Improved antimicrobial spectrum of the N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase from Latilactobacillus sakei upon LysM domain deletion
Abstract The gene encoding N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase in Latilactobacillus sakei isolated from a fermented meat product was cloned in two forms: its complete sequence (AmiC) and without one of its anchoring LysM domains (AmiLysM4). Deletion of the LysM domain is believed to affect the target microorganism’s affinity to the cell wall, which influences antimicrobial activity. To compare activity and inhibitory spectra, AmiC and AmiLysM4 were expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. Using the zymography technique, two bands with lytic activity were observed, which were confirmed by LC-MS/MS analysis, with molecular masses of 71 kDa (AmiC) and 66 kDa (AmiLysM4). The recombinant proteins were active against Listeria innocua and Staphylococcus aureus strains; however, the inhibitory spectrum of AmiLysM4 was broader because AmiLysM4 could inhibit Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Weissella viridescens, which are microorganisms associated with food deterioration. Optimal temperature and pH values were determined for both proteins using L-alanine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride as a substrate for N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase activity. Both proteins showed similar maximum activity values for pH (8) and temperature (50°C). Furthermore, in silico predictions did not show differences for the catalytic region, but differences were found for the region called 3dom, which includes 3 of the 5 LysM domains. Therefore, the modification of the LysM domain offers new tools for the development of novel food biopreservatives.