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Metabolism of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris MG 1363 in acid stress conditions.

The metabolism of glucose by Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris MG 1363 remains homolactic whatever the pH of the culture medium. The growth rate decreased with the acidification of the medium until a limit pH value of 4.0 for which no growth was observed. In contrast, the specific rate of glucose consumption decreased only for very low pH values, i.e., below 4.5. The efficiency of biomass synthesis relative to the energy supply decreased when the medium pH diminished, as illustrated by Y(ATP) values. This observation was related to the increase in both components of the proton-motive force when the pH decreased. The growth stopped when the internal pH reached a limit value of 5.4 due to organic acid accumulation.

Energy Metabolism↗

Analysis of the cos region of the Lactococcus lactis bacteriophage sk1.

The location, structure and nature of the cos site of the Lactococcus lactis bacteriophage sk1 was determined using a Taq DNA polymerase runoff sequencing technique. The cos site contains a single-stranded 3' overhang of 11 nucleotides. The region surrounding cos contains several features which may be involved in the binding and catalytic action of a phage terminase. These include four putative terminase-binding sites which show some homology to lambda R-sites, an 11-bp direct repeat, a 10-bp inverted repeat, a string of eight consecutive C residues and six copies of the pentanucleotide, AATCT. The spacing between adjacent copies of the pentanucleotides would place them on the same side of the DNA helix.

Bacteriophages↗

Development of an enteric-coated formulation containing freeze-dried, viable recombinant Lactococcus lactis for the ileal mucosal delivery of human interleukin-10.

Recombinant hIL-10 producing Lactococcus lactis (Thy12) looks a promising intestinal mucosal delivery system for treatment of Crohn's disease [L. Steidler, W. Hans, L. Schotte, S. Neirynck, F. Obermeirer, W. Falk, W. Fiers, E. Remaut, Treatment of murine colitis by L. lactis secreting interleukin-10, Science 289 (2000) 1352-1355. L. Steidler, S. Neirynck, N. Huyghebaert, V. Snoeck, A. Vermeire, B.M. Goddeeris, E. Cox, J.P. Remon, and E. Remaut, Biological containment of genetically modified L. lactis for intestinal delivery of human interleukin-10, Nat. Biotechnol. 21 (7) (2003) 785-789]. As the hIL-10 production is strictly related to Thy12's viability and gastric fluid negatively influences this viability, an enteric-coated formulation had to be developed with maintenance of its viability after production and storage. L. lactis MG1363, used for optimization, was grown until stationary phase in milk (glucose/casiton supplemented) and freeze-dried. This resulted in a viability of about 60%. Storage at different conditions showed that viability remained highest at 8 degrees C/N2 atmosphere (32.5% of initial remained viable after 6 months). To increase the concentration of bacteria in the freeze-dried powder, they were concentrated by centrifugation. L. lactis tolerated this procedure. However, the concentration factor was limited to 10. Freeze-dried Thy12 was filled in ready-to-use enteric-coated capsules. Despite the good enteric properties of the capsules, viability of Thy12 dropped to about 43 and 28% after gastric fluid stage, depending on the enteric polymer used. Freeze-dried Thy12 filled in ready-to-use enteric-coated capsules, packed in Alu sachets (sealed at 20% RH) maintained 6.1 and 44.3% of initial viability after storage for 1 year at 8 and -20 degrees C, respectively, as well as its hIL-10 producing capacity.

Drug Compounding↗

A deficiency in aspartate biosynthesis in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis C2 causes slow milk coagulation.

A mutant of fast milk-coagulating (Fmc+) Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis C2, designated L. lactis KB4, was identified. Although possessing the known components essential for utilizing casein as a nitrogen source, which include functional proteinase (PrtP) activity and oligopeptide, di- and tripeptide, and amino acid transport systems, KB4 exhibited a slow milk coagulation (Fmc-) phenotype. When the amino acid requirements of L. lactis C2 were compared with those of KB4 by use of a chemically defined medium, it was found that KB4 was unable to grow in the absence of aspartic acid. This aspartic acid requirement could also be met by aspartate-containing peptides. The addition of aspartic acid to milk restored the Fmc+ phenotype of KB4. KB4 was found to be defective in pyruvate carboxylase and thus was deficient in the ability to form oxaloacetate and hence aspartic acid from pyruvate and carbon dioxide. The results suggest that when lactococci are propagated in milk, aspartate derived from casein is unable to meet fully the nutritional demands of the lactococci, and they become dependent upon aspartate biosynthesis.

Animals↗

Purification, crystallization, and preliminary X-ray analysis of PepX, an X-prolyl dipeptidyl aminopeptidase from Lactococcus lactis.

The X-prolyl dipeptidyl aminopeptidase PepX, a serine peptidase isolated originally from Lactococcus lactis subsp lactis NCDO 763, was cloned and overproduced in Escherichia coli. The enzyme was isolated in its active form in two purification steps. Crystals of PepX were grown by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method using polyethyleneglycol 4000 as precipitant at pH 5.0. The crystals are orthorhombic with cell dimensions a = 92.8 A, b = 102.6 A, and c = 101.6 A, space group P2(1)2(1)2, and probably contain one monomer of 87.5 kDa in the asymmetric unit. The crystals, very stable under X-rays, diffract to at least 2.2 A and are suitable for high-resolution structural analysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conversion of Lactococcus lactis from homolactic to homoalanine fermentation through metabolic engineering.

We report the engineering of Lactococcus lactis to produce the amino acid L-alanine. The primary end product of sugar metabolism in wild-type L. lactis is lactate (homolactic fermentation). The terminal enzymatic reaction (pyruvate + NADH-->L-lactate + NAD+) is performed by L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH). We rerouted the carbon flux toward alanine by expressing the Bacillus sphaericus alanine dehydrogenase (L-AlaDH; pyruvate + NADH + NH4+ -->L-alanine + NAD+ + H2O). Expression of L-AlaDH in an L-LDH-deficient strain permitted production of alanine as the sole end product (homoalanine fermentation). Finally, stereospecific production (>99%) of L-alanine was achieved by disrupting the gene encoding alanine racemase, opening the door to the industrial production of this stereoisomer in food products or bioreactors.

Alanine↗

Location, characterization and expression of lytic enzyme-encoding gene, lytA, of Lactococcus lactis bacteriophage phi US3.

Gene lytA, which encodes lytic enzyme (LytA), of the isometric Lactococcus lactis bacteriophage phi US3, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The lytA gene was located on the physical map of the phi US3 32-kb DNA that contains cohesive ends. Initial expression of lytA was detected by lysis of an overlay of cells of the phage-sensitive strain, L. lactis SK112. However, LytA appeared to have a broad spectrum and induced lysis in more than 30 different lactococcal strains. The nucleotide sequence of lytA showed a single open reading frame (ORF) of 774 bp encoding a protein of 258 amino acids (aa) with a calculated M(r) of 28,977. This is in agreement with the size of 29 kDa as determined for LytA produced in E. coli using a T7 expression system. The lytA gene is preceded by an ORF that may code for a hydrophobic peptide of 66 aa containing a putative secretion signal, and two putative transmembrane helices. The deduced aa sequence of the phage phi US3 LytA shows similarities to that of the autolysin of Streptococcus pneumoniae which is known to be an amidase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homology model of the multidrug transporter LmrA from Lactococcus lactis.

LmrA is an ATP dependent multidrug transporter from Lactococcus lactis conferring antibiotic resistance to 17 out of 21 most frequently administered antibiotics. Starting from the dimeric crystal structure of Vc-MsbA, we built two homology models, with NBD:NBD interfaces reflecting the nonenergized and energized state, respectively. The TMD:TMD topology of the dimer is consistent with the previously obtained substrate photoaffinity labeling pattern suggesting binding of substrates at the TMD:TMD interface involving helix 3 of one monomer and helices 5 and 6 of the other monomer.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Peptide Utilization Encoded by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis SSL135 Chromosomal DNA.

A cloned chromosomal fragment of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis SSL135 on plasmid p VS8 in an L. lactis subsp. lactis MG1614 background enabled proteinase-negative strain MG1614 to grow in autoclaved milk. The strain (VS230) did not, however, degrade milk proteins and did not grow in pasteurized milk. In contrast, a strain (VS150) carrying p VS9, the proteinase plasmid of SSL135, in an MG1614 background degraded beta-casein but did not grow in milk. VS230 was shown to utilize peptides produced by VS150 in growth experiments in pasteurized milk preincubated with the latter strain. The peptide utilization phenotype linked with p VS8 was further confirmed by growth of VS230 on tryptic peptide fractions, on which the plasmid-free but otherwise isogenic strain MG1614 failed to grow. Plasmid p VS8 produced 69-, 42-, 38-, and 36-kilodalton proteins, as determined by in vitro transcription-translation. At least three of these proteins affected the peptide utilization phenotype. We suggest that there could be a coupled peptidase-peptide transport system encoded by the chromosomal fragment.

Journal Article↗

Metabolism and Energetics of Lactococcus lactis during Growth in Complex or Synthetic Media.

When Lactococcus lactis was grown in various complex or synthetic media, the fermentation of glucose remained homolactic whatever the medium used, with a global carbon balance of about 87%. Moreover, the nitrogen balance was not equilibrated, indicating that some amino acids led to the production of unknown nitrogen-containing carbon compounds while part of the glucose might contribute to anabolic pathways. In minimal medium containing six amino acids, a high concentration of serine was deaminated to pyruvate. This did not occur in more complete media, suggesting the presence of a regulation of this phenomenon by an amino acid. Ammonia produced during serine consumption was partly reconsumed after serine exhaustion. The values for biomass yield and biomass yield relative to ATP (Y(infATP)), the maximal growth rate, the specific rate of glucose consumption, and the corresponding rate of ATP synthesis all increased with the complexity of the medium, amino acid composition having the most pronounced effect. The Y(infATP) values were shown to range from 6.6 to 17.6 g of biomass(middot)mol of ATP(sup-1) on minimal and complex media.

Journal Article↗

Cloning of usp45, a gene encoding a secreted protein from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis MG1363.

We have cloned usp45, a gene encoding an extracellular secretory protein of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis strain MG1363. Unidentified secreted 45-kDa protein (Usp45) is secreted by every mesophilic L. lactis strain we tested so far and it is chromosomally encoded. The nucleotide sequence of the usp45 gene revealed an open reading frame of 1383 bp encoding a protein of 461 amino acids (aa), composed of a 27-aa signal peptide and a mature protein initiated at Asp28. The gene contains a consensus promoter sequence and a weak ribosome-binding site; the latter is rather uncommon for Gram-positive bacteria. Expression studies in Escherichia coli showed efficient synthesis and secretion of the protein. Usp45 has an unusual aa composition and distribution, and it is predicted to be structurally homologous with P54 of Enterococcus faecium. Up to now, no biological activity could be postulated for this secreted protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Physicochemical and functional characterization of a biosurfactant produced by Lactococcus lactis 53.

Isolation and identification of key components of the crude biosurfactant produced by Lactococcus lactis 53 was studied. Fractionation was achieved by hydrophobic interaction chromatography which allowed the isolation of a fraction rich in glycoproteins. Molecular (by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and elemental compositions (by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) were determined. Critical micelle concentration achieved for the isolated fraction was 14 g/l, allowing for a surface tension value of 36 mJ/m(2). Moreover, the isolated fraction, stable to pH changes between 5 and 9, was found to be an anti-adhesive and antimicrobial agent against several bacterial and yeast strains isolated from explanted voice prostheses, even at low concentrations. Further purification steps should be carefully analyzed as each purification step will increase the costs and decreases the amounts of biosurfactants recovered.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Specificity mutants of the binding protein of the oligopeptide transport system of Lactococcus lactis.

The kinetic properties of wild-type and mutant oligopeptide binding proteins of Lactococcus lactis were determined. To observe the properties of the mutant proteins in vivo, the oppA gene was deleted from the chromosome of L. lactis to produce a strain that was totally defective in oligopeptide transport. Amplified expression of the oppA gene resulted in an 8- to 12-fold increase in OppA protein relative to the wild-type level. The amplified expression was paralleled by increased bradykinin binding activity, but had relatively little effect on the overall transport of bradykinin via Opp. Several site-directed mutants were constructed on the basis of a comparison of the primary sequences of OppA from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and L. lactis, taking into account the known structure of the serovar Typhimurium protein. Putative peptide binding-site residues were mutated. All the mutant OppA proteins exhibited a decreased binding affinity for the high-affinity peptide bradykinin. Except for OppA(D471R), the mutant OppA proteins displayed highly defective bradykinin uptake, whereas the transport of the low-affinity substrate KYGK was barely affected. Cells expressing OppA(D471R) had a similar K(m) for transport, whereas the V(max) was increased more than twofold as compared to the wild-type protein. The data are discussed in the light of a kinetic model and imply that the rate of transport is determined to a large extent by the donation of the peptide from the OppA protein to the translocator complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Substrate specificity of the cell envelope-located proteinase of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 763.

1. The specificity of the cell envelope-located proteinase of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 763 towards caseins has been submitted to a statistical study. Positive and negative relations have been evidenced between several amino acids and positions P6 to P'2 of the cleaved bonds. 2. Fragment 1-23 of alpha s1 and oxidized B chain of insulin are well cleaved by the proteinase while CMP (fragment 106-169 of kappa-casein) is a poor substrate. 3. Comparison with other cell envelope-located proteinase has been done. The enzyme of the strain 763 hydrolyses alpha s1-casein and fragment 1-23 of alpha s1-casein as the enzyme of the strain Sk11 and beta-casein as the enzyme of the strain Wg2. 4. The specificity of these proteinases and the comparison of their amino acid sequences let us postulate a more complex substrate binding area for these lactococcal proteinases than for the subtilisin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence and analysis of pBL1, a bacteriocin-producing plasmid from Lactococcus lactis IPLA 972.

The complete sequence of the 10.9-kbp bacteriocinogenic plasmid pBL1 from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IPLA 972 has been determined. Thirteen ORFs were encountered, of which 5 were incomplete. pBL1 proved to be a narrow-host-range plasmid which replicates neither in Bacilus subtilis nor in Lactobacillus spp. The structural organization of the pBL1 replication region was highly similar to other well-known theta-replicating plasmids of lactococci, at both the untranslated (the replication origin) and the translated (repB and orfX) sequences. As in other plasmids, the product of orfX was not necessary for plasmid replication. However, it was shown to be involved in plasmid stability. Three genes organized in an operon-like structure encompassed, most likely, the bacteriocin-encoding region. Upstream of the origin of replication a nicking site (oriT) was found. This oriT sequence proved to be functional by mobilization of plasmids wearing it. One complete and several partial IS elements were identified on pBL1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Optimization of signal peptide SP310 for heterologous protein production in Lactococcus lactis.

The authors have previously reported the identification of novel signal peptides (SPs) from Lactococcus lactis using transposon insertion. Of these, SP310 caused the highest level of secretion. However, the levels were lower than those obtained using the signal peptide from Usp45 (SPUSP), the major secreted lactococcal protein. In this study, site-directed mutagenesis of signal peptide SP310 was used to investigate the effect of amino acid alterations on lactococcal secretion and to improve secretion efficiency. Several mutated SPs caused higher secretion. This increase in secretion was due to modifications in the cleavage region. In fermenter experiments, the signal peptide SP310mut2 resulted in an extracellular Staphylococcus aureus nuclease (Nuc) yield which was 45 % higher than that with the natural SP310. Surprisingly, increasing the hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic core or increasing the number of positively charged amino acids in the N-terminal region of SP310 decreased secretion. High extracellular yields of Nuc resulted from more efficient secretion, as strains with less efficient SPs accumulated more intracellular SP-Nuc precursor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interactions in biofilms of Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris and Pseudomonas fluorescens cultured in cold UHT milk.

Three Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris isolates from refrigerated bulk raw milk were cultured separately and in association with a known psychrotrophic dairy Pseudomonas fluorescens strain, in skim UHT milk for 72 h at 7 degrees C, to determine mutual influences in both the planktonic and biofilm phases. Two levels of inoculum of each culture partner were combined. Protocooperation and commensalism cases were found, all of them in the biofilm phase. Type and intensity of the interactions depended on Lactococcus strain and on the cell density of each partner. Maximum enhancement of attachment was observed to be approximately 100-fold for P. fluorescens and 20,000-fold for one of the L. lactis strains. Confocal scanning laser microscopy images show compact masses of Pseudomonas trapping lactococci cells in cooperative biofilms.

Animals↗

Deletion of various carboxy-terminal domains of Lactococcus lactis SK11 proteinase: effects on activity, specificity, and stability of the truncated enzyme.

The Lactococcus lactis SK11 cell envelope proteinase is an extracellular, multidomain protein of nearly 2,000 residues consisting of an N-terminal serine protease domain, followed by various other domains of largely unknown function. Using a strategy of deletion mutagenesis, we have analyzed the function of several C-terminal domains of the SK11 proteinase which are absent in cell envelope proteinases of other lactic acid bacteria. The various deletion mutants were functionally expressed in L. lactis and analyzed for enzyme stability, activity, (auto)processing, and specificity toward several substrates. C-terminal deletions of first the cell envelope W (wall) and AN (anchor) domains and then the H (helix) domain leads to fully active, secreted proteinases of unaltered specificity. Gradually increasing the C-terminal deletion into the so-called B domain leads to increasing instability and autoproteolysis and progressively less proteolytic activity. However, the mutant with the largest deletion (838 residues) from the C terminus and lacking the entire B domain still retains proteolytic activity. All truncated enzymes show unaltered proteolytic specificity toward various substrates. This suggests that the main role played by these domains is providing stability or protection from autoproteolysis (B domain), spacing away from the cell (H domain), and anchoring to the cell envelope (W and AN domains). In addition, this study allowed us to more precisely map the main C-terminal autoprocessing site of the SK11 proteinase and the epitope for binding of group IV monoclonal antibodies.

Caseins↗