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Ferrando J, Filluelo O, Zeigler DR, Picart P. Barriers to simultaneous multilocus integration in Bacillus subtilis tumble down: development of a straightforward screening method for the colorimetric detection of one-step multiple gene insertion using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Microb Cell Fact 2023; 22:21. [PMID: 36721198 PMCID: PMC9890709 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02032-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite recent advances in genetic engineering tools for effectively regulating and manipulating genes, efficient simultaneous multigene insertion methods have not been established in Bacillus subtilis. To date, multilocus integration systems in B. subtilis, which is one of the main industrial enzyme producers and a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) microbial host, rely on iterative rounds of plasmid construction for sequential insertions of genes into the B. subtilis chromosome, which is tedious and time consuming. RESULTS In this study, we present development and proof-of-concept of a novel CRISPR-Cas9-based genome-editing strategy for the colorimetric detection of one-step multiple gene insertion in B. subtilis. First, up to three copies of the crtMN operon from Staphylococcus aureus, encoding a yellow pigment, were incorporated at three ectopic sites within the B. subtilis chromosome, rendering engineered strains able to form yellow colonies. Second, a single CRISPR-Cas9-based plasmid carrying a highly specific single guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting crtMN operon and a changeable editing template was constructed to facilitate simultaneous insertion of multiple gene-copies through homology-directed repair (HDR). Upon transformation of engineered strains with engineered plasmids, strains harboring up to three gene copies integrated into the chromosome formed white colonies because of the removal of the crtMN operon, clearly distinguishable from yellow colonies harboring undesired genetic modifications. As a result, construction of a plasmid-less, marker-free, high-expression stable producer B. subtilis strain can be completed in only seven days, demonstrating the potential that the implementation of this technology may bring for biotechnology purposes. CONCLUSIONS The novel technology expands the genome-editing toolset for B. subtilis and means a substantial improvement over current methodology, offering new application possibilities that we envision should significantly boost the development of B. subtilis as a chassis in the field of synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Ferrando
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Microbiology Section, Department of Biology, Healthcare and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
| | - Oriana Filluelo
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Microbiology Section, Department of Biology, Healthcare and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
| | | | - Pere Picart
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Microbiology Section, Department of Biology, Healthcare and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia Spain
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2
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Yang H, Qu J, Zou W, Shen W, Chen X. An overview and future prospects of recombinant protein production in Bacillus subtilis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:6607-6626. [PMID: 34468804 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11533-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis is a well-characterized Gram-positive bacterium and a valuable host for recombinant protein production because of its efficient secretion ability, high yield, and non-toxicity. Here, we comprehensively review the recent studies on recombinant protein production in B. subtilis to update and supplement other previous reviews. We have focused on several aspects, including optimization of B. subtilis strains, enhancement and regulation of expression, improvement of secretion level, surface display of proteins, and fermentation optimization. Among them, optimization of B. subtilis strains mainly involves undirected chemical/physical mutagenesis and selection and genetic manipulation; enhancement and regulation of expression comprises autonomous plasmid and integrated expression, promoter regulation and engineering, and fine-tuning gene expression based on proteases and molecular chaperones; improvement of secretion level predominantly involves secretion pathway and signal peptide screening and optimization; surface display of proteins includes surface display of proteins on spores or vegetative cells; and fermentation optimization incorporates medium optimization, process condition optimization, and feeding strategy optimization. Furthermore, we propose some novel methods and future challenges for recombinant protein production in B. subtilis.Key points• A comprehensive review on recombinant protein production in Bacillus subtilis.• Novel techniques facilitate recombinant protein expression and secretion.• Surface display of proteins has significant potential for different applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiquan Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
| | - Jinfeng Qu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Wei Zou
- College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Yibin, 644000, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Shen
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Xianzhong Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
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3
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Su Y, Liu C, Fang H, Zhang D. Bacillus subtilis: a universal cell factory for industry, agriculture, biomaterials and medicine. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:173. [PMID: 32883293 PMCID: PMC7650271 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01436-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its clear inherited backgrounds as well as simple and diverse genetic manipulation systems, Bacillus subtilis is the key Gram-positive model bacterium for studies on physiology and metabolism. Furthermore, due to its highly efficient protein secretion system and adaptable metabolism, it has been widely used as a cell factory for microbial production of chemicals, enzymes, and antimicrobial materials for industry, agriculture, and medicine. In this mini-review, we first summarize the basic genetic manipulation tools and expression systems for this bacterium, including traditional methods and novel engineering systems. Secondly, we briefly introduce its applications in the production of chemicals and enzymes, and summarize its advantages, mainly focusing on some noteworthy products and recent progress in the engineering of B. subtilis. Finally, this review also covers applications such as microbial additives and antimicrobials, as well as biofilm systems and spore formation. We hope to provide an overview for novice researchers in this area, offering them a better understanding of B. subtilis and its applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Su
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China.,Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Chuan Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Huan Fang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China. .,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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4
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Xiang M, Kang Q, Zhang D. Advances on systems metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis as a chassis cell. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2020; 5:245-251. [PMID: 32775709 PMCID: PMC7394859 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis, has been broadly applied in various fields because of its low pathogenicity and strong protein secretion ability, as well as its well-developed fermentation technology. B. subtilis is considered as an attractive host in the field of metabolic engineering, in particular for protein expression and secretion, so it has been well studied and applied in genetic engineering. In this review, we discussed why B. subtilis is a good chassis cell for metabolic engineering. We also summarized the latest research progress in systematic biology, synthetic biology and evolution-based engineering of B. subtilis, and showed systemic metabolic engineering expedite the harnessing B. subtilis for bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Xiang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Kang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
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5
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Liu D, Huang C, Guo J, Zhang P, Chen T, Wang Z, Zhao X. Development and characterization of a CRISPR/Cas9n-based multiplex genome editing system for Bacillus subtilis. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:197. [PMID: 31572493 PMCID: PMC6764132 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1537-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic engineering has expanded from a focus on designs requiring a small number of genetic modifications to increasingly complex designs driven by advances in multiplex genome editing technologies. However, simultaneously modulating multiple genes on the chromosome remains challenging in Bacillus subtilis. Thus, developing an efficient and convenient method for B. subtilis multiplex genome editing is imperative. RESULTS Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9n-based multiplex genome editing system for iterative genome editing in B. subtilis. This system enabled us to introduce various types of genomic modifications with more satisfying efficiency than using CRISPR/Cas9, especially in multiplex gene editing. Our system achieved at least 80% efficiency for 1-8 kb gene deletions, at least 90% efficiency for 1-2 kb gene insertions, near 100% efficiency for site-directed mutagenesis, 23.6% efficiency for large DNA fragment deletion and near 50% efficiency for three simultaneous point mutations. The efficiency for multiplex gene editing was further improved by regulating the nick repair mechanism mediated by ligD gene, which finally led to roughly 65% efficiency for introducing three point mutations on the chromosome. To demonstrate its potential, we applied our system to simultaneously fine-tune three genes in the riboflavin operon and significantly improved the production of riboflavin in a single cycle. CONCLUSIONS We present not only the iterative CRISPR/Cas9n system for B. subtilis but also the highest efficiency for simultaneous modulation of multiple genes on the chromosome in B. subtilis reported to date. We anticipate this CRISPR/Cas9n mediated system to greatly enhance the optimization of diverse biological systems via metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingyu Liu
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Can Huang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Jiaxin Guo
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Peiji Zhang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Tao Chen
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Zhiwen Wang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
| | - Xueming Zhao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), SynBio Research Platform, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 China
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6
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Lim H, Choi SK. Programmed gRNA Removal System for CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Multi-Round Genome Editing in Bacillus subtilis. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1140. [PMID: 31164882 PMCID: PMC6536666 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 has become a simple and powerful genome editing tool for many organisms. However, multi-round genome editing should replace single-guide RNA (sgRNA) every round, which is laborious and time-consuming. Here, we have developed a multi-round genome editing system in which genome editing and the programmed removal of the sgRNA have sequentially occurred in a growth-dependent manner in Bacillus subtilis. The system contains two plasmids, one containing a cas9 gene and the other containing two sgRNAs and a donor DNA for homology directed repair (HDR). The two sgRNAs are chromosome-targeting (sgRNAct) and self-targeting (sgRNAst) under the control of a constitutive promoter and sporulation-specific promoter, respectively. In the growth phase, the sgRNAct is transcribed and complexed with the Cas9 to edit the chromosomal target, while the sgRNAst is transcribed in the sporulation phase and complexed with the Cas9 to attack its own plasmid. Therefore, the system automatically makes the cell ready for next-round genome editing during cultivation. The system was approved through the sequential deletion of eight extracellular protease genes in the B. subtilis, suggesting that it can be used for versatile applications in multi-round genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayeon Lim
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Soo-Keun Choi
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
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7
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Advances and prospects of Bacillus subtilis cellular factories: From rational design to industrial applications. Metab Eng 2018; 50:109-121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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8
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Recent advances in CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing in Bacillus subtilis. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 34:153. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-018-2537-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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9
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Ye B, Zhou C, Zhao L, Cheng S, Cheng D, Yan X. Unmarked genetic manipulation in Bacillus subtilis by natural co-transformation. J Biotechnol 2018; 284:57-62. [PMID: 30092237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis is well known as both a model organism and as a microbial cell factory. Simple and scarless gene modification is a desirable tool for basic research and industrial applications of B. subtilis. It has been demonstrated that naturally competent strains of B. subtilis can uptake multiple different DNA molecules, a phenomenon called co-transformation. Here, we describe a co-transformation-based method for generating unmarked mutants of B. subtilis. The PCR product containing the desired mutant allele is introduced into B. subtilis through co-transformation of the plasmid pUS20, which harbours a spectinomycin-resistant marker (Spcr). The target mutation is acquired by screening transformants for integration of pUS20 by resistance to spectinomycin. Due to its unstable replication in B. subtilis, pUS20 is easily cured from transformants in the absence of spectinomycin. This method allows for point mutation delivery at frequencies of approximately 30%. Deletions and insertions of long DNA fragments can also be carried out efficiently using this method. Moreover, this method is also successful in Bacillus velezensis, indicating that it may be extended to other Bacillus species that can form natural competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Ye
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Wastes Utilization, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Chaoyang Zhou
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Wastes Utilization, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Leizhen Zhao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Wastes Utilization, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Shan Cheng
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Wastes Utilization, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Dan Cheng
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Wastes Utilization, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Xin Yan
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Wastes Utilization, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China.
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10
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Kirchner M, Schneider S. Gene expression control by Bacillus anthracis purine riboswitches. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:762-769. [PMID: 28209633 PMCID: PMC5393184 DOI: 10.1261/rna.058792.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In all kingdoms of life, cellular replication relies on the presence of nucleosides and nucleotides, the building blocks of nucleic acids and the main source of energy. In bacteria, the availability of metabolites sometimes directly regulates the expression of enzymes and proteins involved in purine salvage, biosynthesis, and uptake through riboswitches. Riboswitches are located in bacterial mRNAs and can control gene expression by conformational changes in response to ligand binding. We have established an inverse reporter gene system in Bacillus subtilis that allows us to monitor riboswitch-controlled gene expression. We used it to investigate the activity of five potential purine riboswitches from Bacillus anthracis in response to different purines and pyrimidines. Furthermore, in vitro studies on the aptamer domains of the riboswitches reveal their variation in guanine binding affinity ranging from namomolar to micromolar. These data do not only provide insight into metabolite sensing but can also aid in engineering artificial cell regulatory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Kirchner
- Center for Integrated Protein Science at the Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Sabine Schneider
- Center for Integrated Protein Science at the Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
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11
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Hohmann HP, van Dijl JM, Krishnappa L, Prágai Z. Host Organisms:Bacillus subtilis. Ind Biotechnol (New Rochelle N Y) 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527807796.ch7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Hohmann
- Nutrition Innovation Center R&D Biotechnology; DSM Nutritional Products Ltd; Wurmisweg 576 CH-4303 Kaiseraugst Switzerland
| | - Jan M. van Dijl
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen; Department of Medical Microbiology; Hanzeplein 1 9700 RB Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Laxmi Krishnappa
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen; Department of Medical Microbiology; Hanzeplein 1 9700 RB Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Zoltán Prágai
- Nutrition Innovation Center R&D Biotechnology; DSM Nutritional Products Ltd; Wurmisweg 576 CH-4303 Kaiseraugst Switzerland
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12
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Zhou C, Shi L, Ye B, Feng H, Zhang J, Zhang R, Yan X. pheS * , an effective host-genotype-independent counter-selectable marker for marker-free chromosome deletion in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 101:217-227. [PMID: 27730334 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7906-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aside from applications in the production of commercial enzymes and metabolites, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is also an important group of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria that supports plant growth and suppresses phytopathogens. A host-genotype-independent counter-selectable marker would enable rapid genetic manipulation and metabolic engineering, accelerating the study of B. amyloliquefaciens and its development as both a microbial cell factory and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Here, a host-genotype-independent counter-selectable marker pheS * was constructed through a point mutation of the gene pheS, which encodes the α-subunit of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase in Bacillus subtilis strain 168. In the presence of 5 mM p-chloro-phenylalanine, 100 % of B. amyloliquefaciens strain SQR9 cells carrying pheS * were killed, whereas the wild-type strain SQR9 showed resistance to p-chloro-phenylalanine. A simple pheS * and overlap-PCR-based strategy was developed to create the marker-free deletion of the amyE gene as well as a 37-kb bmy cluster in B. amyloliquefaciens SQR9. The effectiveness of pheS * as a counter-selectable marker in B. amyloliquefaciens was further confirmed through the deletion of amyE genes in strains B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42 and NJN-6. In addition, the potential use of pheS * in other Bacillus species was preliminarily assessed. The expression of PheS* in B. subtilis strain 168 and B. cereus strain ATCC 14579 caused pronounced sensitivity of both hosts to p-chloro-phenylalanine, indicating that pheS * could be used as a counter-selectable marker (CSM) in these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyang Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory for Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural, Environment of Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 6 Tongwei Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingling Shi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory for Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural, Environment of Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 6 Tongwei Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Ye
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory for Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural, Environment of Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 6 Tongwei Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Haichao Feng
- National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, 6 Tongwei Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Chemistry of Low-Dimensional Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruifu Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Organic-based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, 6 Tongwei Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Yan
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory for Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural, Environment of Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 6 Tongwei Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Westbrook AW, Moo-Young M, Chou CP. Development of a CRISPR-Cas9 Tool Kit for Comprehensive Engineering of Bacillus subtilis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 82:4876-95. [PMID: 27260361 PMCID: PMC4968543 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01159-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The establishment of a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas9 system for strain construction in Bacillus subtilis is essential for its progression toward industrial utility. Here we outline the development of a CRISPR-Cas9 tool kit for comprehensive genetic engineering in B. subtilis In addition to site-specific mutation and gene insertion, our approach enables continuous genome editing and multiplexing and is extended to CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) for transcriptional modulation. Our tool kit employs chromosomal expression of Cas9 and chromosomal transcription of guide RNAs (gRNAs) using a gRNA transcription cassette and counterselectable gRNA delivery vectors. Our design obviates the need for multicopy plasmids, which can be unstable and impede cell viability. Efficiencies of up to 100% and 85% were obtained for single and double gene mutations, respectively. Also, a 2.9-kb hyaluronic acid (HA) biosynthetic operon was chromosomally inserted with an efficiency of 69%. Furthermore, repression of a heterologous reporter gene was achieved, demonstrating the versatility of the tool kit. The performance of our tool kit is comparable with those of systems developed for Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which rely on replicating vectors to implement CRISPR-Cas9 machinery. IMPORTANCE In this paper, as the first approach, we report implementation of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in Bacillus subtilis, which is recognized as a valuable host system for biomanufacturing. The study enables comprehensive engineering of B. subtilis strains with virtually any desired genotypes/phenotypes and biochemical properties for extensive industrial application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam W Westbrook
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Murray Moo-Young
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - C Perry Chou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Crasson O, Rhazi N, Jacquin O, Freichels A, Jérôme C, Ruth N, Galleni M, Filée P, Vandevenne M. Enzymatic functionalization of a nanobody using protein insertion technology. Protein Eng Des Sel 2015; 28:451-60. [PMID: 25852149 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzv020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody-based products constitute one of the most attractive biological molecules for diagnostic, medical imagery and therapeutic purposes with very few side effects. Their development has become a major priority of biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Recently, a growing number of modified antibody-based products have emerged including fragments, multi-specific and conjugate antibodies. In this study, using protein engineering, we have functionalized the anti-hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) camelid VHH antibody fragment (cAb-Lys3), by insertion into a solvent-exposed loop of the Bacillus licheniformis β-lactamase BlaP. We showed that the generated hybrid protein conserved its enzymatic activity while the displayed nanobody retains its ability to inhibit HEWL with a nanomolar affinity range. Then, we successfully implemented the functionalized cAb-Lys3 in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, potentiometric biosensor and drug screening assays. The hybrid protein was also expressed on the surface of phage particles and, in this context, was able to interact specifically with HEWL while the β-lactamase activity was used to monitor phage interactions. Finally, using thrombin-cleavage sites surrounding the permissive insertion site in the β-lactamase, we reported an expression system in which the nanobody can be easily separated from its carrier protein. Altogether, our study shows that insertion into the BlaP β-lactamase constitutes a suitable technology to functionalize nanobodies and allows the creation of versatile tools that can be used in innovative biotechnological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Crasson
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Center D'Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège B4000, Belgium
| | - N Rhazi
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Center D'Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège B4000, Belgium
| | - O Jacquin
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Center D'Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège B4000, Belgium
| | - A Freichels
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Center D'Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège B4000, Belgium
| | - C Jérôme
- Chimie des Macromolécules et des Matériaux Organiques (CERM), Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège B4000, Belgium
| | - N Ruth
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Center D'Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège B4000, Belgium
| | - M Galleni
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Center D'Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège B4000, Belgium
| | - P Filée
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Center D'Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège B4000, Belgium CER Groupe, Rue de la Science, n°8, Aye B6900, Belgium
| | - M Vandevenne
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Center D'Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège B4000, Belgium
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15
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Jeong DE, Park SH, Pan JG, Kim EJ, Choi SK. Genome engineering using a synthetic gene circuit in Bacillus subtilis. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 43:e42. [PMID: 25552415 PMCID: PMC4381049 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku1380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome engineering without leaving foreign DNA behind requires an efficient counter-selectable marker system. Here, we developed a genome engineering method in Bacillus subtilis using a synthetic gene circuit as a counter-selectable marker system. The system contained two repressible promoters (B. subtilis xylA (Pxyl) and spac (Pspac)) and two repressor genes (lacI and xylR). Pxyl-lacI was integrated into the B. subtilis genome with a target gene containing a desired mutation. The xylR and Pspac–chloramphenicol resistant genes (cat) were located on a helper plasmid. In the presence of xylose, repression of XylR by xylose induced LacI expression, the LacIs repressed the Pspac promoter and the cells become chloramphenicol sensitive. Thus, to survive in the presence of chloramphenicol, the cell must delete Pxyl-lacI by recombination between the wild-type and mutated target genes. The recombination leads to mutation of the target gene. The remaining helper plasmid was removed easily under the chloramphenicol absent condition. In this study, we showed base insertion, deletion and point mutation of the B. subtilis genome without leaving any foreign DNA behind. Additionally, we successfully deleted a 2-kb gene (amyE) and a 38-kb operon (ppsABCDE). This method will be useful to construct designer Bacillus strains for various industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Eun Jeong
- Super-Bacteria Research Center, KRIBB, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Park
- Super-Bacteria Research Center, KRIBB, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea Biosystems and Bioengineering Program, University of Science and Technology (UST), 217 Gajung-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-350, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Gu Pan
- Super-Bacteria Research Center, KRIBB, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Joong Kim
- Genofocus Inc., 533-1 Yongsan-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-500, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Keun Choi
- Super-Bacteria Research Center, KRIBB, 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea Biosystems and Bioengineering Program, University of Science and Technology (UST), 217 Gajung-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-350, Republic of Korea
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16
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17
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Dong H, Zhang D. Current development in genetic engineering strategies of Bacillus species. Microb Cell Fact 2014; 13:63. [PMID: 24885003 PMCID: PMC4030025 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-13-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The complete sequencing and annotation of the genomes of industrially-important Bacillus species has enhanced our understanding of their properties, and allowed advances in genetic manipulations in other Bacillus species. Post-genomic studies require simple and highly efficient tools to enable genetic manipulation. Here, we summarize the recent progress in genetic engineering strategies for Bacillus species. We review the available genetic tools that have been developed in Bacillus species, as well as methods developed in other species that may also be applicable in Bacillus. Furthermore, we address the limitations and challenges of the existing methods, and discuss the future research prospects in developing novel and useful tools for genetic modification of Bacillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China.
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18
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Rueff AS, Chastanet A, Domínguez-Escobar J, Yao Z, Yates J, Prejean MV, Delumeau O, Noirot P, Wedlich-Söldner R, Filipe SR, Carballido-López R. An early cytoplasmic step of peptidoglycan synthesis is associated to MreB in Bacillus subtilis. Mol Microbiol 2013; 91:348-62. [PMID: 24261876 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
MreB proteins play a major role during morphogenesis of rod-shaped bacteria by organizing biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan cell wall. However, the mechanisms underlying this process are not well understood. In Bacillus subtilis, membrane-associated MreB polymers have been shown to be associated to elongation-specific complexes containing transmembrane morphogenetic factors and extracellular cell wall assembly proteins. We have now found that an early intracellular step of cell wall synthesis is also associated to MreB. We show that the previously uncharacterized protein YkuR (renamed DapI) is required for synthesis of meso-diaminopimelate (m-DAP), an essential constituent of the peptidoglycan precursor, and that it physically interacts with MreB. Highly inclined laminated optical sheet microscopy revealed that YkuR forms uniformly distributed foci that exhibit fast motion in the cytoplasm, and are not detected in cells lacking MreB. We propose a model in which soluble MreB organizes intracellular steps of peptidoglycan synthesis in the cytoplasm to feed the membrane-associated cell wall synthesizing machineries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Stéphanie Rueff
- INRA, UMR1319 Micalis, F-78352, Jouy-en-Josas, France; AgroParisTech, UMR1319 Micalis, F-78352, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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19
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Shi T, Wang G, Wang Z, Fu J, Chen T, Zhao X. Establishment of a markerless mutation delivery system in Bacillus subtilis stimulated by a double-strand break in the chromosome. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81370. [PMID: 24282588 PMCID: PMC3839881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis has been a model for gram-positive bacteria and it has long been exploited for industrial and biotechnological applications. However, the availability of facile genetic tools for physiological analysis has generally lagged substantially behind traditional genetic models such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this work, we have developed an efficient, precise and scarless method for rapid multiple genetic modifications without altering the chromosome of B. subtilis. This method employs upp gene as a counter-selectable marker, double-strand break (DSB) repair caused by exogenous endonuclease I-SceI and comK overexpression for fast preparation of competent cell. Foreign dsDNA can be simply and efficiently integrated into the chromosome by double-crossover homologous recombination. The DSB repair is a potent inducement for stimulating the second intramolecular homologous recombination, which not only enhances the frequency of resolution by one to two orders of magnitude, but also selects for the resolved product. This method has been successfully and reiteratively used in B. subtilis to deliver point mutations, to generate in-frame deletions, and to construct large-scale deletions. Experimental results proved that it allowed repeated use of the selectable marker gene for multiple modifications and could be a useful technique for B. subtilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Shi
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Edinburgh-Tianjin Joint Research Centre for Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanglu Wang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Edinburgh-Tianjin Joint Research Centre for Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiwen Wang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Edinburgh-Tianjin Joint Research Centre for Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: addresses:
| | - Jing Fu
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Edinburgh-Tianjin Joint Research Centre for Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Edinburgh-Tianjin Joint Research Centre for Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueming Zhao
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Edinburgh-Tianjin Joint Research Centre for Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
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20
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Lin Z, Deng B, Jiao Z, Wu B, Xu X, Yu D, Li W. A versatile mini-mazF-cassette for marker-free targeted genetic modification in Bacillus subtilis. J Microbiol Methods 2013; 95:207-14. [PMID: 23911571 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2013.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
There are some drawbacks for MazF-cassette constructed in previous reports for marker-free genetic manipulation in Bacillus subtilis, including cloning-dependent methodology and non-strictly controlled expression system. In our study, the modifications on mazF-cassette are carried out, such as using mini Zeocin resistance gene as positive-selectable marker and strictly controlled xyl promoter from the B. subtilis to replace non-strictly controlled IPTG-inducible Pspac or xyl promoter from Bacillus megaterium. Then the mini-mazF-cassette was successfully applied to knock-out the amyE gene, to delete a 90-kb gene cluster, and to knock-in a green fluorescent protein expression cassette employing a cloning-independent methodology, without introducing undesirable redundant sequences at the modified locus in the B. subtilis 1A751. Besides, the mini-mazF-cassette could be used repeatedly to delete multiple genes or gene clusters with only a 2- to 2.5-kb PCR-fused fragment, which largely reduced the frequency of nucleic acid mutations generated by PCR compared to previous reports. We further demonstrated that the frequency of spontaneous mazF-resistant mutants was lower, and the frequency of generating desired clones was nearly 100%. The entire procedure for marker-free genetic manipulation using the mini-mazF-cassette can be finished in about 3days. This modified cassette has remarkable improvement compared to existing approaches and is applicable for available manipulating Bacillus species chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Lin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, People's Republic of China
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21
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Bacillus subtilis strain engineered for treatment of soil-transmitted helminth diseases. Appl Environ Microbiol 2013; 79:5527-32. [PMID: 23835175 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01854-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (hookworms, whipworms, and large roundworms) are agents of intestinal roundworm diseases of poverty that infect upwards of 2 billion people worldwide. A great challenge in treating these diseases is the development of anthelmintic therapeutics that are inexpensive, can be produced in great quantity, and are capable of delivery under varied and adverse environmental conditions. A potential solution to this challenge is the use of live bacteria that are acceptable for human consumption, e.g., Bacillus subtilis, and that can be engineered with therapeutic properties. In this study, we expressed the Bacillus thuringiensis anthelmintic protein Cry5B in a bacterial strain that has been used as a model for live bacterial therapy, Bacillus subtilis PY79. PY79 transformed with a Cry5B expression plasmid (PY79-Cry5B) is able to express Cry5B from the endogenous B. thuringiensis cry5B promoter. During sporulation of PY79-Cry5B, Cry5B is packaged as a crystal. Furthermore, Cry5B produced in PY79 is bioactive, with a 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of 4.3 μg/ml against the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. PY79-Cry5B was a significantly effective therapeutic in experimental Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworm infections of hamsters. A single 10-mg/kg (0.071 μmol/kg of body weight) dose of Cry5B administered as a Cry5B-PY79 spore crystal lysate achieved a 93% reduction in hookworm burdens, which is superior on a molar level to reductions seen with clinically used anthelmintics. Given that a bacterial strain such as this one can be produced cheaply in massive quantities, our results demonstrate that the engineering and delivery of live bacterial strains have great potential to treat a significant contributor to poverty worldwide, namely, hookworm disease and other soil-transmitted helminthiasis.
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22
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Liu L, Liu Y, Shin HD, Chen RR, Wang NS, Li J, Du G, Chen J. Developing Bacillus spp. as a cell factory for production of microbial enzymes and industrially important biochemicals in the context of systems and synthetic biology. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2013; 97:6113-27. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-013-4960-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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23
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Wen S, Yang J, Tan T. Full-length single-stranded PCR product mediated chromosomal integration in intact Bacillus subtilis. J Microbiol Methods 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2012.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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24
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Wang Y, Weng J, Waseem R, Yin X, Zhang R, Shen Q. Bacillus subtilis genome editing using ssDNA with short homology regions. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:e91. [PMID: 22422839 PMCID: PMC3384351 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we developed a simple and efficient Bacillus subtilis genome editing method in which targeted gene(s) could be inactivated by single-stranded PCR product(s) flanked by short homology regions and in-frame deletion could be achieved by incubating the transformants at 42°C. In this process, homologous recombination (HR) was promoted by the lambda beta protein synthesized under the control of promoter PRM in the lambda cI857 PRM–PR promoter system on a temperature sensitive plasmid pWY121. Promoter PR drove the expression of the recombinase gene cre at 42°C for excising the floxed (lox sites flanked) disruption cassette that contained a bleomycin resistance marker and a heat inducible counter-selectable marker (hewl, encoding hen egg white lysozyme). Then, we amplified the single-stranded disruption cassette using the primers that carried 70 nt homology extensions corresponding to the regions flanking the target gene. By transforming the respective PCR products into the B. subtilis that harbored pWY121 and incubating the resultant mutants at 42°C, we knocked out multiple genes in the same genetic background with no marker left. This process is simple and efficient and can be widely applied to large-scale genome analysis of recalcitrant Bacillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Plant Nutrition, College of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang Road, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, PR China
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25
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Zhang C, Zhang X, Yao Z, Lu Y, Lu F, Lu Z. A new method for multiple gene inactivations in Bacillus subtilis 168, producing a strain free of selectable markers. Can J Microbiol 2011; 57:427-36. [PMID: 21542786 DOI: 10.1139/w11-035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study describes a novel method for repeated gene inactivation in Bacillus subtilis 168. A B. subtilis strain (BS-PS) that is conditionally auxotrophic for lysine was obtained by replacing the PlysA promoter with the Pspac promoter. The homologous recombination integration vector PLC-T was constructed to contain lacI, which encodes a Pspac promoter repressor, and the chloromycetin resistance gene. Target genes were manipulated by generating an insertion sequence with two homologous arms and the target gene in PLC-T to create a specific integrating vector. Integration into the BS-PS chromosome occurred by a single crossover at either of the two homologous arms. The resulting transitional strain (BS-PS-PI) was chloromycetin resistant and lysine auxotrophic and had an unstable genome structure because of the duplication. Excision of lacI and chloromycetin resistance gene was achieved by a second single crossover at the duplication. Recovery of a lysine prototroph functioned as counter-selection and was identified by PCR. In this work, we inactivated nprE and aprE, two protease genes secreted by B. subtilis 168 free of selectable markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Zhang
- Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agriculture University, the People's Republic of China
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26
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Li R, Wang G, Shen B, Wang R, Song Y, Li S, Jiang J. Random transposon vectors pUTTns for the markerless integration of exogenous genes into gram-negative eubacteria chromosomes. J Microbiol Methods 2009; 79:220-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2009.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2009] [Revised: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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27
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Zakataeva NP, Nikitina OV, Gronskiy SV, Romanenkov DV, Livshits VA. A simple method to introduce marker-free genetic modifications into the chromosome of naturally nontransformable Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2009; 85:1201-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-009-2276-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2009] [Revised: 09/23/2009] [Accepted: 09/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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28
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Yang MM, Zhang WW, Bai XT, Li HX, Cen PL. Electroporation is a feasible method to introduce circularized or linearized DNA into B. subtilis chromosome. Mol Biol Rep 2009; 37:2207-13. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-009-9704-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2009] [Accepted: 07/29/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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29
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Liu S, Endo K, Ara K, Ozaki K, Ogasawara N. Introduction of marker-free deletions in Bacillus subtilis using the AraR repressor and the ara promoter. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2008; 154:2562-2570. [PMID: 18757790 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.2008/016881-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a system for the induction of marker-free mutation of Bacillus subtilis. The system features both the advantages of the use of antibiotic-resistance markers for mutant selection, and the ability to efficiently remove the markers, leaving unmarked mutations in the genome. It utilizes both a selective marker cassette and a counter-selective marker cassette. The selective marker cassette contains a chloramphenicol-resistance gene and the araR gene, which encodes the repressor for the arabinose operon (ara) of B. subtilis. The counter-selective marker cassette consists of a promoterless neomycin (Nm)-resistance gene (neo) fused to the ara promoter. First, the chromosomal araR locus is replaced with the counter-selective marker cassette by double-crossover homologous recombination and positive selection for Nm resistance. The selective marker cassette is connected with upstream and downstream sequences from the target locus, and is integrated into the upstream region of the target locus by a double-crossover event. This integration is also positively selected for, using chloramphenicol resistance. In the resultant strain, AraR, encoded by araR on the selective marker cassette, represses the expression of neo in the absence of l-arabinose. Finally, the eviction of the selective marker cassette together with the target locus is achieved by an intra-genomic single-crossover event between the two downstream regions of the target locus, and can be selected for based on Nm resistance, because of the excision of araR. The counter-selective marker cassette remaining in the genome, whose expression is switched on or off based on the excision or introduction of the selective marker cassette, is used again for the next round of deletion. Using this system, the 3.8 kb iolS-csbC region and the 41.8 kb hutM-csbC region have been efficiently and successfully deleted, without leaving markers in the target loci. The positive selection and simple procedure will make it a useful tool for the construction of multiple mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghao Liu
- Biological Science Laboratories, Kao Corporation, 2606 Akabane, Ichikai, Tochigi 321-3497, Japan
| | - Keiji Endo
- Biological Science Laboratories, Kao Corporation, 2606 Akabane, Ichikai, Tochigi 321-3497, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Ara
- Biological Science Laboratories, Kao Corporation, 2606 Akabane, Ichikai, Tochigi 321-3497, Japan
| | - Katsuya Ozaki
- Biological Science Laboratories, Kao Corporation, 2606 Akabane, Ichikai, Tochigi 321-3497, Japan
| | - Naotake Ogasawara
- Graduate School of Information Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan
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30
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Cre/lox system and PCR-based genome engineering in Bacillus subtilis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2008; 74:5556-62. [PMID: 18641148 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01156-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a fast and accurate method to engineer the Bacillus subtilis genome that involves fusing by PCR two flanking homology regions with an antibiotic resistance gene cassette bordered by two mutant lox sites (lox71 and lox66). The resulting PCR products were used directly to transform B. subtilis, and then transient Cre recombinase expression in the transformants was used to recombine lox71 and lox66 into a double-mutant lox72 site, thereby excising the marker gene. The mutation process could also be accomplished in 2 days by using a strain containing a cre isopropyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible expression cassette in the chromosome as the recipient or using the lox site-flanked cassette containing both the cre IPTG-inducible expression cassette and resistance marker. The in vivo recombination efficiencies of different lox pairs were compared; the lox72 site that remains in the chromosome after Cre recombination had a low affinity for Cre and did not interfere with subsequent rounds of Cre/lox mutagenesis. We used this method to inactivate a specific gene, to delete a long fragment, to realize the in-frame deletion of a target gene, to introduce a gene of interest, and to carry out multiple manipulations in the same background. Furthermore, it should also be applicable to large genome rearrangement.
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Vandevenne M, Gaspard G, Yilmaz N, Giannotta F, Frère JM, Galleni M, Filée P. Rapid and easy development of versatile tools to study protein/ligand interactions. Protein Eng Des Sel 2008; 21:443-51. [PMID: 18456870 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzn021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The system described here allows the expression of protein fragments into a solvent-exposed loop of a carrier protein, the beta-lactamase BlaP. When using Escherichia coli constitutive expression vectors, a positive selection of antibioresistant bacteria expressing functional hybrid beta-lactamases is achieved in the presence of beta-lactams making further screening of correctly folded and secreted hybrid beta-lactamases easier. Protease-specific recognition sites have been engineered on both sides of the beta-lactamase permissive loop in order to cleave off the exogenous protein fragment from the carrier protein by an original two-step procedure. According to our data, this approach constitutes a suitable alternative for production of difficult to express protein domains. This work demonstrates that the use of BlaP as a carrier protein does not alter the biochemical activity and the native disulphide bridge formation of the inserted chitin binding domain of the human macrophage chitotriosidase. We also report that the beta-lactamase activity of the hybrid protein can be used to monitor interactions between the inserted protein fragments and its ligands and to screen neutralizing molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vandevenne
- Macromolécules biologiques, Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, Liège, Belgium
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DeVito JA. Recombineering with tolC as a selectable/counter-selectable marker: remodeling the rRNA operons of Escherichia coli. Nucleic Acids Res 2007; 36:e4. [PMID: 18084036 PMCID: PMC2248734 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkm1084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This work describes the novel use of tolC as a selectable/counter-selectable marker for the facile modification of DNA in Escherichia coli. Expression of TolC (an outer membrane protein) confers relative resistance to toxic small molecules, while its absence renders the cell tolerant to colicin E1. These features, coupled with the lambdaredgam recombination system, allow for selection of tolC insertions/deletions anywhere on the E. coli chromosome or on plasmid DNA. This methodology obviates the need for minimal growth media, specialized wash protocols and the lengthy incubation times required by other published recombineering methods. As a rigorous test of the TolC selection system, six out of seven 23S rRNA genes were consecutively and seamlessly removed from the E. coli chromosome without affecting expression of neighboring genes within the complex rrn operons. The resulting plasmid-free strain retains one 23S rRNA gene (rrlC) in its natural location on the chromosome and is the first mutant of its kind. These new rRNA mutants will be useful in the study of rRNA gene regulation and ribosome function. Given its high efficiency, low background and facility in rich media, tolC selection is a broadly applicable method for the modification of DNA by recombineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A DeVito
- Discovery Biology, Rib-X Pharmaceuticals Inc., New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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Ongena M, Jourdan E, Adam A, Paquot M, Brans A, Joris B, Arpigny JL, Thonart P. Surfactin and fengycin lipopeptides of Bacillus subtilis as elicitors of induced systemic resistance in plants. Environ Microbiol 2007; 9:1084-90. [PMID: 17359279 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2006.01202.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 369] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Multiple strains of Bacillus spp. were demonstrated to stimulate plant defence responses. However, very little is known about the nature of molecular determinants secreted by these Gram-positive bacteria that are responsible for the elicitation of the induced systemic resistance (ISR) phenomenon. This study shows that the lipopeptides surfactins and fengycins may be involved in this elicitation process. In bean, pure fengycins and surfactins provided a significant ISR-mediated protective effect on bean plants, similar to the one induced by living cells of the producing strain S499. Moreover, experiments conducted on bean and tomato plants showed that overexpression of both surfactin and fengycin biosynthetic genes in the naturally poor producer Bacillus subtilis strain 168 was associated with a significant increase in the potential of the derivatives to induce resistance. In tomato cells, key enzymes of the lipoxygenase pathway appeared to be activated in resistant plants following induction by lipopeptide overproducers. To our knowledge, such lipopeptides constitute a novel class of compounds from non-pathogenic bacteria that can be perceived by plant cells as signals to initiate defence mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Ongena
- Centre Wallon de Biologie Industrielle, Service de Technologie Microbienne, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
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Chevigné A, Yilmaz N, Gaspard G, Giannotta F, François JM, Frère JM, Galleni M, Filée P. Use of bifunctional hybrid beta-lactamases for epitope mapping and immunoassay development. J Immunol Methods 2007; 320:81-93. [PMID: 17276454 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2006.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2006] [Revised: 11/20/2006] [Accepted: 12/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mapping of epitopes is a crucial step for the study of immune pathways, the engineering of vaccines and the development of immunoassays. In this work, the Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase BlaP has been engineered to display heterologous polypeptides in a permissive and solvent-exposed loop. When combined with phage display, this modified enzyme can be used for epitope mapping by cloning random gene fragments. The procedure presented in this paper allows the selection of large infectious phage libraries with high diversity and efficient beta-lactamase activities. A useful aspect of the proposed technique results from the possibility of using the beta-lactamase activity carried by phages to evaluate the proportion of immobilised phages during the successive enrichment steps of the library or competition experiments with the selected phages. Another advantage of the technique derives from the fact that the epitope is selected as a bifunctional hybrid protein, which can be overproduced and purified. The resulting recombinant protein associates an epitope with a specific and efficient enzymatic activity. This constitutes an original tool for immunoassay development. A virus influenza hemagglutinin (HA1)-gene fragment library has been generated with this system and used to identify a linear epitope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Chevigné
- Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, Institut de Chimie B6a, Université de Liège, Sart-Tilman, B4000 Liège, Belgium
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Zhang XZ, Yan X, Cui ZL, Hong Q, Li SP. mazF, a novel counter-selectable marker for unmarked chromosomal manipulation in Bacillus subtilis. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:e71. [PMID: 16714443 PMCID: PMC1464113 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we present a novel method for the directed genetic manipulation of the Bacillus subtilis chromosome free of any selection marker. Our new approach employed the Escherichia coli toxin gene mazF as a counter-selectable marker. The mazF gene was placed under the control of an isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible expression system and associated with a spectomycin-resistance gene to form the MazF cassette, which was flanked by two directly-repeated (DR) sequences. A double-crossover event between the linearized delivery vector and the chromosome integrated the MazF cassette into a target locus and yielded an IPTG-sensitive strain with spectomycin-resistance, in which the wild-type chromosome copy had been replaced by the modified copy at the targeted locus. Another single-crossover event between the two DR sequences led to the excision of the MazF cassette and generated a strain with IPTG resistance, thereby realizing the desired alteration to the chromosome without introducing any unwanted selection markers. We used this method repeatedly and successfully to inactivate a specific gene, to introduce a gene of interest and to realize the in-frame deletion of a target gene in the same strain. As there is no prerequisite strain for this method, it will be a powerful and universal tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shun-Peng Li
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel/Fax: +86 25 84396314;
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Le Breton Y, Mohapatra NP, Haldenwang WG. In vivo random mutagenesis of Bacillus subtilis by use of TnYLB-1, a mariner-based transposon. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006; 72:327-33. [PMID: 16391061 PMCID: PMC1352254 DOI: 10.1128/aem.72.1.327-333.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This report describes the construction and characterization of a mariner-based transposon system designed to be used in Bacillus subtilis, but potentially applicable to other gram-positive bacteria. Two pUC19-derived plasmids were created that contain the mariner-Himar1 transposase gene, modified for expression in B. subtilis, under the control of either sigmaA- or sigmaB-dependent promoters. Both plasmids also contain a transposable element (TnYLB-1) consisting of a Kan r cassette bracketed by the Himar1-recognized inverse terminal repeats, as well as the temperature-sensitive replicon and Erm r gene of pE194ts. TnYLB-1 transposes into the B. subtilis chromosome with high frequency (10(-2)) from either plasmid. Southern hybridization analyses of 15 transposants and sequence analyses of the insertion sites of 10 of these are consistent with random transposition, requiring only a "TA" dinucleotide as the essential target in the recipient DNA. Two hundred transposants screened for sporulation proficiency and auxotrophy yielded five Spo- clones, three with insertions in known sporulation genes (kinA, spoVT, and yqfD) and two in genes (ybaN and yubB) with unknown functions. Two auxotrophic mutants were identified among the 200 transposants, one with an insertion in lysA and another in a gene (yjzB) whose function is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoann Le Breton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, MSC 7758, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
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