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Cloning and heterologous expression of Lactobacillus reuteri uroporphyrinogen III synthase/methyltransferase gene (cobA/hemD): preliminary characterization

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Abstract

Purpose of work

To clone, express and characterize uroporphyrinogen III synthase/methyltransferase gene (cobA/hemD) from Lactobacillus reuteri.

Some strains of Lb. reuteri produce cobalamin (vitamin B12). Cobalamin biosynthesis relies on the sequential action of more than 25 enzymes in a complex metabolic pathway. We have cloned, expressed and characterized the gene in Lb. reuteri that codes for the S-adenosy l-methionine uroprophyrinogen III methyltransferase/synthase (CobA/HemD), a key bifunctional enzyme in the biosynthesis of cobalamin and other tetrapyrrols.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by grants from CONICET and Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica. Verónica Vannini is the recipient of a fellowship from CONICET (Argentina). We are also grateful to Dr. Lars Hederstedt for sending us E. coli SASZ31.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA-CONICET), Chacabuco 145 (4000), San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina

    Verónica Vannini, Adriana Rodríguez, José L. Vera, Graciela F. de Valdéz, María P. Taranto & Fernando Sesma

  2. Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Bioquímica, Instituto de Microbiología, UNT, Tucumán, Argentina

    Graciela F. de Valdéz

Authors
  1. Verónica Vannini
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  2. Adriana Rodríguez
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  3. José L. Vera
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  4. Graciela F. de Valdéz
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  5. María P. Taranto
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  6. Fernando Sesma
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fernando Sesma.

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Vannini, V., Rodríguez, A., Vera, J.L. et al. Cloning and heterologous expression of Lactobacillus reuteri uroporphyrinogen III synthase/methyltransferase gene (cobA/hemD): preliminary characterization. Biotechnol Lett 33, 1625–1632 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-011-0609-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-011-0609-5

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