Difference between revisions of "Part:BBa K1172303"

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Riboflavin synthesis gene cluster from shewanella oneidensis

Figure 13: Comparison of colour change in riboflavin strains. Left: E. coli KRX wild type; Middle top: Ribo-strain with strong Anderson-promoter (And77) in wrong M9-medium; Middle below: same strain in good M9; Right top: Ribo-strain with medium Anderson-promoter (And33) in wrong M9; Right below: same strain in good M9

This gene cluster consists of four different genes that form a single operon. These genes are pivotal in the riboflavin biosythesis pathway of shewanella oneidensis and are transcribed polycystronic. The original operon in shewanella oneidensis has additional activator and repressor genes. It was observed that these are not sufficient for riboflavin overproduction. Therefore these genes were not isolated from genomic DNA.

Usage and Biology

Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2 is a redox-active substance that plays an essential role in living cells. As precursor of FMN and FAD it is crucial for diverse energy supplying metabolic processes, e.g. beta-oxidation or oxidative phosphorylation. Riboflavin is water soluble and shows a distinct yellow coloration. For that reason it is although used for food coloration. It is easily detectable through absorbance and fluorescence measurement. Due to its fluorescent properties and non-toxicity it is used to detect leaks or to control cleaning processes.

Figure 2: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) and flavin-coenzymes FMN (flavin mononucleotide) and FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide).

Chemically riboflavin consists of two functional subunits, a short-chain ribitol and a tricyclic heterosubstituted isoalloxazine ring. The latter, also known as a riboflavin ring, exists in three redox states and is responsible for the diverse chemical activity of riboflavin. A fully oxidized quinone, a one-electron semiquinone and a fully reduced hydroquinone states are the three stages of riboflavin oxidation. In an aqueous solution, the quinone (fully oxidized) form of riboflavin has a typical yellow coloring. It becomes red in a semi-reduced anionic or blue in a neutral form and is colorless when fully reduced.

Secreted into the medium, it can be effectively used by some bacteria for electron transfer. Presence of riboflavin in anaerobic cultures leads to higher current flow in a microbial fuel cell, which made riboflavin overproduction a suitable target for optimisation of our MFC.
We have shown that cloning of the riboflavin cluster from a metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 in E. coli is sufficient to achieve significant riboflavin overproduction detectable both in supernatant and in cells.

Sequence and Features

Part uses

For overproduction of riboflavin, the BioBrick BBa_K1172303 was combined with promoters of different strenghts.

Since the regional in Lyon, we were able to combine BBa_K1172303 with other BioBricks from our project.

Results

Confirming overexpression of the rib-gene cluster

The overexpression of BBa_K1172303 and its derived devices BBa_K1172306,BBa_K1172305 and BBa_K1172304 is assured by verifying the protein Riboflavin synthase beta subunit RibE. The protein RibE is part of the riboflavin synthesis pathway of Shewanella oneidensis. The corresponding gene is ribE. This gene belongs to the rib-gene cluster, which we managed to isolate, removing all the illegal restriction sites and subsequently cloned into pSB1C3.

SDS-PAGE

The performed SDS-PAGE shows a distinct band at ~15 kDa. The exact size of the riboflavin synthase beta subunit RibE is 16.7 kDa. The band was cut out and analyzed by MALDI-TOF.

Figure 10: SDS-PAGE with 20% separating gel for the verification of proteins from the rib-cluster. From left to right: Thermo PageRuler 150 kDa prestained ladder; E. coli KRX wild type 1; E.coli KRX wild type 2; rib-T7 uninduced; rib-T7 induced; rib-medium-Anderson33; rib-strong-Anderson77

MALDI-TOF

The spot, described above, was picked and digested with trypsine. Afterwards the sample was spotted on the target and analyzed by MALDI-TOF Measurement of the sample produced valid data: RibE was examined by MALDI-TOF MS/MS with a Mascot Score of 906 against the NCBI database concerning bacterial organisms.

Figure 11: Exported MALDI-TOF results.

Figure 12: Screenshot of the BioTools user interface showing the pure results of the MALDI-TOF.

Analysis of riboflavin in supernatants

Absorbance measurement

Riboflavin has an absorption peak at 446 nm. The absorbance was measured in a TECAN infinite plate reader. The samples consisted of supernatant derived from E. coli KRX with BBa_K1172306 and KRX as the "wild type" (both strains were cultivated over 72 hours). Further intracellular measurements of both strains were obtained. Therefore, the cells were disrupted via a ribolisation step, centrifugated and the yielded supernatend was evaluated.

Table 1: Pipetting scheme and measurement results of riboflavin standards and cell samples for absorbance measurement at 446 nm in the [http://www.tecan.com/platform/apps/product/index.asp?MenuID=1812&ID=1916&Menu=1&Item=21.2.10.1 Tecan Infinite® M200 platereader]. WT = wild type, And77 = Coli equipped with BBa_K1172306, sn = supernatant, cd = cell disruption.

Riboflavin in known concentrations (5.31 * 10^-5 M) and dilutions was measured to generate a calibration curve. The subsequently computed riboflavin concentrations were 5773.3 µg / L for the supernatant of E. coli KRX with BBa_K1172306 and 6112.63 µg /L for the cell disruption samples of E. coli KRX with BBa_K1172306. The concentration of putative riboflavin in the wild type strain was not detectable.

• Absorbance measurement is the least sensitive method used for riboflavin detection. Therefore the slightly higher yields (compared to fluorescence and HPLC measurement) should be taken with a grain of salt.

Fluorescence measurement

Riboflavin absorbs light at 440 nm with a corresponding emission at 535 nm. The fluorescence was measured in a TECAN infinite plate reader. The samples consisted of supernatant samples from E. coli KRX with BBa_K1172306 (grown for 72 hours) , E. coli KRX with BBa_K1172306 (grown for 12 hours) and E. coli KRX wild type bacteria (grown for 72 hours)

Table 2: Pipetting scheme and measurement results of riboflavin standards and cell samples for fluorescence measurement, emission at 535 nm. Measured in the [http://www.tecan.com/platform/apps/product/index.asp?MenuID=1812&ID=1916&Menu=1&Item=21.2.10.1 Tecan Infinite® M200 platereader]. WT = wild type, And77 = Coli equipped with BBa_K1172306, sn = supernatant, cd = cell disruption.

Riboflavin in known concentrations and dilutions was measured to generate a calibration line. The subsequently computed riboflavin concentrations were 308.1 µg / L for the supernatant sample after 12 hours and 3821.5 µg /L for the supernatant sample after 72 hours. The concentration of putative riboflavin in the wild type strain was not detectable.

HPLC measurement

Supernatant and cell disruption samples of E. coli KRX with BBa_K1172306 (grown for 72 hours) , E. coli KRX with BBa_K1172306 (grown for 12 hours) and E. coli KRX wild type bacteria (grown for 72 hours) were measured in a HPLC detector.

Table 3: HPLC measurement results for riboflavin concentrations in supernatant (sn) and cell disruption (cd) samples after 72 hours and 12 hours of cultivation respectively.

Figure 13: Results of the HPLC measurement shown as graph. Figure 13 was centered on the riboflavin peak for a better view.

In summary, the obtained data showed, that after 72 hours of cultivation the concentration of riboflavin in the supernatant and cell disruption samples of E. coli KRX+BBa_K1172306 was 60fold higher than in the E. coli KRX wild type: Approx. 4400 µg/L, yielded with BioBrick carrying KRX compared to 67.05 µg/L for the KRX wild type. Even after 12 hours, the riboflavin producing strain had generated ten times as much riboflavin as the wild type: Approx. 700 µg/L compared to 76.64 µg/L.

• HPLC yielded the only results for riboflavin concentration in KRX wild type supernatants due to its sensitivity.

LC/MS measurement

Supernatant samples of a wild type E. coli KRX (grown for 72 hours) and E. coli KRX with BBa_K1172306 (grown for 72 hours and 36 hours) were measured. One sample of E. coli KRX with BBa_K1172306, which had been grown in a biased M9 medium for 72 hours was measured additionally.

Figure 14: LC/MS results presented as list depiction.

Figure 15: LC/MS results presented as overlay depiction.

The BBa_K1172306 carrying strains produced a much higher amount of riboflavin compared to the wild type E. coli KRX strain. The LC/MS results do not allow for a statement on how much more riboflavin E. coli KRX+BBa_K1172306 produces. Nevertheless, it is obvious that riboflavin was overproduced in a remarkable quantity.

Evaluation of the measurements

The quantitative data obtained using absorbance, fluorescence and HPLC measurements shows a distinct trend. All samples generated from E. coli KRX+BBa_K1172306 (grown for 72 h) showed similar values of approx. 4000 µg/ml. This is a considerable increase in riboflavin production compared to the wild type KRX strains.

Conclusion

Riboflavin possesses the ability to be a potent redoxmediator. By turning the rib-gene cluster from Shewanella oneidensis into a BioBrick and subsequently cloning it into the desired chasi Escherichia coli, the iGEM Team Bielefeld was able to raise the amount of riboflavin produced by E. coli significantly. The results indicate that the transformation of E. coli with BBa_K1172303, respectively BBa_K1172306, represents a viable option when considering geneticall< optimization of microorganisms intended for usage in microbial fuel cells (MFC).

Methods for Riboflavin analysis

HPLC-Method

• Procedure:
  • Riboflavin was separated from disturbing substances on a C18 column and detected with a fluorescence detector.
• Elution:
  • The sample was injected onto a C18-reversed phase column and eluted with a buffer consisting of 99 % 0.01 M sodium acetat pH 7.4 and 1 % tetrahydrofurane. Total flow is set to 1 ml/min
• Detection:
  • Excitation wavelength of 436 nm and emission wavelength of 535 nm

• C18 reverse phase column
• Isocratic method: 99 % 0.01 M sodium acetate pH 7.4 + 1 % tetrahydrofurane
• Flow = 1 mL min-1
• UV-detection at 535 nm
• Internal standard: 5.31 x 10^-5 mg L^-1 Riboflavin
• Column:
  • Eurospher II 100-5 C18p by Knauer
  • Dimensions: 150 x 4.6 mm with precolumn
  • Particle size: 5 µm
  • Pore size: 100 Å
  • Material: silica gel
• Software:
  • Clarity (Version 3.0.5.505) by Data Apex
• Autosampler:
  • Midas by Spark Holland
  • Tray cooling: 10 °C
• Pump:
  • L-6200A Intelligent Pump by Hitachi
• UV-Detector:
  • Series 1050 by Hewlett Packard

LC-ESI-qTOF-MS(-MS)

• Column: C18 reversed phase (Cogent [http://www.mtc-usa.com/diamond_hydride_specs.asp Diamond Hydride])
  • dimension: 150 x 2,1 mm
  • Pore size: 100 Å
  • Particle size: 4 µm
• Flow: 0.4 mL min^-1
• Column temperature: 40 °C
• Injection: 5 µl
• Prerun: 5 min
• Eluent:
  • A = 50 % acetonitrile + 50 % H2O + 0,1 % formic acid
  • B = 90 % acetonitrile + 10 % H2O + 0,1 % formic acid
• Step gradient:
  • 0:00 min: 0 % eluent A
  • 8:00 min: 100 % eluent A
  • 13:00 min: 100 % eluent A
  • 15:30 min: 0 % eluent A
  • 18:00 min: 0 % eluent A
• VWR Hitachi LaChrom ULTRA HPLC equipment
• Software: HyStar 3.2, mircrOTOF Control, DataAnalysis 4.0

Ionization method

• Using Bruker Daltonics ESI-QTOF micrOTOF_Q
• ESI-QTOF-MS in positive mode
• Mass range: 50 - 1500 m/z
• Source:
  • End plate offset: - 500 V, 107 nA
  • Capillary: - 3500 V, 4 nA
  • Nebulizer: 2 bar
  • Dry gas: 8 L min^-1
  • Dry Temp.: 180 °C
• Transfer:
  • Funnel 1 RF: 200 Vpp
  • Funnel 2 RF: 300 Vpp
  • ISCID Energy: 0 eV
  • Heyapole RF: 80 Vpp
• Quadrupole
  • Ion energy: 4 eV
  • Low mass: 50 m/z
• Collision Cell:
  • Collision energy: 8 eV
  • Collision RF: 130 Vpp
  • Transfer time: 75 µs
  • Pre puls storage: 4 µs

MS-MS

• Isolated mass: 243.1 +/- 0.1
• Collision energy: 30 eV

Direct fluorescens measurement of riboflavins

• This method has been used for measurement of intracellular and extracellular riboflavin concentration.

• Protocol:
  • Inoculate an overnight culture (30 mL with 1 mL of pre-culture)
  • Centrifugate (5 min at 5000 g) of 6-10 mL overnight culture (OD 4-6), adjust volume between different samples for the approximation of the number of cells
  • Transfer supernatant in fresh reagent tube until measurement. Wash pellet 3 times with 1 mL of PBS buffer
  • Resuspend pellet in 1 mL PBS buffer
  • Cell disruption by Ribolysation (3 x 30 sec at 6500 rpm)
  • Centrifugation for 10 min at maximum speed
  • Store extra- and intracellular fractions at - 20 ° C or direct measurement with [http://www.tecan.com/platform/apps/product/index.asp?MenuID=1812&ID=1916&Menu=1&Item=21.2.10.1 Tecan Infinite® M200 platereader]

• [http://www.tecan.com/platform/apps/product/index.asp?MenuID=1812&ID=1916&Menu=1&Item=21.2.10.1 Tecan Infinite® M200 platereader] parameters:
  • Sample volume = 100 μL clear supernatant
  • Excitation = 440 nm
  • Emission = 535 nm
  • Concentration calculation by riboflavin calibration curve

References

• C. A. Abbas and A. S. Sibirny. (2011) Genetic control of biosynthesis and transport of riboflavin and flavin nucleotides and construction of robust biotechnological producers. [http://mmbr.asm.org/content/75/2/321.full#ref-292| Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 75(2): 321-360].

• Hohmann H. P., Stahmann K. P. (2010). Biotechnology of riboflavin production, p. 115–139. In Mander L., Liu H. W. (ed.), Comprehensive natural products. II. Chemistry and biology, vol. 7. Cofactors. Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA.

• von Canstein H., Ogawa J., Shimizu S., Lloyd J. R. (2008). Secretion of flavins by Shewanella species and their role in extracellular electron transfer. [http://aem.asm.org/content/74/3/615.full Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74:615–623].

• Bacher A., et al. (2001). Biosynthesis of riboflavin. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11153262 Vitam. Horm. 61:1–49.]

• Tesliar G. E., Shavlovskii G. M. (1983). Localization of the genes coding for GTP cyclohydrolase II and riboflavin synthase on the chromosome of Escherichia coli K-12. Tsitol. Genet. 17:54–56. (In Russian.)

• Seong Han Lim, Jong Soo Choi and Enoch Y. (2001). Park Microbial Production of Riboflavin Using Riboflavin Overproducers, Ashbya gossypii, Bacillus subtilis, and Candida famate: An Overview.[http://www.bbe.or.kr/storage/journal/BBE/6_2/6657/articlefile/article.pdf Biotechnol. Bioprocess Eng., 6: 75-88]