Functional analysis of the biosynthetic gene cluster required for immunity and secretion of a novel Lactococcus-specific bacteriocin, lactococcin Z.

AIMS: Characterization of the biosynthesis (secretion and immunity) of lactococcin Z.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Lactococcin Z is produced by Lactococcus lactisQU 7. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the lactococcin Z gene cluster (c. 5·1 kb) includes four genes encoding putative biosynthetic proteins, LczB (self-immunity protein), LczC (an ABC transporter) and LczD (a transport accessory protein), besides the previously identified LczA. LczB showed 25·5% identity to LciA, the lactococcin A immunity protein, while LczC and LczD had 93·7 and 95·3% identities, respectively, to corresponding proteins of lactococcin A. Heterologous expression of various combinations of the four genes indicated that lczB confers self-immunity against lactococcin Z, and that the four genes are necessary to produce lactococcin Z. However, LczB and LciA showed no cross-immunity to lactococcins A and Z respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The results verified that LczB is the lactococcin Z immunity protein, and LczC is responsible for lactococcin Z secretion in a manner dependent on LczD expression.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The biosynthesis (secretion and immunity) of a new Lactococcus-specific bacteriocin, lactococcin Z, was characterized. Moreover, the results suggested that lactococcin Z has different immunity and action mechanisms from other Lactococcus-specific bacteriocins.