1
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Lautenschläger N, Schmidt K, Schiffer C, Wulff TF, Hahnke K, Finstermeier K, Mansour M, Elsholz AKW, Charpentier E. Expanding the genetic toolbox for the obligate human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1395659. [PMID: 38911550 PMCID: PMC11190166 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1395659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic tools form the basis for the study of molecular mechanisms. Despite many recent advances in the field of genetic engineering in bacteria, genetic toolsets remain scarce for non-model organisms, such as the obligatory human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. To overcome this limitation and enable the straightforward investigation of gene functions in S. pyogenes, we have developed a comprehensive genetic toolset. By adapting and combining different tools previously applied in other Gram-positive bacteria, we have created new replicative and integrative plasmids for gene expression and genetic manipulation, constitutive and inducible promoters as well as fluorescence reporters for S. pyogenes. The new replicative plasmids feature low- and high-copy replicons combined with different resistance cassettes and a standardized multiple cloning site for rapid cloning procedures. We designed site-specific integrative plasmids and verified their integration by nanopore sequencing. To minimize the effect of plasmid integration on bacterial physiology, we screened publicly available RNA-sequencing datasets for transcriptionally silent sites. We validated this approach by designing the integrative plasmid pSpy0K6 targeting the transcriptionally silent gene SPy_1078. Analysis of the activity of different constitutive promoters indicated a wide variety of strengths, with the lactococcal promoter P 23 showing the strongest activity and the synthetic promoter P xylS2 showing the weakest activity. Further, we assessed the functionality of three inducible regulatory elements including a zinc- and an IPTG-inducible promoter as well as an erythromycin-inducible riboswitch that showed low-to-no background expression and high inducibility. Additionally, we demonstrated the applicability of two codon-optimized fluorescent proteins, mNeongreen and mKate2, as reporters in S. pyogenes. We therefore adapted the chemically defined medium called RPMI4Spy that showed reduced autofluorescence and enabled efficient signal detection in plate reader assays and fluorescence microscopy. Finally, we developed a plasmid-based system for genome engineering in S. pyogenes featuring the counterselection marker pheS*, which enabled the scarless deletion of the sagB gene. This new toolbox simplifies previously laborious genetic manipulation procedures and lays the foundation for new methodologies to study gene functions in S. pyogenes, leading to a better understanding of its virulence mechanisms and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katja Schmidt
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Thomas F. Wulff
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karin Hahnke
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Moïse Mansour
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Emmanuelle Charpentier
- Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Dierksheide KJ, Li GW. A historical sequence deletion in a commonly used Bacillus subtilis chromosome integration vector generates undetected loss-of-function mutations. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2024; 170:001455. [PMID: 38602388 PMCID: PMC11084560 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Since the 1980s, chromosome-integration vectors have been used as a core method of engineering Bacillus subtilis. One of the most frequently used vector backbones contains chromosomally derived regions that direct homologous recombination into the amyE locus. Here, we report a gap in the homology region inherited from the original amyE integration vector, leading to erroneous recombination in a subset of transformants and a loss-of-function mutation in the downstream gene. Internal to the homology arm that spans the 3' portion of amyE and the downstream gene ldh, an unintentional 227 bp deletion generates two crossover events. The major event yields the intended genotype, but the minor event, occurring in ~10 % of colonies, results in a truncation of ldh, which encodes lactate dehydrogenase. Although both types of colonies test positive for amyE disruption by starch plating, the potential defect in fermentative metabolism may be left undetected and confound the results of subsequent experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Julia Dierksheide
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Gene-Wei Li
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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3
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Öktem A, Pranoto DA, van Dijl JM. Post-translational secretion stress regulation in Bacillus subtilis is controlled by intra- and extracellular proteases. N Biotechnol 2024; 79:71-81. [PMID: 38158017 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is a prolific producer of industrial enzymes that are effectively harvested from the fermentation broth. However, the high capacity of B. subtilis for protein secretion has so far not been exploited to the full due to particular bottlenecks, including product degradation by extracellular proteases and counterproductive secretion stress responses. To unlock the Bacillus secretion pathway for difficult-to-produce proteins, various cellular interventions have been explored, including genome engineering. Our previous research has shown a superior performance of genome-reduced B. subtilis strains in the production of staphylococcal antigens compared to the parental strain 168. This was attributed, at least in part, to redirected secretion stress responses, including the presentation of elevated levels of the quality control proteases HtrA and HtrB that also catalyse protein folding. Here we show that this relates to the elimination of two homologous serine proteases, namely the cytosolic protease AprX and the extracellular protease AprE. This unprecedented posttranslational regulation of secretion stress effectors, like HtrA and HtrB, by the concerted action of cytosolic and extracellular proteases has important implications for the biotechnological application of microbial cell factories. In B. subtilis, this conclusion is underscored by extracellular degradation of the staphylococcal antigen IsaA by both AprX and AprE. Extracellular activity of the cytosolic protease AprX is remarkable since it shows that not only extracellular, but also intracellular proteases impact extracellular product levels. We therefore conclude that intracellular proteases represent new targets for improved recombinant protein production in microbial cell factories like B. subtilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşegül Öktem
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dicky A Pranoto
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Maarten van Dijl
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
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4
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Willdigg JR, Patel Y, Arquilevich BE, Subramanian C, Frank MW, Rock CO, Helmann JD. The Bacillus subtilis cell envelope stress-inducible ytpAB operon modulates membrane properties and contributes to bacitracin resistance. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0001524. [PMID: 38323910 PMCID: PMC10955860 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00015-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics that inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis trigger the activation of both specific and general protective responses. σM responds to diverse antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis. Here, we demonstrate that cell wall-inhibiting drugs, such as bacitracin and cefuroxime, induce the σM-dependent ytpAB operon. YtpA is a predicted hydrolase previously proposed to generate the putative lysophospholipid antibiotic bacilysocin (lysophosphatidylglycerol), and YtpB is the branchpoint enzyme for the synthesis of membrane-localized C35 terpenoids. Using targeted lipidomics, we reveal that YtpA is not required for the production of lysophosphatidylglycerol. Nevertheless, ytpA was critical for growth in a mutant strain defective for homeoviscous adaptation due to a lack of genes for the synthesis of branched chain fatty acids and the Des phospholipid desaturase. Consistently, overexpression of ytpA increased membrane fluidity as monitored by fluorescence anisotropy. The ytpA gene contributes to bacitracin resistance in mutants additionally lacking the bceAB or bcrC genes, which directly mediate bacitracin resistance. These epistatic interactions support a model in which σM-dependent induction of the ytpAB operon helps cells tolerate bacitracin stress, either by facilitating the flipping of the undecaprenyl phosphate carrier lipid or by impacting the assembly or function of membrane-associated complexes involved in cell wall homeostasis.IMPORTANCEPeptidoglycan synthesis inhibitors include some of our most important antibiotics. In Bacillus subtilis, peptidoglycan synthesis inhibitors induce the σM regulon, which is critical for intrinsic antibiotic resistance. The σM-dependent ytpAB operon encodes a predicted hydrolase (YtpA) and the enzyme that initiates the synthesis of C35 terpenoids (YtpB). Our results suggest that YtpA is critical in cells defective in homeoviscous adaptation. Furthermore, we find that YtpA functions cooperatively with the BceAB and BcrC proteins in conferring intrinsic resistance to bacitracin, a peptide antibiotic that binds tightly to the undecaprenyl-pyrophosphate lipid carrier that sustains peptidoglycan synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yesha Patel
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | | | - Chitra Subramanian
- Department of Host Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Matthew W. Frank
- Department of Host Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Charles O. Rock
- Department of Host Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - John D. Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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5
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Liu Y, LaBonte S, Brake C, LaFayette C, Rosebrock AP, Caudy AA, Straight PD. MOB rules: Antibiotic Exposure Reprograms Metabolism to Mobilize Bacillus subtilis in Competitive Interactions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.20.585991. [PMID: 38562742 PMCID: PMC10983992 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.20.585991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotics have dose-dependent effects on exposed bacteria. The medicinal use of antibiotics relies on their growth-inhibitory activities at sufficient concentrations. At subinhibitory concentrations, exposure effects vary widely among different antibiotics and bacteria. Bacillus subtilis responds to bacteriostatic translation inhibitors by mobilizing a population of cells (MOB-Mobilized Bacillus) to spread across a surface. How B. subtilis regulates the antibiotic-induced mobilization is not known. In this study, we used chloramphenicol to identify regulatory functions that B. subtilis requires to coordinate cell mobilization following subinhibitory exposure. We measured changes in gene expression and metabolism and mapped the results to a network of regulatory proteins that direct the mobile response. Our data reveal that several transcriptional regulators coordinately control the reprogramming of metabolism to support mobilization. The network regulates changes in glycolysis, nucleotide metabolism, and amino acid metabolism that are signature features of the mobilized population. Among the hundreds of genes with changing expression, we identified two, pdhA and pucA, where the magnitudes of their changes in expression, and in the abundance of associated metabolites, reveal hallmark metabolic features of the mobilized population. Using reporters of pdhA and pucA expression, we visualized the separation of major branches of metabolism in different regions of the mobilized population. Our results reveal a regulated response to chloramphenicol exposure that enables a population of bacteria in different metabolic states to mount a coordinated mobile response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjin Liu
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Department, Texas A&M University, AgriLife Research, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Sandra LaBonte
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Department, Texas A&M University, AgriLife Research, College Station, Texas, USA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics and Genomics,Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Courtney Brake
- Department of Visualization, Institute for Applied Creativity, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Carol LaFayette
- Department of Visualization, Institute for Applied Creativity, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | | | - Amy A. Caudy
- Maple Flavored Solutions, LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Paul D. Straight
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Department, Texas A&M University, AgriLife Research, College Station, Texas, USA
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics and Genomics,Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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6
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Put H, Gerstmans H, Vande Capelle H, Fauvart M, Michiels J, Masschelein J. Bacillus subtilis as a host for natural product discovery and engineering of biosynthetic gene clusters. Nat Prod Rep 2024. [PMID: 38465694 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00065f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Covering: up to October 2023Many bioactive natural products are synthesized by microorganisms that are either difficult or impossible to cultivate under laboratory conditions, or that produce only small amounts of the desired compound. By transferring biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) into alternative host organisms that are more easily cultured and engineered, larger quantities can be obtained and new analogues with potentially improved biological activity or other desirable properties can be generated. Moreover, expression of cryptic BGCs in a suitable host can facilitate the identification and characterization of novel natural products. Heterologous expression therefore represents a valuable tool for natural product discovery and engineering as it allows the study and manipulation of their biosynthetic pathways in a controlled setting, enabling innovative applications. Bacillus is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria that is widely used in industrial biotechnology as a host for the production of proteins from diverse origins, including enzymes and vaccines. However, despite numerous successful examples, Bacillus species remain underexploited as heterologous hosts for the expression of natural product BGCs. Here, we review important advantages that Bacillus species offer as expression hosts, such as high secretion capacity, natural competence for DNA uptake, and the increasing availability of a wide range of genetic tools for gene expression and strain engineering. We evaluate different strain optimization strategies and other critical factors that have improved the success and efficiency of heterologous natural product biosynthesis in B. subtilis. Finally, future perspectives for using B. subtilis as a heterologous host are discussed, identifying research gaps and promising areas that require further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Put
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Hans Gerstmans
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Discovery & Engineering, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Biosensors Group, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hanne Vande Capelle
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Discovery & Engineering, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Fauvart
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
- imec, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Michiels
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Joleen Masschelein
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Discovery & Engineering, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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7
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Guan Z, Song Y, de Vries M, Permentier H, Tepper P, van Merkerk R, Setroikromo R, Quax WJ. The Promiscuity of Squalene Synthase-Like Enzyme: Dehydrosqualene Synthase, a Natural Squalene Hyperproducer? JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:3017-3024. [PMID: 38315649 PMCID: PMC10870770 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Dehydrosqualene synthase (CrtM), as a squalene synthase-like enzyme from Staphylococcus aureus, can naturally utilize farnesyl diphosphate to produce dehydrosqualene (C30H48). However, no study has documented the natural production of squalene (C30H50) by CrtM. Here, based on an HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS study, we report that the expression of crtM in vitro or in Bacillus subtilis 168 both results in the output of squalene, dehydrosqualene, and phytoene (C40H64). Notably, wild-type CrtM exhibits a significantly higher squalene yield compared to squalene synthase (SQS) from Bacillus megaterium with an approximately 2.4-fold increase. Moreover, the examination of presqualene diphosphate's stereostructures in both CrtM and SQS enzymes provides further understanding into the presence of multiple identified terpenoids. In summary, this study not only provides insights into the promiscuity demonstrated by squalene synthase-like enzymes but also highlights a new strategy of utilizing CrtM as a potential replacement for SQS in cell factories, thereby enhancing squalene production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Guan
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen9713 AV, The Netherlands
| | - Yafeng Song
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen9713 AV, The Netherlands
- Guangdong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application,
State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510070, China
| | - Marcel de Vries
- Interfaculty
Mass Spectrometry Center, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen9713 AV, The Netherlands
| | - Hjalmar Permentier
- Interfaculty
Mass Spectrometry Center, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen9713 AV, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter Tepper
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen9713 AV, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald van Merkerk
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen9713 AV, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Setroikromo
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen9713 AV, The Netherlands
| | - Wim J. Quax
- Department
of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, Groningen Research Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen9713 AV, The Netherlands
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8
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Melville KT, Kamran M, Yao J, Costa M, Holland M, Taylor NL, Fritz G, Flematti GR, Waters MT. Perception of butenolides by Bacillus subtilis via the α/β hydrolase RsbQ. Curr Biol 2024; 34:623-631.e6. [PMID: 38183985 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
The regulation of behavioral and developmental decisions by small molecules is common to all domains of life. In plants, strigolactones and karrikins are butenolide growth regulators that influence several aspects of plant growth and development, as well as interactions with symbiotic fungi.1,2,3 DWARF14 (D14) and KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2) are homologous enzyme-receptors that perceive strigolactones and karrikins, respectively, and that require hydrolase activity to effect signal transduction.4,5,6,7 RsbQ, a homolog of D14 and KAI2 from the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, regulates growth responses to nutritional stress via the alternative transcription factor SigmaB (σB).8,9 However, the molecular function of RsbQ is unknown. Here, we show that RsbQ perceives butenolide compounds that are bioactive in plants. RsbQ is thermally destabilized by the synthetic strigolactone GR24 and its desmethyl butenolide equivalent dGR24. We show that, like D14 and KAI2, RsbQ is a functional butenolide hydrolase that undergoes covalent modification of the catalytic histidine residue. Exogenous application of both GR24 and dGR24 inhibited the endogenous signaling function of RsbQ in vivo, with dGR24 being 10-fold more potent. Application of dGR24 to B. subtilis phenocopied loss-of-function rsbQ mutations and led to a significant downregulation of σB-regulated transcripts. We also discovered that exogenous butenolides promoted the transition from planktonic to biofilm growth. Our results suggest that butenolides may serve as inter-kingdom signaling compounds between plants and bacteria to help shape rhizosphere communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim T Melville
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Muhammad Kamran
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jiaren Yao
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Marianne Costa
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Madeleine Holland
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Nicolas L Taylor
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia; Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Georg Fritz
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Gavin R Flematti
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Mark T Waters
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia.
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9
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Rondthaler S, Sarker B, Howitz N, Shah I, Andrews LB. Toolbox of Characterized Genetic Parts for Staphylococcus aureus. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:103-118. [PMID: 38064657 PMCID: PMC10805105 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an important clinical bacterium prevalent in human-associated microbiomes and the cause of many diseases. However, S. aureus has been intractable to synthetic biology approaches due to limited characterized genetic parts for this nonmodel Gram-positive bacterium. Moreover, genetic manipulation of S. aureus has relied on cumbersome and inefficient cloning strategies. Here, we report the first standardized genetic parts toolbox for S. aureus, which includes characterized promoters, ribosome binding sites, terminators, and plasmid replicons from a variety of bacteria for precise control of gene expression. We established a standard relative expression unit (REU) for S. aureus using a plasmid reference and characterized genetic parts in standardized REUs using S. aureus ATCC 12600. We constructed promoter and terminator part plasmids that are compatible with an efficient Type IIS DNA assembly strategy to effectively build multipart DNA constructs. A library of 24 constitutive promoters was built and characterized in S. aureus, which showed a 380-fold activity range. This promoter library was also assayed in Bacillus subtilis (122-fold activity range) to demonstrate the transferability of the constitutive promoters between these Gram-positive bacteria. By applying an iterative design-build-test-learn cycle, we demonstrated the use of our toolbox for the rational design and engineering of a tetracycline sensor in S. aureus using the PXyl-TetO aTc-inducible promoter that achieved 25.8-fold induction. This toolbox greatly expands the growing number of genetic parts for Gram-positive bacteria and will allow researchers to leverage synthetic biology approaches to study and engineer cellular processes in S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen
N. Rondthaler
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Biprodev Sarker
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Nathaniel Howitz
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Ishita Shah
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Lauren B. Andrews
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Molecular
and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University
of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Biotechnology
Training Program, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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10
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Dierksheide KJ, Li GW. A historical sequence deletion in a commonly used Bacillus subtilis chromosome integration vector generates undetected loss-of-function mutations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.04.574214. [PMID: 38260694 PMCID: PMC10802373 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.04.574214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Since the 1980s, chromosome-integration vectors have been used as a core method of engineering Bacillus subtilis. One of the most frequently used vector backbones contains chromosomally derived regions that direct homologous recombination into the amyE locus. Here, we report a gap in the homology region inherited from the original amyE integration vector, leading to erroneous recombination in a subset of transformants and a loss-of-function mutation in the downstream gene. Internal to the homology arm that spans the 3' portion of amyE and the downstream gene ldh, an unintentional 227-bp deletion generates two crossover events. The major event yields the intended genotype, but the minor event, occurring in ~10% of colonies, results in a truncation of ldh, which encodes lactate dehydrogenase. Although both types of colonies test positive for amyE disruption by starch plating, the potential defect in fermentative metabolism may be left undetected and confound the results of subsequent experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Julia Dierksheide
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Gene-Wei Li
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
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11
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Öktem A, Núñez-Nepomuceno D, Ferrero-Bordera B, Walgraeve J, Seefried M, Gesell Salazar M, Steil L, Michalik S, Maaß S, Becher D, Mäder U, Völker U, van Dijl JM. Enhancing bacterial fitness and recombinant enzyme yield by engineering the quality control protease HtrA of Bacillus subtilis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0177823. [PMID: 37819116 PMCID: PMC10715036 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01778-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In the expanding market of recombinant proteins, microbial cell factories such as Bacillus subtilis are key players. Microbial cell factories experience secretion stress during high-level production of secreted proteins, which can negatively impact product yield and cell viability. The CssRS two-component system and CssRS-regulated quality control proteases HtrA and HtrB play critical roles in the secretion stress response. HtrA has a presumptive dual function in protein quality control by exerting both chaperone-like and protease activities. However, its potential role as a chaperone has not been explored in B. subtilis. Here, we describe for the first time the beneficial effects of proteolytically inactive HtrA on α-amylase yields and overall bacterial fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşegül Öktem
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - David Núñez-Nepomuceno
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Borja Ferrero-Bordera
- Department of Microbial Proteomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | | | - Manuela Gesell Salazar
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Leif Steil
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stephan Michalik
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sandra Maaß
- Department of Microbial Proteomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dörte Becher
- Department of Microbial Proteomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ulrike Mäder
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Uwe Völker
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Maarten van Dijl
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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12
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van Schaik J, Li Z, Cheadle J, Crook N. Engineering the Maize Root Microbiome: A Rapid MoClo Toolkit and Identification of Potential Bacterial Chassis for Studying Plant-Microbe Interactions. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3030-3040. [PMID: 37712562 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Sustainably enhancing crop production is a global necessity to meet the escalating demand for staple crops while sustainably managing their associated carbon/nitrogen inputs. Leveraging plant-associated microbiomes is a promising avenue for addressing this demand. However, studying these communities and engineering them for sustainable enhancement of crop production have remained a challenge due to limited genetic tools and methods. In this work, we detail the development of the Maize Root Microbiome ToolKit (MRMTK), a rapid Modular Cloning (MoClo) toolkit that only takes 2.5 h to generate desired constructs (5400 potential plasmids) that replicate and express heterologous genes in Enterobacter ludwigii strain AA4 (Elu), Pseudomonas putida strain AA7 (Ppu), Herbaspirillum robiniae strain AA6 (Hro), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain AA1 (Sma), and Brucella pituitosa strain AA2 (Bpi), which comprise a model maize root synthetic community (SynCom). In addition to these genetic tools, we describe a highly efficient transformation protocol (107-109 transformants/μg of DNA) 1 for each of these strains. Utilizing this highly efficient transformation protocol, we identified endogenous Expression Sequences (ES; promoter and ribosomal binding sites) for each strain via genomic promoter trapping. Overall, MRMTK is a scalable and adaptable platform that expands the genetic engineering toolbox while providing a standardized, high-efficiency transformation method across a diverse group of root commensals. These results unlock the ability to elucidate and engineer plant-microbe interactions promoting plant growth for each of the 5 bacterial strains in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- John van Schaik
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Room 2109, Partners II, 840 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Zidan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Room 2109, Partners II, 840 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - John Cheadle
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Room 2109, Partners II, 840 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Nathan Crook
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Room 2109, Partners II, 840 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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13
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Tavares LF, Ribeiro NV, Zocca VFB, Corrêa GG, Amorim LAS, Lins MRCR, Pedrolli DB. Preventing Production Escape Using an Engineered Glucose-Inducible Genetic Circuit. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3124-3130. [PMID: 37772403 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
A proper balance of metabolic pathways is crucial for engineering microbial strains that can efficiently produce biochemicals on an industrial scale while maintaining cell fitness. High production loads can negatively impact cell fitness and hinder industrial-scale production. To address this, fine-tuning gene expression using engineered promoters and genetic circuits can promote control over multiple targets in pathways and reduce the burden. We took advantage of the robust carbon catabolite repression system of Bacillus subtilis to engineer a glucose-inducible genetic circuit that supports growth and production. The circuit is resilient, enabling a quick switch in the production status when exposed to the correct carbon source. By performing serial cultivations for 61 generations under repressive conditions, we preserved the production capacity of the cells, which could be fully accessed by switching to glucose in the next cultivation step. Switching to glucose after 61 generations resulted in 34-fold activation and generated 70% higher production in comparison to standard cultivation in glucose. Conversely, serial cultivation under permanent induction resulted in 62% production loss after 67 generations alongside an increase in the culture growth rate. As a pathway-independent circuit activated by the preferred carbon source, our engineered glucose-inducible genetic circuit is broadly useful and imposes no additional cost to traditional production processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo F Tavares
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Nathan V Ribeiro
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Vitória F B Zocca
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Graciely G Corrêa
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Laura A S Amorim
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Milca R C R Lins
- Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Campus Santo André, 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Danielle B Pedrolli
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
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14
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Milzarek TM, Stevanovic M, Milivojevic D, Vojnovic S, Iliasov D, Wolf D, Mascher T, Nikodinovic-Runic J, Gulder TAM. Antibiotic Potential of the Ambigol Cyanobacterial Natural Product Class and Simplified Synthetic Analogs. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1941-1948. [PMID: 37655776 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The ambigols are cyanobacterial natural products characterized by three polychlorinated aromatic building blocks connected by biaryl and biaryl ether bridges. All ambigols known to date possess promising biological activities. Most significantly, ambigol A was reported to have antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus megaterium and B. subtilis. We established a diverse compound library for in-depth biological evaluation building on our previous bio- and total synthetic research on this natural product family. To explore the antimicrobial potential in detail and to determine initial structure-activity relationships of this product class, a large set of dimeric and trimeric compounds were screened against selected bacterial and Candida target strains. Our results reveal exceptional antibiotic activity of the ambigols, especially against challenging clinical isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias M Milzarek
- Chair of Technical Biochemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Bergstraße 66, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Milena Stevanovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dusan Milivojevic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sandra Vojnovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Denis Iliasov
- Chair of General Microbiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Diana Wolf
- Chair of General Microbiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thorsten Mascher
- Chair of General Microbiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tobias A M Gulder
- Chair of Technical Biochemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Bergstraße 66, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Department of Natural Product Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
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15
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Li J, Zhang H, Li D, Liu YJ, Bayer EA, Cui Q, Feng Y, Zhu P. Structure of the transcription open complex of distinct σ I factors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6455. [PMID: 37833284 PMCID: PMC10575876 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41796-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial σI factors of the σ70-family are widespread in Bacilli and Clostridia and are involved in the heat shock response, iron metabolism, virulence, and carbohydrate sensing. A multiplicity of σI paralogues in some cellulolytic bacteria have been shown to be responsible for the regulation of the cellulosome, a multienzyme complex that mediates efficient cellulose degradation. Here, we report two structures at 3.0 Å and 3.3 Å of two transcription open complexes formed by two σI factors, SigI1 and SigI6, respectively, from the thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium, Clostridium thermocellum. These structures reveal a unique, hitherto-unknown recognition mode of bacterial transcriptional promoters, both with respect to domain organization and binding to promoter DNA. The key characteristics that determine the specificities of the σI paralogues were further revealed by comparison of the two structures. Consequently, the σI factors represent a distinct set of the σ70-family σ factors, thus highlighting the diversity of bacterial transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Haonan Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Dongyu Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Jun Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Edward A Bayer
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8499000, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Qiu Cui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Yingang Feng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Energy Institute, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, 266101, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
| | - Ping Zhu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.
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16
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Hamiot A, Lemy C, Krzewinski F, Faille C, Dubois T. Sporulation conditions influence the surface and adhesion properties of Bacillus subtilis spores. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1219581. [PMID: 37720141 PMCID: PMC10502511 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1219581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Spore-forming bacteria of the Bacillus subtilis group are responsible for recurrent contamination of processing lines in the food industry which can lead to food spoilage. The persistence of B. subtilis would be due to the high resistance of spores to extreme environmental condition and their propensity to contaminate surfaces. While it is well known that sporulation conditions modulate spore resistance properties, little is known about their effect on surface and adhesion properties. Here, we studied the impact of 13 sporulation conditions on the surface and adhesion properties of B. subtilis 168 spores. We showed that Ca2+ or Mg2+ depletion, lower oxygen availability, acidic pH as well as oxidative stresses during sporulation lead to the release of more hydrophobic and adherent spores. The consequences of these sporulation conditions on crust composition in carbohydrates and proteins were also evaluated. The crust glycans of spores produced in a sporulation medium depleted in Ca2+ or Mg2+ or oxygen-limited conditions were impaired and contained lower amounts of rhamnose and legionaminic acid. In addition, we showed that lower oxygen availability or addition of hydrogen peroxide during sporulation decreases the relative amount of two crust proteins (CgeA and CotY) and the changes observed in these conditions could be due to transcriptional repression of genes involved in crust synthesis in late stationary phase. The fact that sporulation conditions affect the ease with which spores can contaminate surfaces could explain the frequent and recurrent presence of B. subtilis spores in food processing lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Hamiot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INRAE, Centrale Lille, UMR 8207 - UMET - Unité Matériaux et Transformations, Lille, France
| | - Christelle Lemy
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INRAE, Centrale Lille, UMR 8207 - UMET - Unité Matériaux et Transformations, Lille, France
| | - Frederic Krzewinski
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Christine Faille
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INRAE, Centrale Lille, UMR 8207 - UMET - Unité Matériaux et Transformations, Lille, France
| | - Thomas Dubois
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INRAE, Centrale Lille, UMR 8207 - UMET - Unité Matériaux et Transformations, Lille, France
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17
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Zhang X, Li J, Chen C, Liu YJ, Cui Q, Hong W, Chen Z, Feng Y, Cui G. Molecular Basis of TcdR-Dependent Promoter Activity for Toxin Production by Clostridioides difficile Studied by a Heterologous Reporter System. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15050306. [PMID: 37235341 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The alternative σ factor TcdR controls the synthesis of two major enterotoxins: TcdA and TcdB in Clostridioides difficile. Four potential TcdR-dependent promoters in the pathogenicity locus of C. difficile showed different activities. In this study, we constructed a heterologous system in Bacillus subtilis to investigate the molecular basis of TcdR-dependent promoter activity. The promoters of the two major enterotoxins showed strong TcdR-dependent activity, while the two putative TcdR-dependent promoters in the upstream region of the tcdR gene did not show detectable activity, suggesting that the autoregulation of TcdR may need other unknown factors involved. Mutation analysis indicated that the divergent -10 region is the key determinant for different activities of the TcdR-dependent promoters. Analysis of the TcdR model predicted by AlphaFold2 suggested that TcdR should be classified into group 4, i.e., extracytoplasmic function, σ70 factors. The results of this study provide the molecular basis of the TcdR-dependent promoter recognition for toxin production. This study also suggests the feasibility of the heterologous system in analyzing σ factor functions and possibly in drug development targeting these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Joint Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori and Intestinal Microecology of Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Jie Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chao Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ya-Jun Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiu Cui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Hong
- Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zhenghong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Joint Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori and Intestinal Microecology of Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yingang Feng
- Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Single Cell Oil, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guzhen Cui
- Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou & Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Joint Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori and Intestinal Microecology of Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
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18
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Ghataora JS, Gebhard S, Reeksting BJ. Chimeric MerR-Family Regulators and Logic Elements for the Design of Metal Sensitive Genetic Circuits in Bacillus subtilis. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:735-749. [PMID: 36629785 PMCID: PMC10028694 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Whole-cell biosensors are emerging as promising tools for monitoring environmental pollutants such as heavy metals. These sensors constitute a genetic circuit comprising a sensing module and an output module, such that a detectable signal is produced in the presence of the desired analyte. The MerR family of metal-responsive regulators offers great potential for the construction of metal sensing circuits, due to their high sensitivity, tight transcription control, and large diversity in metal-specificity. However, the sensing diversity is broadest in Gram-negative systems, while chassis organisms are often selected from Gram-positive species, particularly sporulating bacilli. This can be problematic, because Gram-negative biological parts, such as promoters, are frequently observed to be nonfunctional in Gram-positive hosts. Herein, we combined construction of synthetic genetic circuits and chimeric MerR regulators, supported by structure-guided design, to generate metal-sensitive biosensor modules that are functional in the biotechnological work-horse species Bacillus subtilis. These chimeras consist of a constant Gram-positive derived DNA-binding domain fused to variable metal binding domains of Gram-negative origins. To improve the specificity of the whole-cell biosensor, we developed a modular "AND gate" logic system based on the B. subtilis two-subunit σ-factor, SigO-RsoA, designed to maximize future use for synthetic biology applications in B. subtilis. This work provides insights into the use of modular regulators, such as the MerR family, in the design of synthetic circuits for the detection of heavy metals, with potentially wider applicability of the approach to other systems and genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasdeep S Ghataora
- Life Sciences Department, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Susanne Gebhard
- Life Sciences Department, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Bianca J Reeksting
- Life Sciences Department, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
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19
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Termination factor Rho mediates transcriptional reprogramming of Bacillus subtilis stationary phase. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010618. [PMID: 36735730 PMCID: PMC9931155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination factor Rho is known for its ubiquitous role in suppression of pervasive, mostly antisense, transcription. In the model Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, de-repression of pervasive transcription by inactivation of rho revealed the role of Rho in the regulation of post-exponential differentiation programs. To identify other aspects of the regulatory role of Rho during adaptation to starvation, we have constructed a B. subtilis strain (Rho+) that expresses rho at a relatively stable high level in order to compensate for its decrease in the wild-type cells entering stationary phase. The RNAseq analysis of Rho+, WT and Δrho strains (expression profiles can be visualized at http://genoscapist.migale.inrae.fr/seb_rho/) shows that Rho over-production enhances the termination efficiency of Rho-sensitive terminators, thus reducing transcriptional read-through and antisense transcription genome-wide. Moreover, the Rho+ strain exhibits global alterations of sense transcription with the most significant changes observed for the AbrB, CodY, and stringent response regulons, forming the pathways governing the transition to stationary phase. Subsequent physiological analyses demonstrated that maintaining rho expression at a stable elevated level modifies stationary phase-specific physiology of B. subtilis cells, weakens stringent response, and thereby negatively affects the cellular adaptation to nutrient limitations and other stresses, and blocks the development of genetic competence and sporulation. These results highlight the Rho-specific termination of transcription as a novel element controlling stationary phase. The release of this control by decreasing Rho levels during the transition to stationary phase appears crucial for the functionality of complex gene networks ensuring B. subtilis survival in stationary phase.
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20
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Garg A, Jers C, Hwang HJ, Kalantari A, Ventina I, Mijakovic I. Engineering Bacillus subtilis for production of 3-hydroxypropanoic acid. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1101232. [PMID: 36726744 PMCID: PMC9885095 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1101232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is a valuable platform chemical that is used as a precursor for several higher value-added chemical products. There is an increased interest in development of cell factories as a means for the synthesis of 3-HP and various other platform chemicals. For more than a decade, concentrated effort has been invested by the scientific community towards developing bio-based approaches for the production of 3-HP using primarily Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae as production hosts. These hosts however might not be optimal for applications in e.g., food industry due primarily to endotoxin production and the pathogenic origin of particularly the K. pneumoniae. We have previously demonstrated that the generally recognized as safe organism Bacillus subtilis can be engineered to produce 3-HP using glycerol, an abundant by-product of the biodiesel industry, as substrate. For commercial exploitation, there is a need to substantially increase the titer. In the present study, we optimized the bioprocess conditions and further engineered the B. subtilis 3-HP production strain. Thereby, using glycerol as substrate, we were able to improve 3-HP production in a 1-L bioreactor to a final titer of 22.9 g/L 3-HP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhroop Garg
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Carsten Jers
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Hee Jin Hwang
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Division, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden,Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, World cup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, South Korea
| | - Aida Kalantari
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Division, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ildze Ventina
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ivan Mijakovic
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark,Systems and Synthetic Biology Division, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden,*Correspondence: Ivan Mijakovic,
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21
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Popp PF, Lozano-Cruz T, Dürr F, Londaitsbehere A, Hartig J, de la Mata FJ, Gómez R, Mascher T, Revilla-Guarinos A. The Novel Synthetic Antibiotic BDTL049 Based on a Dendritic System Induces Lipid Domain Formation while Escaping the Cell Envelope Stress Resistance Determinants. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:297. [PMID: 36678925 PMCID: PMC9866484 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The threat of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is ever increasing and over the past-decades development of novel therapeutic counter measurements have virtually come to a halt. This circumstance calls for interdisciplinary approaches to design, evaluate and validate the mode of action of novel antibacterial compounds. Hereby, carbosilane dendritic systems that exhibit antimicrobial properties have the potential to serve as synthetic and rationally designed molecules for therapeutic use. The bow-tie type topology of BDTL049 was recently investigated against the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis, revealing strong bactericidal properties. In this study, we follow up on open questions concerning the usability of BDTL049. For this, we synthesized a fluorescent-labeled version of BDTL049 that maintained all antimicrobial features to unravel the interaction of the compound and bacterial membrane. Subsequently, we highlight the bacterial sensitivity against BDTL049 by performing a mutational study of known resistance determinants. Finally, we address the cytotoxicity of the compound in human cells, unexpectedly revealing a high sensitivity of the eukaryotic cells upon BDTL049 exposure. The insights presented here further elaborate on the unique features of BDTL049 as a promising candidate as an antimicrobial agent while not precluding that further rounds of rational designing are needed to decrease cytotoxicity to ultimately pave the way for synthetic antibiotics toward clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp F. Popp
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Tania Lozano-Cruz
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Franziska Dürr
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Addis Londaitsbehere
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Johanna Hartig
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Francisco Javier de la Mata
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Gómez
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Thorsten Mascher
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ainhoa Revilla-Guarinos
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217 Dresden, Germany
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22
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Kobras CM, Morris SM, Mascher T, Gebhard S. Application of a Bacillus subtilis Whole-Cell Biosensor (P liaI-lux) for the Identification of Cell Wall Active Antibacterial Compounds. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2601:259-270. [PMID: 36445588 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2855-3_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Whole-cell biosensors, based on the visualization of a reporter strain's response to a particular stimulus, are a robust and cost-effective means to monitor defined environmental conditions or the presence of chemical compounds. One specific field in which such biosensors are frequently applied is drug discovery, that is, the screening of large numbers of bacterial or fungal strains for the production of antimicrobial compounds. Here, we describe the application of a luminescence-based Bacillus subtilis biosensor for the discovery of cell wall active substances; this article is an update to our previous chapter published in 2017. The system is based on the well-characterized promoter PliaI, which is induced in response to a wide range of conditions that cause cell envelope stress, particularly antibiotics that interfere with the membrane-anchored steps of cell wall biosynthesis. A simple "spot-on-lawn" assay, where colonies of potential producer strains are grown directly on a lawn of the reporter strain, allows for quantitative and time-resolved detection of antimicrobial compounds. Due to the very low technical demands of this procedure, we expect it to be easily applicable to a large variety of candidate producer strains and growth conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Martina Kobras
- Life Sciences Department, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sali May Morris
- Life Sciences Department, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Thorsten Mascher
- Institut für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Gebhard
- Life Sciences Department, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
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23
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Wu Y, Kawabata H, Kita K, Ishikawa S, Tanaka K, Yoshida KI. Constitutive glucose dehydrogenase elevates intracellular NADPH levels and luciferase luminescence in Bacillus subtilis. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:266. [PMID: 36539761 PMCID: PMC9768902 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01993-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic modifications in Bacillus subtilis have allowed the conversion of myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol, which is proposed as a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease. This conversion comprises two reactions catalyzed by two distinct inositol dehydrogenases, IolG and IolW. The IolW-mediated reaction requires the intracellular regeneration of NADPH, and there appears to be a limit to the endogenous supply of NADPH, which may be one of the rate-determining factors for the conversion of inositol. The primary mechanism of NADPH regeneration in this bacterium remains unclear. RESULTS The gdh gene of B. subtilis encodes a sporulation-specific glucose dehydrogenase that can use NADP+ as a cofactor. When gdh was modified to be constitutively expressed, the intracellular NADPH level was elevated, increasing the conversion of inositol. In addition, the bacterial luciferase derived from Photorhabdus luminescens became more luminescent in cells in liquid culture and colonies on culture plates. CONCLUSION The results indicated that the luminescence of luciferase was representative of intracellular NADPH levels. Luciferase can therefore be employed to screen for mutations in genes involved in NADPH regeneration in B. subtilis, and artificial manipulation to enhance NADPH regeneration can promote the production of substances such as scyllo-inositol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzheng Wu
- grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe, 657 8501 Japan
| | - Honami Kawabata
- grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe, 657 8501 Japan
| | - Kyosuke Kita
- grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe, 657 8501 Japan
| | - Shu Ishikawa
- grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe, 657 8501 Japan
| | - Kan Tanaka
- grid.32197.3e0000 0001 2179 2105Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.419082.60000 0004 1754 9200Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Yoshida
- grid.31432.370000 0001 1092 3077Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe, 657 8501 Japan
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24
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Chemla Y, Dorfan Y, Yannai A, Meng D, Cao P, Glaven S, Gordon DB, Elbaz J, Voigt CA. Parallel engineering of environmental bacteria and performance over years under jungle-simulated conditions. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278471. [PMID: 36516154 PMCID: PMC9750038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered bacteria could perform many functions in the environment, for example, to remediate pollutants, deliver nutrients to crops or act as in-field biosensors. Model organisms can be unreliable in the field, but selecting an isolate from the thousands that naturally live there and genetically manipulating them to carry the desired function is a slow and uninformed process. Here, we demonstrate the parallel engineering of isolates from environmental samples by using the broad-host-range XPORT conjugation system (Bacillus subtilis mini-ICEBs1) to transfer a genetic payload to many isolates in parallel. Bacillus and Lysinibacillus species were obtained from seven soil and water samples from different locations in Israel. XPORT successfully transferred a genetic function (reporter expression) into 25 of these isolates. They were then screened to identify the best-performing chassis based on the expression level, doubling time, functional stability in soil, and environmentally-relevant traits of its closest annotated reference species, such as the ability to sporulate and temperature tolerance. From this library, we selected Bacillus frigoritolerans A3E1, re-introduced it to soil, and measured function and genetic stability in a contained environment that replicates jungle conditions. After 21 months of storage, the engineered bacteria were viable, could perform their function, and did not accumulate disruptive mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonatan Chemla
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yuval Dorfan
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Adi Yannai
- School of Molecular Cell Biology & Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dechuan Meng
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Paul Cao
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarah Glaven
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - D. Benjamin Gordon
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Johann Elbaz
- School of Molecular Cell Biology & Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Christopher A. Voigt
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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25
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Dong X, Guthrie BGH, Alexander M, Noecker C, Ramirez L, Glasser NR, Turnbaugh PJ, Balskus EP. Genetic manipulation of the human gut bacterium Eggerthella lenta reveals a widespread family of transcriptional regulators. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7624. [PMID: 36494336 PMCID: PMC9734109 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33576-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Eggerthella lenta is a prevalent human gut Actinobacterium implicated in drug, dietary phytochemical, and bile acid metabolism and associated with multiple human diseases. No genetic tools are currently available for the direct manipulation of E. lenta. Here, we construct shuttle vectors and develop methods to transform E. lenta and other Coriobacteriia. With these tools, we characterize endogenous E. lenta constitutive and inducible promoters using a reporter system and construct inducible expression systems, enabling tunable gene regulation. We also achieve genome editing by harnessing an endogenous type I-C CRISPR-Cas system. Using these tools to perform genetic knockout and complementation, we dissect the functions of regulatory proteins and enzymes involved in catechol metabolism, revealing a previously unappreciated family of membrane-spanning LuxR-type transcriptional regulators. Finally, we employ our genetic toolbox to study the effects of E. lenta genes on mammalian host biology. By greatly expanding our ability to study and engineer gut Coriobacteriia, these tools will reveal mechanistic details of host-microbe interactions and provide a roadmap for genetic manipulation of other understudied human gut bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyang Dong
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Ben G H Guthrie
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Margaret Alexander
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Cecilia Noecker
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Lorenzo Ramirez
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Nathaniel R Glasser
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Peter J Turnbaugh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Emily P Balskus
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
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26
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Sim S, Hui Y, Tirrell DA. 3D-Printable Cellular Composites for the Production of Recombinant Proteins. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:4687-4695. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seunghyun Sim
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Yue Hui
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - David A. Tirrell
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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27
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Greeson EM, Madsen CS, Makela AV, Contag CH. Magnetothermal Control of Temperature-Sensitive Repressors in Superparamagnetic Iron Nanoparticle-Coated Bacillus subtilis. ACS NANO 2022; 16:16699-16712. [PMID: 36200984 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c06239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic particle imaging (MPI), and resulting images can be used to guide magnetothermal heating. Alternating magnetic fields (AMF) cause local temperature increases in regions with SPIONs, and we investigated the ability of magnetic hyperthermia to regulate temperature-sensitive repressors (TSRs) of bacterial transcription. The TSR, TlpA39, was derived from a Gram-negative bacterium and used here for thermal control of reporter gene expression in Gram-positive, Bacillus subtilis. In vitro heating of B. subtilis with TlpA39 controlling bacterial luciferase expression resulted in a 14.6-fold (12 hours; h) and 1.8-fold (1 h) increase in reporter transcripts with a 10.0-fold (12 h) and 12.1-fold (1 h) increase in bioluminescence. To develop magnetothermal control, B. subtilis cells were coated with three SPION variations. Electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed an external association with, and retention of, SPIONs on B. subtilis. Furthermore, using long duration AMF we demonstrated magnetothermal induction of the TSRs in SPION-coated B. subtilis with a maximum of 5.6-fold increases in bioluminescence. After intramuscular injections of SPION-coated B. subtilis, histology revealed that SPIONs remained in the same locations as the bacteria. For in vivo studies, 1 h of AMF is the maximum exposure due to anesthesia constraints. Both in vitro and in vivo, there was no change in bioluminescence after 1 h of AMF treatment. Pairing TSRs with magnetothermal energy using SPIONs for localized heating with AMF can lead to transcriptional control that expands options for targeted bacteriotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Greeson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Cody S Madsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Ashley V Makela
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Christopher H Contag
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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28
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Revilla-Guarinos A, Popp PF, Dürr F, Lozano-Cruz T, Hartig J, de la Mata FJ, Gómez R, Mascher T. Synthesis and mechanism-of-action of a novel synthetic antibiotic based on a dendritic system with bow-tie topology. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:912536. [PMID: 36090105 PMCID: PMC9459136 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.912536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the course of the last decades, the continuous exposure of bacteria to antibiotics-at least in parts due to misprescription, misuse, and misdosing-has led to the widespread development of antimicrobial resistances. This development poses a threat to the available medication in losing their effectiveness in treating bacterial infections. On the drug development side, only minor advances have been made to bring forward novel therapeutics. In addition to increasing the efforts and approaches of tapping the natural sources of new antibiotics, synthetic approaches to developing novel antimicrobials are being pursued. In this study, BDTL049 was rationally designed using knowledge based on the properties of natural antibiotics. BDTL049 is a carbosilane dendritic system with bow-tie type topology, which has antimicrobial activity at concentrations comparable to clinically established natural antibiotics. In this report, we describe its mechanism of action on the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis. Exposure to BDTL049 resulted in a complex transcriptional response, which pointed toward disturbance of the cell envelope homeostasis accompanied by disruption of other central cellular processes of bacterial metabolism as the primary targets of BDTL049 treatment. By applying a combination of whole-cell biosensors, molecular staining, and voltage sensitive dyes, we demonstrate that the mode of action of BDTL049 comprises membrane depolarization concomitant with pore formation. As a result, this new molecule kills Gram-positive bacteria within minutes. Since BDTL049 attacks bacterial cells at different targets simultaneously, this might decrease the chances for the development of bacterial resistances, thereby making it a promising candidate for a future antimicrobial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainhoa Revilla-Guarinos
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Philipp F. Popp
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franziska Dürr
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tania Lozano-Cruz
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Johanna Hartig
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Francisco Javier de la Mata
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Gómez
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Research Institute in Chemistry “Andrés M. Del Río” (IQAR), University de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Thorsten Mascher
- Department of General Microbiology, Institut Für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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29
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Hui Y, Cui Z, Sim S. Stress-Tolerant, Recyclable, and Renewable Biocatalyst Platform Enabled by Engineered Bacterial Spores. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2857-2868. [PMID: 35878063 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Here, we describe a stress-tolerant, recyclable, and renewable biocatalyst platform based on T7 RNA polymerase-enabled high-density protein display on bacterial spores (TIED). TIED uses high-level T7 RNA polymerase-driven expression of recombinant proteins specifically in sporulating cells to allow spontaneous assembly of recombinant fusion proteins on the Bacillus subtilis spore surface. TIED enables high loading density in the range of 106 to 107 recombinant enzymes per spore, robust catalytic activity of displayed enzymes comparable to the respective free enzymes, and enhanced kinetic stability of displayed enzymes in methanol and elevated temperatures. Furthermore, we demonstrate TIED enzymes to be not only recyclable but also fully renewable after the loss of activity through induction of germination and sporulation, enabling perpetual regeneration of these immobilized biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hui
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Ziyu Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Seunghyun Sim
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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30
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Mitra S, Dhar R, Sen R. Designer bacterial cell factories for improved production of commercially valuable non-ribosomal peptides. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:108023. [PMID: 35872292 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Non-ribosomal peptides have gained significant attention as secondary metabolites of high commercial importance. This group houses a diverse range of bioactive compounds, ranging from biosurfactants to antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents. However, low yield of synthesis by bacteria and excessive losses during purification hinders the industrial-scale production of non-ribosomal peptides, and subsequently limits their widespread applicability. While isolation of efficient producer strains and optimization of bioprocesses have been extensively used to enhance yield, further improvement can be made by optimization of the microbial strain using the tools and techniques of metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, systems biology, and adaptive laboratory evolution. These techniques, which directly target the genome of producer strains, aim to redirect carbon and nitrogen fluxes of the metabolic network towards the desired product, bypass the feedback inhibition and repression mechanisms that limit the maximum productivity of the strain, and even extend the substrate range of the cell for synthesis of the target product. The present review takes a comprehensive look into the biosynthesis of bacterial NRPs, how the same is regulated by the cell, and dives deep into the strategies that have been undertaken for enhancing the yield of NRPs, while also providing a perspective on other potential strategies that can allow for further yield improvement. Furthermore, this review provides the reader with a holistic perspective on the design of cellular factories of NRP production, starting from general techniques performed in the laboratory to the computational techniques that help a biochemical engineer model and subsequently strategize the architectural plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayak Mitra
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
| | - Riddhiman Dhar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India.
| | - Ramkrishna Sen
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India.
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31
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Krüger A, Welsch N, Dürwald A, Brundiek H, Wardenga R, Piascheck H, Mengers HG, Krabbe J, Beyer S, Kabisch JF, Popper L, Hübel T, Antranikian G, Schweder T. A host-vector toolbox for improved secretory protein overproduction in Bacillus subtilis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5137-5151. [PMID: 35802157 PMCID: PMC9329435 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12062-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Target proteins in biotechnological applications are highly diverse. Therefore, versatile flexible expression systems for their functional overproduction are required. In order to find the right heterologous gene expression strategy, suitable host-vector systems, which combine different genetic circuits, are useful. In this study, we designed a novel Bacillus subtilis expression toolbox, which allows the overproduction and secretion of potentially toxic enzymes. This toolbox comprises a set of 60 expression vectors, which combine two promoter variants, four strong secretion signals, a translation-enhancing downstream box, and three plasmid backbones. This B. subtilis toolbox is based on a tailor-made, clean deletion mutant strain, which is protease and sporulation deficient and exhibits reduced autolysis and secondary metabolism. The appropriateness of this alternative expression platform was tested for the overproduction of two difficult-to-produce eukaryotic model proteins. These included the sulfhydryl oxidase Sox from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which forms reactive hydrogen peroxide and undesired cross-linking of functional proteins, and the human interleukin-1β, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. For the best performing Sox and interleukin, overproducing and secreting variants of these new B. subtilis toolbox fermentation strategies were developed and tested. This study demonstrates the suitability of the prokaryotic B. subtilis host-vector system for the extracellular production of two eukaryotic proteins with biotechnological relevance. Key points • Construction of a versatile Bacillus subtilis gene expression toolbox. • Verification of the toolbox by the secretory overproduction of two difficult-to-express proteins. • Fermentation strategy for an acetoin-controlled overproduction of heterologous proteins. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00253-022-12062-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Krüger
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Kasernenstr. 12, 21073, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Norma Welsch
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 3, 17487, Greifswald, Germany.,Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 49, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alexandra Dürwald
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 3, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Henrike Brundiek
- Enzymicals AG, Walther-Rathenau-Straße 49a, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rainer Wardenga
- Enzymicals AG, Walther-Rathenau-Straße 49a, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Henning Piascheck
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Kasernenstr. 12, 21073, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik G Mengers
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jana Krabbe
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 3, 17487, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, HKI, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Sandra Beyer
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 3, 17487, Greifswald, Germany.,Bioprocess Center, Eppendorf AG, Rudolf-Schulten-Str. 5, 52428, Jülich, Germany
| | - Johannes F Kabisch
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 3, 17487, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, NTNU, Sem Sælands vei 6, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lutz Popper
- Stern Enzym GmbH & Co. KG, Kurt-Fischer-Str. 55, 22926, Ahrensburg, Germany
| | - Tanno Hübel
- Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Robert-Koch-Str. 1, 17166, Teterow, Germany
| | - Garabed Antranikian
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Kasernenstr. 12, 21073, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schweder
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 3, 17487, Greifswald, Germany. .,Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Walther-Rathenau-Str. 49, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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Lins MRDCR, Corrêa GG, Amorim LADS, Franco RAL, Ribeiro NV, Jesus VND, Pedrolli DB. Characterization of Five Purine Riboswitches in Cellular and Cell-Free Expression Systems. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:207. [PMID: 35622174 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-02902-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis employs five purine riboswitches for the control of purine de novo synthesis and transport at the transcription level. All of them are formed by a structurally conserved aptamer, and a variable expression platform harboring a rho-independent transcription terminator. In this study, we characterized all five purine riboswitches under the context of active gene expression processes both in vitro and in vivo. We identified transcription pause sites located in the expression platform upstream of the terminator of each riboswitch. Moreover, we defined a correlation between in vitro transcription readthrough and in vivo gene expression. Our in vitro assay demonstrated that the riboswitches operate in the micromolar range of concentration for the cognate metabolite. Our in vivo assay showed the dynamics of the control of gene expression by each riboswitch. This study deepens the knowledge of the regulatory mechanism of purine riboswitches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milca Rachel da Costa Ribeiro Lins
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Graciely Gomes Corrêa
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Laura Araujo da Silva Amorim
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Rafael Augusto Lopes Franco
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Nathan Vinicius Ribeiro
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Victor Nunes de Jesus
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Danielle Biscaro Pedrolli
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil.
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Juskewitz E, Mishchenko E, Dubey VK, Jenssen M, Jakubec M, Rainsford P, Isaksson J, Andersen JH, Ericson JU. Lulworthinone: In Vitro Mode of Action Investigation of an Antibacterial Dimeric Naphthopyrone Isolated from a Marine Fungus. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20050277. [PMID: 35621928 PMCID: PMC9147123 DOI: 10.3390/md20050277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment options for infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are rendered ineffective, and drug alternatives are needed—either from new chemical classes or drugs with new modes of action. Historically, natural products have been important contributors to drug discovery. In a recent study, the dimeric naphthopyrone lulworthinone produced by an obligate marine fungus in the family Lulworthiaceae was discovered. The observed potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including several clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates, prompted this follow-up mode of action investigation. This paper aimed to characterize the antibacterial mode of action (MOA) of lulworthinone by combining in vitro assays, NMR experiments and microscopy. The results point to a MOA targeting the bacterial membrane, leading to improper cell division. Treatment with lulworthinone induced an upregulation of genes responding to cell envelope stress in Bacillus subtilis. Analysis of the membrane integrity and membrane potential indicated that lulworthinone targets the bacterial membrane without destroying it. This was supported by NMR experiments using artificial lipid bilayers. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that lulworthinone affects cell morphology and impedes the localization of the cell division protein FtsZ. Surface plasmon resonance and dynamic light scattering assays showed that this activity is linked with the compound‘s ability to form colloidal aggregates. Antibacterial agents acting at cell membranes are of special interest, as the development of bacterial resistance to such compounds is deemed more difficult to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Juskewitz
- Research Group for Host Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (E.M.); (V.K.D.)
- Correspondence: (E.J.); (J.U.E.)
| | - Ekaterina Mishchenko
- Research Group for Host Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (E.M.); (V.K.D.)
| | - Vishesh K. Dubey
- Research Group for Host Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (E.M.); (V.K.D.)
| | - Marte Jenssen
- Marbio, The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (M.J.); (J.H.A.)
| | - Martin Jakubec
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (M.J.); (P.R.); (J.I.)
| | - Philip Rainsford
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (M.J.); (P.R.); (J.I.)
| | - Johan Isaksson
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (M.J.); (P.R.); (J.I.)
| | - Jeanette H. Andersen
- Marbio, The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (M.J.); (J.H.A.)
| | - Johanna U. Ericson
- Research Group for Host Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (E.M.); (V.K.D.)
- Correspondence: (E.J.); (J.U.E.)
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Zhang Q, Kobras CM, Gebhard S, Mascher T, Wolf D. Regulation of heterologous subtilin production in Bacillus subtilis W168. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:57. [PMID: 35392905 PMCID: PMC8991943 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01782-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Subtilin is a peptide antibiotic (lantibiotic) natively produced by Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633. It is encoded in a gene cluster spaBTCSIFEGRK (spa-locus) consisting of four transcriptional units: spaS (subtilin pre-peptide), spaBTC (modification and export), spaIFEG (immunity) and spaRK (regulation). Despite the pioneer understanding on subtilin biosynthesis, a robust platform to facilitate subtilin research and improve subtilin production is still a poorly explored spot. Results In this work, the intact spa-locus was successfully integrated into the chromosome of Bacillus subtilis W168, which is the by far best-characterized Gram-positive model organism with powerful genetics and many advantages in industrial use. Through systematic analysis of spa-promoter activities in B. subtilis W168 wild type and mutant strains, our work demonstrates that subtilin is basally expressed in B. subtilis W168, and the transition state regulator AbrB strongly represses subtilin biosynthesis in a growth phase-dependent manner. The deletion of AbrB remarkably enhanced subtilin gene expression, resulting in comparable yield of bioactive subtilin production as for B. subtilis ATCC6633. However, while in B. subtilis ATCC6633 AbrB regulates subtilin gene expression via SigH, which in turn activates spaRK, AbrB of B. subtilis W168 controls subtilin gene expression in SigH-independent manner, except for the regulation of spaBTC. Furthermore, the work shows that subtilin biosynthesis in B. subtilis W168 is regulated by the two-component regulatory system SpaRK and strictly relies on subtilin itself as inducer to fulfill the autoregulatory circuit. In addition, by incorporating the subtilin-producing system (spa-locus) and subtilin-reporting system (PpsdA-lux) together, we developed “online” reporter strains to efficiently monitor the dynamics of subtilin biosynthesis. Conclusions Within this study, the model organism B. subtilis W168 was successfully established as a novel platform for subtilin biosynthesis and the underlying regulatory mechanism was comprehensively characterized. This work will not only facilitate genetic (engineering) studies on subtilin, but also pave the way for its industrial production. More broadly, this work will shed new light on the heterologous production of other lantibiotics. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-022-01782-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carolin M Kobras
- Department Biology I, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.,School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Susanne Gebhard
- Department Biology I, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Thorsten Mascher
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217, Dresden, Germany
| | - Diana Wolf
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01217, Dresden, Germany.
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Deleplace M, Dallagi H, Dubois T, Richard E, Ipatova A, Bénézech T, Faille C. Structure of deposits formed by drying of droplets contaminated with Bacillus spores determines their resistance to rinsing and cleaning. J FOOD ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2021.110873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Xue D, Older EA, Zhong Z, Shang Z, Chen N, Dittenhauser N, Hou L, Cai P, Walla MD, Dong SH, Tang X, Chen H, Nagarkatti P, Nagarkatti M, Li YX, Li J. Correlational networking guides the discovery of unclustered lanthipeptide protease-encoding genes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1647. [PMID: 35347143 PMCID: PMC8960859 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29325-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial natural product biosynthetic genes, canonically clustered, have been increasingly found to rely on hidden enzymes encoded elsewhere in the genome for completion of biosynthesis. The study and application of lanthipeptides are frequently hindered by unclustered protease genes required for final maturation. Here, we establish a global correlation network bridging the gap between lanthipeptide precursors and hidden proteases. Applying our analysis to 161,954 bacterial genomes, we establish 5209 correlations between precursors and hidden proteases, with 91 prioritized. We use network predictions and co-expression analysis to reveal a previously missing protease for the maturation of class I lanthipeptide paenilan. We further discover widely distributed bacterial M16B metallopeptidases of previously unclear biological function as a new family of lanthipeptide proteases. We show the involvement of a pair of bifunctional M16B proteases in the production of previously unreported class III lanthipeptides with high substrate specificity. Together, these results demonstrate the strength of our correlational networking approach to the discovery of hidden lanthipeptide proteases and potentially other missing enzymes for natural products biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xue
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Ethan A Older
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Zheng Zhong
- Department of Chemistry and The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo Shang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Nanzhu Chen
- Department of Chemistry and The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Nolan Dittenhauser
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Lukuan Hou
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Peiyan Cai
- Department of Chemistry and The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Michael D Walla
- The Mass Spectrometry Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Shi-Hui Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tang
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hexin Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Prakash Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Mitzi Nagarkatti
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Yong-Xin Li
- Department of Chemistry and The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. .,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
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The Roles of the Various Cellulose Biosynthesis Operons in Komagataeibacter hansenii ATCC 23769. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0246021. [PMID: 35319232 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02460-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth and offers versatile applicability in biotechnology. Bacterial cellulose, especially, is an attractive material because it represents pure microcrystalline cellulose. The cellulose synthase complex of acetic acid bacteria serves as a model for general studies on (bacterial) cellulose synthesis. The genome of Komagataeibacter hansenii ATCC 23769 encodes three cellulose synthase (CS) operons of different sizes and gene compositions. This implies the question of which role each of the three CS-encoding operons, bcsAB1, bcsAB2, and bcsAB3, plays in overall cellulose synthesis. Therefore, we constructed markerless deletions in K. hansenii ATCC 23769, yielding mutant strains that expressed only one of the three CSs. Apparently, BcsAB1 is the only CS that produces fibers of crystalline cellulose. The markerless deletion of bcsAB1 resulted in a nonfiber phenotype in scanning electron microscopy analysis. Expression of the other CSs resulted in a different, nonfibrous extracellular polymeric substance (nfEPS) structure wrapping the cells, which is proposed to contain acetylated cellulose. Transcription analysis revealed that all CSs were expressed continuously and that bcsAB2 showed a higher transcription level than bcsAB1. Moreover, we were able to link the expression of diguanylate cyclase B (dgcB) to cellulose production. IMPORTANCE Acetic acid bacteria form a massive biofilm called "mother of vinegar," which is built of cellulose fibers. Bacterial cellulose is an appealing biomaterial with manifold applications in biomedicine and biotechnology. Because most cellulose-producing acetic acid bacteria express several cellulose synthase operons, a deeper understanding of their contribution to the synthesis of modified forms of cellulose fibers within a natural biofilm is of special interest. For the first time, we were able to identify the contribution of each of the three cellulose synthases to cellulose formation in Komagataeibacter hansenii ATCC 23769 after a chromosomal clean deletion. Moreover, we were able to depict their roles in spatial composition of the biofilm. These findings might be applicable in the future for naturally modified biomaterials with novel properties.
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Falkenberg KB, Mol V, de la Maza Larrea AS, Pogrebnyakov I, Nørholm MHH, Nielsen AT, Jensen SI. The ProUSER2.0 Toolbox: Genetic Parts and Highly Customizable Plasmids for Synthetic Biology in Bacillus subtilis. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:3278-3289. [PMID: 34793671 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Versatile DNA assembly standards and compatible, well-characterized part libraries are essential tools for creating effective designs in synthetic biology. However, to date, vector standards for Gram-positive hosts have limited flexibility. As a result, users often revert to PCR-based methods for building the desired genetic constructs. These methods are inherently prone to introducing mutations, which is problematic considering vector backbone parts are often left unsequenced in cloning workflows. To circumvent this, we present the ProUSER2.0 toolbox: a standardized vector platform for building both integrative and replicative shuttle vectors forBacillus subtilis. The ProUSER2.0 vectors consist of a ProUSER cassette for easy and efficient insertion of cargo sequences and six exchangeable modules. Furthermore, the standard is semicompatible with several previously developed standards, allowing the user to utilize the parts developed for these. To provide parts for the toolbox, seven novel integration sites and six promoters were thoroughly characterized in B. subtilis. Finally, the capacity of the ProUSER2.0 system was demonstrated through the construction of signal peptide libraries for two industrially relevant proteins. Altogether, the ProUSER2.0 toolbox is a powerful and flexible framework for use in B. subtilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristoffer Bach Falkenberg
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 220, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Viviënne Mol
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 220, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Arrate Sainz de la Maza Larrea
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 220, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Ivan Pogrebnyakov
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 220, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Morten H. H. Nørholm
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 220, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Alex Toftgaard Nielsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 220, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Sheila Ingemann Jensen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 220, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
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Jiang Z, Wang C, Wu Z, Chen K, Yang W, Deng H, Song H, Zhou X. Enzymatic deamination of the epigenetic nucleoside N6-methyladenosine regulates gene expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:12048-12068. [PMID: 34850126 PMCID: PMC8643624 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most extensively studied epigenetic modification due to its crucial role in regulating an array of biological processes. Herein, Bsu06560, formerly annotated as an adenine deaminase derived from Bacillus subtilis 168, was recognized as the first enzyme capable of metabolizing the epigenetic nucleoside N6-methyladenosine. A model of Bsu06560 was constructed, and several critical residues were putatively identified via mutational screening. Two mutants, F91L and Q150W, provided a superiorly enhanced conversion ratio of adenosine and N6-methyladenosine. The CRISPR-Cas9 system generated Bsu06560-knockout, F91L, and Q150W mutations from the B. subtilis 168 genome. Transcriptional profiling revealed a higher global gene expression level in BS-F91L and BS-Q150W strains with enhanced N6-methyladenosine deaminase activity. The differentially expressed genes were categorized using GO, COG, KEGG and verified through RT-qPCR. This study assessed the crucial roles of Bsu06560 in regulating adenosine and N6-methyladenosine metabolism, which influence a myriad of biological processes. This is the first systematic research to identify and functionally annotate an enzyme capable of metabolizing N6-methyladenosine and highlight its significant roles in regulation of bacterial metabolism. Besides, this study provides a novel method for controlling gene expression through the mutations of critical residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoran Jiang
- The Institute of Advanced Studies, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 40072 Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Chao Wang
- The Institute of Advanced Studies, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 40072 Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Zixin Wu
- The Institute of Advanced Studies, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 40072 Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Kun Chen
- The Institute of Advanced Studies, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 40072 Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Wei Yang
- The Institute of Advanced Studies, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 40072 Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Hexiang Deng
- The Institute of Advanced Studies, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 40072 Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Heng Song
- The Institute of Advanced Studies, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 40072 Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- The Institute of Advanced Studies, and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, 40072 Wuhan, P.R. China
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40
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Hoffmann TD, Paine K, Gebhard S. Genetic optimisation of bacteria-induced calcite precipitation in Bacillus subtilis. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:214. [PMID: 34794448 PMCID: PMC8600894 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01704-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is an ancient property of bacteria, which has recently gained considerable attention for biotechnological applications. It occurs as a by-product of bacterial metabolism and involves a combination of chemical changes in the extracellular environment, e.g. pH increase, and presence of nucleation sites on the cell surface or extracellular substances produced by the bacteria. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning MICP and the interplay between the contributing factors remain poorly understood, thus placing barriers to the full biotechnological and synthetic biology exploitation of bacterial biomineralisation. Results In this study, we adopted a bottom-up approach of systematically engineering Bacillus subtilis, which has no detectable intrinsic MICP activity, for biomineralisation. We showed that heterologous production of urease can induce MICP by local increases in extracellular pH, and this can be enhanced by co-expression of urease accessory genes for urea and nickel uptake, depending on environmental conditions. MICP can be strongly enhanced by biofilm-promoting conditions, which appeared to be mainly driven by production of exopolysaccharide, while the protein component of the biofilm matrix was dispensable. Attempts to modulate the cell surface charge of B. subtilis had surprisingly minor effects, and our results suggest this organism may intrinsically have a very negative cell surface, potentially predisposing it for MICP activity. Conclusions Our findings give insights into the molecular mechanisms driving MICP in an application-relevant chassis organism and the genetic elements that can be used to engineer de novo or enhanced biomineralisation. This study also highlights mutual influences between the genetic drivers and the chemical composition of the surrounding environment in determining the speed, spatial distribution and resulting mineral crystals of MICP. Taken together, these data pave the way for future rational design of synthetic precipitator strains optimised for specific applications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-021-01704-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D Hoffmann
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Kevin Paine
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Susanne Gebhard
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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Lins MRDCR, Amorim LADS, Corrêa GG, Picão BW, Mack M, Cerri MO, Pedrolli DB. Targeting riboswitches with synthetic small RNAs for metabolic engineering. Metab Eng 2021; 68:59-67. [PMID: 34517126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Our growing knowledge of the diversity of non-coding RNAs in natural systems and our deepening knowledge of RNA folding and function have fomented the rational design of RNA regulators. Based on that knowledge, we designed and implemented a small RNA tool to target bacterial riboswitches and activate gene expression (rtRNA). The synthetic rtRNA is suitable for regulation of gene expression both in cell-free and in cellular systems. It targets riboswitches to promote the antitermination folding regardless the cognate metabolite concentration. Therefore, it prevents transcription termination increasing gene expression up to 103-fold. We successfully used small RNA arrays for multiplex targeting of riboswitches. Finally, we used the synthetic rtRNAs to engineer an improved riboflavin producer strain. The easiness to design and construct, and the fact that the rtRNA works as a single genome copy, make it an attractive tool for engineering industrial metabolite-producing strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milca Rachel da Costa Ribeiro Lins
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km1, 14800-903, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Laura Araujo da Silva Amorim
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km1, 14800-903, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Graciely Gomes Corrêa
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km1, 14800-903, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Bruno Willian Picão
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km1, 14800-903, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Matthias Mack
- Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Technical Microbiology, Paul-Wittsack-Str. 10, 68163, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marcel Otávio Cerri
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km1, 14800-903, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Danielle Biscaro Pedrolli
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km1, 14800-903, Araraquara, Brazil.
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Mori K, Verrone V, Amatsu R, Fukui K, Meijer WJJ, Ishikawa S, Wipat A, Yoshida KI. Assessment of Bacillus subtilis Plasmid pLS20 Conjugation in the Absence of Quorum Sensing Repression. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091931. [PMID: 34576826 PMCID: PMC8470214 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis conjugative plasmid pLS20 uses a quorum-sensing mechanism to control expression levels of its conjugation genes, involving the repressor RcopLS20, the anti-repressor RappLS20, and the signaling peptide Phr*pLS20. In previous studies, artificial overexpression of rappLS20 in the donor cells was shown to enhance conjugation efficiency. However, we found that the overexpression of rappLS20 led to various phenotypic traits, including cell aggregation and death, which might have affected the correct determination of the conjugation efficiency when determined by colony formation assay. In the current study, conjugation efficiencies were determined under different conditions using a two-color fluorescence-activated flow cytometry method and measuring a single-round of pLS20-mediated transfer of a mobilizable plasmid. Under standard conditions, the conjugation efficiency obtained by fluorescence-activated flow cytometry was 23-fold higher than that obtained by colony formation. Furthermore, the efficiency difference increased to 45-fold when rappLS20 was overexpressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Mori
- Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; (K.M.); (R.A.); (K.F.); (S.I.)
| | - Valeria Verrone
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Science Central, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK; (V.V.); (A.W.)
| | - Ryotaro Amatsu
- Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; (K.M.); (R.A.); (K.F.); (S.I.)
| | - Kaho Fukui
- Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; (K.M.); (R.A.); (K.F.); (S.I.)
| | - Wilfried J. J. Meijer
- Centro de Biología Molecular ‘Severo Ochoa’ (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma, Canto Blanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Shu Ishikawa
- Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; (K.M.); (R.A.); (K.F.); (S.I.)
| | - Anil Wipat
- School of Computing, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Science Central, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK; (V.V.); (A.W.)
| | - Ken-ichi Yoshida
- Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; (K.M.); (R.A.); (K.F.); (S.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-78-803-5891
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Souza CCD, Guimarães JM, Pereira SDS, Mariúba LAM. The multifunctionality of expression systems in Bacillus subtilis: Emerging devices for the production of recombinant proteins. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:2443-2453. [PMID: 34424091 PMCID: PMC8649419 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211030189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis is a successful host for producing recombinant proteins. Its GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status and its remarkable innate ability to absorb and incorporate exogenous DNA into its genome make this organism an ideal platform for the heterologous expression of bioactive substances. The factors that corroborate its value can be attributed to the scientific knowledge obtained from decades of study regarding its biology that has fostered the development of several genetic engineering strategies, such as the use of different plasmids, engineering of constitutive or double promoters, chemical inducers, systems of self-inducing expression with or without a secretion system that uses a signal peptide, and so on. Tools that enrich the technological arsenal of this expression platform improve the efficiency and reduce the costs of production of proteins of biotechnological importance. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the major advances involving recombinant expression systems developed in B. subtilis, thus sustaining the generation of knowledge and its application in future research. It was verified that this bacterium is a model in constant demand and studies of the expression of recombinant proteins on a large scale are increasing in number. As such, it represents a powerful bacterial host for academic research and industrial purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Coutinho de Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia da Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Manaus, AM 69067-005, Brazil
| | - Jander Matos Guimarães
- Centro Multiusuário de Análise de Fenômenos Biomédicos (CMABio) da Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, AM 69065-00, Brazil
| | - Soraya Dos Santos Pereira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ) Unidade de Rondônia, Porto Velho-RO 76812-245, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia-PGBIOEXP/UNIR, Porto Velho-RO 76801-974, Brazil.,Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane (ILMD), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Manaus, AM 69057-070, Brazil
| | - Luis André Morais Mariúba
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia da Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Manaus, AM 69067-005, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil.,Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane (ILMD), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Manaus, AM 69057-070, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, AM 69067-00, Brazil
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44
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Li CQ, Lei HM, Hu QY, Li GH, Zhao PJ. Recent Advances in the Synthetic Biology of Natural Drugs. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:691152. [PMID: 34395399 PMCID: PMC8358299 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.691152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural drugs have been transformed and optimized during the long process of evolution. These compounds play a very important role in the protection of human health and treatment of human diseases. Sustainable approaches to the generation of raw materials for pharmaceutical products have been extensively investigated in drug research and development because chemical synthesis is costly and generates pollution. The present review provides an overview of the recent advances in the synthetic biology of natural drugs. Particular attention is paid to the investigations of drugs that may be mass-produced by the pharmaceutical industry after optimization of the corresponding synthetic systems. The present review describes the reconstruction and optimization of biosynthetic pathways for nine drugs, including seven drugs from plant sources and two drugs from microbial sources, suggesting a new strategy for the large-scale preparation of some rare natural plant metabolites and highly bioactive microbial compounds. Some of the suggested synthetic methods remain in a preliminary exploration stage; however, a number of these methods demonstrated considerable application potential. The authors also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the application of synthetic biology and various expression systems for heterologous expression of natural drugs. Thus, the present review provides a useful perspective for researchers attempting to use synthetic biology to produce natural drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Pei-Ji Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, and Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
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45
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Paulsen MH, Engqvist M, Ausbacher D, Anderssen T, Langer MK, Haug T, Morello GR, Liikanen LE, Blencke HM, Isaksson J, Juskewitz E, Bayer A, Strøm MB. Amphipathic Barbiturates as Mimics of Antimicrobial Peptides and the Marine Natural Products Eusynstyelamides with Activity against Multi-resistant Clinical Isolates. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11395-11417. [PMID: 34314189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We report a series of synthetic cationic amphipathic barbiturates inspired by the pharmacophore model of small antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and the marine antimicrobials eusynstyelamides. These N,N'-dialkylated-5,5-disubstituted barbiturates consist of an achiral barbiturate scaffold with two cationic groups and two lipophilic side chains. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of 2-8 μg/mL were achieved against 30 multi-resistant clinical isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including isolates with extended spectrum β-lactamase-carbapenemase production. The guanidine barbiturate 7e (3,5-di-Br) demonstrated promising in vivo antibiotic efficacy in mice infected with clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae using a neutropenic peritonitis model. Mode of action studies showed a strong membrane disrupting effect and was supported by nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics simulations. The results express how the pharmacophore model of small AMPs and the structure of the marine eusynstyelamides can be used to design highly potent lead peptidomimetics against multi-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne H Paulsen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Magnus Engqvist
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Dominik Ausbacher
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Trude Anderssen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Manuel K Langer
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Tor Haug
- The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Glenn R Morello
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Science, Valley City State University, Valley City, 58072 North Dakota, United States
| | - Laura E Liikanen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Hans-Matti Blencke
- The Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Johan Isaksson
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Eric Juskewitz
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Annette Bayer
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Morten B Strøm
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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46
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Appelbaum M, Schweder T. Metabolic Engineering of
Bacillus
– New Tools, Strains, and Concepts. Metab Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/9783527823468.ch13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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47
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Zhang H, Li X, Liu Q, Sun J, Secundo F, Mao X. Construction of a Super-Folder Fluorescent Protein-Guided Secretory Expression System for the Production of Phospholipase D in Bacillus subtilis. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:6842-6849. [PMID: 34124889 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c02089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipids (PLs) are one of the main ingredients in food and nutraceutical, cosmetics, agriculture, and pharmaceutical products. Phospholipase D (PLD) is a crucial enzyme for the biocatalytic synthesis or modification of PLs. Here, to prepare PLD more efficiently, we constructed a PLD expression and secretion system in Bacillus subtilis and developed an environmentally friendly reaction system. A nonclassical secretory pathway where a super-folder green fluorescent protein plays as an N-terminal guide protein was introduced. This expression system can not only achieve rapid screening of high-level expression strains but can also achieve the secretion of the target proteins. Under optimal fermentation conditions, the enzyme activity of the culture medium was 0.35 U/mL, which was 2.05-fold that of the Sec secretion pathway strains. Meanwhile, the effects of several organic solvents in the biphasic reaction media were compared. The results showed that when using cyclopentyl methyl ether as the organic phase, the final conversion rate reached 96.9%. It has shown good application potential in the synthesis of phosphatidylserine, laid the foundation for the synthesis and application of other rare and high-value PLs, and provided a reference for the production of other biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xuehan Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Qi Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jianan Sun
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Francesco Secundo
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, v. Mario Bianco 9, Milan 20131, Italy
| | - Xiangzhao Mao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
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Popp PF, Friebel L, Benjdia A, Guillot A, Berteau O, Mascher T. The Epipeptide Biosynthesis Locus epeXEPAB Is Widely Distributed in Firmicutes and Triggers Intrinsic Cell Envelope Stress. Microb Physiol 2021; 31:306-318. [PMID: 34120110 DOI: 10.1159/000516750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The epeXEPAB (formerly yydFGHIJ) locus of Bacillus subtilis encodes a minimalistic biosynthetic pathway for a linear antimicrobial epipeptide, EpeX, which is ribosomally produced and post-translationally processed by the action of the radical-SAM epimerase, EpeE, and a membrane-anchored signal 2 peptide peptidase, EpeP. The ABC transporter EpeAB provides intrinsic immunity against self-produced EpeX, without conferring resistance against extrinsically added EpeX. EpeX specifically targets, and severely perturbs the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane, which leads to the induction of the Lia-dependent envelope stress response. Here, we provide new insights into the distribution, expression, and regulation of the minimalistic epeXEPAB locus of B. subtilis, as well as the biosynthesis and biological efficiency of the produced epipeptide EpeX*. A comprehensive comparative genomics study demonstrates that the epe-locus is restricted to but widely distributed within the phylum Firmicutes. The gene products of epeXEP are necessary and sufficient for the production of the mature antimicrobial peptide EpeX*. In B. subtilis, the epeXEPAB locus is transcribed from three different promoters, one upstream of epeX (PepeX) and two within epeP (PepeA1 and PepeA2). While the latter two are mostly constitutive, PepeX shows a growth phase-dependent induction at the onset of stationary phase. We demonstrate that this regulation is the result of the antagonistic action of two global regulators: The transition state regulator AbrB keeps the epe locus shut off during exponential growth by direct binding. This tight repression is relieved by the master regulator of sporulation, Spo0A, which counteracts the AbrB-dependent repression of epeXEPAB expression during the transition to stationary phase. The net result of these three -promoters is an expression pattern that ensures EpeAB-dependent autoimmunity prior to EpeX* production. In the absence of EpeAB, the general envelope stress response proteins LiaIH can compensate for the loss of specific autoimmunity by providing sufficient protection against the membrane-perturbating action of EpeX*. Hence, the transcriptional regulation of epe expression and the resulting intrinsic induction of the two corresponding resistance functions, encoded by epeAB and liaIH, are well balanced to provide a need-based immunity against mature EpeX*.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp F Popp
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Institute for Biology - Bacterial Physiology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena Friebel
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alhosna Benjdia
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, ChemSyBio, Jouy-en-Josas, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Alain Guillot
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, ChemSyBio, Jouy-en-Josas, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Olivier Berteau
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, ChemSyBio, Jouy-en-Josas, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Thorsten Mascher
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Lysinibacillus sphaericus III(3)7 and Plasmid Vector pMK4: New Challenges in Cloning Platforms. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres12020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition and especially the maintenance of a plasmid usually brings a fitness cost that reduces the reproductive rate of the bacterial host; for strains like Lysinibacillus sphaericus III(3)7, which possesses important environmental properties, this alteration along with morphological changes and reduced sporulation rates may exert a negative effect on metabolic studies using plasmids as cloning platforms. The aim of this study is to approach the metabolic behavior of pMK4-bearing cells of L. sphaericus III(3)7 through the use of bioinformatic and in vitro analyses. An incompatibility model between the pMK4 vector and a predicted megaplasmid, pBsph, inside III(3)7 cells was constructed based on an incA region. Additionally, in vitro long-term plasmid stability was not found in plasmid-bearing cells. Alignments between replicons, mobile genetic elements and RNA-RNA interactions were assessed, pairwise alignment visualization, graphic models and morphological changes were evaluated by SEM. Metabolite analysis was done through HPLC coupled to a Q-TOF 6545, and electrospray ionization was used, finally, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae were used for larvicidal activity assessment. Results found, a decreased growth rate, spore formation reduction and morphological changes, which supported the idea of metabolic cost exerted by pMK4. An incompatibility between pMK4 and pBsph appears to take place inside L. sphaericus III(3)7 cells, however, further in vitro studies are needed to confirm it.
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50
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One step forward, two steps back: Transcriptional advancements and fermentation phenomena in Actinobacillus succinogenes 130Z. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245407. [PMID: 33939701 PMCID: PMC8092802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the field of bioproduction, non-model organisms offer promise as bio-platform candidates. Non-model organisms can possess natural abilities to consume complex feedstocks, produce industrially useful chemicals, and withstand extreme environments that can be ideal for product extraction. However, non-model organisms also come with unique challenges due to lack of characterization. As a consequence, developing synthetic biology tools, predicting growth behavior, and building computational models can be difficult. There have been many advancements that have improved work with non-model organisms to address broad limitations, however each organism can come with unique surprises. Here we share our work in the non-model bacterium Actinobacillus succinognes 130Z, which includes both advancements in synthetic biology toolkit development and pitfalls in unpredictable fermentation behaviors. To develop a synthetic biology “tool kit” for A. succinogenes, information gleaned from a growth study and antibiotic screening was used to characterize 22 promoters which demonstrated a 260-fold range of fluorescence protein expression. The strongest of the promoters was incorporated into an inducible system for tunable gene control in A. succinogenes using the promoter for the lac operon as a template. This system flaunted a 481-fold range of expression and no significant basal expression. These findings were accompanied by unexpected changes in fermentation products characterized by a loss of succinic acid and increase in lactic acid after approximately 10 months in the lab. During evaluation of the fermentation shifts, new tests of the synthetic biology tools in a succinic acid producing strain revealed a significant loss in their functionality. Contamination and mutation were ruled out as causes and further testing is needed to elucidate the driving factors. The significance of this work is to share a successful tool development strategy that could be employed in other non-model species, report on an unfortunate phenomenon that needs addressed for further development of A. succinogenes, and provide a cautionary tale for those undertaking non-model research. In sharing our findings, we seek to provide tools and necessary information for further development of A. succinogenes as a platform for bioproduction of succinic acid and to illustrate the importance of diligent and long-term observation when working with non-model bacteria.
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