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DNA analysis of the genes encoding acidocin LF221 A and acidocin LF221 B, two bacteriocins produced by Lactobacillus gasseri LF221

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Abstract

Lactobacillus gasseri LF221, an isolate from the feces of a child, produces two bacteriocins. Standard procedures for molecular techniques were used to locate, clone and sequence the fragments of LF221 chromosomal DNA carrying the acidocin LF221 A and B structural genes, respectively. Sequencing analysis revealed the gene of acidocin LF221 A to be an open reading frame encoding a protein composed of 69 amino acids, including a 16-amino-acid N-terminal extension. The acidocin LF221 B gene was found to encode a 65-amino-acid bacteriocin precursor with a 17-amino-acid N-terminal leader peptide. DNA homology searches showed similarities of acidocin LF221 A to brochocin B, lactococcin N and thermophilin B, whereas acidocin LF221 B exhibited some homology to lactacin F and was virtually identical to gassericin X. The peptides encoded by orfA1 and orfB3 showed characteristics of class II bacteriocins and are suspected to be the complementary peptides of acidocin A and B, respectively. orfA3 and orfB5 are proposed to encode putative immunity proteins for the acidocins. Acidocin LF221 A and acidocin LF221 B are predicted to be members of the two-component class II bacteriocins, where acidocin LF221 A appears to be a novel bacteriocin. L. gasseri LF221 is being developed as a potential probiotic strain and a food/feed preservative. Detailed characterization of its acidocins is an important piece of background information useful in applying the strain into human or animal consumption. The genetic information on both acidocins also enables tracking of the LF221 strain in mixed populations and complex environments.

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Acknowledgements.

We thank the Slovenian Ministry of Science and Technology for funding the work presented (contract 3411-97-24-7446). The majority of the molecular biology experiments were accomplished in the laboratory of the Department of Food Science, North Carolina State University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Dairy Science, Zootechnical Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3, 1230, Domžale, Slovenia

    A. Č. Majhenič, B. B. Matijašić & I. Rogelj

  2. Department of Nutritional Physiology, TNO Nutrition and Food Research, P.O. Box 360, 3700 AJ, Zeist, The Netherlands

    K. Venema

  3. Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 410 Agriculture/Forestry Center, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P5, Canada

    G. E. Allison

  4. Department of Food Science, Southeast Dairy Foods Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7624, USA

    T. R. Klaenhammer

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  1. A. Č. Majhenič
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  2. K. Venema
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  3. G. E. Allison
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  4. B. B. Matijašić
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Correspondence to A. Č. Majhenič.

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Majhenič, A.Č., Venema, K., Allison, G.E. et al. DNA analysis of the genes encoding acidocin LF221 A and acidocin LF221 B, two bacteriocins produced by Lactobacillus gasseri LF221. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 63, 705–714 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-003-1424-2

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