Molecular cloning of a copper-dependent laccase from the dye-decolorizing strain Stenotrophomonas maltophilia AAP56.

AIMS: To clone the gene encoding the enzyme with laccase activity expressed by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia AAP56 and to construct an insertional mutation in that gene to determine its effect on dye decolourization and laccase activity in this strain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Comparative genomics of Sten. maltophilia strains K279a and R551-3 revealed copA (coding for putative multicopper oxidase) as a candidate gene to encode an enzyme with laccase activity. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia AAP56 copA was amplified by degenerated PCR and cloned. A copA mutant strain, named Stemur, was constructed by homologous recombination. The comparison of wild-type and mutant strains revealed that CopA shows laccase activity, and it is involved in copper resistance and in vitro dye decolorization. On the contrary, the mutation in copA did not affect the in vivo dye removal by Sten. maltophilia. CONCLUSIONS: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia AAP56 shows different mechanisms for dye decolorization. The gene encoding the laccase has been identified, and it has been shown that it is involved in the in vitro decolorization. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a micro-organism of interest in different biotechnological processes including dye removal. This is the first report to address the molecular mechanism of this capacity, what will contribute to further improvements in the process.

Involvement of a novel copper chaperone in tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in Marinomonas mediterranea.

Tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in the marine bacterium Marinomonas mediterranea in media with very low copper concentrations are dependent on the presence of a protein (PpoB2) that functions as a chaperone to deliver copper to tyrosinase (PpoB1). Under these conditions, mutants in ppoB2 (such as strain T105) produce PpoB1 as an apoenzyme that can be reconstituted to the active holoenzyme by the addition of cupric ions to cell extracts. To study PpoB2 functionality, a system was developed for genetic complementation in M. mediterranea. Using this approach, melanin synthesis was restored in strain T105 when a wild-type copy of ppoB2 was introduced. PpoB2 is a novel protein since it is believed to be the first to be described that contains several motifs similar to metal binding motifs present separately in other types of copper-related protein. At least three motifs, a His-rich N-terminal region, and the short CxxxC and MxxxMM sequences, are essential for the functionality of PpoB2, since site-directed mutagenesis of these motifs resulted in a non-functional protein. In addition, it was demonstrated that PpoB2 is a membrane copper transporter putatively participating in the delivery of this ion specifically to the tyrosinase of M. mediterranea and not to a second copper oxidase showing laccase activity that this micro-organism also expresses. PpoB2 has similarities with the COG5486 group encoding putative transmembrane metal binding proteins, and is believed to be the first protein in this group to be experimentally characterized. It may constitute the first example of a novel type of protein involved in copper trafficking in bacteria.

Dimethoxyphenol oxidase activity of different microbial blue multicopper proteins.

2,6-Dimethoxyphenol is a versatile substrate for Pyricularia oryzae laccase, PpoA from Marinomonas mediterranea, phenoxazinone synthase from Streptomyces antibioticus and mammalian ceruloplasmin. In addition, in cellular extracts of microorganisms expressing other blue multicopper proteins with no enzymatic activity previously described, such as Escherichia coli (copper resistance CueO), Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas campestris (copper resistance CopA), Bacillus subtilis (sporulation protein CotA) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (iron transporter Fet3p), laccase activity is detected under appropriate conditions. This oxidase activity can be spectrophotometrically followed by the oxidation of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol. Specific staining after SDS-PAGE is also possible for some of these proteins. This detection assay can facilitate the study of the multiple functions that such proteins seem to carry out in a variety of microorganisms.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a unique multipotent polyphenol oxidase from Marinomonas mediterranea.

Marinomonas mediterranea is a recently isolated melanogenic marine bacterium containing laccase and tyrosinase activities. These activities are due to the expression of two polyphenol oxidases (PPOs), a blue multicopper laccase and an SDS-activated tyrosinase. The gene encoding the first one, herein denominated M. mediterranea PpoA, has been isolated by transposon mutagenesis, cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Its predicted amino acid sequence shows the existence of a signal peptide and four copper-binding sites characteristic of the blue multicopper proteins, including all fungal laccases. In addition, two additional putative copper-binding sites near its N-terminus are also present. Recombinant expression in E. coli of this protein clearly demonstrates its multipotent capability, showing both laccase-like and tyrosinase-like activities. This is the first prokaryotic laccase sequenced and the first PPO showing such multipotent catalytic activity. The expression of several truncated products indicates that the four copper-binding sites typical of blue multicopper proteins are essential for the laccase activity of this enzyme. However, the last two of these sites are not necessary for tyrosine hydroxylase activity as this activity is retained in a truncated product containing the first two sites as well as the extra histidine-rich clusters close to the N-terminus of the protein.

Marinomonas mediterranea MMB-1 transposon mutagenesis: isolation of a multipotent polyphenol oxidase mutant.

Marinomonas mediterranea is a melanogenic marine bacterium expressing a multifunctional polyphenol oxidase (PPO) able to oxidize substrates characteristic for laccases and tyrosinases, as well as produce a classical tyrosinase. A new and quick method has been developed for screening laccase activity in culture plates to detect mutants differentially affected in this PPO activity. Transposon mutagenesis has been applied for the first time to M. mediterranea by using different minitransposons loaded in R6K-based suicide delivery vectors mobilizable by conjugation. Higher frequencies of insertions were obtained by using mini-Tn10 derivatives encoding kanamycin or gentamycin resistance. After applying this protocol, a multifunctional PPO-negative mutant was obtained. By using the antibiotic resistance cassette as a marker, flanking regions were cloned. Then the wild-type gene was amplified by PCR and was cloned and sequenced. This is the first report on cloning and sequencing of a gene encoding a prokaryotic enzyme with laccase activity. The deduced amino acid sequence shows the characteristic copper-binding sites of other blue copper proteins, including fungal laccases. In addition, it shows some extra copper-binding sites that might be related to its multipotent enzymatic capability.

Location and catalytic characteristics of a multipotent bacterial polyphenol oxidase.

The melanogenic marine bacterium Marinomonas mediterranea contains a multipotent polyphenol oxidase (PPO) able to oxidize substrates characteristic for tyrosinase and laccase. Thus, this enzyme shows tyrosine hydroxylase activity and it catalyzes the oxidation of a wide variety of o-diphenol as well as o-methoxy-activated phenols. The study of its sensitivity to different inhibitors also revealed intermediate features between laccase and tyrosinase. It is similar to tyrosinases in its sensitivity to tropolone, but it resembles laccases in its resistance to cinnamic acid and phenylthiourea, and in its sensitivity to fluoride anion. This enzyme is mostly membrane-bound and can be solubilized either by non-ionic detergent or lipase treatments of the membrane. The expression of this enzymatic activity is growth-phase regulated, reaching a maximum in the stationary phase of bacterial growth, but L-tyrosine, Cu(II) ions, or 2,5-xylidine do not induce it. This enzyme can be separated from a second PPO form by gel permeation chromatography. The second PPO is located in the soluble fraction and shows a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-activated action on the characteristic substrates for tyrosinase, L-tyrosine, and L-dopa, but it does not show activity towards laccase-specific substrates. The involvement of the multipotent PPO in melanogenesis and its relationship with the SDS-activated form and with the alternative functions proposed for multicopper oxidases in other microorganisms are discussed.

Studies on the phylogenetic relationships of melanogenic marine bacteria: proposal of Marinomonas mediterranea sp. nov.

The polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities of the marine melanogenic strains MMB-1T and 2-40 were compared. Both contained a multifunctional PPO able to oxidize a wide range of substrates. In spite of this similarity, phylogenetic studies based on 16S rRNA sequences showed that these strains are not closely related. Strain 2-40 is not related to any previously described genus. On the basis of these studies and morphological and physiological characteristics, it is proposed that strain MMB-1T (= CECT 4803T = ATCC 700492T) represents a new species in the genus Marinomonas, Marinomonas mediterranea sp. nov.

Comparative tyrosine degradation in Vibrio cholerae strains. The strain ATCC 14035 as a prokaryotic melanogenic model of homogentisate-releasing cell.

The relationship between L-tyrosine catabolism and melanin formation was studied in the Vibrio cholerae strains ATCC 14035 and CECT 557. It is shown that both strains degrade L-tyrosine by the same pathway as eukaryotic cells, giving homogentisate as intermediate. ATCC 14035, an O1 strain, which is not able to grow using L-tyrosine as sole carbon and energy source, but it forms pyomelanin from homogentisate. The second strain, which is non-O1, is able to grow using L-tyrosine as sole carbon and energy source, but it does not form any pigment. Both strains contain all the enzymes involved in the L-tyrosine catabolism. The three late enzymes of the pathway, homogentisate oxygenase, maleylacetoacetate isomerase and fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase, are induced by L-tyrosine, but the degree of induction is much lower in the ATCC 14035 strain. Thus, the distal part of the pathway becomes the rate-limiting steps in the L-tyrosine catabolism, explaining homogentisate accumulation and pyomelanogenesis in this strain. It is proposed that V. cholerae might be a useful prokaryotic model to show that alkaptonuria and other diseases related to L-tyrosine metabolism could occur in animals even when no particular enzyme involved in that pathway is lacking.

A pluripotent polyphenol oxidase from the melanogenic marine Alteromonas sp shares catalytic capabilities of tyrosinases and laccases.

The recently characterized marine melanogenic bacterium MMB-1 contains a pluripotent polyphenol oxidase (PPO) which catalyzes the oxidation of a very wide range of substrates considered specific for tyrosinase or laccase. This range includes monophenols such as L-tyrosine, o-diphenols such as L-dopa, p-diphenols such as hydroquinone, o-aminophenols such as 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, activated monophenols such as 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and syringaldazine, and chromophores such as ABTS. This is the first report of an enzyme that is able to catalyze the oxidation of compounds so far considered specific for tyrosinases (L-tyrosine) or laccase (syringaldazine), showing cresolase, catechol oxidase and laccase activities. Such PPO could be a very useful model to study the structural requirements, catalytic mechanisms and involvement of the copper sites existing in non-blue and blue copper-oxidases.

Isolation and Characterization of Strain MMB-1 (CECT 4803), a Novel Melanogenic Marine Bacterium.

A novel marine melanogenic bacterium, strain MMB-1, was isolated from the Mediterranean Sea. The taxonomic characterization of this strain indicated that it belongs to the genus Alteromonas. Under in vivo conditions, L-tyrosine was the specific monophenolic precursor for melanin synthesis. This bacterium contained all types of activities associated with polyphenol oxidases (PPOs), cresolase (EC 1.18.14.1), catecholase (EC 1.10.3.1), and laccase (EC 1.10.3.2). These activities were due to the presence of two different PPOs. The first one showed all the enzymatic activities, but it was not involved in melanogenesis in vivo, since amelanogenic mutant strains obtained by nitrosoguanidine treatment contained levels of this PPO similar to that of the wild-type MMB-1 strain. The second PPO showed cresolase and catecholase activities but no laccase, and it was involved in melanogenesis, since this enzyme was lost in amelanogenic mutant strains. This PPO was strongly activated by sodium dodecyl sulfate below the critical micelle concentration, and it is a tyrosinase-like enzyme showing a lag period in its tyrosine hydroxylase activity that could be avoided by small amounts of L-dopa. This is the first report of a bacterium that contains two PPOs and also the first report of a pluripotent PPO showing all types of oxidase activities. The bacterium and the pluripotent PPO may be useful models for exploring the roles of PPOs in cellular physiology, aside from melanin formation. On the other hand, the high oxidizing capacity of the PPO for a wide range of substrates could make possible its application in phenolic biotransformations, food processing, or the cosmetic industry, where fungal and plant PPOs are being used.

Characterization of the melanogenic system in Vibrio cholerae, ATCC 14035.

The nature of the pigment formed by Vibrio cholerae and the characterization of its biosynthetic pathway is shown. This microorganism is able to synthesize melanin-like pigment when cultured in the presence of L-tyrosine. Other phenolic chemicals related to L-tyrosine do not lead to pigment production. The microorganism has no tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and the levels of dopa oxidase activity are very low, making the existence of a tyrosinase very unlikely. However, Vibrio cholerae contained transaminases that transforms L-tyrosine into p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate. Moreover, Vibrio cholerae is able to go further in the catabolic pathway, releasing a great amount of homogentisic acid. This acid can spontaneously be oxidized to its p-quinone form, which subsequently polymerizes leading to pigment formation. It is concluded that the pigment formed by Vibrio cholerae is not synthesized by the Raper-Mason pathway, but by a L-tyrosine catabolism pathway leading to homogentisic acid. Some simple properties of that melanin are compared to model eu- and pheomelanin, but no clear distinction could be stated, indicating the similarity between all these pigments.

The protein encoded by the Shewanella colwelliana melA gene is a p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase.

The identity of the product of the melA gene from Shewanella colwelliana with the enzyme p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic dioxygenase is shown. Cloning of the melA gene endowed Escherichia coli with the capacity to synthesize melanin-like pigments from L-tyrosine. E. coli contained transaminases that transforms L-tyrosine into p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate. This keto acid was detected in the cultures. On the other hand, E. coli containing melA was able to go further in the catabolic pathway, releasing a great amount of homogentisic acid. This acid can spontaneously polymerize giving the pigment. Furthermore, p-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate dioxygenase activity was detected in this system. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed a high homology with the p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase enzyme from different organisms.

Formation of stable bdelloplasts as a starvation-survival strategy of marine bdellovibrios.

Several wild-type isolates of marine bdellovibrios formed stable bdelloplasts when they infected gram-negative bacterial prey under certain culture conditions. Synchronous predator-prey cultures and low nutrient concentrations increased the yield of stable bdelloplasts. The bdellovibrio cells retained in the stable bdelloplasts showed a high survival capacity in nutrient-depleted saline solution (10% viable Bdellovibrio cells after 3 months at 25 degrees C), whereas Bdellovibrio attack-phase cells kept under the same starvation conditions lost viability more quickly (1% viable cells after 48 h). The addition of yeast extract to a stable bdelloplast suspension induced lysis of the bdelloplasts and release of motile infecting attack-phase Bdellovibrio cells. Other substances, such as free amino acids, protein hydrolysates, NH(4), carbohydrates, and organic amines, did not induce such a release. Stable bdelloplasts were highly hydrophobic and had a lower endogenous respiration rate than attack-phase cells. In general, stable bdelloplasts were almost as sensitive to temperature changes, desiccation, sonication, tannic acid, and Triton X-100 treatment as attack-phase cells. Electron microscopy of stable bdelloplasts did not reveal any extra cell wall layer, either in the bdelloplast envelope or in the retained Bdellovibrio cells, unlike the bdellocysts of the soil bacterium Bdellovibrio sp. strain W. We propose that formation of stable bdelloplasts is a survival strategy of marine bdellovibrios which occurs in response to nutrient- and prey-poor seawater habitats.