1
|
Ito Y, Yoshidome D, Hidaka M, Araki Y, Ito K, Kosono S, Nishiyama M. Improvement of the nitrogenase activity in Escherichia coli that expresses the nitrogen fixation-related genes from Azotobacter vinelandii. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 728:150345. [PMID: 38971001 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150345] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
The transfer of nitrogen fixation (nif) genes from diazotrophs to non-diazotrophic hosts is of increasing interest for engineering biological nitrogen fixation. A recombinant Escherichia coli strain expressing Azotobacter vinelandii 18 nif genes (nifHDKBUSVQENXYWZMF, nifiscA, and nafU) were previously constructed and showed nitrogenase activity. In the present study, we constructed several E. coli strain derivatives in which all or some of the 18 nif genes were additionally integrated into the fliK locus of the chromosome in various combinations. E. coli derivatives with the chromosomal integration of nifiscA, nifU, and nifS, which are involved in the biosynthesis of the [4Fe-4S] cluster of dinitrogenase reductase, exhibited enhanced nitrogenase activity. We also revealed that overexpression of E. coli fldA and ydbK, which encode flavodoxin and flavodoxin-reducing enzyme, respectively, enhanced nitrogenase activity, likely by facilitating electron transfer to dinitrogenase reductase. The additional expression of nifM, putatively involved in maturation of dinitrogenase reductase, further enhanced nitrogenase activity and the amount of soluble NifH. By combining these factors, we successfully improved nitrogenase activity 10-fold.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Ito
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan; Research & Development Division, Kikkoman Corporation, 338 Noda, Noda, Chiba, 278-0037, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yoshidome
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Makoto Hidaka
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Yasuko Araki
- Research & Development Division, Kikkoman Corporation, 338 Noda, Noda, Chiba, 278-0037, Japan
| | - Kotaro Ito
- Research & Development Division, Kikkoman Corporation, 338 Noda, Noda, Chiba, 278-0037, Japan
| | - Saori Kosono
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan; Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Nishiyama
- Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan; Collaborative Research Institute for Innovative Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Krusenstjerna AC, Jusufovic N, Saylor TC, Stevenson B. DnaA modulates gene expression and morphologyof the Lyme Disease spirochete. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.08.598065. [PMID: 38895450 PMCID: PMC11185795 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.08.598065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
All bacteria encode a multifunctional DNA-binding protein, DnaA, which initiates chromosomal replication. Despite having the most complex, segmented bacterial genome, little is known about Borrelia burgdorferi DnaA and its role in maintaining the spirochete's physiology. We utilized inducible CRISPR-interference and overexpression to modulate cellular levels of DnaA to better understand this essential protein. Dysregulation of DnaA, either up or down, significantly slowed replication and increased or decreased cell lengths. Using fluorescent microscopy, we found the DnaA CRISPRi mutants had increased numbers of chromosomes with irregular spacing patterns. The DnaA-depleted spirochetes also exhibited a significant defect in helical morphology. RNA-seq of the conditional mutants showed significant changes in the levels of transcripts involved with flagellar synthesis, elongation, cell division, virulence, and other functions. These findings demonstrate that the DnaA plays a commanding role in maintaining borrelial growth dynamics and protein expression, which are essential for the survival of the Lyme disease spirochete.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Krusenstjerna
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Nerina Jusufovic
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Timothy C Saylor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Brian Stevenson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kröger C, Lerminiaux NA, Ershova AS, MacKenzie KD, Kirzinger MW, Märtlbauer E, Perry BJ, Cameron ADS, Schauer K. Plasmid-encoded lactose metabolism and mobilized colistin resistance ( mcr-9) genes in Salmonella enterica serovars isolated from dairy facilities in the 1980s. Microb Genom 2023; 9. [PMID: 38031909 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001149] [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: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer by plasmids can confer metabolic capabilities that expand a host cell's niche. Yet, it is less understood whether the coalescence of specialized catabolic functions, antibiotic resistances and metal resistances on plasmids provides synergistic benefits. In this study, we report whole-genome assembly and phenotypic analysis of five Salmonella enterica strains isolated in the 1980s from milk powder in Munich, Germany. All strains exhibited the unusual phenotype of lactose-fermentation and encoded either of two variants of the lac operon. Surprisingly, all strains encoded the mobilized colistin resistance gene 9 (mcr-9), long before the first report of this gene in the literature. In two cases, the mcr-9 gene and the lac locus were linked within a large gene island that formed an IncHI2A-type plasmid in one strain but was chromosomally integrated in the other strain. In two other strains, the mcr-9 gene was found on a large IncHI1B/IncP-type plasmid, whereas the lac locus was encoded on a separate chromosomally integrated plasmidic island. The mcr-9 sequences were identical and genomic contexts could not explain the wide range of colistin resistances exhibited by the Salmonella strains. Nucleotide variants did explain phenotypic differences in motility and exopolysaccharide production. The observed linkage of mcr-9 to lactose metabolism, an array of heavy-metal detoxification systems, and other antibiotic resistance genes may reflect a coalescence of specialized phenotypes that improve the spread of colistin resistance in dairy facilities, much earlier than previously suspected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Kröger
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Nicole A Lerminiaux
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Anna S Ershova
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Keith D MacKenzie
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Morgan W Kirzinger
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Present address: National Research Council Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - Erwin Märtlbauer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Oberschleißheim, 85764, Germany
| | - Benjamin J Perry
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Present address: AgResearch, 176 Puddle Alley, Mosgiel 9092, New Zealand
| | - Andrew D S Cameron
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Kristina Schauer
- Department of Microbiology, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Oberschleißheim, 85764, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chowdhury F, Findlay BL. Fitness Costs of Antibiotic Resistance Impede the Evolution of Resistance to Other Antibiotics. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1834-1845. [PMID: 37726252 PMCID: PMC10581211 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to global health, claiming the lives of millions every year. With a nearly dry antibiotic development pipeline, novel strategies are urgently needed to combat resistant pathogens. One emerging strategy is the use of sequential antibiotic therapy, postulated to reduce the rate at which antibiotic resistance evolves. Here, we use the soft agar gradient evolution (SAGE) system to carry out high-throughput in vitro bacterial evolution against antibiotic pressure. We find that evolution of resistance to the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CHL) severely affects bacterial fitness, slowing the rate at which resistance to the antibiotics nitrofurantoin and streptomycin emerges. In vitro acquisition of compensatory mutations in the CHL-resistant cells markedly improves fitness and nitrofurantoin adaptation rates but fails to restore rates to wild-type levels against streptomycin. Genome sequencing reveals distinct evolutionary paths to resistance in fitness-impaired populations, suggesting resistance trade-offs in favor of mitigation of fitness costs. We show that the speed of bacterial fronts in SAGE plates is a reliable indicator of adaptation rates and evolutionary trajectories to resistance. Identification of antibiotics whose mutational resistance mechanisms confer stable impairments may help clinicians prescribe sequential antibiotic therapies that are less prone to resistance evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farhan
R. Chowdhury
- Department
of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Brandon L. Findlay
- Department
of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia
University, Montréal, Québec H4B 1R6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Engineering for an HPV 9-valent vaccine candidate using genomic constitutive over-expression and low lipopolysaccharide levels in Escherichia coli cells. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:227. [PMID: 34930257 PMCID: PMC8686089 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01719-8] [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: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The various advantages associated with the growth properties of Escherichia coli have justified their use in the production of genetically engineered vaccines. However, endotoxin contamination, plasmid vector instability, and the requirement for antibiotic supplementation are frequent bottlenecks in the successful production of recombinant proteins that are safe for industrial-scaled applications. To overcome these drawbacks, we focused on interrupting the expression of several key genes involved in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin frequently responsible for toxicity in recombinant proteins, to eliminate endotoxin contamination and produce better recombinant proteins with E. coli. Results Of 8 potential target genes associated with LPS synthesis, we successfully constructed 7 LPS biosynthesis-defective recombinant strains to reduce the production of LPS. The endotoxin residue in the protein products from these modified E. coli strains were about two orders of magnitude lower than that produced by the wild-type strain. Further, we found that 6 loci—lpxM, lpxP, lpxL, eptA, gutQ and kdsD—were suitable for chromosomal integrated expression of HPV L1 protein. We found that a single copy of the expression cassette conferred stable expression during long-term antibiotic-free cultivation as compared with the more variable protein production from plasmid-based expression. In large-scale fermentation, we found that recombinant strains bearing 3 to 5 copies of the expression cassette had 1.5- to 2-fold higher overall expression along with lower endotoxin levels as compared with the parental ER2566 strain. Finally, we engineered and constructed 9 recombinant E. coli strains for the later production of an HPV 9-valent capsid protein with desirable purity, VLP morphology, and antigenicity. Conclusions Reengineering the LPS synthesis loci in the E. coli ER2566 strain through chromosomal integration of expression cassettes has potential uses for the production of a 9-valent HPV vaccine candidate, with markedly reduced residual endotoxin levels. Our results offer a new strategy for recombinant E. coli strain construction, engineering, and the development of suitable recombinant protein drugs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-021-01719-8.
Collapse
|
6
|
Driller R, Garbe D, Mehlmer N, Fuchs M, Raz K, Major DT, Brück T, Loll B. Current understanding and biotechnological application of the bacterial diterpene synthase CotB2. Beilstein J Org Chem 2019; 15:2355-2368. [PMID: 31666870 PMCID: PMC6808215 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.15.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
CotB2 catalyzes the first committed step in cyclooctatin biosynthesis of the soil bacterium Streptomyces melanosporofaciens. To date, CotB2 represents the best studied bacterial diterpene synthase. Its reaction mechanism has been addressed by isoptope labeling, targeted mutagenesis and theoretical computations in the gas phase, as well as full enzyme molecular dynamic simulations. By X-ray crystallography different snapshots of CotB2 from the open, inactive, to the closed, active conformation have been obtained in great detail, allowing us to draw detailed conclusions regarding the catalytic mechanism at the molecular level. Moreover, numerous alternative geranylgeranyl diphosphate cyclization products obtained by CotB2 mutagenesis have exciting applications for the sustainable production of high value bioactive substances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronja Driller
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- present address: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- present address: Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel Garbe
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Dept. of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Norbert Mehlmer
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Dept. of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Monika Fuchs
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Dept. of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Keren Raz
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dan Thomas Major
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Thomas Brück
- Werner Siemens Chair of Synthetic Biotechnology, Dept. of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Bernhard Loll
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yip CH, Yarkoni O, Ajioka J, Wan KL, Nathan S. Recent advancements in high-level synthesis of the promising clinical drug, prodigiosin. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:1667-1680. [PMID: 30637495 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-09611-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Prodigiosin, a red linear tripyrrole pigment and a member of the prodiginine family, is normally secreted by the human pathogen Serratia marcescens as a secondary metabolite. Studies on prodigiosin have received renewed attention as a result of reported immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. High-level synthesis of prodigiosin and the bioengineering of strains to synthesise useful prodiginine derivatives have also been a subject of investigation. To exploit the potential use of prodigiosin as a clinical drug targeting bacteria or as a dye for textiles, high-level synthesis of prodigiosin is a prerequisite. This review presents an overview on the biosynthesis of prodigiosin from its natural host Serratia marcescens and through recombinant approaches as well as highlighting the beneficial properties of prodigiosin. We also discuss the prospect of adopting a synthetic biology approach for safe and cost-effective production of prodigiosin in a more industrially compliant surrogate host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chee-Hoo Yip
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Orr Yarkoni
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - James Ajioka
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Kiew-Lian Wan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sheila Nathan
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Juhas M, Ajioka JW. T7 RNA polymerase-driven inducible cell lysis for DNA transfer from Escherichia coli to Bacillus subtilis. Microb Biotechnol 2017; 10:1797-1808. [PMID: 28815907 PMCID: PMC5658589 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of the good DNA editing techniques have been developed in Escherichia coli; however, Bacillus subtilis is better host for a plethora of synthetic biology and biotechnology applications. Reliable and efficient systems for the transfer of synthetic DNA between E. coli and B. subtilis are therefore of the highest importance. Using synthetic biology approaches, such as streamlined lambda Red recombineering and Gibson Isothermal Assembly, we integrated genetic circuits pT7L123, Repr‐ts‐1 and pLT7pol encoding the lysis genes of bacteriophages MS2, ΦX174 and lambda, the thermosensitive repressor and the T7 RNA polymerase into the E. coli chromosome. In this system, T7 RNA polymerase regulated by the thermosensitive repressor drives the expression of the phage lysis genes. We showed that T7 RNA polymerase significantly increases efficiency of cell lysis and transfer of the plasmid and bacterial artificial chromosome‐encoded DNA from the lysed E. coli into B. subtilis. The T7 RNA polymerase‐driven inducible cell lysis system is suitable for the efficient cell lysis and transfer of the DNA engineered in E. coli to other naturally competent hosts, such as B. subtilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Juhas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QP, Cambridge, UK
| | - James W Ajioka
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QP, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Juhas M, Wong C, Ajioka JW. Combining Genes from Multiple Phages for Improved Cell Lysis and DNA Transfer from Escherichia coli to Bacillus subtilis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165778. [PMID: 27798678 PMCID: PMC5087902 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to efficiently and reliably transfer genetic circuits between the key synthetic biology chassis, such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, constitutes one of the major hurdles of the rational genome engineering. Using lambda Red recombineering we integrated the thermosensitive lambda repressor and the lysis genes of several bacteriophages into the E. coli chromosome. The lysis of the engineered autolytic cells is inducible by a simple temperature shift. We improved the lysis efficiency by introducing different combinations of lysis genes from bacteriophages lambda, ΦX174 and MS2 under the control of the thermosensitive lambda repressor into the E. coli chromosome. We tested the engineered autolytic cells by transferring plasmid and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-borne genetic circuits from E. coli to B. subtilis. Our engineered system combines benefits of the two main synthetic biology chassis, E. coli and B. subtilis, and allows reliable and efficient transfer of DNA edited in E. coli into B. subtilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Juhas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (MJ); (JWA)
| | - Christine Wong
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James W. Ajioka
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (MJ); (JWA)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Juhas M, Ajioka JW. Lambda Red recombinase-mediated integration of the high molecular weight DNA into the Escherichia coli chromosome. Microb Cell Fact 2016; 15:172. [PMID: 27716307 PMCID: PMC5050610 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-016-0571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Escherichia coli K-12 is a frequently used host for a number of synthetic biology and biotechnology applications and chassis for the development of the minimal cell factories. Novel approaches for integrating high molecular weight DNA into the E. coli chromosome would therefore greatly facilitate engineering efforts in this bacterium. Results We developed a reliable and flexible lambda Red recombinase-based system, which utilizes overlapping DNA fragments for integration of the high molecular weight DNA into the E. coli chromosome. Our chromosomal integration strategy can be used to integrate high molecular weight DNA of variable length into any non-essential locus in the E. coli chromosome. Using this approach we integrated 15 kb DNA encoding sucrose catabolism and lactose metabolism and transport operons into the fliK locus of the flagellar region 3b in the E. coli K12 MG1655 chromosome. Furthermore, with this system we integrated 50 kb of Bacillus subtilis 168 DNA into two target sites in the E. coli K12 MG1655 chromosome. The chromosomal integrations into the fliK locus occurred with high efficiency, inhibited motility, and did not have a negative effect on the growth of E. coli. Conclusions In addition to the rational design of synthetic biology devices, our high molecular weight DNA chromosomal integration system will facilitate metabolic and genome-scale engineering of E. coli. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-016-0571-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Juhas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
| | - James W Ajioka
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Juhas M, Ajioka JW. Integrative bacterial artificial chromosomes for DNA integration into the Bacillus subtilis chromosome. J Microbiol Methods 2016; 125:1-7. [PMID: 27033694 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis is a well-characterized model bacterium frequently used for a number of biotechnology and synthetic biology applications. Novel strategies combining the advantages of B. subtilis with the DNA assembly and editing tools of Escherichia coli are crucial for B. subtilis engineering efforts. We combined Gibson Assembly and λ red recombineering in E. coli with RecA-mediated homologous recombination in B. subtilis for bacterial artificial chromosome-mediated DNA integration into the well-characterized amyE target locus of the B. subtilis chromosome. The engineered integrative bacterial artificial chromosome iBAC(cav) can accept any DNA fragment for integration into B. subtilis chromosome and allows rapid selection of transformants by B. subtilis-specific antibiotic resistance and the yellow fluorescent protein (mVenus) expression. We used the developed iBAC(cav)-mediated system to integrate 10kb DNA fragment from E. coli K12 MG1655 into B. subtilis chromosome. iBAC(cav)-mediated chromosomal integration approach will facilitate rational design of synthetic biology applications in B. subtilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Juhas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QP Cambridge, UK.
| | - James W Ajioka
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QP Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Juhas M, Ajioka JW. Flagellar region 3b supports strong expression of integrated DNA and the highest chromosomal integration efficiency of the Escherichia coli flagellar regions. Microb Biotechnol 2016; 8:726-38. [PMID: 26074421 PMCID: PMC4476827 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli is routinely used as the chassis for a variety of biotechnology and synthetic biology applications. Identification and analysis of reliable chromosomal integration and expression target loci is crucial for E. coli engineering. Chromosomal loci differ significantly in their ability to support integration and expression of the integrated genetic circuits. In this study, we investigate E. coli K12 MG1655 flagellar regions 2 and 3b. Integration of the genetic circuit into seven and nine highly conserved genes of the flagellar regions 2 (motA, motB, flhD, flhE, cheW, cheY and cheZ) and 3b (fliE, F, G, J, K, L, M, P, R), respectively, showed significant variation in their ability to support chromosomal integration and expression of the integrated genetic circuit. While not reducing the growth of the engineered strains, the integrations into all 16 target sites led to the loss of motility. In addition to high expression, the flagellar region 3b supports the highest efficiency of integration of all E. coli K12 MG1655 flagellar regions and is therefore potentially the most suitable for the integration of synthetic genetic circuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Juhas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QP, Cambridge, UK
| | - James W Ajioka
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QP, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Juhas M, Ajioka JW. High molecular weight DNA assembly in vivo for synthetic biology applications. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2016; 37:277-286. [PMID: 26863154 DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2016.1141394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
DNA assembly is the key technology of the emerging interdisciplinary field of synthetic biology. While the assembly of smaller DNA fragments is usually performed in vitro, high molecular weight DNA molecules are assembled in vivo via homologous recombination in the host cell. Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are the main hosts used for DNA assembly in vivo. Progress in DNA assembly over the last few years has paved the way for the construction of whole genomes. This review provides an update on recent synthetic biology advances with particular emphasis on high molecular weight DNA assembly in vivo in E. coli, B. subtilis and S. cerevisiae. Special attention is paid to the assembly of whole genomes, such as those of the first synthetic cell, synthetic yeast and minimal genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Juhas
- a Department of Pathology , University of Cambridge , Tennis Court Road , Cambridge , UK
| | - James W Ajioka
- a Department of Pathology , University of Cambridge , Tennis Court Road , Cambridge , UK
| |
Collapse
|