Donaldas Citavicius

Genetic engineering of Geobacillus spp.

Members of the genus Geobacillus are thermophiles that are of great biotechnological importance, since they are sources of many thermostable enzymes. Because of their metabolic versatility, geobacilli can be used as whole-cell catalysts in processes such as bioconversion and bioremediation. The effective employment of Geobacillus spp. requires the development of reliable methods for genetic engineering of these bacteria. Currently, genetic manipulation tools and protocols are under rapid development. However, there are several convenient cloning vectors, some of which replicate autonomously, while others are suitable for the genetic modification of chromosomal genes. Gene expression systems are also intensively studied. Combining these tools together with proper techniques for DNA transfer, some Geobacillus strains were shown to be valuable producers of recombinant proteins and industrially important biochemicals, such as ethanol or isobutanol. This review encompasses the progress made in the genetic engineering of Geobacillus spp. and surveys the vectors and transformation methods that are available for this genus.

Cutaneous yeast microflora in patients with atopic dermatitis

The skin of persons with atopic dermatitis (AD) is very susceptible to cutaneous infection, and some yeast species may also aggravate AD. The total yeast population of an AD patient’s skin and its relation with individual age and body part remains poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to clarify the differences in cutaneous yeast flora by age and body parts of AD patients.By swabbing affected body parts (hands, legs, face, neck or trunk), 241 samples were collected from patients with AD (132 children and 109 adults), and as controls, 40 samples were taken from healthy individuals (20 children, 20 adults).In all, 89 (36.9%) of samples were positive; the yeast isolated belonged to three genera: Candida (27.4%), Malassezia (6.6%), and Rhodotorula (2.9%). Cutaneous colonization with yeasts was two-fold higher in the adults than in children (P<0.0001). The distribution of the yeast species was dependent on the body part sampled: Malassezia predominated in the face, neck, and trunk regions (P=0.0047); Candida more frequently colonized hands and legs (P=0.0029).Our study showed that cutaneous yeast flora and distribution of yeast species depends significantly on the age of the AD patient and the body part affected by atopic dermatitis.

Combining prebiotics with probiotic bacteria can enhance bacterial growth and secretion of bacteriocins.

There is a growing interest in supporting human health by using prebiotics, such as oligosaccharides, and beneficial bacteria, also called probiotics. Combining these two components we can develop synbiotics. In order to create successful combination of synbiotic it is very important to evaluate the influence of prebiotic oligosaccharides to probiotic bacteria and their behavior, such as growth and secretion of health related biomolecules, including bacteriocins. In this study seven type strains of probiotic bacteria (five Lactobacillus sp. and two Lactococcus sp.) and two Lactobacillus sp. strains, isolated from probiotic yoghurt, were cultivated with various commercially available and extracted oligosaccharides (OS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of these OS on type and isolated bacterial strains growth and antibacterial activity. Obtained results suggest that combination of certain OS with probiotic strains may considerably improve their growth and/or antibacterial activity. We also determined the antibacterial activity spectrum of investigated strains with combination of OS against common food borne pathogens. Results of this work show that prebiotic OS can be useful for modulating probiotic bacteria growth, antibacterial activity and even specificity of this activity.

Keratinous waste decomposition and peptide production by keratinase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus AD-11.

A keratinolytic proteinase was cloned from thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus stearothermophilus AD-11 and was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Recombinant keratinolytic proteinase (RecGEOker) with an estimated molecular weight of 57 kDa was purified and keratinase activity was measured. RecGEOker showed optimal activity at pH 9 and 60 °C. Recombinant keratinolytic proteinase showed the highest substrate specificity toward keratin from wool > collagen > sodium caseinate > gelatin > and BSA in descending order. RecGEOker is applicable for efficient keratin waste biodegradation and can replace conventional non-biological hydrolysis processes. High-value small peptides obtained from enzymatic biodegradation by RecGEOker are suitable for industrial application in white and/or green biotechnology for use as major additives in various products.

Keratinolytic proteinase from Bacillus thuringiensis AD-12.

A new isolated strain noted to produce a novel detergent-stable serine keratinolytic proteinase and identified as Bacillus thuringiensis AD-12. Native keratinolytic proteinase from B. thuringiensis (BtKER) was purified and characterized. The purified BtKER enzyme is a monomer with a molecular mass of 39kDa. Biochemical characterization assays revealed that the BtKER attained optimal activity at pH 7 and 30°C. Residual activity after 1h incubation at 50°C was higher than 80%. The enzyme was activated and stabilized by Mn(2+) and Li(+) metal ions but inactivated by organic solvents. Purified BtKER showed the highest substrate specificity toward keratin from wool>sodium caseinate>collagen>BSA>gelatin in descending order. BtKER is the first reported keratinolytic proteinase from B. thuringiensis and obtained results suggested that new characterized enzyme can be a powerful biocatalyst in peptide production associated to hydrolysis of keratinous and/or keratin-like waste.

Detection of Asp371, Phe375, and Tyr376 Influence on GD-95-10 Lipase Using Alanine Scanning Mutagenesis

GD-95-10 and GD-95-20 lipases are modified GD-95 lipase variants, which lack 10 and 20 C-terminal amino acids, respectively. Previous analysis showed that GD-95-10 lipase has higher activity than GD-95 lipase, while GD-95-20 lipase almost completely loses its activity. Analysis in silico suggested three conservative amino acids at region between 369 and 378 amino acids which can be relevant to the activity of GD-95-10 lipase. These amino acids have direct contacts with residues involved in substrate binding, stabilization of the serine loop or form oxyanion hole. In this work, the role of Asp371, Phe375, and Tyr376 on activity, functionality, and structure of GD-95-10 lipase was analyzed by Ala scanning mutagenesis. We showed that even a single mutation can impact the main structure and activity of Geobacillus lipases. Our experiments provide new knowledge about lipases from thermophilic Geobacillus bacteria and are important for protein engineering and synthetic biology. These enzymes and their engineering can be basis for future biocatalysts applied in production of biofuel or other industrial esters.

Characterization of two novel plasmids from Geobacillus sp. 610 and 1121 strains.

We describe two cryptic low molecular weight plasmids, pGTD7 (3279bp) and pGTG5 (1540bp), isolated from Geobacillus sp. 610 and 1121 strains, respectively. Homology analysis of the replication protein (Rep) sequences and detection of ssDNA indicate that both of them replicate via rolling circle mechanism. As revealed by sequence similarities of dso region and Rep protein, plasmid pGTD7 belongs to pC194/pUB110 plasmid family. The replicon of pGTD7 was proved to be functional in another Geobacillus host. For this purpose, a construct pUCK7, containing a replicon of the analyzed plasmid, was created and transferred to G. stearothermophilus NUB3621R strain by electroporation. Plasmid pGTG5, based on Rep protein sequence similarity, was found to be related mostly to some poorly characterized bacterial plasmids. Rep proteins encoded by these plasmids contain conservative motifs that are most similar to those of Microviridae phages. This feature suggests that pGTG5, together with other plasmids containing the same motifs, could constitute a new family of bacterial plasmids. To date, pGTG5 is the smallest plasmid identified in bacteria belonging to the genus Geobacillus. The two plasmids described in this study can be used for the construction of new vectors suitable for biotechnologically important bacteria of the genus Geobacillus.

Ras/PKA signal transduction pathway participates in the regulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell apoptosis in an acidic environment

The acidification of the medium is observed during yeast cell growth. This process contributes to the emission of organic acids, mainly acetic acid. Acetic acid is known as the inducer of apoptosis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, we showed that hydrochloric acid can also induce apoptosis in yeast cells, and the apoptotic phenotype triggered by treating yeast cells with hydrochloric acid is modulated by the Ras/PKA pathway. The Ras/PKA pathway is highly conserved between all eukaryotic organisms, as well as cell processes that are related to apoptosis and aging. In this research, we demonstrated that the activation of the Ras/PKA pathway by insertion of Ras2Val19 allele or deletion of PDE2 gene increases cell death, displaying the markers of apoptosis in an acidic environment. Downregulation of the pathway by deletion of RAS2, RAS1, PDE1, and insertion of the Ha‐ras gene increases the cell viability and diminishes cell death with the apoptotic phenotypes. The deletion of PDE1 gene and double deletion of both phosphodiesterase genes prevent the induction of apoptosis in the cells. Modulations in the Ras/PKA pathway affect cell viability and apoptosis during natural gradual acidification of the medium as well as in acid stress conditions.

Atypical non-lipid-dependent strains of Malassezia furfur

Members of the yeast genus Malassezia, including atypical strains, are lipophilic except for Malassezia pachydermatis. New physiological features that characterize atypical Malassezia strains are mainly associated with alteration in Tween assimilation pattern — such isolates still require lipids for growth. We isolated three non-lipid-dependent strains of Malassezia from patients with diagnosed atopic dermatitis (AD). These isolates could not be identified to the species level via their physiological properties. Phylogenetic trees, based on the D1/D2 regions of the 26S rDNA gene sequences and nucleotide sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA region, showed the isolates to belong to Malassezia furfur. Three non-lipid dependent isolates from AD skin were conspecific, and sequences analysis proved them to be M. furfur.

Identification andin silico characterisation of putative conjugative transfer genes onGeobacillus stearothermophilus plasmids

We repor the first data demonstrating the presence of putative conjugative transfer genes on plasmids of the speciesGeobacillus stearothermophilus. Partial sequence analysis of the plasmid pGS18 fromG. stearothermophilus 18 was determined. It contained eleven complete open reading frames. Five of them encoded proteins which are homologous toBacillus megaterium pBM300 Mob/TraA,Lactococcus lactis pMRC01 TrsD and TrsE,Staphylococcus aureus pGO1 TrsG andS. aureus subsp.aureus pUSA03 TraL, the proteins that are associated with conjugative plasmid transfer. Southern hybridizations were performed on two other plasmids isolated fromG. stearothermophilus 3 andG. stearothermophilus 19 strains using the most homologous parts of those five genes as probes. Data from different hybridization patterns show a close homology of putative conjugative transfer genes between pGS18 and pGS3 hypothesizing a similar molecular organization of putative conjugative plasmid transfer region of both plasmids.