Identification of nucleotide sequence involved in Weissellicin L production

Abstract

Background: Weissellicin L, a novel bacteriocin produced by Weissella hellenica 4-7, was previously characterized but its full amino acid sequence remain unknown. The draft genome sequencing analysis of Weissella hellenica 4-7 was performed and the open reading frame (ORF) encoding the weissellicin L was identified and clarified.

Findings: The obtained results indicated that the mature bacteriocin consists of 29 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of approximately 3205.64 Da. A conserved processing site of two glycine residues in positions -1 and -2 was observed in the leader peptides. The possibility that bacteriocin secretion depended on ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter was therefore suggested. Furthermore, primers were designed from 5' and 3' flanking sequences of the weissellicin L structural gene. PCR presented a single product and was useful to detect weissellicin L structural gene.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the full amino acid sequence of Weissellicin L. A rapid method to detect weissellicin L structural gene was also reported in this study.

Keywords: Bacteriocin; Weissella hellenica; Weissellicin L.

Figure 1

Nucleotide sequence of the weissellicin L gene and the deduced amino acid sequence. An asterisk indicates the translation stop site. The mature weissellicin L peptide is highlighted in grey.

Figure 2

Ethidium bromide stained 2% agarose gel of PCR products using weissellicin L gene specific primers. Lane M, a 100-bp DNA ladder marker; Lane 1, W. hellenica 4–7; Lane 2, W. hellenica BCRC 80264^T; Lane 3, W. hellenica 203.