Identification and Characterization of Corynaridin, a Novel Linaridin from Corynebacterium lactis

Genome analysis of Corynebacterium lactis revealed a bacteriocin gene cluster encoding a putative bacteriocin of the linaridin family of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs). The locus harbors typical linaridin modification enzymes but lacks genes for a decarboxylase and methyltransferase, which is unusual for type B linaridins. Supernatants of Corynebacterium lactis RW3-42 showed antimicrobial activity against Corynebacterium glutamicum. Deletion of the precursor gene crdA clearly linked the antimicrobial activity of the producer strain to the identified gene cluster. Following purification, we observed potent activity of the peptide against Actinobacteria, mainly other members of the genus Corynebacterium, including the pathogenic species Corynebacterium striatum and Corynebacterium amycolatum. Also, low activity against some Firmicutes was observed, but there was no activity against Gram-negative species. The peptide is resilient towards heat but sensitive to proteolytic degradation by trypsin and proteinase K. Analysis by mass spectrometry indicates that corynaridin is processed by cleaving off the leader sequence at a conserved motif and posttranslationally modified by dehydration of all threonine and serin residues, resulting in a monoisotopic mass of 3,961.19 Da. Notably, time-kill kinetics and experiments using live biosensors to monitor membrane integrity suggest bactericidal activity that does not involve formation of pores in the cytoplasmic membrane. As Corynebacterium species are ubiquitous in nature and include important commensals and pathogens of mammalian organisms, secretion of bacteriocins by species of this genus could be a hitherto neglected trait with high relevance for intra- and interspecies competition and infection. IMPORTANCE Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria to fend off competitors in ecological niches and are considered to be important factors influencing the composition of microbial communities. However, bacteriocin production by bacteria of the genus Corynebacterium has been a hitherto neglected trait, although its species are ubiquitous in nature and make up large parts of the microbiome of humans and animals. In this study, we describe and characterize a novel linaridin family bacteriocin from Corynebacterium lactis and show its narrow-spectrum activity, mainly against other actinobacteria. Moreover, we were able to extend the limited knowledge on linaridin bioactivity in general and for the first time describe the bactericidal activity of such a bacteriocin. Interestingly, the peptide, which was named corynaridin, appears bactericidal, but without formation of pores in the bacterial membrane.

Recombinant production of the lantibiotic nisin using Corynebacterium glutamicum in a two-step process

BACKGROUND

The bacteriocin nisin is naturally produced by Lactococcus lactis as an inactive prepeptide that is modified posttranslationally resulting in five (methyl-)lanthionine rings characteristic for class Ia bacteriocins. Export and proteolytic cleavage of the leader peptide results in release of active nisin. By targeting the universal peptidoglycan precursor lipid II, nisin has a broad target spectrum including important human pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Industrial nisin production is currently performed using natural producer strains resulting in rather low product purity and limiting its application to preservation of dairy food products.

RESULTS

We established heterologous nisin production using the biotechnological workhorse organism Corynebacterium glutamicum in a two-step process. We demonstrate successful biosynthesis and export of fully modified prenisin and its activation to mature nisin by a purified, soluble variant of the nisin protease NisP (sNisP) produced in Escherichia coli. Active nisin was detected by a L. lactis sensor strain with strictly nisin-dependent expression of the fluorescent protein mCherry. Following activation by sNisP, supernatants of the recombinant C. glutamicum producer strain cultivated in standard batch fermentations contained at least 1.25 mg/l active nisin.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate successful implementation of a two-step process for recombinant production of active nisin with C. glutamicum. This extends the spectrum of bioactive compounds that may be produced using C. glutamicum to a bacteriocin harboring complex posttranslational modifications. Our results provide a basis for further studies to optimize product yields, transfer production to sustainable substrates and purification of pharmaceutical grade nisin.

Transforming Escherichia coli Proteomembranes into Artificial Chloroplasts Using Molecular Photocatalysis

During the light‐dependent reaction of photosynthesis, green plants couple photoinduced cascades of redox reactions with transmembrane proton translocations to generate reducing equivalents and chemical energy in the form of NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) and ATP (adenosine triphosphate), respectively. We mimic these basic processes by combining molecular ruthenium polypyridine‐based photocatalysts and inverted vesicles derived from Escherichia coli. Upon irradiation with visible light, the interplay of photocatalytic nicotinamide reduction and enzymatic membrane‐located respiration leads to the simultaneous formation of two biologically active cofactors, NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and ATP, respectively. This inorganic‐biologic hybrid system thus emulates the cofactor delivering function of an active chloroplast.

Switching the Mechanism of NADH Photooxidation by Supramolecular Interactions

A series of three Ru(II) polypyridine complexes was investigated for the selective photocatalytic oxidation of NAD(P)H to NAD(P)⁺ in water. A combination of (time‐resolved) spectroscopic studies and photocatalysis experiments revealed that ligand design can be used to control the mechanism of the photooxidation: For prototypical Ru(II) complexes a ¹O₂ pathway was found. Rudppz ([(tbbpy)₂Ru(dppz)]Cl₂, tbbpy=4,4'‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2'‐bipyridine, dppz=dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine), instead, initiated the cofactor oxidation by electron transfer from NAD(P)H enabled by supramolecular binding between substrate and catalyst. Expulsion of the photoproduct NAD(P)⁺ from the supramolecular binding site in Rudppz allowed very efficient turnover. Therefore, Rudppz permits repetitive selective assembly and oxidative conversion of reduced naturally occurring nicotinamides by recognizing the redox state of the cofactor under formation of H₂O₂ as additional product. This photocatalytic process can fuel discontinuous photobiocatalysis.

Time-resolved ATP measurements during vesicle respiration

In vitro synthesis of ATP catalyzed by the ATP-synthase requires membrane vesicles, in which the ATP-synthase is present within the bilayer membrane. Inverted vesicle prepared from Gram negative cells (e.g., Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas putida) can be readily obtained and used for in vitro ATP-synthesis. Up to now, quantification of ATP synthesized by membrane vesicles has been mostly analyzed via bioluminescence-based assays. Alternatively, vesicle respiration and the associated ATP level can be determined using biosensors, which not only provide high selectivity, but allow ATP measurements without the sample being illuminated. Here, we present a microbiosensor for ATP in combination with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) using an innovative two-compartment electrochemical cell for the determination of ATP levels at E.coli or P. putida inverted vesicles. For a protein concentration of 22 mg/ml, a total amount of 0.29 ± 0.03 μM/μl ATP per vesicle was determined in case of E.coli; in turn, P. putida derived vesicles yielded 0.48 ± 0.02 μM/μl ATP per vesicle at a total protein concentration of 25.2 mg/ml. Inhibition experiments with Venturicidin A clearly revealed that the respiratory chain enzyme complex responsible for ATP generation is effectively involved.

Intracellular pHluorin as Sensor for Easy Assessment of Bacteriocin-Induced Membrane-Damage in Listeria monocytogenes

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides naturally produced by many bacteria and were shown to be effective against various pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that frequently causes disease outbreaks around the world with fatal outcomes in at-risk individuals. Thus, bacteriocins are a promising solution to prevent contaminations with L. monocytogenes and other microorganisms during food production and preservation. In the present study, we constructed L. monocytogenes EGD-e/pNZ-P_help-pHluorin, a strain that constitutively expresses the pH-sensitive fluorescent protein pHluorin, as a sensor strain to detect disruption of the pH gradient by the membrane-damaging activity of bacteriocins. The ratiometric fluorescence properties of pHluorin were validated both in crude extracts and permeabilized cells of this sensor strain. L. monocytogenes EGD-e/pNZ-P_help-pHluorin was used to assess membrane damaging activity of the bacteriocins nisin A and pediocin PA-1 and to determine the minimal concentrations required for full disruption of the pH gradient across the membrane. Moreover, the sensor strain proved useful to analyze the presence of compounds affecting membrane integrity in supernatants of a nisin Z-producing Lactococcus lactis strain at different timepoints during growth. Supernatants of this strain that were active in disrupting the pH gradient across the membrane were also shown to inhibit growth of L. monocytogenes. In summary, the presented results suggest that the generated sensor strain is a convenient, fast and reliable tool to identify and characterize novel bacteriocins and other compounds that target membrane integrity.