Functionality of Metdi5511gene in Methylobacterium dichloromethanicum DM4

A knockout mutant of Methylobacterium dichloromethanicum DM4 with an inactivated gene of a putative transcription regulator METDI5511 (ΔMETDI5511) has been obtained. The expression of this gene increases many times when the strain is grown on dichloromethane compared to methanol. The mutant had a low growth rate on dichloromethane as compared with the original strain and was found to be more sensitive to influences of various types of stress (oxidative, osmotic stress, heat, and drying). The cells were stained with Fluorescent Brightener 28 (Calcofluor white), and the intensity of their fluorescence showed that the ΔMETDI5511 mutant had significantly increased numbers of surface polysaccharides with β-1,3 and β-1,4-glycoside bonds. The results indicate that the METDI5511 gene is involved in the regulation of surface polysaccharides that play an important role in adaptation of cells to growth on dichloromethane.