Table of Contents

1 Gene transfer systems and transposition.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Conjugation.- 1.3 Transduction.- 1.4 Transformation.- 1.5 Protoplast fusion.- 1.6 Transposition.- 1.7 Generalized recombination.- 1.8 Chromosome mapping.- 1.9 Concluding remarks.- References.- 2 Gene cloning and expression systems in Lactococci.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Replicative gene cloning.- 2.3 Integrative gene cloning.- 2.4 Gene expression signals.- 2.5 Control of gene expression.- 2.6 Protein secretion.- 2.7 Expression and secretion systems.- 2.8 Food grade systems.- References.- 3 Bacteriophages and bacteriophage resistance.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Types and species of bacteriophages.- 3.3 Gene directed bacteriophage resistance in lactic acid bacteria.- 3.4 Novel phage defense mechanisms.- 3.5 Genetic strategies to construct phage-insensitive strains.- 3.6 Conclusions and perspectives.- References.- 4 The proteolytic system of lactic acid bacteria.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Proteinases.- 4.3 Endopeptidases.- 4.4 General aminopeptidases.- 4.5 Proline-specific peptidases.- 4.6 Oligo-and carboxypeptidases.- 4.6.1Dipeptidases.- 4.7 Transport of amino acid and peptides.- 4.8 Cellular localization of proteolytic enzymes.- 4.9 Engineering of the proteolytic system.- References.- 5 Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Small heat-stable bacteriocins.- 5.3 Large heat-labile bacteriocins.- 5.4 Lantibiotics in lactic acid bacteria.- 5.5 Concluding remarks.- References.- 6 Genetic engineering of lactobacilli, leuconostocs and Streptococcus thermophilus.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Overview of taxonomy and health benefits.- 6.3 Biochemical traits.- 6.4 Plasmid biology and cloning vectors.- 6.5 Genetic transfer methods.- 6.6 Gene expression in lactobacilli.- 6.7 Gene expression in S. thermophilus and leuconostocs.- 6.8 Chromosomal integration of genes.- 6.9 Phage and phage resistance.- 6.10 Concluding remarks.- Dedication and acknowledgements.- References.

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The contributions take an academic approach in that they emphasise the basic research underlying potential applications themselves. The comprehensive cover of these areas should prove invaluable to workers in the field. This volume will also provide an excellent introduction to these bacteria for geneticists more familiar with other species. - Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology; ...will supply a rich source of information for researchers new to the field as well as providing a broad reference base for specialists...may prove inspirational for new research - Society for General Microbiology Quarterly; This book will be indispensable to anyone embarking on a career in research in the area of molecular biology of lactic acid bacteria and will certaintly have something to offer current researchers. - The Genetic Engineer and Biotechnologist