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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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2
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Schilling T, Ferrero-Bordera B, Neef J, Maaβ S, Becher D, van Dijl JM. Let There Be Light: Genome Reduction Enables Bacillus subtilis to Produce Disulfide-Bonded Gaussia Luciferase. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3656-3668. [PMID: 38011677 PMCID: PMC10729301 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00444] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis is a major workhorse for enzyme production in industrially relevant quantities. Compared to mammalian-based expression systems, B. subtilis presents intrinsic advantages, such as high growth rates, high space-time yield, unique protein secretion capabilities, and low maintenance costs. However, B. subtilis shows clear limitations in the production of biopharmaceuticals, especially proteins from eukaryotic origin that contain multiple disulfide bonds. In the present study, we deployed genome minimization, signal peptide screening, and coexpression of recombinant thiol oxidases as strategies to improve the ability of B. subtilis to secrete proteins with multiple disulfide bonds. Different genome-reduced strains served as the chassis for expressing the model protein Gaussia Luciferase (GLuc), which contains five disulfide bonds. These chassis lack extracellular proteases, prophages, and key sporulation genes. Importantly, compared to the reference strain with a full-size genome, the best-performing genome-minimized strain achieved over 3000-fold increased secretion of active GLuc while growing to lower cell densities. Our results show that high-level GLuc secretion relates, at least in part, to the absence of major extracellular proteases. In addition, we show that the thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase requirements for disulfide bonding have changed upon genome reduction. Altogether, our results highlight genome-engineered Bacillus strains as promising expression platforms for proteins with multiple disulfide bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Schilling
- Department
of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen,
University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Borja Ferrero-Bordera
- Institute
of Microbiology Department of Microbial Proteomics, University of Greifswald, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jolanda Neef
- Department
of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen,
University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Maaβ
- Institute
of Microbiology Department of Microbial Proteomics, University of Greifswald, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dörte Becher
- Institute
of Microbiology Department of Microbial Proteomics, University of Greifswald, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Maarten van Dijl
- Department
of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen,
University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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3
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Romo E, Torres M, Martin-Solano S. Current situation of snakebites envenomation in the Neotropics: Biotechnology, a versatile tool in the production of antivenoms. BIONATURA 2022. [DOI: 10.21931/rb/2022.07.04.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenomation is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people around the world with a great impact on health and the economy. Unfortunately, public health programs do not include this kind of disease as a priority in their social programs. Cases of snakebite envenomations in the Neotropics are inaccurate due to inadequate disease management from medical records to the choice of treatments. Victims of snakebite envenomation are primarily found in impoverished agricultural areas where remote conditions limit the availability of antivenom. Antivenom serum is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment used up to date. However, it has several disadvantages in terms of safety and effectiveness. This review provides a comprehensive insight dealing with the current epidemiological status of snakebites in the Neotropics and technologies employed in antivenom production. Also, modern biotechnological tools such as transcriptomic, proteomic, immunogenic, high-density peptide microarray and epitope mapping are highlighted for producing new-generation antivenom sera. These results allow us to propose strategic solutions in the Public Health Sector for managing this disease.
Keywords: antivenom, biotechnology, neglected tropical disease, omics, recombinant antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Romo
- Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - Marbel Torres
- Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Humana (GISAH), Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Immunology and Virology Laboratory, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Center, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - Sarah Martin-Solano
- Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Humana (GISAH), Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Zoonosis y Salud Pública, Universidad Central del Ecuador
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4
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Wang G, Guo Z, Zhang X, Wu H, Bai X, Zhang H, Hu R, Han S, Pang Y, Gao Z, Yan L, Huang C, Zhang L, Pan C, Liu X. Heterologous expression of pediocin/papA in Bacillus subtilis. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:104. [PMID: 35643507 PMCID: PMC9148482 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01829-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen. Pediocin is a group IIα bacteriocin with anti-listeria activity that is naturally produced by Pediococcus acidilactic and Lactobacillus plantarum. The pedA/papA gene encodes pediocin/plantaricin. In native hosts, the expression and secretion of active PedA/PapA protein rely on the accessory protein PedC/PapC and ABC transporter PedD/PapD on the same operon. The excretion machines were also necessary for pediocin protein expression in heterologous hosts of E. coli, Lactobacillus lactis, and Corynebacterium glutamicum. In this study, two vectors carrying the codon sequence of the mature PapA peptide were constructed, one with and one without a His tag. Both fragments were inserted into the plasmid pHT43 and transformed into Bacillus subtilis WB800N. The strains were induced with IPTG to secrete the fused proteins PA1 and PA2. Supernatants from both recombinant strains can inhibit Listeria monocytogenes ATCC54003 directly. The fused protein possesses inhibition activity as a whole dispense with removal of the leading peptide. This is the first report of active pediocin/PapA expression without the assistance of PedCD/PapCD in heterogeneous hosts. In addition, the PA1 protein can be purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) metal affinity chromatography.
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Mayer J, Knuuti T, Baumgarten L, Menke E, Bischoff L, Bunk B, Biedendieck R. Construction and Application of a Plasmid-Based Signal Peptide Library for Improved Secretion of Recombinant Proteins with Priestia megaterium. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10040777. [PMID: 35456829 PMCID: PMC9032162 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The secretion of recombinant proteins plays an important role in their economic production and purification. The secretion efficiency depends on the responsible signal peptide (SP) in combination with the target protein and the given host and cannot be predicted so far. Due to its high plasmid stability, the lack of alkaline extracellular proteases and only few contaminating extracellular host proteins, Priestia megaterium provides a promising alternative to common Bacillus species. For the development of an easy and fast cloning and screening system to identify the SP best suited to a distinct protein, a plasmid-based SP library containing all predicted 182 Sec-dependent SPs from P. megaterium was established. The splitting of the SPs into 10 groups of individual multi-SP plasmids (pMSPs) allows their grouped amplification and application in screening approaches. The functionality of the whole library was demonstrated by enhancing the amount of the already well-secreted α-amylase AmyE by 1.6-fold. The secretion of a novel penicillin G acylase, which remained as insoluble protein inside the cells, as its native SP is unsuitable for secretion in P. megaterium, could be enhanced even up to 29-fold. Overall, only around 170 recombinant P. megaterium clones based on 50 inserted SPs had to be screened to achieve sufficient amounts for further enzyme characterizations. Thus, this newly developed plasmid-based genetic tool applicable for P. megaterium and also other Bacillus species facilitates the identification of suitable SPs for secretion of recombinant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Mayer
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (J.M.); (T.K.); (L.B.); (E.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Tobias Knuuti
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (J.M.); (T.K.); (L.B.); (E.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Lisa Baumgarten
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (J.M.); (T.K.); (L.B.); (E.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Elise Menke
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (J.M.); (T.K.); (L.B.); (E.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Lena Bischoff
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (J.M.); (T.K.); (L.B.); (E.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Boyke Bunk
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany;
| | - Rebekka Biedendieck
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; (J.M.); (T.K.); (L.B.); (E.M.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-531-391-55291
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Le Clainche T, Moisan A, Coll JL, Martel-Frachet V. The disc-shaped microcarriers: A new tool for increasing harvesting of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. Biochem Eng J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2021.108082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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7
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The "beauty in the beast"-the multiple uses of Priestia megaterium in biotechnology. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:5719-5737. [PMID: 34263356 PMCID: PMC8390425 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11424-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Over 30 years, the Gram-positive bacterium Priestia megaterium (previously known as Bacillus megaterium) was systematically developed for biotechnological applications ranging from the production of small molecules like vitamin B12, over polymers like polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) up to the in vivo and in vitro synthesis of multiple proteins and finally whole-cell applications. Here we describe the use of the natural vitamin B12 (cobalamin) producer P. megaterium for the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway and the subsequent systematic knowledge-based development for production purposes. The formation of PHB, a natural product of P. megaterium and potential petro-plastic substitute, is covered and discussed. Further important biotechnological characteristics of P. megaterium for recombinant protein production including high protein secretion capacity and simple cultivation on value-added carbon sources are outlined. This includes the advanced system with almost 30 commercially available expression vectors for the intracellular and extracellular production of recombinant proteins at the g/L scale. We also revealed a novel P. megaterium transcription-translation system as a complementary and versatile biotechnological tool kit. As an impressive biotechnology application, the formation of various cytochrome P450 is also critically highlighted. Finally, whole cellular applications in plant protection are completing the overall picture of P. megaterium as a versatile giant cell factory. Key points • The use of Priestia megaterium for the biosynthesis of small molecules and recombinant proteins through to whole-cell applications is reviewed. • P. megaterium can act as a promising alternative host in biotechnological production processes.
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8
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Muras A, Romero M, Mayer C, Otero A. Biotechnological applications of Bacillus licheniformis. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 41:609-627. [PMID: 33593221 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1873239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus licheniformis is a Gram positive spore-forming bacterial species of high biotechnological interest with numerous present and potential uses, including the production of bioactive compounds that are applied in a wide range of fields, such as aquaculture, agriculture, food, biomedicine, and pharmaceutical industries. Its use as an expression vector for the production of enzymes and other bioproducts is also gaining interest due to the availability of novel genetic manipulation tools. Furthermore, besides its widespread use as a probiotic, other biotechnological applications of B. licheniformis strains include: bioflocculation, biomineralization, biofuel production, bioremediation, and anti-biofilm activity. Although authorities have approved the use of B. licheniformis as a feed additive worldwide due to the absence of toxigenic potential, some probiotics containing this bacterium are considered unsafe due to the possible transference of antibiotic resistance genes. The wide variability in biological activities and genetic characteristics of this species makes it necessary to establish an exact protocol for describing the novel strains, in order to evaluate its biotechnological potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Muras
- Departmento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Romero
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Celia Mayer
- Departmento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana Otero
- Departmento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Godard T, Zühlke D, Richter G, Wall M, Rohde M, Riedel K, Poblete-Castro I, Krull R, Biedendieck R. Metabolic Rearrangements Causing Elevated Proline and Polyhydroxybutyrate Accumulation During the Osmotic Adaptation Response of Bacillus megaterium. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:47. [PMID: 32161752 PMCID: PMC7053513 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
For many years now, Bacillus megaterium serves as a microbial workhorse for the high-level production of recombinant proteins in the g/L-scale. However, efficient and stable production processes require the knowledge of the molecular adaptation strategies of the host organism to establish optimal environmental conditions. Here, we interrogated the osmotic stress response of B. megaterium using transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, and fluxome analyses. An initial transient adaptation consisted of potassium import and glutamate counterion synthesis. The massive synthesis of the compatible solute proline constituted the second longterm adaptation process. Several stress response enzymes involved in iron scavenging and reactive oxygen species (ROS) fighting proteins showed higher levels under prolonged osmotic stress induced by 1.8 M NaCl. At the same time, the downregulation of the expression of genes of the upper part of glycolysis resulted in the activation of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), generating an oversupply of NADPH. The increased production of lactate accompanied by the reduction of acetate secretion partially compensate for the unbalanced (NADH/NAD+) ratio. Besides, the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) mainly supplies the produced NADH, as indicated by the higher mRNA and protein levels of involved enzymes, and further confirmed by 13C flux analyses. As a consequence of the metabolic flux toward acetyl-CoA and the generation of an excess of NADPH, B. megaterium redirected the produced acetyl-CoA toward the polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthetic pathway accumulating around 30% of the cell dry weight (CDW) as PHB. This direct relation between osmotic stress and intracellular PHB content has been evidenced for the first time, thus opening new avenues for synthesizing this valuable biopolymer using varying salt concentrations under non-limiting nutrient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Godard
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Daniela Zühlke
- Institute of Microbiology, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Georg Richter
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Melanie Wall
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Katharina Riedel
- Institute of Microbiology, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ignacio Poblete-Castro
- Biosystems Engineering Laboratory, Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rainer Krull
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rebekka Biedendieck
- Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.,Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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10
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Mayer J, Pippel J, Günther G, Müller C, Lauermann A, Knuuti T, Blankenfeldt W, Jahn D, Biedendieck R. Crystal structures and protein engineering of three different penicillin G acylases from Gram-positive bacteria with different thermostability. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:7537-7552. [PMID: 31227867 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09977-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Penicillin G acylase (PGA) catalyzes the hydrolysis of penicillin G to 6-aminopenicillanic acid and phenylacetic acid, which provides the precursor for most semisynthetic penicillins. Most applications rely on PGAs from Gram-negative bacteria. Here we describe the first three crystal structures for PGAs from Gram-positive Bacilli and their utilization in protein engineering experiments for the manipulation of their thermostability. PGAs from Bacillus megaterium (BmPGA, Tm = 56.0 °C), Bacillus thermotolerans (BtPGA, Tm = 64.5 °C), and Bacillus sp. FJAT-27231 (FJAT-PGA, Tm = 74.3 °C) were recombinantly produced with B. megaterium, secreted, purified to apparent heterogeneity, and crystallized. Structures with resolutions of 2.20 Å (BmPGA), 2.27 Å (BtPGA), and 1.36 Å (FJAT-PGA) were obtained. They revealed high overall similarity, reflecting the high identity of up to approx. 75%. Notably, the active center displays a deletion of more than ten residues with respect to PGAs from Gram-negatives. This enlarges the substrate binding site and may indicate a different substrate spectrum. Based on the structures, ten single-chain FJAT-PGAs carrying artificial linkers were produced. However, in all cases, complete linker cleavage was observed. While thermostability remained in the wild-type range, the enzymatic activity dropped between 30 and 60%. Furthermore, four hybrid PGAs carrying subunits from two different enzymes were successfully produced. Their thermostabilities mostly lay between the values of the two mother enzymes. For one PGA increased, enzyme activity was observed. Overall, the three novel PGA structures combined with initial protein engineering experiments provide the basis for establishment of new PGA-based biotechnological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Mayer
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jan Pippel
- HZI - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Structure and Function of Proteins, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gabriele Günther
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Carolin Müller
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anna Lauermann
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Tobias Knuuti
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Wulf Blankenfeldt
- HZI - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Structure and Function of Proteins, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany.,Institute of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dieter Jahn
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rebekka Biedendieck
- Institute of Microbiology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.
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11
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Heinrich J, Drewniok C, Neugebauer E, Kellner H, Wiegert T. The YoaW signal peptide directs efficient secretion of different heterologous proteins fused to a StrepII-SUMO tag in Bacillus subtilis. Microb Cell Fact 2019; 18:31. [PMID: 30732606 PMCID: PMC6366066 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-019-1078-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Heterologous gene expression is well established for various prokaryotic model systems. However, low yield, incorrect folding and instability still impede the production of soluble, bioactive proteins. To improve protein production with the Gram-positive host Bacillus subtilis, a secretory expression system was designed that enhances translocation, folding and stability of heterologous proteins, and simplifies purification. Based on the theta-replication plasmid pHT01, a B. subtilis secretory expression vector was constructed that encodes a fusion protein consisting of a signal peptide and a StrepII-tag linked to a SUMO-tag serving as a folding catalyst. The gene of a protein of interest can be translationally fused to the SUMO cassette and an additional 6xHis-tag encoding region. In order to maximize secretory expression of the construct by fitting the signal peptide to the StrepII-SUMO part of the fusion protein, a B. subtilis signal-peptide library was screened with the Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase PhoA as a reporter. Results The YoaW signal peptide-encoding region (SPyoaW) was identified with highest secretory expression capacity in context with the StrepII-SUMO-tag fusion in a B. subtilis eightfold extracellular protease deletion strain. PhoA activity and fusion protein production was elevated by a factor of approximately five when compared to an α-amylase (AmyQ) signal peptide construct. Replacement of PhoA with a single-chain variable fragment antibody specific for GFP or the B. amyloliquefaciens RNase barnase, respectively, resulted in a similar enhancement of secretory expression, demonstrating universality of the YoaW signal peptide-StrepII-SUMO encoding cassette for secretory expression in B. subtilis. Optimisation of codon usage and culture conditions further increased GFP-specific scFv fusion-protein production, and a simple affinity purification strategy from culture supernatant with removal of the StrepII-SUMO-tag by SenP-processing yielded 4 mg of pure, soluble and active GFP-specific scFv from 1 l of culture under standard laboratory conditions. Conclusions The new expression system employing a YoaW signal peptide-StrepII-SUMO fusion will simplify secretory protein production and purification with B. subtilis. It can obviate the need for time consuming individual signal-peptide fitting to maximize yield for many different heterologous proteins of interest. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12934-019-1078-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Heinrich
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz, Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, 02763, Zittau, Germany
| | - Chris Drewniok
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz, Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, 02763, Zittau, Germany
| | - Eva Neugebauer
- EUROIMMUN AG, Im Kreppel 1, 02747, Herrnhut/Rennersdorf, Germany
| | - Harald Kellner
- Department of Bio- and Environmental Sciences, International Institute Zittau, Technical University of Dresden, Markt 23, 02763, Zittau, Germany
| | - Thomas Wiegert
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz, Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, 02763, Zittau, Germany.
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Li D, Fu G, Tu R, Jin Z, Zhang D. High-efficiency expression and secretion of human FGF21 in Bacillus subtilis by intercalation of a mini-cistron cassette and combinatorial optimization of cell regulatory components. Microb Cell Fact 2019; 18:17. [PMID: 30691455 PMCID: PMC6348689 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-019-1066-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recombinant human Fibroblast growth factor 21 (rhFGF21) is an endocrine hormone that has profound effects on treatment of metabolic diseases. However, rhFGF21 is prone to form inclusion body when expressed in bacteria, which results in, the downstream process of purification of bioactive rhFGF21 is time-consuming and labor intensive. The aim of this work is to explore a new method for improving the soluble expression and secretion level of rhFGF21 in B. subtilis. Results A codon optimized rhFGF21 gene was expressed under the control of a strong inducible promoter PmalA in B. subtilis. A mini-cistron cassette (from gsiB) was located upstream of rhFGF21 in expression vector (pMATEFc5), which could reduce the locally stabilized mRNA secondary structure of transcripts and enhance the efficiency of translation initiation. Then various chaperones were further overexpressed to improve the expression efficiency of rhFGF21. Results showed that overexpression of the chaperone DnaK contributed to the increase of solubility of rhFGF21. Moreover, an extracellular proteases deficient strain B. subtilis Kno6cf was used to accumulate the secreted rhFGF21 solidly. In addition, eleven signal peptides from B. subtilis were evaluated and the SPdacB appeared the highest secretion yield of rhFGF21 in B. subtilis. Finally, the combinatorial optimized strain achieved an about ninefold increase of the soluble rhFGF21 production after 24 h of flask fermentation in comparison with the initial production strain. Conclusion This work provided a comprehensive strategy for secretory expressing the heterologous protein rhFGF21 in B. subtilis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the highly efficient production of rhFGF21 in B. subtilis and this approach may provide some suggestions for heterologous proteins production in B. subtilis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12934-019-1066-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, 116034, People's Republic of China.,Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Fu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China
| | - Ran Tu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoxia Jin
- School of Biological Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, 116034, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, 300308, People's Republic of China.
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Gädke J, Thies JW, Kleinfeldt L, Kalinin A, Starke G, Lakowitz A, Biedendieck R, Garnweitner G, Dietzel A, Krull R. Integrated in situ -purification of recombinant proteins from Bacillus megaterium cultivation using SPION in stirred tank reactors. Biochem Eng J 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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14
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Lakowitz A, Godard T, Biedendieck R, Krull R. Mini review: Recombinant production of tailored bio-pharmaceuticals in different Bacillus strains and future perspectives. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2017; 126:27-39. [PMID: 28606596 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Bio-pharmaceuticals like antibodies, hormones and growth factors represent about one-fifth of commercial pharmaceuticals. Host candidates of growing interest for recombinant production of these proteins are strains of the genus Bacillus, long being established for biotechnological production of homologous and heterologous proteins. Bacillus strains benefit from development of efficient expression systems in the last decades and emerge as major industrial workhorses for recombinant proteins due to easy cultivation, non-pathogenicity and their ability to secrete recombinant proteins directly into extracellular medium allowing cost-effective downstream processing. Their broad product portfolio of pharmaceutically relevant recombinant proteins described in research include antibody fragments, growth factors, interferons and interleukins, insulin, penicillin G acylase, streptavidin and different kinases produced in various cultivation systems like microtiter plates, shake flasks and bioreactor systems in batch, fed-batch and continuous mode. To further improve production and secretion performance of Bacillus, bottlenecks and limiting factors concerning proteases, chaperones, secretion machinery or feedback mechanisms can be identified on different cell levels from genomics and transcriptomics via proteomics to metabolomics and fluxomics. For systematical identification of recurring patterns characteristic of given regulatory systems and key genetic targets, systems biology and omics-technology provide suitable and promising approaches, pushing Bacillus further towards industrial application for recombinant pharmaceutical protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Lakowitz
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Franz-List-Straβe 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Braunschweig Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thibault Godard
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Franz-List-Straβe 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Braunschweig Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rebekka Biedendieck
- Braunschweig Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rainer Krull
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Franz-List-Straβe 35a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Braunschweig Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Rebenring 56, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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