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E R Vedamuthu

Publications and source records attributed to E R Vedamuthu.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

AbiQ, an abortive infection mechanism from Lactococcus lactis.

Lactococcus lactis W-37 is highly resistant to phage infection. The cryptic plasmids from this strain were coelectroporated, along with the shuttle vector pSA3, into the plasmid-free host L. lactis LM0230. In addition to pSA3, erythromycin- and phage-resistant isolates carried pSRQ900, an 11-kb plasmid from L. lactis W-37. This plasmid made the host bacteria highly resistant (efficiency of plaquing <10(-8)) to c2- and 936-like phages. pSRQ900 did not confer any resistance to phages of the P335 species. Adsorption, cell survival, and endonucleolytic activity assays showed that pSRQ900 encodes an abortive infection mechanism. The phage resistance mechanism is limited to a 2.2-kb EcoRV/BclI fragment. Sequence analysis of this fragment revealed a complete open reading frame (abiQ), which encodes a putative protein of 183 amino acids. A frameshift mutation within abiQ completely abolished the resistant phenotype. The predicted peptide has a high content of positively charged residues (pI = 10.5) and is, in all likelihood, a cytosolic protein. AbiQ has no homology to known or deduced proteins in the databases. DNA replication assays showed that phage c21 (c2-like) and phage p2 (936-like) can still replicate in cells harboring AbiQ. However, phage DNA accumulated in its concatenated form in the infected AbiQ+ cells, whereas the AbiQ- cells contained processed (mature) phage DNA in addition to the concatenated form. The production of the major capsid protein of phage c21 was not hindered in the cells harboring AbiQ.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Phenotypic and genetic characterization of the bacteriophage abortive infection mechanism AbiK from Lactococcus lactis.

The natural plasmid pSRQ800 isolated from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis W1 conferred strong phage resistance against small isometric phages of the 936 and P335 species when introduced into phage-sensitive L. lactis strains. It had very limited effect on prolate phages of the c2 species. The phage resistance mechanism encoded on pSRQ800 is a temperature-sensitive abortive infection system (Abi). Plasmid pSRQ800 was mapped, and the Abi genetic determinant was localized on a 4.5-kb EcoRI fragment. Cloning and sequencing of the 4.5-kb fragment allowed the identification of two large open reading frames. Deletion mutants showed that only orf1 was needed to produce the Abi phenotype. orf1 (renamed abiK) coded for a predicted protein of 599 amino acids (AbiK) with an estimated molecular size of 71.4 kDa and a pI of 7.98. DNA and protein sequence alignment programs found no significant homology with databases. However, a database query based on amino acid composition suggested that AbiK might be in the same protein family as AbiA. No phage DNA replication nor phage structural protein production was detected in infected AbiK+ L. lactis cells. This system is believed to act at or prior to phage DNA replication. WHen cloned into a high-copy vector, AbiK efficiency increased 100-fold. AbiK provides another powerful tool that can be useful in controlling phages during lactococcal fermentations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Cloning and sequencing of LlaDCHI [corrected] restriction/modification genes from Lactococcus lactis and relatedness of this system to the Streptococcus pneumoniae DpnII system.

The natural 7.8-kb plasmid pSRQ700 was isolated from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris DCH-4. It encodes a restriction/modification system named LlaDCHI [corrected]. When introduced into a phage-sensitive L. lactis strain, pSRQ700 confers strong phage resistance against the three most common lactococcal phage species, namely, 936, c2, and P335. The LlaDCHI [corrected] endonuclease was purified and found to cleave the palindromic sequence 5'-GATC-3'. It is an isoschizomer of Streptococcus pneumoniae DpnII. The plasmid pSRQ700 was mapped, and the genetic organization of LlaDCHI [corrected] was localized. Cloning and sequencing of the entire LlaDCHI [corrected] system allowed the identification of three open reading frames. The three genes (llaIIA, llaIIB, and llaIIC) overlapped and are under one putative promoter. A putative terminator was found at the end of llaIIC. The genes llaIIA and llaIIB coded for m6A methyltransferases, and llaIIC coded for an endonuclease. The LlaDCHI [corrected] system shares strong genetic similarities with the DpnII system. The deduced amino acid sequence of M.LlaIIA was 75% identical with that of M.DpnII, whereas M.LlaIIB was 88% identical with M.DpnA. However, R.LlalII shared only 31% identity with R.DpnII.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Expression of a Lactococcus lactis Phage Resistance Mechanism by Streptococcus thermophilus.

The 7.8-kb lactococcal plasmid pSRQ700 encodes the LlaII restriction/modification system which recognizes and cleaves the sequence 3(prm1)-GATC-5(prm1). When the plasmid pSRQ700 is introduced into a phage-sensitive Lactococcus lactis strain, strong phage resistance is conferred by the LlaII system. In this report, we show that pSRQ700 cannot replicate in Streptococcus thermophilus. However, if cloned into the vector pNZ123, the native LlaII system is expressed and strong phage resistance is conferred to various industrial S. thermophilus strains. Resistance against phages isolated from yogurt and mozzarella wheys was observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of increased phage resistance in S. thermophilus.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1988

Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by using bacteriocin PA-1 produced by Pediococcus acidilactici PAC 1.0.

The bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus acidilactici PAC 1.0, previously designated PA-1 bacteriocin, was found to be inhibitory and bactericidal for Listeria monocytogenes. A dried powder prepared from PAC 1.0 culture supernatant fortified with 10% milk powder was found to contain bacteriocin activity. An MIC against L. monocytogenes and lytic effects in broth cultures were determined. Inhibition by PA-1 powder occurred over the pH range 5.5 to 7.0 and at both 4 and 32 degrees C. In addition, inhibition of L. monocytogenes was demonstrated in several food systems including dressed cottage cheese, half-and-half cream, and cheese sauce.

Bacteriocins↗
PubMed1987

Phage resistance in Streptococcus lactis ssp. diacetylactis transconjugant SLA3.2501 and its derivatives.

Phage 18-16, which was virulent for Streptococcus lactis ssp. diacetylactis SLA3.25 was used to study phage-resistant characteristics of mucoid S. lactis ssp. diacetylactis transconjugant SLA3.2501 obtained through conjugative cotransfer of pSRQ2201 (Lac-plasmid) and pSRQ2202 (Muc-plasmid) to SLA3.25 (15). Interaction of phage 18-16 with SLA3.2501 and its derivatives showed that phage resistance was not related to either the lack of phage adsorption or restriction-modification. Suppression of phage replication in SLA3.2501 and its derivatives was not completely relieved by curing of either pSRQ2201 or pSRQ2202 or both.

Bacteriophages↗
PubMed1986

Involvement of a Plasmid in Production of Ropiness (Mucoidness) in Milk Cultures by Streptococcus cremoris MS.

Curing and genetic transfer experiments showed that lactose-fermenting ability (Lac) and the ability to produce mucoidness in milk cultures (Muc) in Streptococcus cremoris MS were coded on plasmids. The Lac phenotype was associated with a 75.8-megadalton plasmid, pSRQ2201. The Muc phenotype was associated with a 18.5-megadalton plasmid, pSRQ2202. The Lac plasmid, pSRQ2201, was first conjugatively transferred from S. cremoris MS to LacS. lactis ML-3/2.2. Later, the Muc plasmid, pSRQ2202, was conjugatively transferred from Lac MucS. cremoris MS04 to Lac nonmucoid S. lactis transconjugant ML-3/2.201. Subsequently, pSRQ2201 and pSRQ2202 were cotransferred from Lac MucS. lactis transconjugant ML-3/2.202 to Lac, nonmucoid, malty S. lactis 4/4.2 and S. lactis subsp. diacetylactis SLA3.25. Transconjugants showing pSRQ2201 were Lac; those containing pSRQ2202 were Muc. With the transfer of pSRQ2202, the transconjugants S. lactis ML-3/2.202 and S. lactis subsp. diacetylactis SLA3.2501 not only acquired the Muc phenotype but also resistance to bacteriophages, which were lytic to the respective parent strains S. lactis ML-3/2.201 and S. lactis subsp. diacetylactis SLA3.25.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1975

Beta-galactosidase of Propionibacterium shermanii.

Ten strains of Propionibacterium shermanii were tested for beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) activity. Of these ten strains, five yielded enhanced enzyme activity when cell suspensions were treated with toluene-acetone; on solvent treatment, the remaining five lost a considerable portion of the activity found in whole-cell suspensions. By using a strain yielding decreased activity upon solvent treatment, explanations for the loss in activity were sought through assays for possible alternative beta-galactoside utilization mechanisms. When this strain was assayed for beta-D-phosphogalactoside galactohydrolase by using orthonitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside-6-P04 as a substrate, the activity was wither lower or indiffernt as compared with beta-gal activity determined simultaneously. Cell suspensions of P. shermanii 7 and 22 (strains chosen for further work) grown separately on the individual substrates (lactose, glucose, galactose, and sodium lactate) did not show significant differences in beta-gal activity. Optimal temperature for beta-gal activity in untreated and toluene-acetone-treated cell suspensions of strain 7 was 52 C. With strain 22, of the temperatures tested, maximal activity in untreated cell suspensions was noted at 58 C and with solvent-treated cells at 32 C. In the cell-free extract (CFE) system, both strains exhibited maximal activity at 52 C. Optimal pH for untreated and solvent-treated cell suspensions of both strains was around 7.5. In the P. shermanii 22 CFE system, maximal activity occurred at pH 7.0; pH had very little effect on enzyme activity in P. shermanii 7 CFE. Sodium or potassium phosphate buffers in the assay system yielded the best activity. In the CFE system of these two strains, Mn2+ was definitely stimulatory, but in untreated and solvent-treated cell systems of these strains presence or absence of Mn2+ in the assay system had variable effects on enzyme activity. Maximal beta-gal activity was noted in P. shermanii 7 cells harvested after 28 h of growth at 32 C in sodium lactate broth. Sulfhydryl-group blocking agents inhibited enzyme activity in P. shermanii 22 CFE; the inhibition was partly reversed by dithiothreitol.

Acetone↗
PubMed1972

Agar medium for differential enumeration of lactic streptococci.

An agar medium containing arginine and calcium citrate as specific substrates, diffusible (K(2)HPO(4)) and undiffusible (CaCO(3)) buffer systems, and bromocresol purple as the pH indicator was developed to differentiate among lactic streptococci in pure and mixed cultures. Milk was added as the sole source of carbohydrate (lactose) and to provide growth-stimulating factors. Production of acid from lactose caused developing bacterial colonies to seem yellow. Subsequent arginine utilization by Streptococcus lactis and S. diacetilactis liberated ammonia, resulting in a localized pH shift back toward neutrality and a return of the original purple indicator hue. The effects of production of acid from lactose and ammonia were fixed around individual colonies by the buffering capacity of CaCO(3). After 36 hr at 32 C in a candle oats jar, colonies of S. cremoris were yellow, whereas colonies of S. lactis and S. diacetilactis were white. S. diacetilactis, on further incubation, utilized suspended calcium citrate, and, after 6 days, the citrate-degrading colonies exhibited clear zoning against a turbid background, making them easily distinguishable from the colonies of the other two species. The medium proved suitable for quantitative differential enumeration when compared with another widely used general agar medium for lactic streptococci.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1972

Associative growth studies in three-strain mixtures of lactic streptococci.

A recently developed differential agar medium was used to study associative growth patterns in 17 different heterologous, three-strain mixtures of Streptococcus lactis, S. cremoris, and S. diacetilactis grown in milk. Mixtures were made by combining equal volumes of 18-hr milk cultures of the three species. Relative populations of component species were followed through three successive transfers in milk after the initial mixed propagation. Direct evidence for strain dominance and compatibility was obtained. A procedure also was developed to estimate the extent of suppression of S. lactis and S. diacetilactis in a mixture containing a dominant S. cremoris strain. The technique described could be successfully applied in quality-control work in the dairy-starter manufacturing industry.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1971

Isolation of inhibitory factor in raw milk whey active against propionibacteria.

Preparative isolation of the active component(s) in skim milk whey inhibitory for propionibacteria was made by using (NH(4))(2)SO(4) salt fractionation. The crude preparation was further purified by Sephadex G-100 column separation. Disc-gel electrophoresis of the active peak from the Sephadex elution pattern (peak I) showed that this fraction contained almost all of the immune globulin in the column sample. The biologically inactive peaks did not contain any immune globulin. Starch-gel electrophoresis of the active peak revealed the presence of three separate immune globulin fractions. A correlation was also observed between hemolytic reaction of propionibacterial strains and relative resistance to whey inhibition. The investigation showed that one of the immune globulins of milk, pseudoglobulin, was mainly responsible for the suppressive activity of whey.

Ammonium Sulfate↗
PubMed1969

Differential agar medium for separating Streptococcus lactis and Streptococcus cremoris.

The characteristic ability of Streptococcus lactis and inability of Streptococcus cremoris to hydrolyze arginine formed the basis for the development of a differential agar medium to separate these species in pure and mixed cultures. Ammonia liberated from arginine was detected by the pH changes occurring in the medium. The agar contained milk as the sole source of carbohydrate, arginine as the specific substrate, diffusible (K(2)HPO(4)) and nondiffusible (CaCO(3)) buffer systems, and a suitable pH indicator in addition to other ingredients. The nondiffusible buffer system afforded the localization of pH changes, and, hence, the indicator color changes immediately around individual colonies appearing on the medium. S. cremoris produced yellow colonies surrounded by yellow zones on this purple medium because of their ability to produce acid from lactose in the milk. S. lactis, on the other hand, first produced colonies similar to S. cremoris, but subsequent color reversal of pH indicator with the liberation of NH(3) resulted in the discharge of the yellow color. Hence, S. lactis colonies were white and devoid of zones. The difference in their colony color allowed the identification of the species in a mixture of S. cremoris and S. lactis strains. The medium was found suitable for both qualitative and quantitative differentiation.

Agar↗