Method for cloning and producing the BssHII restriction endonuclease in E.coli

Abstract: The present invention relates to cloning recombinant DNA molecules encoding a multi-specific methylase gene (bssHIIM1), Bss HII restriction endonuclease gene (bssHIIR), and the cognate Bss Hll methylase gene (bssHIIM2) from Bacillus stearothermophilus H3 E. coli .

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to recombinant DNA which encodes the BssH II restriction endonuclease as well as Bss HII methylase, and the production of BssH II restriction endonuclease from the recombinant DNA. Type II restriction endonucleases are a class of enzymes that occur naturally in bacteria. When they are purified away from other bacterial components, restriction endonucleases can be used in the laboratory to cleave DNA molecules into precise fragments for molecular cloning and gene characterization. Restriction endonucleases act by recognizing and binding to particular sequences of nucleotides (the 'recognition sequence') along the DNA molecule. Once bound, they cleave the molecule within, or to one side of, the recognition sequence. Different restriction endonucleases have affinity for different recognition sequences. Over two hundred and eleven restriction endonucleases with unique specificities have been identified among the many hundreds of bacterial species that have been examined to date (Roberts and Macelis, NucI. Acids Res. 24:223-235, (1996)). Bacteria tend to possess at most, only a small number of restriction endonucleases per species. The endonucleases typically are named according to the bacteria from which they are derived. Thus, the species Deinococcus radiophilus for example, produces three different restriction endonucleases, named Dra I, Dra II and Dra III. These enzymes recognize and cleave the sequences 5'TTTAAA3', 5'PuGGNCCPy3' and 5'CACNNNGTG3' respectively. Escherichia coli RY13, on the other hand, produces only one enzyme, Eco RI, which recognizes the sequence 5'GAATTC3'. It is thought that in nature, restriction endonucleases play a protective role in the welfare of the bacterial cell. They enable bacteria to resist infection by foreign DNA molecules like viruses and plasmids that would otherwise destroy or parasitize them. They impart resistance by cleaving invading foreign DNA molecule each time that the recognition sequence occurs. The cleavage that takes place disables many of the infecting genes and renders the DNA susceptible to further degradation by non-specific nucleases. A second component of bacterial protective systems are the modification methylases. These enzymes are complementary to restriction endonucleases and they provide the means by which bacteria are able to protect their own DNA and distinguish it from foreign, infecting DNA. Modification methylases recognize and bind to the same recognition sequence as the corresponding restriction endonuclease, but instead of cleaving the DNA, they chemically modify one particular nucleotide within the sequence by the addition of a methyl group. Following methylation, the recognition sequence is no longer cleaved by the restriction endonuclease. The DNA of a bacterial cell is always fully modified by virtue of the activity of its modification methylase. It is therefore completely insensitive to the presence of the endogenous restriction endonuclease. It is only unmodified, and therefore identifiably foreign DNA, that is sensitive to restriction endonuclease recognition and cleavage. With the advent of genetic engineering technology, it is now possible to clone genes and to produce the proteins and enzymes that they encode in greater quantities than are obtainable by conventional purification techniques. The key to isolating clones of restriction endonuclease genes is to develop a simple and reliable method to identify such clones within complex 'libraries', i.e. populations of clones derived by 'shotgun' procedures, when they occur at frequencies as low as 10 -3 to 10 -4 . Preferably, the method should be selective, such that the unwanted majority of clones are destroyed while the desirable rare clones survive. Type II restriction-modification systems are being cloned with increasing frequency. The first cloned systems used bacteriophage infection as a means of identifying or selecting restriction endonuclease clones ( Eco RII: Kosykh et al., Molec. Gen. Genet. 178: 717-719, (1980); Hha II : Mann et al., Gene 3:97-112, (1978); Pst I: Walder et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 78:1503-1507, (1981)). Since the presence of restriction-modification systems in bacteria enable them to resist infection by bacteriophages, cells that carry cloned restriction-modification genes can, in principle, be selectively isolated as survivors from libraries that have been exposed to phage. This method has been found, however, to have only limited value. Specifically, it has been found that cloned restriction-modification genes do not always manifest sufficient phage resistance to confer selective survival. Another cloning approach involves transferring systems initially characterized as plasmid-borne into E. coli cloning plasmids ( Eco RV: Bougueleret et al., Nucl. Acid. Res. 12:3659-3676, (1984); Pae R7: Gingeras and Brooks, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:402-406, (1983); Theriault and Roy, Gene 19:355-359 (1982); Pvu ll: Blumenthal et al., J. Bacteriol. 164:501-509, (1985)). A third approach, and one that is being used to clone a growing number of systems, is for an active methylase gene (Wilson, U.S. Patent No. 5,200,333 issued April 6, 1993 and Bsu RI: Kiss et al., Nucl. Acid. Res. 13:6403-6421, (1985)). Since restriction and modification genes are often closely linked, both genes can often be cloned simultaneously. However, this selection does not always yield a complete restriction system, but instead yields only the methylase gene ( Bsp RI: Szomolanyi et al., Gene 10:219-225, (1980); Bcn I: Janulaitis et al., Gene 20:197-204 (1982); Bsu RI: Kiss and Baldauf, Gene 21:111-119, (1983); and Mspl : Walder et al., J. Biol. Chem. 258:1235-1241, (1983)). A more recent method, the "endo-blue method", has been described for direct cloning of restriction endonuclease genes in E.coli based on the indicator strain of E.coli containing the dinD::lacZ fusion (Fomenkov et al., U. S. Patent No. 5,498,535, issued March 12, 1996; Fomenkov et al., NucI. Acids Res. 22:2399-2403, (1994)). This method utilizes the E. coli SOS response following DNA damage caused by restriction endonucleases or non-specific nucleases. A number of thermostable nuclease genes ( Tth 111I, Bso BI, Tf nuclease) have been cloned by this method. Another obstacle to cloning these systems in E. coli was discovered in the process of cloning diverse methylases. Many E. coli strains (including those normally used in cloning) have systems that resist the introduction of DNA containing cytosine methylation. (Raleigh and Wilson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 83:9070-9074, (1986)). Therefore, it is also necessary to carefully consider which E . coli strain(s) to use for cloning. Because purified restriction endonucleases and modification methylases, are useful tools for creating recombinant molecules in the laboratory, there is a commercial incentive to obtain bacterial strains through recombinant DNA techniques that produce these enzymes in large quantities. Such overexpression strains would also simplify the task of enzyme purification. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to recombinant DNA molecules encoding a multi-specific methylase gene ( bssHIIM1 ), Bss HII restriction endonuclease gene ( bssHIIR ), and the cognate Bss HII methylase gene ( bssHIIM2 ) from Bacillus stearothermophilus H3 E. coli. The Bss HII multi-specific methylase gene was first cloned in a Sau 3AI library using a modified pLITMUS28 vector (New England Biolabs, Inc., Beverly, MA) with two Bss HII sites. Expression of the multi-specific Bss HII methylase renders the two Bss HII sites resistant to Bss HII digestion. Surprisingly, the cloned methylase also modifies some other sites in addition to Bss HII site (5'GCGCGC3'). Specifically, this methylase also modifies Bsr FI (5'RCCGGY3') and Hae II sites (5'RGCGCY3'); and partially modifies Eag I (5'CGGCCG3') and Mlu I sites (5'ACGCGT3'). No mono-specific Bss HII methylase was recovered from the partial Sau 3AI libraries prepared from B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA. To facilitate the cloning of Bss HII restriction endonuclease gene, large amounts of Bss HII restriction endonuclease protein was purified from B . stearothermophilus H3 cells. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined as follows: (Met) Gly Glu Asn Gln Glu Ser lie Trp Ala Asn Gln Ile Leu Asp Lys Ala Gln Leu Val Ser? Pro Glu Thr His Xaa Gln Asn? Xaa Ala Asp (SEQ ID NO:1). (? = ambiguous calling). DNA fragments adjacent to the multi-specific Bss HII methylase gene ( bssHIIM1 ) were sequenced in the hope of finding Bss HII endonuclease gene. Over 5000 bp of DNA surrounding the multi-specific methylase gene was sequenced. Translation of the open reading frames into amino acid sequences did not match the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the Bss HII endonuclease protein. It was concluded that the bona fide Bss HII restriction endonuclease gene was likely located somewhere else in the B. stearothermophilus H3 chromosome. in order to determine the location of the Bss HII restriction endonuclease genes, two sets of degenerate primers were designed based on the protein sequence and used in PCR to amplify the first 59 bp of the Bss HII restriction endonuclease gene from B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA which was then cloned into pUC19 (ATCC 37254) and the insert was sequenced. A set of inverse PCR primers was designed from the known 59 bp sequence. An inverse PCR product was found in the Sau 3AI digested and self-ligated B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA. The inverse PCR DNA was cloned and sequenced. This provided an additional 465 bp of new DNA coding sequence. Another set of inverse PCR was designed from the end of the 465 bp sequence and used to amplify the remaining part of the Bss HII endonuclease gene from Hin fI or Rsa I cleaved and self-ligated B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA. The inverse PCR products were cloned and sequenced. After another 730 bp of new sequence, a stop codon was found in the Rsa I fragment. The entire Bss HII endonuclease gene ( bssHIIR ) is 1254 bp (59 bp + 465 bp + 730 bp), encoding the 417-aa Bss HII restriction endonuclease with predicted molecular mass of 47 kDa. To premodify E . coli chromosome, the multi-specific Bss HII methylase gene ( bssHIIM1 ) was cloned in a compatible vector pACYC184 (ATCC 37033). The Bss HII endonuclease gene was amplified by PCR. An efficient ribosome binding site and an optimal spacing was engineered in front of bssHIIR gene. The PCR product were cloned into pUC19. Three isolates carrying the PCR inserts were found. However, no activity was detected in the IPTG-induced cell cultures. It was concluded that the three inserts may have carried mutations in the bssHIIR gene. Vector pUC19 is a high-copy-number plasmid containing the lac promotor. Expression of genes from the lac promotor is not tightly regulated. Therefore, it was reasoned that a tightly-regulated promotor such as the T7 promotor might be desirable for the expression of bssHIIR gene. The bssHIIR gene was amplified by PCR with primers flanked by Xba I and Bam HI sites. An efficient ribosome binding site and an optimal spacing were engineered in front of the gene. The PCR product was ligated into vector pET21AT (New England Biolabs Inc., Beverly, MA), a T7 expression vector with transcription terminators upstream of the T7 promoter. The bssHIIM1 gene was first inserted into the vector pLG339. The endonuclease-carrying plasmid was then transformed into E . coli cell ER2504 [pLysS, pLG-BssHIIM1]. E. coli cells carrying pLysS, pLG-BssHIIM1 and pET21AT-BssHIIR were induced with IPTG and cell extracts were assayed for Bss HII endonuclease activity. Cell extracts from twelve isolates were assayed and all twelve clones produced Bss HII endonuclease activity. One example is shown in Figure 4. Since type II restriction endonuclease gene and the cognate methylase gene are located in close proximity to each other, a set of inverse PCR primers were synthesized based on the end of restriction endonuclease sequence. Downstream sequences were amplified by inverse PCR and cloned. The bona fide Bss HII methylase gene ( bssHIIM2 ) was cloned in two steps of inverse PCR. The entire bssHIIM2 gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into a compatible vector pLG339 (ATCC 37131) derived from pSC101 to premodify E . coli chromosome. The premodified host ER2417 [pLysP, pLG-BssHIIM2] was transformed with pET21AT-BssHIIR. The resulting strain ER2417 [pLysP, pLG-BssHIIM2, pET21AT-BssHIIR] produced 1 x 10 5 units of Bss HII restriction endonuclease after IPTG induction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is the DNA sequence of the multi-specific Bss HII gene ( bssHIIM1 ) and its encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2). Figure 2 is the DNA sequence of the Bss HII restriction endonuclease gene ( bssHIIR ) and its encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:3). Figure 3 is the Bss HII endonuclease activity assay using cell extract and λ DNA. Figure 4 is the DNA sequence of the bona fide Bss HII methylase gene ( bssHIIM2 ) and its encoded amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4). Figure 5 is the gene organization of the Bss HII restriction-modification system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The method described herein by which the multi-specific Bss HII methylase gene and the Bss HII restriction endonuclease and the cognate methylase gene are preferably cloned and expressed using the following steps: 1. The genomic DNA of B. stearothermophilus H3 is purified. 2. The DNA is digested partially with a restriction endonuclease such as Sau 3AI, or any of its isoschizomers, that generates a DNA fragment(s) containing the entire Bss HII multi-specific methylase gene. Alternatively, one can skip to step 9 to clone the Bss HII endonuclease gene directly by PCR and inverse PCR using degenerate primers that are designed from the N-terminus amino acid sequence. 3. The Sau 3AI-digested genomic DNA is then ligated into Bam HI-cleaved/CIP treated pLITMUS cloning vector with two Bss HII sites. The ligated DNA is used to transform an appropriate host, i.e. a HsdR - , McrBC - , Mrr - strain, such as E. colt strain RR1. The DNA/cell mixtures are then plated on ampicillin media selecting for transformed cells. After incubation, the transformed colonies are harvested and amplified to form the primary cell library. 4. The recombinant plasmids are next purified in toto from the primary cell library to make the primary plasmid library. The purified plasmid library is then digested to completion in vitro with Bss HII restriction endonuclease, or any Bss HII isoschizomer. The Bss HII endonuclease digestion causes the selective destruction of unmodified, non-methylase-containing clones, resulting in an increase in the relative frequency of Bss HII methylase-carrying clones. 5. Identification of the multi-specific Bss HII methylase clone: The digested plasmid library DNA is transformed back into a host such as E . coli strain RR1 and transformed colonies are again obtained by plating on ampicillin plates. The colonies are picked and their plasmids are prepared and analyzed for the presence of the Bss HII methylase gene by incubating purified plasmid DNA in vitro with Bss HII endonuclease to determine whether it is resistant to Bss HII digestion. 6. Once it has been established that the methylase gene has been cloned, the clone is analyzed by restriction mapping and deletion mapping. The entire insert is then sequenced. Following this approach, one open reading frame corresponding to the Bss HII multi-specific methylase gene is found. The cloned methylase also modifies some other sites in addition to Bss HII site (5'GCGCGC3'). The plasmid DNA carrying the multi-specific Bss HII methylase gene is also resistant to Bsr FI (5'RCCGGY3') and Hae II (5'RGCGCY3') digestion; and is partially resistant to Eag I (5'CGGCCG3') and Mlu I (5'ACGCGT3') digestion. It is concluded that the cloned methylase is a multi-specific methylase. 7. Bss HII restriction endonuclease protein is purified in large quantities and the N-terminus amino acid sequence determined. The N-terminus sequence is as following (Met) Gly Glu Asn Gln Glu Ser Ile Trp Ala Asn Gln lle Leu Asp Lys Ala Gln Leu Val Ser? Pro Glu Thr His Xaa Gln Asn? Xaa Ala Asp (SEQ ID NO:1). (?=ambiguous calling). 8. Based on the above approach, a 5.8 kb DNA fragment surrounding the multi-specific Bss HII methylase gene is sequenced using methylase containing clones. The DNA sequence is translated in all six frames and compared to the amino acid sequence of Bss HII restriction endonuclease. However, no apparent identity/homology is found between the translated amino acid sequences and the N-terminus amino acid sequence of the purified Bss HII restriction endonuclease. It is concluded that the true Bss HII restriction endonuclease gene is not located next to the multi-specific methylase. 9. Efforts are made to clone the Bss HII endonuclease directly by PCR and inverse PCR based on the N-terminus amino acid sequence. Two sets of degenerate primers are designed from the first five amino acid residues (MGENQE) (SEQ ID NO:5) and residues 15 to 20 (DKAQLV) (SEQ ID NO:6). The primers are used to amplify the beginning 59 bp of the Bss HII restriction endonuclease gene from the B . stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA by PCR. Multiple PCR products are found and DNA fragments in the range of 59 - 67 bp are gel-purified and cloned into pUC19 and sequenced. One of the two clones contained translated amino acid sequence that is identical to the expected N-terminus amino acid sequence. 10. Inverse PCR primers are designed from the beginning 59 bp DNA and used to amplify surrounding DNA sequences from B . stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA by inverse PCR. B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA is digested with the following restriction enzymes with 6 bp recognition sequences: Aat II, Bam HI , Bgl II , Bsp EI , Cla I , Eco RI , Hind III, Mlu I, Nhe I, or Sph I; and restriction enzymes with 4-5 bp recognition sequences: Sau 3AI, Nla III, Msp I, Mbo I, Hin P1I , Hha I , Hpa II, Hae II, Eae I , or Aci I. The digestions give rise to reasonable size template DNA (less than 10 kb) for inverse PCR reaction. The digested DNA samples are self-ligated at a low DNA concentration (less than 2 microgram per ml). The ligated circular DNA is used as templates for inverse PCR reactions. Single PCR products are found in Sau 3AI, Mb oI, and Aci I digested and self-ligated genomic DNA. The DNA fragments are cloned into pUC19 and sequenced, which gives rise to 465 bp of, new sequence. 11. Inverse PCR primers are designed from the end of 465 bp new sequence and used to amplify additional surrounding DNA. B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA is digested with Apol, Bsa WI, Sau 3AI, Nla III, Msp I, Mbo I, Hin P1I, Hha I, Hpa II, Hae ll, Eae I, Tai I, Hinf I, Rsa I, or Aci I. The digested DNA samples are self-ligated at a low DNA concentration (less than 2 microgram per ml). The ligated circular DNA is used as templates for inverse PCR reaction. Single inverse PCR products are found in Hin fI or Rsa I digested and self-ligated genomic DNA. The DNA fragments are cloned and sequenced. After 730 bp of additional sequence, a stop codon is found in the sequenced Rsa I fragment. The entire Bss HII endonuclease gene is 1254 bp (59 bp + 465 bp + 730 bp), encoding the 417-aa Bss HII endonuclease with predicted molecular mass of 47 kDa. 12. The multi-specific Bss HII methylase gene is cloned into pACYC184 (ATCC 37033) to premodify E. coli host. The entire Bss HII endonuclease gene is amplified by PCR with two primers. An efficient ribosome binding site and 7 bp spacing are engineered before the ATG start codon. The endonuclease gene is cloned into pUC19. Three clones with inserts are found, but no Bss HII activity is found in cell extract of IPTG-induced cell cultures. 13. In a second attempt to express the bssHIIR gene, a T7 expression vector pET21AT is used for tightly-regulated expression (F.W. Studier and B.A. Moffatt, J. Mol. Biol. 189:113-130, (1986)). Vector pET21AT carries four copies of transcription terminators upstream of the T7 promoter. The co-transformation of pLysS (F.W. Studier, J. Mol. Biol. 219:37-44, (1991)) further reduces the basal level expression under non-induced condition. The bssHIIM1 gene is amplified by PCR and cloned into a compatible vector pLG339 (ATCC 37131) derived from pSC101. The bssHIIR gene is amplified by PCR and cloned into pET21AT. E . coli host cell for T7 expression, ER2504, is transformed with pLysS, pLG-BssHIIM1, pET21AT-BssHIIR. Twelve isolates are induced with IPTG and cell extracts are prepared and assayed for Bss HII restriction endonuclease activity. All clones produce Bss HII endonuclease. 14. To clone the methylase gene adjacent to the bssHIIR gene, a set of primers are made to amplify the downstream DNA sequences. Inverse PCR products are found in the inverse PCR reactions of Hha I, Hae III, and Sau 3AI digested and self-ligated genomic DNA. The inverse PCR products are cloned and sequenced. An unfinished open reading frame is found in the newly derived 895 by sequence and compared to the known genes in Genbank. This unfinished open reading frame has amino acid sequence similarity to the known C 5 methylases. 15. A second set of inverse PCR primers are synthesized and used to amplify the downstream sequences. Inverse PCR products are found in the inverse PCR reactions of Sty I digested and self-ligated DNA. The DNA product is cloned into pUC19 and the insert is sequenced. The entire Bss HII methylase gene ( bssHIIM2 ) is found to be 1128 bp, encoding the Bss HII methylase protein with molecular mass of 42.2 kDa. 16. The entire bssHIIM2 gene is amplified and inserted into pLG339 vector. The pre-modified E . coli host cell ER2417 [pLysP, pLG339-BssHIIM2] is transformed with pET21AT-BssHllR. The resulting strain ER2417 [pLysP, pLG339-BssHIIM2, pET21AT-BssHIIR] (NEB#1070) produces 1 x 10 5 units of Bss HII restriction endonuclease per gram of wet E. coli cells. A sample of NEB#1070 has been deposited under the terms and conditions of the Budapest Treaty with the American Type Culture Collection on February 24, 1997 and received ATCC Accession Number 98334. The present invention is further illustrated by the following Example. The Example is provided to aid in the understanding of the invention and is not construed as a limitation thereof. EXAMPLE I CLONING OF BSS HII RESTRICTION ENDONUCLEASE GENE 1. Cloning of the multi-specific Bss HII methylase gene ( bssHIIM1 ) by using the methylase selection method. Ten µg of B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA was cleaved partially by 4, 2, 1, 0.5, or 0.25 units of Sau 3AI at 37°C for 30 min. The partilly digested DNA was analysed by get electrophoresis. It was found that 1 unit and 0.5 unit of Sau 3AI digestion gave rise to limited partial digestion. The Sau 3AI partially digested B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA was ligated into Bam Hl cleaved/CIP treated pLITMUS28 (a pUC19 derivative with two Bss HII sites, New England Biolabs Inc., Beverly, MA) at 16°C overnight. Ligated DNA was transformed into RR1 competent cells and plated on ampicillin plates. A total of about 1 x 10 5 cells were derived from the transformation experiment. These cells were pooled together and inoculated into 1 liter LB broth plus Ap and cultured overnight at 37°C. Plasmid DNA was prepared from the primary cell library. 10, 5, 2, and 1 µg of plasmid DNA were cleaved with 40 units of Bss HII restriction endonuclease for four hours at 50°C. The Bss HII-digested DNA was retransformed into RR1 competent cells. Plasmids were isolated again from cultures of the surviving transformants and digested with Bss HII restriction enzyme to see if the plasmid DNA was resistant to Bss HII digestion. Thirty-six plasmids were checked for resistance to Bss HII digestion. Three resistant clones (#3, #18, and #30) were found. They carry about 6 kb genomic DNA insert. When these plasmids were digested with Bsr FI, Sac II, Eag I, Mlu I, Hae II, Nar I, Hha I , Sac I , or Eco O109I, it was found that the plasmid DNA was also resistant or partially resistant to Bsr FI, Hae II, Eag I, or Mlul digestions. Cell extracts were prepared from the three isolates and assayed for Bss HII endonuclease activity No apparent Bss HII endonuclease activity was detected in the three cell extracts. The entire multi-specific methylase gene and the surrounding DNA were sequenced. The bssHIIM1 gene sequence is shown in Figure 1. No apparent restriction endonuclease gene was found. It was concluded that this methylase gene may be a phage encoded multi-specific methylase gene. The same gene was cloned and its sequence has been published (Schumann, J., et al, Gene 157:103-104 (1995)). 2. Cloning of bssHIIR gene. Since the methylase selection method yielded only a multi-specific Bss HII methylase, efforts were concentrated on directly cloning the Bss HII endonuclease gene. Bss HII restriction endonuclease was purified from B. stearothermophilus H3 cells by chromatography and subjected to N-terminal amino acid sequencing. The N-terminal amino acid sequence is as follows: (the residues in bold were used to design degenerate primers). A forward degenerate primer was designed based on the first six amino acid sequence (Met) Gly Glu Asn Gln Glu (SEQ ID NO:5). The forward primer sequence is as follows: (N=A, C, G and T; R = A, G; Y = C, T). Two reverse degenerate primers were designed based on the amino acid sequence Asp Lys Ala Gin Leu Val (SEQ ID NO:6). Because the codon coding for Leu has six possibilities (CUG, CUC, CUU, CUA, UUG, and UUA), two degenerate primers were made, one with CTN encoding Leu, the other with TTR encoding Leu. The two reverse degenerate primer sequences are: (N = A, C, G and T; R = A, G; Y = C, T) (N = A, C, G and T; R = A, G; Y = C, T) Two PCR reactions were set up: the forward primer and reverse primer 1 were used in PCR reaction 1, and the forward primer and reverse primer 2 were used in PCR reaction 2. A 59 bp PCR product would be expected if the DNA amplification showed positive results. The 59 bp of the Bss HII endonuclease gene encode the first 20 amino acids. After 30 rounds of PCR amplification (95°C 1 min, 40°C 1 min, 72°C 30 sec, 30 cycles), an expected PCR product was detected on an agarose gel. The small DNA product was gel-purified through a 3% low melting agarose gel. The gel slice was treated with β-agarase and the DNA was precipitated and cloned into pUC19. Two clones with. insert were sequenced. The sequence of the first 59 bp of bssHIIR gene are as follows: The encoded amino acid sequence is: Met Gly Glu Asn Gln Glu Ser lie Trp Ala Asn Gln Ile Leu Asp Lys Ala Gln Leu Val (SEQ ID NO:11), which matches perfectly with the N-terminal amino acid sequence derived by amino acid sequencing of the native protein. To clone the rest of the endonuclease gene, a set of inverse PCR primers was designed from the 59 bp DNA sequence. The inverse PCR primers are as follows: B . stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA was digested with the following restriction enzymes with 6 bp recognition sequences Aat II, Bam HI, Bgl II, Bsp EI, Cla I, Eco RI, Hind III , Mlu I, Nhe I, or Sph I, and restriction enzymes with 4-5 bp recognition sequences, Sau 3AI, Nla III, Msp I, Mbo I, Hin P1I, Hha I, Hpa II, Hae II, Eae I, or Aci I for two hours at the required temperatures. The digestions gave rise to reasonable size template DNA (less than 10 kb) for inverse PCR reaction. The digested DNA samples were self-ligated at a low DNA concentration (less than 2 microgram per ml). The ligated circular DNA was extracted twice with phenol-CHCl 3 and once with CHCl 3 . The DNA was precipitated with ethanol, resuspended in TE beffer, and used as templates for inverse PCR reactions (95°C 1 min, 60°C 1 min, 72°C 2 min, 30 cycles). PCR products were found in Sau 3AI, Mbo I, and Aci I digested and self-ligated genomic DNA. The DNA fragments were cloned into pUC19 and sequenced, which gave rise to 465 bp of new sequence. To clone the rest of the endonuclease gene, a second set of inverse PCR primers were designed from the end of 465 bp new sequence. The primer sequences are as follows: Two primers were used to amplify additional surrounding DNA. B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA was digested with Apol, Bsa WI, Sau 3AI, Nla III, Msp I, Mbo I, Hin P1I, Hha I, Hpa II, Hae II, Eae I, Tai I, Hin fI, Rsa I, or Aci I. The digested DNA samples were self-ligated at a low DNA concentration (less than 2 microgram per ml). The ligated circular DNA was extracted twice with phenol-CHCl 3 and once with CHCl 3 . The DNA was precipitated with ethanol and resupended in TE buffer. The ligated circular DNA was used as templates for inverse PCR reaction (95°C 1 min, 60°C 1 min, 72°C 2 min, 30 cycles). Inverse PCR products were found in Hin fI or Rsa I digested and self-ligated genomic DNA. The DNA fragments were cloned and sequenced. After 730 bp of additional sequence, a stop codon was found in the sequenced Rsa I fragment. The entire Bss HII endonuclease gene shown in Figure 2 is 1254 bp (59 bp + 465 bp + 730 bp), encoding the 417-aa Bss HII endonuclease with predicted molecular mass of 47 kDa, which matches closely with the apparent size (46.5 kDa) on an SDS-PAGE gel. 3. Expression of bssHIIR gene in pUC19 To premodify E. coli host, the multi-specific Bss HII methylase gene was cloned into pACYC184. The entire Bss HII endonuclease gene was amplified by PCR with two primers. An efficient ribosome binding site and 7 bp spacing were engineered before the ATG start codon. The endonuclease gene was cloned into pUC19. Three clones with inserts were found, but no apparent Bss HII activity was found in cell extract of IPTG-induced cell cultures. It was concluded that the inserts may carry mutations during PCR amplifications. Expression of Bss HII endonuclease gene from pUC19 may also be unstable due to leaky expression. 4. Expression of bssHIIR gene in the T7 expression vector pET21AT. In a second attempt to express the bssHIIR gene, a T7 expression vector pET21AT was used for tightly-regulated expression. Vector pET21AT carries four copies of transcription terminators upstream of the T7 promoter. The co-transformation of pLysS futher reduces the basal level expression under non-induced condition. The bssHIIM1 gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into a compatible vector pLG339 (derived from pSC101). Two primers were designed for bssHIIR gene amplification are as follows: The bssHIIR gene was amplified by PCR using Vent® polymerase (95°C 1 min, 60°C 1 min, 72°C 1 min, 20 cycles) and cloned into pET21AT. E. coli host cell for T7 expression, ER2504, was transformed with pLysS, pLG-BssHIIM1, pET21AT-BssHIIR. Twelve isolates were cultured to late log growth phase (about 120 klett units). IPTG was added to a final concentration of 0.5 mM. IPTG induction was carried out for three hours and cell extracts were prepared and assayed for Bss HII restriction endonuclease activity. All 12 clones produced Bss HII endonuclease. One clone was induced in 500 ml cell culture and its cell extract was diluted 10-, 100-, 1000-fold and used to assay Bss HII endonuclease activity on lambda DNA. Figure 5 shows the assay result. The cell extract displayed Bss HII activity after 10- and 100-fold dilutions (lanes 2 and 3). 5. Cloning of bssHIIM2 gene. In type II restriction-modification systems, the restriction endonuclease gene and its cognate methylase gene are usually arranged in close proximity to each other. The DNA upstream of the bssHIIR gene was amplified by inverse PCR, cloned, and sequenced. The upstream sequence has homolgy to known ribosomal rRNA sequence. Therefore, it was reasoned that the true Bss HII methylase gene ( bssHIIM2 ) must be located downstream of the restriction endonuclease gene. To clone the methylase gene downstream of the bssHIIR gene, a set of primers were made as follows: B. stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA was digested with Aci I, Alu I, Apo I, Bsa WI, Eael, Hha I, Hae II, Hae III, Msel, Sau 3AI, or Tsp 509I. The digested DNA samples were self-ligated at a low DNA concentration (less than 2 microgram per ml). The ligated circular DNA was extracted twice with phenol-CHCl 3 and once with CHCl 3 . The DNA was precipitated with ethanol and resupended in TE buffer. The ligated circular DNA was used as templates for inverse PCR reaction (95°C 1 min, 55°C 1 min, 72°C 2 min, 30 cycles). Inverse PCR products were found in the inverse PCR reactions of Hha I, Hae III, and Sau 3AI digested and self-ligated genomic DNA. The three inverse PCR products were cloned and sequenced. An unfinished open reading frame was found in the newly derived 895 bp sequence and it was compared to the known genes in Genbank. This unfinished open reading frame has amino acid sequence similarity to the known C 5 methylases. To clone the rest of the bssHIIM2 gene, a second set of inverse PCR primers were synthesized as follows: These two primers were used to amplify the downstream sequences. B . stearothermophilus H3 genomic DNA was digested with Ava I, Alu I, Bsa JI , Bst NI, Csp 6I, Dpn II , Eco O109I, Hae III, Hin f1I, Mbo I, Mse I, Rsa I, Sau 3AI, Sau 96I, Spe I , Sty I, Tai I, Tfi I, Tsp 45I, or Tsp 509I. The digested DNA samples were self-ligated at a low DNA concentration (less than 2 microgram per ml). The ligated circular DNA was extracted twice with phenol-CHCl 3 and once with CHCl 3 . The DNA was precipitated with ethanol and resupended in TE buffer. The ligated circular DNA was used as templates for inverse PCR reaction (95°C 1 min, 55°C 1 min, 72°C 2 min, 30 cycles). Inverse PCR products were found in the inverse PCR reactions of Hae III, Hin f1I, Mbo I, Sau 3AI, and Sty I digested and self-ligated genomic DNA. Inverse PCR product from Sty I digested and self-ligated DNA was cloned into pUC19 and the insert was sequenced. A stop codon was found in the newly derived 250 bp DNA sequence. The entire Bss HII methylase gene ( bssHIIM 2), shown in Figure 4, is 1128 bp, encoding the 375-aa Bss HII methylase protein with molecular mass of 42.2 kDa. 6. Expression of bssHIIR gene in bssHIIM2 premodified host cell. The entire bssHIIM2 gene was amplified using two primers: The bssHIIM2 gene was inserted into plasmid vector pLG339. The pre-modified E. coli host cell ER2417 [pLysP, pLG-BssHIIM2] was transformed with pET21AT-BssHIIR. The resulting strain ER2417 [pLysP, pLG-BssHIIM2, pET21AT-BssHIIR] was cultured at 30°C in 500 ml LB plus Ap (50 µg/ml), Km (50 µg/ml), Cm (30 µg/ml) to late log phase (120-150 klett units). IPTG was added to the culture to a final concentration of 0.5 mM. Following IPTG induction for three hours, cells were harvested and lysed with lysozyme and sonications. The cell extract was assayed for Bss HII activity on lambda DNA. The clone produced 1 x 10 5 units of Bss HII restriction endonuclease per gram of wet E . coli cells.

Claims: isolated DNA coding for the Bss HII restriction endonuclease, wherein the isolated DNA is obtainable from B. stearothermophilus. A recombinant DNA vector into which a DNA segment coding for the Bss HII restriction endonuclease according to claim 1 has been inserted. Isolated DNA coding for the Bss HII restriction endonuclease and methylase, wherein the isolated DNA is obtainable from ATCC No. 98334. A cloning vector which comprises the isolated DNA of claim 3. A host cell transformed by the cloning vector of claims 2 or 4. A method of producing a Bss HII restriction endonuclease comprising culturing a host cell transformed with the vector of claim 2 or 4 under conditions suitable for expression of said endonuclease.

Inventors: XIAO JIAN-PING, XU SHUANG-YONG, XIAO, JIAN-PING, XU, SHUANG-YONG
Applicants: NEW ENGLAND BIOLABS INC, NEW ENGLAND BIOLABS, INC.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: C12N15
IPC codes: C12N15, C12N9, C12R1, C12N1