Generation of tools for expression and purification of the phage-encoded Type I restriction enzyme inhibitor, Ocr

Microbiology (Reading). 2024 Jul;170(7):001465. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.001465.

Abstract

DNA manipulation is an essential tool in molecular microbiology research that is dependent on the ability of bacteria to take up and preserve foreign DNA by horizontal gene transfer. This process can be significantly impaired by the activity of bacterial restriction modification systems; bacterial operons comprising paired enzymatic activities that protectively methylate host DNA, while cleaving incoming unmodified foreign DNA. Ocr is a phage-encoded protein that inhibits Type I restriction modification systems, the addition of which significantly improves bacterial transformation efficiency. We recently established an improved and highly efficient transformation protocol for the important human pathogen group A Streptococcus using commercially available recombinant Ocr protein, manufacture of which has since been discontinued. In order to ensure the continued availability of Ocr protein within the research community, we have generated tools and methods for in-house Ocr production and validated the activity of the purified recombinant protein.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriophages / enzymology
  • Bacteriophages / genetics
  • Deoxyribonucleases, Type I Site-Specific / genetics
  • Deoxyribonucleases, Type I Site-Specific / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Recombinant Proteins* / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins* / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins* / metabolism
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / enzymology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / genetics
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / metabolism
  • Transformation, Bacterial
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • Deoxyribonucleases, Type I Site-Specific