Streptococcus thermophilus cell wall-anchored proteinase: release, purification, and biochemical and genetic characterization

Determination of extracellular proteinase in L. helveticus Lh191404 based on whole genome sequencing and proteomics analysis

Lactobacillus helveticus exhibits a remarkable proteolytic system. However, the etiology of these protein hydrolysis characteristics, whether caused by extracellular proteinases (EP) or cell envelope proteinases (CEP), has been puzzling researchers. In this study, third-generation Nanopore whole genome sequencing and proteomics analysis were used to unravel the root cause of the aforementioned confusion. The genome of L. helveticus Lh191404 was 2,117,643 bp in length, with 67 secreted proteins were found. Combined with proteomic analysis, it was found that the protein composition of extraction from CEP and EP were indeed the same substance. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the CEP belonged to the PrtH1 Variant (PrtH1_V) genotype by phylogenetic analysis. The three-dimensional structures of various domains within the PrtH1_V-191404 had been characterized, providing a comprehensive understanding of its structural features. Results of proteinase activity showed that the optimal reaction temperature was 40 °C, with a pH of 6.50. These findings suggested that the origin of EP in L. helveticus Lh191404 may be due to CEP being released into the substrate after detaching from the cell wall. This research is of guiding significance for further understanding the operational mechanism of the protein hydrolysis system in lactic acid bacteria.

Comparative Structure Analysis of the Multi-Domain, Cell Envelope Proteases of Lactic Acid Bacteria

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have an extracellular proteolytic system that includes a multi-domain, cell envelope protease (CEP) with a subtilisin homologous protease domain. These CEPs have different proteolytic activities despite having similar protein sequences. Structural characterization has previously been limited to CEP homologs of dairy- and human-derived LAB strains, excluding CEPs of plant-derived LAB strains. CEP structures are a challenge to determine experimentally due to their large size and attachment to the cell envelope. This study aims to clarify the prevalence and structural diversity of CEPs by using the structure prediction software AlphaFold 2. Domain boundaries are clarified based on a comparative analysis of 21 three-dimensional structures, revealing novel domain architectures of CEP homologs that are not necessarily restricted to specific LAB species or ecological niches. The C-terminal flanking region of the protease domain is divided into fibronectin type-III-like domains with various structural traits. The analysis also emphasizes the existence of two distinct domains for cell envelope attachment that are preceded by an intrinsically disordered cell wall spanning domain. The domain variants and their combinations provide CEPs with different stability, proteolytic activity, and potentially adhesive properties, making CEPs targets for steering proteolytic activity with relevance for both food development and human health.

Immune regulation by fermented milk products: the role of the proteolytic system of lactic acid bacteria in the release of immunomodulatory peptides

Food allergies have emerged as a pressing health concern in recent years, largely due to food resources and environmental changes. Dairy products fermented by lactic acid bacteria play an essential role in mitigating allergic diseases. Lactic acid bacteria have been found to possess a distinctive proteolytic system comprising a cell envelope protease (CEP), transporter system, and intracellular peptidase. Studying the impact of different Lactobacillus proteolytic systems on the destruction of milk allergen epitopes and their potential to alleviate allergy symptoms by releasing peptides containing immune regulatory properties is a valuable and auspicious research approach. This paper summarizes the proteolytic systems of different species of lactic acid bacteria, especially the correlation between CEPs and the epitopes from milk allergens. Furthermore, the mechanism of immunomodulatory peptide release was also concluded. Finally, further research on the proteolytic system of lactic acid bacteria will provide additional clinical evidence for the possible treatment and/or prevention of allergic diseases with specific fermented milk/dairy products in the future.

The genomic basis of the Streptococcus thermophilus health-promoting properties

Background

Streptococcus thermophilus is a Gram-positive bacterium widely used as starter in the dairy industry as well as in many traditional fermented products. In addition to its technological importance, it has also gained interest in recent years as beneficial bacterium due to human health-promoting functionalities. The objective of this study was to inventory the main health-promoting properties of S. thermophilus and to study their intra-species diversity at the genomic and genetic level within a collection of representative strains.

Results

In this study various health-related functions were analyzed at the genome level from 79 genome sequences of strains isolated over a long time period from diverse products and different geographic locations. While some functions are widely conserved among isolates (e.g., degradation of lactose, folate production) suggesting their central physiological and ecological role for the species, others including the tagatose-6-phosphate pathway involved in the catabolism of galactose, and the production of bioactive peptides and gamma-aminobutyric acid are strain-specific. Most of these strain-specific health-promoting properties seems to have been acquired via horizontal gene transfer events. The genetic basis for the phenotypic diversity between strains for some health related traits have also been investigated. For instance, substitutions in the galK promoter region correlate with the ability of some strains to catabolize galactose via the Leloir pathway. Finally, the low occurrence in S. thermophilus genomes of genes coding for biogenic amine production and antibiotic resistance is also a contributing factor to its safety status.

Conclusions

The natural intra-species diversity of S. thermophilus, therefore, represents an interesting source for innovation in the field of fermented products enriched for healthy components that can be exploited to improve human health. A better knowledge of the health-promoting properties and their genomic and genetic diversity within the species may facilitate the selection and application of strains for specific biotechnological and human health-promoting purpose. Moreover, by pointing out that a substantial part of its functional potential still defies us, our work opens the way to uncover additional health-related functions through the intra-species diversity exploration of S. thermophilus by comparative genomics approaches.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08459-y.

Immunogenic Proteins of Group B Streptococcus-Potential Antigens in Immunodiagnostic Assay for GBS Detection

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is an opportunistic pathogen, which asymptomatically colonizes the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract of up to one third of healthy adults. Nevertheless, GBS carriage in pregnant women may lead to several health issues in newborns causing life threatening infection, such as sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis. Recommended GBS screening in pregnant women significantly reduced morbidity and mortality in infants. Nevertheless, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, recommended following the detection of carriage or in case of lack of a carriage test result for pregnant women who demonstrate certain risk factors, led to the expansion of the adverse phenomenon of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In our paper, we reviewed some immunogenic GBS proteins, i.e., Alp family proteins, β protein, Lmb, Sip, BibA, FsbA, ScpB, enolase, elongation factor Tu, IMPDH, and GroEL, which possess features characteristic of good candidates for immunodiagnostic assays for GBS carriage detection, such as immunoreactivity and specificity. We assume that they can be used as an alternative diagnostic method to the presently recommended bacteriological cultivation and MALDI.

Role of the Sortase A in the Release of Cell-Wall Proteinase PrtS in the Growth Medium of Streptococcus thermophilus 4F44

Growth of the lactic acid bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus in milk depends on its capacity to hydrolyze proteins of this medium through its surface proteolytic activity. Thus, strains exhibiting the cell envelope proteinase (CEP) PrtS are able to grow in milk at high cellular density. Due to its LPNTG motif, which is possibly the substrate of the sortase A (SrtA), PrtS is anchored to the cell wall in most S. thermophilus strains. Conversely, a soluble extracellular PrtS activity has been reported in the strain 4F44. It corresponds, in fact, to a certain proportion of PrtS that is not anchored to the cell wall but rather is released in the growth medium. The main difference between PrtS of strain 4F44 (PrtS_4F44) and other PrtS concerns the absence of a 32-residue imperfect duplication in the prodomain of the CEP, postulated as being required for the maturation and correct subsequent anchoring of PrtS. In fact, both mature (without the prodomain at the N-terminal extremity) and immature (with the prodomain) forms are found in the soluble PrtS_4F44 form along with an intact LPNTG at their C-terminal extremity. Investigations we present in this work show that (i) the imperfect duplication is not implied in PrtS maturation; (ii) the maturase PrtM is irrelevant in PrtS maturation which is probably automaturated; and (iii) SrtA allows for the PrtS anchoring in S. thermophilus but the SrtA of strain 4F44 (SrtA_4F44) displays an altered activity.

Antihypertensive potential of fermented milk: the contribution of lactic acid bacteria proteolysis system and the resultant angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide

Hypertension has become an increasing health concern given that it is a major risk for cardiovascular disease. Synthetic antihypertensive drugs, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, effectively control high blood pressure but are associated with unpleasant side effects. Milk fermented by certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) provides energetic contributions to the management of hypertension, especially the regulation of ACE. LAB are important food-grade microbial organisms that release ACE inhibitory peptides through their unique proteolysis system, which consists of cell-envelope proteinases (CEPs), transporter systems, and intracellular peptidases. Thus, the description of LAB proteolysis system genes and their contributions to ACE inhibitory peptide production is a challenging but promising study. This review provides a survey of LABs with potential ACE inhibitory activity and investigates the research progress of LAB proteolytic systems with an emphasis on the correlation of their components and ACE inhibitory activity. Subsequently, a depiction of the ACE inhibitory peptide action mechanism, structure-activity relationship and bioavailability is presented. The improved functional annotation of LAB proteolytic system genes will provide an excellent framework for future experimental validations of predicted ACE inhibitory activity in fermented milk.

Three Distinct Proteases Are Responsible for Overall Cell Surface Proteolysis in Streptococcus thermophilus

The lactic acid bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus was believed to display only two distinct proteases at the cell surface, namely, the cell envelope protease PrtS and the housekeeping protease HtrA. Using peptidomics, we demonstrate here the existence of an additional active cell surface protease, which shares significant homology with the SepM protease of Streptococcus mutans. Although all three proteases-PrtS, HtrA, and SepM-are involved in the turnover of surface proteins, they demonstrate distinct substrate specificities. In particular, SepM cleaves proteins involved in cell wall metabolism and cell elongation, and its inactivation has consequences for cell morphology. When all three proteases are inactivated, the residual cell-surface proteolysis of S. thermophilus is approximately 5% of that of the wild-type strain. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus thermophilus is a lactic acid bacterium used widely as a starter in the dairy industry. Due to its "generally recognized as safe" status and its weak cell surface proteolytic activity, it is also considered a potential bacterial vector for heterologous protein production. Our identification of a new cell surface protease made it possible to construct a mutant strain with a 95% reduction in surface proteolysis, which could be useful in numerous biotechnological applications.

Milk Fermentation by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Streptococcus thermophilus SY-102: Proteolytic Profile and ACE-Inhibitory Activity

Health benefits of probiotics and production of inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) released during milk fermentation are well known. That is why in this investigation the proteolytic profile and ACE inhibitory capacity of peptide fractions from protein hydrolysis of milk during fermentation processes was analyzed. Milk fermentation was carried out inoculating 106 CFU of L. rhamnosus GG, S. thermophilus SY-102 and with both bacteria. The proteolytic profile was determined using: TNBS, SDS-PAGE and SEC-HPLC techniques. In vitro ACE inhibition capacity was measured. The pH of 4.5 was reached at 56 h when the milk was fermented with L. rhamnosus, at 12 h with S. thermophillus and at 41 h in the co-culture. Production of free amino groups corresponded with the profile of low molecular weight peptides observed by SDS-PAGE and SEC-HPLC. Co-culture fermentation showed both the highest concentration of low molecular weight peptides and the ACE inhibitory activity (>80%). Results indicated that the combination of lactic cultures could be useful in manufacture of fermented milk with an added value that goes beyond basic nutrition, such as the production of ACE-inhibitory peptides.

Effect of fumaric acid on the growth of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus during yogurt fermentation

Yogurt is traditionally fermented by a symbiotic starter culture of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus. These bacteria exchange metabolites with each other to meet their nutritional demands during protocooperation, resulting in a shorter fermentation time. In this study, we investigated whether fumaric acid functions as a symbiotic agent to promote the growth of Lb. bulgaricus by evaluating 8 strains of Lb. bulgaricus and 7 strains of Strep. thermophilus. All the tested Lb. bulgaricus strains metabolized the added fumaric acid into succinic acid during monoculture in milk, and 6 strains (75%) showed shorter fermentation time compared with the control. The addition of malic acid showed similar trends as that of fumaric acid, indicating that the reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle was functioning in Lb. bulgaricus. All 7 Strep. thermophilus strains tested produced fumaric acid during monoculture in milk. Further, in Lb. bulgaricus 2038, the gene expression of fumarate reductase that converts fumaric acid to succinic acid, was higher in the coculture with Strep. thermophilus 1131 than in the monoculture. These findings indicate that fumaric acid produced by Strep. thermophilus can function as a symbiotic substance during yogurt fermentation to stimulate the growth of Lb. bulgaricus.

Differences in the expression of cell envelope proteinases (CEP) in two Lactobacillus paracasei probiotic strains

Proteinase PrtP (EC:3.4.21.96) is a cell envelope proteinase (CEP) highly expressed in the probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei BL312(VSL#3) that accounts for its anti-inflammatory properties. The main aim of this work is to understand differences in CEP expression between this strain and L. paracasei BL23. Hence, differences in the regulation by amino acid sources of four proteinase related genes (prtP, prsA, prtR1 and prtR2) were determined by RT-qPCR in BL312(VSL#3) and BL23 using as a reference BL368, a BL23 derepressed mutant lacking the response regulator (RR) PrcR. BL312(VSL#3) showed greater expression of prtP (2- to 3-fold) than BL23, and prtP was highly repressed by peptone in both strains. Two other putative CEP genes, prtR1 and prtR2, showed a low expression profile. Interestingly, when the prsA-prtP promoter region from both strains, and deleted mutants, were cloned in vector pT1GR, expression of the gfp and mrfp fluorescent reporters was always repressed in BL23 (high or low peptone) and derepressed in BL368, revealing an interesting mechanism of regulation affecting specifically to this promoter. In conclusion, BL312(VSL#3) has higher expression of prtP and other CEP related genes than BL23, that could respond to a natural deregulation in this strain, possibly independent from the RR PrcR.

Characteristics of the Proteolytic Enzymes Produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria

Over the past several decades, we have observed a very rapid development in the biotechnological use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in various branches of the food industry. All such areas of activity of these bacteria are very important and promise enormous economic and industrial successes. LAB are a numerous group of microorganisms that have the ability to ferment sugars into lactic acid and to produce proteolytic enzymes. LAB proteolytic enzymes play an important role in supplying cells with the nitrogen compounds necessary for their growth. Their nutritional requirements in this regard are very high. Lactic acid bacteria require many free amino acids to grow. The available amount of such compounds in the natural environment is usually small, hence the main function of these enzymes is the hydrolysis of proteins to components absorbed by bacterial cells. Enzymes are synthesized inside bacterial cells and are mostly secreted outside the cell. This type of proteinase remains linked to the cell wall structure by covalent bonds. Thanks to advances in enzymology, it is possible to obtain and design new enzymes and their preparations that can be widely used in various biotechnological processes. This article characterizes the proteolytic activity, describes LAB nitrogen metabolism and details the characteristics of the peptide transport system. Potential applications of proteolytic enzymes in many industries are also presented, including the food industry.

Comparative Peptidomic and Metatranscriptomic Analyses Reveal Improved Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid Production Machinery in Levilactobacillus brevis Strain NPS-QW 145 Cocultured with Streptococcus thermophilus Strain ASCC1275 during Milk Fermentation

The high-gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-producing bacterium Levilactobacillus brevis strain NPS-QW 145, along with Streptococcus thermophilus (one of the two starter bacteria used to make yogurt for its proteolytic activity), enhances GABA production in milk. However, a mechanistic understanding of how Levilactobacillus brevis cooperates with S. thermophilus to stimulate GABA production has been lacking. Comparative peptidomic and metatranscriptomic analyses were carried out to unravel the casein and lactose utilization patterns during milk fermentation with the coculture. We found that particular peptides hydrolyzed by S. thermophilus ASCC1275 were transported and biodegraded with peptidase in Lb. brevis 145 to meet the growth needs of the latter. In addition, amino acid synthesis and metabolism in Lb. brevis 145 were activated to further support its growth. Glucose, as a result of lactose hydrolysis by S. thermophilus 1275, but not available lactose in milk, was metabolized as the main carbon source by Lb. brevis 145 for ATP production. In the stationary phase, under acidic conditions due to the accumulation of lactic acid produced by S. thermophilus 1275, the expression of genes involved in pyridoxal phosphate (coenzyme of glutamic acid decarboxylase) metabolism and glutamic acid decarboxylase (Gad) in Lb. brevis 145 was induced for GABA production.SIGNIFICANCE A huge market for GABA-rich milk as a dietary therapy for the management of hypertension is anticipated. The novelty of this work lies in applying peptide profiles supported by metatranscriptomics to elucidate (i) the pattern of casein hydrolysis by S. thermophilus 1275, (ii) the supply of peptides and glucose by S. thermophilus 1275 to Lb. brevis 145, (iii) the transportation of peptides in Lb. brevis and the degradation of peptides by this organism, which was reported to be nonproteolytic, and (iv) GABA production by Lb. brevis 145 under acidic conditions. Based on the widely reported contribution of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and GABA to human health, the elucidation of interactions between the two groups of bacterial communities in the production of GABA-rich milk is important for promoting the development of functional dairy food and may provide new insight into the development of industrial GABA production.

Cell-envelope proteinases from lactic acid bacteria: Biochemical features and biotechnological applications

Proteins displayed on the cell surface of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) perform diverse and important biochemical roles. Among these, the cell-envelope proteinases (CEPs) are one of the most widely studied and most exploited for biotechnological applications. CEPs are important players in the proteolytic system of LAB, because they are required by LAB to degrade proteins in the growth media into peptides and/or amino acids required for the nitrogen nutrition of LAB. The most important area of application of CEPs is therefore in protein hydrolysis, especially in dairy products. Also, the physical location of CEPs (i.e., being cell-envelope anchored) allows for relatively easy downstream processing (e.g., extraction) of CEPs. This review describes the biochemical features and organization of CEPs and how this fits them for the purpose of protein hydrolysis. It begins with a focus on the genetic organization and expression of CEPs. The catalytic behavior and cleavage specificities of CEPs from various LAB are also discussed. Following this, the extraction and purification of most CEPs reported to date is described. The industrial applications of CEPs in food technology, health promotion, as well as in the growing area of water purification are discussed. Techniques for improving the production and catalytic efficiency of CEPs are also given an important place in this review.

Proteolytic activity of selected commercial Lactobacillus helveticus strains on soy protein isolates

Soy protein isolates were fermented by three commercial Lactobacillus helveticus strains for a maximum of seven days to investigate the resulting proteolysis. The proteolytic activity of the most active strain (LH88) was further analyzed (LC-MS/MS and GC-MS) and it was shown that the β-conglycinin α subunit 1, β-conglycinin α' subunit, glycinin G1, and 2S albumin were specifically degraded. Peptigram analysis and visualization of the crystal structure showed that the hydrolysis sites of β-conglycinin α subunit, α' subunit, and the glycinin G1 were located on the surface of the molecule or at the mobile disordered region, hence being highly accessible for the proteinase of LH88. The proteins were partially further degraded to free amino acids, and subsequently catabolized to volatile compounds. However, most of the proteins remained native, even after seven days of fermentation, thus additional modification of protein structure or adjustment of fermentation conditions are required for effective generation of flavor compounds.

Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus thermophilus possessing prtS gene from raw milk in Japan

Streptococcus thermophilus is widely used for producing fermented dairy products such as yogurt and cheese. Some S. thermophilus strains possessing the cell-wall protease PrtS show high proteolytic activity and fast acidification properties, which are very useful in industrial starters. However, few S. thermophilus strains possessing the prtS gene have been isolated from the environment. To clarify whether or not S. thermophilus strains possessing the prtS gene are present in Japan, we isolated S. thermophilus from raw milk collected in Japan from 2011 to 2017 and investigated the strains for the presence of prtS by PCR. A total of 172 S. thermophilus strains were isolated, and 59 strains were confirmed to possess prtS. We measured fermentation times of 59 prtS-positive strains in skim milk broth and found that 53 strains showed fast acidification properties, finishing fermentation within 10 hr. However, the remaining 6 prtS-positive strains showed slow acidification properties, and they had several amino acid mutations in PrtS compared with fast acidifying S. thermophilus LMD-9 and 4F44. These results demonstrate that S. thermophilus strains possessing prtS are prevalent in Japan and that some prtS-positive strains could lose their fast acidifying properties through mutations in PrtS.

Diversity of non-starter lactic acid bacteria in autochthonous dairy products from Western Balkan Countries - Technological and probiotic properties

The aim of this review was to summarize the data regarding diversity of non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) isolated from various artisanal dairy products manufactured in Western Balkan Countries. The dairy products examined were manufactured from raw cow's, sheep's or goat's milk or mixed milk, in the traditional way without the addition of commercial starter cultures. Dairy products such as white brined cheese, fresh cheese, hard cheese, yogurt, sour cream and kajmak were sampled in the households of Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. It has been established that the diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from raw milk artisanal dairy products is extensive. In the reviewed literature, 28 LAB species and a large number of strains belonging to the Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc and Weissella genera were isolated from various dairy products. Over 3000 LAB strains were obtained and characterized for their technological and probiotic properties including: acidification and coagulation of milk, production of aromatic compounds, proteolytic activity, bacteriocins production and competitive exclusion of pathogens, production of exopolysaccharides, aggregation ability and immunomodulatory effect. Results show that many of the isolated NSLAB strains had one, two or more of the properties mentioned. The data presented emphasize the importance of artisanal products as a valuable source of NSLAB with unique technological and probiotic features important both as a base for scientific research as well as for designing novel starter cultures for functional dairy food.

The M Protein of Streptococcus pyogenes Strain AP53 Retains Cell Surface Functional Plasminogen Binding after Inactivation of the Sortase A Gene

Streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield group A Streptococcus [GAS]) is a β-hemolytic human-selective pathogen that is responsible for a large number of morbid and mortal infections in humans. For efficient infection, GAS requires different types of surface proteins that provide various mechanisms for evading human innate immune responses, thus enhancing pathogenicity of the bacteria. Many such virulence-promoting proteins, including the major surface signature M protein, are translocated after biosynthesis through the cytoplasmic membrane and temporarily tethered to this membrane via a type 1 transmembrane domain (TMD) positioned near the COOH terminus. In these proteins, a sorting signal, LPXTG, is positioned immediately upstream of the TMD, which is cleaved by the membrane-associated transpeptidase, sortase A (SrtA), leading to the covalent anchoring of these proteins to newly emerging l-Ala-l-Ala cross-bridges of the growing peptidoglycan cell wall. Herein, we show that inactivation of the srtA gene in a skin-tropic pattern D GAS strain (AP53) results in retention of the M protein in the cell membrane. However, while the isogenic AP53 ΔsrtA strain is attenuated in overall pathogenic properties due to effects on the integrity of the cell membrane, our data show that the M protein nonetheless can extend from the cytoplasmic membrane through the cell wall and then to the surface of the bacteria and thereby retain its important properties of productively binding and activating fluid-phase host plasminogen (hPg). The studies presented herein demonstrate an underappreciated additional mechanism of cell surface display of bacterial virulence proteins via their retention in the cell membrane and extension to the GAS surface.IMPORTANCE Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is a human-specific pathogen that produces many surface factors, including its signature M protein, that contribute to its pathogenicity. M proteins undergo specific membrane localization and anchoring to the cell wall via the transpeptidase sortase A. Herein, we explored the role of sortase A function on M protein localization, architecture, and function, employing, a skin-tropic GAS isolate, AP53, which expresses a human plasminogen (hPg)-binding M (PAM) Protein. We showed that PAM anchored in the cell membrane, due to the targeted inactivation of sortase A, was nonetheless exposed on the cell surface and functionally interacted with host hPg. We demonstrate that M proteins, and possibly other sortase A-processed proteins that are retained in the cell membrane, can still function to initiate pathogenic processes by this underappreciated mechanism.

Structure, dynamics and immunogenicity of a catalytically inactive CXC chemokine-degrading protease SpyCEP from Streptococcus pyogenes

Over 18 million disease cases and half a million deaths worldwide are estimated to be caused annually by Group A Streptococcus. A vaccine to prevent GAS disease is urgently needed. SpyCEP (Streptococcus pyogenes Cell-Envelope Proteinase) is a surface-exposed serine protease that inactivates chemokines, impairing neutrophil recruitment and bacterial clearance, and has shown promising immunogenicity in preclinical models. Although SpyCEP structure has been partially characterized, a more complete and higher resolution understanding of its antigenic features would be desirable prior to large scale manufacturing. To address these gaps and facilitate development of this globally important vaccine, we performed immunogenicity studies with a safety-engineered SpyCEP mutant, and comprehensively characterized its structure by combining X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. We found that the catalytically-inactive SpyCEP antigen conferred protection similar to wild-type SpyCEP in a mouse infection model. Further, a new higher-resolution crystal structure of the inactive SpyCEP mutant provided new insights into this large chemokine protease comprising nine domains derived from two non-covalently linked fragments. NMR spectroscopy and molecular simulation analyses revealed conformational flexibility that is likely important for optimal substrate recognition and overall function. These combined immunogenicity and structural data demonstrate that the full-length SpyCEP inactive mutant is a strong candidate human vaccine antigen. These findings show how a multi-disciplinary study was used to overcome obstacles in the development of a GAS vaccine, an approach applicable to other future vaccine programs. Moreover, the information provided may also facilitate the structure-based discovery of small-molecule therapeutics targeting SpyCEP protease inhibition.

The potential of proteins, hydrolysates and peptides as growth factors forLactobacillusandBifidobacterium: current research and future perspectives

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host when consumed in adequate concentrations.

Effects of Carbon and Nitrogen Sources on Activity of Cell Envelope Proteinase Produced by Lactobacillus plantarum LP69

In present study, the effects of carbon sources (glucose, lactose, sucrose, galactose, maltose and soluble starch) and nitrogen sources (casein peptone, whey protein, soy peptone, yeast, tryptone, beef extract and peptone) on activity of cell envelope proteinases (CEP), specific activity, protein content, OD600 value and pH in MRS broth fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum LP69 were investigated by individual factor experiment. The results indicated that carbon and nitrogen sources have significant influence on the activity of CEP and specific activitys of L. plantarum LP69, glucose, maltose, casein peptone and peptone are superior to other selected carbon and nitrogen sources. The optimum concentrations of glucose, maltose, casein peptone and peptone for L. plantarum LP69 are 2%, 2%, 1% and 1%; the activity of CEP are 19.52U/mL, 21.13U/mL, 13.49U/mL and 20.61U/mL, respectively.

Soluble Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus 92059 PrtB proteinase derivatives for production of bioactive peptide hydrolysates from casein

The proteinase-encoding prtB gene of Lactobacillus (Lb.) delbrueckii (d.) subsp. bulgaricus 92059 was cloned and sequenced. Two soluble, secreted, C-terminally His-tagged derivatives were constructed and expressed in Lactococcus lactis by means of the NICE® Expression System. In both obtained derivatives PrtBb and PrtB2, the C-terminal, cell wall-binding domain was deleted. In addition, in derivative PrtB2, the C-terminal part of the B domain was deleted and the signal sequence was replaced by a lactococcal export signal. The affinity-purified derivatives were both proteolytically active. Peptide hydrolysates produced from casein with each of the derivatives showed identical peptide composition, as determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Comparison of the peptides generated to those generated with living Lb. d. subsp. bulgaricus 92059 cells (Kliche et al. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 101:7621-7633, 2017) showed that β-casein was the casein fraction most susceptible to hydrolysis and that some significant differences were observed between the products obtained by either the derivatives or living Lb. d. subsp. bulgaricus 92059 cells. When tested for biological activity, the hydrolysate obtained with PrtBb showed 50% inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml and immunomodulation/anti-inflammation in an in vitro assay of TNF-α induced NFκB activation at concentrations of 5 and 2.5 mg/ml, respectively. The enzymatically obtained hydrolysate did not show any pro-inflammatory or cytotoxic activity.

The X-prolyl dipeptidyl-peptidase PepX of Streptococcus thermophilus initially described as intracellular is also responsible for peptidase extracellular activity

This study addresses the hypothesis that the extracellular cell-associated X-prolyl dipeptidyl-peptidase activity initially described in Streptococcus thermophilus could be attributable to the intracellular X-prolyl dipeptidyl-peptidase PepX. For this purpose, a PepX-negative mutant of S. thermophilus LMD-9 was constructed by interrupting the pepX gene and named LMD-9-ΔpepX. When cultivated, the S. thermophilus LMD-9 wild type strain grew more rapidly than its ΔpepX mutant counterpart. Thus, the growth rate of the LMD-9-ΔpepX strain was reduced by a factor of 1.5 and 1.6 in milk and LM17 medium (M17 medium supplemented with 2% lactose), respectively. The negative effect of the PepX inactivation on the hydrolysis of β-casomorphin-7 was also observed. Indeed, when incubated with this peptide, the LMD-9-ΔpepX mutant cells were unable to hydrolyze it, whereas this peptide was completely degraded by the S. thermophilus LMD-9 wild type cells. This hydrolysis was not due to leakage of intracellular PepX, as no peptide hydrolysis was highlighted in cell-free filtrate of wild type strain. Therefore, based on these results, it can be presumed that though lacking an export signal, the intracellular PepX might have accessed the β-casomorphin-7 externally, perhaps via its galactose-binding domain-like fold, this domain being known to help enzymes bind to several proteins and substrates. Therefore, the identification of novel distinctive features of the proteolytic system of S. thermophilus will further enhance its credibility as a starter in milk fermentation.

Technological and Genomic Analysis of Roles of the Cell-Envelope Protease PrtS in Yoghurt Starter Development

The cell-envelope protease PrtS was proved to be efficient in optimal bacterial growth and fast acidification in pure culture, while its positive effect on the performance of mixed-cultures in milk fermentation was not defined. The aim was to analyze effects of the PrtS on the symbiosis between strains during yoghurt production and cold storage. Two Streptococcus thermophilus strains, KLDS3.1012 and KLDS SM, and two different proteolytic strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus, L7 and L12, were used. Technological properties (viability, acid production, and proteolysis) were determined. Comparative genomics was used to analyze the proteolytic system (cell-envelope protease, transport system, intracellular peptidase) of Streptococcus thermophilus strains. S. thermophilus KLDS SM possesses an intact gene encoding PrtS (A9497_00420), which was not found in the genome of S. thermophilus KLDS3.1012. This gene is the main difference in the proteolytic system between the two genomes. PrtS endowed KLDS SM high levels of viability during fermentation and cold storage. When combined with a weaker lactobacillus strain during fermentation, the acceleration of acid production of mixed-culture by KLDS SM would start at an earlier time. KLDS SM increased the post-acidification of yoghurts during cold storage, but the pH was steadily maintained during 14-28 days. Results suggest that strains of Streptococcus thermophilus with strong proteolytic ability could be used in a wide range of dairy production. The present study provided data for yoghurt starter development from the point of view of proteolysis.

Screening for proteolytically active lactic acid bacteria and bioactivity of peptide hydrolysates obtained with selected strains

In a screening for proteolytically active lactic acid bacteria, three strains, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis 92202, Lactobacillus helveticus 92201, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus 92059, showed the highest activities following growth in milk. All three strains degraded α- and β-casein, but did not hydrolyse κ-casein. HPLC analysis of skim milk fermentation revealed increasing amounts of peptides after 5 and 10 h with Lb. d. ssp. bulgaricus 92059. Hydrolysates obtained with Lb. d. ssp. lactis 92202 and Lb. d. ssp. bulgaricus 92059 revealed the highest angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory effect. The effect was dose dependent. Almost no effect (<10%) was seen for Lb. helveticus 92201. For Lb. d. ssp. bulgaricus 92059, maximal inhibition of approx. 65% was reached after 25 h of fermentation. In an in vitro assay measuring potential immunomodulation, hydrolysates of the three strains yielded anti-inflammatory activities in the presence of TNF-α. However, the effects were more pronounced at lower hydrolysate concentrations. In the absence of TNF-α, slight pro-inflammatory effects were observed. The hydrolysate of Lb. d. ssp. bulgaricus 92059, when purified by means of solid-phase extraction, exhibited pro-inflammatory activity. Sour whey containing Lb. d. ssp. bulgaricus 92059 cells showed pro-inflammatory activity while cell-free sour whey was clearly anti-inflammatory. In the purified hydrolysate, 20 different α- and β-casein (CN)-derived peptides could be identified by LC-MS. Most peptides originated from the central and C-terminal regions of β-casein. Peptide length was between 9 (β-CN(f 59-67)) and 22 amino acids (β-CN(f 117-138)).

Biofilm Formation on Stainless Steel by Streptococcus thermophilus UC8547 in Milk Environments Is Mediated by the Proteinase PrtS

In Streptococcus thermophilus, gene transfer events and loss of ancestral traits over the years contribute to its high level of adaptation to milk environments. Biofilm formation capacity, a phenotype that is lost in the majority of strains, plays a role in persistence in dairy environments, such as milk pasteurization and cheese manufacturing plants. To investigate this property, we have studied S. thermophilus UC8547, a fast-acidifying dairy starter culture selected for its high capacity to form biofilm on stainless steel under environmental conditions resembling the dairy environment. Using a dynamic flow cell apparatus, it was shown that S. thermophilus UC8547 biofilm formation on stainless steel depends on the presence of milk proteins. From this strain, which harbors the prtS gene for the cell wall protease and shows an aggregative phenotype, spontaneous mutants with impaired biofilm capacity can be isolated at high frequency. These mutants lack the PrtS expendable island, as confirmed by comparison of the genome sequence of UC8547Δ3 with that of the parent strain. The prtS island excision occurs between two 26-bp direct repeats located in the two copies of the ISSth1 flanking this genomic island. The central role of PrtS was confirmed by analyzing the derivative strain UC8547Δ16, whose prtS gene was interrupted by an insertional mutation, thereby making it incapable of biofilm formation. PrtS, acting as a binding substance between the milk proteins adhered to stainless steel and S. thermophilus cell envelopes, mediates biofilm formation in dairy environments. This feature provides S. thermophilus with an ecological benefit for its survival and persistence in this environment.IMPORTANCE The increased persistence of S. thermophilus biofilm has consequences in the dairy environment: if, on the one hand, the release of this microorganism from biofilm can promote the fermentation of artisanal cheeses, under industrial conditions it may lead to undesirable contamination of dairy products. The study of the molecular mechanism driving S. thermophilus biofilm formation provides increased knowledge on how an ancestral trait affects relevant phenotypes, such as persistence in the environment and efficiency of growth in milk. This study provides insight into the genetic factors affecting biofilm formation at dairy plants.

Proteolytic Activity and Production of γ-Aminobutyric Acid by Streptococcus thermophilus Cultivated in Microfiltered Pasteurized Milk

A set of 191 strains of Streptococcus thermophilus were preliminarily screened for the presence of the genes codifying for cell envelope-associated proteinase (prtS) and for glutamate decarboxylase (gadB) responsible for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production. The growth and proteolytic activity of the gadB-positive strains (9 presenting the prtS gene and 11 lacking it) were studied in microfiltered pasteurized milk. Degradation of both caseins (capillary electrophoresis) and soluble nitrogen fractions (HPLC) and changes in the profile of free amino acids (FAAs; ion-exchange chromatography) were evaluated at inoculation and after 6 and 24 h of incubation at 41 °C. None of the strains was capable of hydrolyzing caseins and β-lactoglobulin, and only two hydrolyzed part of α-lactalbumin, these proteins being present in their native states in pasteurized milk. Contrarily, most strains were able to hydrolyze peptones and peptides. For initial growth, most strains relied on the FAAs present in milk, whereas, after 6 h, prtS⁺ strains released variable amounts of FAA. One prtS⁺ strain expressed a PrtS^- phenotype, and two prtS^- strains showed a rather intense proteolytic activity. Only five strains (all prtS⁺) produced GABA, in variable quantities (up to 100 mg/L) and at different rates, depending on the acidification strength. Addition of glutamate did not induce production of GABA in nonproducing strains that, however, unexpectedly were shown to adopt the degradation of arginine into citrulline and ornithine as an alternative acid resistance system and likely as a source of ATP.

Characterization of a New Cell Envelope Proteinase PrtP from Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC11055

Cell envelope proteinases (CEPs) play essential roles in lactic acid bacteria growth in milk and health-promoting properties of fermented dairy products. The genome of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC11055 possesses two putative CEP genes prtP and prtR2, and the PrtP displays the distinctive domain organization from PrtR2 reported. The PrtP was purified and biochemically characterized. The results showed that the optimal activity occurred at 44 °C, pH 6.5. p-Amidinophenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride obviously inhibited enzymatic activity, suggesting PrtP was a member of serine proteinases. Under the optimal conditions, β-casein was a favorite substrate over αS1- and κ-casein, and 35 oligopeptides were identified in the β-casein hydrolysate, including the phosphoserine peptide and bioactive isoleucine-proline-proline. By analysis of the amino acid sequences of those oligopeptides, proline was the preferred residue at the breakdown site. Therefore, we speculated that PrtP was a new type of CEPs from Lb. rhamnosus.

Study on Streptococcus thermophilus isolated from Qula and associated characteristic of acetaldehyde and diacetyl in their fermented milk

In this study, the lactic acid bacterial population of Qula cheese from the Gansu and Sichuan provinces of China were isolated and identified. Eight strains of Streptococcus thermophilus were isolated, of which five strains were selected for further characterization based on their fermentation properties. The changes in a number of parameters, including titration acidity, pH, viable counts, PrtS protease activity and the production of acetaldehyde, diacetyl and organic acid, were monitored during fermentation and the storage of fermented milks produced by the respective strain. All of the strains displaying acidifying capacity and all five fermented milks maintained high viable counts of S. thermophilus from fermentation to storage. Our study found that the changes in the monitored parameters were strain-specific and varied considerably among the five tested strains. Fermented milks produced by strain IMAU80809 had the highest concentration of acetaldehyde and were most favorable in the sensory evaluation. This study confirms that Qula cheese is a good source for isolating novel lactic acid bacterial strains with different fermentation properties, which will be very useful for further development and industrialization of traditionally fermented dairy products.

Short communication: Measuring the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of an 8-amino acid (8mer) fragment of the C12 antihypertensive peptide

An 8-AA (8mer) fragment (PFPEVFGK) of a known antihypertensive peptide derived from bovine αS1-casein (C12 antihypertensive peptide) was synthesized by microwave-assisted solid-phase peptide synthesis and purified by reverse phase HPLC. Its ability to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was assessed and compared with that of the parent 12mer peptide (FFVAPFPEVFGK) to determine the effect of truncating the sequence on overall hypotensive activity. The activity of the truncated 8mer peptide was found to be almost 1.5 times less active than that of the 12mer, with ACE-inhibiting IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values of 108 and 69μM, for the 8mer and 12mer, respectively. Although the 8mer peptide is less active than the original 12mer peptide, its overall activity is comparable to activities reported for other small proteins that elicit physiological responses within humans. These results suggest that microbial degradation of the 12mer peptide would not result in a complete loss of antihypertensive activity if used to supplement fermented foods and that the stable 8mer peptide could have potential as a blood pressure-lowering agent for use in functional foods.

New Insights into the Proteolytic System of Streptococcus thermophilus: Use of Isracidin To Characterize Cell-Associated Extracellular Peptidase Activities

The influence on the hydrolysis of isracidin of cell-associated extracellular aminopeptidase and X-prolyl dipeptidyl peptidase activities in addition to protease PrtS of Streptococcus thermophilus strains was investigated. S. thermophilus LMD-9 (PrtS(+) phenotype) efficiently hydrolyzed the isracidin mainly through the PrtS activity, whereas strain CNRZ1066 (PrtS(-) phenotype) and two mutant strains LMD-9-ΔprtS and LMD-9-ΔprtS-ΔhtrA also displayed substrate hydrolysis, but different from that of the wild type strain LMD-9. Identification by mass spectrometry of breakdown products of isracidin revealed the existence of novel cell-associated extracellular carboxypeptidase and peptidyl dipeptidase activities in all PrtS(-) strains, besides known cell-associated extracellular aminopeptidase and X-prolyl dipeptidyl peptidase activities. Both aminopeptidase and peptidyl dipeptidase activities were not able to cleave the isracidin at peptide bonds with proline residues. No hydrolysis of isracidin was detected in cell free filtrate for all the strains studied, indicating that no cell lysis had occurred. Taken together, these results suggested the presence of cell-associated extracellular peptidase activities in S. thermophilus strains that could be vital for the growth of PrtS(-) strains.

Detection of enzyme activities and their relation to serotypes of bovine and human group B streptococci

Enzymatic properties of group B streptococci (GBS) serotypes from bovine milk and human routine vaginal specimens were investigated. Out of the 56 human and 66 bovine GBS, 35 and 30 could be classified serologically by a co-agglutination test with type-specific antisera, respectively. Hyaluronidase (HYAL), streptokinase (SK) and protease activities were detected using culture media. HYAL activity was observed mostly in typable human GBS, and serotypes Ia, Ic and II comprised 77.3% of the typable strains producing HYAL. Bovine GBS serotypes II, III and VII comprised 87.5% of typable bovine strains exhibiting HYAL activity. SK activity was detected only in three human GBS. Human GBS serotypes Ia, Ic, II, III, VII and almost all typable bovine GBS strains showed protease activity. β-D-glucosidase activity was frequently observed in human GBS, whereas N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity was mostly detected in non-typable GBS from humans. These results indicate that different GBS serotypes could vary in their virulence properties, and bovine and human GBS isolates could not be differentiated by their enzyme activities. Use of the culture media appeared to be a simple-to-apply and useful method for the detection of extracellular enzyme activity such as HYAL, protease and SK.

Current peptidomics: applications, purification, identification, quantification, and functional analysis

Peptidomics is an emerging field branching from proteomics that targets endogenously produced protein fragments. Endogenous peptides are often functional within the body-and can be both beneficial and detrimental. This review covers the use of peptidomics in understanding digestion, and identifying functional peptides and biomarkers. Various techniques for peptide and glycopeptide extraction, both at analytical and preparative scales, and available options for peptide detection with MS are discussed. Current algorithms for peptide sequence determination, and both analytical and computational techniques for quantification are compared. Techniques for statistical analysis, sequence mapping, enzyme prediction, and peptide function, and structure prediction are explored.

Characterization of the mature cell surface proteinase of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CRL 581

The cell envelope-associated proteinase (CEP) of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CRL 581 (PrtL) has an essential role in bacterial growth, contributes to the flavor and texture development of fermented products, and can release bioactive health-beneficial peptides during milk fermentation. The genome of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis CRL 581 possesses only one gene that encodes PrtL, which consists of 1924 amino acids and is a multidomain protein anchored to the cell via its W domain. PrtL was extracted from the cell under high ionic strength conditions using NaCl, suggesting an electrostatic interaction between the proteinase and the cell envelope. The released PrtL was purified and biochemically characterized; its activity was maximal at temperatures between 37 and 40 °C and at pH between 7 and 8. Under optimal conditions, PrtL exhibited higher affinity for succinyl-alanyl-alanyl-prolyl-phenylalanine-p-nitroanilide than for succinyl-alanyl-glutamyl-prolyl-phenylalanine-p-nitroanilide, while methoxy-succinyl-arginyl-prolyl-tyrosyl-p-nitroanilide was not degraded. A similar α- and β-casein degradation pattern was observed with the purified and the cell envelope-bound proteinase. Finally, on the basis of its specificity towards caseins and the unique combination of amino acids at residues thought to be involved in substrate specificity, PrtL can be classified as a representative of a new group of CEP.

The naturally competent strain Streptococcus thermophilus LMD-9 as a new tool to anchor heterologous proteins on the cell surface

BACKGROUND

From fundamental studies to industrial processes, synthesis of heterologous protein by micro-organisms is widely employed. The secretion of soluble heterologous proteins in the extracellular medium facilitates their recovery, while their attachment to the cell surface permits the use of the recombinant host cells as protein or peptide supports. One of the key points to carry out heterologous expression is to choose the appropriate host. We propose to enlarge the panel of heterologous secretion hosts by using Streptococcus thermophilus LMD-9. This lactic acid bacterium has a generally recognised as safe status, is widely used in the manufacture of yogurts, fermented milks and cheeses, and is easy to transform by natural competence. This study demonstrates the feasibility of secretion of a heterologous protein anchored to the cell surface by S. thermophilus. For this, we used the cell envelope proteinase (CEP) PrtH of Lactobacillus helveticus CNRZ32 CIRM-BIA 103.

RESULTS

Using S. thermophilus LMD-9 as the background host, three recombinant strains were constructed: i) a negative control corresponding to S. thermophilus PrtS- mutant where the prtS gene encoding its CEP was partially deleted; ii) a PrtH+ mutant expressing the L. helveticus PrtH pro-protein with its own motif (S-layer type) of cell-wall attachment and iii) a PrtH+WANS mutant expressing PrtH pro-protein with the LPXTG anchoring motif from PrtS. The PrtH+ and PrtH+WANS genes expression levels were measured by RT-qPCR in the corresponding mutants and compared to that of prtS gene in the strain LMD-9. The expression levels of both fused prtH CEPs genes, regardless of the anchoring motif, reached up-to more than 76% of the wild-type prtS expression level. CEPs were sought and identified on the cell surface of LMD-9 wild-type strain, PrtH+ and PrtH+WANS mutants using shaving technique followed by peptide identification with tandem mass spectrometry, demonstrating that the heterologous secretion and anchoring of a protein of more than 200 kDa was efficient. The anchoring to the cell-wall seems to be more efficient when the LPXTG motif of PrtS was used instead of the S-layer motif of PrtH.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated S. thermophilus LMD-9 could heterologously secrete a high molecular weight protein and probably covalently anchor it to the cell-wall.

Genomic insights into high exopolysaccharide-producing dairy starter bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus ASCC 1275

Streptococcus thermophilus ASCC 1275 (ST 1275), a typical dairy starter bacterium, yields the highest known amount (~1,000 mg/L) of exopolysaccharide (EPS) in milk among the species of S. thermophilus. The addition of this starter in milk fermentation exhibited texture modifying properties for fermented dairy foods such as yogurt and cheese in the presence of EPS as its important metabolite. In this genomic study, a novel eps gene cluster for EPS assembly of repeating unit has been reported. It contains two-pair epsC-epsD genes which are assigned to determine the chain length of EPS. This also suggests this organism produces two types of EPSs – capsular and ropy EPS, as observed in our previous studies. Additionally, ST 1275 appears to exhibit effective proteolysis system and sophisticated stress response systems to stressful conditions, and has the highest number of four separate CRISPR/Cas loci. These features may be conducive to milk adaptation of this starter and against undesirable bacteriophage infections which leads to failure of milk fermentation. Insights into the genome of ST 1275 suggest that this strain may be a model high EPS-producing dairy starter.

Comparative genomics of the dairy isolate Streptococcus macedonicus ACA-DC 198 against related members of the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex

Background

Within the genus Streptococcus, only Streptococcus thermophilus is used as a starter culture in food fermentations. Streptococcus macedonicus though, which belongs to the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC), is also frequently isolated from fermented foods mainly of dairy origin. Members of the SBSEC have been implicated in human endocarditis and colon cancer. Here we compare the genome sequence of the dairy isolate S. macedonicus ACA-DC 198 to the other SBSEC genomes in order to assess in silico its potential adaptation to milk and its pathogenicity status.

Results

Despite the fact that the SBSEC species were found tightly related based on whole genome phylogeny of streptococci, two distinct patterns of evolution were identified among them. Streptococcus macedonicus, Streptococcus infantarius CJ18 and Streptococcus pasteurianus ATCC 43144 seem to have undergone reductive evolution resulting in significantly diminished genome sizes and increased percentages of potential pseudogenes when compared to Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus. In addition, the three species seem to have lost genes for catabolizing complex plant carbohydrates and for detoxifying toxic substances previously linked to the ability of S. gallolyticus to survive in the rumen. Analysis of the S. macedonicus genome revealed features that could support adaptation to milk, including an extra gene cluster for lactose and galactose metabolism, a proteolytic system for casein hydrolysis, auxotrophy for several vitamins, an increased ability to resist bacteriophages and horizontal gene transfer events with the dairy Lactococcus lactis and S. thermophilus as potential donors. In addition, S. macedonicus lacks several pathogenicity-related genes found in S. gallolyticus. For example, S. macedonicus has retained only one (i.e. the pil3) of the three pilus gene clusters which may mediate the binding of S. gallolyticus to the extracellular matrix. Unexpectedly, similar findings were obtained not only for the dairy S. infantarius CJ18, but also for the blood isolate S. pasteurianus ATCC 43144.

Conclusions

Our whole genome analyses suggest traits of adaptation of S. macedonicus to the nutrient-rich dairy environment. During this process the bacterium gained genes presumably important for this new ecological niche. Finally, S. macedonicus carries a reduced number of putative SBSEC virulence factors, which suggests a diminished pathogenic potential.

Development of the recombinase-based in vivo expression technology in Streptococcus thermophilus and validation using the lactose operon promoter

AIMS

To construct and validate the recombinase-based in vivo expression technology (R-IVET) tool in Streptococcus thermophilus (ST).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The R-IVET system we constructed in the LMD-9 strain includes the plasmid pULNcreB allowing transcriptional fusion with the gene of the site-specific recombinase Cre and the chromosomal cassette containing a spectinomycin resistance gene flanked by two loxP sites. When tested in M17 medium, promoters of the genes encoding the protease PrtS, the heat-shock protein Hsp16 and of the lactose operon triggered deletion of the cassette, indicating promoter activity in these conditions. The lactose operon promoter was also found to be activated during the transit in the murine gastrointestinal tract.

CONCLUSIONS

The R-IVET system developed in ST is relatively stable, functional, very sensitive and can be used to assay activity of promoters, which are specifically active in in vivo conditions.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This first adaptation of R-IVET to ST provides a highly valuable tool allowing an exploration of the physiological state of ST in the GIT of mammals, fermentation processes or dairy products.