L-Asparaginase activity analysis, ansZ gene identification and anticancer activity of a new Bacillus subtilis isolated from sponges of the Red Sea

ABSTRACT

This study describes the isolation of various marine bacteriafrom sponges collected from the Red Sea (Saudi Arabia) andL-asparaginase (anti-cancer enzyme) production from bacterialisolates. The 16S rDNA based phylogenetic analysis revealed thatthe isolate WSA3 was a Bacillus subtilis. Its partial-length genesequence was submitted to GenBank under the accession numberMK072695. The new B. subtilis strain harbored the exact size(1128 bp) of the new L-asparaginase (ansZ) gene as confirmedby PCR and in gel visualization, which was submitted to the NCBIdatabase (accession number MN566442). The molecular weightof partially purified L-asparaginase was determined as 45 kDa bySDS-PAGE. In addition, the enzyme L-asparaginase did not showglutaminase activity which is very important from a medical pointof view. Moreover, 100 μg/mL of the partially purified B. subtilis Lasparaginaseshowed promising anti-cancer activities when testedagainst three cancer cell lines (HCT-116, MCF-7, and HepG2).

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• L-asparagine
• lymphoblastic leukemia
• ansZ gene
• anti-cancer activity
• marine bacteria

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, “Ministry of Education” in Saudi Arabia for funding this research work through the project number IFKSURG-1438-029.

Authorship contribution statement

All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting, or revising the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript and are accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, “Ministry of Education” in Saudi Arabia for funding this research work through the project number IFKSURG-1438-029.