Identification and characterisation of a gene encoding aminoacylase activity from Lactococcus lactis MG1363

Analysis of the sequence of a randomly cloned chromosomal DNA fragment (3.2 kb) from Lactococcus lactis revealed the presence of part of an open readi ng frame, designated tn,amd1, which specifies a protein displaying signific ant similarity to aminoacylases from various bacteria. The presence of an i mmobilised copy of an IS982 element immediately upstream of the coding regi on of amd1 has probably resulted in the displacement of amd1's native promo ter. This genetic organisation was shown to be retained in seven other dair y strains, one of which was only slightly different. The amd1 gene was over expressed in L. lactis NZ9800 under the control of the inducible nisA promo ter and the deacetylating capacity of its gene product was measured on a nu mber of substrates. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societi es. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.