The beta protein of phage lambda promotes strand exchange

SURE editing: combining oligo-recombineering and programmable insertion/deletion of selection markers to efficiently edit the Mycoplasma pneumoniae genome

The development of advanced genetic tools is boosting microbial engineering which can potentially tackle wide-ranging challenges currently faced by our society. Here we present SURE editing, a multi-recombinase engineering rationale combining oligonucleotide recombineering with the selective capacity of antibiotic resistance via transient insertion of selector plasmids. We test this method in Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium with a very inefficient native recombination machinery. Using SURE editing, we can seamlessly generate, in a single step, a wide variety of genome modifications at high efficiencies, including the largest possible deletion of this genome (30 Kb) and the targeted complementation of essential genes in the deletion of a region of interest. Additional steps can be taken to remove the selector plasmid from the edited area, to obtain markerless or even scarless edits. Of note, SURE editing is compatible with different site-specific recombinases for mediating transient plasmid integration. This battery of selector plasmids can be used to select different edits, regardless of the target sequence, which significantly reduces the cloning load associated to genome engineering projects. Given the proven functionality in several microorganisms of the machinery behind the SURE editing logic, this method is likely to represent a valuable advance for the synthetic biology field.

Combining CRISPR-Cpf1 and Recombineering Facilitates Fast and Efficient Genome Editing in Escherichia coli

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-based gene-editing technology has been widely used in various microorganisms due to its advantages of low cost, high efficiency, easy operation, and multiple functions. In this study, an efficient and fast double-plasmid gene-editing system pEcCpf1/pcrEG was constructed in Escherichia coli based on CRISPR/Cpf1. First, gene knockout and integration efficiency were verified in eight different kinds of protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) regions. Then, the transformation method was optimized, and the efficiency of gene knockout or gene integration of this system increased to nearly 100%, and the large-length fragments could be integrated into the genome in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The system was also optimized by replacing the homologous recombination system in plasmid pEcCpf1, resulting in pEcCpf1H, which could perform precise single-point mutation, terminator insertion, short-sequence insertion, or gene knockout with high efficiency using a 90 nt (nucleotide) single-stranded primer. Further, multiple genes could be edited simultaneously. Next, these two systems were demonstrated in other E. coli strains. Finally, as an application, the system was used to engineer the synthesis pathway of l-histidine in the engineered strain. The titer of l-histidine in a shake flask reached 7.16 g/L, a value increased by 84.1% compared to the starting strain. Thus, this study provided an effective tool for metabolic engineering of E. coli.

Construction of Novel Live Genetically Modified BCG Vaccine Candidates Using Recombineering Tools

One of the strategies for the construction of live vaccine candidates is through the generation of genetically defined isogenic strains, containing single or multiple mutations in target-specific genes generated by allelic exchange. This approach allows to produce rational attenuation of or, alternatively, sequence-specific modifications to produce variants of antigenic molecules or change their expression levels. Genetic tools amenable for their use in mycobacterial strains have allowed the identification and validation of potential targets for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of tuberculosis. However, the genetic manipulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other slow-growing strains such as Mycobacterium bovis BCG has been delayed by various factors related to their physiology and cell wall characteristics. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the high frequency of illegitimate recombination and the availability of few antibiotic selection markers limit the feasibility of genetic manipulation of mycobacterial strains. This chapter describes a protocol for the generation of defined mutants using recombination tools in an inducible recombination system driven by mycobacterial Che9c phage RecET proteins, originally developed in Dr. Graham Hatfull's group, combined with linearized recombination substrates containing flanking sequences of a locus of interest and an antibiotic resistance gene. These recombination substrates contain sites for removal of antibiotics selection markers. This system allows to make marked and unmarked mutations by homologous recombination in a single step as a result of a double crossover between the homologous regions on the genome and the allelic exchange substrate. In addition, this genetic tool used for engineering mycobacterial genomes performs with lower rates of illegitimate recombination and take on average less time to create knock-out (KO) mutant compared with other techniques.

Mechanisms restraining break-induced replication at two-ended DNA double-strand breaks

DNA synthesis during homologous recombination is highly mutagenic and prone to template switches. Two-ended DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are usually repaired by gene conversion with a short patch of DNA synthesis, thus limiting the mutation load to the vicinity of the DSB. Single-ended DSBs are repaired by break-induced replication (BIR), which involves extensive and mutagenic DNA synthesis spanning up to hundreds of kilobases. It remains unknown how mutagenic BIR is suppressed at two-ended DSBs. Here, we demonstrate that BIR is suppressed at two-ended DSBs by proteins coordinating the usage of two ends of a DSB: (i) ssDNA annealing proteins Rad52 and Rad59 that promote second end capture, (ii) D-loop unwinding helicase Mph1, and (iii) Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 complex that promotes synchronous resection of two ends of a DSB. Finally, BIR is also suppressed when Sir2 silences a normally heterochromatic repair template. All of these proteins are particularly important for limiting BIR when recombination occurs between short repetitive sequences, emphasizing the significance of these mechanisms for species carrying many repetitive elements such as humans.

Optimizing recombineering in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Owing to the increasing demand for amino acids and valuable commodities that can be produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum, there is a pressing need for new rapid genome engineering tools that improve the speed and efficiency of genomic insertions, deletions, and mutations. Recombineering using the λ Red system in Escherichia coli has proven very successful at genetically modifying this organism in a quick and efficient manner, suggesting that optimizing a recombineering system for C. glutamicum will also improve the speed for genomic modifications. Here, we maximized the recombineering efficiency in C. glutamicum by testing the efficacy of seven different recombinase/exonuclease pairs for integrating single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) into the genome. By optimizing the homologous arm length and the amount of dsDNA transformed, as well as eliminating codon bias, a dsDNA recombineering efficiency of 13,250 transformed colonies/10⁹ viable cells was achieved, the highest efficiency currently reported in the literature. Using this optimized system, over 40,000 bp could be deleted in one transformation step. This recombineering strategy will greatly improve the speed of genetic modifications in C. glutamicum and assist other systems, such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and multiplexed automated genome engineering, in improving targeted genome editing.

Single stranded DNA annealing is a conserved activity of telomere resolvases

Bacterial species of the genera Agrobacterium and Borrelia possess chromosomes terminated by hairpin telomeres. Replication produces dimeric replication intermediates fused via replicated telomere junctions. A specialized class of enzymes, referred to as telomere resolvases, promotes the resolution of the replicated intermediate into linear monomers terminated by hairpin telomeres. Telomere resolution is catalyzed via DNA cleavage and rejoining events mechanistically similar to those promoted by topoisomerase-IB and tyrosine recombinase enzymes. Examination of the borrelial telomere resolvase, ResT, revealed unanticipated multifunctionality; aside from its expected telomere resolution activity ResT possessed a singled-stranded DNA (ssDNA) annealing activity that extended to both naked ssDNA and ssDNA complexed with its cognate single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB). At present, the role this DNA annealing activity plays in vivo remains unknown. We have demonstrated here that single-stranded DNA annealing is also a conserved property of the agrobacterial telomere resolvase, TelA. This activity in TelA similarly extends to both naked ssDNA and ssDNA bound by its cognate SSB. TelA's annealing activity was shown to stem from the N-terminal domain; removal of this domain abolished annealing without affecting telomere resolution. Further, independent expression of the N-terminal domain of TelA produced a functional annealing protein. We suggest that the apparent conservation of annealing activity in two telomere resolvases, from distantly related bacterial species, implies a role for this activity in hairpin telomere metabolism. Our demonstration of the separation of the telomere resolution and annealing activities of TelA provides a platform for future experiments aimed at identifying the role DNA annealing performs in vivo.

Recombineering and MAGE

Recombination-mediated genetic engineering, also known as recombineering, is the genomic incorporation of homologous single-stranded or double-stranded DNA into bacterial genomes. Recombineering and its derivative methods have radically improved genome engineering capabilities, perhaps none more so than multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE). MAGE is representative of a set of highly multiplexed single-stranded DNA-mediated technologies. First described in Escherichia coli, both MAGE and recombineering are being rapidly translated into diverse prokaryotes and even into eukaryotic cells. Together, this modern set of tools offers the promise of radically improving the scope and throughput of experimental biology by providing powerful new methods to ease the genetic manipulation of model and non-model organisms. In this Primer, we describe recombineering and MAGE, their optimal use, their diverse applications and methods for pairing them with other genetic editing tools. We then look forward to the future of genetic engineering.

Genetic Manipulation of Lytic Bacteriophages with BRED: Bacteriophage Recombineering of Electroporated DNA

We describe a recombineering-based method for the genetic manipulation of lytically replicating bacteriophages, focusing on mycobacteriophages. The approach utilizes recombineering-proficient strains of Mycobacterium smegmatis and employs a cotransformation strategy with purified phage genomic DNA and a mutagenic substrate, which selects for only those cells that are competent to take up DNA. The cotransformation method, combined with the high rates of recombination obtained in M. smegmatis recombineering strains, allows for the efficient and rapid generation of bacteriophage mutants.

Parallel triplex structure formed between stretched single-stranded DNA and homologous duplex DNA

The interaction between the single-stranded DNA and the homologous duplex DNA is essential for DNA homologous repair. Here, we report that parallel triplex structure can form spontaneously between a mechanically extended ssDNA and a homologous dsDNA in protein-free condition. The triplex has a contour length close to that of a B-form DNA duplex and remains stable after force is released. The binding energy between the ssDNA and the homologous dsDNA in the triplex is estimated to be comparable to the basepairing energy in a B-form dsDNA. As ssDNA is in a similar extended conformation within recombinase-coated nucleoprotein filaments, we propose that the parallel triplex may form and serve as an intermediate during recombinase-catalyzed homologous joint formation.

Examining a DNA Replication Requirement for Bacteriophage λ Red- and Rac Prophage RecET-Promoted Recombination in Escherichia coli

Recombineering, in vivo genetic engineering with bacteriophage homologous recombination systems, is a powerful technique for making genetic modifications in bacteria. Two systems widely used in Escherichia coli are the Red system from phage λ and RecET from the defective Rac prophage. We investigated the in vivo dependence of recombineering on DNA replication of the recombining substrate using plasmid targets. For λ Red recombination, when DNA replication of a circular target plasmid is prevented, recombination with single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides is greatly reduced compared to that under replicating conditions. For RecET recombination, when DNA replication of the targeted plasmid is prevented, the recombination frequency is also reduced, to a level identical to that seen for the Red system in the absence of replication. The very low level of oligonucleotide recombination observed in the absence of any phage recombination functions is the same in the presence or absence of DNA replication. In contrast, both the Red and RecET systems recombine a nonreplicating linear dimer plasmid with high efficiency to yield a circular monomer. Therefore, the DNA replication requirement is substrate dependent. Our data are consistent with recombination by both the Red and RecET systems occurring predominately by single-strand annealing rather than by strand invasion.

IMPORTANCE

Bacteriophage homologous recombination systems are widely used for in vivo genetic engineering in bacteria. Single- or double-stranded linear DNA substrates containing short flanking homologies to chromosome targets are used to generate precise and accurate genetic modifications when introduced into bacteria expressing phage recombinases. Understanding the molecular mechanism of these recombination systems will facilitate improvements in the technology. Here, two phage-specific systems are shown to require exposure of complementary single-strand homologous targets for efficient recombination; these single-strand regions may be created during DNA replication or by single-strand exonuclease digestion of linear duplex DNA. Previously, in vitro studies reported that these recombinases promote the single-strand annealing of two complementary DNAs and also strand invasion of a single DNA strand into duplex DNA to create a three-stranded region. Here, in vivo experiments show that recombinase-mediated annealing of complementary single-stranded DNA is the predominant recombination pathway in E. coli.

λ Recombination and Recombineering

The bacteriophage λ Red homologous recombination system has been studied over the past 50 years as a model system to define the mechanistic details of how organisms exchange DNA segments that share extended regions of homology. The λ Red system proved useful as a system to study because recombinants could be easily generated by co-infection of genetically marked phages. What emerged from these studies was the recognition that replication of phage DNA was required for substantial Red-promoted recombination in vivo, and the critical role that double-stranded DNA ends play in allowing the Red proteins access to the phage DNA chromosomes. In the past 16 years, however, the λ Red recombination system has gained a new notoriety. When expressed independently of other λ functions, the Red system is able to promote recombination of linear DNA containing limited regions of homology (∼50 bp) with the Escherichia coli chromosome, a process known as recombineering. This review explains how the Red system works during a phage infection, and how it is utilized to make chromosomal modifications of E. coli with such efficiency that it changed the nature and number of genetic manipulations possible, leading to advances in bacterial genomics, metabolic engineering, and eukaryotic genetics.

The Borrelia burgdorferi telomere resolvase, ResT, anneals ssDNA complexed with its cognate ssDNA-binding protein

Spirochetes of the genus Borrelia possess unusual genomes that consist in a linear chromosome and multiple linear and circular plasmids. The linear replicons are terminated by covalently closed hairpin ends, referred to as hairpin telomeres. The hairpin telomeres represent a simple solution to the end-replication problem. Deoxyribonucleic acid replication initiates internally and proceeds bidirectionally toward the hairpin telomeres. The telomere resolvase, ResT, forms the hairpin telomeres from replicated telomere intermediates in a reaction with similarities to those promoted by type IB topoisomerases and tyrosine recombinases. ResT has also been shown to possess DNA single-strand annealing activity. We report here that ResT promotes single-strand annealing of both free DNA strands and ssDNA complexed with single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB). The annealing of complementary strands bound by SSB requires a ResT-SSB interaction that is mediated by the conserved amphipathic C-terminal tail of SSB. These properties of ResT are similar to those demonstrated for the recombination mediator protein, RecO, of the RecF pathway. Borrelia burgdorferi is unusual in lacking identifiable homologs of the RecFOR proteins. We propose that ResT may provide missing RecFOR functions.

Lambda Red-mediated Recombineering in the Attaching and Effacing Pathogen Escherichia albertii

Background

The ability to introduce site-specific mutations in bacterial pathogens is essential towards understanding their molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity. This has been greatly facilitated by the genetic engineering technique of recombineering. In recombineering, linear double- or single-stranded DNA molecules with two terminal homology arms are electroporated into hyperrecombinogenic bacteria that express a phage-encoded recombinase. The recombinase catalyzes the replacement of the endogenous allele with the exogenous allele to generate selectable or screenable recombinants. In particular, lambda red recombinase has been instrumental in engineering mutations to characterize the virulence arsenal of the attaching and effacing (A/E) pathogens enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), and Citrobacter rodentium. Escherichia albertii is another member of this taxon; however, the virulence of E. albertii remains cryptic despite accumulating evidence that E. albertii is an emerging pathogen. Multiple retrospective studies have reported that a substantial number of EPEC and EHEC isolates (~15 %) that were previously incriminated in human outbreaks actually belong to the E. albertii lineage. Thus, there is increased urgency to reliably identify and rapidly engineer mutations in E. albertii to systematically characterize its virulence determinants. To the best of our knowledge not a single chromosomal gene has been altered by targeted mutagenesis in E. albertii since it was first isolated almost 25 years ago. This is disconcerting because an E. albertii outbreak could cause significant morbidity and mortality owing to our inadequate understanding of its virulence program.

Results

In this report we describe a modified lambda red recombineering protocol to mutagenize E. albertii. As proof of principle, we successfully deleted three distinct virulence-associated genetic loci – ler, grlRA, and hfq – and replaced each wild type allele by a mutant allele with an encodable drug resistance cassette bracketed by FRT sites. Subsequently, the FRT-site flanked drug resistance marker was evicted by FLP-dependent site-specific recombination to generate excisants containing a solitary FRT site.

Conclusions

Our protocol will enable researchers to construct marked and unmarked genome-wide mutations in E. albertii, which, in turn, will illuminate its molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity and aid in developing appropriate preventative and therapeutic approaches to combat E. albertii outbreaks.

Prophage recombinases-mediated genome engineering in Lactobacillus plantarum

BACKGROUND

Lactobacillus plantarum is a food-grade microorganism with industrial and medical relevance belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Traditional strategies for obtaining gene deletion variants in this organism are mainly vector-based double-crossover methods, which are inefficient and laborious. A feasible possibility to solve this problem is the recombineering, which greatly expands the possibilities for engineering DNA molecules in vivo in various organisms.

RESULTS

In this work, a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) recombineering system was established in L. plantarum. An exonuclease encoded by lp_0642 and a potential host-nuclease inhibitor encoded by lp_0640 involved in dsDNA recombination were identified from a prophage P1 locus in L. plantarum WCFS1. These two proteins, combined with the previously characterized single strand annealing protein encoded by lp_0641, can perform homologous recombination between a heterologous dsDNA substrate and host genomic DNA. Based on this, we developed a method for marker-free genetic manipulation of the chromosome in L. plantarum.

CONCLUSIONS

This Lp_0640-41-42-mediated recombination allowed easy screening of mutants and could serve as an alternative to other genetic manipulation methods. We expect that this method can help for understanding the probiotic functionality and physiology of LAB.

A Single-Strand Annealing Protein Clamps DNA to Detect and Secure Homology

Repair of DNA breaks by single-strand annealing (SSA) is a major mechanism for the maintenance of genomic integrity. SSA is promoted by proteins (single-strand-annealing proteins [SSAPs]), such as eukaryotic RAD52 and λ phage Redβ. These proteins use a short single-stranded region to find sequence identity and initiate homologous recombination. However, it is unclear how SSAPs detect homology and catalyze annealing. Using single-molecule experiments, we provide evidence that homology is recognized by Redβ monomers that weakly hold single DNA strands together. Once annealing begins, dimerization of Redβ clamps the double-stranded region and nucleates nucleoprotein filament growth. In this manner, DNA clamping ensures and secures a successful detection for DNA sequence homology. The clamp is characterized by a structural change of Redβ and a remarkable stability against force up to 200 pN. Our findings not only present a detailed explanation for SSAP action but also identify the DNA clamp as a very stable, noncovalent, DNA-protein interaction.

Differential requirements of singleplex and multiplex recombineering of large DNA constructs

Recombineering is an in vivo genetic engineering technique involving homologous recombination mediated by phage recombination proteins. The use of recombineering methodology is not limited by size and sequence constraints and therefore has enabled the streamlined construction of bacterial strains and multi-component plasmids. Recombineering applications commonly utilize singleplex strategies and the parameters are extensively tested. However, singleplex recombineering is not suitable for the modification of several loci in genome recoding and strain engineering exercises, which requires a multiplex recombineering design. Defining the main parameters affecting multiplex efficiency especially the insertion of multiple large genes is necessary to enable efficient large-scale modification of the genome. Here, we have tested different recombineering operational parameters of the lambda phage Red recombination system and compared singleplex and multiplex recombineering of large gene sized DNA cassettes. We have found that optimal multiplex recombination required long homology lengths in excess of 120 bp. However, efficient multiplexing was possible with only 60 bp of homology. Multiplex recombination was more limited by lower amounts of DNA than singleplex recombineering and was greatly enhanced by use of phosphorothioate protection of DNA. Exploring the mechanism of multiplexing revealed that efficient recombination required co-selection of an antibiotic marker and the presence of all three Red proteins. Building on these results, we substantially increased multiplex efficiency using an ExoVII deletion strain. Our findings elucidate key differences between singleplex and multiplex recombineering and provide important clues for further improving multiplex recombination efficiency.

Lambda red mediated gap repair utilizes a novel replicative intermediate in Escherichia coli

The lambda phage Red recombination system can mediate efficient homologous recombination in Escherichia coli, which is the basis of the DNA engineering technique termed recombineering. Red mediated insertion of DNA requires DNA replication, involves a single-stranded DNA intermediate and is more efficient on the lagging strand of the replication fork. Lagging strand recombination has also been postulated to explain the Red mediated repair of gapped plasmids by an Okazaki fragment gap filling model. Here, we demonstrate that gap repair involves a different strand independent mechanism. Gap repair assays examining the strand asymmetry of recombination did not show a lagging strand bias. Directly testing an ssDNA plasmid showed lagging strand recombination is possible but dsDNA plasmids did not employ this mechanism. Insertional recombination combined with gap repair also did not demonstrate preferential lagging strand bias, supporting a different gap repair mechanism. The predominant recombination route involved concerted insertion and subcloning though other routes also operated at lower frequencies. Simultaneous insertion of DNA resulted in modification of both strands and was unaffected by mutations to DNA polymerase I, responsible for Okazaki fragment maturation. The lower efficiency of an alternate Red mediated ends-in recombination pathway and the apparent lack of a Holliday junction intermediate suggested that gap repair does not involve a different Red recombination pathway. Our results may be explained by a novel replicative intermediate in gap repair that does not involve a replication fork. We exploited these observations by developing a new recombineering application based on concerted insertion and gap repair, termed SPI (subcloning plus insertion). SPI selected against empty vector background and selected for correct gap repair recombinants. We used SPI to simultaneously insert up to four different gene cassettes in a single recombineering reaction. Consequently, our findings have important implications for the understanding of E. coli replication and Red recombination.

Stimulation of oligonucleotide-directed gene correction by Redβ expression and MSH2 depletion in human HT1080 cells

The correction of disease-causing mutations by single-strand oligonucleotide-templated DNA repair (ssOR) is an attractive approach to gene therapy, but major improvements in ssOR efficiency and consistency are needed. The mechanism of ssOR is poorly understood but may involve annealing of oligonucleotides to transiently exposed single-stranded regions in the target duplex. In bacteria and yeast it has been shown that ssOR is promoted by expression of Redβ, a single-strand DNA annealing protein from bacteriophage lambda. Here we show that Redβ expression is well tolerated in a human cell line where it consistently promotes ssOR. By use of short interfering RNA, we also show that ssOR is stimulated by the transient depletion of the endogenous DNA mismatch repair protein MSH2. Furthermore, we find that the effects of Redβ expression and MSH2 depletion on ssOR can be combined with a degree of cooperativity. These results suggest that oligonucleotide annealing and mismatch recognition are distinct but interdependent events in ssOR that can be usefully modulated in gene correction strategies.

Conversion of BAC clones into binary BAC (BIBAC) vectors and their delivery into basidiomycete fungal cells using Agrobacterium tumefaciens

The genetic transformation of certain organisms, required for gene function analysis or complementation, is often not very efficient, especially when dealing with large gene constructs or genomic fragments. We have adapted the natural DNA transfer mechanism from the soil pathogenic bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens, to deliver intact large DNA constructs to basidiomycete fungi of the genus Ustilago where they stably integrated into their genome. To this end, Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) clones containing large fungal genomic DNA fragments were converted via a Lambda phage-based recombineering step to Agrobacterium transfer-competent binary vectors (BIBACs) with a Ustilago-specific selection marker. The fungal genomic DNA fragment was subsequently successfully delivered as T-DNA through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation into Ustilago species where an intact copy stably integrated into the genome. By modifying the recombineering vector, this method can theoretically be adapted for many different fungi.

A new recombineering system for Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus

Precise and fluent genetic manipulation is still limited to only a few prokaryotes. Ideally the highly advanced technologies available in Escherichia coli could be broadly applied. Our efforts to apply lambda Red technology, widely termed ‘recombineering’, in Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus yielded only limited success. Consequently we explored the properties of an endogenous Photorhabdus luminescens lambda Red-like operon, Plu2934/Plu2935/Plu2936. Bioinformatic and functional tests indicate that Plu2936 is a 5’-3’ exonuclease equivalent to Redα and Plu2935 is a single strand annealing protein equivalent to Redβ. Plu2934 dramatically enhanced recombineering efficiency. Results from bioinformatic analysis and recombineering assays suggest that Plu2934 may be functionally equivalent to Redγ, which inhibits the major endogenous E. coli nuclease, RecBCD. The recombineering utility of Plu2934/Plu2935/Plu2936 was demonstrated by engineering Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus genomes, including the activation of the 49-kb non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) gene cluster plu2670 by insertion of a tetracycline inducible promoter. After tetracycline induction, novel secondary metabolites were identified. Our work unlocks the potential for bioprospecting and functional genomics in the Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus and related genomes.

The telomere resolvase of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, promotes DNA single-strand annealing and strand exchange

Spirochetes of the genus Borrelia include the tick-transmitted causative agents of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. They possess unusual genomes composed mainly of linear replicons terminated by closed DNA hairpin telomeres. Hairpin telomeres present an uninterrupted DNA chain to the replication machinery overcoming the 'end-replication problem' for the linear replicons. Hairpin telomeres are formed from inverted repeat replicated telomere junctions by the telomere resolvase, ResT. ResT uses a reaction mechanism similar to that of the type IB topoisomerases and tyrosine recombinases. We report here that ResT also possesses single-strand annealing activity and a limited ability to promote DNA strand exchange reactions on partial duplex substrates. This combination of activities suggests ResT is a nexus between the seemingly distinct processes of telomere resolution and homologous recombination. Implications for hairpin telomere replication and linear plasmid recombination, including antigenic variation, are discussed.

Antirepression system associated with the life cycle switch in the temperate podoviridae phage SPC32H

Prophages switch from lysogenic to lytic mode in response to the host SOS response. The primary factor that governs this switch is a phage repressor, which is typically a host RecA-dependent autocleavable protein. Here, in an effort to reveal the mechanism underlying the phenotypic differences between the Salmonella temperate phages SPC32H and SPC32N, whose genome sequences differ by only two nucleotides, we identified a new class of Podoviridae phage lytic switch antirepressor that is structurally distinct from the previously reported Sipho- and Myoviridae phage antirepressors. The SPC32H repressor (Rep) is not cleaved by the SOS response but instead is inactivated by a small antirepressor (Ant), the expression of which is negatively controlled by host LexA. A single nucleotide mutation in the consensus sequence of the LexA-binding site, which overlaps with the ant promoter, results in constitutive Ant synthesis and consequently induces SPC32N to enter the lytic cycle. Numerous potential Ant homologues were identified in a variety of putative prophages and temperate Podoviridae phages, indicating that antirepressors may be widespread among temperate phages in the order Caudovirales to mediate a prudent prophage induction.

Genome-scale genetic engineering in Escherichia coli

Genome engineering has been developed to create useful strains for biological studies and industrial uses. However, a continuous challenge remained in the field: technical limitations in high-throughput screening and precise manipulation of strains. Today, technical improvements have made genome engineering more rapid and efficient. This review introduces recent advances in genome engineering technologies applied to Escherichia coli as well as multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE), a recent technique proposed as a powerful toolkit due to its straightforward process, rapid experimental procedures, and highly efficient properties.

Details of ssDNA annealing revealed by an HSV-1 ICP8-ssDNA binary complex

Infected cell protein 8 (ICP8) from herpes simplex virus 1 was first identified as a single-strand (ss) DNA-binding protein. It is essential for, and abundant during, viral replication. Studies in vitro have shown that ICP8 stimulates model replication reactions, catalyzes annealing of complementary ssDNAs and, in combination with UL12 exonuclease, will catalyze ssDNA annealing homologous recombination. DNA annealing and strand transfer occurs within large oligomeric filaments of ssDNA-bound ICP8. We present the first 3D reconstruction of a novel ICP8-ssDNA complex, which seems to be the basic unit of the DNA annealing machine. The reconstructed volume consists of two nonameric rings containing ssDNA stacked on top of each other, corresponding to a molecular weight of 2.3 MDa. Fitting of the ICP8 crystal structure suggests a mechanism for the annealing reaction catalyzed by ICP8, which is most likely a general mechanism for protein-driven DNA annealing.

Recombineering to homogeneity: extension of multiplex recombineering to large-scale genome editing

Recombineering has been an essential tool for genetic engineering in microbes for many years and has enabled faster, more efficient engineering than previous techniques. There have been numerous studies that focus on improving recombineering efficiency, which can be divided into three main areas: (i) optimizing the oligo used for recombineering to enhance replication fork annealing and limit proofreading; (ii) mechanisms to modify the replisome itself, enabling an increased rate of annealing; and (iii) multiplexing recombineering targets and automation. These efforts have increased the efficiency of recombineering several hundred-fold. One area that has received far less attention is the problem of multiple chromosomes, which effectively decrease efficiency on a chromosomal basis, resulting in more sectored colonies, which require longer outgrowth to obtain clonal populations. Herein, we describe the problem of multiple chromosomes, discuss calculations predicting how many generations are needed to obtain a pure colony, and how changes in experimental procedure or genetic background can minimize the effect of multiple chromosomes.

DNA-damaging agents induce the RecA-independent homologous recombination functions of integrating conjugative elements of the SXT/R391 family

Integrating conjugative elements (ICEs) of the SXT/R391 family are major contributors to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. These elements also catalyze their own diversity by promoting inter-ICE recombination through the action of the RecA-independent homologous recombination system that they encode. Here, we report that expression of this recombination system, which consists of the single-stranded DNA annealing protein Bet and the exonuclease Exo, is induced by DNA-damaging agents via ICE-encoded transcriptional regulators. We show that the bet and exo genes are part of a large polycistronic transcript that contains many conserved ICE genes that are not involved in the main integration/excision and conjugative transfer processes. We show that although the recombination genes are highly transcribed, their translation is subject to additional strong regulatory mechanisms. We also show that an ICE-encoded putative single-stranded DNA binding protein (Ssb) limits hybrid ICE formation. Finally, a thorough in silico analysis reveals that orthologues of Bet and Exo are widely distributed in bacterial strains belonging to very distantly related bacterial species and are carried by various mobile genetic elements. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the annealing proteins and exonucleases that compose these systems sometimes have different evolutionary origins, underscoring the strong selective pressure to maintain the functionality of these unrelated cooperating proteins.

Phage recombinases and their applications

The homologous recombination systems of linear double-stranded (ds)DNA bacteriophages are required for the generation of genetic diversity, the repair of dsDNA breaks, and the formation of concatemeric chromosomes, the immediate precursor to packaging. These systems have been studied for decades as a means to understand the basic principles of homologous recombination. From the beginning, it was recognized that these recombinases are linked intimately to the mechanisms of phage DNA replication. In the last decade, however, investigators have exploited these recombination systems as tools for genetic engineering of bacterial chromosomes, bacterial artificial chromosomes, and plasmids. This recombinational engineering technology has been termed "recombineering" and offers a new paradigm for the genetic manipulation of bacterial chromosomes, which is far more efficient than the classical use of nonreplicating integration vectors for gene replacement. The phage λ Red recombination system, in particular, has been used to construct gene replacements, deletions, insertions, inversions, duplications, and single base pair changes in the Escherichia coli chromosome. This chapter discusses the components of the recombination systems of λ, rac prophage, and phage P22 and properties of single-stranded DNA annealing proteins from these and other phage that have been instrumental for the development of this technology. The types of genetic manipulations that can be made are described, along with proposed mechanisms for both double-stranded DNA- and oligonucleotide-mediated recombineering events. Finally, the impact of this technology to such diverse fields as bacterial pathogenesis, metabolic engineering, and mouse genomics is discussed.

The HSV-1 exonuclease, UL12, stimulates recombination by a single strand annealing mechanism

Production of concatemeric DNA is an essential step during HSV infection, as the packaging machinery must recognize longer-than-unit-length concatemers; however, the mechanism by which they are formed is poorly understood. Although it has been proposed that the viral genome circularizes and rolling circle replication leads to the formation of concatemers, several lines of evidence suggest that HSV DNA replication involves recombination-dependent replication reminiscent of bacteriophages λ and T4. Similar to λ, HSV-1 encodes a 5′-to-3′ exonuclease (UL12) and a single strand annealing protein [SSAP (ICP8)] that interact with each other and can perform strand exchange in vitro. By analogy with λ phage, HSV may utilize viral and/or cellular recombination proteins during DNA replication. At least four double strand break repair pathways are present in eukaryotic cells, and HSV-1 is known to manipulate several components of these pathways. Chromosomally integrated reporter assays were used to measure the repair of double strand breaks in HSV-infected cells. Single strand annealing (SSA) was increased in HSV-infected cells, while homologous recombination (HR), non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and alternative non-homologous end joining (A-NHEJ) were decreased. The increase in SSA was abolished when cells were infected with a viral mutant lacking UL12. Moreover, expression of UL12 alone caused an increase in SSA, which was completely eliminated when a UL12 mutant lacking exonuclease activity was expressed. UL12-mediated stimulation of SSA was decreased in cells lacking the cellular SSAP, Rad52, and could be restored by coexpressing the viral SSAP, ICP8, indicating that an SSAP is also required. These results demonstrate that UL12 can specifically stimulate SSA and that either ICP8 or Rad52 can function as an SSAP. We suggest that SSA is the homology-mediated repair pathway utilized during HSV infection.

The repair of DNA damage is essential to maintain genomic stability. Cells have at least four distinct DNA repair pathways, and defects in any of them can lead to tumor formation and cancer progression. Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) manipulates components of the host DNA repair pathways. In this paper we showed that DNA repair by the single strand annealing (SSA) pathway was increased during HSV infection and that other pathways were inhibited. We also show that a viral nuclease in conjunction with either a viral or cellular single strand annealing protein can stimulate the SSA pathway. We suggest that viral DNA synthesis occurs via an SSAdependent mechanism that is reminiscent of that used by bacterial viruses such as λ. Interestingly, λ has evolved an SSA-mediated repair mechanism to exchange genetic information that has also been used to enhance gene targeting in bacteria. It is thus possible that HSV proteins could be similarly used as tools to stimulate gene targeting in human cells leading to more effective strategies for gene therapy. Furthermore, the diversity of HSV reported in human populations, combined with the high rate of genetic exchange during infection, suggests that SSA may play a role in viral evolution and pathogenesis.

Structural and functional insight into the mechanism of an alkaline exonuclease from Laribacter hongkongensis

Alkaline exonuclease and single-strand DNA (ssDNA) annealing proteins (SSAPs) are key components of DNA recombination and repair systems within many prokaryotes, bacteriophages and virus-like genetic elements. The recently sequenced β-proteobacterium Laribacter hongkongensis (strain HLHK9) encodes putative homologs of alkaline exonuclease (LHK-Exo) and SSAP (LHK-Bet) proteins on its 3.17 Mb genome. Here, we report the biophysical, biochemical and structural characterization of recombinant LHK-Exo protein. LHK-Exo digests linear double-stranded DNA molecules from their 5'-termini in a highly processive manner. Exonuclease activities are optimum at pH 8.2 and essentially require Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) ions. 5'-phosphorylated DNA substrates are preferred over dephosphorylated ones. The crystal structure of LHK-Exo was resolved to 1.9 Å, revealing a 'doughnut-shaped' toroidal trimeric arrangement with a central tapered channel, analogous to that of λ-exonuclease (Exo) from bacteriophage-λ. Active sites containing two bound Mg(2+) ions on each of the three monomers were located in clefts exposed to this central channel. Crystal structures of LHK-Exo in complex with dAMP and ssDNA were determined to elucidate the structural basis for substrate recognition and binding. Through structure-guided mutational analysis, we discuss the roles played by various active site residues. A conserved two metal ion catalytic mechanism is proposed for this class of alkaline exonucleases.

Functional characterization of an alkaline exonuclease and single strand annealing protein from the SXT genetic element of Vibrio cholerae

BACKGROUND

SXT is an integrating conjugative element (ICE) originally isolated from Vibrio cholerae, the bacterial pathogen that causes cholera. It houses multiple antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes on its ca. 100 kb circular double stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome, and functions as an effective vehicle for the horizontal transfer of resistance genes within susceptible bacterial populations. Here, we characterize the activities of an alkaline exonuclease (S066, SXT-Exo) and single strand annealing protein (S065, SXT-Bet) encoded on the SXT genetic element, which share significant sequence homology with Exo and Bet from bacteriophage lambda, respectively.

RESULTS

SXT-Exo has the ability to degrade both linear dsDNA and single stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules, but has no detectable endonuclease or nicking activities. Adopting a stable trimeric arrangement in solution, the exonuclease activities of SXT-Exo are optimal at pH 8.2 and essentially require Mn2+ or Mg2+ ions. Similar to lambda-Exo, SXT-Exo hydrolyzes dsDNA with 5'- to 3'-polarity in a highly processive manner, and digests DNA substrates with 5'-phosphorylated termini significantly more effectively than those lacking 5'-phosphate groups. Notably, the dsDNA exonuclease activities of both SXT-Exo and lambda-Exo are stimulated by the addition of lambda-Bet, SXT-Bet or a single strand DNA binding protein encoded on the SXT genetic element (S064, SXT-Ssb). When co-expressed in E. coli cells, SXT-Bet and SXT-Exo mediate homologous recombination between a PCR-generated dsDNA fragment and the chromosome, analogous to RecET and lambda-Bet/Exo.

CONCLUSIONS

The activities of the SXT-Exo protein are consistent with it having the ability to resect the ends of linearized dsDNA molecules, forming partially ssDNA substrates for the partnering SXT-Bet single strand annealing protein. As such, SXT-Exo and SXT-Bet may function together to repair or process SXT genetic elements within infected V. cholerae cells, through facilitating homologous DNA recombination events. The results presented here significantly extend our general understanding of the properties and activities of alkaline exonuclease and single strand annealing proteins of viral/bacteriophage origin, and will assist the rational development of bacterial recombineering systems.

Bacteriophage-encoded functions engaged in initiation of homologous recombination events

Recombination plays a significant role in bacteriophage biology. Functions promoting recombination are involved in key stages of phage multiplication and drive phage evolution. Their biological role is reflected by the great variety of phages existing in the environment. This work presents the role of recombination in the phage life cycle and highlights the discrete character of phage-encoded recombination functions (anti-RecBCD activities, 5' --> 3' DNA exonucleases, single-stranded DNA binding proteins, single-stranded DNA annealing proteins, and recombinases). The focus of this review is on phage proteins that initiate genetic exchange. Importance of recombination is reviewed based on the accepted coli-phages T4 and lambda models, the recombination system of phage P22, and the recently characterized recombination functions of Bacillus subtilis phage SPP1 and mycobacteriophage Che9c. Key steps of the molecular mechanisms involving phage recombination functions and their application in molecular engineering are discussed.

Conformational adaptability of Redbeta during DNA annealing and implications for its structural relationship with Rad52

Single-strand annealing proteins, such as Redbeta from lambda phage or eukaryotic Rad52, play roles in homologous recombination. Here, we use atomic force microscopy to examine Redbeta quaternary structure and Redbeta-DNA complexes. In the absence of DNA, Redbeta forms a shallow right-handed helix. The presence of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) disrupts this structure. Upon addition of a second complementary ssDNA, annealing generates a left-handed helix that incorporates 14 Redbeta monomers per helical turn, with each Redbeta monomer annealing approximately 11 bp of DNA. The smallest stable annealing intermediate requires 20 bp DNA and two Redbeta monomers. Hence, we propose that Redbeta promotes base pairing by first increasing the number of transient interactions between ssDNAs. Then, annealing is promoted by the binding of a second Redbeta monomer, which nucleates the formation of a stable annealing intermediate. Using threading, we identify sequence similarities between the RecT/Redbeta and the Rad52 families, which strengthens previous suggestions, based on similarities of their quaternary structures, that they share a common mode of action. Hence, our findings have implications for a common mechanism of DNA annealing mediated by single-strand annealing proteins including Rad52.

Use of the lambda Red-recombineering method for genetic engineering of Pantoea ananatis

Background

Pantoea ananatis, a member of the Enterobacteriacea family, is a new and promising subject for biotechnological research. Over recent years, impressive progress in its application to L-glutamate production has been achieved. Nevertheless, genetic and biotechnological studies of Pantoea ananatis have been impeded because of the absence of genetic tools for rapid construction of direct mutations in this bacterium. The λ Red-recombineering technique previously developed in E. coli and used for gene inactivation in several other bacteria is a high-performance tool for rapid construction of precise genome modifications.

Results

In this study, the expression of λ Red genes in P. ananatis was found to be highly toxic. A screening was performed to select mutants of P. ananatis that were resistant to the toxic affects of λ Red. A mutant strain, SC17(0) was identified that grew well under conditions of simultaneous expression of λ gam, bet, and exo genes. Using this strain, procedures for fast introduction of multiple rearrangements to the Pantoea ananatis genome based on the λ Red-dependent integration of the PCR-generated DNA fragments with as short as 40 bp flanking homologies have been demonstrated.

Conclusion

The λ Red-recombineering technology was successfully used for rapid generation of chromosomal modifications in the specially selected P. ananatis recipient strain. The procedure of electro-transformation with chromosomal DNA has been developed for transfer of the marked mutation between different P. ananatis strains. Combination of these techniques with λ Int/Xis-dependent excision of selective markers significantly accelerates basic research and construction of producing strains.

Recombineering mycobacteria and their phages

Bacteriophages are central components in the development of molecular tools for microbial genetics. Mycobacteriophages have proven to be a rich resource for tuberculosis genetics, and the recent development of a mycobacterial recombineering system based on mycobacteriophage Che9c-encoded proteins offers new approaches to mycobacterial mutagenesis. Expression of the phage exonuclease and recombinase substantially enhances recombination frequencies in both fast- and slow-growing mycobacteria, thereby facilitating construction of both gene knockout and point mutants; it also provides a simple and efficient method for constructing mycobacteriophage mutants. Exploitation of host-specific phages thus provides a general strategy for recombineering and mutagenesis in genetically naive systems.

Identification and analysis of recombineering functions from Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and their phages

We report the identification and functional analysis of nine genes from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and their phages that are similar to lambda (lambda) bet or Escherichia coli recT. Beta and RecT are single-strand DNA annealing proteins, referred to here as recombinases. Each of the nine other genes when expressed in E. coli carries out oligonucleotide-mediated recombination. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing single-strand recombinase activity from diverse bacteria. Similar to bet and recT, most of these other recombinases were found to be associated with putative exonuclease genes. Beta and RecT in conjunction with their cognate exonucleases carry out recombination of linear double-strand DNA. Among four of these foreign recombinase/exonuclease pairs tested for recombination with double-strand DNA, three had activity, albeit barely detectable. Thus, although these recombinases can function in E. coli to catalyze oligonucleotide recombination, the double-strand DNA recombination activities with their exonuclease partners were inefficient. This study also demonstrated that Gam, by inhibiting host RecBCD nuclease activity, helps to improve the efficiency of lambda Red-mediated recombination with linear double-strand DNA, but Gam is not absolutely essential. Thus, in other bacterial species where Gam analogs have not been identified, double-strand DNA recombination may still work in the absence of a Gam-like function. We anticipate that at least some of the recombineering systems studied here will potentiate oligonucleotide and double-strand DNA-mediated recombineering in their native or related bacteria.

Efficient point mutagenesis in mycobacteria using single-stranded DNA recombineering: characterization of antimycobacterial drug targets

Construction of genetically isogenic strains of mycobacteria is complicated by poor recombination rates and the lack of generalized transducing phages for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We report here a powerful method for introducing single point mutations into mycobacterial genomes using oligonucleotide-derived single-stranded DNA recombineering and mycobacteriophage-encoded proteins. Phage Che9c gp61-mediated recombination is sufficiently efficient that single base changes can be introduced without requirement for direct selection, with isogenic mutant strains identified simply by PCR. Efficient recombination requires only short (50 nucleotide) oligonucleotides, but there is an unusually strong strand bias and an oligonucleotide targeting lagging strand DNA synthesis can recombine more than 10,000-fold efficiently than its complementary oligonucleotide. This ssDNA recombineering provides a simple assay for comparing the activities of related phage recombinases, and we find that both Escherichia coli RecET and phage lambda Red recombination proteins function inefficiently in mycobacteria, illustrating the utility of developing recombineering in new bacterial systems using host-specific bacteriophage recombinases. ssDNA mycobacterial recombineering provides a simple approach to characterizing antimycobacterial drug targets, and we have constructed and characterized single point mutations that confer resistance to isoniazid, rifampicin, ofloxacin and streptomycin.

Removal of deoxyinosine from the Escherichia coli chromosome as studied by oligonucleotide transformation

Deoxyinosine (dI) is produced in DNA by the hydrolytic or nitrosative deamination of deoxyadenosine. It is excised in a repair pathway that is initiated by endonuclease V, the product of the nfi gene. The repair was studied in vivo using high-efficiency oligonucleotide transformation mediated by the Beta protein of bacteriophage lambda in a mismatch repair-deficient host. Escherichia coli was transformed with oligonucleotides containing a selectable A-G base substitution mutation. When the mutagenic dG was replaced by a dI in the oligonucleotide, it lost 93-99% of its transforming ability in an nfi(+) cell, but it remained fully functional in an nfi mutant. Therefore, endonuclease V is responsible for most of the removal of deoxyinosine from DNA. New nfi mutants were isolated based on the strong selection provided by their tolerance for transformation by dI-containing DNA. The repair patch for dI was then measured by determining how close to the transforming dG residue a dI could be placed in the oligonucleotide before it interferes with transformation. At the endonuclease V cleavage site, three nucleotides were preferentially removed from the 3' end and two nucleotides were removed from the 5' end. dI:dT and dI:dC base pairs gave the same results. Caveats include possible interference by Beta protein and by mispaired bases. Thus, oligonucleotide transformation can be used to determine the relative importance of redundant repair pathways, to isolate new DNA repair mutants, and to determine with high precision the sizes of repair tracts in intact cells.

Recombineering: in vivo genetic engineering in E. coli, S. enterica, and beyond

"Recombineering," in vivo genetic engineering with short DNA homologies, is changing how constructs are made. The methods are simple, precise, efficient, rapid, and inexpensive. Complicated genetic constructs that can be difficult or even impossible to make with in vitro genetic engineering can be created in days with recombineering. DNA molecules that are too large to manipulate with classical techniques are amenable to recombineering. This technology utilizes the phage lambda homologous recombination functions, proteins that can efficiently catalyze recombination between short homologies. Recombineering can be accomplished with linear PCR products or even single-stranded oligos. In this chapter we discuss methods of and ways to use recombineering.

lambda-Red genetic engineering in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

The use of the recombination system from bacteriophage lambda, lambda-Red, allows for PCR-generated fragments to be targeted to specific chromosomal locations in sequenced genomes. A minimal region of homology of 30 to 50 bases flanking the fragment to be inserted is all that is required for targeted mutagenesis. Procedures for creating specific insertions, deletions, and site-directed changes are described.

Recombineering in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Genetic dissection of M. tuberculosis is complicated by its slow growth and its high rate of illegitimate recombination relative to homologous DNA exchange. We report here the development of a facile allelic exchange system by identification and expression of mycobacteriophage-encoded recombination proteins, adapting a strategy developed previously for recombineering in Escherichia coli. Identifiable recombination proteins are rare in mycobacteriophages, and only 1 of 30 genomically characterized mycobacteriophages (Che9c) encodes homologs of both RecE and RecT. Expression and biochemical characterization show that Che9c gp60 and gp61 encode exonuclease and DNA-binding activities, respectively, and expression of these proteins substantially elevates recombination facilitating allelic exchange in both M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis. Mycobacterial recombineering thus provides a simple approach for the construction of gene replacement mutants in both slow- and fast-growing mycobacteria.

The involvement of replication in single stranded oligonucleotide-mediated gene repair

Targeted gene repair mediated by single-stranded oligonucleotides (SSOs) has great potential for use in functional genomic studies and gene therapy. Genetic changes have been created using this approach in a number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, including mouse embryonic stem cells. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully established. In one of the current models, the ‘annealing-integration’ model, the SSO anneals to its target locus at the replication fork, serving as a primer for subsequent DNA synthesis mediated by the host replication machinery. Using a λ-Red recombination-based system in the bacterium Escherichia coli, we systematically examined several fundamental premises that form the mechanistic basis of this model. Our results provide direct evidence strongly suggesting that SSO-mediated gene repair is mechanistically linked to the process of DNA replication, and most likely involves a replication intermediate. These findings will help guide future experiments involving SSO-mediated gene repair in mammalian and prokaryotic cells, and suggest several mechanisms by which the efficiencies may be reliably and substantially increased.

A baculovirus alkaline nuclease knockout construct produces fragmented DNA and aberrant capsids

DNA replication of bacmid-derived constructs of the Autographa californica multiple nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) was analyzed by field inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE) in combination with digestion at a unique Eco81I restriction enzyme site. Three constructs were characterized: a parental bacmid, a bacmid deleted for the alkaline nuclease gene, and a bacmid from which the gp64 gene had been deleted. The latter was employed as a control for comparison with the alkaline nuclease knockout because neither yields infectious virus and their replication is limited to the initially transfected cells. The major difference between DNA replicated by the different constructs was the presence in the alkaline nuclease knockout of high concentrations of relatively small, subgenome length DNA in preparations not treated with Eco81I. Furthermore, upon Eco81I digestion, the alkaline nuclease knockout bacmid also yielded substantially more subgenome size DNA than the other constructs. Electron microscopic examination of cells transfected with the alkaline nuclease knockout indicated that, in addition to a limited number of normal-appearing electron-dense nucleocapsids, numerous aberrant capsid-like structures were observed indicating a defect in nucleocapsid maturation or in a DNA processing step that is necessary for encapsidation. Because of the documented role of the baculovirus alkaline nuclease and its homologs from other viruses in homologous recombination, these data suggest that DNA recombination may play a major role in the production of baculovirus genomes.

Domain structure and DNA binding regions of beta protein from bacteriophage lambda

beta protein from bacteriophage lambda promotes a single-strand annealing reaction that is central to Red-mediated recombination at double-strand DNA breaks and chromosomal ends. beta protein binds most tightly to an intermediate of annealing formed by the sequential addition of two complementary oligonucleotides. Here we have characterized the domain structure of beta protein in the presence and absence of DNA using limited proteolysis. Residues 1-130 form an N-terminal "core" domain that is resistant to proteases in the absence of DNA, residues 131-177 form a central region with enhanced resistance to proteases upon DNA complex formation, and the C-terminal residues 178-261 of beta protein are sensitive to proteases in both the presence and absence of DNA. We probed the DNA binding regions of beta protein further using biotinylation of lysine residues and mass spectrometry. Several lysine residues within the first 177 residues of beta protein are protected from biotinylation in the DNA complex, whereas none of the lysine residues in the C-terminal portion are protected. The results lead to a model for the domain structure and DNA binding of beta protein in which a stable N-terminal core and a more flexible central domain come together to bind DNA, whereas a C-terminal tail remains disordered. A fragment consisting of residues 1-177 of beta protein maintains normal binding to sequentially added complementary oligonucleotides and has significantly enhanced binding to single-strand DNA.

A set of recombineering plasmids for gram-negative bacteria

We have constructed a set of plasmids that can be used to express recombineering functions in some gram-negative bacteria, thereby facilitating in vivo genetic manipulations. These plasmids include an origin of replication and a segment of the bacteriophage lambda genome comprising the red genes (exo, bet and gam) under their native control. These constructs do not require the anti-termination event normally required for Red expression, making their application more likely in divergent species. Some of the plasmids have temperature-sensitive replicons to simplify curing. In creating these vectors we developed two useful recombineering applications. Any gene linked to a drug marker can be retrieved by gap-repair using only a plasmid origin and target homologies. A plasmid origin of replication can be changed to a different origin by targeted replacement, to potentially alter its copy number and host range. Both these techniques will prove useful for manipulation of plasmids in vivo. Most of the Red plasmid constructs catalyzed efficient recombination in E. coli with a low level of uninduced background recombination. These Red plasmids have been successfully tested in Salmonella, and we anticipate that that they will provide efficient recombination in other related gram-negative bacteria.

Efficient and seamless DNA recombineering using a thymidylate synthase A selection system in Escherichia coli

λ-Red system-based recombinogenic engineering is a powerful new method to engineer DNA without the need for restriction enzymes or ligases. Here, we report the use of a single selectable marker to enhance the usefulness of this approach. The strategy is to utilize the thymidylate synthase A (thyA) gene, which encodes an enzyme involved in the synthesis of thymidine 5′-triphosphate, for both positive and negative selection. With this approach, we successfully created point mutations in plasmid and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) DNA containing the mouse Col10a1 gene. The results showed that the thyA selection system is highly efficient and accurate, giving an average of >90% selection efficiency. This selection system produces DNA that is free from permanent integration of unwanted sequences, thus allowing unlimited rounds of modifications if required.

Strand invasion promoted by recombination protein beta of coliphage lambda

Studies of phage lambda in vivo have indicated that its own recombination enzymes, beta protein and lambda exonuclease, are capable of catalyzing two dissimilar pathways of homologous recombination that are widely distributed in nature: single-strand annealing and strand invasion. The former is an enzymatic splicing of overlapping ends of broken homologous DNA molecules, whereas the latter is characterized by the formation of a three-stranded synaptic intermediate and subsequent strand exchange. Previous studies in vitro have shown that beta protein has annealing activity, and that lambda exonuclease, acting on branched substrates, can produce a perfect splice that requires only ligation for completion. The present study shows that beta protein can initiate strand invasion in vitro, as evidenced both by the formation of displacement loops (D-loops) in superhelical DNA and by strand exchange between colinear single-stranded and double-stranded molecules. Thus, beta protein can catalyze steps that are central to both strand annealing and strand invasion pathways of recombination. These observations add beta protein to a set of diverse proteins that appear to promote recognition of homology by a unitary mechanism governed by the intrinsic dynamic properties of base pairs in DNA.

Characterization of a baculovirus lacking the alkaline nuclease gene

The Autographa californica multiple nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) alkaline nuclease (AN) associates with the baculovirus single-stranded DNA binding protein LEF-3 and possesses both a 5'-->3' exonuclease and an endonuclease activity. These activities are thought to be involved in DNA recombination and replication. To investigate the role of AN in AcMNPV replication, the lambda Red system was used to replace the an open reading frame with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene (cat) and a bacmid containing the AcMNPV genome in Escherichia coli. The AcMNPV an knockout bacmid (vAcAN-KO/GUS) was unable to propagate in Sf9 cells, although an an-rescued bacmid (vAcAN-KO/GUS-Res) propagated normally. In addition, the mutant did not appear to produce budded virions. These data indicated that an is an essential baculovirus gene. Slot blot and DpnI assays of DNA replication in Sf9 cells transfected with vAcAN-KO/GUS, vAcAN-KO/GUS-Res, and a wild-type bacmid showed that the vAcAN-KO/GUS bacmid was able to replicate to levels similar to those seen with the vAcAN-KO/GUS-Res and wild-type bacmids at early stages posttransfection. However, at later time points DNA did not accumulate to the levels seen with the repaired or wild-type bacmids. Northern analysis of Sf9 cells transfected with bacmid vAcAN-KO/GUS showed that transcription of late and very late genes was lower at later times posttransfection relative to the results seen with wild-type and vAcAN-KO/GUS-Res bacmids. These data suggest that the an gene might be involved in the maturation of viral DNA or packaging of the DNA into virions.