Improved vectors for nisin-controlled expression in gram-positive bacteria

A set of shuttle vectors, able to replicate in Escherichia coli and in gram -positive bacteria, containing a nisin-inducible promoter (PnisA) and genes encoding NisR and NisK, the two-component signaling mechanism for activati ng transcription from PnisA in the presence of nisin, was constructed. To t est these vectors, Enterococcus faecalis pCF10 plasmid gents prgX, prgY, an d prgZ, which respectively encode cytosolic, integral membrane, and cell su rface proteins, were cloned downstream of PnisA. Increased protein expressi on, in the presence of nisin, was demonstrated by western blot analysis. (C ) 2000 Academic Press.