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  • C12P—FERMENTATION OR ENZYME-USING PROCESSES TO SYNTHESISE A DESIRED CHEMICAL COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION OR TO SEPARATE OPTICAL ISOMERS FROM A RACEMIC MIXTURE
  • C12P37/00—Preparation of compounds having a 4-thia-1-azabicyclo [3.2.0] heptane ring system, e.g. penicillin
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  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N9/00—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Compositions thereof; Processes for preparing, activating, inhibiting, separating or purifying enzymes
  • C12N9/10—Transferases (2.)
  • C12N9/13—Transferases (2.) transferring sulfur containing groups (2.8)
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N9/00—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Compositions thereof; Processes for preparing, activating, inhibiting, separating or purifying enzymes
  • C12N9/93—Ligases (6)

Definitions

• the present invention relates to N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound producing strains, to a method for their construction as well to the identification and over expression of genes and enzymes involved in the incorporation of adipic acid from the fermentation medium into the to N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound.
• SSA's Semi-synthetic ⁇ -lactam antibiotics (SSA's) are produced on an industrial scale starting from ⁇ -lactam intermediates such as 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA), 7-amino- desacetoxy-cephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA), 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) and 7-amino-3-chloro-3-cephem-4-carboxylate (7-ACCA), 7-amino-3-[(Z/E)-1-propen-1-yl]-3- cephem-4-carboxylate (7-PACA), 7-aminodeacetylcephalosporanic acid (7-ADAC), 7- amino-3-carbamoyloxymethyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (7-ACCCA) and others.
• 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA), 7-amino- desacetoxy-cephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA), 7-aminoc
• the first generation 7-ADCA product was derived from PenG whereby both the expansion of the 5-membered penem ring to the 6-membered cephem ring and the subsequent cleavage of the phenylacetic acid side chain of the phenylacetyl-7-ADCA were carried out using chemical reactions.
• the next generation 7-ADCA product was still obtained from PenG but after the chemical ring expansion, the phenylacetic acid side chain of the phenylacetyl-7-ADCA was cleaved off enzymatically using a suitable (penicillin) acylase.
• the adipoyl-7-ADCA is recovered from the fermentation broth, subjected to a suitable acylase to cleave off the adipic acid side chain after which the 7-ADCA thus obtained is further purified, crystallized and dried.
• a suitable acylase to cleave off the adipic acid side chain after which the 7-ADCA thus obtained is further purified, crystallized and dried.
• Other side chains precursors have been disclosed in WO95/04148 (2-(carboxyethylthio)acetic acid and 3-(carboxymethylthio)- propionic acid), WO95/04149 (2-(carboxyethylthio)propionic acid), WO96/38580 (phenyl acetic acid) and WO98/048034 and WO98/048035 (various dicarboxylic acids).
• the expandase takes care of the expansion of the 5-membered ring of the various N-acylated penicillanic acids, thereby yielding the corresponding N-acylated desacetoxycephalosporanic acids.
• adipate may be degraded and used as a carbon source in the primary metabolism. This was demonstrated by Robin et al. (Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol (2001 ) 57, 357-362)) in batch cultures with sucrose as the primary carbon source.
• adipoyl-6-APA and adipoyl-7-ADCA commenced and in this stage only up to 2% of the adipic acid was incorporated in the ⁇ -lactam compounds while the remainder was used as a carbon source. It was suggested by the authors that, due to the similarity between adipic acid and fatty acids, the adipic acid degradation was likely to occur by ⁇ -oxidation. In a later study, Thykaer et al.
• adipate is costly compared to glucose or glycerol, adipate degradation is undesirable. Instead, from an industrial production process point of view, an incorporation yield of adipate into N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compounds close to 100% is very desirable.
• the invention provides a method for the identification of one or more genes of a microbial strain capable of producing an N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound and which encode one or more enzymes which are involved in the incorporation of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound by the microbial strain when cultured in a medium comprising adipic acid.
• the incorporation of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound may comprise the following steps: 1. Transport of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the interior of the microbial cell. 2. Conversion of the intracellular adipic acid into adipoyl-CoA by an enzyme such as a
• CoA-ligase (EC 6.2.1.xx) or a CoA-transferase (EC 2.8.3.xx)
• acyl coenzyme A isopenicillin N acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.164) resulting in adipoyl-6-APA.
• the adipoyl-6-APA may be converted into adipoyl-7-ADCA by means of the enzyme expandase (EC 1.14.20.1 ).
• the method for the identification of one ore more genes of the microbial strain encoding one or more enzymes which are involved in the incorporation of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound may comprise the following steps: a. Selection of a nucleotide sequence of one or more known genes and/or the amino acid sequence of one or more known enzymes, optionally encoded by said genes, which are involved in activation of acids into the respective acyl-CoA compounds. b.
• genes encoding one or more enzymes which are involved in the incorporation of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N- adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound may be selected from the group consisting of genes encoding enzymes that are capable of catalyzing the conversion of the intracellular adipic acid into adipoyl-CoA such as CoA-ligase and CoA-transferase.
• the CoA-ligase (EC 6.2.1.xx) preferably has the capability of synthesizing CoA- derivates of dicarboxylic acids such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, carboxy-methyl-thio-propionic acid, thio-di-propionic acid, trans- ⁇ -hydromuconic acid and/or adipic acid.
• a highly preferred CoA-ligase (EC 6.2.1.xx) has the capability of synthesizing adipoyl-CoA.
• the CoA-transferase (EC 2.8.3.xx) preferably has the capability of synthesizing CoA-derivates of dicarboxylic acids such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid and/or adipic acid.
• a highly preferred CoA-transferase (EC 2.8.3.xx) has the capability of synthesizing adipoyl-CoA.
• the selected sequence (probe) is a known nucleotide sequence of the gene or a known amino acid sequence of the enzyme optionally encoded by said gene and may be selected from (but is not limited to) the group consisting of the following genes:
• Probe A Acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase (EC 6.2.1.1 ) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Entrez Accession No. AAB35143).
• Probe B Phenylacetate-CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.30) from Penicillium chrysogenum (Entrez Accession No. CAA04820)
• Probe C Very long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthase (EC 6.2.1.3) Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Entrez Accession No. CAA84983)
• Probe D Acyl-CoA synthetase from Aspergillus oryzae (Entrez Accession No. Q2UHE5)
• Probe E Succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid-coenzyme A transferase subunit A (EC 2.8.3.5) from Homo sapiens (Entrez Accession No. BAB40810)
• Probe F Formyl-coenzyme-A transferase (EC 2.8.3.2) from Escherichia coli (Entrez Accession No. P69902)
• the method utilizes as a probe the amino acid sequence of the acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase (EC 6.2.1.1 ) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Entrez Accession No. AAB35143) (Probe A) and/or the amino acid sequence of the phenylacetate-CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.30) from Penicillium chrysogenum (Entrez Accession No. CAA04820) (Probe B).
• the amino acid sequence of the acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase EC 6.2.1.1
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae Entrez Accession No. AAB35143
• the amino acid sequence of the phenylacetate-CoA ligase EC 6.2.1.30
• Penicillium chrysogenum Entrez Accession No. CAA04820
• the BLAST algorithm is used to identify homologous sequences (Altschul, et al., 1990, J. MoI. Biol. 215: 403-410).
• Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (htto;/V' ⁇ w,nc i bi i;i n
• the BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment.
• the genes encoding one or more enzymes which are involved in the incorporation of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound may further be selected on the basis of their ratio of the transcript level of the gene when the parent strain is grown in a medium containing adipic acid with the transcript level of the gene when the parent strain is grown in a control medium without adipic acid (defined herein as "adipate/control" ratio).
• such a gene has an "adipate/control" ratio of more than 1 , preferably ⁇ 2, preferably ⁇ 3, preferably ⁇ 4, preferably ⁇ 5, preferably ⁇ 10, preferably ⁇ 15, preferably ⁇ 20, preferably ⁇ 30, preferably ⁇ 40, preferably more ⁇ 50, preferably ⁇ 60, preferably ⁇ 70, preferably ⁇ 80, most preferably ⁇ 90.
• the ratio of the transcript level of the gene when the parent strain is grown in a medium containing phenyl acetic acid with the transcript level of the gene when the parent strain is grown in a control medium without phenyl acetic acid (designated as "PAA/control") may be determined.
• a third ratio may be calculated by dividing the "adipate/control" ratio by the
• the gene of the invention has an "adipate/PAA" ratio of ⁇ 1 , preferably ⁇ 2, preferably ⁇ 3, preferably ⁇ 4, preferably ⁇ 5, preferably ⁇ 10, preferably ⁇ 15, preferably ⁇ 20, preferably ⁇ 30, preferably ⁇ 40, preferably more ⁇ 50, preferably ⁇ 60, preferably ⁇ 70, preferably ⁇ 80, most preferably ⁇ 90.
• Preferred genes combine a high "adipate/control" ratio with a low “PAA/control” ratio. For example, a gene with an "adipate/control” ratio of around 50 and a PAA/control ratio of around 10 (i.e.
• a adipate/PAA of 5 is preferred over a gene with an adipate/control ratio of around 50 and a PAA/control ratio of around 50 (i.e. a adipate/PAA of 1 ).
• the invention provides a gene encoding a polypeptide which is involved in the incorporation of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N- adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound.
• genes encoding one or more enzymes which are involved in the incorporation of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound may be selected from the group consisting of genes encoding enzymes that are capable of catalyzing the conversion of the intracellular adipic acid into adipoyl-CoA such as CoA-ligase and CoA-transferase as described hereinbefore.
• the genes encoding a polypeptide which is an enzyme having CoA-ligase (EC 6.2.1.xx) activity is an enzyme having CoA-ligase (EC 6.2.1.xx) activity
• • may have a genomic nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of Pc13g14420 (SEQ ID No:1 ); Pc21g22010 (SEQ ID No:2); Pc22g20270 (SEQ ID No:3); Pc22g00960 (SEQ ID No:4); Pc12g05520 (SEQ ID No:5); Pc13g12270 (SEQ ID No:6); Pc18g05710 (SEQ ID No:7); Pc20g13500 (SEQ ID No:8); Pc13g01890 (SEQ ID No:9); Pc20g10840 (SEQ ID No:10); Pc13g05130 (SEQ ID No:11 );
• Pc13g10810 (SEQ ID No:12); Pc22g06680 (SEQ ID No:13); Pc22g14900 (SEQ ID No:14); Pc22g16410 (SEQ ID No:15); Pc21 g13540 (SEQ ID No:16); Pc21 g20650 (SEQ ID No:17); Pc21g23730 (SEQ ID No:18); Pc21 g21960 (SEQ ID No:19); Pc22g24780 (SEQ ID No:20); Pc06g01 160 (SEQ ID No:21 ); Pc12g09980 (SEQ ID No:22); Pc15g00420 (SEQ ID No:23); Pc21g07810 (SEQ ID No:24) and
• • may have a corresponding cDNA nucleotide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No: 32;SEQ ID No: 33;SEQ ID No: 34;SEQ ID No: 35;SEQ ID No: 36;SEQ ID No: 37;SEQ ID No: 38;SEQ ID No: 39;SEQ ID No: 40; SEQ ID No: 41 ; SEQ ID No: 42; SEQ ID No: 43; SEQ ID No: 44; SEQ ID No: 45; SEQ ID No: 46; SEQ ID No:
• SEQ ID No: 48 SEQ ID No: 49; SEQ ID No: 50; SEQ ID No: 51 ; SEQ ID No: 52; SEQ ID No: 53; SEQ ID No: 54; SEQ ID No: 55; SEQ ID No: 56;
• • may have a genomic nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of Pc20g15639 (SEQ ID No: 26); Pc13g02780 (SEQ ID No: 27); Pc22g13680 (SEQ ID No: 28); Pc22g03940 (SEQ ID No: 29); Pc14g00590 (SEQ ID No: 30); Pc16g00210 (SEQ ID No: 31 ).
• • may have a corresponding cDNA nucleotide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No: 57; SEQ ID No: 58; SEQ ID No: 59; SEQ ID No: 60; SEQ ID No: 61 ; SEQ ID No: 62;
• • may encode a corresponding amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No: 88; SEQ ID No: 89; SEQ ID No: 90; SEQ ID No: 91 ; SEQ ID No: 92; SEQ ID No: 93
• Tables 1 and 2 show how the SEQ ID No's of the genomic nucleotide sequences, the cDNA sequences and the amino acid sequences are related to one another.
• nucleotide sequences of the genes of the present invention are not limited to the sequences listed above but also comprise sequences that are "substantially homologous" to said sequences with the proviso that said genes encode an enzyme having CoA-ligase (EC 6.2.1.xx) activity or CoA-transferase (EC 2.8.3.xx) respectively.
• amino acid sequences are not limited to the sequences listed above but also comprise sequences that are "substantially homologous" to said sequences with the proviso that the polypeptide having such an amino acid sequence is having CoA-ligase (EC 6.2.1.xx) activity or CoA-transferase (EC 2.8.3.xx) respectively.
• sequence 1 is "substantially homologous" to another sequence (sequence 2) when sequence 1 possesses a degree of identity to sequence 2 of at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, still more preferably at least 96%, still more preferably at least 97%, still more preferably at least 98% and most preferably at least 99%.
• sequence 2 is "substantially homologous" to another sequence (sequence 2) when sequence 1 possesses a degree of identity to sequence 2 of at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, still more preferably at least 96%, still more preferably at least 97%, still more preferably at least 98% and most preferably at least 99%.
• the invention provides the following genes encoding CoA-ligase (EC 6.2.1.xx): 1. Pc13g14420 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 1 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 32 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 63 as well as sequences that are more than 55% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 60%, more preferably more than 70%, more preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences. 2. Pc21g22010 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.
• Pc12g05520 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 5 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 36 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 67 as well as sequences that are more than 85% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• Pc13g12270 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 6 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 37 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 68 as well as sequences that are more than 80% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• Pc18g05710 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 7 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 38 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 69 as well as sequences that are more than 80% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• Pc13g01890 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 9 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 40 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 71 as well as sequences that are more than 75% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• Pc13g10810 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 12 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 43 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 74 as well as sequences that are more than 80% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• Pc22g16410 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 15 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 46 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 77 as well as sequences that are more than 80% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• Pc21g13540 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 16 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 47 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 78 as well as sequences that are more than 80% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• Pc21g20650 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 17 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 48 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 79 as well as sequences that are more than 80% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• Pc21g23730 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 18 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 49 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 80 as well as sequences that are more than 85% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• Pc21g21960 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 19 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 50 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 81 as well as sequences that are more than 80% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• 20. Pc22g24780 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 20 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 51 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 82 as well as sequences that are more than 70% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• the invention provides the following genes encoding CoA-transferase (EC 2.8.3.xx):
• Pc20g15630 with a genomic nucleotide sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 26 and the corresponding cDNA sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 57 and the corresponding amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No. 88 as well as sequences that are more than 60% homologues to these sequences, more preferably more than 70%, more preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% homologues to these sequences.
• the homology between two amino acid sequences refers to the percentage of amino acids that are identical between the two sequences.
• the homology is determined using the BLAST algorithm, which is described in Altschul et at. (J. MoI. Biol. 215: 403-410 (1990)).
• Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/).
• the BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment.
• a substantially homologous polypeptide may encompass polymorphisms that may exist in cells from different populations or within a population due to natural allelic or intra-strain variation.
• a substantially homologous polypeptide may further be derived from a fungus other than the fungus where the specified amino acid and/or DNA sequence originates from, or may be encoded by an artificially designed and synthesized DNA sequence.
• the homology between two nucleotide sequences refers to the percentage of bases that are identical between the two sequences.
• DNA sequences related to the specified DNA sequences and obtained by degeneration of the genetic code are also part of the invention.
• Homologues may also encompass biologically active fragments of the full-length sequence.
• Substantially homologous polypeptides may contain only conservative substitu- tions of one or more amino acids of the specified amino acid sequences or substitutions, insertions or deletions of non-essential amino acids.
• a non-essential amino acid is a residue that can be altered in one of these sequences without substantially altering the biological function.
• guidance concerning how to make pheno- typically silent amino acid substitutions is provided in Bowie, J. U. et al., (Science 247:1306-1310 (1990)) wherein the authors indicate that there are two main approaches for studying the tolerance of an amino acid sequence to change. The first method relies on the process of evolution, in which mutations are either accepted or rejected by natural selection.
• the second approach uses genetic engineering to introduce amino acid changes at specific positions of a cloned gene and selects or screens to identify sequences that maintain functionality.
• proteins are surprisingly tolerant of amino acid substitutions.
• the authors further indicate which changes are likely to be permissive at a certain position of the protein. For example, most buried amino acid residues require non-polar side chains, whereas few features of surface side chains are generally conserved. Other such phenotypically silent substitutions are described in Bowie et al, and the references cited therein.
• substitution is intended to mean that a substitution in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain.
• amino acids with basic side chains e.g. lysine, arginine and histidine
• acidic side chains e.g.
• aspartic acid glutamic acid
• uncharged polar side chains e.g., glycine, asparagines, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cystein
• non-polar side chains e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophane
• branched side chains e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine
• aromatic side chains e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine tryptophane, histidine.
• Variants of the amino acid sequences of the present inventions leading to an improved catalytic function may be obtained by modifying the corresponding genes of the present invention. Among such modifications are: 1. Error prone PCR to introduce random mutations, followed by a screening of obtained variants (essentially as described in example 4) and isolating of variants with improved kinetic properties
• Variants of the genes of the present invention leading to an increased level of mRNA and/or protein, resulting in more enzyme activity may be obtained by modifying the polynucleotide sequences of said genes. Among such modifications are: 1. Improving the codon usage in such a way that the codons are (optimally) adapted to the parent microbial host.
• Preferred methods to isolate variants with improved catalytic properties or increased levels of mRNA or protein are described in WO03010183 and WO0301311.
• Preferred methods to optimize the codon usage in parent microbial strains are described in PCT/EP2007/05594.
• Preferred methods to add stabilizing elements to the genes encoding the adipoyl-CoA forming enzyme(s) are described in WO2005059149.
• the invention provides a mutant microbial strain derived from a parent microbial strain capable of producing an N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound when cultured in a medium comprising adipic acid characterized in that the mutant microbial strain has an improved incorporation yield of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound compared to the parent microbial strain.
• the incorporation yield is defined herein as the molar percentage of adipic acid incorporated in the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound relative to the total molar amount of adipic acid consumed.
• the total molar amount of adipic acid consumed is equal to the total molar amount of adipic acid added to the fermentation process minus the molar amount of adipic acid remaining after the fermentation process.
• the improved incorporation yield may be expressed as the relative improvement if the mutant microbial strain compared to the parent microbial strain. For instance, when the parent microbial strain has an incorporation yield of 5% as defined above and the mutant microbial strain of 6%, than the improved incorporation yield of the mutant is 20% (6/5 * 100 - 100).
• the mutant strain of the invention has an improved incorporation yield of at least 5%, more preferably at least 7.5%, more preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 97%, more preferably at least 98%, more preferably at least 99%, more preferably at least 100%,
• the maximal improved incorporation yield that can be obtained is dependent on the actual incorporation yield of the parent microbial strain.
• the mutant microbial strain may have a maximal improved incorporation yield of 1900% (100/5 * 100 - 100).
• the mutant microbial strain may have a maximal improved incorporation yield of 100% (100/50 * 100 - 100).
• one or more genes of the present invention as summarized hereinbefore and which have been identified by the method of the invention as described hereinbefore and which encode one or more enzymes which are involved in the incorporation of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N-adipoylated ⁇ - lactam compound, preferably CoA-ligase and/or CoA-transferase, is over expressed in the mutant microbial strain of the invention compared to the parent microbial strain in which said gene is not over expressed.
• Over expression of a gene is defined herein as the expression of the gene which results in an activity of the enzyme encoded by said gene in the mutant microbial strain being at least 1.5-fold the activity of the enzyme in the parent microbial; preferably the activity of said enzyme is at least 2-fold, more preferably at least 3-fold, more preferably at least 4-fold, more preferably at least 5-fold, even more preferably at least 10-fold and most preferably at least 20-fold the activity of the enzyme in the parent microbial.
• the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound produced by the microbial strain may be any N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam wherein the ⁇ -lactam moiety is a penem or cephem.
• Preferred N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compounds are adipoyl-derivates of the intermediates lister before: 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA), 7-amino-desacetoxy-cephalosporanic acid (7-ADCA), 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) and 7-amino-3-chloro-3-cephem- 4-carboxylate (7-ACCA), 7-amino-3-[(Z/E)-1-propen-1-yl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylate (7- PACA), 7-aminodeacetylcephalosporanic acid (7-ADAC), 7-amino-3- carbamoyloxymethyl-3-ce
• the microbial strain capable of producing an N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound may be selected from the group consisting of a fungus, bacterium or yeast.
• the microbial strain of the present invention is a fungus, more preferably a filamentous fungus.
• a preferred filamentous fungus may be selected from the group consisting of Aspergillus, Acremonium, Trichoderma and Penicillium. More preferably the mutant microbial strain of the present invention belongs to the species Penicillium, most preferably Penicillium chrysogenum.
• a preferred bacterium may be selected from the groups consisting of Streptomyces, Nocardia, or Flavobacterium.
• the mutant microbial strain of the present invention capable of producing an N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound belongs to the species Penicillium, most preferably is Penicillium chrysogenum, which has been transformed with a gene encoding an expandase, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefE gene, which enables the strain to produce adipoyl-7-ADCA when cultured in the presence of the precursor adipic acid.
• the mutant microbial strain of the present invention capable of producing an N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound belongs to the species Penicillium, most preferably is Penicillium chrysogenum, and in addition to an expandase gene, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefE gene, has been transformed with a hydroxylase gene, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefF gene, whose expression product converts the 3-methyl side chain of adipoyl-7-ADCA to 3- hydroxymethyl, to give adipoyl-7-aminodeacetylcephalosporanic acid (adipoyl-7-ADAC).
• Penicillium most preferably is Penicillium chrysogenum
• an expandase gene preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefE gene
• a hydroxylase gene preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefF gene
• mutant microbial strain of the present invention capable of producing an N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound belongs to the species
• Penicillium most preferably is Penicillium chrysogenum
• adipoyl-7-ADAC adipoyl-7-aminodeacetylcephalosporanic acid
• the mutant microbial strain of the present invention capable of producing an N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound belongs to the species Penicillium, most preferably is Penicillium chrysogenum, and in addition to the genes encoding expandase, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefE gene, and hydroxylase, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefF gene, is further transformed with an acetyltransferase gene, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefG gene, whose expression product (i.e. the acyltransferase) converts the 3-hydroxymethyl side chain to the 3-acetyloxymethyl side chain to give adipoyl-7-ACA.
• Penicillium most preferably is Penicillium chrysogenum
• expandase preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefE gene
• hydroxylase preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus
• the mutant microbial strain of the present invention capable of producing an N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound belongs to the species Penicillium, most preferably is Penicillium chrysogenum and has been transformed with genes encoding an expandase, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefE gene, a hydroxylase, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefF gene, and an O-carbamoyl transferase enzyme, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cmcH gene, resulting in adipoyl-y-amino-S-carbamoyloxymethyl-S-cephem ⁇ -carboxylic acid.
• Penicillium most preferably is Penicillium chrysogenum and has been transformed with genes encoding an expandase, preferably the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefE gene, a hydroxylase, preferably the Streptomyces clavuliger
• the mutant microbial strain of the present invention belongs to the species Penicillium, most preferably Penicillium chrysogenum, optionally transformed with one or more of the above mentioned genes encoding an expandase, a hydroxylase, an expandase/hydroxylase, an acetyltransferase and/or an O-carbamoyl transferase, and in addition has deletions in one or more genes encoding enzymes involved in the consumption of adipic acid. Preferred examples of such modifications are (but not limited to) ⁇ -oxidation encoding enzymes.
• the respective enzymes involved may be a CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.xx), an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.xx), an acyl-CoA oxidase (EC 1.3.3.xx), an enoyl-CoA hydratase (EC 4.2.1.17), a 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.35) or an acetyl-CoA C-acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.16), respectively.
• the mutant microbial strain of the present invention belongs to the species Penicillium, most preferably Penicillium chrysogenum, optionally transformed with one or more of the above mentioned genes encoding an expandase, a hydroxylase, an expandase/hydroxylase, an acetyltransferase, an O-carbamoyl transferase and/or contains deletions in genes encoding enzymes involved in the consumption of adipic acid and in addition is also transformed with genes encoding enzymes capable of increasing the secretion of N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam in to the medium.
• a highly preferred embodiment of the mutant microbial strain of the present invention has the following characteristics:
• Penicillium belongs to the species Penicillium, most preferably Penicillium chrysogenum, and,
• genes encoding adipate degrading enzymes or adipate consuming enzymes are also modified in such a way that the degradation or consumption is lowered as compared to the parent microbial strain.
• the invention provides a method for the construction of the mutant microbial strains of the invention.
• Over expression of the gene of the invention in the mutant microbial strain of the invention is obtained with the use of nucleic acid constructs, e.g. expression constructs, which contain one or more of the selected genes, each operably linked to one or more control sequences, which direct the expression of the encoded polypeptide in a suitable expression host.
• the nucleic acid constructs may be on one DNA fragment, or, preferably, on separate fragments. Expression will be understood to include any step involved in the production of the polypeptide and may include transcription, post-transcriptional modification, translation, post-translational modification, and secretion.
• nucleic acid construct is synonymous with the term expression vector or cassette when the nucleic acid construct contains all the control sequences required for expression of a coding sequence in a particular host organism.
• control sequences is defined herein to include all components, which are necessary or advantageous for the expression of a polypeptide. Each control sequence may be native or foreign to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide. Such control sequences may include, but are not limited to, a promoter, a leader, optimal translation initiation sequences (as described in Kozak, 1991 , J. Biol. Chem. 266:19867- 19870), a secretion signal sequence, a pro-peptide sequence, a polyadenylation sequence, a transcription terminator.
• control sequences include a promoter, and transcriptional and translational stop signals.
• operably linked is defined herein as a configuration in which a control sequence is appropriately placed at a position relative to the coding sequence of the DNA sequence such that the control sequence directs the production of a polypeptide.
• the control sequence may include an appropriate promoter sequence containing transcriptional control sequences.
• the promoter may be any nucleic acid sequence, which shows transcription regulatory activity in the cell including mutant, truncated, and hybrid promoters, and may be obtained from genes encoding extra cellular or intracellular polypeptides.
• the promoter may be either homologous or heterologous to the cell or to the polypeptide.
• Preferred promoters for filamentous fungal cells are known in the art and can be, for example, the glucose-6-phosphate dehyrogenase gpc/A promoters, protease promoters such as pepA, pepB, pepC, the glucoamylase g/aA promoters, amylase amyA, amyB promoters, the catalase catR or catA promoters, glucose oxidase goxC promoter, beta-galactosidase lack promoter, alpha-glucosidase ag/A promoter, translation elongation factor te/A promoter, xylanase promoters such as xlnA, xlnB, xlnC, xlnD, cellulase promoters such as eg/A, eg/B, cbhA, promoters of transcriptional regulators such as areA, creA, xlnR,
• the promoter may be derived from a gene, which is highly expressed (defined herein as the mRNA concentration with at least 0.5% (w/w) of the total cellular mRNA). In another preferred embodiment, the promoter may be derived from a gene, which is medium expressed (defined herein as the mRNA concentration with at least 0.01 % until 0.5% (w/w) of the total cellular mRNA). In another preferred embodiment, the promoter may be derived from a gene, which is low expressed (defined herein as the mRNA concentration lower than 0.01% (w/w) of the total cellular mRNA).
• Micro Array data is used to select genes, and thus promoters of those genes, that have a certain transcriptional level and regulation. In this way one can adapt the gene expression cassettes optimally to the conditions it should function in.
• suitable promoters to be selected via this method are promoters of genes that have a very high "adipate/control" ratio as explained above.
• strong and/or constitutive promoters as isolated and/or disclosed by WO2007071399 can be considered to be suitable promoters.
• acetamide plate assay as disclosed by WO2007118836_one can easily screen for active promoters, as these should facilitate growth on acetamide as the sole nitrogen source.
• DNA fragments can be derived from many sources, i.e. different species, PCR amplified, synthetically and the like.
• the control sequence may also include a suitable transcription terminator sequence, a sequence recognized by a filamentous fungal cell to terminate transcription.
• the terminator sequence is operably linked to the 3' terminus of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide. Any terminator, which is functional in the cell, may be used in the present invention.
• Preferred terminators for filamentous fungal cells are obtained from the genes encoding Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase, Aspergillus nidulans anthranilate synthase, Aspergillus niger alpha- glucosidase, trpC gene and Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease.
• the control sequence may also include a suitable leader sequence, a non- translated region of an mRNA, which is important for translation by the filamentous fungal cell.
• the leader sequence is operably linked to the 5' terminus of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide. Any leader sequence, which is functional in the cell, may be used in the present invention.
• Preferred leaders for filamentous fungal cells are obtained from the genes encoding Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase and Aspergillus nidulans triose phosphate isomerase and Aspergillus niger glaA.
• Other preferred initiator sequences are isolated and/or disclosed by WO2006077258.
• the control sequence may also include a polyadenylation sequence, a sequence which is operably linked to the 3' terminus of the nucleic acid sequence and which, when transcribed, is recognized by the filamentous fungal cell as a signal to add polyadenosi- ne residues to transcribed mRNA. Any polyadenylation sequence, which is functional in the cell, may be used in the present invention.
• Preferred polyadenylation sequences for filamentous fungal cells are obtained from the genes encoding Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase, Aspergillus nidulans anthranilate synthase, Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease and Aspergillus niger alpha-glucosidase.
• the nucleic acid construct may be an expression vector.
• the expression vector may be any vector (e.g. a plasmid or virus), which can be conveniently subjected to recombinant DNA procedures and can bring about the expression of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide.
• the choice of the vector will typically depend on the compatibility of the vector with the cell into which the vector is to be introduced.
• the vectors may be linear or closed circular plasmids.
• the vector may be an autonomously replicating vector, i.e. a vector, which exists as an extrachromosomal entity, the replication of which is independent of chromosomal replication, e.g. a plasmid, an extrachromosomal element, a minichromosome, or an artificial chromosome.
• An autonomously maintained cloning vector for a filamentous fungus may comprise the AMA1 -sequence (see e.g. Aleksenko and Clutterbuck (1997), Fungal Genet. Biol. 21 : 373-397).
• the vector may be one which, when introduced into the cell, is integrated into the genome and replicated together with the chromosome (s) into which it has been integrated.
• the integrative cloning vector may integrate at random or at a predetermined target locus in the chromosomes of the host cell.
• the integrative cloning vector comprises a DNA fragment, which is homologous to a DNA sequence in a predetermined target locus in the genome of host cell for targeting the integration of the cloning vector to this predetermined locus.
• the cloning vector is preferably linearized prior to transformation of the host cell. Linearization is preferably performed such that at least one but preferably either end of the cloning vector is flanked by sequences homologous to the target locus.
• the length of the homologous sequences flanking the target locus is preferably at least at least 0.1 kb, even preferably at least 0.2kb, more preferably at least 0.5 kb, even more preferably at least 1 kb, most preferably at least 2 kb.
• the parent microbial strains are modified for improved frequency of targeted DNA integration as described by WO05095624 and/or WO2007115886.
• the vector system may be a single vector or plasmid or two or more vectors or plasmids, which together contain the total DNA to be introduced into the genome of the host cell.
• the DNA constructs may be used on an episomal vector. However in the present invention the constructs are preferably integrated in the genome of the host strain.
• the invention provides the use of the genes of the invention for the construction of the mutant microbial strain of the invention capable of producing an N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound when cultured in a medium comprising adipic acid whereby the mutant microbial strain has an improved incorporation yield of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound compared to the parent microbial strain.
• the mutant microbial strain may contain more than one of the genes of the present invention, all being overexpressed and the combination leading to an improved incorporation yield of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N- adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound compared to the parent microbial strain.
• the mutant microbial strain of the present invention contains one or more of the genes of the present invention encoding enzymes that are capable of catalyzing the conversion of the intracellular adipic acid into adipoyl-CoA such as CoA-ligase and CoA-transferase as described hereinbefore, as well as functionally inactivated genes encoding enzymes involved in one or more degradation pathways of adipic acid.
• “Inactivation of a gene” is defined herein as the modification of a gene in order to obtain a functionally inactive gene as defined hereinbefore.
• Methods for the modification of a gene in order to obtain a functionally inactive gene are known in the art and may include: inactivation of the gene by base pair mutation resulting in a(n early) stop or frame shift; mutation of one or more codons which encode one or more a critical amino acids (such as the catalytic triad for hydrolases); mutations in the gene resulting in mutations in the amino acid sequence of the enzyme which lead to a decreased half-life of the enzyme; modifying the mRNA molecule in such away that the mRNA half-life is decreased; insertion of a second sequence (i.e.
• a selection marker gene disturbing the open reading frame; a partial or complete removal of the gene; removal/mutation of the promoter of the gene; using anti-sense DNA or comparable RNA inhibition methods to lower the effective amount of mRNA in the cell.
• the gene has been made functionally inactive by deletion resulting in a total absence of the encoded polypeptide and hence enzyme activity.
• the invention provides a process for the production of an N- adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound by culturing the mutant microbial strain of the invention whereby the process for the production of the N-adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound has an improved incorporation yield of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N- adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound compared to the process for the production of an N- adipoylated ⁇ -lactam using the parent microbial strain.
• Figure 1 is a representation of the steps involved in deleting the Penicillium chrysogenum gene Pc22g20270.
• Figure 2 is a representation of the steps involved in confirming the actual deletion of the Penicillium chrysogenum gene Pc22g20270.
• Solid arrow Pc22g20270 promoter
• open arrow Pc22g20270 ORF
• hatched box trpC terminator
• solid box solid box
• lox site REKRAM, functional amdS selection marker gene. Numbers indicate the SEQ ID NO.'s of the oligonucleotides for the three PCR reactions indicated (see also table 4).
• BLAST algorithms are used to identify homologous sequences (Altschul, et al., 1990, J. MoI. Biol. 215: 403-410). Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLAST program uses as defaults a word length (W) of 1 1 , the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff & Henikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
• P. chrysogenum strains with and without the Streptomyces clavuligerus cefE gene encoding expandase were inoculated in 100 ml shake flasks with 25 ml of ⁇ - lactam production medium (as described in US20020039758), with either 10 g/l adipate, 3 g/l phenylacetic acid (PAA) or no precursor (control).
• the cultures were incubated at 25 0 C with 280 rotations per minute. After 90 hours the total broth was sampled and rapidly cooled. The cells were washed and the cell pellet was frozen in liquid nitrogen. The cells were subsequently disrupted by grinding the frozen pellet with a pestle and mortar, and RNA was isolated using Trizol.
• RNA quality and amount of total RNA was routinely checked on a Bioanalyzer (Agilent). Twenty microgram of total RNA was used for a standard cDNA synthesis and labelling reaction (according to Affymetrix instructions). Hybridisation of the GeneChips ® was performed according to the suppliers instructions (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, USA) Hybridized arrays were scanned and analyzed using the Affymetrix GeneChip ® Operating Software (GCOS, Affymetrix, Santa Clara, USA). All experiments were done in triplicate and the average of the three measurements was taken as the relative level of transcript.
• Genes specifically induced by adipate were identified by determining the ratios between the transcript level on adipate-containing medium and the transcript level on the PAA-containing or control medium.
• the PAA-containing medium was used to identify a- specific responses by looking at the ratios between the transcript level on control medium and the transcript level on the PAA-containing medium.
• Tables 1 and 2 the results are shown.
• Pc22g1400 Digestion of the amplified fragment with Nde ⁇ and ⁇ /s/l enabled to clone Pc22g14900 into the plasmid plSEWAn (as described in WO04106347) pre-digested with the same restriction enzymes resulting in the plasmid pi PCLA. Therefore, the expression of Pc22g1400 was controlled by the pcbC (encoding IPN synthase from P. chrysogenum) promoter and the penDE (encoding acyltransferase of P. chrysogenum) terminator.
• pcbC encoding IPN synthase from P. chrysogenum
• penDE encoding acyltransferase of P. chrysogenum
• the Pc22g 14900 expression cassette was obtained from the pi PCLA plasmid after digestion with Not ⁇ and the isolated fragment was transfected by co-transformation with the amdS selection marker in parent microbial hosts (i.e. P. chrysogenum strains expressing the expandase gene, cefE).
• the integration of the amdS marker enables the P. chrysogenum transformants to grow on selection medium containing acetamide as the sole nitrogen source.
• the amdS fragment was isolated after digestion with Hind ⁇ from plasmid pHELY-A1 (as described in WO04106347). Techniques involved in the transfer of DNA to protoplasts of P.
• chrysogenum are well known in the art and are described in many references, including Finkelstein and Ball (eds.), Biotechnology of filamentous fungi, technology and products, Butterworth- Heinemann (1992); Bennett and Lasure (eds.) More Gene Manipulations in fungi, Academic Press (1991 ); Turner, in: P ⁇ hler (ed), Biotechnology, second completely revised edition, VHC (1992).
• the Ca-PEG mediated protoplast transformation and the acetamide selection procedure used is described in EP635574.
• acetamide-positive clones were transferred to a second acetamide- containing plate and subsequently transferred to induce sporulation (for example on YEPD media per liter: yeast extract, 10 g; peptone, 10 g; glucose, 20 g) .
• sporulation for example on YEPD media per liter: yeast extract, 10 g; peptone, 10 g; glucose, 20 g
• several clones were colony purified and the presence of the Pc22g14900 expression cassette was determined via PCR.
• a piece of sporulated colony was resuspended in 50 ⁇ l of water and boiled for 10 minutes at 98 degrees Celsius. The cell debris was spun down and one ⁇ l of the supernatant was used in a specific PCR reaction.
• the adipoyl-7-ADCA concentration in the filtrate was determined via HPLC (as described in US 6,410,259) - see Table 3.
• the CoA-ligase activity and the formation of acyl-CoA compounds were determined as described in WO97/38107.
• the frozen cells were grinded and 50 mg resuspended in 2 ml extraction buffer (per 10.4 ml: 35% ammonium sulphate, 10 ml; 1 tablet of CompleteTM Protease Inhibitor (Roche) in 2 ml milliQ water, 0.4 ml; ⁇ -mercaptoethanol, 3.9 ⁇ l; ATP, 27.1 mg; pH 8.56).
• the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes at 4 0 C and afterwards the cell debris was spun down for 5 minutes at 14000 rpm.
• the protein concentration was determined with Bradford reagent.
• adipate mixture 55.1 mg/ml ATP, 250 ⁇ l; 15.35 mg/ml CoA, 250 ⁇ l; 1.0 M adipate,
• hexanoate mixture 55.1 mg/ml ATP, 250 ⁇ l; 15.35 mg/ml CoA, 250 ⁇ l; 0.4 M hexanoate, 75 ⁇ l; 50.83 mg/ml MgCI2, 50 ⁇ l; 50 mM Tris-HCI, 525 ⁇ l; pH 7.06 3.
• phenylacetic acid (PA) mixture 55.1 mg/ml ATP, 250 ⁇ l; 15.35 mg/ml CoA, 250 ⁇ l;
• Example 4 Deletion of Penicillium chrysogenum gene Pc22g20270 leads to a decreased incorporation yield of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N- adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound compared to the non-mutant parent strain.
• a selection marker gene was inserted between the promoter and the open reading frame (ORF).
• ORF open reading frame
• the promoter and the ORF were PCR amplified using the oligonucleotides SEQ ID NO. 98 plus 99 and SEQ ID NO. 100 plus 101 , respectively.
• Phusion Hot-Start Polymerase (Finnzymes) was used to amplify the fragments.
• the ampliefied fragments are approximately 1500 and 1800 basepairs (bp) in length respectievley and contain a 14 bp tail suitable for the so-called STABY cloning method (Eurogentec).
• pSTamdSL was used for cloning the PCR amplified Pc22g20270 promoter.
• pSTamdSR was used for cloning the PCR amplified Pc22g20270 terminator.
• pSTamdSL (SEQ ID NO. 102) was constructed by insertion of an inactive part of the amdS selectionmarker gene (see for example the PgpdA-amdS cassette of pHELY-A1 in WO04106347) by PCR amplification of the last 2/3 of the gene ⁇ amdS) and cloning it in the Hind ⁇ -BamY ⁇ sites of pSTC1.3.
• pSTamdSR (SEQ ID NO. 103) was constructed by insertion of another inactive part of the amdS selectionmarker gene (see for example the PgpdA-amdS cassette of pHELY-A1 in WO 04106347) by PCR amplification of the PgpdA promoter and the first 2/3 of the gene wherein the EcoRV sites where removed and cloning it in the Hindlll-Pmel sites of pSTC1.3. Also, a strong terminator was inserted in front of the PgpdA-amdS; the trpC terminator was PCR amplified and introduced via the Sbf ⁇ -Not ⁇ sites of the PgpdA-amdS fragment.
• Both vectors do contain an overlapping but non-functional fragment of the fungal selectionmarker gene amdS, encoding acetamidase and allowing recipient cells that recombine the two fragments into a functional selectionmarker to grow on agar media with acetamide as the sole nitrogen source (EP 635,574; WO97/06261 ; Tilburn et al., 1983, Gene 26: 205-221 ).
• the PCR fragments were ligated into the vectors overnight using T4 ligase (Invitrogen) at 16 0 C, according to the STABY-protocol (Eurogentec) and transformed to chemically competent CYS21 cells (Eurogentec).
• Ampicillin resistant clones were isolated and used to PCR amplify the cloned fragments fused to the non-functional amdS fragments (see Fig. 1 ). This was done using the oligonucleotides SEQ ID NO. 104 and 105. The thus obtained PCR fragments were combined (see Fig. 1 ) and used to transform a P. chrysogenum strain with the hdfA gene deleted (WO05095624). In this strain the non-homologous end-joining pathway is disturbed and therefore the random integration of DNA is drastically reduced. And as the combined PCR fragments themselves should recombine also to form a functional amdS selection marker gene (i.e.
• spores of mutant Pc22g20270 were used to inoculate 3 ml of medium in a 24-well MTP plate and grown for 2-3 days at 550 rpm, 25°C and 80% humidity. Cells are washed and protoplasted using standard buffers (see Swinkels, B.W., Selten, G. C. M., Bakhuis, J. G., Bovenberg, R.A.L., Vollebregt, A.W. 1997. The use of homologous amdS genes as selectable markers. WO9706261 ). Protoplastation was done for 2 hours at 37°C, using Glucanex at 10 mg/ml in the 24-well plates. Cells
• the first PCR reaction is to confirm the correct integration at left flanking, using for the locus of gene Pc22g20270 the specific forward oligonucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 106 and the reverse oligonucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 107; the former being specific for this gene locus and choosen just upfront of the fragment used for gene targeting and the latter annealing in the amdS selectionmarker, which can be used to verify all individual gene mutations.
• the second PCR reaction is to confirm the correct integration at right flanking, using for the locus of gene Pc22g20270 the forward oligonucleotide of SEQ ID NO.
• the third PCR reaction is to confirm the absence of the WT fragment and the correct integration at the locus of gene; for this one can combine the two locus specific oligonucleotides of the first two PCR reactions, i.e. in the case of locus of gene Pc22g20270 the forward oligonucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 106 and the reverse oligonucleotide of SEQ ID NO. 109; if the gene targeting is correct this yields a much larger band than in the case of the WT (see table 4).
• the PCR amplification is performed in a Tetrad machine of Biorad using the following program:
• Step 1 30 sec at 98°C Step 2: 10 sec at 98°C Step 3: 30 sec at 55°C Step 4: 1.5-4.5 min at 72°C
• Step 5 Repeat steps 2-4 for 35 cycles
• Step 6 10min at 72°C
• the spores of mutants for locus Pc22g20270 were inoculated in 25 ml medium as described in example 2, in 100 ml shake flasks and incubated for 168 hours at 25 0 C and 280 rpm.
• P. chrysogenum strain DS17690 S917, deposited at the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Utrecht, The Netherlands on April 15, 2008 with deposition number CBS 122850, was inoculated and grown in the same way. Subsequently, the cells were removed by centrifugation and 1 ml of the supernatant was used for NMR analysis.
• Quantitative 1 H NMR experiments were performed at 600 MHz on a Bruker Avance 600 spectrometer.
• a known quantity of filtrate a known quantity of filtrate, a known quantity of internal standard (for example maleic acid), dissolved in phosphate buffer was added prior to lyophilisation. The residue was dissolved in D 2 O and measured at 300 0 K. The delay between scans (30 s) was more than 5 times T 1 of all compounds, so the ratio between the integrals of the compounds of interest and the integral of the internal standard is an exact measure for the quantity of the penicillins, intermediates (6-APA and IsopenicillinN), degradation products (8-HPA), remaining sugar and remaining side- chain (adipate).
• the functional inactivation of gene Pc22g20270 decreased the adipoyl-6APA titer in shake flask cultivation significantly.
• the titer of DS17690 set at 100 the Pc22g20270 microbial mutant strain produced 89% adipoyl-6APA, while using phenyl acetic acid as a side chain the mutant microbial strain of Pc22g20270 had the same penicillinG productivity as the DS17690 strain.
• gene Pc22g20270 the adipic acid incorporation yield is decreased as compared to the parent strain and therefore gene Pc22g20270 should be over expressed to obtain mutant microbial strains with an improved incorporation yield of the adipic acid from the culture medium into the N- adipoylated ⁇ -lactam compound compared to the non-mutant parent strain.

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