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Biomedical subjects

R H Baltz

Publications and source records attributed to R H Baltz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Transposition of Tn5096 and related transposons in Streptomyces species.

IS493 is an insertion sequence isolated from Streptomyces lividans by a method designed to 'trap' transposable elements. IS493 was converted to functional transposons by cloning antibiotic-resistance-encoding genes between ORF-A and ORF-B of IS493 or near the left-end inverted repeat of the element. Tn5096 transposed relatively randomly in several Streptomyces species. Tn5096 can be introduced into streptomycetes on temperature-sensitive vectors by protoplast transformation, FP43-mediated transduction, or by conjugation from Escherichia coli. We have shown that additional genes can be inserted in Tn5096 without disrupting transposition, and that Tn5096 insertions in a tylosin (Ty)-producing strain of Streptomyces fradiae frequently cause no deleterious effects on Ty production. A promoter probe transposon, Tn5099, containing a promoterless xylE gene, transposed in Streptomyces griseofuscus and S. fradiae, and transcriptional fusions were readily identified.

Cloning, Molecular

Transposition and transduction of plasmid DNA in Streptomyces spp.

To expand the application of molecular genetics to many different streptomycete species, we have been developing two potentially widely applicable methodologies: transposon mutagenesis and plasmid transduction. We constructed three transposons from the Streptomyces lividans insertion sequence IS493. Tn5096 and Tn5097 contain an apramycin resistance gene inserted in different orientations between the two open reading frames of IS493. These transposons transpose from different plasmids into many different sites in the Streptomyces griseofuscus chromosome and into its resident linear plasmids. Tn5099 contains a promoterless xylE gene and a hygromycin-resistance gene inserted in IS493 close to one end. Tn5099 transposes in S. griseofuscus giving operon fusions in some cases that drive expression of the xylE gene product, catechol deoxygenase, giving yellow colonies in the presence of catechol. We have also developed plasmid vectors that can be transduced into many streptomycete species by bacteriophage FP43. We describe the characterization of FP43 and mapping of several bacteriophage functions. The region of cloned FP43 DNA essential for plasmid transduction includes the origin for headful packaging.

DNA Transposable Elements

Properties of the streptomycete temperate bacteriophage FP43.

FP43 is a temperate bacteriophage for Streptomyces griseofuscus that forms plaques on many Streptomyces species. FP43 virions contain 56 kb of double-strand DNA that is circularly permuted and terminally redundant, and contains 65% G + C. A physical map of the FP43 genome was constructed, and the origin for headful packaging (pac) was localized to an 8.8-kb region of the genome (hft) that mediates high-frequency transduction by FP43 of plasmid pRHB101. The phage attachment site (attP), a replication origin (rep), a region that inhibits plaque formation (pin), and a 3-kb deletion (rpt) that caused a 100-fold reduction in plasmid transduction were mapped.

Bacteriophages

Tn5099, a xylE promoter probe transposon for Streptomyces spp.

Tn5099, a promoter probe transposon for Streptomyces spp., was constructed by inserting a promoterless xylE gene and a hygromycin resistance gene into IS493. Tn5099 transposed into different sites in the Streptomyces griseofuscus genome, and the xylE reporter gene was expressed in some of the transposition mutants. Strains containing Tn5099 insertions that gave regulated expression of the xylE gene were identified.

Amino Acid Sequence

Transposition of Tn5096 from a temperature-sensitive transducible plasmid in Streptomyces spp.

Transposon Tn5096 was inserted into a derivative of the temperature-sensitive plasmid pMT660 containing the bacteriophage FP43 pac site. The resulting plasmid, pRHB126, was transduced by FP43 into several Streptomyces species. Tn5096 transposed from pRHB126 into different sites in the genomes of Streptomyces ambofaciens, Streptomyces cinnamonensis, Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), Streptomyces fradiae, Streptomyces griseofuscus, and Streptomyces thermotolerans.

Bacteriophages

Transposition of Tn5096 and other IS493 derivatives in Streptomyces griseofuscus.

Tn5096 was constructed by inserting an apramycin resistance gene, aac(3)IV, into IS493 from Streptomyces lividans. By using conventional and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, Tn5096 and related transposons were shown to insert into many different locations in the Streptomyces griseofuscus chromosome and in two linear plasmids. On insertion into the target site CANTg, 3 bp appeared to be duplicated. Independent transpositions were obtained by delivery of the transposon from a temperature-sensitive plasmid. The frequency of auxotrophy among cultures containing transpositions was about 0.2%.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Characterization of FP22, a large streptomycete bacteriophage with DNA insensitive to cleavage by many restriction enzymes.

Bacteriophage FP22 has a very broad host range within streptomycetes and appeared to form lysogens of Streptomyces ambofaciens ATCC 15154. FP22 shared strong cross-immunity and antibody cross-reactivity with bacteriophage P23, but not with seven other streptomycete bacteriophages. FP22 particles had a head diameter of 71 nm and a tail length of 307 nm. The FP22 genome was 131 kb, which is the largest bacteriophage genome reported for streptomycetes. The G + C content of the genome was 46 mol% and restriction mapping indicated that FP22 DNA had discrete ends. NaCl- and pyrophosphate-resistant deletion mutants were readily isolated and the extent of the deletions defined at least 23 kb of dispensable DNA in two regions of the genome. The DNA was not cleaved by most restriction endonucleases (or isoschizomers) which have been identified in the streptomycetes, including the tetranucleotide cutter MboI (GATC).

Bacteriophages

Transduction and transformation of plasmid DNA in Streptomyces fradiae strains that express different levels of restriction.

We constructed nonrestricting strains of Streptomyces fradiae blocked in different steps in tylosin biosynthesis. Plasmid transformation frequencies were 10(3)- to 10(4)-fold higher and bacteriophage plating efficiencies were 10(4)- to 10(8)-fold higher in the nonrestricting strains than in the restricting strains. The efficiencies of transduction of plasmid pRHB101 in S. fradiae strains varied by over 1,000-fold, depending on growth conditions, and optimum transduction frequencies were obtained when cells were grown to mid-exponential phase at 39 degrees C. Under these conditions, restricting and nonrestricting strains were transduced at frequencies that differed by only two- to fivefold.

Bacteriophages

Streptomyces lipmanii expresses two restriction systems that inhibit plasmid transformation and bacteriophage plaque formation.

Bacteriophage host range studies suggested that several beta-lactam-producing streptomycetes express similar restriction-modification systems. Streptomyces lipmanii LE32 expressed two restriction-modification systems, designated SliI and SliII. A mutant strain, PM87, was defective only in SliI restriction but expressed both SliI and SliII modification. Streptomyces sp. strain A57986, a natural isolate partially deficient in the expression of SliI and SliII restriction, nevertheless modified bacteriophage DNA for both SliI and SliII specificities. Protoplasts of PM87 and A57986 were transformed by several plasmids, and the modified plasmids isolated from these strains transformed wild-type S. lipmanii efficiently.

Bacteriophages

Transduction of plasmid DNA in Streptomyces spp. and related genera by bacteriophage FP43.

A segment (hft) of bacteriophage FP43 DNA cloned into plasmid pIJ702 mediated high-frequency transduction of the resulting plasmid (pRHB101) by FP43 in Streptomyces griseofuscus. The transducing particles contained linear concatemers of plasmid DNA. Lysates of FP43 prepared on S. griseofuscus containing pRHB101 also transduced many other Streptomyces species, including several that restrict plaque formation by FP43 and at least two that produce restriction endonucleases that cut pRHB101 DNA. Transduction efficiencies in different species were influenced by the addition of anti-FP43 antiserum to the transduction plates, the temperature for cell growth before transduction, the multiplicity of infection, and the host on which the transducing lysate was prepared. FP43 lysates prepared on S. griseofuscus(pRHB101) also transduced species of Streptoverticillium, Chainia, and Saccharopolyspora.

Bacteriophages

Highly transformable mutants of Streptomyces fradiae defective in several restriction systems.

Streptomyces fradiae JS85 is a mutant defective in tylosin production and an efficient recipient for conjugal transfer of tylosin genes. JS85 was mutagenized with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and derivatives defective in restriction were isolated by sequential selection for increased transformability by several plasmid DNAs. From the number of mutation and selection cycles required to eliminate most restriction, it was estimated that wild type S. fradiae expressed at least five restriction systems. From the patterns of restriction enzyme digestion of chromosomal DNA observed in the series of mutants that became progressively less restricting, it was suggested that wild type S. fradiae normally expresses modification (and presumably restriction) systems similar or analogous to PstI, XhoI, ScaI and EcoRI. The least restricting mutant of S. fradiae was readily transformable by many plasmids, including a bifunctional cosmid vector containing a large insert of Streptomyces DNA.

Bacteriophages

recA gene of Escherichia coli complements defects in DNA repair and mutagenesis in Streptomyces fradiae JS6 (mcr-6).

Streptomyces fradiae JS6 (mcr-6) is a mutant which is defective in repair of DNA damage induced by a variety of chemical mutagens and UV light. JS6 is also defective in error-prone (mutagenic) DNA repair (J. Stonesifer and R. H. Baltz, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:1180-1183, 1985). The recA gene of Escherichia coli, cloned in a bifunctional vector that replicates in E. coli and Streptomyces spp., complemented the mutation in S. fradiae JS6, indicating that E. coli and S. fradiae express similar SOS responses and that the mcr+ gene product of S. fradiae is functionally analogous to the protein encoded by the recA gene of E. coli.

Bacterial Proteins

Efficient transformation of Amycolatopsis orientalis (Nocardia orientalis) protoplasts by Streptomyces plasmids.

Conditions for efficient transformation of Amycolatopsis orientalis (Nocardia orientalis) protoplasts by Streptomyces plasmid cloning vectors were identified. Three streptomycete plasmid origins of replication function in A. orientalis, as do the apramycin resistance gene from Escherichia coli, the thiostrepton resistance gene from Streptomyces azureus, and the tyrosinase gene from Streptomyces antibioticus. A. orientalis appears to express some restriction and modification, because highest transformation frequencies (10(6)/micrograms of DNA) were obtained when plasmid pIJ702 was modified by passage in A. orientalis.

Cosmids