Abstract
A detailed understanding of gene structure and expression in lactic acid bacteria is essential for the successful application of genetic modification techniques for both the improvement of these bacteria used in industrial dairy and food fermentations and their use as food-grade production organisms. This paper is intended to review the organization and expression of homologous and heterologous genes in the mesophilic lactic acid bacteria of the genera Lactococcus and Leuconostoc.Specific attention is given to the well-studied lactococcal lactose and proteinase genes encoding the fermentation of lactose and the degradation of casein, respectively. The detailed molecular analysis of these genes and their gene products has been applied in lactococci to the development of a food-grade marker system and overproduction and complete secretion of a proteinase with an unique caseinolytic specificity. In addition, it enabled the construction of expression and secretion vectors. These have been used for the expression of Escherichia coli lacZ gene fusions encoding β-galactosidase in Lactococcus and Leuconostoc. Moreover, the functionality of the identified expression and topogenic signals has been demonstrated by the production and secretion of bovine prochymosin in lactococci.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.