Award details

Peptide antibiotic nisin: cloning and expression of the biosynthesis gene nisP

Reference	BBS/E/F/02200907
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Arjan Narbad
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	8,618
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	01/09/1997
Duration	5 months

Abstract

Nisin is a commercially important peptide antibiotic produced by Lactococcus lactis . Mature nisin is a secreted and extensively modified peptide, the production of which involves the expression of eleven genes. It is synthesised as an inactive precursor carrying an N-terminal leader which is required for secretion. The nisP gene encodes a protease which specifically cleaves the leader sequence releasing the mature active molecule. The gene product, NisP, is therefore a key enzyme in nisin biosynthesis. In this project the role of NisP in nisin biosynthesis will be investigated. This will involve isolation of the gene, and cloning it into a lactococcal expression vector where production will be under the control of a strong promoter. A strain of L. lactis, deficient in the NisP function, will be used in complementation studies to identify a clone encoding the active nisP gene. Levels of NisP production will be assessed and compared with that of wild type nisin producing strains. Antibodies, raised against NisP, will be used to develop an affinity chromatography system for purification of the protease. In addition the regulation of the nisP gene will be examined.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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