The novel sRNA s015 improves nisin yield by increasing acid tolerance of Lactococcus lactis F44

• Published in: Applied microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 101; no. 16; pp. 6483 - 6493
• Main Authors: Qi, Jiakun, Caiyin, Qinggele, Wu, Hao, Tian, Kairen, Wang, Binbin, Li, Yanni, Qiao, Jianjun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2017; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: acid tolerance; Acids; Adaptation, Physiological - genetics; Anti-Bacterial Agents - biosynthesis; Antimicrobial agents; antimicrobial peptides; Applied Microbial and Cell Physiology; Bacteria; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biosynthesis; Biotechnology; Computer Simulation; Gene sequencing; Genetic aspects; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactococcus; Lactococcus lactis; Lactococcus lactis - drug effects; Lactococcus lactis - genetics; Lactococcus lactis - metabolism; Lactococcus lactis - physiology; Libraries; Life Sciences; messenger RNA; Methods; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Microbiology; Nisin; Nisin - analysis; Nisin - biosynthesis; non-coding RNA; Northern blotting; Peptides; Physiological aspects; Polymerase chain reaction; Post-transcription; prediction; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA sequencing; RNA, Small Untranslated - genetics; sequence analysis; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Statistical analysis; Transcription; Nisin; Acid tolerance; sRNA; L. lactis
• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-017-8399-x
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614

Nisin, a polycyclic antibacterial peptide produced by Lactococcus lactis , is stable at low pH. Improving the acid tolerance of L. lactis could thus enhance nisin yield. Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) play essential roles in acid tolerance by regulating their target mRNAs at the post-transcriptional level. In this study, a novel sRNA, s015, was identified in L. lactis F44 via the use of RNA sequencing, qRT-PCR analysis, and Northern blotting. s015 improved the acid tolerance of L. lactis and boosted nisin yield at low pH. In silico predictions enabled us to construct a library of possible s015 target mRNAs. Statistical analysis and validation suggested that s015 contains a highly conserved region (5′-GAAAAAAAC-3′) that likely encompasses the regulatory core of the sRNA. atpG , busAB , cysD , ilvB , tcsR , ung , yudD , and ywdA were verified as direct targets of s015, and the interactions between s015 and its target genes were elucidated. This work provided new insight into the adaptation mechanism of L. lactis under acid stress .