Simple, rapid, and efficient techniques of DNA isolation from a wide range of organisms are currently in demand in biotechnology and bioinformatics. Cell-wall destruction, as well as the subsequent DNA extraction from the disintegrated cells, is key (and often limiting) step. We have developed a new approach to DNA isolation from organisms with robust cell walls. The protocol includes the following steps: the treatment of cells or tissue samples with ammonium acetate, followed by cell lysis in low-salt buffer with added SDS. Further DNA extraction is carried out according to standard methods. This approach is efficient for the isolation of large amounts of high-molecular native DNA from bacteria, ascomycetes, yeasts, and mammalian blood; it is also useful for the express analysis of environmental microbial isolates and for plasmid extraction in two-hybrid library screening.

Currently, simple, rapid, and efficient techniques for DNA isolation from a wide range of organisms are in demand in biotechnology and bioinformatics. A key (and often limiting) step is the cell wall disruption and subsequent DNA extraction from the disintegrated cells. We have developed a new approach to DNA isolation from organisms with robust cell walls. The protocol includes the following steps: treatment of cells or tissue samples with ammonium acetate followed by cell lysis in low-salt buffer with the addition of SDS. Further DNA extraction is carried out according to standard methods. This approach is efficient for high-molecular native DNA isolation from bacteria, ascomycetes, yeast, and mammalian blood; it is also useful for express analysis of environmental microbial isolates and for plasmid extraction for two-hybrid library screening. express method for DNA isolation; ammonium salt treatment (в русских ключевых такой порядок), osmotic breakage of cells This study was financially supported by the NRC "Kurchatov Institute"-GOSNIIGENETIKA Kurchatov Genomic Center.

A metallocarboxypeptidase produced by Streptomyces bikiniensis 27 strain (VKPM Ac-1783) (CPSb) was purified and characterized. The enzyme cleaves both basic and hydrophobic C-terminal amino acid residues from synthetic peptides, that is, it possesses specificity of mammalian carboxypeptidases A and B. The enzyme also hydrolyzes peptides bearing glutamic acid at the C-end. CPSb exhibits its maximal activity at pH 7.0–7.6 and 55°C. The nucleotide sequence encoding the mature CPSb in S. bikiniensis 27 (VKPM Ac-1783) genome (Accession No. GU362077) was determined. It is shown that the primary structure of the mature enzyme has a moderate degree of identity with orthologs from Streptomyces griseus (79% identity) and Streptomyces avermitilis (85% identity).

Выделена и охарактеризована металлокарбоксипептидаза, продуцируемая штаммом Streptomyces bikiniensis 27 (ВКПМ Ас-1783) (КПSb). Фермент способен c равной эффективностью отщеплять от синтетических пептидов как основные, так и гидрофобные С-концевые остатки, т.е. обладает специфичностью карбоксипептидаз А и В млекопитающих. Фермент также гидролизует пептиды, имеющие на С-конце глутаминовую кислоту. КПSb имеет максимальную активность при рН 7,0-7,6 и 55°. Установлена последовательность участка ДНК, соответствующего зрелому ферменту КПSb в геноме S. bikiniensis 27 (ВКПМ Ас-1783) (Accession No GU362077). Показано, что первичная структура зрелого фермента имеет умеренную степень идентичности с ортологами из Streptomyces griseus (79% идентичности) и Streptomyces avermitilis (85% идентичности).

An expression system for an effective production of recombinant protein Cry9A in bacillary cell has been suggested in the study. The proteins’ immunological properties, ability to proteolysis, and biological activity were identical to natural protein. The ability of recombinant Cry9A to form crystal bodies in sporulating cells of Bacillus thuringiensis has been shown. Thus, the first evidences of the fact that Cry-proteins which in natural strains form the crystal bodies together with other endotoxins are able to independently form the crystals has been received. The introduced system including vector replicative carriers, expression cassettes, and a protocol of obtaining and cultivation of strain-producer allows simple manipulations with the gene of delta-endotoxin of Cry9A in gene-engineering experiments.

The strain B-1166 differs from the other strains of Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. finitimus because it has two crystal types with different localization in the sporulating cell, i.e., inside and outside of exosporium membrane. Two dissociants of the strain were obtained containing only one of the crystal types. The initial strain produces at least three various delta-endotoxins (Fin2, Fin3, and Fin5) differing from all other known entomocidal proteins; Fin2 and Fin3 are similar to each other but differ from Fin5. Both crystal types contain the same endotoxins (Fin2, Fin3, and Fin5). In the B-1166 strain the site of crystal deposition is not determined by their protein composition.

P33 protein was isolated from the cell walls of Candida utilis. Homology between P33 and Bgl2p proteins from the cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was shown. The important role of these proteins in molecular organization of yeast cell walls was demonstrated using trypsin proteolysis and the "gene disruption" method.