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G Leblon

Publications and source records attributed to G Leblon.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Gene replacement, integration, and amplification at the gdhA locus of Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Gene replacement and integration in a Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 21086 derivative were achieved by transformation with a nonreplicative plasmid that contains the C. glutamicum ATCC 17965 gdhA gene modified by the insertion of an aphIII cartridge. We isolated rare derivatives of the integrative transformants that have higher levels of expression of the integrated plasmid genes than the parent. Different types of such amplified clones were distinguished according to their antibiotic resistance levels, enzyme specific activities, and physical structures. All amplified clones share a structural DNA motif confined to the chromosomal gdhA locus: a variable number (up to 10) of tandem copies of a unit that includes the selected gene and one flanking repeat. A given clone contains subpopulations that differ in the number of repeats of this unit.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the csp1 gene encoding PS1, one of the two major secreted proteins of Corynebacterium glutamicum: the deduced N-terminal region of PS1 is similar to the Mycobacterium antigen 85 complex.

Two proteins, PS1 and PS2, were detected in the culture medium of Corynebacterium glutamicum and are the major proteins secreted by this bacterium. No enzymatic activity was identified for either of the two proteins. Immunologically cross-reacting proteins were found in a variety of C. glutamicum strains but not in the coryneform Arthrobacter aureus. The gene encoding PS1, csp1, was cloned in lambda gt11 using polyclonal antibodies raised against PS1 to screen for producing clones. The csp1 gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, presumably from its own promoter, and directed the synthesis of two proteins recognized by anti-PS1 antibodies. The major protein band, of lower M(r), was detected in the periplasmic fraction. It had the same M(r) as the PS1 protein band detected in the supernatant of C. glutamicum cultures and presumably corresponds to the mature form of PS1. The minor protein band appears to be the precursor form of PS1. The nucleotide sequence of the csp1 gene was determined and contained an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide with a calculated molecular weight of 70,874, with a putative signal peptide with a molecular weight of 4411. This is consistent with the M(r) determined for PS1 from C. glutamicum culture supernatant and E. coli whole-cell extracts. The NH2-half of the deduced amino acid is similar (about 33% identical residues and 52% including similar residues) to the secreted antigen 85 protein complex of Mycobacterium. The csp1 gene in C. glutamicum was disrupted without any apparent effect on growth or viability.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

'Integron'-bearing vectors: a method suitable for stable chromosomal integration in highly restrictive corynebacteria.

A pBR322-derived plasmid (pCGL107) that carries the Corynebacterium melassecola ATCC17965 analogue of Escherichia coli gdhA gene (encoding glutamate dehydrogenase), was introduced into the related strain, Brevibacterium lactofermentum CGL2002, by electroporation and integrated into its chromosome by homologous recombination. However, pCGL107 cannot integrate into C. melassecola, since the host restriction prevents successful electroporation by E. coli-modified DNA. Nevertheless, B. lactofermentum-modified replicative plasmid DNA can be transformed by electroporation into C. melassecola; thus pCGL519-2, a shuttle plasmid that carries the C. melassecola analogue of E. coli gltA (encoding citrate synthase), was extracted from the former host and electroporated into the latter. Rare restriction sites conveniently placed in pCGL519-2 were used to recover a replicon-less cartridge called 'integron', that contains a selectable marker and gtlA within a single fragment. Integron prepared from pCGL519-2 DNA which had been extracted from C. melassecola, and thus, was capable of eluding the C. melassecola restriction barrier(s), was successfully electroporated into this host. The molecular analysis of the resulting transformants suggests that they result from the integration of a single circular integron molecule by homologous recombination between the gltA regions of the host genome and the integron. These transformants were stable for 30 generations in the absence of selection.

Base Sequence↗

Interspecies electro-transformation in Corynebacteria.

Plasmid DNA was efficiently electro-transformed into intact cells of nine Corynebacteria strains belonging to Brevibacterium lactofermentum, Brevibacterium flavum, Corynebacterium glutamicum and Corynebacterium melassecola. Relationships were explored between transformation efficiency and parameters such as electric field strength and pulse length, DNA concentration, physiological state and concentration of the cells. In optimal conditions, more than 10(7) transformants per microgram of DNA could be obtained. Electro-transformation with plasmid DNA isolated from different sources indicates that DNA modification may play a role in transformation efficiency.

Actinomycetales↗

The ura5 gene of the ascomycete Sordaria macrospora: molecular cloning, characterization and expression in Escherichia coli.

We cloned the ura5 gene coding for the orotate phosphoribosyl transferase from the ascomycete Sordaria macrospora by heterologous probing of a Sordaria genomic DNA library with the corresponding Podospora anserina sequence. The Sordaria gene was expressed in an Escherichia coli pyrE mutant strain defective for the same enzyme, and expression was shown to be promoted by plasmid sequences. The nucleotide sequence of the 1246-bp DNA fragment encompassing the region of homology with the Podospora gene has been determined. This sequence contains an open reading frame of 699 nucleotides. The deduced amino acid sequence shows 72% similarity with the corresponding Podospora protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Duplications created by transformation in Sordaria macrospora are not inactivated during meiosis.

We present here the first report of a transformation system developed for the filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora. Protoplasts from a ura-5 strain were transformed using the cloned Sordaria gene at a frequency of 2 x 10(-5) transformants per viable protoplast (10 per microgram of DNA). Transformation occurred by integration of the donor sequences in the chromosomes of the recipient strain. In 71 cases out of 74, integration occurred outside the ura5 locus; frequently several (two to four) copies were found at a unique integration site. Using the advantage of the spore colour phenotype of the ura5-1 marker, we have shown that the transformed phenotype is stable through mitosis and meiosis in all transformants analysed. No methylation of the duplicated sequences could be observed during meiotic divisions in the transformants.

Blotting, Southern↗

Indirect intergenic suppression of a radiosensitive mutant of Sordaria macrospora defective in sister-chromatid cohesiveness.

Six ultra violet (UV) mutageneses were performed on the spo76 UV-sensitive mutant of Sordaria macrospora. Spo76 shows an early centromere cleavage associated with an arrest at the first meiotic division and therefore does not form ascospores. Moreover, it exhibits altered pairing structure (synaptonemal complex), revealing a defect in the sister-chromatid cohesiveness. From 37 revertants which partially restored sporulation, 34 extragenic suppressors of spo76 were isolated. All suppressors are altered in chromosomal pairing but, unlike spo76, show a wild type centromere cleavage. The 34 suppressors were assigned to six different genes and mapped. Only one of the suppressor genes is involved in repair functions.

Ascomycota↗

Defective pairing and synaptonemal complex formation in a Sordaria mutant (spo44) with a translocated segment of the nucleolar organizer.

The recessive meiotic mutant spo44 of Sordaria macrospora, with 90% ascospore abortion, exhibits striking effects on recombination (67% decrease), irregular segregation of the almost unpaired homologues, and a decrease in chiasma frequency in the few cases where bivalents are formed. Three-dimensional reconstructions of ten prophase nuclei indicate that pairing, as judged by the absence of fully formed synaptonemal complexes (SC), is not achieved although lateral elements (LE) assemble. The pairing failure is attributable to defects in the alignment of homologous chromosomes. The leptotene alignment seen in the wild type before SC formation was not observed in the spo44 nuclei. Dense material, considered to be precursor of SC central elements, was found scattered among the LE in two nuclei. The behaviour of spo44 substantiates the hypothesis that chromosome matching and SC formation are separable events. - The total length of the LE in the mutant is the same as in the wild type, but due to variable numbers and length of the individual LE, homologues cannot be lined up. Light microscopic observations indicate that the irregular length and number of LE is due to extensive chromosome breakage. The wild-type function corresponding to spo44 is required for both LE integrity and chromosome matching. Reconstructions of heterozygous nuclei reveal the presence of a supernumerary nucleolar organizer in one arm of chromosome 7. It is suggested that rDNA has been inserted into a gene whose function is involved in pairing or into a controlling sequence that interacts with the pairing process.

Ascomycota↗

A system for the detection of chromosomal rearrangements using Sordaria macrospora.

A system is described for the detection and diagnosis of induced chromosomal rearrangement using Sordaria macrospora. The system uses the property of the rearrangement to produce defective white ascospores as meiotic progeny from heterozygous crosses. Two reconstruction experiments have shown that this system is able to give reliable quantitative measures of rearrangement frequencies. Evidence for a photoreactivation process was obtained, suggesting that pyrimidine dimers may well be an important lesion in UV-induced chromosomal rearrangement. No evidence of induction of chromosomal rearrangement was obtained in experiments with the powerful chemical mutagen N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

Ascomycota↗

Intragenic suppression at the b2 locus in Ascobolus immersus. I. Identification of three distinct groups of suppression.

A reversion study of EMS- or ICR170-induced ascospore color mutants in Ascobolus immersus is reported. Twenty-three new intragenic suppressors were isolated within the b2 locus. These are localized within three distinct groups on a genetic fine-structure map containing 21 identifiable sites. The pattern of reversion is discussed according to the known specificity of EMS and ICR170 in Ascobolus immersus.

Ascomycota↗