Open AccessCharacterization and distribution of the gene cluster encoding RumC , an anti‐ C lostridium perfringens bacteriocin produced in the gut
Author(s) -
Pujol Ange,
Crost Emmanuelle H.,
Simon Gwenola,
Barbe Valerie,
Vallenet David,
Gomez Ana,
Fons Michel
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01176.x
Subject(s) - biology , clostridium perfringens , gene cluster , gene , bacteriocin , microbiology and biotechnology , open reading frame , genetics , bacteria , peptide sequence , antimicrobial
Ruminococcin C ( RumC ) is a trypsin‐dependent bacteriocin produced by R uminococcus gnavus E1, a gram‐positive strict anaerobic strain isolated from human feces. It consists of at least three similar peptides active against C lostridium perfringens . In this article, a 15‐kb region from R . gnavus E1 chromosome, containing the biosynthetic gene cluster of RumC was characterized. It harbored 17 open reading frames (called rum c genes) with predicted functions in bacteriocin biosynthesis and post‐translational modification, signal transduction regulation, and immunity. An unusual feature of the locus is the presence of five genes encoding highly homologous, but nonidentical RumC precursors. The transcription levels of the rum c genes were quantified. The rumC genes were found to be highly expressed in vivo , when R . gnavus E1 colonized the digestive tract of mono‐contaminated rats, whereas the amount of corresponding transcripts was below detection level when it grew in liquid culture medium. Moreover, the rumC ‐like genes were disseminated among 10 strains ( R . gnavus or related species) previously isolated from human fecal samples and selected for their capability to produce a trypsin‐dependant anti‐ C . perfringens compound. All harbored at least a rumC1 ‐like copy, four exhibited rumC1–5 genes identical to those of strain E1.