Expression in Escherichia coli, purification, and reactivation of the recombinant Erwinia uredovora phytoene desaturase

A plasmid has been constructed by cloning the complete crtI gene encoding phytoene desaturase from Erwinia uredovora behind the lac Z promoter of pUC18 resulting in a reading frame for the full polypeptide with additional 9 amino acids at the N terminus. This plasmid mediated the overexpression of phytoene desaturase in transformed Escherichia coli. The overexpressed enzyme was sequestrated into inclusion bodies requiring urea treatment for solubilization. Purification to homogeneity was subsequently performed on a DEAE-cellulose column and by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purification scheme allowed the isolation of 5.3 mg of homogeneous desaturase protein from 100 ml of E. coli cell suspension. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis an apparent molecular mass of 56.2 kDa was determined. An antiserum raised against phytoene desaturase cross-reacted with the expressed protein and was employed to monitor the isolation steps. Upon removal of urea, desaturase activity was restored. The isolated desaturase catalyzed the conversion of 15-cis-phytoene to trans-lycopene as well as to bisdehydrolycopene. FAD was involved in desaturation, whereas NAD and NADP were inhibitory. This is the first time that a membrane-integrated carotenogenic enzyme has been purified and finally obtained in an active state.

Functional expression of zeaxanthin glucosyltransferase from Erwinia herbicola and a proposed uridine diphosphate binding site

Erwinia herbicola, a nonphotosynthetic bacterium, is yellow colored due to the accumulation of unusually polar carotenoids, primarily mono- and diglucosides of zeaxanthin. We have cloned and expressed the gene for the enzyme that catalyzes the glucosylation of zeaxanthin. The enzyme has an apparent molecular mass of 45 kDa on an SDS/polyacrylamide gel, which is consistent with its calculated molecular mass. In vitro enzymatic activity was demonstrated using UDP-[14C]glucose and zeaxanthin as substrates. The product zeaxanthin diglucoside and its intermediate monoglucoside were identified by thin layer chromatography. The optimum pH and temperature ranges of the enzyme are 7.0-7.5 and 32-37 degrees C, respectively. A hydropathy plot indicates no apparent membrane-spanning regions, and biochemical experiments suggest that the enzyme is weakly membrane-associated. The amino acid sequence derived from the zeaxanthin glucosyltransferase gene shows a small region of high similarity with other glucuronosyl- and glucosyltransferases that use either UDP-activated glucuronic acid or a sugar as one of their substrates. Based on these similarities, we propose that this conserved sequence is part of the UDP binding site.

The crtE gene in Erwinia herbicola encodes geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase

A cluster of genes essential for the biosynthesis of carotenoids in Erwinia herbicola has been isolated and characterized [Armstrong, G.A., Alberti, M. & Hearst, J. E. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 9975-9979]. Related gene clusters are found in other carotenoid-producing bacteria. Two of these genes, crtB and crtE, have been assigned to enzymes responsible for conversion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) to prephytoene diphosphate and prephytoene diphosphate to phytoene, respectively. We isolated crtE from the Er. herbicola cluster by PCR amplification and cloned the coding region into the Escherichia coli expression vector pARC306N. Es. coli JM101 was transformed with the expression plasmid, and transformants were assayed for GGPP synthase and phytoene synthase activity. Extracts from JM101/pSM145 accumulated [14C]GGPP when incubated with [14C]isopentenyl diphosphate and farnesyl diphosphate, whereas similar incubations with [3H]GGPP did not yield prephytoene diphosphate or phytoene. Thus, crtE encodes GGPP synthase.

Cloning and expression of the Erwinia herbicola tyrosine phenol-lyase gene in Escherichia coli

The tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) gene of Erwinia herbicola was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the complete nucleotide sequence of the gene determined. The TPL gene comprises 1368 bp, encoding 456 amino acids which have 90% amino acid identity with TPL from Citrobacter freundii. After replacing the 5'-flanking region of the TPL gene with the E. coli lac promoter, TPL protein could be hyperproduced constitutively in E. coli without induction by L-tyrosine.

A monofunctional prephenate dehydrogenase created by cleavage of the 5' 109 bp of the tyrA gene from Erwinia herbicola

A cohesive phylogenetic cluster that is limited to enteric bacteria and a few closely related genera possesses a bifunctional protein that is known as the T-protein and is encoded by tyrA. The T-protein carries catalytic domains for chorismate mutase and for cyclohexadienyl dehydrogenase. Cyclohexadienyl dehydrogenase can utilize prephenate or L-arogenate as alternative substrates. A portion of the tyr A gene cloned from Erwinia herbicola was deleted in vitro with exonuclease III and fused in-frame with a 5' portion of lacZ to yield a new gene, denoted tyrA*, in which 37 N-terminal amino acids of the T-protein are replaced by 18 amino acids encoded by the polycloning site/5' portion of the lacZ alpha-peptide of pUC19. The TyrA* protein retained dehydrogenase activity but lacked mutase activity, thus demonstrating the separability of the two catalytic domains. While the Km of the TyrA* dehydrogenase for NAD+ remained unaltered, the Km for prephenate was fourfold greater and the Vmax was almost twofold greater than observed for the parental T-protein dehydrogenase. Activity with L-arogenate, normally a relatively poor substrate, was reduced to a negligible level. The prephenate dehydrogenase activity encoded by tyrA* was hypersensitive to feedback inhibition by L-tyrosine (a competitive inhibitor with respect to prephenate), partly because the affinity for prephenate was reduced and partly because the Ki value for L-tyrosine was decreased from 66 microM to 14 microM. Thus, excision of a portion of the chorismate mutase domain is shown to result in multiple extra-domain effects upon the cyclohexadienyl dehydrogenase domain of the bifunctional protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In vitro assays of three carotenogenic membrane-bound enzymes from Escherichia coli transformed with different crt genes

In vitro assays have been developed for three membrane-bound carotenogenic enzymes, phytoene desaturase, lycopene cyclase and beta-carotene hydroxylase, expressed in Escherichia coli. Transformants of E. coli containing different deletion constructs of the Erwinia herbicola carotenogenic gene cluster were employed, allowing the estimation of enzyme activities without interference from subsequent reactions. New HPLC systems were developed to separate substrates and reaction products enabling the determination of radioactivity on-line. The newly developed assays facilitate the purification of these enzymes which have never been isolated before.

New functional assignment of the carotenogenic genes crtB and crtE with constructs of these genes from Erwinia species

The role of carotenoid genes crtB and crtE has been functionally assigned. These genes were cloned from Erwinia into Escherichia coli or Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Their functions were elucidated by assaying early isoprenoid enzymes involved in phytoene formation. In vitro reactions from extracts of E. coli carrying the crtE gene or a complete carotenogenic gene cluster in which crtB was deleted showed an elevated conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) into geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). These results strongly indicate that the crtE gene encodes GGPP synthase. Introduction of the crtB gene into A. tumefaciens led to the conversion of GGPP into phytoene. This activity was absent in similar transformants with the crtE gene. Thus, the crtB gene probably encodes phytoene synthase, which was further supported by demonstration that phytoene accumulated in E. coli harboring both the crtB and crtE genes.

Functional complementation between bacterial MDR-like export systems: colicin V, alpha-hemolysin, and Erwinia protease

The antibacterial protein Colicin V (ColV) is secreted from gram-negative bacteria by a signal sequence-independent pathway. The proteins that mediate the export of ColV share sequence similarities with components from other signal sequence-independent export systems such as those for alpha-hemolysin (Hly) and Erwinia protease (Prt). We report here that the intact HlyBD export system can export active ColV from Escherichia coli strains lacking the ColV export proteins CvaA and CvaB. The individual Hly export genes complement mutations in their respective ColV homologs, but do so at a lower efficiency. When CvaA or CvaB is expressed along with the intact HlyBD exporter, the Cva export protein interferes with export of ColV through the HlyBD system. Gene fusions and point mutations in the ColV structural gene were used to define signals in ColV recognized by the Hly exporter. An export signal in ColV recognized by HlyBD is localized to the amino-terminal 57 amino acids of the protein. In addition, mutations in the ColV export signal differentially affect export through CvaAB and HlyBD, suggesting differences in signal specificity between the Cva and Hly systems. The three Erwinia protease export proteins can also export active ColV, and interference is seen when CvaA or CvaB is expressed along with the intact Prt exporter. Functional complementation is not reciprocal; alpha-hemolysin is not exported through either the ColV system or the Prt system.

Functional complementation in Escherichia coli of different phytoene desaturase genes and analysis of accumulated carotenes

Three different phytoene desaturase genes, from Rhodobacter capsulatus, Erwinia uredovora, and Synechococcus PCC 7942, have been functionally complemented with a gene construct from E. uredovora which encodes all enzymes responsible for formation of 15-cis phytoene in Escherichia coli. As indicated by the contrasting reaction products detected in the pigmented E. coli cells after co-transformation, a wide functional diversity of these three different types of phytoene desaturases can be concluded. The carotenes formed by the phytoene desaturase from R. capsulatus were trans-neurosporene with three additional double bonds and two cis isomers. Furthermore, small amounts of three zeta-carotene isomers (2 double bonds more than phytoene) and phytofluene (15-cis and all-trans with + 1 double bond) were detected as intermediates. When the subsequent genes from E. uredovora which encode for lycopene cyclase and beta-carotene hydroxylase were present, neurosporene, the phytoene desaturase product of R. capsulatus, was subsequently converted to the monocyclic beta-zeacarotene and its monohydroxylation product. The most abundant carotene resulting from phytoene desaturation by the E. uredovora enzyme was trans-lycopene together with a cis isomer. In addition, bisdehydrolycopene was also formed. The reaction products of Synechococcus phytoene desaturase were two cis isomers of zeta-carotene and only small amounts of trans-zeta-carotene including 15-cis. The I50 values for flurtamone and diphenylamine to inhibit phytoene desaturation were determined and differential inhibition was observed for diphenylamine.

Pathways for metabolism of ketoaldonic acids in an Erwinia sp

The pathways involved in the metabolism of ketoaldonic acids by Erwinia sp. strain ATCC 39140 have been investigated by use of a combination of enzyme assays and isolation of bacterial mutants. The catabolism of 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate (2,5-DKG) to gluconate can proceed by two separate NAD(P)H-dependent pathways. The first pathway involves the direct reduction of 2,5-DKG to 5-keto-D-gluconate, which is then reduced to gluconate. The second pathway involves the consecutive reduction of 2,5-DKG to 2-keto-L-gulonate and L-idonic acid, which is then oxidized to 5-keto-D-gluconate, which is then reduced to gluconate. Gluconate, which can also be produced by the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of 2-keto-D-gluconate, is phosphorylated to 6-phosphogluconate and further metabolized through the pentose phosphate pathway. No evidence was found for the existence of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway in this strain.

Extracellular secretion of pectate lyase by the Erwinia chrysanthemi out pathway is dependent upon Sec-mediated export across the inner membrane

The plant pathogenic enterobacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi EC16 secretes several extracellular, plant cell wall-degrading enzymes, including pectate lyase isozyme PelE. Secretion kinetics of 35S-labeled PelE indicated that the precursor of PelE was rapidly processed by the removal of the amino-terminal signal peptide and that the resulting mature PelE remained cell bound for less than 60 s before being secreted to the bacterial medium. PelE-PhoA (alkaline phosphatase) hybrid proteins generated in vivo by TnphoA insertions were mostly localized in the periplasm of E. chrysanthemi, and one hybrid protein was observed to be associated with the outer membrane of E. chrysanthemi in an out gene-dependent manner. A gene fusion resulting in the substitution of the beta-lactamase signal peptide for the first six amino acids of the PelE signal peptide did not prevent processing or secretion of PelE in E. chrysanthemi. When pelE was overexpressed, mature PelE protein accumulated in the periplasm rather than the cytoplasm in cells of E. chrysanthemi and Escherichia coli MC4100 (pCPP2006), which harbors a functional cluster of E. chrysanthemi out genes. Removal of the signal peptide from pre-PelE was SecA dependent in E. coli MM52 even in the presence of the out gene cluster. These data indicate that the extracellular secretion of pectic enzymes by E. chrysanthemi is an extension of the Sec-dependent pathway for general export of proteins across the bacterial inner membrane.

A single cyclohexadienyl dehydratase specifies the prephenate dehydratase and arogenate dehydratase components of one of two independent pathways to L-phenylalanine in Erwinia herbicola

Dual biosynthetic pathways diverge from prephenate to L-phenylalanine in Erwinia herbicola, the unique intermediates of these pathways being phenylpyruvate and L-arogenate. After separation from the bifunctional P-protein (one component of which has prephenate dehydratase activity), the remaining prephenate dehydratase activity could not be separated from arogenate dehydratase activity throughout fractionation steps yielding a purification of more than 1200-fold. The ratio of activities was constant after removal of the P-protein, and the two dehydratase activities were stable during purification. Hence, the enzyme is a cyclohexadienyl dehydratase. The native enzyme has a molecular mass of 73 kDa and is a tetramer made up of identical 18-kDa subunits. Km values of 0.17 mM and 0.09 mM were calculated for prephenate and L-arogenate, respectively. L-Arogenate inhibited prephenate dehydratase competitively with respect to prephenate, whereas prephenate inhibited arogenate dehydratase competitively with respect to L-arogenate. Thus, the enzyme has a common catalytic site for utilization of prephenate or L-arogenate as alternative substrates. This is the first characterization of a purified monofunctional cyclohexadienyl dehydratase.

Nucleotide sequence of pnl gene from Erwinia carotovora Er

The nucleotide sequence of pnl gene encoding pectin lyase (PNL; EC4.2.2.10)from Erwinia carotovora Er was determined. The structural gene of pnl consisted of 942 base pairs. An open reading frame that could encode a 33,700 dalton polypeptide consisting 314 amino acids was assigned. The molecular size of the polypeptide predicted from the amino acid composition was close to the value of PNL determined in E.carotovora Er. The nucleotide sequence of the 5'-flanking region showed the presence of the consensus sequence of ribosome binding site, Pribnow box and the RNA polymerase recognition site in E.carotovora and Escherichia coli. Between the presumed Pribnow box and the ribosome binding site, two pairs of inverted repeats were found. By comparing the predicted amino acid sequences of pnl, several reported bacterial pectate lyases and Aspergillus niger pectin lyase, short regions of homology were found despite the different substrate specificities of these enzymes.

Cloning and characterization of the pectate lyase III gene of Erwinia carotovora Er

A pectate lyase gene III (pel III) of Erwinia carotovora Er was cloned. The gene was expressed independently of a vector promoter in both E. carotovora Er and Escherichia coli. The pel III product was largely excreted in the culture medium of E. carotovora Er, while the product was only exported to the periplasmic space and was not excreted in the medium of E. coli. Nucleotide sequence analysis of pel III disclosed an open reading frame of 1,122 bp encoding a protein of 374 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contained the N-terminal 30 amino acid sequence from the purified pectate lyase III (PL III) indicating the presence of a 22-amino-acid signal peptide. A putative ribosome-binding site was found to be 9 bp upstream of the start codon. The location of pel III was about 5.6 kb downstream of pel I. The PL III showed 80% homology in the amino acid sequence with the PL I of E. carotovora Er.

Production of pectin methylesterase from Erwinia chrysanthemi B374 in Bacillus subtilis

The gene coding for pectin methylesterase (PME) of Erwinia chrysanthemi B374 (pme) was cloned by a polymerase chain reaction. The pme gene was expressed in Bacillus subtilis using a secretion vector based on the promoter and signal sequence of the alpha-amylase gene from B. amyloliquefaciens. The cultivation of B. subtilis cells carrying the cloned pme resulted in efficient secretion of PME into the culture medium based on enzymatic and sodium dodecyl sulphate-poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis characterizations. The NH2-terminal sequence analysis of the secreted PME revealed two different NH2-termini. Heterologous processing was probably due to a second putative signal peptidase cleavage site at the joint region between the PME and alpha-amylase signal peptide.

Mapping of a carotenogenic gene cluster from Erwinia herbicola and functional identification of six genes

Six genes have been mapped and identified by hybridization or by carotenoid analysis of deletion mutants on a 9 kb chromosomal fragment originating from Erwinia herbicola Eho 10. These genes include crtB, E and I which have been formerly described for Rhodobacter, and three new ones: crtZ encoding lycopene cyclase, crtH for beta-carotene hydroxylase, and crtG for zeaxanthin glycosilase. Their arrangement on the plasmid has been elucidated.

Nucleotide sequence and molecular characterization of pnlA, the structural gene for damage-inducible pectin lyase of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 71

In a previous study, pnlA (the DNA damage-inducible structural gene for pectin lyase) of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 71 was localized to a 1.4-kb DNA segment within a 3.4-kb EcoRI fragment (J. L. McEvoy, H. Murata, and A. K. Chatterjee, J. Bacteriol. 172:3284-3289, 1990). We present here DNA sequence data for a 2.2-kb region revealing an open reading frame of 870 bases, corresponding to a protein (Pnl) of an approximate molecular mass of 32,100 Da and an isoelectric point of 9.92. Although initiation of translation is presumed to occur at the ATG codon, direct protein sequencing revealed alanine as the N-terminal amino acid, probably as a consequence of posttranslational removal of the initiating amino acid. The sequence of the first 20 amino acid residues of Pnl, purified from E. carotovora subsp. carotovora 71, agreed completely with the predicted amino acid sequence of the N-terminal segment. This finding also indicated that Pnl is not subject to processing by a signal peptidase. The transcriptional start site of pnlA was determined to reside 80 bp upstream of the translational start site. Deletion analysis revealed that 218 bp of DNA upstream of the transcriptional start site is sufficient for induction of pnlA by mitomycin C. Within 600 bp upstream of the translational start site, no sequences resembling a LexA binding site (SOS box) or a cyclic AMP receptor protein binding site were found. However, palindromic sequences were detected at -187 and -86 bp relative to the translational start site, and these could be potential sites for the binding of a regulatory protein(s). Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence for PnlA with that of a Pnl from Aspergillus niger and with those of various pectate lyases of Erwinia species revealed a low degree of homology dispersed throughout the length of the proteins.

Cellulase EGZ of Erwinia chrysanthemi: structural organization and importance of His98 and Glu133 residues for catalysis

Biochemical, genetic and primary sequence analyses of the Erwinia chrysanthemi endoglucanase EGZ allowed us to identify two functional domains and to locate their boundaries. The catalytic domain extends from residue 1 to 288, while a domain required for EGZ to bind to microcrystalline cellulose lies from residues 324 to 385. Each domain was found capable of functioning in the absence of the other. A region rich in Pro, Thr, and Ser residues links both domains and appeared to be susceptible to proteolytic attack. Based upon predictions derived from a method developed to compare sequences sharing a low level of similarity, e.g. hydrophobic cluster analysis (HCA), we analysed the importance of either residue His98 or Glu133 in EGZ catalytic activity. Two EGZ-derived proteins were engineered in which either His98 or Glu133 amino acid was converted to an Ala residue. Characterization of the purified proteins showed that no enzymatic activity could be detected, by using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or paranitrophenyl-cellobioside (pNPC) as substrates, while both mutated proteins retained the capacity to bind to microcrystalline cellulose. These studies, which to date constitute the first experimental testing of HCA-derived predictions, allowed us to identify two particular amino acids involved in cellulolytic activity. By taking into account data from chemical modification studies of other cellulases, we speculate that the His98 residue is involved in the folding of the catalytic domain while the Glu133 residue intervenes directly in the beta, 1-4 glycosidic bond cleavage.

Conserved enzymes mediate the early reactions of carotenoid biosynthesis in nonphotosynthetic and photosynthetic prokaryotes

Carotenoids comprise one of the most widespread classes of pigments found in nature. The first reactions of C40 carotenoid biosynthesis proceed through common intermediates in all organisms, suggesting the evolutionary conservation of early enzymes from this pathway. We report here the nucleotide sequence of three genes from the carotenoid biosynthesis gene cluster of Erwinia herbicola, a nonphotosynthetic epiphytic bacterium, which encode homologs of the CrtB, CrtE, and CrtI proteins of Rhodobacter capsulatus, a purple nonsulfur photosynthetic bacterium. CrtB (prephytoene pyrophosphate synthase), CrtE (phytoene synthase), and CrtI (phytoene dehydrogenase) are required for the first three reactions specific to the carotenoid branch of general isoprenoid metabolism. The homologous proteins from E. herbicola and R. capsulatus show sequence identities of 41.7% for CrtI, 33.7% for CrtB, and 30.8% for CrtE. E. herbicola and R. capsulatus CrtI also display 27.2% and 27.9% sequence identity, respectively, with R. capsulatus CrtD (methoxyneurosporene dehydrogenase). All three dehydrogenases possess a hydrophobic N-terminal domain containing a putative ADP-binding beta alpha beta fold characteristic of enzymes known to bind FAD or NAD(P) cofactors. In addition, E. herbicola and R. capsulatus CrtB show 25.2% and 23.3% respective sequence identities with the protein product of pTOM5, a tomato cDNA of unknown function that is differentially expressed during fruit ripening. These data indicate the structural conservation of early carotenoid biosynthesis enzymes in evolutionarily diverse organisms.

Facile isolation of endo-pectate lyase from Erwinia carotovora based on electrostatic interaction

Endo-pectate lyase (PATE) from Erwinia carotovora was selectively cosedimented with extracellularly produced lipopolysaccharide-lipid complex (LPSLC) through dialysis of the cell free culture broth. The selective isolation of PATE was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The cosedimentation of the PATE with LPSLC was initiated by decreasing conductivity of the solution and terminated at approx 1 m siemens (mScm-1). As much as 62% of PATE activity in the culture broth was removed by precipitation. PATE was isolated from the precipitate by gel chromatography. The cosedimentation of PATE with LPSLC was remarkably affected by pH or ionic strength. The addition of polycationic peptide polymyxin B sulfate or a metal chloride affected the interaction. The cosedimentation was diminished by acetylation of the free amino groups of PATE. From these results, it was confirmed that the cosedimentation was induced by electrostatic interaction.

Molecular cloning of the structural gene for exopolygalacturonate lyase from Erwinia chrysanthemi EC16 and characterization of the enzyme product

The ability of Erwinia chrysanthemi to cause soft-rot diseases involving tissue maceration in many plants has been linked to the production of endo-pectate lyase E. chrysanthemi EC16 mutant UM1005, however, contains deletions in the pel genes that encode the known endopectate lyases, yet still macerates plant tissues. In an attempt to identify the remaining macerating factor(s), a gene library of UM1005 was constructed in Escherichia coli and screened for pectolytic activity. A clone (pPNL5) was identified in this library that contained the structural gene for an exopolygalacturonate lyase (ExoPL). The gene for ExoPL was localized on a 3.3-kb EcoRV fragment which contained an open reading frame for a 79,500-Da polypeptide. ExoPL was purified to apparent homogeneity from Escherichia coli DH5 alpha (pPNL5) and found to have an apparent molecular weight of 76,000 with an isoelectric point of 8.6. Purified ExoPL had optimal activity between pH 7.5 and 8.0 and could utilize pectate, citrus pectin, and highly methyl-esterified Link pectin as substrates. A PL- ExoPL- mutant of EC16 was constructed that exhibited reduced growth on pectate, but retained pathogenicity on chrysanthemum equivalent to that of UM1005. The results indicate that ExoPL does not contribute to the residual macerating activity of UM1005.

Protein secretion in gram-negative bacteria. The extracellular metalloprotease B from Erwinia chrysanthemi contains a C-terminal secretion signal analogous to that of Escherichia coli alpha-hemolysin

The secretion signal of extracellular metalloprotease B that is secreted without a signal peptide by the Gram-negative phytopathogenic bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi is shown by deletion and gene fusion analyses to be located within the last 40 C-terminal amino acids. Secretion of a peptide containing only this region of the protease requires the same three secretion factors (PrtD, PrtE, and PrtF) that were previously shown to be required for the secretion of the full-length protease. This secretion signal can also be recognized, albeit inefficiently, by the analogous secretion machinery of alpha-hemolysin, another protein with a C-terminal secretion signal that is secreted by some strains of the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. The secretion signal was fused to an internal 200-amino acid fragment from the sequence of the cytoplasmic protein amylomaltase to promote its specific secretion by the protease secretion pathway. Almost exactly the same sequence as that identified as the protease B secretion signal was also found at the C terminus of metalloprotease C that is also secreted by E. chrysanthemi.

Cloning of genes encoding extracellular metalloproteases from Erwinia chrysanthemi EC16

A 14-kilobase BamHI-EcoRI DNA fragment cloned from Erwinia chrysanthemi EC16 contained a gene encoding a metalloprotease inhibitor as well as three tandem prt genes encoding metalloproteases. The prt genes were separated from the inhibitor gene by a ca. 4-kilobase region that was necessary for extracellular secretion of the proteases. When individually subcloned downstream from vector promoters, the three prt genes each led to substantial extracellular secretion of the proteases by Escherichia coli cells, provided that the 4-kilobase required region was supplied in cis or trans. One of the protease structural genes, prtC, was sequenced and had high homology to a metalloprotease gene previously described from Serratia species as well as to the prtB gene of E. chrysanthemi B374. Marker exchange mutants of E. chrysanthemi EC16 defective in production of one or all of the extracellular proteases were not impaired in virulence on plant tissue.

Molecular cloning, nucleotide sequence, and marker exchange mutagenesis of the exo-poly-alpha-D-galacturonosidase-encoding pehX gene of Erwinia chrysanthemi EC16

The pehX gene encoding extracellular exo-poly-alpha-D-galacturonosidase (exoPG; EC 3.2.1.82) was isolated from a genomic library of the pectate lyase-deficient Erwinia chrysanthemi mutant UM1005 (a Nalr Kanr delta pelABCE derivative of EC16) by immunoscreening 2,800 Escherichia coli HB101 transformants with an antibody against exoPG protein. The cloned pehX gene was expressed highly from its own promoter in E. coli, and most of the enzyme was localized in the periplasm. The nucleotide sequence of pehX revealed the presence of an amino-terminal signal peptide and an open reading frame encoding a preprotein of 64,608 daltons. The cloned pehX gene was insertionally inactivated with TnphoA and used to mutate the chromosomal pehX gene of E. chrysanthemi AC4150 (Nalr) and CUCPB5006 (Nalr Kans delta pelABCE) by marker exchange mutagenesis. Analysis of the resulting mutants, CUCPB5008 (Pel+ Peh-) and CUCPB5009 (Pel- Peh-), indicated that exoPG can contribute significantly to bacterial utilization of polygalacturonate and the induction of pectate lyase in the presence of extracellular pectic polymers. CUCPB5009 retained a slight ability to pit polygalacturonate semisolid agar and macerated chrysanthemum pith tissues when large numbers of bacteria were inoculated.

Preliminary crystallographic analysis of the plant pathogenic factor, pectate lyase C from Erwinia chrysanthemi

Pectate lyases are saccharide-binding enzymes that degrade plant cell walls. One pectate lyase from Erwinia chrysanthemi (EC16), termed pectate lyase C, has been crystallized from ammonium sulfate. The preliminary x-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit cell dimensions, a = 73.4 A, b = 80.3 A, and c = 95.1 A. The crystals diffract to a resolution of 2.2 A and have one molecule/asymmetric unit.