Modified gram positive bacteria and uses thereof
AssigneeIntrexon Actobiotics NV
InventorsLothar Steidler, Karolien Van Huynegem, Klaas Vandenbroucke
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Abstract
The present invention relates to gram positive bacteria with increased stress resistance and/or improved storage characteristics. In particular, the invention relates to gram positive bacterium which accumulate intracellular trehalose. The gram positive bacterium according to the invention lack cellobiose-specific PTS system IIC component (PtcC) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further lack trehalose 6-phosphate phosphorylase (TrePP) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further overexpress trehalose transporters. The invention further relates to compositions comprising such gram positive bacterium as well as methods and uses thereof.
Claims28
A non-pathogenic gram positive bacterium lacking cellobiose-specific PTS system IIC component (PtcC) activity, preferably wherein the gene encoding endogenous PtcC has been partially or completely deleted, disrupted or inactivated such as being incapable of producing functional ptcC gene product.
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A method for internally accumulating trehalose in a gram positive bacterium lacking cellobiose-specific PTS system IIC component (PtcC) activity, preferably wherein the gene encoding endogenous PtcC has been partially or completely deleted, disrupted or inactivated such as being incapable of producing functional ptcC gene product, comprising propagating the gram positive bacterium in a medium comprising a substrate material capable of being fermented by said gram positive bacterium, whereby trehalose is accumulated in the gram positive bacterium.
A method for improving stress resistance or storage characteristics of a gram positive bacterium, preferably a lactic acid bacterium (LAB) or Bifidobacterium, preferably one or more stress resistance or storage characteristics selected from the group comprising resistance to acid conditions, resistance to bile salts, resistance to drying, freezing or freeze-drying, and osmotic resistance, comprising modifying the gram positive bacterium such as to lack PtcC activity, preferably wherein the gene encoding endogenous PtcC has been partially or completely deleted, disrupted or inactivated such as being incapable of producing functional ptcC gene product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.