• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.11
• /
• pp.1841-1847
• /
• 2007

We previously identified the origin of replication of p703/5, a small cryptic plasmid from the KBL703 strain of Enterococcus faecalis. The origin of replication contains putative regulatory cis-elements required for replication and a replication initiator (RepA) gene. The replicon of p703/5 is similar in its structural organization to theta-type plasmids, and RepA is homologous to a family of Rep proteins identified in several plasmids from Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we report molecular interactions between RepA and the replication origin of p703/5. DNase I footprinting using recombinant RepA together with electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed the binding of RepA to the replication origin of p703/5 via iterons and an inverted repeat. We also demonstrated the formation of RepA dimers and the different binding of RepA to the iteron and the inverted repeat using gel filtration chromatographic analysis, a chemical crosslinking assay, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride. Our results suggest that RepA plays a regulatory role in the replication of the enterococcal plasmid p703/5 via mechanisms similar to those of typical iteroncarrying theta-type plasmids.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.403-408
• /
• 2009

A number of bifidobacterial species of human origin were screened for the presence of cryptic plasmids. One strain, Bifidobacterium longum FI10564, harbored plasmids of approximately 2.2 kb, 3.6 kb, and 4.9 kb in size. The smallest plasmid, pFI2576(2,197 bp), was studied in detail and its complete nucleotide sequence was determined. Computer-assisted analysis of this novel plasmid(G+C content 62%) identified 9 putative open reading frames(orfs), 3 of which were shown to be probable genes. These putative genes are arranged in an operon-like structure, in which the overlapping orfs 1 and 2 encode putative Rep proteins and are highly homologous to the rep genes of the B. longum plasmid pMBI(1,847 bp). The mechanism of replication of pFI2576 was investigated using Southern blot analysis of whole cell lysates, with and without S1 nuclease treatment, and atomic force microscopy(AFM). The results indicate that pFI2576 is likely to use the theta mode of replication.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.193-198
• /
• 2007

A marine bacterium was isolated from Mai Po Nature Reserve of Hong Kong and identified as Vibrio cholerae MP-1. It contains a small plasmid designated as pVC of 3.8 kb. Four open reading frames (ORFs) are identified on the plasmid, but none of them shows homology to any known protein. Database search indicated that a 440 bp fragment is 96% identical to a fragment found in a small plasmid of another V. cholerae. Further experiments demonstrated that a 2.3 kb EcoRI fragment containing the complete ORF1, partial ORF4 and their intergenic region could self-replicate. Additional analyses revealed that sequence upstream of ORF1 showed the features characteristic of theta type replicons. Protein encoded by ORF1 has two characteristic motifs existed in most replication initiator proteins (Rep): the leucine zipper (LZ) motif located at the N-terminal region and the alpha helix-turn-alpha helix motif (HTH) located at the C-terminal end. The results suggest that pVC replicates via the theta type mechanism and is likely a novel type of theta replicon.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.545-554
• /
• 2013

Plasmid isolation of kimchi-derived Weissella cibaria KLC140 revealed six different plasmids. The smallest plasmid, pKW2124, was DNA sequenced and characterized, showing 2,126 bp with a GC content of 36.39% and five putative open reading frames (ORFs). In silico analysis of these ORFs showed ORF1 encodes a putative replication protein similar to rolling circular replication proteins from other lactic acid bacteria. However, a single-stranded intermediate was not detected when S1 nuclease was treated, suggesting it may follow theta replication. Interestingly, the replication initiation site of this plasmid is 100% identical to other plasmids from lactic acid bacteria, suggesting it may function for replication initiation. To construct a surface layer expression vector, pTSLGFP, slpA encoding the surface layer protein from Lactobacillus acidophilus was PCR amplified and fused with the gfp gene, forming a SLGFP fused gene. The plasmid pKW2124 was cloned into the XbaI site of pUC19, forming an Weissella-E. coli shuttle vector pKUW22. NheI-linearized pTSLGFP was ligated into pKUWCAT containing pKUW22 and the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene from pEK104, resulting in an 8.6 kb pKWCSLGFP surface layer expression vector. After transformation of this vector into W. cibaria KLC140, a GFP fluorescence signal was detected on the surface of the transformant, substantiating production of SLGFP fused protein and its secretion. This is the first report for construction of a Weissella surface layer expression vector, which may be useful for surface layer production of beneficial proteins in Weissella.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.566-570
• /
• 1997

During sporulation, Bacillus thuringiensis strains produce crystals consist of toxin proteins highly specific against insect pests. Their host specificities are desirable from a standpoint of environmental safety, but also limit market potential. Thus, development of improved Bacillus thuringiensis strains having broad host spectrum will contribute to increase its use. For the construction of Bacillus thuringiensis strain having broad host spectrum, we cloned cry1C gene encoding a toxin protein highly toxic against Spodoptera exigua from a B. thuringiensis isolate and constructed two recombinant plasmids, pUBClC and plC60. The plasmid PUBC1C has a replication origin of the natural plasmid pBC16 from B. cereus which is closely related species to B. thuringiensis, and the pBC16 was known to be replicated by rolling-circle mechanism. The plasmid pIC60 has a replication origin of a resident 60 MDa plasmid from B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD263, and it is believed that the pIC60 is replicated in a theta mode. The two plasmids were introduced into B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki cryB strain, and the transformed strains produced well-shaped bipyramidal crystals. We confirmed the expression of the cry1C gene by SDS-PAGE, and Western blotting. By investigating the segregational stability, it was found that the plasmid pIC60 is more stable than the pUBC1C.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.190-195
• /
• 2008

The $\alpha$-amylase gene, amyL, from Bacillus licheniformis was expressed in Lactobacillus brevis 2.14 and Escherichia coli $DH5{\alpha}$ using two different shuttle vectors, pCW4 and pSJE. E. coli transformants (TFs) harboring either $pCW4T{\alpha}$ or $pSJET{\alpha}$ produced active $\alpha$-amylase but L. brevis TFs did not, as determined by enzyme assays and zymography. But amyL transcripts were synthesized in L. brevis TFs. In terms of plasmid stability, pSJE, a theta-type replicon, was more stable than pCW4, an RCR (rolling circle replication) plasmid, in L. brevis without antibiotic selection.