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Ortiz Charneco G, Kelleher P, Buivydas A, de Waal PP, van Rijswijck IM, van Peij NN, Cambillau C, Mahony J, Van Sinderen D. Discovering genetic determinants for cell-to-cell adhesion in two prevalent conjugative lactococcal plasmids. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2024; 6:100239. [PMID: 38706493 PMCID: PMC11067333 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmids pNP40 and pUC11B encode two prevalent yet divergent conjugation systems, which have been characterized in detail recently. Here, we report the elucidation of the putative adhesins of the pNP40 and pUC11B conjugation systems, encoded by traAd and trsAd, respectively. Despite their significant sequence divergence, TraAd and TrsAd represent the most conserved component between the pNP40- and the pUC11B-encoded conjugation systems and share similar peptidoglycan-hydrolase domains. Protein structure prediction using AlphaFold2 highlighted the structural similarities between their predicted domains, as well as the potential homo-dimeric state of both proteins. Expression of the putative surface adhesins resulted in a cell clumping phenotype not only among cells expressing these surface adhesins but also between adhesin-expressing and non-producing cells. Furthermore, mutant derivatives of plasmids pNP40 or pUC11B carrying a mutation in traAd or trsAd, respectively, were shown to act as efficient donors provided the corresponding recipient expresses either traAd or trsAd, thus demonstrating in trans reciprocal complementarity of these proteins in conjugation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Ortiz Charneco
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Philip Kelleher
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Andrius Buivydas
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul P. de Waal
- dsm-firmenich; Taste, Texture & Health, Center for Food Innovation, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Irma M.H. van Rijswijck
- dsm-firmenich; Taste, Texture & Health, Center for Food Innovation, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Noël N.M.E. van Peij
- dsm-firmenich; Taste, Texture & Health, Center for Food Innovation, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Cambillau
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IMM), Aix-Marseille Université – CNRS, UMR 7255, Marseille, France
| | - Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe Van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
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2
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Michaelis C, Berger TMI, Kuhlmann K, Ghulam R, Petrowitsch L, Besora Vecino M, Gesslbauer B, Pavkov-Keller T, Keller W, Grohmann E. Effect of TraN key residues involved in DNA binding on pIP501 transfer rates in Enterococcus faecalis. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1268647. [PMID: 38380428 PMCID: PMC10877727 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1268647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Conjugation is a major mechanism that facilitates the exchange of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria. The broad-host-range Inc18 plasmid pIP501 harbors 15 genes that encode for a type IV secretion system (T4SS). It is a membrane-spanning multiprotein complex formed between conjugating donor and recipient cells. The penultimate gene of the pIP501 operon encodes for the cytosolic monomeric protein TraN. This acts as a transcriptional regulator by binding upstream of the operon promotor, partially overlapping with the origin of transfer. Additionally, TraN regulates traN and traO expression by binding upstream of the PtraNO promoter. This study investigates the impact of nine TraN amino acids involved in binding to pIP501 DNA through site-directed mutagenesis by exchanging one to three residues by alanine. For three traN variants, complementation of the pIP501∆traN knockout resulted in an increase of the transfer rate by more than 1.5 orders of magnitude compared to complementation of the mutant with native traN. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) was used to assess the binding affinities of three TraN double-substituted variants and one triple-substituted variant to its cognate pIP501 double-stranded DNA. The MST data strongly correlated with the transfer rates obtained by biparental mating assays in Enterococcus faecalis. The TraN variants TraN_R23A-N24A-Q28A, TraN_H82A-R86A, and TraN_G100A-K101A not only exhibited significantly lower DNA binding affinities but also, upon complementation of the pIP501∆traN knockout, resulted in the highest pIP501 transfer rates. This confirms the important role of the TraN residues R23, N24, Q28, H82, R86, G100, and K101 in downregulating pIP501 transfer. Although TraN is not part of the mating pair formation complex, TraE, TraF, TraH, TraJ, TraK, and TraM were coeluted with TraN in a pull-down. Moreover, TraN homologs are present not only in Inc18 plasmids but also in RepA_N and Rep_3 family plasmids, which are frequently found in enterococci, streptococci, and staphylococci. This points to a widespread role of this repressor in conjugative plasmid transfer among Firmicutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Michaelis
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Department of Microbiology, Berliner Hochschule für Technik, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Kirill Kuhlmann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rangina Ghulam
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Department of Microbiology, Berliner Hochschule für Technik, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lukas Petrowitsch
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Bernd Gesslbauer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tea Pavkov-Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Walter Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Grohmann
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Department of Microbiology, Berliner Hochschule für Technik, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Ortiz Charneco G, Kelleher P, Buivydas A, de Waal PP, van Rijswijck IM, van Peij NN, Mahony J, Van Sinderen D. Transcriptional control of two distinct lactococcal plasmid-encoded conjugation systems. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2024; 6:100224. [PMID: 38371911 PMCID: PMC10873654 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Lactococcal conjugative plasmids are poorly characterized compared to those harbored by numerous other Gram-positive bacteria, despite their significance in dairy fermentations and starter culture development. Furthermore, the transcriptional landscape of these lactococcal conjugation systems and their regulation have not been studied in any detail. Lactococcal plasmids pNP40 and pUC11B possess two genetically distinct and prevalent conjugation systems. Here, we describe the detailed transcriptional analysis of the pNP40 and pUC11B conjugation-associated gene clusters, revealing three and five promoters, respectively, for which the corresponding transcriptional start sites were identified. Regulation of several of these promoters, and therefore conjugation, is shown to involve the individual or concerted activities of the corresponding relaxase and transcriptional repressor(s) encoded by each conjugative plasmid. This work highlights how the conjugative potential of these systems may be unlocked, with significant implications for the starter culture and food fermentation industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Ortiz Charneco
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Philip Kelleher
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Andrius Buivydas
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul P. de Waal
- dsm-firmenich; Taste, Texture & Health, Center for Food Innovation, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Irma M.H. van Rijswijck
- dsm-firmenich; Taste, Texture & Health, Center for Food Innovation, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Noël N.M.E. van Peij
- dsm-firmenich; Taste, Texture & Health, Center for Food Innovation, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe Van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland
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4
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Ortiz Charneco G, Kelleher P, Buivydas A, Dashko S, de Waal PP, van Peij NNME, Roberts RJ, Mahony J, van Sinderen D. Delineation of a lactococcal conjugation system reveals a restriction-modification evasion system. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1250-1263. [PMID: 36942662 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmid pUC11B is a 49.3-kb plasmid harboured by the fermented meat isolate Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis UC11. Among other features, pUC11B encodes a pMRC01-like conjugation system and tetracycline-resistance. In this study, we demonstrate that this plasmid can be conjugated at high frequencies to recipient strains. Mutational analysis of the 22 genes encompassing the presumed pUC11B conjugation cluster revealed the presence of several genes with essential conjugation functions, as well as a gene, trsR, encoding a putative transcriptional repressor of this conjugation cluster. Furthermore, plasmid pUC11B encodes an anti-restriction protein, TrsAR, which facilitates higher conjugation frequencies when pUC11B is transferred into recipient strains containing Type II or Type III RM systems. These findings demonstrate how RM mechanisms can be circumvented when they act as a biological barrier for conjugation events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philip Kelleher
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Andrius Buivydas
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sofia Dashko
- DSM Food and Beverage, Center for Food Innovation, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Paul P de Waal
- DSM Food and Beverage, Center for Food Innovation, Delft, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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5
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Tsai CJY, Loh JMS, Proft T. PilVax: A Novel Platform for the Development of Mucosal Vaccines. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2412:399-410. [PMID: 34918257 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1892-9_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Peptide vaccines offer an attractive strategy to induce highly specific immune responses while reducing potential side effects. However, peptides are often poorly immunogenic and unstable on their own, requiring the need for potentially toxic adjuvants or expensive chemical coupling. The novel peptide delivery platform PilVax utilizes the rigid pilus structure from Group A Streptococcus (GAS) to stabilize and amplify the peptide, and present it on the surface of the non-pathogenic food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis. Upon intranasal immunization, PilVax vaccines have proven to induce peptide-specific systemic and mucosal responses. PilVax provides an alternative method to develop mucosal vaccines that are inexpensive to produce and easy to administer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Jia-Yun Tsai
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biomolecular Discovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jacelyn M S Loh
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biomolecular Discovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thomas Proft
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biomolecular Discovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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6
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Ortiz Charneco G, Kelleher P, Buivydas A, Streekstra H, van Themaat EVL, de Waal PP, Mahony J, van Sinderen D. Genetic Dissection of a Prevalent Plasmid-Encoded Conjugation System in Lactococcus lactis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:680920. [PMID: 34122391 PMCID: PMC8194271 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.680920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmid pNP40, which was first identified nearly 40 years ago in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis DRC3, encodes functions such as heavy metal-, bacteriophage-, and nisin-resistance, as well as plasmid transfer ability by conjugation. Here, we report an optimized conjugation protocol for this plasmid, yielding a transfer frequency that is approximately 4,000-fold higher than those previously reported in literature, while we also observed high-frequency plasmid co-mobilization. Individual mutations in 18 genes that encompass the presumed conjugation cluster of pNP40 were generated using ssDNA recombineering to evaluate the role of each gene in the conjugation process. A possible transcriptional repressor of this conjugation cluster, the product of the traR gene, was identified in this manner. This mutational analysis, paired with bioinformatic predictions as based on sequence and structural similarities, allowed us to generate a preliminary model of the pNP40 conjugation machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philip Kelleher
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Andrius Buivydas
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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7
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Kelleher P, Mahony J, Bottacini F, Lugli GA, Ventura M, van Sinderen D. The Lactococcus lactis Pan-Plasmidome. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:707. [PMID: 31019500 PMCID: PMC6458302 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are autonomous, self-replicating, extrachromosomal genetic elements that are typically not essential for growth of their host. They may encode metabolic capabilities, which promote the maintenance of these genetic elements, and may allow adaption to specific ecological niches and consequently enhance survival. Genome sequencing of 16 Lactococcus lactis strains revealed the presence of 83 plasmids, including two megaplasmids. The limitations of Pacific Biosciences SMRT sequencing in detecting the total plasmid complement of lactococcal strains is examined, while a combined Illumina/SMRT sequencing approach is proposed to combat these issues. Comparative genome analysis of these plasmid sequences combined with other publicly available plasmid sequence data allowed the definition of the lactococcal plasmidome, and facilitated an investigation into (bio) technologically important plasmid-encoded traits such as conjugation, bacteriocin production, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, and (bacterio) phage resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kelleher
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Mahony
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Gabriele A. Lugli
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Ventura
- Laboratory of Probiogenomics, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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8
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Laroute V, Tormo H, Couderc C, Mercier-Bonin M, Le Bourgeois P, Cocaign-Bousquet M, Daveran-Mingot ML. From Genome to Phenotype: An Integrative Approach to Evaluate the Biodiversity of Lactococcus lactis. Microorganisms 2017; 5:microorganisms5020027. [PMID: 28534821 PMCID: PMC5488098 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms5020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactococcus lactis is one of the most extensively used lactic acid bacteria for the manufacture of dairy products. Exploring the biodiversity of L. lactis is extremely promising both to acquire new knowledge and for food and health-driven applications. L. lactis is divided into four subspecies: lactis, cremoris, hordniae and tructae, but only subsp. lactis and subsp. cremoris are of industrial interest. Due to its various biotopes, Lactococcus subsp. lactis is considered the most diverse. The diversity of L. lactis subsp. lactis has been assessed at genetic, genomic and phenotypic levels. Multi-Locus Sequence Type (MLST) analysis of strains from different origins revealed that the subsp. lactis can be classified in two groups: “domesticated” strains with low genetic diversity, and “environmental” strains that are the main contributors of the genetic diversity of the subsp. lactis. As expected, the phenotype investigation of L. lactis strains reported here revealed highly diverse carbohydrate metabolism, especially in plant- and gut-derived carbohydrates, diacetyl production and stress survival. The integration of genotypic and phenotypic studies could improve the relevance of screening culture collections for the selection of strains dedicated to specific functions and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Laroute
- LISBP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRA, INSA, Toulouse, France.
| | - Hélène Tormo
- Département des Sciences Agronomiques et Agroalimentaire, équipe Agroalimentaire et Nutrition, Université de Toulouse, INP-Purpan, Toulouse, France.
| | - Christel Couderc
- Département des Sciences Agronomiques et Agroalimentaire, équipe Agroalimentaire et Nutrition, Université de Toulouse, INP-Purpan, Toulouse, France.
| | - Muriel Mercier-Bonin
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRA, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France.
| | - Pascal Le Bourgeois
- LISBP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRA, INSA, Toulouse, France.
- Université de Toulouse III, Université Paul Sabatier, F-31062 Toulouse, France.
| | | | - Marie-Line Daveran-Mingot
- LISBP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRA, INSA, Toulouse, France.
- Université de Toulouse III, Université Paul Sabatier, F-31062 Toulouse, France.
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9
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Tarazanova M, Beerthuyzen M, Siezen R, Fernandez-Gutierrez MM, de Jong A, van der Meulen S, Kok J, Bachmann H. Plasmid Complement of Lactococcus lactis NCDO712 Reveals a Novel Pilus Gene Cluster. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167970. [PMID: 27941999 PMCID: PMC5152845 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactococcus lactis MG1363 is an important gram-positive model organism. It is a plasmid-free and phage-cured derivative of strain NCDO712. Plasmid-cured strains facilitate studies on molecular biological aspects, but many properties which make L. lactis an important organism in the dairy industry are plasmid encoded. We sequenced the total DNA of strain NCDO712 and, contrary to earlier reports, revealed that the strain carries 6 rather than 5 plasmids. A new 50-kb plasmid, designated pNZ712, encodes functional nisin immunity (nisCIP) and copper resistance (lcoRSABC). The copper resistance could be used as a marker for the conjugation of pNZ712 to L. lactis MG1614. A genome comparison with the plasmid cured daughter strain MG1363 showed that the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms that accumulated in the laboratory since the strains diverted more than 30 years ago is limited to 11 of which only 5 lead to amino acid changes. The 16-kb plasmid pSH74 was found to contain a novel 8-kb pilus gene cluster spaCB-spaA-srtC1-srtC2, which is predicted to encode a pilin tip protein SpaC, a pilus basal subunit SpaB, and a pilus backbone protein SpaA. The sortases SrtC1/SrtC2 are most likely involved in pilus polymerization while the chromosomally encoded SrtA could act to anchor the pilus to peptidoglycan in the cell wall. Overexpression of the pilus gene cluster from a multi-copy plasmid in L. lactis MG1363 resulted in cell chaining, aggregation, rapid sedimentation and increased conjugation efficiency of the cells. Electron microscopy showed that the over-expression of the pilus gene cluster leads to appendices on the cell surfaces. A deletion of the gene encoding the putative basal protein spaB, by truncating spaCB, led to more pilus-like structures on the cell surface, but cell aggregation and cell chaining were no longer observed. This is consistent with the prediction that spaB is involved in the anchoring of the pili to the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Tarazanova
- NIZO food research B.V., Ede, The Netherlands
- TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marke Beerthuyzen
- NIZO food research B.V., Ede, The Netherlands
- TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Siezen
- TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Microbial Bioinformatics, Ede, The Netherlands
| | - Marcela M. Fernandez-Gutierrez
- TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Host-Microbe Interactomics Group, Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne de Jong
- TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd van der Meulen
- TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Kok
- TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Molecular Genetics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Herwig Bachmann
- NIZO food research B.V., Ede, The Netherlands
- TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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10
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Ho CH, Stanton-Cook M, Beatson SA, Bansal N, Turner MS. Stability of active prophages in industrial Lactococcus lactis strains in the presence of heat, acid, osmotic, oxidative and antibiotic stressors. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 220:26-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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11
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Cui Y, Hu T, Qu X, Zhang L, Ding Z, Dong A. Plasmids from Food Lactic Acid Bacteria: Diversity, Similarity, and New Developments. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:13172-202. [PMID: 26068451 PMCID: PMC4490491 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160613172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Revised: 05/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids are widely distributed in different sources of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as self-replicating extrachromosomal genetic materials, and have received considerable attention due to their close relationship with many important functions as well as some industrially relevant characteristics of the LAB species. They are interesting with regard to the development of food-grade cloning vectors. This review summarizes new developments in the area of lactic acid bacteria plasmids and aims to provide up to date information that can be used in related future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Cui
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Tong Hu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Xiaojun Qu
- Institute of Microbiology, Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150010, China.
| | - Lanwei Zhang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Zhongqing Ding
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Aijun Dong
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
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12
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Cavanagh D, Fitzgerald GF, McAuliffe O. From field to fermentation: the origins of Lactococcus lactis and its domestication to the dairy environment. Food Microbiol 2014; 47:45-61. [PMID: 25583337 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Lactococcus lactis is an organism of substantial economic importance, used extensively in the production of fermented foods and widely held to have evolved from plant strains. The domestication of this organism to the milk environment is associated with genome reduction and gene decay, and the acquisition of specific genes involved in protein and lactose utilisation by horizontal gene transfer. In recent years, numerous studies have focused on uncovering the physiology and molecular biology of lactococcal strains from the wider environment for exploitation in the dairy industry. This in turn has facilitated comparative genome analysis of lactococci from different environments and provided insight into the natural phenotypic and genetic diversity of L. lactis. This diversity may be exploited in dairy fermentations to develop products with improved quality and sensory attributes. In this review, we discuss the classification of L. lactis and the problems that arise with phenotype/genotype designation. We also discuss the adaptation of non-dairy lactococci to milk, the traits associated with this adaptation and the potential application of non-dairy lactococci to dairy fermentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Cavanagh
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland; Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland.
| | | | - Olivia McAuliffe
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
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Mahony J, Bottacini F, van Sinderen D, Fitzgerald GF. Progress in lactic acid bacterial phage research. Microb Cell Fact 2014; 13 Suppl 1:S1. [PMID: 25185514 PMCID: PMC4155818 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-13-s1-s1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has advanced significantly over the past number of decades and these developments have been driven by the parallel advances in technologies such as genomics, bioinformatics, protein expression systems and structural biology, combined with the ever increasing commercial relevance of this group of microorganisms. Some of the more significant and impressive outputs have been in the domain of bacteriophage-host interactions which provides a prime example of the cutting-edge model systems represented by LAB research. Here, we present a retrospective overview of the key advances in LAB phage research including phage-host interactions and co-evolution. We describe how in many instances this knowledge can be pivotal in creating real improvements in the application of LAB cultures in commercial practice.
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Ainsworth S, Stockdale S, Bottacini F, Mahony J, van Sinderen D. The Lactococcus lactis plasmidome: much learnt, yet still lots to discover. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2014; 38:1066-88. [PMID: 24861818 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6976.12074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactococcus lactis is used extensively worldwide for the production of a variety of fermented dairy products. The ability of L. lactis to successfully grow and acidify milk has long been known to be reliant on a number of plasmid-encoded traits. The recent availability of low-cost, high-quality genome sequencing, and the quest for novel, technologically desirable characteristics, such as novel flavour development and increased stress tolerance, has led to a steady increase in the number of available lactococcal plasmid sequences. We will review both well-known and very recent discoveries regarding plasmid-encoded traits of biotechnological significance. The acquired lactococcal plasmid sequence information has in recent years progressed our understanding of the origin of lactococcal dairy starter cultures. Salient points on the acquisition and evolution of lactococcal plasmids will be discussed in this review, as well as prospects of finding novel plasmid-encoded functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Ainsworth
- Department of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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The plasmid complement of Lactococcus lactis UC509.9 encodes multiple bacteriophage resistance systems. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 80:4341-9. [PMID: 24814781 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01070-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris strains are used globally for the production of fermented dairy products, particularly hard cheeses. Believed to be of plant origin, L. lactis strains that are used as starter cultures have undergone extensive adaptation to the dairy environment, partially through the acquisition of extrachromosomal DNA in the form of plasmids that specify technologically important phenotypic traits. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the eight plasmids of L. lactis UC509.9, an Irish dairy starter strain. Key industrial phenotypes were mapped, and genes that are typically associated with lactococcal plasmids were identified. Four distinct, plasmid-borne bacteriophage resistance systems were identified, including two abortive infection systems, AbiB and AbiD1, thereby supporting the observed phage resistance of L. lactis UC509.9. AbiB escape mutants were generated for phage sk1, which were found to carry mutations in orf6, which encodes the major capsid protein of this phage.
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Jaomanjaka F, Ballestra P, Dols-lafargue M, Le Marrec C. Expanding the diversity of oenococcal bacteriophages: insights into a novel group based on the integrase sequence. Int J Food Microbiol 2013; 166:331-40. [PMID: 23994162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Temperate bacteriophages are a contributor of the genetic diversity in the lactic acid bacterium Oenococcus oeni. We used a classification scheme for oenococcal prophages based on integrase gene polymorphism, to analyze a collection of Oenococcus strains mostly isolated in the area of Bordeaux, which represented the major lineages identified through MLST schemes in the species. Genome sequences of oenococcal prophages were clustered into four integrase groups (A to D) which were related to the chromosomal integration site. The prevalence of each group was determined and we could show that members of the intB- and intC-prophage groups were rare in our panel of strains. Our study focused on the so far uncharacterized members of the intD-group. Various intD viruses could be easily isolated from wine samples, while intD lysogens could be induced to produce phages active against two permissive O. oeni isolates. These data support the role of this prophage group in the biology of O. oeni. Global alignment of three relevant intD-prophages revealed significant conservation and highlighted a number of unique ORFs that may contribute to phage and lysogen fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fety Jaomanjaka
- University of Bordeaux, ISVV, Unit of Enology, EA 4577, Villenave d'Ornon, France
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