Showing papers on "Lactococcus lactis published in 2009"
TL;DR: This review focuses on the nisin production in batch cultures utilizing milk skimmed and milk whey as an inexpensive medium for cultivation of L. lactis, aiming to reduce the process cost.
Abstract: Nisin is a natural antimicrobial peptide produced by strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis that effectively inhibits Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and also the outgrowth of spores of Bacilli and Clostridia. Additionally it has been used as a biopreservative and a potential agent in pharmaceutical, veterinary and health care products. This review focuses on the nisin production in batch cultures utilizing milk skimmed and milk whey as an inexpensive medium for cultivation of L. lactis, aiming to reduce the process cost. At the same time, the exploitation of milk whey as a bacterial substrate can be considered economically advantageous method to help diminish environment pollution problems.
388 citations
TL;DR: The enzymatic introduction of a thioether ring in angiotensin [Ang-(1-7)], a heptapeptide that plays a pivotal role in the renin-angiotens in system and possesses important therapeutic activities, is described, which generated a stable Ang-(1 -7) analog with strongly enhanced therapeutic potential.
Abstract: The in vivo efficacy of many therapeutic peptides is hampered by their rapid proteolytic degradation. Cyclization of these therapeutic peptides is an excellent way to render them more resistant against breakdown. Here, we describe the enzymatic introduction of a thioether ring in angiotensin [Ang-(1-7)], a heptapeptide that plays a pivotal role in the renin-angiotensin system and possesses important therapeutic activities. The lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus lactis , equipped with the plasmid-based nisin modification machinery, was used to produce thioether-bridged Ang-(1-7). The resulting cyclized Ang-(1-7) is fully resistant against purified angiotensin-converting enzyme, has significantly increased stability in homogenates of different organs and in plasma derived from pig, and displays a strongly (34-fold) enhanced survival in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats in vivo. With respect to functional activity, cyclized Ang-(1-7) induces relaxation of precontracted SD rat aorta rings in vitro. The magnitude of this effect is 2-fold larger than that obtained for natural Ang-(1-7). The Ang-(1-7) receptor antagonist d-Pro7-Ang-(1-7), which completely inhibits the activity of natural Ang-(1-7), also abolishes the vasodilation by cyclized Ang-(1-7), providing evidence that cyclized Ang-(1-7) also interacts with the Ang-(1-7) receptor. Taken together, applying a highly innovative enzymatic peptide stabilization method, we generated a stable Ang-(1-7) analog with strongly enhanced therapeutic potential.
166 citations
TL;DR: The finding that L. lactis self-catalyses anodic electron transfer by excretion of redox mediators is remarkable as the mechanisms of extracellular electron transferBy pure cultures of gram-positive bacteria had previously never been elucidated.
143 citations
TL;DR: One hundred and twenty (120) strains of lactic acid bacteria were enumerated and isolated from raw dromedary milk in Morocco using various cultured media and showed that high counts of LAB were found.
140 citations
TL;DR: The present study highlights the diversity of L. lactis cell surface physicochemical properties, diversity that could not be connected to the origin or to the subspecies of the strains.
127 citations
TL;DR: A non-linear correlation was found between peptide amount and ACE-inhibitory activity, and peptides contributing to the ACE- in inhibitory activity were identified.
124 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that a strain lacking Kdc is still capable of producing isobutanol, and acetolactate synthase from Bacillus subtilis (AlsS), which originally catalyzes the condensation of two molecules of pyruvate to form 2-acetolactates, is able to catalyze the decarboxylation of KIV like Kdc both in vivo and in vitro.
Abstract: A pathway toward isobutanol production previously constructed in Escherichia coli involves 2-ketoacid decarboxylase (Kdc) from Lactococcus lactis that decarboxylates 2-ketoisovalerate (KIV) to isobutyraldehyde. Here, we showed that a strain lacking Kdc is still capable of producing isobutanol. We found that acetolactate synthase from Bacillus subtilis (AlsS), which originally catalyzes the condensation of two molecules of pyruvate to form 2-acetolactate, is able to catalyze the decarboxylation of KIV like Kdc both in vivo and in vitro. Mutational studies revealed that the replacement of Q487 with amino acids with small side chains (Ala, Ser, and Gly) diminished only the decarboxylase activity but maintained the synthase activity.
120 citations
TL;DR: The comparative analysis revealed the minimal amino acid auxotrophy of S. thermophilus LMG18311 and the broad variety of volatiles produced from amino acids compared to the other two bacteria, and revealed the limited number of pyruvate branches forcing this strain to use the homofermentative metabolism for growth optimization.
Abstract: In this report, we describe the amino acid metabolism and amino acid dependency of the dairy bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus LMG18311 and compare them with those of two other characterized lactic acid bacteria, Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum. Through the construction of a genome-scale metabolic model of S. thermophilus, the metabolic differences between the three bacteria were visualized by direct projection on a metabolic map. The comparative analysis revealed the minimal amino acid auxotrophy (only histidine and methionine or cysteine) of S. thermophilus LMG18311 and the broad variety of volatiles produced from amino acids compared to the other two bacteria. It also revealed the limited number of pyruvate branches, forcing this strain to use the homofermentative metabolism for growth optimization. In addition, some industrially relevant features could be identified in S. thermophilus, such as the unique pathway for acetaldehyde (yogurt flavor) production and the absence of a complete pentose phosphate pathway.
120 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that the cyd-genes were present in the common ancestor of lactic acid bacteria, and that multiple gene-loss events best explains the observed distribution of these genes among the species.
Abstract: For some lactic acid bacteria higher biomass production as a result of aerobic respiration has been reported upon supplementation with heme and menaquinone. In this report, we have studied a large number of species among lactic acid bacteria for the existence of this trait. Heme- (and menaquinone) stimulated aerobic growth was observed for several species and genera of lactic acid bacteria. These include Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacilllus brevis, Lactobacillus paralimentarius, Streptococcus entericus and Lactococcus garviae. The increased biomass production without further acidification, which are respiration associated traits, are suitable for high-throughput screening as demonstrated by the screening of 8000 Lactococcus lactis insertion mutants. Respiration-negative insertion-mutants were found with noxA, bd-type cytochrome and menaquinol biosynthesis gene-disruptions. Phenotypic screening and in silico genome analysis suggest that respiration can be considered characteristic for certain species. We propose that the cyd-genes were present in the common ancestor of lactic acid bacteria, and that multiple gene-loss events best explains the observed distribution of these genes among the species.
119 citations
TL;DR: The structure and stability of the dominant lactic acid bacterium population were assessed during wheat flour sourdough type I propagation by using singly nine strains of L. sanfranciscensis and with W. confusa or L. plantarum as the dominant species of the raw wheat flour.
Abstract: The structure and stability of the dominant lactic acid bacterium population were assessed during wheat flour sourdough type I propagation by using singly nine strains of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis. Under back-slopping propagation with wheat flour type 0 F114, cell numbers of presumptive lactic acid bacteria varied slightly between and within starters. As determined by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR and restriction endonuclease analysis-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analyses, only three (LS8, LS14, and LS44) starters dominated throughout 10 days of propagation. The others progressively decreased to less than 3 log CFU g−1. Partial sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and recA genes and PCR-denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis analysis using the rpoB gene allowed identification of Weissella confusa, Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rossiae, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Lactobacillus spp. as the dominant species of the raw wheat flour. At the end of propagation, one autochthonous strain of L. sanfranciscensis was found in all the sourdoughs. Except for L. brevis, strains of the above species were variously found in the mature sourdoughs. Persistent starters were found in association with other biotypes of L. sanfranciscensis and with W. confusa or L. plantarum. Sourdoughs were characterized for acidification, quotient of fermentation, free amino acids, and community-level catabolic profiles by USING Biolog 96-well Eco microplates. In particular, catabolic profiles of sourdoughs containing persistent starters behaved similarly and were clearly differentiated from the others. The three persistent starters were further used for the production of sourdoughs and propagated by using another wheat flour whose lactic acid bacterium population in part differed from the previous one. Also, in this case all three starter strains persisted during propagation.
117 citations
TL;DR: The bacterial populations of raw milk employed for the production of Fontina cheese in alpine farms located in different valleys and altitudes were investigated by culture independent techniques, indicating that alpine milk is a preferential niche for their colonization.
TL;DR: C Culturing and molecular methods showed high populations of undesirable microorganisms, arguing for a required improvement in the hygiene of Casín manufacture.
TL;DR: The new chemically defined media developed in this study support high-cell-density growth of numerous strains of L. lactis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus thermophilus.
Abstract: Lactococcus lactis IL1403 was used as an experimental strain to develop a chemically defined medium for study of the physiology and metabolic pathways of lactococci. An experimental leave-one-out technique was employed to determine the necessity of each of the 57 chemical components used in medium development. A statistical experimental design approach including three fractional factorial designs and a central composite design was used to optimize the fermentation process with 21 variables composed of 19 nutritional factors grouped from the 57 components and two environmental factors (initial pH and temperature). For L. lactis IL1403, the maximum biomass concentrations obtained with the two optimal chemically defined media developed in this study (ZMB1 and ZMB2) were generally 3.5- to 4-fold higher than the maximum biomass concentrations obtained with the previously described best synthetic media (SA) and 50% to 68% higher than the maximum biomass concentrations obtained with M17, a complex medium commonly used for lactococci. The new chemically defined media support high-cell-density growth of numerous strains of L. lactis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus thermophilus.
TL;DR: By using PAM with a putative Type I methyltransferase system, hsdMS1, the transformation efficiency was improved by a factor of seven over that without PAM, and this concept was also applicable to a Type I restriction system.
Abstract: We have developed a method to improve the transformation efficiency in genome-sequenced bacteria, using ‘Plasmid Artificial Modification’ (PAM), using the host's own restriction system. In this method, a shuttle vector was pre-methylated in Escherichia coli cells, which carry all the putative genes encoding the DNA modification enzymes of the target microorganism, before electroporation was performed. In the case of Bifidobacterium adolescentis ATCC15703 and pKKT427 (3.9 kb E. coli-Bifidobacterium shuttle vector), introducing two Type II DNA methyltransferase genes lead to an enhancement in the transformation efficiency by five orders of magnitude. This concept was also applicable to a Type I restriction system. In the case of Lactococcus lactis IO-1, by using PAM with a putative Type I methyltransferase system, hsdMS1, the transformation efficiency was improved by a factor of seven over that without PAM.
TL;DR: Cultivation in decarboxylation broth seems to be the least accurate method for the detection of biogenic amines due to enhanced risk of false-positive reactions, so the combination of PCR and chromatographic methods (e.g. IEC) can be recommended.
Abstract: The aim of this paper was to study the biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, agmatine, spermine and spermidine) production of selected technological important lactic acid bacteria (strains of the genera Lactococcus, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus). Three methods (ion-exchange chromatography (IEC), PCR and cultivation method with pH indicator) were used. Within the 39 strains of lactic acid bacteria tested, the production of tyramine (formed by tyrosine decarboxylase) was detected in eight strains (3 strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, three strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, 1 strain of Streptococcus thermophilus and 1 strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus). The other tested biogenic amines were not detected. Cultivation in decarboxylation broth seems to be the least accurate method for the detection of biogenic amines due to enhanced risk of false-positive reactions. Therefore, in order to detect bacteria producing biogenic amines, the combination of PCR and chromatographic methods (e.g. IEC) can be recommended.
TL;DR: Low internalization rates were observed for both wild-type L. acidophilus NCFM and the fbpA mutant, suggesting that commensal fibronectin binding proteins have a role in adhesion but not in invasion.
Abstract: Lactococci are noninvasive bacteria frequently used as protein delivery vectors and, more recently, as in vitro and in vivo DNA delivery vehicles. We previously showed that a functional eukaryotic enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression plasmid vector was delivered in epithelial cells by Lactococcus lactis producing Listeria monocytogenes internalin A (L. lactis InlA+), but this strategy is limited in vivo to transgenic mice and guinea pigs. In this study, we compare the internalization ability of L. lactis InlA+ and L. lactis producing either the fibronectin-binding protein A of Staphylococcus aureus (L. lactis FnBPA+) or its fibronectin binding domains C and D (L. lactis CD+). L. lactis FnBPA+ and L. lactis InlA+ showed comparable internalization rates in Caco-2 cells, while the internalization rate observed with L. lactis CD+ was lower. As visualized by conventional and confocal fluorescence microscopy, large clusters of L. lactis FnBPA+, L. lactis CD+, and L. lactis InlA+ were present in the cytoplasm of Caco-2 cells after internalization. Moreover, the internalization rates of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and of an NCFM mutant strain with the gene coding for the fibronectin-binding protein (fbpA) inactivated were also evaluated in Caco-2 cells. Similar low internalization rates were observed for both wild-type L. acidophilus NCFM and the fbpA mutant, suggesting that commensal fibronectin binding proteins have a role in adhesion but not in invasion. L. lactis FnBPA+, L. lactis CD+, and L. lactis InlA+ were then used to deliver a eukaryotic eGFP expression plasmid in Caco-2 cells: flow cytometry analysis showed that the highest percentage of green fluorescent Caco-2 cells was observed after coculture with either L. lactis FnBPA+ or L. lactis InlA+. Analysis of the in vivo efficiency of these invasive recombinant strains is currently in progress to validate their potential as DNA vaccine delivery vehicles.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the protein without the predicted N-terminal signal peptide sequence, i.e., NSRSD, could proteolytically inactivate nisin in vitro by removing six amino acids from the carboxyl “tail” of nisin.
Abstract: Nisin is a 34-residue antibacterial peptide produced by Lactococcus lactis that is active against a wide range of gram-positive bacteria. In non-nisin-producing L. lactis, nisin resistance could be conferred by a specific nisin resistance gene (nsr), which encodes a 35-kDa nisin resistance protein (NSR). However, the mechanism underlying NSR-mediated nisin resistance is poorly understood. Here we demonstrated that the protein without the predicted N-terminal signal peptide sequence, i.e., NSRSD, could proteolytically inactivate nisin in vitro by removing six amino acids from the carboxyl “tail” of nisin. The truncated nisin (nisin1-28) displayed a markedly reduced affinity for the cell membrane and showed significantly diminished pore-forming potency in the membrane. A 100-fold reduction of bactericidal activity was detected for nisin1-28 in comparison to that for the intact nisin. In vivo analysis indicated that NSR localized on the cell membrane and endowed host strains with nisin resistance by degrading nisin as NSRSD did in vitro, whereas NSRSD failed to confer resistance upon the host strain. In conclusion, we showed that NSR is a nisin-degrading protease. This NSR-mediated proteolytic cleavage represents a novel mechanism for nisin resistance in non-nisin-producing L. lactis.
TL;DR: The objective is to isolate bacteriocin‐producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with high wide spectrum antibacterial activity and to characterize their inhibitory peptides.
Abstract: Aims To isolate bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with high wide spectrum antibacterial activity and to characterize their inhibitory peptides. Method and results Seven LAB strains [Lactobacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus (PC5), Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (BB18), Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (BCM5, BK15), Enterococcus faecium (MH3), Lactobacillus plantarum (BR12), Lactobacillus casei ssp. casei (BCZ2)], isolated from authentic Bulgarian dairy products were capable of producing bacteriocins, inhibiting the widest range of pathogenic bacteria. The bacteriocins were resistant to heating at 121 degrees C for 15 min, stable at pH 2-10, sensitive to protease, insensitive to alpha-amylase and lipase. Two of bacteriocins produced by Lact. bulgaricus BB18 (bulgaricin BB18) and E. faecium MH3 (enterocin MH3) were purified and the molecular masses were determined. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of bulgaricin BB18 did not show strong homology to other known bacteriocins. Conclusions Lactobacillus bulgaricus BB18 and E. faecium MH3 produce two novel bacteriocins highly similar to the pediocin-like nonlantibiotics. Significance and impact of the study The two bacteriocins are potential antimicrobial agents and, in conjunction with their producers, may have use in applications to contribute a positive effect on the balance of intestinal microflora. Furthermore, bulgaricin BB18 strongly inhibits Helicobacter pylori.
TL;DR: In this study, in vitro-reconstituted lacticin 481 synthetase was used in conjunction with synthetic peptide substrates containing nonproteinogenic amino acids to generate 11 analogues of lacticIn 481, which provided zones of inhibition larger than the parent compound in agar diffusion assays against the indicator strains Lactococcus lactis HP and Bacillus subtilis 6633.
Abstract: Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide antibiotics containing the characteristic thioether cross-links lanthionine and methyllanthionine. To date, no analogues of lantibiotics that contain nonproteinogenic amino acids have been reported. In this study, in vitro-reconstituted lacticin 481 synthetase was used in conjunction with synthetic peptide substrates containing nonproteinogenic amino acids to generate 11 analogues of lacticin 481. These analogues contained sarcosine and aminocyclopropanoic acid in place of Gly5, D-valine at position 6, 4-cyanoaminobutyric acid in place of Glu13, beta(3)-homoarginine at the position of Asn15, N-butylglycine and beta-Ala at Met16, naphthylalanine (Nal) at Trp19, 4-pyridynylalanine (Pal) at Phe21, and homophenylalanine (hPhe) at Phe23. Of these analogues, the Trp19Nal and Phe23hPhe mutants provided zones of inhibition larger than the parent compound in agar diffusion assays against the indicator strains Lactococcus lactis HP and Bacillus subtilis 6633. These two compounds also demonstrated improved MIC values against liquid cultures of L. lactis HP.
TL;DR: This commentary reviews the current advances made with L. lactis as live vector for the mucosal delivery of therapeutic proteins in genetically engineered LAB as delivery vehicles.
Abstract: Food-grade lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been safely consumed by humans for centuries in fermented foods. Lactococcus lactis, a LAB widely used in the dairy industry as a starter, can be genetically engineered to efficiently produce a large variety of proteins. This feature has been recently exploited by scientists for the development of a new generation of vectors to deliver therapeutic proteins to the mucosal tissues. The successful Phase I clinical trial with a L. lactis strain secreting interleukin-10 for Crohn's disease has opened new horizons for the use of genetically engineered LAB as delivery vehicles. This commentary reviews the current advances made with L. lactis as live vector for the mucosal delivery of therapeutic proteins.
TL;DR: Investigation of the distribution of GlcU homologues among bacteria showed that these proteins are restricted to the low‐GC Gram‐positive Firmicutes, completing the identification of the glucose transport systems in L. lactis MG1363.
Abstract: According to previous reports, Lactococcus lactis imports glucose via two distinct phosphoenolpyruvate: phosphotransferase systems (mannose-PTS and cellobiose-PTS) and one or more unknown non-PTS permease(s). GlcU was identified as the sole non-PTS permease involved in the transport of glucose. Additionally, the biochemical properties of PTS(Man), PTS(Cel) and GlcU were characterized in double knockout mutants with glucose uptake restricted to a single system. Transport susceptibility to protonophores indicated that glucose uptake via GlcU is proton-motive force dependent. Competition assays revealed a high specificity of GlcU for glucose. Furthermore, the permease has low affinity for glucose and displays strong preference for the beta-anomer as shown by the profiles of consumption of the two glucose anomers studied by (13)C-NMR. Similar kinetic properties were found for PTS(Cel), while PTS(Man) is a high-affinity system recognizing equally well the two anomeric forms of glucose. Transcripts of the genes encoding the three transporters are present simultaneously in the parent strain NZ9000 as shown by reverse transcription-PCR. Investigation of the distribution of GlcU homologues among bacteria showed that these proteins are restricted to the low-GC Gram-positive Firmicutes. This work completes the identification of the glucose transport systems in L. lactis MG1363.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated whether oral administration of Lactococcus lactis (LL)-delivered DQ8-specific gliadin epitope induces Ag-specific tolerance.
Abstract: Active delivery of recombinant autoantigens or allergens at the intestinal mucosa by genetically modified Lactococcus lactis (LL) provides a novel therapeutic approach for the induction of tolerance. Celiac disease is associated with either HLA-DQ2- or HLA-DQ8-restricted responses to specific antigenic epitopes of gliadin, and may be treated by induction of Ag-specific tolerance. We investigated whether oral administration of LL-delivered DQ8-specific gliadin epitope induces Ag-specific tolerance. LL was engineered to secrete a deamidated DQ8 gliadin epitope (LL-eDQ8d) and the induction of Ag-specific tolerance was studied in NOD AB degrees DQ8 transgenic mice. Tolerance was assessed by delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, cytokine measurements, eDQ8d-specific proliferation, and regulatory T cell analysis. Oral administration of LL-eDQ8d induced suppression of local and systemic DQ8-restricted T cell responses in NOD AB degrees DQ8 transgenic mice. Treatment resulted in an Ag-specific decrease of the proliferative capacity of inguinal lymph node (ILN) cells and lamina propria cells. Production of IL-10 and TGF-beta and a significant induction of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells were associated with the eDQ8d-specific suppression induced by LL-eDQ8d. These data provide support for the development of effective therapeutic approaches for gluten-sensitive disorders using orally administered Ag-secreting LL. Such treatments may be effective even in the setting of established hypersensitivity.
TL;DR: In this article, double-stranded DNA genomes of six lactococcal phages (SL4, CB13, CB14, CB19, CB20, and GR7) from the 936 group were sequenced from whey samples obtained from a Canadian cheese factory.
Abstract: We have sequenced the double-stranded DNA genomes of six lactococcal phages (SL4, CB13, CB14, CB19, CB20, and GR7) from the 936 group that were isolated over a 9-year period from whey samples obtained from a Canadian cheese factory. These six phages infected the same two industrial Lactococcus lactis strains out of 30 tested. The CB14 and GR7 genomes were found to be 100% identical even though they were isolated 14 months apart, indicating that a phage can survive in a cheese plant for more than a year. The other four genomes were related but notably different. The length of the genomes varied from 28,144 to 32,182 bp, and they coded for 51 to 55 open reading frames. All five genomes possessed a 3' overhang cos site that was 11 nucleotides long. Several structural proteins were also identified by nano-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, confirming bioinformatic analyses. Comparative analyses suggested that the most recently isolated phages (CB19 and CB20) were derived, in part, from older phage isolates (CB13 and CB14/GR7). The organization of the five distinct genomes was similar to the previously sequenced lactococcal phage genomes of the 936 group, and from these sequences, a core genome was determined for lactococcal phages of the 936 group.
TL;DR: New insights are offered into the role of resident biofilms in governing the settlement of pathogens on food chain surfaces and could be of relevance in the field of food safety controls.
Abstract: Planktonic Listeria monocytogenes cells in food-processing environments tend most frequently to adhere to solid surfaces. Under these conditions, they are likely to encounter resident biofilms rather than a raw solid surface. Although metabolic interactions between L. monocytogenes and resident microflora have been widely studied, little is known about the biofilm properties that influence the initial fixation of L. monocytogenes to the biofilm interface. To study these properties, we created a set of model resident Lactococcus lactis biofilms with various architectures, types of matrices, and individual cell surface properties. This was achieved using cell wall mutants that affect bacterial chain formation, exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesis and surface hydrophobicity. The dynamics of the formation of these biofilm structures were analyzed in flow cell chambers using in situ time course confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging. All the L. lactis biofilms tested reduced the initial immobilization of L. monocytogenes compared to the glass substratum of the flow cell. Significant differences were seen in L. monocytogenes settlement as a function of the genetic background of resident lactococcal biofilm cells. In particular, biofilms of the L. lactis chain-forming mutant resulted in a marked increase in L. monocytogenes settlement, while biofilms of the EPS-secreting mutant efficiently prevented pathogen fixation. These results offer new insights into the role of resident biofilms in governing the settlement of pathogens on food chain surfaces and could be of relevance in the field of food safety controls.
TL;DR: The crystal structures of OppA in the open‐ and closed‐liganded conformations are presented, and a new mechanism for peptide selection based on amino‐acid composition rather than sequence is proposed.
Abstract: Oligopeptide-binding protein A (OppA) from Lactococcus lactis binds peptides of an exceptionally wide range of lengths (4–35 residues), with no apparent sequence preference. Here, we present the crystal structures of OppA in the open- and closed-liganded conformations. The structures directly explain the protein's phenomenal promiscuity. A huge cavity allows binding of very long peptides, and a lack of constraints for the position of the N and C termini of the ligand is compatible with binding of peptides with varying lengths. Unexpectedly, the peptide's amino-acid composition (but not the exact sequence) appears to have a function in selection, with a preference for proline-rich peptides containing at least one isoleucine. These properties can be related to the physiology of the organism: L. lactis is auxotrophic for branched chain amino acids and favours proline-rich caseins as a source of amino acids. We propose a new mechanism for peptide selection based on amino-acid composition rather than sequence.
TL;DR: Findings indicate that administration of L. lactis subsp.
TL;DR: The inactivation of phage P1532 in skim milk and in buffer medium were found to follow first-order kinetics and did not exhibit tailing, whereas in the inactivation curves ofphage P680 tailing was observed.
TL;DR: Rhamnose removal was confirmed, indicating that rhamnosidase-producing bacteria may find commercial application, depending on the technological properties of the strains and enzymes.
Abstract: Lactobacilli are known to use plant materials as a food source. Many such materials are rich in rhamnose-containing polyphenols, and thus it can be anticipated that lactobacilli will contain rhamnosidases. Therefore, genome sequences of food-grade lactobacilli were screened for putative rhamnosidases. In the genome of Lactobacillus plantarum, two putative rhamnosidase genes (ram1(Lp) and ram2(Lp)) were identified, while in Lactobacillus acidophilus, one rhamnosidase gene was found (ramA(La)). Gene products from all three genes were produced after introduction into Escherichia coli and were then tested for their enzymatic properties. Ram1(Lp), Ram2(Lp), and RamA(La) were able to efficiently hydrolyze rutin and other rutinosides, while RamA(La) was, in addition, able to cleave naringin, a neohesperidoside. Subsequently, the potential application of Lactobacillus rhamnosidases in food processing was investigated using a single matrix, tomato pulp. Recombinant Ram1(Lp) and RamA(La) enzymes were shown to remove the rhamnose from rutinosides in this material, but efficient conversion required adjustment of the tomato pulp to pH 6. The potential of Ram1(Lp) for fermentation of plant flavonoids was further investigated by expression in the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis. This system was used for fermentation of tomato pulp, with the aim of improving the bioavailability of flavonoids in processed tomato products. While import of flavonoids into L. lactis appeared to be a limiting factor, rhamnose removal was confirmed, indicating that rhamnosidase-producing bacteria may find commercial application, depending on the technological properties of the strains and enzymes.
TL;DR: The detailed immune response of the host to delivery of this live strain directly into the mammary gland of six healthy dairy cows was looked at, leading to a rapid and considerable innate immune response.
Abstract: Mastitis is one of the most costly diseases to the dairy farming industry. Conventional antibiotic therapy is often unsatisfactory for successful treatment of mastitis and alternative treatments are continually under investigation. We have previously demonstrated, in two separate field trials, that a probiotic culture, Lactococcus lactis DPC 3147, was comparable to antibiotic therapy to treat bovine mastitis. To understand the mode of action of this therapeutic, we looked at the detailed immune response of the host to delivery of this live strain directly into the mammary gland of six healthy dairy cows. All animals elicited signs of udder inflammation 7 h post infusion. At this time, clots were visible in the milk of all animals in the investigation. The most pronounced increase in immune gene expression was observed in Interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-8, with highest expression corresponding to peaks in somatic cell count. Infusion with a live culture of a Lc. lactis leads to a rapid and considerable innate immune response.
TL;DR: Both types of methods complement each other and offer a more complete vision of the microbial diversity of these ecosystems, and the fingerprinting of Lactobacillus populations by length-heterogeneity PCR showed the predominance of the Lb.