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Gene transfer between different Trichoderma species and Aspergillus niger through intergeneric protoplast fusion to convert ground rice straw to citric acid and cellulases.

Single-stage direct bioconversion of cellulosic materials to citric acid using intergeneric hybrids obtained from three different Trichoderma species and Aspergillus niger was carried out. The recent results were obtained on the basis of either resistance or sensitivity to one or more of five metal ions, two catabolite repressors, and five antifungal agents, which were used in this study at different concentrations. Sixty-six fusants were isolated after using the three intergeneric protoplast fusion experiments, belonging to two types of intergeneric fusants. Fusants of the first type are heterokaryons (35 fusants). On the other hand, those of the second type are haploids (31 fusants), i.e., they were stable. The present study can be successfully applied in the construction of 14 new genetic fusants, which produced at least 100% more citric acid than the citric acid producer strain A. niger. Out of the fusants, three (1/18, 2/13 and 2/15) showed about a threefold increase of citric acid production in comparison with the parent A. niger strain. Furthermore, studies on DNA content showed that this finding may be submitted on the evidence that citric acid and cellulases production was not correlated with DNA content; however, the productivity depends on specific DNA content.

Antifungal Agents↗

[Intergeneric Escherichia coli-Streptomyces conjugation as a means for the transfer of conjugative plasmids into producers of antibiotics chlortetracycline and bialaphos].

A system for introduction of plasmids into industrial producers of antibiotics chlortetracycline and bialaphos using intergeneric conjugation of Escherichia coli and Streptomyces was developed. Low level stability of inheritance of autonomously replicating DNA in recipient strains was shown. Site-specific integration of the conjugative-integrative vector pTO1 provided stable plasmid maintenance within the chromosomes of Streptomyces aureofaciens and S. hygroscopicus. Phenomenon of disturbance in differentiation and antibiotic production, resulting from pTO1 integration into S. hygroscopicus chromosome, was discovered.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

R plasmids in environmental Vibrio cholerae non-O1 strains.

The occurrence of drug resistance and its plasmid-mediated transferability was investigated in 140 environmental strains of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 and 6 strains of Vibrio cholerae, both O1 and non-O1, of clinical origin. Of the 146 strains tested, 93% were resistant to at least one drug and 74% were resistant to two or more antibiotics. The O1 strains were susceptible to all antibiotics used. A total of 26 of 28 selected resistant wild strains carried R plasmids that were transferable by intraspecific and intergeneric matings. The most common transmissible R factor determined resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, and sulfanilamide (30%), followed by resistance to ampicillin and amoxicillin (13%) and resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, phosphomycin, and sulfanilamide (9%). Comparison of the three methods of plasmid analysis showed that the method of Birnboim and Doly (Nucleic Acids Res. 7:1513-1523, 1979) without EDTA and lysozyme was optimal for isolation of both large and small plasmids in environmental V. cholerae strains. Most strains harbored more than one plasmid, and the molecular sizes ranged from 1.1 to 74.8 megadaltons. The plasmids of high molecular size (around 74 megadaltons) were responsible for the resistance pattern transferred and were maintained with high stability in the hosts.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

A gene transfer system for the glycopeptide producer Nonomuraea sp. ATCC39727.

The filamentous actinomycete Nonomuraea sp. ATCC39727 produces the industrially important glycopeptide antibiotic A40926. We developed a gene transfer system based on intergeneric conjugation from Escherichia coli. Analysis of the ex-conjugants revealed that the incoming plasmid pSET152 had integrated at two sites in the Nonomuraea genome. One of these was characterized and found to be highly related to other PhiC31 attB sites described in Streptomyces spp., including the core TTS sequence, where crossover occurs. Surprisingly, pSET152 was also found in episomic form in the Nonomuraea ex-conjugants.

Actinomycetales↗

An efficient gene transfer system for the pimaricin producer Streptomyces natalensis.

Streptomyces natalensis produces the antifungal polyene macrolide pimaricin. Genetic manipulation of its biosynthetic genes has been hampered by the lack of efficient gene transfer systems. We have developed a gene transfer system based on intergeneric conjugation from Escherichia coli. Using this approach, we managed to attain transformation efficiencies of 1 x 10(-4) exconjugants per recipient when using self-replicating vectors such as pHZ1358. The use of integrative vectors such as pSET152 or pSOK804 resulted in significantly lower efficiencies. Site-specific integration or the use of self-replicating plasmids did not affect pimaricin production or the essential functions of S. natalensis. Use of DNA methylation proficient E. coli donor strains resulted in no transformants, indicating the presence of methyl-specific restriction systems in S. natalensis. This methodology will enable easier manipulation of the genes responsible for pimaricin biosynthesis, and could prove valuable for the generation of new designer polyene macrolides with better antifungal activity and pharmacological properties. As an example of the validity of the method, we describe the introduction of Supercos-1-derived cosmid vectors into S. natalensis in order to promote gene replacements by double crossover recombination.

Conjugation, Genetic↗

Identification and characterization of genes encoding sex pheromone cAM373 activity in Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus.

The sex pheromone cAM373 of Enterococcus faecalis and the related staph-cAM373 of Staphylococcus aureus were found to correspond to heptapeptides located within the C-termini of the signal sequences of putative prelipoproteins. The deduced mature forms of the lipoproteins share no detectable homology and presumably serve unrelated functions in the cells. The chromosomally encoded genetic determinants for production of the pheromones have been identified and designated camE (encoding cAM373) and camS (encoding staph-cAM373). Truncated and full-length clones of camE were generated in Escherichia coli, in which cAM373 activity was expressed. In E. faecalis, insertional inactivation in the middle of camE had no detectable phenotypic effects on the pheromone system. Establishment of an in frame translation stop codon within the signal sequence resulted in reduction of cAM373 activity to 3% of normal levels. The camS determinant has homologues in Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes; however, corresponding heptapeptides present within those sequences do not resemble staph-cAM373 closely. The particular significance of staph-cAM373 as a potential intergeneric inducer of transfer-proficient genetic elements is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Intergeneric conjugational crossing of Escherichia coli with Salmonella typhimurium. II. Transfer of a polA1 mutation from Escherichia coli to Salmonella typhimurium and its phenotypic expression in the salmonella genome].

The Escherichia coli structural gene for DNA polymerase I was inserted into Salmonella typhimurium chromosome by conjugal transfer. The genetic analysis of P1-mediated transduction of obtained hybrid showed that polA gene is located in it between metE and rha loci and is cotransduced with metE (about 50%) and rha (12%). The phenotypic properties of polA1 hybrid E. coliXS. typhimurium concerning UV-MMS-NG and gamma-ray sensitivity are similar to the polA1 mutants of E. coli.

Conjugation, Genetic↗

Site-specific mutations in the traI relaxase and upstream region of plasmid RP4.

The relaxase of RP4 nicks the double-stranded plasmid at the oriT site and binds covalently to DNA at the 5' end of the nick. The 80-kDa relaxase (TraI) is encoded on an operon with several overlapping open reading frames (ORFs). The importance in conjugation of a short ORF (traX) with a start site overlapping the 5' terminus of traI was investigated, as well as the effects of specific mutations in the relaxase. Elimination of TraX reduced the transfer efficiency by approximately 50% in several intergeneric matings, especially when Escherichia coli was the donor. While TraI was essential for transfer to occur, deletion of the C-terminus of TraI decreased, but did not eliminate plasmid transfer. Mutation of the active site tyrosine resulted in residual transfer associated with amino acid misincorporation.

Base Sequence↗

Transfer of plasmid pTO1 from Escherichia coli to various representatives of the order Actinomycetales by intergeneric conjugation.

Plasmid pTO1 containing the oriT fragment from RK2, the Escherichia coli replication function from pBR322, and a DNA fragment of actinophage phi C31 with the attachment site was transferred from E. coli S17-1 to strains of the genera Actinomadura, Arthrobacter, Micromonospora, Nocardia, Rhodococcus, and to 16 strains of the genus Streptomyces. The frequency of conjugant formation was 1 x 10(-3)-1 x 10(-5) depending on the strain. Hybridization experiments demonstrated that plasmid pTO1 integrates into chromosomes of a number of the recipient strains examined.

Actinomycetales↗

Genetic mapping of tyramine oxidase and arylsulfatase genes and their regulation in intergeneric hybrids of enteric bacteria.

The genes for arylsulfatase (atsA) and tyramine oxidase (tynA) have been mapped in Klebsiella aerogenes by P1 transduction. They are linked to gdhD and trp in the order atsA-tynA-gdhD-trp-pyrF. Complementation analysis using F' episomes from Escherichia coli suggested an analogous location of these genes in E. coli, although arylsulfatase activity was not detected in E. coli. P1 phage and F' episomes were used to create intergeneric hybrid strains of enteric bacteria by transfer of the ats and tyn genes between K. aerogenes, E. coli, and Salmonella typhimurium. Intergeneric transduction of the tynK gene from K. aerogenes to an E. coli restrictionless strain was one to two orders less frequent than that of the leuK gene. The tyramine oxidase of E. coli and S. typhimurium in regulatory activity resemble very closely the enzyme of K. aerogenes. The atsE gene from E. coli was expressed, and latent arylsulfatase protein was formed in K. aerogenes and S typhimurium. The results of tyramine oxidase and arylsulfatase synthesis in intergeneric hybrids of enteric bacteria suggest that the system for regulation of enzyme synthesis is conserved more than the structure or function of enzyme protein during evolution.

Arylsulfatases↗

Biosynthesis of the dideoxysugar component of jadomycin B: genes in the jad cluster of Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230 for L-digitoxose assembly and transfer to the angucycline aglycone.

Eight additional genes, jadX, O, P, Q, S, T, U and V, in the jad cluster of Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230, were located immediately downstream of jadN by chromosome walking. Sequence analyses and comparisons implicated them in biosynthesis of the 2,6-dideoxysugar in jadomycin B. The genes were cloned in Escherichia coli, inactivated by inserting an apramycin resistance cassette with a promoter driving transcription of downstream genes, and transferred into Streptomyces venezuelae by intergeneric conjugation. Analysis by HPLC and NMR of intermediates accumulated by cultures of the insertionally inactivated Streptomyces venezuelae mutants indicated that jadO, P, Q, S, T, U and V mediate formation of the dideoxysugar moiety of jadomycin B and its attachment to the aglycone. Based on these results and sequence similarities to genes described in other species producing deoxysugar derivatives, a biosynthetic pathway is proposed in which the jadQ product (glucose-1-phosphate nucleotidyltransferase) activates glucose to its nucleotide diphosphate (NDP) derivative, and the jadT product (a 4,6-dehydratase) converts this to NDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose. An NDP-hexose 2,3-dehydratase and an oxidoreductase, encoded by jadO and jadP, respectively, catalyse ensuing reactions that produce an NDP-2,6-dideoxy-D-threo-4-hexulose. The product of jadU (NDP-4-keto-2,6-dideoxy-5-epimerase) converts this intermediate to its L-erythro form and the jadV product (NDP-4-keto-2,6-dideoxyhexose 4-ketoreductase) reduces the keto group of the NDP-4-hexulose to give an activated form of the L-digitoxose moiety in jadomycin B. Finally, a glycosyltransferase encoded by jadS transfers the activated sugar to jadomycin aglycone. The function of jadX is unclear; the gene is not essential for jadomycin B biosynthesis, but its presence ensures complete conversion of the aglycone to the glycoside. The deduced amino acid sequence of a 612 bp ORF (jadR*) downstream of the dideoxysugar biosynthesis genes resembles many TetR-family transcriptional regulator sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Vectors permitting visual monitoring of simple transposition events.

The construction and use of two novel transposon(Tn)-delivery vectors is described. These vectors carry Inc.W or Inc.N broad-host-range transfer functions cloned next to the narrow-host-range replicon of pBR329. The host specificities of pSLX10 and pSLX23 both complement and extend the host specificities of existing Tn delivery vectors. Plasmids pSLX10 and pSLX23 were shown to transfer at high frequency in intergeneric matings. The lux genes which are present on each vector permit the visual monitoring of transconjugants which have retained a Tn element, but are devoid of plasmid molecules. pSLX10 and pLSX23 were efficiently used to generate a range of auxotrophic mutants in various strains of Pseudomonas as well as to clone genes from Serratia liquefaciens. These vectors may have general applicability to identify and clone genes in a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Identification of the plasmid-mobilization potential of the strain Klebsiella pneumoniae ozenae KIIIA isolated from a polluted aquatic environment.

The Klebsiella pneumoniae ozenae KIIIA strain was isolated from the River Rhine soon after a serious mercury pollution episode and was selected for mercury resistance as well as for intergeneric DNA mobilization helper potential. This transfer helper capacity was shown to be related to the presence of a Tn3-like transposable element, Tn5403. Because transposon-mediated fusion was found to be involved in the mobilization potential of KIIIA, the visualization and the identification of the conjugative element, responsible for the transfer, were necessary. Our results show that, in addition to the four nonconjugative plasmids visualized in a previous study, K. pneumoniae ozenae KIIIA harbors two other plasmids, pK130 and pK45, of respective sizes of 130 and 45 kb, but none of these plasmids is involved in the mobilization mechanism. The presence of yet another extrachromosomal element pK225, with a size of 225 kb, was established by indirect methods, since yields of pK225 isolated from KIIIA were low and the plasmid was difficult to visualize directly. However, the integration of this plasmid into the chromosome was not detected. The present paper highlights the problem of detecting some plasmids in bacteria which have been isolated from the environment. For these plasmids, indirect approaches, that detect conjugative functions, constitute a feasible alternative for the investigation of the plasmid content of bacteria, if the direct approach fails. An analysis of the different types of transconjugants indicated that the mercury-resistance marker as well as the mobilization potentials, expressed by KIIIA, are linked to pK225. This plasmid could not be assigned to a described Inc group either by DNA hybridization or by PCR amplification.

Conjugation, Genetic↗

Ovine ooplasm directs initial nucleolar assembly in embryos cloned from ovine, bovine, and porcine cells.

Here we present ultrastructural and immunocytochemical evidence that ovine ooplasm is directing the initial assembly of the nucleolus independent of the species of the nuclear donor. Intergeneric porcine-ovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and intrageneric ovine-ovine SCNT embryos were constructed and the nucleolus ultrastructure and nucleolus associated rRNA synthesis examined in 1-, 2-, 4-, early 8-, late 8-, and 16-cell embryos using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light microscopical autoradiography. In addition, immunocytochemical localization by confocal microscopy of nucleolin, a key protein involved in processing rRNA transcripts, was performed on early 8-, late 8-, and 16-cell embryos for both groups of SCNT embryos. Intergeneric porcine-ovine SCNT embryos exhibited nucleolar precursor bodies (NPBs) of an ovine (ruminant) ultrastructure, but no active rRNA producing fibrillo-granular nucleoli at any of the stages. Unusually, cytoplasmic organelles were located inside the nucleus of two porcine-ovine SCNT embryos. The ovine-ovine SCNT embryos, on the other hand, revealed fibrillo-granular nucleoli in 16-cell embryos. In parallel, autoradiographic labeling over the nucleoplasm, and in particular, the nulcleoli was detected. Bovine-ovine SCNT embryos at the eight-cell stage were examined for nucleolar morphology and exhibited ruminant-type NPBs as well as structures that appeared as fibrillar material surrounded by a rim of electron dense granules, perhaps formerly of nucleolar origin. Nucleolin was localized throughout the nucleoplasm and with particular intensity around the presumptive nucleolar compartments for all developmental stages examined in porcine-ovine and ovine-ovine SCNT embryos. In conclusion, this study suggests that factors within the ovine ooplasm are playing a role in the initial assembly of the embryonic nucleolus in intrageneric SCNT embryos.

Animals↗

PCR-targeted Streptomyces gene replacement identifies a protein domain needed for biosynthesis of the sesquiterpene soil odor geosmin.

Streptomycetes are high G+C Gram-positive, antibiotic-producing, mycelial soil bacteria. The 8.7-Mb Streptomyces coelicolor genome was previously sequenced by using an ordered library of Supercos-1 clones. Here, we describe an efficient procedure for creating precise gene replacements in the cosmid clones by using PCR targeting and lambda-Red-mediated recombination. The cloned Streptomyces genes are replaced with a cassette containing a selectable antibiotic resistance and oriT(RK2) for efficient transfer to Streptomyces by RP4-mediated intergeneric conjugation. Supercos-1 does not replicate in Streptomyces, but the clones readily undergo double-crossover recombination, thus creating gene replacements. The antibiotic resistance cassettes are flanked by yeast FLP recombinase target sequences for removal of the antibiotic resistance and oriT(RK2) to generate unmarked, nonpolar mutations. The technique has been used successfully by >20 researchers to mutate around 100 Streptomyces genes. As an example, we describe its application to the discovery of a gene involved in the production of geosmin, the ubiquitous odor of soil. The gene, Sco6073 (cyc2), codes for a protein with two sesquiterpene synthase domains, only one of which is required for geosmin biosynthesis, probably via a germacra-1 (10) E,5E-dien-11-ol intermediate generated by the sesquiterpene synthase from farnesyl pyrophosphate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biodiversity and horizontal gene transfer in culturable bacteria isolated from activated sludge enriched in nonylphenol ethoxylates.

One hundred and twenty bacterial isolates, from activated sludge of a treatment plant collecting wastes enriched in ethoxylated nonylphenols, were studied. Sixty isolates were selected on rich medium and 60 on mineral medium containing two nonylphenol ethoxylates as the sole carbon source. Analysis of biodiversity at the species level was performed by comparing the AluI restriction patterns of the 16S ribosomal DNA amplified by PCR from 120 isolates. The rDNA restriction analysis enabled us to cluster the isolates into 15 groups, five of which represented nearly 77% of the community. Phylogenetic analysis of five strains belonging to these main groups made it possible to assign four of them to the genera Acinetobacter, Aeromonas and Shewanella and one to the Proteus group. The analysis of plasmid content showed a high variability and suggested that horizontal gene transfer had taken place at the intraspecific, interspecific and intergeneric levels.

Culture Media↗

Intergeneric natural plasmid transformation between E. coli and a marine Vibrio species.

Natural transformation is the mechanism of procaryotic gene transfer that involves the uptake and expression of genetic information encoded in extracellular DNA. This process has been regarded as a mechanism to transfer genes (primarily chromosomal markers) between closely related strains or species. Here we demonstrate the cell-contact-dependent transfer of a non-conjugative plasmid from a laboratory E. coli strain to a marine Vibrio species, the first report of intergeneric natural plasmid transformation involving a marine bacterium. The nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors nalidixic acid and rifampicin inhibited the ability of the E. coli to function as a donor. However, dead cells also served as efficient donors. There was an obligate requirement for cell contact. No transfer occurred in the presence of DNase I, when donors and recipients were separated by a 0.2-micron filter, or when spent medium alone was used as a source of transforming DNA. These results indicate that contact-mediated intergeneric plasmid exchange can occur in the absence of detectable viable donor cells and that small non-conjugative plasmids can be spread through heterogeneous microbial communities by a process previously not recognized, natural plasmid transformation. These findings are important in the assessment of genetic risk to the environment, particularly from wastewater treatment systems and the use of genetically engineered organisms in the environment.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Intergeneric hybridization between Erucastrum canariense and Brassica rapa. Genetic relatedness between E(C) and A genomes.

An intergeneric hybrid between a wild species, Erucastrum canariense (2n = 18; E(C)E(C)), and a cultivated oilseed brassica species, Brassica rapa (2n = 20; AA), was synthesized through ovary culture in White's basal medium supplemented with casein hydrolysate. Morphological, cytological and DNA-based analysis helped to establish the hybrid nature of the derived plants. Hybrid plants were morphologically intermediate between the two parents and were completely male, as well as female sterile. Cytological analysis revealed the occurrence of 19 I in about 38% of the PMCs investigated. However 1-8 bivalents/PMC were also observed, indicating a significant level of homology between the two genomes. Normal chromosome pairing and pollen fertility was restored following colchiploidy. The intergeneric amphiploid developed during the investigation can be used as a bridging species for the transfer of desirable genes from E(C) to cultivated genomes (especially A and C), and for resistance to Alternaria blight and mustard aphid. Under field conditions, the E. canariense intergeneric hybrid and the amphiploid appeared to be moderately resistant to Alternaria blight and also harboured a significantly lower population of mustard aphid than the cultivated B. rapa.

Journal Article↗