scholarly journals Towards Enhanced Galactose Utilization by Lactococcus lactis

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (21) ◽  
pp. 7048-7060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana R. Neves ◽  
Wietske A. Pool ◽  
Ana Solopova ◽  
Jan Kok ◽  
Helena Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Galactose Metabolism ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Leloir Pathway ◽  
Lactose Fermentation ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Galactose Utilization

ABSTRACT Accumulation of galactose in dairy products due to partial lactose fermentation by lactic acid bacteria yields poor-quality products and precludes their consumption by individuals suffering from galactosemia. This study aimed at extending our knowledge of galactose metabolism in Lactococcus lactis, with the final goal of tailoring strains for enhanced galactose consumption. We used directed genetically engineered strains to examine galactose utilization in strain NZ9000 via the chromosomal Leloir pathway (gal genes) or the plasmid-encoded tagatose 6-phosphate (Tag6P) pathway (lac genes). Galactokinase (GalK), but not galactose permease (GalP), is essential for growth on galactose. This finding led to the discovery of an alternative route, comprising a galactose phosphotransferase system (PTS) and a phosphatase, for galactose dissimilation in NZ9000. Introduction of the Tag6P pathway in a galPMK mutant restored the ability to metabolize galactose but did not sustain growth on this sugar. The latter strain was used to prove that lacFE, encoding the lactose PTS, is necessary for galactose metabolism, thus implicating this transporter in galactose uptake. Both PTS transporters have a low affinity for galactose, while GalP displays a high affinity for the sugar. Furthermore, the GalP/Leloir route supported the highest galactose consumption rate. To further increase this rate, we overexpressed galPMKT, but this led to a substantial accumulation of α-galactose 1-phosphate and α-glucose 1-phosphate, pointing to a bottleneck at the level of α-phosphoglucomutase. Overexpression of a gene encoding α-phosphoglucomutase alone or in combination with gal genes yielded strains with galactose consumption rates enhanced up to 50% relative to that of NZ9000. Approaches to further improve galactose metabolism are discussed.

scholarly journals Galactose Metabolism by Streptococcus mutans

2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 6047-6052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Abranches ◽  
Yi-Ywan M. Chen ◽  
Robert A. Burne
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Sugar Metabolism ◽  
Growth Defect ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Galactose Metabolism ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Leloir Pathway ◽  
In The Wild

ABSTRACT The galK gene, encoding galactokinase of the Leloir pathway, was insertionally inactivated in Streptococcus mutans UA159. The galK knockout strain displayed only marginal growth on galactose, but growth on glucose or lactose was not affected. In strain UA159, the sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) for lactose and the PTS for galactose were induced by growth in lactose and galactose, although galactose PTS activity was very low, suggesting that S. mutans does not have a galactose-specific PTS and that the lactose PTS may transport galactose, albeit poorly. To determine if the galactose growth defect of the galK mutant could be overcome by enhancing lactose PTS activity, the gene encoding a putative repressor of the operon for lactose PTS and phospho-β-galactosidase, lacR, was insertionally inactivated. A galK and lacR mutant still could not grow on galactose, although the strain had constitutively elevated lactose PTS activity. The glucose PTS activity of lacR mutants grown in glucose was lower than in the wild-type strain, revealing an influence of LacR or the lactose PTS on the regulation of the glucose PTS. Mutation of the lacA gene of the tagatose pathway caused impaired growth in lactose and galactose, suggesting that galactose can only be efficiently utilized when both the Leloir and tagatose pathways are functional. A mutation of the permease in the multiple sugar metabolism operon did not affect growth on galactose. Thus, the galactose permease of S. mutans is not present in the gal, lac, or msm operons.

scholarly journals Synthesis of GDP-Mannose and Mannosylglycerate from Labeled Mannose by Genetically Engineered Escherichia coli without Loss of Specific Isotopic Enrichment

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria-Manuel Sampaio ◽  
Helena Santos ◽  
Winfried Boos
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Isotopic Enrichment ◽  
Rhodothermus Marinus ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Limiting Step ◽  
Rate Limiting

ABSTRACT We report the construction of an Escherichia coli mutant that harbors two compatible plasmids and that is able to synthesize labeled 2-O-α-d-mannosyl-d-glycerate from externally added labeled mannose without the loss of specific isotopic enrichment. The strain carries a deletion in the manA gene, encoding phosphomannose isomerase. This deletion prevents the formation of fructose-6-phosphate from mannose-6-phosphate after the uptake of mannose from the medium by mannose-specific enzyme II of the phosphotransferase system (PtsM). The strain also has a deletion of the cps gene cluster that prevents the synthesis of colanic acid, a mannose-containing polymer. Plasmid-encoded phosphomannomutase (cpsG) and mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase (cpsB) ensure the formation of GDP-mannose. A second plasmid harbors msg, a gene from Rhodothermus marinus that encodes mannosylglycerate synthase, which catalyzes the formation of 2-O-α-d-mannosyl-d-glycerate from GDP-mannose and endogenous glycerate. The rate-limiting step in 2-O-α-d-mannosyl-d-glycerate formation is the transfer of GDP-mannose to glycerate. 2-O-α-d-mannosyl-d-glycerate can be released from cells by treatment with cold-water shock. The final product is formed in a yield exceeding 50% the initial quantity of labeled mannose, including loss during preparation and paper chromatography.

scholarly journals Characterization, Expression, and Mutation of the Lactococcus lactis galPMKTE Genes, Involved in Galactose Utilization via the Leloir Pathway

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (3) ◽  
pp. 870-878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît P. Grossiord ◽  
Evert J. Luesink ◽  
Elaine E. Vaughan ◽  
Alain Arnaud ◽  
Willem M. de Vos
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Cell Separation ◽  
Sole Carbon Source ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Leloir Pathway ◽  
Wild Type Phenotype ◽  
Mutant Strains ◽  
Galactose Utilization ◽  
Long Chain

ABSTRACT A cluster containing five similarly oriented genes involved in the metabolism of galactose via the Leloir pathway in Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris MG1363 was cloned and characterized. The order of the genes is galPMKTE, and these genes encode a galactose permease (GalP), an aldose 1-epimerase (GalM), a galactokinase (GalK), a hexose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GalT), and a UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (GalE), respectively. This genetic organization reflects the order of the metabolic conversions during galactose utilization via the Leloir pathway. The functionality of the galP, galK, galT, and galE genes was shown by complementation studies performed with both Escherichia coli and L. lactis mutants. The GalP permease is a new member of the galactoside-pentose-hexuronide family of transporters. The capacity of GalP to transport galactose was demonstrated by using galP disruption mutant strains of L. lactis MG1363. A galK deletion was constructed by replacement recombination, and the mutant strain was not able to ferment galactose. Disruption of the galE gene resulted in a deficiency in cell separation along with the appearance of a long-chain phenotype when cells were grown on glucose as the sole carbon source. Recovery of the wild-type phenotype for the galE mutant was obtained either by genetic complementation or by addition of galactose to the growth medium.

scholarly journals Lactobacillus casei 64H Contains a Phosphoenolpyruvate-Dependent Phosphotransferase System for Uptake of Galactose, as Confirmed by Analysis of ptsH and Differentgal Mutants

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Bettenbrock ◽  
Ulrike Siebers ◽  
Petra Ehrenreich ◽  
Carl-Alfred Alpert
Keyword(s):  
Thin Layer ◽  
Positive Selection ◽  
Lactobacillus Casei ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Galactose Metabolism ◽  
Induction Kinetics ◽  
Leloir Pathway ◽  
Reduced Rate ◽  
Layer Chromatography

ABSTRACT Galactose metabolism in Lactobacillus casei 64H was analyzed by genetic and biochemical methods. Mutants with defects inptsH, galK, or the tagatose 6-phosphate pathway were isolated either by positive selection using 2-deoxyglucose or 2-deoxygalactose or by an enrichment procedure with streptozotocin.ptsH mutations abolish growth on lactose, cellobiose,N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, fructose, mannitol, glucitol, and ribitol, while growth on galactose continues at a reduced rate. Growth on galactose is also reduced, but not abolished, ingalK mutants. A mutation in galK in combination with a mutation in the tagatose 6-phosphate pathway results in sensitivity to galactose and lactose, while a galK mutation in combination with a mutation in ptsH completely abolishes galactose metabolism. Transport assays, in vitro phosphorylation assays, and thin-layer chromatography of intermediates of galactose metabolism also indicate the functioning of a permease/Leloir pathway and a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS)/tagatose 6-phosphate pathway. The galactose-PTS is induced by growth on either galactose or lactose, but the induction kinetics for the two substrates are different.

scholarly journals Molecular Characterization of the Lactococcus lactis ptsHI Operon and Analysis of the Regulatory Role of HPr

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (3) ◽  
pp. 764-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evert J. Luesink ◽  
Christel M. A. Beumer ◽  
Oscar P. Kuipers ◽  
Willem M. De Vos
Keyword(s):  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Promoter Sequence ◽  
Regulatory Role ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Galactose Metabolism ◽  
Wild Type Phenotype ◽  
Genes Encoding

ABSTRACT The Lactococcus lactis ptsH and ptsI genes, encoding the general proteins of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system, HPr and enzyme I, respectively, were cloned, and the regulatory role of HPr was studied by mutational analysis of its gene. A promoter sequence was identified upstream of theptsHI operon, and the transcription start site was mapped by primer extension. The results of Northern analyses showed the presence of two glucose-inducible transcripts, one of 0.3 kb containingptsH and a second of 2.0 kb containing bothptsH and ptsI. Disruption of theptsH and ptsI genes in strain NZ9800 resulted in a reduced growth rate at the expense of glucose, but no growth at the expense of sucrose and fructose, confirming the dominant role of the phosphotransferase system in the uptake of these sugars in L. lactis. Complementation of the ptsH andptsI mutants with the intact genes under the control of a regulated promoter resulted in the restoration of the wild-type phenotype. The role of HPr(Ser-P) in the recently established CcpA-mediated control of galactose metabolism as well as glycolysis was analyzed by producing an HPr mutant carrying an aspartic acid on residue 46 which mimicks a phosphorylated serine. The results of these experiments demonstrated the role of HPr(Ser-P) as corepressor in the catabolite repression of the gal operon. Furthermore, we show for the first time that HPr(Ser-P) functions as a coactivator in the CcpA-mediated catabolite activation of the pyruvate kinase andl-lactate dehydrogenase genes.

scholarly journals Autoinducer 2 Signaling via the Phosphotransferase FruA Drives Galactose Utilization by Streptococcus pneumoniae , Resulting in Hypervirulence

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Trappetti ◽  
Lauren J. McAllister ◽  
Austen Chen ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Adrienne W. Paton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
The Body ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Autoinducer 2 ◽  
Leloir Pathway

ABSTRACT Communication between bacterial cells is crucial for the coordination of diverse cellular processes that facilitate environmental adaptation and, in the case of pathogenic species, virulence. This is achieved by the secretion and detection of small signaling molecules called autoinducers, a process termed quorum sensing. To date, the only signaling molecule recognized by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is autoinducer 2 (AI-2), synthesized by the metabolic enzyme LuxS ( S -ribosylhomocysteine lyase) as a by-product of the activated methyl cycle. Homologues of LuxS are ubiquitous in bacteria, suggesting a key role in interspecies, as well as intraspecies, communication. Gram-negative bacteria sense and respond to AI-2 via the Lsr ABC transporter system or by the LuxP/LuxQ phosphorelay system. However, homologues of these systems are absent from Gram-positive bacteria and the AI-2 receptor is unknown. Here we show that in the major human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae , sensing of exogenous AI-2 is dependent on FruA, a fructose-specific phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system that is highly conserved in Gram-positive pathogens. Importantly, AI-2 signaling via FruA enables the bacterium to utilize galactose as a carbon source and upregulates the Leloir pathway, thereby leading to increased production of capsular polysaccharide and a hypervirulent phenotype. IMPORTANCE S. pneumoniae is a Gram-positive bacterium frequently carried asymptomatically in the human nasopharynx. However, in a proportion of cases, it can spread to other sites of the body, causing life-threatening diseases that translate into massive global morbidity and mortality. Our data show that AI-2 signaling via FruA promotes the transition of the pneumococcus from colonization to invasion by facilitating the utilization of galactose, the principal sugar available in the upper respiratory tract. AI-2-mediated upregulation of Leloir pathway enzymes results in increased production of capsular polysaccharide and hypervirulence in a murine intranasal challenge model. This identifies the highly conserved FruA phosphotransferase system as a target for new antimicrobials based on the disruption of this generic quorum-sensing system.

scholarly journals Acid-Inducible Transcription of the Operon Encoding the Citrate Lyase Complex of Lactococcus lactis Biovar diacetylactis CRL264

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (17) ◽  
pp. 5649-5660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio G. Martín ◽  
Pablo D. Sender ◽  
Salvador Peirú ◽  
Diego de Mendoza ◽  
Christian Magni
Keyword(s):  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Acid Stress ◽  
Nucleotide Sequence Analysis ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Polycistronic Mrna ◽  
Citrate Transporter ◽  
Citrate Lyase

ABSTRACT Although Lactococcus is one of the most extensively studied lactic acid bacteria and is the paradigm for biochemical studies of citrate metabolism, little information is available on the regulation of the citrate lyase complex. In order to fill this gap, we characterized the genes encoding the subunits of the citrate lyase of Lactococcus lactis CRL264, which are located on an 11.4-kb chromosomal DNA region. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a cluster of eight genes in a new type of genetic organization. The citM-citCDEFXG operon (cit operon) is transcribed as a single polycistronic mRNA of 8.6 kb. This operon carries a gene encoding a malic enzyme (CitM, a putative oxaloacetate decarboxylase), the structural genes coding for the citrate lyase subunits (citD, citE, and citF), and the accessory genes required for the synthesis of an active citrate lyase complex (citC, citX, and citG). We have found that the cit operon is induced by natural acidification of the medium during cell growth or by a shift to media buffered at acidic pHs. Between the citM and citC genes is a divergent open reading frame whose expression was also increased at acidic pH, which was designated citI. This inducible response to acid stress takes place at the transcriptional level and correlates with increased activity of citrate lyase. It is suggested that coordinated induction of the citrate transporter, CitP, and citrate lyase by acid stress provides a mechanism to make the cells (more) resistant to the inhibitory effects of the fermentation product (lactate) that accumulates under these conditions.

scholarly journals 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from Lactococcus lactis: a role for arginine residues in binding substrate and coenzyme

1999 ◽  
Vol 338 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel TETAUD ◽  
Stefania HANAU ◽  
Jeremy M. WELLS ◽  
Richard W. F. Le PAGE ◽  
Margaret J. ADAMS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Coenzyme Binding ◽  
Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Arginine Residues ◽  
Binding Pockets ◽  
Binding Residues ◽  
Cloned Gene ◽  
Binding Substrate

A gene encoding 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGDH, EC 1.1.1.44) was identified from the homofermentative lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus lactis, by complementation of Escherichia coli mutants. The cloned gene was then expressed to high levels in E. coli and the protein purified for kinetic analysis. The enzyme had a Km for 6-phosphogluconate of 15.4±1.4 µM and for NADP of 1.9±0.2 µM at pH 7.5. Sequence comparison of the L. lactis 6-PGDH with the corresponding enzyme derived from the pathogenic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei and sheep liver revealed the substrate-binding residues to be identical in all three species, although the three coenzyme-binding pockets differed slightly. A totally conserved arginine residue (Arg-447), believed to bind the 6-phosphate of substrate, was mutated to lysine, aspartate, alanine or tryptophan. In each case enzyme activity was lost, confirming an essential role for this residue on activity. A second arginine (Arg-34), believed to be critical in binding the 2´-phosphate of cofactor NADP+, was mutated to a tyrosine residue, as found in one atypical isoform of the enzyme in Bacillus subtilis. This alteration led to decrease in affinity for NADP+ of nearly three orders of magnitude. A second 6-PGDH gene has been identified from the genome of B. subtilis. This second isoform contains an arginine (Arg-34) in this position, suggesting that B. subtilis has two 6-PGDHs with different coenzyme specificities.

scholarly journals Epidemiological aspects of group B streptococci of bovine and human origin

1996 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. E. Jensen ◽  
F. M. Aarestrup
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Agalactiae ◽  
Double Diffusion ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Group B Streptococci ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Lactose Fermentation ◽  
Phenotypic Variations ◽  
Group B ◽  
Reference Strains

SummaryRestriction fragment length polymorphism of the gene encoding rRNA (ribotyping) was used in combination with conventional epidemiological markers to study phenotypic variations amongStreptococcus agalactiaeof bovine origin and the possible epidemiological interrelationship between the bovine and human reservoirs ofStreptococcus agalactiae.The bovine material constituted 53 strains (9 antigen combinations) isolated from 11 herds. Herds with a uniform as well as heterogenic antigenic pattern were included. Furthermore, strains isolated in the course of time from the same persistently infected quarters were examined. The human material constituted 16 strains, 4 each of 4 serotypes, isolated from healthy carriers. Finally, nine serotype- and the group reference strains were examined. All strains were serotyped by double diffusion in agarose gel, biotyped (lactose ±), and ribotyped using two restriction enzymes,HindIII andHhaI.All isolates could be typed by ribotyping and seven ribotypes were identified among the reference strains. The restriction enzymes used alone or in combination gave typing results that allowed discrimination between and within serotype. Combined use of serotype,HindIII andHhaI ribotypes produced 11 types among the 16 human strains. Ribotype analysis discriminated between herds infected with the same serotype. Strains of varying antigenic patterns from the same herd had the same ribotype. Phenotypic variations in serotype observed in persistent intramammary infection were not related to genetic changes as monitored by ribotype. Two ribotypes were represented among both bovine and human strains. The discriminating capability of lactose fermentation was of limited value.

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