Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849 Resists Enzymatic Degradation

The patent applies this principle by discovering that certain lactic acid bacteria strains produce RNase-resistant RNA molecules that can withstand degradation. Instead of trying to protect the bacteria from enzymatic attack, the invention converts the harmful enzymatic environment into a selective advantage, where only bacteria producing resistant RNA survive and maintain their immunostimulatory function. This is achieved by identifying strains like Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849 that naturally produce such resistant RNA.

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of RNA molecules through bacterial production to increase their resistance to RNase degradation. The bacteria alter the physical-chemical parameters of the RNA (such as methylation patterns or sequence composition) to create molecules that are less susceptible to enzymatic cleavage, thereby maintaining immunostimulatory activity in the presence of host RNases.

The patent transforms the harmful effect of cell wall-digesting enzymes into a beneficial selection mechanism. By identifying bacteria that naturally resist these enzymes, the invention converts what would normally be a destructive force into a tool for selecting and isolating superior strains with enhanced stability and immunostimulatory properties.

The patent employs disposable test substrates and model systems to screen and identify enzyme-resistant bacterial strains. Rather than developing complex protective mechanisms, the invention uses simple, expendable test materials to rapidly identify and select bacteria that inherently possess the desired resistance properties, making the discovery process efficient and cost-effective.

The patent converts the ubiquitous presence of RNases in the environment into a beneficial feature by selecting bacteria that produce RNase-resistant RNA. The harmful RNase contamination becomes a selective pressure that identifies and promotes bacteria with superior RNA protection mechanisms, turning an environmental hazard into a quality assurance tool.

The bacteria themselves provide the solution to their own vulnerability by producing RNA molecules with inherent resistance to RNase degradation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external protective measures, as the bacteria's own genetic machinery produces the protective RNA structures that safeguard their immunostimulatory function against environmental RNases.