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1.
Vaccine X ; 1: 100012, 2019 Apr 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31384734

ABSTRACT

A hybrid biological-biomaterial antigen delivery vector comprised of a polymeric shell encapsulating an Escherichia coli core was previously developed for in situ antigen production and subsequent delivery. Due to the engineering capacity of the bacterial core, the hybrid vector provides unique opportunities for immunogenicity optimization through varying cellular localization (cytoplasm, periplasm, cellular surface) and type (protein or DNA) of antigen. In this work, three protein-based hybrid vector formats were compared in which the pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) was localized to the cytoplasm, surface, and periplasmic space of the bacterial core for vaccination against pneumococcal disease. Furthermore, we tested the hybrid vector's capacity as a DNA vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae by introducing a plasmid into the bacterial core to facilitate PspA expression in antigen presenting cells (APCs). Through testing these various formulations, we determined that cytoplasmic accumulation of PspA elicited the strongest immune response (antibody production and protection against bacterial challenge) and enabled complete protection at substantially lower doses when compared to vaccination with PspA + adjuvant. We also improved the storage stability of the hybrid vector to retain complete activity after 1 month at 4 °C using an approach in which hybrid vectors suspended in a microbial freeze drying buffer were desiccated. These results demonstrate the flexibility and robustness of the hybrid vector formulation, which has the potential to be a potent vaccine against S. pneumoniae.

2.
ACS Synth Biol ; 8(1): 109-118, 2019 01 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30575381

ABSTRACT

Most natural product biosynthetic gene clusters identified in bacterial genomic and metagenomic sequencing efforts are silent under laboratory growth conditions. Here, we describe a scalable biosynthetic gene cluster activation method wherein the gene clusters are disassembled at interoperonic regions in vitro using CRISPR/Cas9 and then reassembled with PCR-amplified, short DNAs, carrying synthetic promoters, using transformation assisted recombination (TAR) in yeast. This simple, cost-effective, and scalable method allows for the simultaneous generation of combinatorial libraries of refactored gene clusters, eliminating the need to understand the transcriptional hierarchy of the silent genes. In two test cases, this in vitro disassembly-TAR reassembly method was used to create collections of promoter-replaced gene clusters that were tested in parallel to identify versions that enabled secondary metabolite production. Activation of the atolypene ( ato) gene cluster led to the characterization of two unprecedented bacterial cyclic sesterterpenes, atolypene A (1) and B (2), which are moderately cytotoxic to human cancer cell lines. This streamlined in vitro disassembly- in vivo reassembly method offers a simplified approach for silent gene cluster refactoring that should facilitate the discovery of natural products from silent gene clusters cloned from either metagenomes or cultured bacteria.


Subject(s)
Sesterterpenes/metabolism , Biological Products/metabolism , CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics , CRISPR-Cas Systems/physiology , Data Mining , Metagenomics/methods , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
3.
Biotechnol Prog ; 33(5): 1193-1200, 2017 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28547883

ABSTRACT

Yersiniabactin (Ybt) is a mixed nonribosomal peptide-polyketide natural product that binds a wide range of metals with the potential to impact processes requiring metal retrieval and removal. In this work, we substantially improved upon the heterologous production of Ybt and an associated anthranilate analog through systematic screening and optimization of culture medium components. Specifically, a Plackett-Burman design-of-experiments methodology was used to screen 22 components and to determine those contributing most to siderophore production. L-cysteine, L-serine, glucose, and casamino acids significantly contributed to the production of both compounds. Using this approach together with metabolic engineering of the base biosynthetic process, Ybt and the anthranilate analog titers were increased to 867 ± 121 mg/L and 16.6 ± 0.3 mg/L, respectively, an increase of ∼38 and ∼79-fold relative to production in M9 medium. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1193-1200, 2017.


Subject(s)
Culture Media/metabolism , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Metabolic Engineering/methods , Phenols/metabolism , Thiazoles/metabolism , ortho-Aminobenzoates/metabolism , Culture Media/chemistry , Escherichia coli/chemistry , Escherichia coli/physiology , Phenols/analysis , Thiazoles/analysis , ortho-Aminobenzoates/analysis
4.
Metab Eng ; 38: 382-388, 2016 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27718358

ABSTRACT

In this report, the heterologous production of salicylate (SA) is the basis for metabolic extension to salicylate 2-O-ß-d-glucoside (SAG), a natural product implicated in plant-based defense mechanisms. Production was optimized through a combination of metabolic engineering, gene expression variation, and co-culture design. When combined, SA and SAG production titers reached ~0.9g/L and ~2.5g/L, respectively. The SAG compound was then tested for anti-inflammatory properties relative to SA and acetylsalicylate (aspirin). Results indicate comparable activity between SAG and aspirin in reducing nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) from macrophage cells while no discernable negative effects on cellular viability were observed.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/metabolism , Arabidopsis/physiology , Escherichia coli/physiology , Metabolic Engineering/methods , Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics , Salicylic Acid/metabolism , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/isolation & purification , Biosynthetic Pathways/genetics , Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics , Genetic Enhancement/methods , Recombinant Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism , Salicylic Acid/isolation & purification
5.
Biotechnol Prog ; 32(6): 1412-1417, 2016 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27681485

ABSTRACT

Biosynthesis of complex natural products like polyketides and nonribosomal peptides using Escherichia coli as a heterologous host provides an opportunity to access these molecules. The value in doing so stems from the fact that many compounds hold some therapeutic or other beneficial property and their original production hosts are intractable for a variety of reasons. In this work, metabolic engineering and induction variable optimization were used to increase production of the polyketide-nonribosomal peptide compound yersiniabactin, a siderophore that has been utilized to selectively remove metals from various solid and aqueous samples. Specifically, several precursor substrate support pathways were altered through gene expression and exogenous supplementation in order to boost production of the final compound. The gene expression induction process was also analyzed to identify the temperatures and inducer concentrations resulting in highest final production levels. When combined, yersiniabactin production was extended to ∼175 mg L-1 . © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1412-1417, 2016.


Subject(s)
Biological Products/metabolism , Metabolic Engineering , Phenols/metabolism , Polyketides/metabolism , Siderophores/biosynthesis , Thiazoles/metabolism , Biological Products/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Phenols/chemistry , Polyketides/chemistry , Siderophores/chemistry , Thiazoles/chemistry
6.
Sci Adv ; 2(7): e1600264, 2016 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27419235

ABSTRACT

The type and potency of an immune response provoked during vaccination will determine ultimate success in disease prevention. The basis for this response will be the design and implementation of antigen presentation to the immune system. Whereas direct antigen administration will elicit some form of immunological response, a more sophisticated approach would couple the antigen of interest to a vector capable of broad delivery formats and designed for heightened response. New antigens associated with pneumococcal disease virulence were used to test the delivery and adjuvant capabilities of a hybrid biological-biomaterial vector consisting of a bacterial core electrostatically coated with a cationic polymer. The hybrid design provides (i) passive and active targeting of antigen-presenting cells, (ii) natural and multicomponent adjuvant properties, (iii) dual intracellular delivery mechanisms, and (iv) a simple formulation mechanism. In addition, the hybrid format enables device-specific, or in situ, antigen production and consolidation via localization within the bacterial component of the vector. This capability eliminates the need for dedicated antigen production and purification before vaccination efforts while leveraging the aforementioned features of the overall delivery device. We present the first disease-specific utilization of the vector toward pneumococcal disease highlighted by improved immune responses and protective capabilities when tested against traditional vaccine formulations and a range of clinically relevant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains. More broadly, the results point to similar levels of success with other diseases that would benefit from the production, delivery, and efficacy capabilities offered by the hybrid vector.


Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Pneumococcal Vaccines/immunology , Adjuvants, Immunologic , Animals , Antigens, Bacterial/genetics , Antigens, Bacterial/immunology , Antigens, Bacterial/metabolism , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/immunology , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Mice , Nasopharynx/microbiology , Pneumococcal Infections/immunology , Pneumococcal Infections/prevention & control , Pneumococcal Infections/veterinary , Pneumococcal Vaccines/chemistry , Polymers/chemistry , Streptococcus pneumoniae/metabolism , Streptococcus pneumoniae/pathogenicity , Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
7.
Curr Opin Biotechnol ; 42: 7-12, 2016 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26942861

ABSTRACT

E. coli has become a common host for the heterologous biosynthesis of natural products that demonstrate therapeutic value but suffer from access challenges posed by native production hosts. This review will highlight recent examples of heterologous products produced using E. coli. An emphasis will be placed on tools at the cellular and process levels to enable, improve, and alter production efforts. At the cellular scale, summaries of the process to enable heterologous biosynthesis will be supplemented with strategies (synthetic biology and metabolic engineering) to improve production levels. Process engineering strategies such as precursor-directed biosynthesis will also be highlighted in analog formation cases. In summary, the article will provide a recent overview of heterologous production efforts using E. coli and the relationship of the products produced to therapeutic applications.


Subject(s)
Biological Products/metabolism , Biological Products/therapeutic use , Biosynthetic Pathways , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Metabolic Engineering/methods , Metabolic Engineering/trends , Synthetic Biology
8.
Biotechnol Bioeng ; 113(5): 1067-74, 2016 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26524346

ABSTRACT

The production of the mixed nonribosomal peptide-polyketide natural product yersiniabactin (Ybt) has been established using E. coli as a heterologous host. In this study, precursor-directed biosynthesis was used to generate five new analogs of Ybt, demonstrating the flexibility of the heterologous system and the biosynthetic process in allowing compound diversity. A combination of biosynthetic and cellular engineering was then used to influence the production metrics of the resulting analogs. First, the cellular levels and activity of FadL, a hydrocarbon transport protein, were tested for subsequent influence upon exogenous precursor uptake and Ybt analog production with a positive correlation observed between FadL over-production and analog formation. Next, a Ybt biosynthetic editing enzyme was removed from the heterologous system which decreased native compound production but increased analog formation. A final series of experiments enhanced endogenous anthranilate towards complete pathway formation of the associated analog which showed a selective ability to bind gold.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Fatty Acid Transport Proteins/metabolism , Metabolic Engineering/methods , Phenols/metabolism , Siderophores/metabolism , Thiazoles/metabolism , Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics , Biosynthetic Pathways , Escherichia coli/chemistry , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics , Fatty Acid Transport Proteins/genetics , Phenols/chemistry , Siderophores/chemistry , Siderophores/genetics , Thiazoles/chemistry , Up-Regulation
9.
Appl Environ Microbiol ; 81(16): 5290-8, 2015 Aug 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26025901

ABSTRACT

Yersiniabactin (Ybt) is a mixed nonribosomal peptide-polyketide natural product natively produced by the pathogen Yersinia pestis. The compound enables iron scavenging capabilities upon host infection and is biosynthesized by a nonribosomal peptide synthetase featuring a polyketide synthase module. This pathway has been engineered for expression and biosynthesis using Escherichia coli as a heterologous host. In the current work, the biosynthetic process for Ybt formation was improved through the incorporation of a dedicated step to eliminate the need for exogenous salicylate provision. When this improvement was made, the compound was tested in parallel applications that highlight the metal-chelating nature of the compound. In the first application, Ybt was assessed as a rust remover, demonstrating a capacity of ∼40% compared to a commercial removal agent and ∼20% relative to total removal capacity. The second application tested Ybt in removing copper from a variety of nonbiological and biological solution mixtures. Success across a variety of media indicates potential utility in diverse scenarios that include environmental and biomedical settings.


Subject(s)
Biosynthetic Pathways , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Metabolic Engineering , Phenols/metabolism , Thiazoles/metabolism , Biotechnology/methods , Copper/metabolism , Iron/metabolism
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