Molecular cloning and analysis of the UDP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase in Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus

Mol Biol Rep. 2011 Apr;38(4):2751-60. doi: 10.1007/s11033-010-0420-8. Epub 2010 Nov 20.

Abstract

UDP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.9, UGPase) plays an important role in Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) cell envelope Hyaluronic acid (HA) biosynthesis and it is also recognized as a virulence determinant in several bacterial species. HA is valuable biopolymer used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. In addition, encapsulation by HA is considered an important virulence factor in other streptococci. Research UGPase will contribute to the vaccine development of S. zooepidemicus and the production of HA. In this study, The UGPase gene fragment (789 bp) obtained from previous research was amplified using PCR, and located by Genome walking technology (Genebank No.GQ423507). The UGPase was expressed, purified and identified using UGPase antibody. The enzyme kinetic parameters were determined, the temperature and pH of the highest activity for the cloned UGPase were 37°C, pH 7.5. The Km and Kcat value against UTP and G-1-P was 8.5 μM, 69.05 s(-1) and 36.41 μM, 48.81 s(-1), respectively. The homology-modeling was operated. Overexpression of the UGPase in S. zooepidemicus, its virulence was slightly affected, and HA yield reduced. Real-time PCR was carried out to determine the UGPase expression levels of both SEZp and SEZugp in different grow period, the level is high in logarithmic phase and low in Decline phase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Hyaluronic Acid / biosynthesis*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Immunoblotting
  • Kinetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligonucleotides / genetics
  • Phylogeny*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Streptococcus equi / enzymology*
  • Streptococcus equi / genetics
  • Streptococcus equi / pathogenicity
  • Temperature
  • UTP-Glucose-1-Phosphate Uridylyltransferase / genetics*
  • UTP-Glucose-1-Phosphate Uridylyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Oligonucleotides
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • UTP-Glucose-1-Phosphate Uridylyltransferase