Comparison of ectoine synthesis regulation in secreting and non-secreting strains of Halomonas

Ectoine is an osmotic pressure compatible solute. It is synthesized by Halomonas and other microorganisms in a hypertonic environment. As a stabilizing agent of cells proteins, nucleic acids and other biological products, ectoine has wide applications. Therefore, an efficient production method for ectoine is in great demand. Ectoine is overproduced by Halomonas salina DSM 5928, an ectoine-secreting strain, in which the synthesis of ectoine is not limited by its intracellular threshold concentration. In order to explain the mechanism of secretion of ectoine, the response to NaCl stress, and the release and uptake kinetics of ectoine were compared between H. salina DSM 5928 and Halomonas elongata DSM 2581, a non-ectoine-secreting strain. Moreover, the ectoine binding protein TeaA from each of these two strains was cloned and expressed, and binding abilities were examined in vitro. The results indicated that H. salina DSM 5928 and H. elongata DSM 2581 respond to NaCl in the medium in different ways. Compared with H. elongata DSM 2581, the amount of ectoine released was higher and the uptake of ectoine under NaCl stress was lower in H. salina DSM 5928. In addition, the binding ability of TeaA to ectoine in H. salina DSM 5928 was also lower. These results reveal the secretion mechanism of ectoine as well as critical regulation and control factors involved in ectoine synthesis.