IGF and GH mRNA levels are suppressed upon exposure to micromolar concentrations of cobalt and zinc in rainbow trout white muscle

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of cobalt and zinc exposure of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on insulin like growth factors (IGF) and growth hormone (GH). Mature rainbow trouts were exposed to 0.42, 2.1, 4.2, 21 and 42μmol/L Co(2+) (added as CoCl(2)·6H(2)O) and 0.34, 1.7, 3.4, 17 and 34μmol/L Zn(2+) (added as ZnSO(4)i·7H(2)O). After 6, 12, 24 and 48h of treatment, expressions of white muscle IGF-I, IGF-II and GH mRNAs were measured by means of quantitative Real Time PCR. During the exposure experiments, no mortalities occurred. The most effective metal concentrations, which caused significant alterations, were determined to be 42μmol/L Co(2+) (10mg CoCl(2)·6H(2)O/L) and 3.4μmol/L Zn(+2) (1mg ZnSO(4)·7H(2)O/L). The following results were obtained for these concentrations. Expression of IGF-I did not change at 6h in zinc treatment while the decrease (p<0.05) was observed at 12h and 24h, and this decrease became stronger at 48h. Cobalt exposure caused a decrease in IGF-I mRNA level at 6h, 12h, 24h and 48h (p<0.05). Both zinc and cobalt exposure resulted in significant decreases in GH expression at 6h. Exposure of trout to Zn resulted in a decrease in expression of IGF-II starting from 6h whereas the significant decrease started at 6h in cobalt exposure and this decrease elevated at 24h. The results indicate that micromolar cobalt and zinc exposure causes significant attenuation in the expressions of these three genes' time dependently. Our findings show that IGF-I is the most resistant and GH is the most sensitive component against cobalt and zinc exposure. We conclude that IGF/GH axis might be strongly affected by the short term exposure to low micromolar concentrations of zinc and cobalt due to alterations of these genes.     

Sporulation of several biocontrol fungi as affected by carbon and nitrogen sources in a two-stage cultivation system

The development of fungal biopesticides requires the efficient production of large numbers spores or other propagules. The current study used published information concerning carbon concentrations and C:N ratios to evaluate the effects of carbon and nitrogen sources on sporulation of Paecilomyces lilacinus (IPC-P and M-14) and Metarhizium anisopliae (SQZ-1-21 and RS-4-1) in a two-stage cultivation system. For P. lilacinus IPCP, the optimal sporulation medium contained urea as the nitrogen source, dextrin as the carbon source at 1 g/L, a C:N ratio of 5:1, with ZnSO(4)·7H(2)O at 10 mg/L and CaCl(2) at 3 g/L. The optimal sporulation medium for P. lilacinus M-14 contained soy peptone as the nitrogen source and maltose as the carbon source at 2 g/L, a C:N ratio of 10:1, with ZnSO(4)·7H(2)O at 250 mg/L, CuSO(4)·5H(2)O at 10 mg/L, H(3)BO(4) at 5 mg/L, and Na(2)MoO(4)·2H(2)O at 5 mg/L. The optimum sporulation medium for M. anisopliae SQZ-1-21 contained urea as the nitrogen source, sucrose as the carbon source at 16 g/ L, a C:N ratio of 80:1, with ZnSO(4)·7H(2)O at 50 mg/L, CuSO(4)·5H(2)O at 50 mg/L, H(3)BO(4) at 5 mg/L, and MnSO(4)·H(2)O at 10 mg/L. The optimum sporulation medium for M. anisopliae RS-4-1 contained soy peptone as the nitrogen source, sucrose as the carbon source at 4 g/L, a C:N ratio of 5:1, with ZnSO(4)·7H(2)O at 50 mg/L and H(3)BO(4) at 50 mg/L. All sporulation media contained 17 g/L agar. While these results were empirically derived, they provide a first step toward low-cost mass production of these biocontrol agents.     

Characterization of synthetic oxomanganese complexes and the inorganic core of the O2-evolving complex in photosystem II: evaluation of the DFT/B3LYP level of theory

The capabilities and limitations of the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) hybrid density functional are investigated as applied to studies of mixed-valent multinuclear oxomanganese complexes. Benchmark calculations involve the analysis of structural, electronic and magnetic properties of di-, tri- and tetra-nuclear Mn complexes, previously characterized both chemically and spectroscopically, including the di-mu-oxo bridged dimers [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(mu-O)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(terpy)(2)](3+) (terpy=2,2':6,2'-terpyridine) and [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(mu-O)(2)(phen)(4)](3+) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), the Mn trimer [Mn(3)O(4)(bpy)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](4+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine), and the tetramer [Mn(4)O(4)L(6)](+) with L=Ph(2)PO(2)(-). Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP level is applied to analyze the hydrated Mn(3)O(4)CaMn cluster completely ligated by water, OH(-), Cl(-), carboxylate and imidazole ligands, analogous to the '3+1 Mn tetramer' of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. It is found that DFT/B3LYP predicts structural and electronic properties of oxomanganese complexes in pre-selected spin-electronic states in very good agreement with X-ray and magnetic experimental data, even when applied in conjunction with rather modest basis sets. However, it is conjectured that the energetics of low-lying spin-states is beyond the capabilities of the DFT/B3LYP level, constituting a limitation to mechanistic studies of multinuclear oxomanganese complexes where until now the performance of DFT/B3LYP has raised little concern.     

Metal complexes with the quinolone antibacterial agent N-propyl-norfloxacin: synthesis, structure and bioactivity

Nine new metal complexes of the quinolone antibacterial agent N-propyl-norfloxacin, pr-norfloxacin, with VO(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), MoO(2)(2+), Cd(2+) and UO(2)(2+) have been prepared and characterized with physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques while molecular mechanics calculations for Fe(3+), VO(2+) and MoO(2)(2+) complexes have been performed. In all complexes, pr-norfloxacin acts as a bidentate deprotonated ligand bound to the metal through the pyridone and one carboxylate oxygen atoms. All complexes are six-coordinate with slightly distorted octahedral geometry. For the complex VO(N-propyl-norfloxacinato)(2)(H(2)O) the axial position, trans to the vanadyl oxygen, is occupied by one pyridone oxygen atom. The investigation of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA has been performed with diverse spectroscopic techniques and has shown that the complexes can be bound to calf-thymus DNA resulting to a B-->A DNA transition. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes has been tested on three different microorganisms. The complexes show equal or decreased biological activity in comparison to the free pr-norfloxacin except UO(2)(pr-norf)(2) which shows better inhibition against S. aureus.     

Mononuclear metal complexes with piroxicam: synthesis, structure and biological activity

Piroxicam (=Hpir) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and an anti-arthritic drug. VO(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), MoO(2)(2+) and UO(2)(2+) complexes with deprotonated piroxicam have been prepared and characterized with the use of infrared, UV-Vis, nuclear magnetic resonance and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. The experimental data suggest that piroxicam acts as a deprotonated bidentate ligand in all complexes and is coordinated to the metal ion through the pyridine nitrogen and the amide oxygen. Molecular mechanics calculations in the gas state have been performed in order to propose a model for the Fe(3+), VO(2+) and MoO(2)(2+) complexes. Potential anticancer cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of piroxicam complexes with VO(2+), Mn(2+) and MoO(2)(2+) on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells have been investigated. Among all complexes, only VO(pir)(2)(H(2)O) clearly induces apoptosis after 24-h incubation, whereas piroxicam induces apoptosis after 57-h incubation.     

Medium optimization of antifungal activity production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens using statistical experimental design

In order to overproduce biofungicides agents by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BLB371, a suitable culture medium was optimized using response surface methodology. Plackett-Burman design and central composite design were employed for experimental design and analysis of the results. Peptone, sucrose, and yeast extract were found to significantly influence antifungal activity production and their optimal concentrations were, respectively, 20 g/L, 25 g/L, and 4.5 g/L. The corresponding biofungicide production was 250 AU/mL, corresponding to 56% improvement in antifungal components production over a previously used medium (160 AU/mL). Moreover, our results indicated that a deficiency of the minerals CuSO(4), FeCl(3) · 6H(2)O, Na(2)MoO(4), KI, ZnSO(4) · 7H(2)O, H(3)BO(3), and C(6)H(8)O(7) in the optimized culture medium was not crucial for biofungicides production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BLB371, which is interesting from a practical point of view, particularly for low-cost production and use of the biofungicide for the control of agricultural fungal pests.     

根瘤菌4012a菌株产细胞分裂素发酵条件的研究

用酶标免疫检测法研究了根瘤菌4012a菌株细胞分裂素发酵的适宜培养基和培养条件。结果表明,其最佳培养基为（g／L）：葡萄糖10.0,（NH4）2SO41.0,K2HPO4·3H2O0．6,MgSO4·7H2O0.1,CaCl2·2H2O0.4,FeCI3·6H2O0．04,Na2MoO4·2H2O0．1mg／L,泛酸钙100μg／L,腺漂吟200mg／L。该菌株在150r／min的旋转摇床上27℃振荡培养96h,发酵液中细胞分裂素产量可达908μg／L,生物活性（萝卜子叶扩大法）为1mg／L激动素当量。     

Studies on the interaction mechanism between hexakis(imidazole) manganese(II) terephthalate and DNA and preparation of DNA electrochemical sensor

The interaction between hexakis(imidazole) manganese(II) terephthalate ([Mn(Im)(6)](teph).4H(2)O) and salmon sperm DNA in 0.2M pH 2.30 Britton-Robinson buffer solution was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Increasing fluorescence was observed for [Mn(Im)(6)](2+) with DNA addition, while quenching fluorescence phenomenon appeared for EB-DNA system when [Mn(Im)(6)](2+) was added. There were a couple quasi-reversible redox peaks of [Mn(Im)(6)](2+) from the cyclic voltammogram on the glassy carbon electrode. The peak current of [Mn(Im)(6)](2+) decreased with positive shift of the formal potential in the presence of DNA compared with that in the absence of DNA. All the experimental results indicate that [Mn(Im)(6)](2+) can bind to DNA mainly by intercalative binding mode. The binding ratio of the DNA-[Mn(Im)(6)](2+) association complex is calculated to be 1:1 and the binding constant is 4.44x10(3) M(-1). By using [Mn(Im)(6)](teph).4H(2)O as the electrochemical hybridization indicator, the DNA electrochemical sensor was prepared by covalent interaction and the selectivity of ssDNA modified electrode were described. The results demonstrate the use of electrochemical DNA biosensor in the determination of complementary ssDNA.     

Cytotoxic effects of Mn(III) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins in the presence of cellular reductant, ascorbate

Due to the ability to easily accept and donate electrons Mn(III)N-alkylpyridylporphyrins (MnPs) can dismute O(2)(·-), reduce peroxynitrite, but also generate reactive species and behave as pro-oxidants if conditions favour such action. Herein two ortho isomers, MnTE-2-PyP(5+), MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+), and a meta isomer MnTnHex-3-PyP(5+), which differ greatly with regard to their metal-centered reduction potential, E(1/2) (Mn(III)P/Mn(II)P) and lipophilicity, were explored. Employing Mn(III)P/Mn(II)P redox system for coupling with ascorbate, these MnPs catalyze ascorbate oxidation and thus peroxide production. Consequently, cancer oxidative burden may be enhanced, which in turn would suppress its growth. Cytotoxic effects on Caco-2, Hela, 4T1, HCT116 and SUM149 were studied. When combined with ascorbate, MnPs killed cancer cells via peroxide produced outside of the cell. MnTE-2-PyP(5+) was the most efficacious catalyst for peroxide production, while MnTnHex-3-PyP(5+) is most prone to oxidative degradation with H(2) , and thus the least efficacious. A 4T1 breast cancer mouse study of limited scope and success was conducted. The tumour oxidative stress was enhanced and its microvessel density reduced when mice were treated either with ascorbate or MnP/ascorbate; the trend towards tumour growth suppression was detected.     

Synthesis,equilibrium studies and structural characterisation of the Zn(II) complexes with trimethylene-N6,N6'-bisadenine

The new compound trimethylene-N(6),N(6')-bisadenine (L), in which two adenine molecules are linked together by a trimethylene bridge that connects the N(6) atoms, has been prepared. Reaction of L with HgCl(2) and ZnCl(2) in concentrated HCl solution leads to crystalline solids. The X-ray characterisation of the Hg(II) complex (H(2)L)[HgCl(4)].3H(2)O reveals that it is an outer-sphere complex in which the ligand is protonated at N(1) and N(1'). In contrast, the structure of the complex [H(2)L(ZnCl(3))(2)].2H(2)O shows the ligand co-ordinated to two different Zn(II) ions through the N(7) of both adenine fragments, the protons being located on the N(1) atoms. The latter compound constitutes the first crystallographic evidence of an inner sphere complex with bis-adenines and, for this reason, an equilibrium study was carried out on the Zn(II)-L-H(+) system. Potentiometric studies indicate that L is protonated in aqueous solution to form HL(+) and H(2)L(2+) with logK(H) values of 4.42 and 3.35 (25 degrees C, 0.10 M KNO(3)). The data from potentiometric titrations in the presence of Zn(2+) can be analysed considering the formation of the species LZn(2+), HLZn(3+), LZn(2)(4+) and HLZn(2)(5+), whose stability constants exceed the value expected for a monodentate interaction of the metal ion with adenine and suggest the possibility of a polydentate behaviour of L in the pH range 2.5-5.0. In contrast, spectrophotometric titrations carried out under conditions similar to those used in the synthetic work (1 M HCl) can be fitted with a model involving exclusively the H(2)LZn(4+) and H(2)LZn(2)(6+) species with logK(M) values reasonable for the interaction of Zn(II) with the N(7) of the protonated adenine fragments. Despite the H(2)LZn(2)(6+) species has a low stability, the spectrophotometric results are in agreement with its formation under the conditions in which the solid complex was prepared.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Ditriflate-Bridged, Diiron(II) Complex with Syn-N-Donor Ligands: [Fe(2)(μ-OTf)(2)(PIC(2)DET)(2)](BARF)(2)

The synthesis and characterization of the diiron(II) complex [Fe(2)(μ-OTf)(2)-(PIC(2)DET)(2)](BARF)(2) (2), where PIC(2)DET is a 2,3-diethynyltriptycene-linked dipicolinic methyl ester ligand, are described. The dication in 2, contains, [Fe(2)(μ-OTf)(2)(PIC(2)DET)(2)](2+) two symmetry-equivalent iron atoms with octahedral coordination geometries. Each metal ion has a N(2)O(4) atom donor set that includes four atoms from two picolinic ester N,O chelate rings, as well as two oxygen atoms from the bridging trifluoromethanesulfonate groups. The Fe(2)(μ-OTf)(2) core of 2 is stabilized by two PIC(2)DET ligands that bind the two metal ions in a head-to-head fashion, leading to an Fe···Fe distance of 5.173(1)?. Molar conductivity data for 2 are consistent with Fe(2)(μ-OTf)(2)(PIC(2)DET)(2)](2+) retaining its identity in acetone solutions, where it behaves as a 2:1 electrolyte. (1)H NMR spectroscopic, solution (d(6)-acetone) and solid-state magnetic susceptibility data all indicate that the iron atoms of 2 are high-spin (S = 2). A fit of the magnetic data (2 - 300K) to a spin-only isotropic exchange Hamiltonian H = -2JS(1)·S(2) are consistent with weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the two iron atoms with J ~ -0.99(2) cm(-1) and g = 2.10(1).     

Physiological metal uptake by Nostoc punctiforme

Trace metals are required for many cellular processes. The acquisition of trace elements from the environment includes a rapid adsorption of metals to the cell surface, followed by a slower internalization. We investigated the uptake of the trace elements Co(2+), Cu(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), and Zn(2+) and the non-essential divalent cation Cd(2+) in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. For each metal, a dose response study based on cell viability showed that the highest non-toxic concentrations were: 0.5?μM Cd(2+), 2?μM Co(2+), 0.5?μM Cu(2+), 500?μM Mn(2+), 1?μM Ni(2+), and 18?μM Zn(2+). Cells exposed to these non-toxic concentrations with combinations of Zn(2+) and Cd(2+), Zn(2+) and Co(2+), Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) or Zn(2+) and Ni(2+), had reduced growth in comparison to controls. Cells exposed to metal combinations with the addition of 500?μM Mn(2+) showed similar growth compared to the untreated controls. Metal levels were measured after one and 72?h for whole cells and absorbed (EDTA-resistant) fractions and used to calculate differential uptake rates for each metal. The differences in binding and internalisation between different metals indicate different uptake processes exist for each metal. For each metal, competitive uptake experiments using (65)Zn showed that after 72?h of exposure Zn(2+) uptake was reduced by most metals particularly 0.5?μM Cd(2+), while 2?μM Co(2+) increased Zn(2+) uptake. This study demonstrates that N. punctiforme discriminates between different metals and favourably substitutes their uptake to avoid the toxic effects of particular metals.     

Biotransformation of manganese oxides by fungi: solubilization and production of manganese oxalate biominerals

The ability of the soil fungi Aspergillus niger and Serpula himantioides to tolerate and solubilize manganese oxides, including a fungal-produced manganese oxide and birnessite, was investigated. Aspergillus niger and S.?himantioides were capable of solubilizing all the insoluble oxides when incorporated into solid medium: MnO(2) and Mn(2) O(3) , mycogenic manganese oxide (MnO(x) ) and birnessite [(Na(0.3) Ca(0.1) K(0.1) )(Mn(4+) ,Mn(3+) )(2) O(4) ·1.5H(2) O]. Manganese oxides were of low toxicity and A.?niger and S.?himantioides were able to grow on 0.5% (w/v) of all the test compounds, with accompanying acidification of the media. Precipitation of insoluble manganese and calcium oxalate occurred under colonies growing on agar amended with all the test manganese oxides after growth of A.?niger and S.?himantioides at 25°C. The formation of manganese oxalate trihydrate was detected after growth of S.?himantioides with birnessite which subsequently was transformed to manganese oxalate dihydrate. Our results represent a novel addition to our knowledge of the biogeochemical cycle of manganese, and the roles of fungi in effecting transformations of insoluble metal-containing compounds in the environment.     

杂色云芝产漆酶的发酵条件研究*

本文对杂色云芝（Coriolus versicolor）产漆酶的发酵条件作了研究。结果表明摇瓶实验产漆酶（Laccase）的最佳培养基成分为：可溶性淀粉 2g/L, NH4Cl 24mmol/L, 微量元素混合液 7ml/L, pH3.0柠檬酸—Na2HPO4缓冲溶液 0.01mol/L, KH2PO4 1.4×10-2 mol/L, MgSO4·7H2O 2.03×10-3mol/L, CaCl2·2H2O 6.8×10-4 mol/L, VB1 2.97×10-6 mol/L, 吐温80 4.0g/L, 愈创木酚0.01mmol/L, CuSO4 ·5H2O 0.005mmol/L,最佳发酵条件为培养基初始pH3.0, 菌体生长6d,培养基装量为250ml三角瓶中25ml培养液,25℃条件下振荡培养(150r/min)9d。     

Silicon ameliorates manganese toxicity in cucumber by decreasing hydroxyl radical accumulation in the leaf apoplast

This work was focused on the role of silicon (Si) in amelioration of manganese (Mn) toxicity caused by elevated production of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) in the leaf apoplast of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The plants were grown in nutrient solutions with adequate (0.5 μM) or excessive (100 μM) Mn concentrations with or without Si being supplied. The symptoms of Mn toxicity were absent in the leaves of Si-treated plants subjected to excess Mn, although the leaf Mn concentration remained extremely high. The apoplastic concentration of free Mn(2+) and H(2)O(2) of high Mn-treated plants was significantly decreased by Si treatment. Si supply suppressed the Mn-induced increased abundance of peroxidase (POD) isoforms in the leaf apoplastic fluid, and led to a rapid suppression of guaiacol-POD activity under excess Mn. The spin-trapping reagent 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide was used to detect ·OH by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Although supplying Si markedly decreased the accumulation of ·OH in the leaf apoplast with excess Mn, adding monosilicic acid to the Mn(2+)/H(2)O(2) reaction mixture did not directly affect the Fenton reaction in vitro. The results indicate that Si contributes indirectly to a decrease in ·OH in the leaf apoplast by decreasing the free apoplastic Mn(2+), thus regulating the Fenton reaction. A direct inhibitory effect of Si on guaiacol-POD activity (demonstrated in vitro) may also contribute to decreasing the POD-mediated generation of ·OH.     

Synthesis, structure and interactions with DNA of novel tetranuclear, [Mn4(II/II/II/IV)] mixed valence complexes

Reaction of Mn(II) with phenoxyalkanoic acids and di-2-pyridyl ketone oxime (Hpko) leads to neutral tetranuclear complexes of the general formula Mn(4)(O)(pko)(4)(phenoxyalkanoato)(4) (phenoxyalkanoic acids: H-mcpa=2-methyl-4-chloro-phenoxy-acetic acid, H-2,4,5-T=2,4,5-trichloro-phenoxy-acetic acid or H3,4-D=3,4-dichloro-phenoxy-acetic acid). The compounds were synthesized by adding di-2-pyridyl ketone oxime to MnCl(2) in the presence of the sodium salts of the alkanoic acids in methanol. The crystal structure of Mn(4)(II/II/II/IV)(O)(pko)(4)(2,4,5-T)(4).2.5CH(3)OH.0.25H(2)O 1 shows that the complex consists of a [Mn(4)(mu(4)-O)](8+) core with a Mn(IV) and 3 Mn(II) ions in octahedral environment and a mu(4)-O atom bridging the four manganese ions. Spectroscopic studies of the interaction of these tetranuclear clusters with DNA showed that these compounds bind to dsDNA. The binding strength of the Mn(4)(II/II/II/IV)(O)(pko)(4)(2,4,5-T)(4) complex for calf thymus DNA is equal to 1.1x10(4)M(-1). Among the deoxyribonucleotides they bind preferentially to deoxyguanylic acid (dGMP). Competitive studies with ethidium bromide (EthBr) showed that the Mn(4)(II/II/II/IV)(O)(pko)(4)(2,4,5-T)(4) complex exhibited the ability to displace the DNA-bound EthBr indicating that the complex binds to DNA via intercalation in strong competition with EthBr for the intercalative binding site. Additionally, DNA electrophoretic mobility experiments showed that all three complexes, at low cluster concentration, are obviously capable of binding to pDNA causing its cleavage (relaxation) at physiological pH and temperature. At higher cluster concentration, catenated dimer forms of pDNA was formed.     

Unraveling the substrate-metal binding site of ferrochelatase: an X-ray absorption spectroscopic study

Ferrochelatase (EC 4.99.1.1), the terminal enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway, catalyzes the insertion of ferrous iron into the protoporphyrin IX ring. Ferrochelatases can be arbitrarily divided into two broad categories: those with and those without a [2Fe-2S] center. In this work we have used X-ray absorption spectroscopy to investigate the metal ion binding sites of murine and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) ferrochelatases, which are representatives of the former and latter categories, respectively. Co(2+) and Zn(2+) complexes of both enzymes were studied, but the Fe(2+) complex was only studied for yeast ferrochelatase because the [2Fe-2S] center of the murine enzyme interferes with the analysis. Co(2+) and Zn(2+) binding to site-directed mutants of the murine enzyme were also studied, in which the highly conserved and potentially metal-coordinating residues H207 and Y220 were substituted by residues that should not coordinate metal (i.e., H207N, H207A, and Y220F). Our experiments indicate four-coordinate zinc with Zn(N/O)(3)(S/Cl)(1) coordination for the yeast and Zn(N/O)(2)(S/Cl)(2) coordination for the wild-type murine enzyme. In contrast to zinc, a six-coordinate site for Co(2+) coordinated with oxygen or nitrogen was present in both the yeast and murine (wild-type and mutated) enzymes, with evidence of two histidine ligands in both. Like Co(2+), Fe(2+) bound to yeast ferrochelatase was coordinated by approximately six oxygen or nitrogen ligands, again with evidence of two histidine ligands. For the murine enzyme, mutation of both H207 and Y220 significantly changed the spectra, indicating a likely role for these residues in metal ion substrate binding. This is in marked disagreement with the conclusions from X-ray crystallographic studies of the human enzyme, and possible reasons for this are discussed.     

Laccase-catalyzed oxidation of Mn(2+) in the presence of natural Mn(3+) chelators as a novel source of extracellular H(2)O(2) production and its impact on manganese peroxidase

A purified and electrophoretically homogeneous blue laccase from the litter-decaying basidiomycete Stropharia rugosoannulata with a molecular mass of approximately 66 kDa oxidized Mn(2+) to Mn(3+), as assessed in the presence of the Mn chelators oxalate, malonate, and pyrophosphate. At rate-saturating concentrations (100 mM) of these chelators and at pH 5.0, Mn(3+) complexes were produced at 0.15, 0.05, and 0.10 micromol/min/mg of protein, respectively. Concomitantly, application of oxalate and malonate, but not pyrophosphate, led to H(2)O(2) formation and tetranitromethane (TNM) reduction indicative for the presence of superoxide anion radical. Employing oxalate, H(2)O(2) production, and TNM reduction significantly exceeded those found for malonate. Evidence is provided that, in the presence of oxalate or malonate, laccase reactions involve enzyme-catalyzed Mn(2+) oxidation and abiotic decomposition of these organic chelators by the resulting Mn(3+), which leads to formation of superoxide and its subsequent reduction to H(2)O(2). A partially purified manganese peroxidase (MnP) from the same organism did not produce Mn(3+) complexes in assays containing 1 mM Mn(2+) and 100 mM oxalate or malonate, but omitting an additional H(2)O(2) source. However, addition of laccase initiated MnP reactions. The results are in support of a physiological role of laccase-catalyzed Mn(2+) oxidation in providing H(2)O(2) for extracellular oxidation reactions and demonstrate a novel type of laccase-MnP cooperation relevant to biodegradation of lignin and xenobiotics.     

High-valent [MnFe] and [FeFe] cofactors in ribonucleotide reductases

Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) are essential for DNA synthesis in most organisms. In class-Ic RNR from Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), a MnFe cofactor in subunit R2 forms the site required for enzyme activity, instead of an FeFe cofactor plus a redox-active tyrosine in class-Ia RNRs, for example in mouse (Mus musculus, Mm). For R2 proteins from Ct and Mm, either grown in the presence of, or reconstituted with Mn and Fe ions, structural and electronic properties of higher valence MnFe and FeFe sites were determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and complementary techniques, in combination with bond-valence-sum and density functional theory calculations. At least ten different cofactor species could be tentatively distinguished. In Ct R2, two different Mn(IV)Fe(III) site configurations were assigned either L(4)Mn(IV)(μO)(2)Fe(III)L(4) (metal-metal distance of ~2.75?, L = ligand) prevailing in metal-grown R2, or L(4)Mn(IV)(μO)(μOH)Fe(III)L(4) (~2.90?) dominating in metal-reconstituted R2. Specific spectroscopic features were attributed to an Fe(IV)Fe(III) site (~2.55?) with a L(4)Fe(IV)(μO)(2)Fe(III)L(3) core structure. Several Mn,Fe(III)Fe(III) (~2.9-3.1?) and Mn,Fe(III)Fe(II) species (~3.3-3.4?) likely showed 5-coordinated Mn(III) or Fe(III). Rapid X-ray photoreduction of iron and shorter metal-metal distances in the high-valent states suggested radiation-induced modifications in most crystal structures of R2. The actual configuration of the MnFe and FeFe cofactors seems to depend on assembly sequences, bound metal type, valence state, and previous catalytic activity involving subunit R1. In Ct R2, the protonation of a bridging oxide in the Mn(IV)(μO)(μOH)Fe(III) core may be important for preventing premature site reduction and initiation of the radical chemistry in R1.     

Statistical optimization of medium components for the production of biosurfactant by Bacillus licheniformis K51

The nutritional medium requirement for biosurfactant production by Bacillus licheniformis K51 was optimized. The important medium components, identified by the initial screening method of Plackett-Burman, were H3PO4, CaCl2, H3BO3, and Na-EDTA. Box-Behnken response surface methodology was applied to further optimize biosurfactant production. The optimal concentrations for higher production of biosurfactants were (g/l): glucose, 1.1; NaNO3, 4.4; MgSO4 x 7H2O, 0.8; KCl, 0.4; CaCl2, 0.27; H3PO4, 1.0 ml/l; and trace elements (mg/l): H3BO3, 0.25; CuSO4, 0.6; MnSO4, 2.2; Na2MoO4, 0.5; ZnSO4, 6.0; FeSO4, 8.0; CoCl2, 1.0; and Na-EDTA, 30.0. Using this statistical optimization method, the relative biosurfactant yield as critical micelle dilution (CMD) was increased from 10x to 105x, which is ten times higher than the non-optimized rich medium.