Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Vol.42, No.1, 67-72, 1994
Effects of the Amplification of the Genes-Coding for the L-Threonine Biosynthetic-Enzymes on the L-Threonine Production from Methanol by a Gram-Negative Obligate Methylotroph, Methylobacillus Glycogenes
We constructed recombinant plasmids carrying the genes coding for the L-threonine biosynthetic enzymes, the horn gene, the hom-thrC genes, and the thrB genes, of a gram-negative obligate methylotroph, Methylobacillus glycogenes, and examined the effects of them on the production of L-threonine from methanol. The hom gene, which encodes the homoserine dehydrogenase, and the hom-thrC genes, containing the gene coding for threonine synthase together with the hom gene, were cloned from a wild-type strain, and the thrB gene encoding the desensitized homoserine kinase was cloned from an L-threonine-producing mutant, ATR80. The recombinant plasmids were transferred into ATR80 and its L-isoleucine auxotroph, A513, by conjugation. Amplification of the genes coding for the L-threonine biosynthetic enzymes elevated the activities of the L-threonine biosynthetic enzymes of the transconjugants 10- to 30-fold over those of the strains containing only vectors. The L-threonine production from methanol in test-tube cultivation was increased about 30% and 40% by the amplification of the horn gene and the hom-thrC gene respectively, and it was slightly increased by that of the thrB gene. The effects of gene amplification were confirmed by the cultivation in 5-l jar fermenters. The best producer, an A513 transconjugant containing the plasmid carrying the hom-thr C genes, produced 16.3 g/l L-threonine for 72 h.
Keywords:LYSINE-PRODUCING MUTANTS;METHYLOBACTERIUM-ORGANOPHILUM;CLONING VECTORS;IDENTIFICATION;STRAINS