Stable and efficient delivery of DNA to Bacillus subtilis (natto) using pLS20 conjugational transfer plasmids

Direct cloning strategies for large genomic fragments: A review

Mining large-scale functional regions of the genome helps to understand the essence of cellular life. The rapid accumulation of genomic information provides a wealth of material for genomic functional, evolutionary, and structural research. DNA cloning technology is an important tool for understanding, analyzing, and manipulating the genetic code of organisms. As synthetic biologists engineer greater and broader genetic pathways and expand their research into new organisms, efficient tools capable of manipulating large-scale DNA will offer momentum to the ability to design, modify, and construct engineering life. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the field of direct cloning of large genomic fragments, particularly of 50-150 kb genomic fragments. We specifically introduce the technological advances in the targeted release and capture steps of these cloning strategies. Additionally, the applications of large fragment cloning in functional genomics and natural product mining are also summarized. Finally, we further discuss the challenges and prospects for these technologies in the future.

Effective plasmid delivery to a plasmid-free Bacillus natto strain by a conjugational transfer system

In this study, a Bacillus natto strain named NEST141 was constructed. The strain carries no plasmids and is an authentic proline auxotroph-a feature that confers effective selection conditions for plasmids transferred from a donor, such as B. subtilis 168, via a pLS20-based conjugational transfer system. We have provided a standard effective protocol for the delivery of plasmids larger than 50 kilobase pairs. These results indicate that the B. natto NEST141 strain can become a standard model, like B. subtilis 168, for extensive genetic engineering with diverse applications.

Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Bactericides Secreting Bacillus subtilis Natto as a Biocontrol Agent

Herein, a bactericide-secreting Bacillus strain, potentially useful as a biocontrol agent, was isolated from the commercial Yanjing Natto food. Following the biochemical and physiological evaluation, the molecular identification was performed using 16S rDNA sequencing of polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA that confirmed the natto isolate as Bacillus subtilis natto (B. subtilis natto). The biocontrol (microbial inhibitory) capability of B. subtilis natto was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and yeast (Yarrowia lipolytica) and recorded. The antimicrobial activity of B. subtilis natto was further enhanced by optimizing the growth medium for optimal bactericides secretion. Under optimized conditions, B. subtilis natto exhibited much higher inhibitory activity against S. aureus with a zone of inhibition diameter up to 27 mm. After 48 h incubation, the optimally yielded B. subtilis natto broth was used to extract and purify the responsible bactericides by silica gel column chromatography, gel column chromatography, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Structural identification of purified bactericides (designated as NT-5, NT-6, and NT-7) from B. subtilis natto was performed by 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectral analyses. The NMR comparison also revealed that NT-5, NT-6, and NT-7 had identical structures, except for the fatty chain. In summary, the present study suggests the improved biocontrol and/or microbial inhibitory potential of newly isolated bactericides secreting B. subtilis natto.