed upon transfer from Fe replete to Fe depleted medium, indicating impeded utilization of the plentiful intracellular Fe. Based on these results, we suggest that mrgA plays an important role in the transport of intracellular Fe from storage (within bacterioferritins) to biosynthesis of metal cofactors throughout the cell's growth.     

Draft genome sequence of Gillisia sp. strain CBA3202, a novel member of the genus Gillisia, which belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae

Gillisia sp. strain CBA3202, which belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae, was isolated from sand of the seashore on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The draft genome of Gillisia sp. CBA3202 contains 2,981,404 bp with a G+C content of 34.9%. This is the second genome sequence of the Gillisia strains.     

Description of a novel indole-oxidizing bacterium Pseudomonas indoloxydans sp. nov., isolated from a pesticide-contaminated site

A Gram-negative, deep brown-pigmented Gammaproteobacteria, strain IPL-1(T), capable of oxidizing indole was isolated from a lindane-contaminated site and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Most of the physiological and biochemical properties, major fatty acids (C(18:1)omega7c, C(16:1)omega7c/iso C(15:0) 2OH and C(16:0)), estimated DNA G+C content (67.2mol%) and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain IPL-1(T) belonged to the genus Pseudomonas. Strain IPL-1(T) exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes (99.0%), followed by Pseudomonas alcaliphila (98.7%), Pseudomonas oleovorans (98.3%), Pseudomonas nitroreducens (98.0%), Pseudomonas mendocina (97.6%) and Pseudomonas stutzeri (97.4%). However, the DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain IPL-1(T) and the closely related taxa were between 22% and 61%. On the basis of differential phenotypic characteristics and genotypic distinctiveness, strain IPL-1(T) should be classified within the genus Pseudomonas as a novel species, for which the name Pseudomonas indoloxydans is proposed. The type strain is IPL-1(T) (=MTCC 8062(T)=JCM 14246(T)).     

Desulfovibrio inopinatus, sp. nov., a new sulfate-reducing bacterium that degrades hydroxyhydroquinone (1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene)

A new sulfate-reducing bacterium was isolated from marine sediment with hydroxyhydroquinone (1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene) as the sole electron and carbon source. Strain HHQ 20 grew slowly with doubling times of > 20 h and oxidized hydroxyhydroquinone, lactate, pyruvate, ethanol, fructose, and ribose incompletely to acetate and carbon dioxide, with concomitant reduction of sulfate to sulfide. Cells were large, vibrio-shaped, and gram-negative with a G+C content of 49.7 mol%, and contained desulfoviridin. Based on analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence, strain HHQ 20 was found to be related to the genus Desulfovibrio but formed a separate line, thus justifying the establishment of a new species within this genus. Hydroxyhydroquinone was the only aromatic compound utilized among numerous hydroxybenzoates, hydroxybenzenes, methoxybenzoates, and methoxybenzenes tested, suggesting that phloroglucinol and resorcinol are not degradation intermediates. Cell-free extracts of strain HHQ 20 did not contain pyrogallol-phloroglucinol transhydroxylase activity. First experiments indicated that this strain uses a new reductive pathway for anaerobic hydroxyhydroquinone degradation. Received: 2 April 1997 / Accepted: 13 June 1997