Optimized Recombinant DNA for the Secretion of Pediocin PA-1 in Escherichia coli

To enhance the expression and secretion of pediocin PA-1 from heterologous bacterial hosts, the promoter and deduced signal sequence (PS) of an α-amylase gene from a Bifidobacterium adolescentis strain was fused with pediocin PA-1 structural and immunity genes (AB) and the resulting functions were evaluated in Escherichia coli. Two recombinant PCR products were created－one with just the deduced signal sequence and one with the sequence plus the Ser and Thr sequences that are the next two amino acids of the signal sequence. These two products, the PSAB (---AQA::KYY---) and PSABST (---AQAST::KYY---), respectively, were inserted into a TA cloning vector (yT&A) and named pPSAB, which was previously reported, and pPSABST. The two recombinant plasmid DNAs were transferred into E. coli JM109 and the transformants displayed antimicrobial activity, where the activity of E. coli JM109 (pPSAB) was stronger than that of E. coli JM109 (pPSABST), indicating that the ST amino acid residues were not necessary for secretion and might have even decreased the antimicrobial activity of recombinant pediocin PA-1.