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Changes of Curdlan Biosynthesis and Nitrogenous Compounds Utilization Characterized in ntrC Mutant of Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749

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Abstract

The regulatory function of global regulator NtrC on curdlan biosynthesis and nitrogen consumption under nitrogen-limited condition in Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749 was investigated. The ntrC mutant of Agrobacterium sp. was constructed by homologous recombination. The ability to utilize NH4Cl and KNO3 was impaired in the mutant. Other nitrogenous compounds, such as glutamic acid and glutamine, were utilized normally. Curdlan production capability was impaired severely in the mutant. Curdlan production was 5-fold lower than the wild type strain in batch fermentation with NH4Cl as the sole nitrogen source. However, up to 6.5 g l−1 of a newly found alkali-insoluble biopolymer was produced by the ntrC mutant when glutamic acid was used as nitrogen source. The new biopolymer had glycosidic bond and hydroxyl group but no β-configuration absorption peak on IR spectrum was found as different from curdlan. In addition, the mutant exhibited a rapid morphological change from the dot to rod form. These results deduced that the global regulator NtrC was involved in curdlan and other biopolymer biosynthesis in Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749 in response to nitrogen-limited condition.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (20676055 and 20806034), National Programs for High Technology Research and Development of China (No. 2006AA02Z207), Twelve Five Program of China (2011BAD23B04) and Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (No. 111-2-06).

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  1. Key Lab of Carbohydrate Chemistry & Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, China

    Li-Jun Yu, Jian-Rong Wu, Zhi-Yong Zheng, Xiao-Bei Zhan & Chi Chung Lin

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  1. Li-Jun Yu
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  2. Jian-Rong Wu
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  3. Zhi-Yong Zheng
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  4. Xiao-Bei Zhan
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Correspondence to Xiao-Bei Zhan.

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Yu, LJ., Wu, JR., Zheng, ZY. et al. Changes of Curdlan Biosynthesis and Nitrogenous Compounds Utilization Characterized in ntrC Mutant of Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749. Curr Microbiol 63, 60–67 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-011-9942-0

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