A new bacteriocinogenic activity: megacin BII encoded by plasmid pSE 203 in strains of Bacillus megaterium

Diversity and applications of Bacillus bacteriocins

Members of the genus Bacillus are known to produce a wide arsenal of antimicrobial substances, including peptide and lipopeptide antibiotics, and bacteriocins. Many of the Bacillus bacteriocins belong to the lantibiotics, a category of post-translationally modified peptides widely disseminated among different bacterial clades. Lantibiotics are among the best-characterized antimicrobial peptides at the levels of peptide structure, genetic determinants and biosynthesis mechanisms. Members of the genus Bacillus also produce many other nonmodified bacteriocins, some of which resemble the pediocin-like bacteriocins of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB), while others show completely novel peptide sequences. Bacillus bacteriocins are increasingly becoming more important due to their sometimes broader spectra of inhibition (as compared with most LAB bacteriocins), which may include Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts or fungi, in addition to Gram-positive species, some of which are known to be pathogenic to humans and/or animals. The present review provides a general overview of Bacillus bacteriocins, including primary structure, biochemical and genetic characterization, classification and potential applications in food preservation as natural preservatives and in human and animal health as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Furthermore, it addresses their environmental applications, such as bioprotection against the pre- and post-harvest decay of vegetables, or as plant growth promoters.

Cloning and characterization of the DNA region responsible for Megacin A-216 production in Bacillus megaterium 216

Upon induction, Bacillus megaterium 216 produces the bacteriocin megacin A-216, which leads to lysis of the producer cell and kills B. megaterium and a few other bacterial species. The DNA region responsible for megacinogeny was cloned in B. megaterium. The nucleotide sequence of a 5,494-bp-long subfragment was determined, and the function of the genes on this fragment was studied by generating deletions and analyzing their effects on MegA phenotypes. An open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 293-amino-acid protein was identified as the gene (megA) coding for megacin A-216. BLAST searches detected sequence similarity between megacin A-216 and proteins with phospholipase A2 activity. Purified biologically active megacin A-216 preparations contained three proteins. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that the largest protein is the full-length translation product of the megA gene, whereas the two shorter proteins are fragments of the long protein created by cleavage between Gln-185 and Val-186. The molecular masses of the three polypeptides are 32,855, 21,018, and 11,855 Da, respectively. Comparison of different megacin preparations suggests that the intact chain as well as the two combined fragments can form biologically active megacin. An ORF located next to the megA gene and encoding a 91-amino-acid protein was shown to be responsible for the relative immunity displayed by the producer strain against megacin A-216. Besides the megA gene, at least two other genes, including a gene encoding a 188-amino-acid protein sharing high sequence similarity with RNA polymerase sigma factors, were shown to be required for induction of megacin A-216 expression.

Purification and partial characterization of bacillocin 490, a novel bacteriocin produced by a thermophilic strain of Bacillus licheniformis

BACKGROUND: Applications of bacteriocins as food preservatives have been so far limited, principally because of their low antimicrobial activity in foods. Nisin is the only bacteriocin of significant use, but applications are restricted principally because of its very low activity at neutral or alkaline pH. Thus the isolation of new bacteriocins active in foods is desirable. RESULTS: We isolated a Bacillus licheniformis thermophilic strain producing a bacteriocin with some novel features, named here bacillocin 490. This bacteriocin was inactivated by pronase E and proteinase K and was active against closely related Bacillus spp. both in aerobic and in anaerobic conditions. Bactericidal activity was kept during storage at 4 degrees C and was remarkably stable in a wide pH range. The bacteriocin was partially purified by elution after adhesion to cells of the food-isolated strain Bacillus smithii and had a rather low mass (2 KDa). Antimicrobial activity against B. smithii was observed also when this organism was grown in water buffalo milk. CONCLUSIONS: Bacillocin 490 is a novel candidate as a food anti-microbial agent since it displays its activity in milk, is stable to heat treatment and during storage, is active in a wide pH range and has bactericidal activity also at high temperature. These features may allow the use of bacillocin 490 during processes performed at high temperature and as a complementary antimicrobial agent of nisin against some Bacillus spp. in non-acidic foods. The small size suggests its use on solid foods.

Isolation, partial purification and characterization of a bacteriocin produced by a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis strain

A wild type micro-organism producing antibacterial substances has been isolated from a Chinese fermented soybean seasoning and identified as Bacillus subtilis. A crude antibacterial preparation (CABP) was obtained by ammonium sulphate precipitation. Isoelectric focusing assay revealed at least four antimicrobial components in the CABP. However, in SDS-PAGE analysis, only one peptide band displayed antimicrobial activity against pathogenic Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes. This inhibitory peptide had a molecular weight of approximately 3.4 kDa and a pI value of approximately 4.7. Results of this study suggest that at least one antimicrobial substance produced by this wild type strain of B. subtilis may be a new bacteriocin. Its sensitivity to gastric peptidases and activity against the food-borne pathogens make this bacteriocin potentially useful as an antimicrobial agent in foods.

The aggregation-mediated conjugation system of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis: host range and kinetics of transfer

The aggregation-mediated conjugation system in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis encoded on the plasmid pXO16 is characterized by the formation of aggregates when Agr+ and Agr- cells are socialized in exponential growth. Using the aggregation phenotypes, we have identified potential recipients of the aggregation-plasmid pXO16 among Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus sphaericus, and 24 subspecies of B. thuringiensis. We found 14 Agr- strains, i.e., potential recipients of the aggregation system encoded by plasmid pXO16. Five strains contained a conjugative apparatus of their own and were excluded from further examinations. To monitor the transfer of plasmid pXO16, we constructed a transposon insertion of the plasmid with Tn5401. The study of the plasmid transfer of pXO16::Tn5401 indicated the secretion of bacteriocins from both donor strain and recipient strains. Only one out of the nine strains examined was unable to receive the aggregation-plasmid pXO16 and express the aggregation phenotype and the conjugative abilities. It was found that the transfer of plasmid pXO16 to Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis Agr- strains was 100%. All recipients had acquired the aggregation-plasmid pXO16 and converted to the Agr+ phenotype.

Characterization of Bacillus licheniformis with the RAPD technique (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA)

RAPD technique (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) was used for epidemiological subtyping of Bacillus licheniformis and other Bacillus spp. Within 46 isolates of B. licheniformis, up to 10 strain types could be determined when two 10-mer primers were used. RAPD patterns, which were found in eight further strains of Bacillus spp., clearly differed from those of B. licheniformis. Thus RAPD technique proved to be a promising tool for characterization of Bacillus spp.

Plasmids in Bacillus stearothermophilus coding for bacteriocinogeny and temperature resistance

Obligately thermophilic strains of Bacillus stearothermophilus were screened for the presence of plasmids by agarose gel electrophoresis. All strains in our collection contained large plasmids (20 x 10(6)-80 x 10(6)) and were divided into four groups with respect to their plasmid pattern and production of bacteriocins. The major plasmid species were designated pSE407 (38.7 x 10(6)), pSE409 (29.0 x 10(6)), pSE411 (21.5 x 10(6)), and pSE410 (23.5 x 10(6)). Their physical endonuclease maps were constructed, and by Southern blots and hybridizations it was shown that these plasmids were related. From curing experiments and electrotransformations (electroporations) we conclude that pSE407, pSE410, and pSE411 code for temperature resistance. In addition pSE410 codes for bacteriocin production and resistance. Plasmid pSE409 probably also codes for bacteriocin production and resistance.