Introduction

Vibrio cholerae is a gram-negative bacterium that causes the acute secretory diarrheal disease named cholera. This pathogen exhibits an extraordinary ability to rapidly evolve in a changing environment [1]. Genome plasticity and horizontal gene transfer allows V. cholerae to survive in a multitude of different environments [2]. Its genome contains two circular chromosomes encoding nearly 4000 open reading frames distributed between the large (2.96 Mb) and the small (1.07 Mb) chromosomes [3, 4]. V. cholerae has three open reading frames encoding for distinct pyruvate kinases (PKs); VcIPK and VcIIPK are present in the large, whereas VcIIIPK is in the small chromosomes, respectively. Sequence alignments show that the amino acid identity between VcIPK and VcIIPK is 37%, between VcIPK and VcIIIPK is 36% whereas between VcIIPK and VcIIIPK is 50% (Additional file 1: Table S1). However, up to date there are no reports if the VcPKs are expressed differentially in distinct environmental conditions or what metabolic role does each PK have in V. cholerae.

In a recent study, VcIPK and VcIIPK were transformed and expressed in BL21-CodonPlus(DE3)-RIL. Purified VcIPK and VcIIPK were kinetically characterized. It was also identified by Western blot analyses that both enzymes are present in cell extracts of CVD103 V. cholerae strain. Since they co-express, and their catalytic requirements are present in the bacterium, it was concluded that both enzymes contribute to the activity of pyruvate kinase in V. cholerae [5]. However, vcIIIpk gene failed to transform in BL21-CodonPlus(DE3)-RIL. Thus, VcIIIPK was not included in that study. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find a bacterial expression system for the efficient transformation and over-expression of VcIIIPK and to design a purification protocol for the enzyme to elucidate whether VcIIIPK contributed to the activity of PK of V. cholerae. For this purpose, we tested 6 strains of the BL21 expression system. The BL21DE3 system is commonly used for over-expression of heterologous genes due to the simple transformation, manipulation, rapid growth of cells and high yield of protein [6, 7]. We found that the vcIIIpk gene was toxic, mildly toxic and nontoxic for 3, 2 and 1 strains, respectively.

Main text

Methods

Methods used in this study are provided in Additional file 2.

Results and discussion

The vcIIIpk gene (1461 bp) was cloned into plasmid pET3a-HisTEVP. vcIpk and vcIIpk genes [5] were transformed into several BL21(DE3) strains to compare against the transformation of vcIIIpk. DE3 strains have a chromosomal copy of the phage T7 RNA polymerase gene that is compatible with the pET vectors, for which the genes are cloned downstream of the strong T7 promoter being used for recombinant protein expression [6, 8,9,10]. Six BL21 expression strains: BL21(DE3), BL21(DE3)pLysS, BL21(DE3)CodonPlus-RIL, BL21-Gold(DE3)pLysS, OrigamiB(DE3)pLysS and BL21-AI with different characteristics (Additional file 3: Table S2), were separately transformed with the constructs of the three vcpk genes. Five strains contain the DE3 system, whereas BL21-AI strain is controlled by the arabinose operon (araBAD promoter) [11].

vcIIIpk gene yields no transformants in some BL21 strains

BL21(DE3), BL21(DE3)CodonPlus-RIL and BL21Gold-(DE3)pLysS strains (Additional file 3: Table S2) were transformed with the three constructions of vcpks. The results showed that, for vcIIIpk gene, no colonies were obtained with these strains, whereas vcIpk and vcIIpk genes were positively transformed (Additional file 4: Figure S1). The absence of transformants may be explained due to plasmid instability in these strains or because the over-expression of target gene is toxic for them due to the metabolic burden [12,13,14]. To probe the instability of the vcIIIpk construct into these strains, the three genes were transformed into the non-expression host XL10-GOLD strain, commonly used for the propagation and manipulation of recombinant DNA. As expected, all three genes were efficiently transformed (Additional file 4: Figure S1). Therefore, it was inferred that the gene would probably be toxic for these expression bacteria [15]. BL21(DE3)CodonPlus-RIL strain was used to transform vcIIIpk gene, due to the successful transformation of vcIpk and vcIIpk genes in this strain [5]. BL21Gold-(DE3)pLysS strain was used due to its property of high efficiency of transformation and BL21(DE3) was used to elucidate if the gene was toxic.

vcIIIpk gene transformants with reduced rates of cell growth

BL21(DE3) with pLysS or lysY strain is recommended when no transformants are found. pLysS or lysY strains may yield normal colonies and express the protein of interest in moderate to high levels. Samuelson [16] describes that mildly toxic gene products may be lethal for BL21(DE3) upon transformation. When vcIIIpk gene was transformed into BL21(DE3)pLysS strain, different colony sizes were observed. Some transformants displayed normal growth, while most transformants grew weakly. Growth rates were also affected; colonies grew in 20 h to over 24 h. In contrast, no such effects were observed when the same strains were transformed with vcIpk or vcIIpk genes (Additional file 4: Figure S1).

OrigamiB(DE3)pLysS strain is recommended to enhance disulfide bond formation in the cytoplasm. Several studies have shown that the expression in this strain yields tenfold more active proteins than in other hosts [17], even though the level of overall expression is similar. Since VcIIIPK has 8 Cys/monomer with unknown role, the gene was transformed in this strain (Additional file 5: Table S3). The efficiency of transformation of the three genes was low but colonies of vcIpk and vcIIpk were observed after an overnight culture, whereas vcIIIpk transformants delayed for 72 h (Additional file 4: Figure S1). After this time, the shape and size of the colonies were similar to those obtained with the other genes. Reduced rates of cell growth indicated that vcIIIpk gene was mildly toxic for these strains.

vcIIIpk gene transformants with typical rates of cell growth

BL21-AI strain is especially useful to express genes that may be toxic to other strains of group BL21. This strain carries a chromosomal insertion of a cassette containing the T7-RNA polymerase gene in the araB locus, allowing expression of the T7-RNA polymerase to be regulated by the araBAD promoter [18, 19]. The efficiency of transformation of vcIIIpk gene in BL21-AI strain increased markedly. After an overnight culture, homogeneous size colonies were observed (Additional file 4: Figure S1). Therefore, in this strain vcIIIpk gene is not toxic, contrasting with the strains under control of the T7 promoter.

In sum, these results indicate that the same strategy may not always be the same for expressing paralog genes.

Protein expression screening of VcIIIPK in BL21 strains

In order to understand the distinct level of toxicity caused by vcIIIpk gene in BL21(DE3)pLysS, OrigamiB(DE3)pLysS and BL21-AI strains, the protein expression screening of VcPKs was achieved.

The BL21(DE3)pLysS strain carrying the three genes were grown at 37 °C. Cells were induced and monitored hourly. Growth curves were similar for the BL21(DE3)pLysS strain carrying vcIpk and vcIIpk genes, whereas the growth curve of that carrying vcIIIpk gene was delayed for 2 h. After induction, the three growth curves were similar (Fig. 1a). To monitor the protein expression at different times of induction, aliquots of cells were loaded onto SDS-PAGE. As shown in Fig. 1b, no bands, with the expected molecular mass (Additional file 5: Table S3), were observed for the three isozymes.

Fig. 1
figure 1

VcIIIPK in BL21(DE3)pLysS strain. a Time course of growth curves of vcIpk, vcIIpk and vcIIIpk constructs before (non-induction) and after induction with 0.6 mM IPTG. The error bars represent the standard deviation of three independent experiments. b SDS-PAGE gels (12%) show the time course of VcIPK, VcIIPK or VcIIIPK before and after induction. The migration of a previously purified VcIPK used as marker is shown in Lane C and the low range molecular weights (Sigma Marker) are in lane M. c Agarose gel (1%) of the vcIpk, vcIIpk and vcIIIpk constructs before and after 15 h of induction. DNAs were digested with NdeI and BamH1. Two bands of ~ 1650 and ~ 650 bp corresponded to the PK genes and to a fragment of pLysS vector, respectively. d Agarose gel (1%) of the time course of vcIIIpk construct before and 3, 6, 9 and 15 h after induction. DNA was digested as in c and the same bands pattern was observed. In c and d 1 Kb Plus DNA ladder (Invitrogen) were used as markers (M). b–d Performed from one of the experiments of a

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In order to confirm the stability of the plasmid in BL21DE3pLysS strain during the growth curve, restriction enzyme analyses were performed (Fig. 1c). The restriction map before induction showed two bands, one corresponded to the respective construct (~ 1650 bp) and the other corresponded to the product of the two restriction sites for BamHI of the plasmid pLysS (~ 650 bp (Fig. 1c). 15 h after induction, the two bands of vcIpk and vcIIpk constructs were still observed, whereas in the vcIIIpk construct, only the fragment of the plasmid was observed (Fig. 1c). Concerning this result, the presence of vcIIIpk gene was monitored at different times after the addition of IPTG. As shown in Fig. 1d, vcIIIpk gene was present after 3 h of induction, but completely disappeared between 6 and 15 h after induction.

The growth curves of OrigamiB(DE3)pLysS strain carrying the three genes were similar before and after induction with IPTG (Fig. 2a). As shown in Fig. 2b all proteins were expressed. It has been shown that expression of proteins in Origami strains yield ten-fold more active proteins than in other strains [17, 20].

Fig. 2
figure 2

VcIPK, VcIIPK and VcIIIPK in Origami B(DE3)pLysS (a, b) and in BL21-AI (c, d) strains. Time course of growth curves of vcIpk, vcIIpk and vcIIIpk constructs before (non-induction) and after induction with 0.6 mM IPTG at 37 °C (a) or 1.2 mM IPTG plus 0.25% L-arabinose at 25 °C (c). The error bars represent the standard deviation of three independent experiments. b and d SDS-PAGE (12%) show the time course of VcIPK, VcIIPK or VcIIIPK before (n-i) and after 3, 6, 9 or 15 h of induction. The migration of a previously purified VcIPK used as marker is shown in Lane C and the low range molecular weights (Sigma Marker) are in lane M

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The growth curves of the three PKs in BL21-AI strain were similar before and after induction (Fig. 2c). The cultures of the three PKs reached an OD600=0.6 in 2 h, whereas in OrigamiB(DE3)pLysS it took 5 h. In BL21-AI strain, VcIPK and VcIIIPK were expressed more intensely than VcIIPK (Fig. 2d) and also better than in OrigamiB(DE3)pLysS (Fig. 2b). Therefore, VcIIIPK was not toxic for these strains. BL21-AI strain contains an arabinose promoter which exhibits the lowest basal transcriptional activity [18, 21, 22]. This feature is important for the maintenance of any toxic gene. This strain is suitable for high-level expression of a recombinant protein from any T7-based expression vector. Because T7 RNA polymerase levels can be tightly regulated, this strain is recommended to express genes that may be toxic to other BL21 strains [15].

Protein expression and purification in BL21-AI strain

VcIIIPK was purified from a BL21-AI strain culture as described in [5]. After the purification, an SDS-PAGE showed a single band of approximately 50 kDa (Fig. 3a). This protein was precipitated with 80% of ammonium sulfate. After a month, the protein was desalted and showed a new pattern of bands in an SDS-PAGE (Fig. 3b). Since the protocol of purification was carried out with a complete protease inhibitor cocktail and 0.2 mM PMSF to prevent proteolysis, it was suspected that VcIIIPK could be auto-proteolyzed during the purification. BL21-AI strain is an E. coli B/r protease deficient strain (Additional file 3: Table S2). To prevent the protein from being proteolyzed, glycerol was added during (10% v/v) and after the purification (20% v/v). In the absence of glycerol, VcIIIPK lost activity during the purification and storage, and became inactive after a week of being stored and the band almost completely disappeared (Fig. 3c, d). To achieve the best storage conditions, the protein with 20% of glycerol was kept at − 20, − 70 and 4 °C. After a week stored at 4 °C, the protein remained with 70% of its activity (Fig. 3c) and higher molecular weight bands were observed in the gel (Fig. 3d). At − 20 and − 70 °C, the protein exhibited 20 and 70% of its activity, respectively (Fig. 3c). Fewer high molecular weight bands in the gel were observed under these storage temperatures, compared to those observed at 4 °C (Fig. 3d). A day after purification without glycerol, a band of ~ 50 kDa of an SDS-PAGE was positively identified as VcIIIPK with a coverage > 70% with other VcPKs by a mass spectrometry MALDI TOF/TOF Analyzer (data not shown). In contrast to VcIPK and VcIIPK that are stable either during purification and storage [5], these results confirmed the auto-proteolysis of VcIIIPK. This phenomenon has not been reported in other pyruvate kinases, therefore we are interested in understanding this behavior.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Purification of VcIIIPK in BL21-AI strain (a, b) and preservation of the purified enzyme (c, d). a SDS-PAGE (12%) of a freshly purified VcIIIPK at different protein concentrations and b the same desalted sample of VcIIIPK after a month (old VcIIIPK) of being stored with 80% ammonium sulfate. Lane M indicates the low range molecular weights (Sigma Marker). c Residual activity and d SDS-PAGE (12%) of VcIIIPK after the first days of purification and storage in different conditions: A. without glycerol at 4 °C, B. 20% glycerol at 4 °C, C. 20% glycerol at − 20 °C and D. 20% glycerol at − 70 °C. 100% of activities without and with glycerol were 176 ± 29 and 185 ± 23 μmoles/min mg, respectively. In c the error bars represent the standard deviation of three independent experiments. d Performed from one of the experiments of c. Lane M shows the broad range molecular weights (BIO-RAD)

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Conclusions

The genes of VcPKs are a good example of how three paralog genes cannot be transformed and expressed in the same bacterial expression system. Whereas vcIpk and vcIIpk may be transformed in the 6 strains of BL21 tested, vcIIIpk was toxic for BL21(DE3), BL21(DE3)CodonPlus-RIL and BL21-Gold(DE3)pLysS; mildly toxic for BL21(DE3)pLysS and OrigamiB(DE3)pLysS and nontoxic for BL21-AI. This last strain exhibits the lowest basal transcriptional activity avoiding metabolic burden. It was found, that the expression yield for each gene differed from one strain to another. According to [23], the level of toxicity may vary from protein to protein, depending on their physiochemical characteristics. In this respect, in spite of VcIIPK and VcIIIPK being related phylogenetically and exhibiting an identity of 50% in their aminoacid sequences, their protein preservation is drastically different. Whereas one is preserved during purification and storage the other is completely auto-proteolyzed in less than a week. Now we are interested in elucidating the metabolic role of each PK in V. cholerae.

Limitations

In the study of a toxic gene product, a screening of strains should be probed to obtain the best transformation and expression system.