US 6,133,034 AGrant
Methods and Compositions Related to the Production of Trehalose
Issue Date:2000-10-17
•19 Claims
•13 Drawing Sheets
Abstract
This invention relates to genes involved in the biosynthesis of trehalose. The genes encode trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (trehalose synthase) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (trehalose phosphatase).
Metadata
Assignee
- Calgene, Inc.
Inventors
- Arne Reidar Strom
- Inga Kaasen
- Olaf Bay Styrvold
- John McDougall
Application Information
Application Number:US 2741210
Filing Date:1994-07-12
Priority Date:1992-05-27
Art Unit:182
Classifications
IPC:
C12N 504C12N 1531C12N 1563C12N 1582
Field of Search:
43553680069.1;70.1;71.1;172.3;320.1;183;240.4;240.49;410;41923.1;23.2;23.7;24.12;205
Patent Drawings (13 sheets)
Description
INTRODUCTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to DNA sequences which encode for genes in the trehalose biosynthetic pathway.
2. Background of the Invention
Sugars are commonly used to preserve and stabilize a variety of organic materials including foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc. One disaccharide, trehalose (.alpha.-D-glucopyranosyl-.alpha.-D-glucopyranoside), found in large amounts in several organisms capable of surviving complete dehydration is an especially attractive additive for the long-term preservation of various biomolecules.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,319 discloses an improved method for preserving liposomes, useful in the encapsulation of drugs and other therapeutic agents, in which trehalose is the particularly preferred dissacharide preserving agent. U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,343 describes a method of freezing artificial red blood cells in the presence of trehalose as the cryoprotectant. U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,319 is directed to a method of protecting proteins and other biological molecules against denaturation during drying by providing a certain percentage of trehalose to the system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,566 describes the incorporation of trehalose into pulverized food material before drying to retain freshness of the food product when re-hydrated.
Composed of two glucose molecules, trehalose is a highly symmetrical molecule. There are no direct internal hydrogen bonds, which may permit the molecule more flexibility than other disaccharides. It will not caramelize except under extreme heat, it is bland, non-toxic to humans, and has an even lower disaccharide bond energy (less than -1 kcal/mol) than sucrose (>27 kcal/mol). Although sucrose is also a non-reducing sugar, sucrose's higher bond energy renders it reactive with biological macromolecules such as the amino groups of proteins whereas trehalose is not reactive with such chemical groups.
Trehalose is found in various organisms. In particular, it has been observed that trehalose is often present in significant amounts (up to 20% dry weight) in organisms known as "anhydrobiotic" or "cryptobiotic" which have the ability to survive complete dehydration. Some examples of such organisms include Streptomyces sp. spores, dry active bakers yeast, brine shrimp cysts, some nematode species (adult and larvae), a pre-pupal larvae of the sawfly Trichiocampus populi Okamoto, and at least one plant species, the resurrection plant Selaginella lepidophylla.
Trehalose is not only associated with cryptobiogenic organisms. The presence of trehalose in some anhydrobiotic and some non-anhydrobiotic organisms correlates with the ability to positively respond to one or more stresses such as osomotic stress, frost, dehydration, chemical toxins, etc. For example, yeast respond to desiccation stress and to heat shock by the production of trehalose suggesting that trehalose serves a protective function (Hottiger et al., FEBS Letters, (1987) 220:113-115). The same correlation has been reported with respect to trehalose accumulation in yeast and freeze tolerance (Hino, et al., App. & Environ. Microbiol. (1990) 56:1386-1391) or exposure to hazardous chemicals (Attfield, P. V., FEBS Lett. (1987) 225:259-263). Likewise, in E. coli, correlations between intracellular accumulation of trehalose and the osmotic strength of the growth medium have been noted (Strom et al., FEMS Microbiol. Rev. (1986) 39:79-86). It is also seen that mutants (ots) of E. coli which are defective in trehalose synthesis display reduced osmotic tolerance (Giaever, et al., J. Bacteriol (1988) 170:2841-1849) and reduced stationary phase induced heat tolerance (Hengge-Aronis, et al., J. Bacteriol. (1991) 178:7911-7917).
In both yeast and E. coli, trehalose is produced as a result of the action of two enzymes, a trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (trehalose synthase) and a trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (trehalose phosphatase). The trehalose synthase converts a UDP-glucose and a glucose-6-phosphate to trehalose-6-phosphate which is then acted upon by the trehalose phosphatase to result in trehalose.
Currently, production of trehalose involves extraction from yeast cells, resulting in high costs. It would be desirable to have access to genes which encode the trehalose synthase enzyme and/or the trehalose phosphatase enzyme to produce such enzymes in a controlled manner in a host cell of choice for in vitro applications. In addition, access to such genes could provide for expression of trehalose in a controlled manner in a host cell of choice.
Relevant Literature
Scripture, et al., J. Mol. Biol. (1987) 197:37-46 provides DNA sequence of three open reading frames designated as the "high affinity" L-arabinose transport operon located at 45 minutes on the E. coli chromosome. The third open reading frame, araH, is described as extending for 987 nucleotides.
Giaever, et al., J. Bacteriol. (1988) 170:2841-2849 reports the partial characterization of an E. coli trehalose-6-phosphate synthase through analysis of osmoregulatory trehalose synthesis (ots) insertion mutants.
Rod, et al., J. Bacteriol. (1988) 170:3601-3610 reports that the original E. coli K-12 carries an amber mutation in a gene involved in trehalose production. Osmotolerant functioning was restored by insertion of any one of three identified amber suppressor mutations.
Nelson, et al., J. Biol. Chem. (1989) 264:1775-1778 provides a yeast DNA sequence with four open reading frames. The second reading frame shows about 80% sequence with subunit B of Arabidopsis vacuolar H.sup.+ -ATPase.
Londesborough and Vuorio, J. Gen. Microbiol. (1991) 173:323-330, report the purification of a yeast protein complex having trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase and a modified trehalose-6-phosphate synthase activity containing three major polypeptides.
Styrvold, O. B. and Strom, A. R., et al,. J. Bacteriol. (1991) 173:1187-1192 reports that the amber mutations of Rod, et al., supra, are not found in the otsA or otsB genes of Giaever, et al., supra. The authors note that the amber mutation may be in a gene which regulates the transcription of ots genes.
Klein, et al., Res. Microbiol. (1991) 142:359-371, mailed to subscribers on May 27, 1991, states that Arne Strom and co-workers, the co-inventors herein, advised that otsb is found adjacent to otsA on the same operon and that otsb encodes the trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase.
Kaasen, et al., J. Bacteriol. (1992) 174:889-898, provide evidence that otsBA is an operon encoding trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase and the location of these genes. This paper is specifically incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIGS. 1A-I--Preliminary DNA sequence of an approximately 2.9 kb HindIII fragment (pFF106) of the 41- to 42-minute region fo the E. coli chromosome is shown (SEQ ID NO:1). The sequence from nucleotides 970-1259 has only been determined in one orientation. The first 505 bp of the DNA sequence and the translated amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) correspond to the 3' end of the adjacent araH gene (Scripture, et al., supra).
The otsB encoding region is presumed to begin at the GTG codon at position 675-677. The open reading frame which contains this otsB region extends from nucleotides 468-1472. An ATG codon is also noted in this open reading frame at position 618. The stop codon for the otsB gene has not been conclusively identified. The translated amino acid sequence of otsB (SEQ ID NO:3) from the presumed GTG start codon through the end of the open reading frame (675-1472) is shown directly below the corresponding encoding sequence.
The otsA encoding region is presumed to begin at one of the ATG codons at positions 1444-1446 and 1450-1453. The open reading frame which contains this otsA region extends from nucleotides 1405 to 2868. No translation stop codon has been discovered in the sequenced HindIII fragment, and the otsA encoding region may extend past the HindIII site at the end of the sequenced fragment. The translated amino acid sequence of otsA (SEQ ID NO:4) from the ATG codon at position 1444-1446 through the end of the sequenced fragment (1444-2868) is shown directly below the corresponding encoding sequence.
FIGS. 2A-1,2 and 2B-1,2 Regions of homology detected between the deduced E. coli otsA amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) and the translated amino acid sequences of the DNA region downstream of the yeast ATPase gene (Nelson, et al., supra) are shown in this figure. Yeast sequence, RF1 (SEQ ID NO:5) and RF2 (SEQ ID NO:6), is shown in the top line, E. coli sequence is shown on the bottom. Amino acids are represented by their one letter codes, with "X" representing stop codons. A line between the two sequences indicates identical amino acids. FIGS. 2A-1,2 shows the amino acid sequence comparison of the otsA encoded sequence to the translated amino acid sequence of the Nelson, et al., yeast sequence from nucleotides 2960 to 5059. The location of "ORF3" is indicated by the asterisks over the initial Met and C-terminal Thr amino acids. FIG. 2B-1,2 shows the amino acid sequence comparison in a different reading frame from. The location of "ORF4" is indicated by the asterisks over the initial Met and the C-terminal Asn amino acids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to genes involved in the biosynthesis of trehalose, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (trehalose synthase) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (trehalose phosphatase). Recombinant constructs, including chimeric genes adapted for expression of a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme in a plant cell, and host cells (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) containing such constructs are provided. Methods for producing trehalose biosynthetic enzymes in a host cell are described. Methods to produce trehalose in a host cell by the expression of a DNA sequence encoding a trehalose synthase and a DNA sequence encoding a trehalose phosphatase are also provided. Host cells containing recombinant DNA constructs encoding for a trehalose synthase, trehalose phosphatase or both trehalose synthase and trehalose phosphatase are described. Host cells containing increased amounts of trehalose biosynthetic enzyme(s) and/or trehalose, as compared with wild type levels of trehalose are also enabled. The production, or over-production, of trehalose in a host cell may impart one or more of the osmotic, freeze, frost chemical tolerance or protein and/or lipid protective attributes of trehalose to such cell.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As noted above, a synthase and a phosphatase, respectively, catalyze the final two steps in the production of trehalose. Trehalose synthase acts upon UDP-glucose and glucose-6-phosphate, substrates typically found in abundance in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cytoplasm, to form trehalose-6-phosphate. The trehalose-6-phosphate is then acted upon by the trehalose phosphatase to yield trehalose.
For purposes of this invention, a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme includes any sequence of amino acids, peptide, polypeptide or protein whether derived in whole or in part from natural or synthetic sources which demonstrates the above-described synthase and/or phosphatase activity. Typically, a DNA sequence encoding a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme will be derived in whole or in part from a natural gene. However, DNA sequences encoding modified trehalose biosynthesis enzymes, such as DNA sequences encoding mutated or truncated enzymes, fusion proteins resulting from the expression of a single DNA sequence encoding both a trehalose synthase and trehalose phosphatase activity, sequences modified to utilize plant-preferred codons, and the like are also contemplated hereunder. By enzyme reactive conditions is meant that any necessary conditions available in an environment (i.e., factors such as temperature, pH, lack of inhibiting substances) which will permit the enzyme to function.
DNA sequences encoding an E. coli trehalose synthase and an E. coli trehalose phosphatase and recombinant constructs having such sequences are provided hereunder. The DNA sequence of pFF106 (ots.sup.+ otsB.sup.+), a HindIII fragment containing sequence from the otsBA operon is provided in FIG. 1. A yeast trehalose synthase sequence (Nelson,et al., supra) is also identified herein. The activities of the encoded trehalose biosynthetic enzymes are representative of the properties and characteristics contemplated herein. From the exemplified E. coli and yeast trehalose biosynthetic enzymes and sequences, related trehalose biosynthetic sequences are readily obtained and tested. The respective trehalose synthase and/or trehalose phosphatase activity encoded by a given DNA sequence of interest may be determined upon expression of such sequence or sequences in a host cell. One may assay for activity of trehalose synthase or trehalose phophatase directly or, alternatively, the production (or increased production in cells which normally produce trehalose) of trehalose in a host cell may be used to deduce the activity of a peptide encoded by such DNA sequence. The presence of trehalose may be readily determined through the use of gas chromatography and other methods.
One skilled in the art will be able to identify various trehalose mutants useful or required to such testing. For example, the use of a E. coli K-12 strain which does not carry an amber mutation that causes decreased accumulation of trehalose is osmotically stressed cells is desired. This mutation has been mapped to the katF region of E. coli. Thus, MC4100 (CGSC 6152) derivatives are otsX.sup.+ whereas N1485 (CGSC 5024) derivatives are otsX.sup.- (Kaasen, supra). Furthermore, methods to obtain strains deficient in otsA are described in Styrovold and Strom, supra. Methods to obtain strains deficient in otsB or otsA and otsB are described in Kaasen, supra. One mutant, E. coli FF4050 containing plasmid pFF106 is on deposit at the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md., accession number ATCC 69002. The FF4050 strain (MC4100 .DELTA.[otsA1::Tn0.PHI.(otsB-lacZ)8]1 .DELTA.(treA::Tn10) recA56 Sr1-300::Tn10 otsX.sup.+ MC4100) cured of the pFF106 plasmid will lack trehalose synthase and trehalose phosphatase activity.
One skilled in the art will readily recognize that antibody preparations, nucleic acid probes (DNA and RNA) and the like may be prepared and used to screen and recover "homologous" or "related" trehalose biosynthetic enzymes from a variety of sources. Typically, nucleic acid probes are labeled to allow detection, preferably with radioactivity although enzymes or other methods may also be used. For immunological screening methods, antibody preparations either monoclonal or polyclonal are utilized. Polyclonal antibodies, although less specific, typically are more useful in gene isolation. For detection, the antibody is labeled using radioactivity or any one of a variety of second antibody/enzyme conjugate systems that are commercially available. Examples of some of the available antibody detection systems are described by Oberfilder (Focus (1989) BRL Life Technologies, Inc. 11:1-5).
Homologous sequences are found when there is an identity of sequence, which may be determined upon comparison of sequence information, nucleic acid or amino acid, or through hybridization reactions between a known trehalose biosynthetic enzyme and a candidate source. Conservative changes, such as Glu/Asp, Val/Ile, Ser/Thr, Arg/Lys and Gln/Asn may also be considered in determining sequence homology. Typically, a lengthy nucleic acid sequence may show as little as 50-60% sequence identity, and more preferably at least about 70% sequence identity, between the target sequence and the given plant thioesterase of interest excluding any deletions which may be present, and still be considered related. Amino acid sequences are considered homologous by as little as 25% sequence identity between the two complete mature proteins. (See generally, Doolittle, R. F. OF URFS and ORFS (University Science Books, CA, 1986).
A genomic or other appropriate library prepared from the candidate endogenous trehalose containing organism of interest may be probed with conserved sequences (See, FIGS. 2A & 2B) from the trehalose biosynthetic enzyme to identify homologously related sequences. In a preferred embodiment, a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme of this invention will have at least about 30% sequence identity, and more preferably at least about 50% sequence identity with at least a sequence of 8 amino acids of an exemplified trehalose biosynthetic enzyme sequence or trehalose biosynthetic enzyme which has in turn been obtained from a different source. Alternatively, a biosynthetic enzyme of this invention will have at least about 65% sequence identity and more preferably at least about 75% sequence homology with an exemplified trehalose biosynthetic enzyme or a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme which in turn has been obtained from a given trehalose biosynthetic sequence.
The expression of a DNA sequence encoding a trehalose synthase and/or trehalose phosphatase may be obtained in a host cell of interest. In a like manner, trehalose itself may be caused to be produced in any host cell for which UDP-glucose and glucose-6-phosphate substrates are available by ensuring that a trehalose-6-phosphate producing enzyme and dephosphorylating enzyme are provided. Host cells of interest for the production of trehalose or expression of trehalose synthase or trehalose phosphatase include prokaryotes and eukaroytes. Increased production of trehalose in organisms already capable of producing trehalose, e.g., E. coli and S. cerevisiae, by over-expression of trehalose synthase and/or trehalose phosphatase, is likewise contemplated hereunder. In at least one trehalase defective mutant (treA), LCB107 (CGSC 6407), osmotically stressed E. coli over-produced trehalose which was then excreted by the cell and accumulated in the growth medium (Styrvold and Strom, supra). Choice of methods to introduce the DNA sequence(s) encoding the trehalose biosynthetic genes, selection markers, vectors, etc., will depend upon the host cell.
Intracelluar accumulations of trehalose-6-phosphate are toxic to E. coli, (Kaasen, et al., supra) and therefore, it is noted that it may be toxic to other cells. Thus, in instances in which production of trehalose synthase itself is desired, it may be required to target the enzyme for extraceullar deposition or to cell compartments which do not contain the UDP-glucose or glucose-6-phosphate substrates. When trehalose production in a host cell is desired, it may be necessary to ensure at least an equivalent level of phosphatase activity to avoid trehalose-6-phosphate buildup. A variety of means may be employed to provide adequate trehalose phosphatase activity as compared with trehalose synthase activity, including but not limited to the choice of respective transcription initiation regions (promoters) employed to direct the expression of the respective trehalose synthase and trehalose phosphatase sequences (i.e., strength and specificity may be significantly altered) or gene fusion whereby the production of a single trehalose biosynthetic enzyme having synthase and phosphatase activity is produced, and the like. From the observed activity of the pFF106 fragment (Kaasen, supra) which is considered to contain a partial trehalose synthase sequence, the design of such a fusion protein may be suggested.
Preferably, for the production of trehalose, the use of a trehalase deficient host cell to prevent the in vivo degradation of trehalose is desired. Trehalase deficient cells may be obtained through selection of mutants (native or mutagenized) or genetic engineering (e.g., anti-sense, ribozymes, co-suppression, etc. of the trehalase gene). Trehalose producing organisms are typically capable of producing trehalase. (See, Gutierrez, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. (1989) 217:347-354, which provides DNA sequence of periplastric trehalase of E. coli K12.) But trehalase is found in many organisms, including organisms which do not produce trehalose as well. (See, Ruf, et al., J. Mol. Biol. (1990) 265:15034-1039, which provides DNA sequence of rabbit small intestinal trehalase.).
As mentioned above, choice of a given transcription initiation region will depend upon the intended use. For some applications, it may be useful or necessary to control the production of trehalose by the use of tissue/timing specific promoters controlling the transcription and translation of the inserted trehalose biosynthetic gene(s). For example, if the production of trehalose affects the viability of a host cell by the re-direction of UDP-glucose or glucose-6-phosphate into trehalose instead of other cell functions, one may be able to mitigate such effects by directing expression of the trehalose biosynthetic gene(s) at particular growth stages, or in multicellular organisms, into particular types of tissues, particularly carbohydrate storage organs or tissues. In the event that the required substrate(s) are localized in a discrete cellular organelle one may choose to employ an associated target peptide with or without tissue/timing specific promoters.
As stated earlier, by this invention, one may seek to produce the trehalose biosynthetic enzymes in a host cell to be harvested and used to produce trehalose in vitro. Alternatively, it may be desired to produce trehalose within the host cell itself. Trehalose produced in a cell may, in part, be excreted into the surroundings (culture medium). The production or over-production of trehalose in a host cell may impart one or more of osmotic, freeze, frost, chilling, or chemical tolerance or protein and/or lipid protective phenotypes associated with the presence of trehalose in other organisms to such cell.
Plants, especially higher plants (spermatophytina), are of particular interest for the production of trehalose not only as a source for trehalose or with respect to useful stress-related properties that expression of trehalose may impart to the cell, but as a means to impart improved characteristics to plant products by the in planta presence of trehalose. Some examples of plants which may be useful hereunder include carbohydrate storage plants (such as sugar cane, sugar beet, potato, etc.), fruits and vegetables which are normally subjected to significant processing (such as tomatoes, strawberries, applies, etc.) any commercially important crop which finds possible exposure to trehalose correlated stress (cotton, corn, rapeseed, alfalfa, etc.) and crops of horticultural interest (carnations, petunias, orchids, etc.). A plant host cell of interest may be found in any form, including but not limited to protoplasts, callus, cuttings, or whole plants.
When trehalose or the expression of an enzyme in the trehalose biosynthetic pathway is desired in a whole plant, a means to insert the gene of interest into the plant cell genome and recover a transgenic plant is needed. The method of transformation is not critical to the instant invention; various methods of plant transformation are currently available. As newer methods are available to transform crops, they may be directly applied hereunder. For example, many plant species naturally susceptible to Agrobacterium infection may be successfully transformed via tripartite or binary vector methods of Agrobacterium mediated transformation. In addition, techniques of microinjection, DNA particle bombardment, direct DNA uptake, chemically mediated transformation, electroporation, and the like, have been developed which allow for the transformation of various monocot and dicot plant species. When expression in a plant cell is desired, it may be desirable to modify the DNA sequence(s) encoding the trehalose biosynthetic enzyme to more closely follow sequences typically found in plant cells (See, WO 90/10076). Moreover, the use of eukaryotic sequences (i.e., yeast) may be preferred over the use of prokaryotic sequences (i.e. E. coli) for use in plants as well.
The following examples are provided by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase Assay
Trehalose synthase activity may be detected by this method in E. coli strains which are defective in the synthesis of the periplasmic trehalase; i.e., carry a treA mutation. In strains which produce trehalase, the synthase activity will be masked by the trehalase activity. A chromosomal treA mutation can be inserted by infecting the strain for testing with a P1 lysate prepared from a strain which carry a treA::Tn10 insertion such as UE5 (Boos, et al., J. Biol. Chem. (1987) 262:13212-13218) or its decedent FF4171 (Styrvold and Strom, supra).
To increase the synthase activity, the cells for testing may be grown aerobically at 37.degree. C. in a medium of elevated osmotic strength; e.g., medium 63-glucose (Miller, J. H. (1972) Experiments In Molecular Genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) with 0.4M NaCl added. As a pre-treatment, harvested cells for testing are washed once in 10 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.5) by centrifugation. (If necessary for practical reasons, they may be stored at -80.degree. C.). To permeabilize the cells, 10% (vol/vol) toluene is added to 3 to 5 ml of ice-cold cell suspension containing 100 to 200 mg of cell protein. The mixture is vortexed for 1 min; 6 ml of 0 mM Tris hydrochloride (pH 7.5) is then added and the mixture centrifuged at 6,000.times.g for 5 min. (4.degree. C.). The cells are washed twice by centrifugation in 10 ml of Tris buffer and then suspended at a protein concentration of 20 mg/ml in Tris buffer containing 2 mM dithiothreitol. The cells are now ready for the assay.
A standard reaction mixture for determination of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase activity contains (in a 0.3 ml volume) 2.75 .mu.mol of UDP-glucose (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.), 4.5 .mu.mol of glucose 6-phosphate (Sigma), 0.75 .mu.mol of MgCl.sub.2, 10 .mu.mol of Tris hydrochloride (pH 7.5), 75 .mu.mol of KC1, and 1 mg of cell protein. The reaction mixture is incubated at 37.degree. C. for various times up to 6 min., and then the reaction is terminated by heating for 5 min. in a boiling water bath. Sucrose (0.3 .mu.mol in a 30 .mu.l volume) is then added as an internal standard, and denatured protein removed by centrifugation. A sample of 280 .mu.l is withdrawn, the pH adjusted to 8.0 with 2.5 .mu.mol of Tris base, and 1U of alkaline phosphatase (Sigma) added. After incubation at 37.degree. C. for 2 hr., the reaction is stopped by heating. For desalting, a sample of 250.mu.l is applied to a column (0.5 by 2 to 6 cm) packed with equal amounts of Dowex 50X4-200 in H.sup.+ form and Dowex 1X8-400 in formate form. Free sugars are washed through the column with 1 to 3 ml of water, and the eluate freeze-dried. Gas chromatography is preformed as described in Example 3B. The enzyme unit is nanomoles of trehalose formed per minute at 37.degree. C.
Example 2
Trehalose-6-Phosphate Phosphatase Assay
The phosphatase activity may be determined in E. coli which carry a treA mutation. The treA mutation can be introduced in the strain for testing and harvested cells may be prepared for the assay as described in the pretreatment steps outlined in Example 1.
A standard reaction mixture for determination of phosphatase activity contains (in a 150 .mu. volume) the following: 1.5 .mu.mol of trehalose-6-phosphate (Sigma), 5 .mu.mol of Tris-hydrochloride (pH 7.4), 0.4 .mu.mol of MgCl.sub.2, and 125 to 500 .mu.g of cell protein. The reaction mixture is incubated up to 12 min. at 37.degree. C., and the reaction is terminated by heating for 5 min. in a boiling-water bath. Sucrose (0.25 .mu.mol in a 25 .mu.l volume) is then added as an internal standard, and denatured protein removed by centrifugation. For desalting, a sample of 150 .mu.l is applied to a column (0.5 by 2 cm) packed with equal amounts of Dowex 50X4-200 in H.sup.+ form and Dowex 1X8-400 in formate form. Free sugars are washed through the column with 1 ml of water, and the eluate may be freeze-dried. Gas chromatographic determination of trimethylsilylated trehalose may then be applied as described in Example 3B. One unit of trehalose phosphatase activity equals 1 nmol of trehalose produced per min. at 37.degree. C.
Example 3
Trehalose Detection
A. The cells are washed by centrifugation in medium 63 (Miller, supra) without sugar and containing an appropriate amount of NaCl. The cells are extracted with 0.4M perchloric acid to inactivate trehalase, if present, and to liberate trehalose. The extract is then neutralized with KOH and precipitated potassium perchlorate is removed. Trehalose in the extract may be determined by the anthrone method after the reducing sugars are destroyed by boiling with alkali as described in the literature (Lapp, 1971; Larsen, 1987). The results may be verified by gas chromatographic analysis as follows.
B. An HP5890A gas chromatograph, equipped with an HP3393A integrator, and an HP1 capillary column (25 m by 0.31 mm [inner diameter]; Hewlett-Packard Co., Avondale, Pa.) may be used. Helium is used as the carrier gas. The injector and detector temperatures are 250 and 300.degree. C., respectively. The column temperature is kept at 190.degree. C. for 2 min. followed by a temperature increase of 30.degree. C. per min. to 250.degree. C., after which the temperature is kept at 205.degree. C. for 10 min. The freeze-dried trehalose samples are dissolved in a proper amount (e.g. 20 .mu.l) of dimethylformamide and then trimethylsilylated by the addition of a proper amount (e.g. 20 .mu.l) of bis(trimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacetamide containing 1% trimethylchlorosilane. Sucrose may be used as an internal standard.
Example 4
Production of Osmotrically Sensitive Mutants
A culture carrying a random selection of lacZ operon fusions may be prepared by infecting E. coli strain MC4100 (CGSG 6152) with the phage .lambda. placMu55 (Km.sup.r) and the helper phage .lambda. pMu507 (Bremer, et al., J. Bacteriol (1985) 162:1092-1099; May, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. (1986) 205:225-233). The infected cells are plated on 100 plates with LB medium and 60 .mu.g of kanamycin per ml, about 50,000 Km.sup.r colonies may then be collected. This collection of Km.sup.r mutants is grown in medium 63-glucose and then inoculated into the same medium with 0.45M NaCl added. The latter culture is incubated for 2 hr. at 37.degree. C. before 100 .mu.g of ampicillin per ml is added and then incubation is continued for 5 hr. The surviving Km.sup.r cells are grown in LB medium overnight, and the whole ampicillin enrichment procedure repeated once before the cells are plated on medium 63-lactose-0.2M NaCl-agar.
Osmotically sensitive mutants are then isolated by transferring an inoculant of the individual colonies to two sets of agar plates, one containing medium 63-glucose and one containing the same medium with 0.5M NaCl. Osmotically sensitive mutants can be further characterized by assaying for trehalose accumulation as described in Example 3 and using the respective trehalose synthase (otsA) and trehalose phosphatase (otsB) assays in Example 1 and Example 2, respectively.
Example 5
Production of Trehalose
Plasmid pFF106 (FIG. 1) was introduced into strain FF4037 (Kaasen, 1992) using standard techniques. In FF4037 (MC4100 .DELTA.[otsA1::Tn10.PHI.(otsB-lacZ)8]1 treA::Tn10 otsX.sup.+ .sub.MC 4100), the otsBA genes are deleted from the chromosome and the strain carries a chromosomal treA mutation to prevent synthesis of the periplasmic trehalase. Cells of FF4037(pFF106) were grown aerobically at 37.degree. C. in medium 63-glucose with 0.4M NaCl added. The glucose concentration was 22 mM at start. The cells were grown until the optical density of the culture measured 7 at 420 nm. The cells were then collected by centrifugation and resuspended in the same volume of a medium which was identical to the growth medium except that ammonium sulfate was replaced with potassium sulfate. In other words, to prevent bacterial growth the new medium did not contain any nitrogen source. The resting cells of FF4037(pFF106) were incubated aerobically at 37.degree. C. in the new medium for 20 hrs.
At intervals, bacterial cells in 1 ml volume of culture were removed by centrifugation. Sucrose (1 .mu.mol in a 200 .mu.l volume) was added as an internal standard to 801 .mu.l of supernatant. For desalting, a sample of 200 .mu.l was then applied to a column (0.5 by 2 cm) packed with equal amounts of Dowex 50X4-200 in H+ form and Dowex 1X8 in formate form. Free sugars were washed through the the column and 1 ml of water, and the eluate was freeze-dried and analyzed for trehalose and glucose by gaschromatography as described in Example 3.
The analyses showed that during the incubation period the glucose content of the medium decreased and the trehalose content increased (Table 1). After 20 hrs. incubation, 18 .mu.mol glucose had disappeared per ml of medium and 2.2 .mu.mol of trehalose were produced per ml of medium. In other words, trehalose produced by the resting cells of FF4037(pFF106) was excreted into medium. Since the production of one molecule of trehalose requires two glucose molecules, up to 24% of glucose converted could be found in trehalose produced (Table 1).
Example 6
Comparison of Yeast and E. coli Sequence
A computer aided search of sequence data bases using the deduced amino acid sequence of the otsA protein (FIG. 1) was conducted. Regions of homology were detected between the deduced otsA amino acid sequence and the translated amino acid sequences of the open reading frames, ORF3 and ORF4, located downstream of the yeast ATPase gene (Nelson et al., supra). Homology with otsA was found in the translated ORF3 and ORF4 amino acid sequences, as well as in the translated amino acid sequence of the intervening DNA region which was represented by Nelsen, et al. as non-coding sequence. Furthermore, homology to otsA was apparent in the translated amino acid sequences from at least two reading frames of the yeast sequence (FIGS. 2A & 2B). Thus, the published yeast DNA sequence must contain several errors which cause false stop signals and/or frame shifts in the sequenced reading frames.
Example 7
Expression of Yeast Sequence in E. coli
A YEp13 derived plasmid carrying a yeast ATPase gene and its downstream region (Nelson,et al., supra) was introduced into an otsA mutant, FF4052 using standard infection procedure and selecting for ampicillin resistant colonies. Strain FF4052 is a recA mutant of FF4026 (Kaasen, et al., supra), and it is constructed by transducing FF4026 with a P1 lysate prepared from a recA-containing strain, FF1005 (Kaasen, et al, supra). FF4052 carrying the plasmid grew on agar plates with medium 63-glucose-0.5M NaCl, whereas the parental plasmid free strain did not grow. Trehalose accumulation in osmotically (0.4M NaCl) stressed cells of FF4052 carrying plasmid YEp13-ATPase, was confirmed by gaschromatographic analysis as described in Example 3. The restoration of the osmotic tolerant phenotype and trehalose accumulation indicates that the yeast DNA encodes a functional trehalose synthase.
Additionally, a 2.1 kb NarI fragment of the YEp13-ATpase plasmid, which encompasses the yeast DNA inferred to code a trehalose synthase, was subcloned into the ClaI site of pGEM-7Zf(-) (Promega Corp., Madison, Wis.) using standard cloning procedures. This NarI fragment extends from base 2916 to the end of the yeast DNA at base 5059 (Nelson, et al., 1989), and extends additionally 38 bases into the YEp13 vector (Broach et al., Gene (1979) 8:121-133). The ligation mixture for this construction was transformed into strain DH5.alpha.F (BRL) and clones containing an insert was identified by use of so-called .alpha.-complementation. DNA of insert-containing clones was first characterized as to restriction fragment size after EcoRI and BamHI digestion, thereby utilizing the EcoRI site at position 4273 of the yeast DNA. Clones containing the wanted yeast fragment were identified as having three restriction fragments of 3.0 kb (pGEM vector), 1.3 kb and 0.8 kb. Plasmid pFF469 was identified by EcoRI digestion which yielded two restriction fragments of 3.8 kb and 1.3 kb. This showed that ORF3 and ORF4 of the yeast DNA is in opposite orientation to the lac promoter and the lacZ gene of the pGEM vector.
Plasmid pFF469 was introduced into an otsA mutant, FF4052, using standard procedure and selecting for ampicillin resistant colonies. Trehalose accumulation is osmotically stressed (0.4M NaCl) cells of FF4052(pFF469) as tested by gas chromatography was restored.
All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claim.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A purified recombinant construct comprising a DNA sequence encoding a bacterial trehalose biosynthetic enzyme selected from the group consisting of trehalose synthase and trehalose phosphatase.
2. The construct of claim 1 wherein said DNA sequence encodes a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme encoded on plasmid pFF106.
3. The construct of claim 2, wherein said DNA sequence comprises the trehalose phosphatase encoding region at nucleotides 675-1472 of SEQ ID NO:1.
4. The construct of claim 2, wherein said DNA sequence comprises the trehalose synthase encoding region at nucleotides 1450-2868 of SEQ ID NO:1.
5. The construct of claim 1 wherein said trehalose biosynthetic enzyme is from E. coli.
6. The construct of claim 5, wherein said DNA sequence encodes trehalose phosphatase.
7. The construct of claim 6 wherein said DNA sequence encodes the trehalose phosphatase protein represented as SEQ ID NO:3.
8. The construct of claim 6, wherein said DNA sequence encodes trehalose synthase.
9. The construct of claim 8 wherein said DNA sequence encodes the trehalose synthase protein represented as SEQ ID NO:4.
10. A host cell comprising a recombinant construct of claim 1.
11. A chimeric gene comprising, in the 5' to 3' direction of transcription, the following genetic elements linked in operable combination: (i) a transcription initiation region functional in a plant cell; (ii) a translation initiation region functional in a plant cell; (iii) a DNA sequence encoding a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme selected from the group consisting of bacterial trehalose synthase and bacterial trehalose phosphatase; and (iv) a translation termination region functional in a plant cell.
12. A plant cell comprising a chimeric gene according to claim 11, wherein said gene is expressed.
13. A method of producing an increased amount of a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme in a host cell as compared with a wild type host cell normally capable of producing said enzyme, said method comprising: inserting a DNA sequence into a host cell, said sequence encoding a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme selected from the group consisting of bacterial trehalose synthase and bacterial trehalose phosphatase, operably linked to regulatory elements for directing the expression of said enzyme in said host cell; and growing said host cell under conditions to permit the expression of said enzyme.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said cell is a plant cell.
15. A method of producing a host cell for increased trehalose production comprising the steps of: inserting a first DNA sequence into said host cell, said sequence encoding a trehalose synthase operably linked to regulatory elements for directing the expression of said trehalose synthase in said host cell in the presence of UDP-glucose and glucose-6-phosphate, and a second DNA sequence encoding a trehalose phosphatase operably linked to regulatory elements for directing the expression of said trehalose phosphatase in said host cell wherein trehalose phosphatase encoded by said trehalose phosphatase encoding DNA sequence is available to the product of said trehalose synthase in the presence of said UDP-glucose and said glucose-6-phosphate; and growing said host cell under conditions to permit the expression of said synthase and said phosphatase whereby trehalose is produced.
16. A host cell produced according to the method of claim 15.
17. A method of producing trehalose biosynthetic enzyme in a host cell otherwise incapable of producing said enzyme, said method comprising: inserting a DNA sequence into a host cell, said sequence encoding a trehalose biosynthetic enzyme selected from a group consisting of bacterial trehalose synthase and bacterial trehalose phosphatase, operably linked to regulatory elements for directing the expression of said enzyme in said host cell; and growing said host cell under conditions to permit the expression of said enzyme.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said cell is a plant cell.
19. A host cell according to claim 16, wherein said host cell is a plant cell and wherein said trehalose synthase and said trehalose phosphatase are from a bacteria.
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