Effects of phosphoglycerate kinase overproduction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the physiology and plasmid stability.

In this report the effects of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) overproduction on the physiology and plasmid stability in baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing the PGK1 gene on an episomal plasmid are described. This examination reveals that there is a preferred intracellular level for this enzyme, amounting to 10-15% of the total soluble protein. Strains containing the plasmid and the host strain were grown in non-selective batch cultures and continuous culture, under different growth conditions. Plasmid-containing yeast strains stabilize the copy number of the episomal plasmid at a level at which the PGK concentration is about 12%. This stabilization is due to an equilibrium between normal plasmid loss and selective pressure because of advantages resulting from the increased amount of PGK under glucose-limited conditions. During respiro-fermentative growth, PGK-overproducing cells showed an increased respiration rate and decreased fermentative activity, compared to the host strain. The PGK1 gene can be applied as a direct positive selection marker to obtain a high episomal plasmid stability during growth on glucose. The results are consistent with previously reported data on the physiology and gene stability of PGK-overproducing yeast cells that contain multiple copies of the PGK1 gene integrated into the genome.     

用GAP启动子在毕赤酵母中组成型表达重组 猕猴桃果胶甲酯酶抑制剂

目的构建组成型表达重组猕猴桃果胶甲酯酶抑制剂(kiwi pectin methylesterase inhibitor, kwPMEI)的毕赤酵母(P．pastoris)GS115工程菌株,探索碳源(葡萄糖、甘油、甲醇)对重组菌表达kwPMEI的影响,纯化kwPMEI并鉴定其对番茄果胶酶的抑制活性。方法应用PCR方法从P．pastoris GS115染色体中扩增了三磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶启动子(pGAP),以其取代诱导型表达载体pPIC9K-kwPMEI上的醇氧化酶启动子(pAOX1),构建了组成型表达载体pGAP9K-kwPMEI,并转化至GS115中。用Tricine-SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析目的蛋白表达情况,镍柱亲和层析纯化目的蛋白,并用凝胶扩散方法鉴定其抑制活性。结果重组毕赤酵母工程菌株成功组成型表达了kwPMEI,48h即达到最大表达水平,表达量约为66 mg/L。并且以甘油为碳源时kwPMEI表达量最高。成功分离纯化了kwPMEI,并经凝胶扩散方法检测表明其具有抑制活性。结论成功构建了组成型分泌表达kwPMEI的毕赤酵母菌株,为kwPMEI在果蔬汁中的进一步应用奠定了基础。     

Isolation of Pichia pastoris genes involved in ER-to-Golgi transport

Pichia pastoris has discrete transitional ER sites and coherent Golgi stacks, making this yeast an ideal system for studying the organization of the early secretory pathway. To provide molecular tools for this endeavour, we isolated P. pastoris homologues of the SEC12, SEC13, SEC17, SEC18 and SAR1 genes. The P. pastoris SEC12, SEC13, SEC17 and SEC18 genes were shown to complement the corresponding S. cerevisiae mutants. The SEC17 and SAR1 genes contain introns at the same relative positions in both P. pastoris and S. cerevisiae, whereas the SEC13 gene contains an intron in P. pastoris but not in S. cerevisiae. Intron structure is similar in the two yeasts, although the favoured 5' splice sequence appears to be GTAAGT in P. pastoris vs. GTATGT in S. cerevisiae. The predicted amino acid sequences of Sec13p, Sec17p, Sec18p and Sar1p show strong conservation in the two yeasts. By contrast, the predicted lumenal domain of Sec12p is much larger in P. pastoris, suggesting that this domain may help localize Sec12p to transitional ER sites. A comparison of the SEC12 loci in various budding yeasts indicates that the SEC12-related gene SED4 is probably unique to the Saccharomyces lineage.     

Non-repressing carbon sources for alcohol oxidase (AOX1) promoter of Pichia pastoris

The growth of Pichia pastoris in a mixture of either glycerol or glucose and methanol follows a diauxic growth, with C1 utilizing enzymes being repressed. Therefore, these carbon sources can not be used as a mixture with methanol to simultaneously grow P. pastoris and induce C1 utilizing enzymes, especially in a shake flask cultures of AOX-deficient P. pastoris. Among the alternative carbon sources tested, alanine, sorbitol, mannitol and trehalose, did not repress beta-gal production when methanol was used as an inducer in mut- strain of P. pastoris. Our results show that either one of alanine, sorbitol, mannitol or trehalose can be used as a sole carbon and energy source for P. pastoris, although the doubling time on trehalose was very long. Mut- strains growing in media containing trehalose, alanine, sorbitol and mannitol with methanol (0.5%) as an inducing agent expressed as much or higher amount of beta-gal as compared to the mut+ growing in methanol containing media.     

高果糖浆废液杂糖组分分析及其作为毕赤酵母发酵碳源的资源化利用

废杂糖的资源化利用是高果糖浆生产行业迫切需要解决的问题。该研究首先通过高效液相、质谱和红外光谱分析,确定了杂糖成分为葡萄糖、果糖和聚合度为2~16的线性葡聚糖,包括葡萄糖480 g/L,果糖92 g/L,麦芽糖103.6 g/L,麦芽三糖36.8 g/L,总糖含量802.3 g/L。进一步使用2种常用的毕赤酵母宿主(P AOX1型毕赤酵母、P GAP型毕赤酵母)利用杂糖发酵生产内切β-1,3葡聚糖酶并与标准碳源(甘油和葡萄糖)作对比。结果表明,对于P AOX1型毕赤酵母,杂糖做碳源时细胞密度和酶活性与甘油相比均有所下降,最大生物量分别为59.1和82.0 g/L,最高酶活性分别为157.29和199.2 U/mL。对于P GAP型毕赤酵母,杂糖与葡萄糖的发酵效果相当,说明杂糖可以作为P GAP型毕赤酵母生产内切β-1,3葡聚糖酶的优质替代性碳源。     

Molecular characterization of the glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase gene FLD1 from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia methanolica

In this paper, we describe molecular characterization of the FLD1 gene, which encodes glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FLD), from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia methanolica. The P. methanolica FLD1 gene contains two exons corresponding to a gene product of 380 amino acid residues and a 225 bp intron, respectively, and its deduced amino acid sequence shows high similarity to those of Fld1ps from other methylotrophic yeasts (80-88%). In P. methanolica, FLD activity is mainly induced by methanol, and this induction is not completely repressed by glucose. Moreover, the expression of the PmFLD1 is strictly regulated, mainly at the mRNA level, its expression increasing with increasing methanol concentrations in the medium. These results suggest that FLD1 is involved in the detoxification of formaldehyde in methanol metabolism, and Fld1p coordinates the formaldehyde level in methanol-grown cells according to the methanol concentration on growth.     

The ICL1 gene of Pichia pastoris, transcriptional regulation and use of its promoter

We cloned and characterized a gene encoding isocitrate lyase from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. This gene was isolated from a P. pastoris genomic library using a homologous PCR hybridization probe, amplified with two sets of degenerate primers designed from conserved regions in yeast isocitrate lyases. The cloned gene was sequenced and consists of an open reading frame of 1563 bp encoding a protein of 551 amino acids. The molecular mass of the protein is calculated to be 60.6 kDa with high sequence similarity to isocitrate lyase from other organisms. There is a 64% identity between amino acid sequences of P. pastoris Icl and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Icl. Northern blot analyses showed that, as in S. cerevisiae, the steady-state ICL1 mRNA levels depend on the carbon source used for cell growth. Expression in P. pastoris of the dextranase gene (dexA) from Penicillium minioluteum under control of the ICL1 promoter proved that P(ICL1) is a good alternative for the expression of heterologous proteins in this methylotrophic yeast. The sequence presented here has been deposited in the EMBL data library under Accession No. AJ272040.     

Molecular characterization of the PEX5 gene encoding peroxisomal targeting signal 1 receptor from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia methanolica

In this study, we describe the molecular characterization of the PEX5 gene encoding the peroxisomal targeting signal 1 (PTS1) receptor from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia methanolica. The P. methanolica PEX5 (PmPEX5) gene contains a open reading frame corresponding to a gene product of 646 amino acid residues, and its deduced amino acid sequence shows a high similarity to those of Pex5ps from other methylotrophic yeasts. Like other Pex5ps, the PmPex5p possesses seven repeats of the TPR motif in the C-terminal region and three WXXXF/Y motifs. A strain with the disrupted PEX5 gene (pex5Delta) lost its ability to grow on peroxisome-inducible carbon sources, methanol and oleate, but grew normally on glucose and glycerol. Disruption of PmPEX5 caused a drastic decrease in peroxisomal enzyme activities and mislocalization of GFP-PTS1 and some peroxisomal methanol-metabolizing enzymes in the cytosol. Expression of the PmPEX5 gene was regulated by carbon sources, and it was strongly expressed by peroxisome-inducible carbon sources, especially methanol. Taken together, these findings show that PmPex5p has an essential physiological role in peroxisomal metabolism of P. methanolica, including methanol metabolism, and in peroxisomal localization and activation of methanol-metabolizing enzymes, e.g. AOD isozymes, DHAS and CTA.     

Molecular characterization of the Hansenula polymorpha FLD1 gene encoding formaldehyde dehydrogenase.

Glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FLD) is a key enzyme required forthe catabolism of methanol as a carbon source and certain primary amines, such as methylamine as nitrogen sources in methylotrophic yeasts. Here we describe the molecular characterization of the FLD1 gene from the yeast Hansenula polymorpha. Unlike the recently described Pichia pastoris homologue, the H. polymorpha gene does not contain an intron. The predicted FLD1 product (Fld1p) is a protein of 380 amino acids (ca. 41 kDa) with 82% identity to P. pastoris Fld1p, 76% identity to the FLD protein sequence from n-alkane-assimilating yeast Candida maltosa and 63-64% identity to dehydrogenase class III enzymes from humans and other higher eukaryotes. The expression of FLD1 is strictly regulated and can be controlled at two expression levels by manipulation of the growth conditions. The gene is strongly induced under methylotrophic growth conditions; moderate expression is obtained under conditions in which a primary amine, e.g. methylamine, is used as nitrogen source. These properties render the FLD1 promoter of high interest for heterologous gene expression. The availability of the H. polymorpha FLD1 promoter provides an attractive alternative for expression of foreign genes besides the commonly used alcohol oxidase promoter.     

Transport of glycerol by Pediococcus pentosaceus isolated from wine

Pediococcus pentosaceus N(5)p is a strain isolated from wine that uses glycerol as its sole carbon source, mainly via the glycerol kinase pathway. The transport of glycerol was investigated in resting cells of this strain. Glycerol uptake followed a Michaelis-Menten relationship with an observed apparent K(m) of 33 microM and a V(max) of 2.5 nmol/min/mg of cell protein. The transport system was specific for glycerol, which was present in the cells grown either on glycerol or glucose suggesting its constitutive nature. The presence of uptake when resting cells were treated with HgCl(2) and the absence of counterflow indicate that facilitated diffusion is not involved in glycerol transport. On the other hand, glycerol uptake was inhibited by the metabolic poisons that affect ATP availability by acting on either electron transport or ATPase activity, and by the proton-conducting uncouplers without any effect on glycerol kinase activity. The restoration of glycerol uptake in de-energized cells by the addition of glucose and low concentration of cyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone was achieved. These results, the first in the genus Pediococcus, provide evidence for an energy-dependent uptake of glycerol that involves the proton motive force directly or coupled with ATP synthesis.     

The effect of ethanol and acetate on protein expression in Pichia pastoris

Pichia pastoris is an excellent host for high-level heterologous gene expression, but there is still much interest in improving the productivity of recombinant protein production. P. pastoris produces a small amount of ethanol as a by-product during the glycerol fed-batch phase and the mixed-feed induction phase (glycerol-methanol) of high cell density fermentations, regardless of the phenotype (Mut+, Mut(s), or Mut-). We have nvestigated ethanol repression of the AOX1 promoter using strains, GS115 (Mut+) and MC100-3 (Mut-), expressing an AOX1-lacZ fusion. The addition of 10 mg l(-1) ethanol at the start of methanol induction delayed beta-galactosidase production and methanol utilization for four hours in shake flask experiments. When ethanol and acetate were added together, all of the ethanol was converted to acetate, which also represses the AOX1 promoter. The effects of ethanol and acetate on protein expression in P. pastoris at shake flask and fermentor conditions are discussed.     

葡萄酒活性干酵母直投和活化工艺对酒精发酵的影响

选取了6种国内外不同的葡萄酒活性干酵母,分别采用活化与直投工艺,在15 ℃和25 ℃条件下,验证其酒精发酵的代谢动力学及甘油产量的差异。结果表明,在15 ℃发酵条件下,部分活性干酵母直投接种比活化接种晚一天结束发酵;F1酵母活化与直投处理间甘油产量没有显著差异（P＞0.05）,其他5种酵母活化工艺发酵的葡萄酒甘油产量显著高于直投工艺（P＜0.05）;在25 ℃发酵条件下,活化接种和直投接种均在同一天完成酒精发酵,最终残糖均＜4 g/L;F1酵母活化与直投接种之间的甘油产量没有显著的差异（P＞0.05）,A2酵母活化接种后葡萄酒的甘油产量显著低于直投工艺（P＜0.05）,其他4种葡萄酒活性干酵母活化后的甘油产量明显高于直投工艺（P＜0.05）。与活化后接种相比,直投接种可能延长发酵时间,降低甘油产量。     

RT-qPCR分析拷贝数及mRNA转录水平对表达左聚糖蔗糖酶的影响

采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（RT-qPCR）技术对重组毕赤酵母基因组中左聚糖蔗糖酶基因（SacB）的拷贝数及信使核糖核酸（mRNA）转录水平进行检测分析,并用3,5-二硝基水杨酸（DNS）法测定菌株不同诱导时间下左聚糖蔗糖酶水解活力。结果表明,在BMMY液体培养基中经甲醇诱导24 h时,样品转录水平皆达到最大值,此时多拷贝菌株转录水平（2.13）为单拷贝菌株（0.42）的5.1倍;左聚糖蔗糖酶活力在甲醇诱导24 h后均随诱导时间不断上升,多拷贝菌株酶活（13.96 U/mL）较单拷贝菌株（5.48 U/mL）提高1.5倍。重组毕赤酵母整合的左聚糖蔗糖酶基因在1～3个拷贝范围内,随着拷贝数增加,多拷贝菌株较单拷贝菌株的mRNA转录水平及相应的蛋白表达量均显著增加（P＜0.05）,说明毕赤酵母是表达基因SacB的良好宿主。     

Control of Saccharomyces cerevisiae carboxypeptidase S (CPS1) gene expression under nutrient limitation

Expression of the vacuolar carboxypeptidase S (CPS1) gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by the availability of nutrients. Enzyme production is sensitive to nitrogen catabolite repression; i.e. the presence of ammonium ions maintains expression of the gene at a low level. Transfer of ammonium–glucose pre-grown cells to a medium deprived of nitrogen causes a drastic increase in CPS1 RNA level provided that a readily usable carbon source, such as glucose or fructose, is available to the cells. Derepression of the gene by nitrogen limitation is cycloheximide-insensitive. Neither glycerol, ethanol, acetate nor galactose support derepression of CPS1 expression under nitrogen starvation conditions. Non-metabolizable sugar analogs (2-deoxyglucose, 6-methyl-glucose or glucosamine) do not allow derepression of CPS1, showing that the process is energy-dependent. Production of carboxypeptidase yscS also increases several-fold when ammonium-pregrown cells are transferred to media containing glucose and a non-readily metabolizable nitrogen source such as proline, leucine, valine or leucyl-glycine. Analysis of CPS1 expression in RAS2⁺ (high cAMP) and ras2 mutant (low cAMP) strains and in cells grown at low temperature (23°C) and in heat-shocked cells (38°C) shows that steady-state levels of CPS1 mRNA are not controlled by a low cAMP level-signalling pathway.     

Sterol glycosides and cerebrosides accumulate in Pichia pastoris, Rhynchosporium secalis and other fungi under normal conditions or under heat shock and ethanol stress

The occurrence of glycolipids such as sterol glycosides, acylated sterol glycosides, cerebrosides and glycosyldiacylglycerols was examined in the three yeast species Candida albicans, Pichia pastoris and Pichia anomala, as well as in the six fungal species Sordaria macrospora, Pyrenophora teres, Ustilago maydis, Acremonium chrysogenum, Penicillium olsonii and Rhynchosporium secalis. Cerebroside was found in all organisms tested, whereas acylated sterol glycosides and glycosyldiacylglycerols were not found in any organism. Sterol glycosides were detected in P. pastoris strain GS115, U. maydis, S. macrospora and R. secalis. This glycolipid occurred in both yeast and filamentous forms of U. maydis but in neither form of C. albicans. This suggests that sterol glycoside is not correlated with the separately grown dimorphic forms of these organisms. Cerebrosides and sterol glycosides from P. pastoris and R. secalis were purified and characterized by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The cerebrosides are beta-glucosyl ceramides consisting of a saturated alpha-hydroxy or non-hydroxy fatty acid and a Delta4,8-diunsaturated, C9-methyl-branched sphingobase. Sterol glycoside from P. pastoris was identified as ergosterol-beta-D-glucopyranoside, whereas the sterol glucosides from R. secalis contain two derivatives of ergosterol. The biosynthesis of sterol glucoside in P. pastoris CBS7435 and GS115 depended on the culture conditions. The amount of sterol glucoside in cells grown in complete medium was much lower than in cells from minimal medium and a strong increase in the content of sterol glucoside was observed when cells were subjected to stress conditions such as heat shock or increased ethanol concentrations. From these data we suggest that, in addition to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, new yeast and fungal model organisms should be used to study the physiological functions of glycolipids in eukaryotic cells. This suggestion is based on the ubiquitous and frequent occurrence of cerebrosides and sterol glycosides, both of which are rarely detected in S. cerevisiae. We suggest P. pastoris and two plant pathogenic fungi to be selected for this approach.     

Characterization of different promoters for designing a new expression vector in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The widely used pESC vector series (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA, USA) with the bidirectional GAL1/GAL10 promoter provides the possibility of simultaneously expressing two different genes from a single vector in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This system can be induced by galactose and is repressed by glucose. Since S. cerevisiae prefers glucose as a carbon source, and since its growth rate is higher in glucose than in galactose‐containing media, we compared and evaluated seven different promoters expressed during growth on glucose (pTEF1, pADH1, pTPI1, pHXT7, pTDH3, pPGK1 and pPYK1) with two strong galactose‐induced promoters (pGAL1 and pGAL10), using lacZ as a reporter gene and measuring LacZ activity in batch and continuous cultivation. TEF1 and PGK1 promoters showed the most constant activity pattern at different glucose concentrations. Based on these results, we designed and constructed two new expression vectors which contain the two constitutive promoters, TEF1 and PGK1, in opposite orientation to each other. These new vectors retain all the features from the pESC–URA plasmid except that gene expression is mediated by constitutive promoters. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.