Study results from K. Kimura et al provide new insights into bioengineering
2009 JUL 9 - (NewsRx.com) -- "An industrial strain of Bacillus subtilis (natto) was used to produce poly-gamma-DL-glutamate (gamma PGA), a polymer Of DL-glutamate linked by a gamma-peptide bond. In spite of efforts to improve gamma PGA production by modifying the medium, little attention has been paid to the expression of the gamma PGA synthetase gene," researchers in Tsukuba, Japan report. "In this study, we investigated the expression of the gamma PGA synthetic gene and the gamma PGA product under various conditions with the LacZ-fusion of the synthetic gene (pgsB-lacZ). The 5' upstream regulatory region of the pgsB gene was also investigated by constructing deletion mutations of lacZ-fusion. The pgsB-lacZ was clearly expressed in the early stationary phase and was abolished by degU gene disruption. The results showed that pgsB-lacZ expression was repressed in rich media, and that gamma PGA production was limited by the substrate supply rather than by the amount of synthetase. Adding D-glutamate to the medium reduced gamma PGA production and synthetic gene expression," wrote K. Kimura and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "The transcription start point was determined by primer extension, and it was found that up to -721 bp (translation start point = +1) of the 5' untranslated region (UTR) was required for optimal pgsB-lacZ fusion gene expression.." Kimura and colleagues published their study in Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry (Expression of the pgsB Encoding the Poly-gamma-DL-glutamate Synthetase of Bacillus subtilis (Natto). Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 2009;73(5):1149-1155). For additional information, contact K. Kimura, National Food Research Institute, Division Applied Microbiology, 2-1-12 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3058642, Japan. Publisher contact information for the journal Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry is: Japan Society Bioscience Biotechn Agrochem, Japan Acad Society Center Bldg, 2-4-6 Yayoi Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113, Japan. Keywords: Japan, Tsukuba, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Enzyme Research, Gene Therapy, Genetics, Genomics, Synthetase. This article was prepared by Gene Therapy Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Gene Therapy Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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