褐藻胶裂解酶基因的克隆表达及重组酶酶学性质

【目的】克隆交替假单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas sp.)BYS-2的褐藻胶裂解酶基因,实现其在大肠杆菌细胞中异源表达,对分离纯化的重组酶进行酶学性质研究。【方法】以交替假单胞菌BYS-2菌株基因组DNA为模板,克隆得到褐藻胶裂解酶基因alg738,构建重组基因工程菌BL21(DE3)/p ET22b-alg738,诱导表达,表达产物通过Ni-NTA树脂纯化后进行酶学性质研究。【结果】重组酶的最适反应p H为8.0,在p H 6.0-9.0范围内37°C保温1 h仍能保持84%以上的相对酶活力,具有较好的p H稳定性;最适反应温度为45°C,热稳定性实验显示在37°C下保温60 min其残余酶活力仍达66.6%;在5 mmol/L浓度下,Na~+、Mg~(2+)、Mn~(2+)对该酶具有明显的促进作用,Ni~(2+)、Co~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Hg~(2+)、Zn~(2+)、EDTA、β-巯基乙醇、SDS具有明显的抑制作用。动力学参数Km、Vmax分别为1.11 g/L和0.011 g/(L·min),底物特异性分析表明该重组酶为偏好聚甘露糖醛酸钠(Poly M)裂解作用的双功能酶。【结论】重组褐藻胶裂解酶具有良好的酶学特性,为褐藻胶裂解酶的开发应用打下基础。     

镰刀菌Q7-31T内切葡聚糖酶Egn21的分离纯化及酶学性质

【目的】为进一步研究镰刀菌Q7-31T产生的植物细胞壁降解酶的酶系信息。【方法】以1%(W/V)蛋白胨为氮源,0.5%(W/V)燕麦秸秆为碳源,20°C、120 r/min振荡培养3 d,诱导发酵培养菌株,获得的粗酶液经过Sephacry S-100凝胶柱层析和DEAE琼脂糖弱阴离子交换柱层析,最终得到纯化的内切葡聚糖酶,并对其进行酶学性质分析及串联质谱鉴定。【结果】研究表明:Egn21的分子质量为44.25 kDa,等电点为4.91;酶学特性研究显示:Egn21降解羧甲基纤维素的最适反应温度为40°C,在45°C以下比较稳定。该酶最适pH为6.0,在pH为5.0–8.0条件之间比较稳定。Co~(2+)、Zn~(2+)和Mg~(2+)对其没有明显作用,而Fe~(2+)、Ca~(2+)、K~(+)、Na~(+)和Mn~(2+)对酶活性有抑制作用,Hg~(2+)会使酶失去活性。【结论】从Q7-31T中分离纯化得到的内切葡聚糖酶Egn21,经过酶学特性与串联质谱鉴定结果显示其属于GH5家族。     

宏基因组来源耐Mn2+、热稳定细菌漆酶的分子克隆及酶学特性

【背景】漆酶和锰过氧化物酶(Manganese peroxidase,Mnp)是木质素降解的主要酶,二者有协同效应。Mnp活性依赖于Mn~(2+),而Mn~(2+)是大多数漆酶的抑制剂。【目的】获得耐Mn~(2+)的细菌漆酶用于木质素降解。【方法】构建许昌市某污水河污泥宏基因组文库,通过活性筛选获得细菌漆酶基因lac1542。使用大肠杆菌异源表达Lac1542,研究纯化后的重组蛋白酶学性质并进一步检测了含Lac1542复合酶系降解木质素能力。【结果】测序结果显示lac1542编码一个含513个氨基酸的蛋白。以ABTS为底物Lac1542最适反应pH为4.0,在pH 3.0-6.5范围内酶活性稳定。最适反应温度是75°C,在70°C以下酶活性稳定;100 mmol/L的Mn~(2+)仍能提高酶的活性。动力学参数研究发现,该酶的最适底物顺序为:ABTS丁香醛联氮儿茶酚2,6-DMP愈创木酚。Lac1542/Mnp复合酶系对木质素降解率为47.8%,比单独使用Mnp木质素降解率(22.4%)提高25.4%。Lac1542/Mnp/灰盖鬼伞过氧化物酶(Coprinus cinereus Peroxidase,CIP)复合酶系木质素降解高达71.5%,比Mnp/CIP酶系木质素降解率(48.9%)提高22.6%,加入Lac1542后的复合酶系能明显提高木质素的降解率。【结论】Lac1542的可溶性表达、耐受高浓度Mn~(2+)、热稳定性使得Lac1542可以替代一些经典的真菌漆酶应用于制浆、造纸、纤维素乙醇生产、染料脱色等工业。     

酿脓链球菌Cas9核酸酶的重组表达、分离纯化及酶学特性

【背景】Cas9核酸酶是一种RNA引导的核酸内切酶,可与单链向导RNA (single-guide RNA,sgRNA)形成稳定的核糖核蛋白复合物,识别和切割特定的核苷酸片段。由于其具备高灵活性和高效率的特点,目前已经成为基础科学研究领域和临床治疗方法中使用最广泛的基因编辑工具。【目的】为Cas9核酸酶的合理开发和利用提供理论依据。【方法】利用大肠杆菌表达系统表达野生型酿脓链球菌(Streptococcus pyogenes) Cas9核酸酶,经硫酸铵沉淀和镍柱亲和层析两步纯化获得较高纯度表达产物,并对其热稳定性、pH稳定性、金属离子的影响等酶学特性进行研究。【结果】经高密度发酵后,大肠杆菌湿菌重达191.0 g/L。纯化后酿脓链球菌Cas9核酸酶的比酶活达641.29 U/mg,纯化倍数为16.02,收率为46.40%。Cas9核酸酶在25-42°C保温2 h后剩余酶活保持在65%以上,而在45°C保温15 min后全部失活;其在pH 6.0-10.0范围内稳定性较高,剩余酶活大于68%,在pH9.0时稳定性最高;0.5-20.0mmol/L浓度范围内的Mg~(2+)对该酶有激活作用,10.0 mmol/L的Mg~(2+)可使该酶酶活力提高约23%;Ba~(2+)、Co~(2+)、Ca~(2+)、Mn~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Fe~(2+)、Zn~(2+)对该酶有不同程度的抑制作用,其中0.5 mmol/L的Cu~(2+)和Fe~(2+)对Cas9核酸酶有完全抑制作用。【结论】异源表达并纯化出具有较高纯度和较高酶活力的酿脓链球菌Cas9核酸酶,并对其酶学特性进行了初步研究,该结果对CRISPR/Cas9技术的进一步推广和应用有一定的指导意义。     

恶臭假单胞菌SJTE-1中转化17β-雌二醇的3-酰基-ACP还原酶的鉴定与功能研究（英文）

【目的】假单胞菌SJTE-1可高效转化17β-雌二醇,但是催化该转化的酶尚不清楚。本文鉴定了该菌株的一个新的3-酮酰基-ACP还原酶(ANI01589.1),并对其进行了功能研究。【方法】首先,我们克隆了该3-酰基-ACP还原酶的编码基因,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株中进行了异源表达;利用金属离子亲和层析法,纯化获得了重组蛋白。体外检测了重组蛋白的活性与酶学性质,并利用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)测定了该酶的催化产物。【结果】3-酮酰基-ACP还原酶可被17β-雌二醇诱导表达,重组蛋白纯化量可达19.6mg/L。蛋白序列比对结果表明,该蛋白包含短链脱氢酶/还原酶(SDR)的2个共有区域和多个保守残基。该酶以NAD~+为辅助因子,将17β-雌二醇转化为雌酮;其Km值为0.071 mmol/L, k_(cat)值为2.4±0.06/s~(–1),5 min内可转化超过95.8%的雌二醇。该酶的最佳反应温度为42°C,最佳pH为8.0。不同二价离子对该酶的活性影响不同,Mg~(2+)和Mn~(2+)可增强其酶活性。【结论】这一假单胞菌SJTE-1来源的3-酮酰基-ACP还原酶可高效催化17β-雌二醇的转化,该酶可能在该菌株的雌激素代谢过程中起到重要作用。     

蜡样芽胞杆菌磷脂酶C在乳酸克鲁维酵母中重组表达、纯化及酶学性质分析

【目的】构建蜡样芽胞杆菌(Bacillus cereus)磷脂酶C(Phospholipase C,PLC)的重组乳酸克鲁维酵母(Kluyveromyces lactis)菌株、纯化重组蛋白并对其进行酶学性质分析。【方法】以B.cereus基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增得到磷脂酶C基因(bcplc),构建重组乳酸克鲁维酵母表达质粒并转化到乳酸克鲁维酵母中,实现bcplc基因的表达。利用镍柱亲和层析纯化和脱盐柱得到电泳纯的重组磷脂酶C(rbcPLC)。【结果】成功构建产磷脂酶C的重组乳酸克鲁维酵母并纯化了重组磷脂酶C,纯化后rbcPLC经SDS-PAGE分析在40 kDa附近出现显性条带。NPPC法测得rbcPLC酶活为19251 U/mg,最适反应温度为80°C,最适pH为9.0。在低于40°C时,pH 7.0-8.0时,rbcPLC重组酶较稳定。Cu~(2+)和Co~(2+)对其有明显的抑制作用;Zn~(2+)、Mn~(2+)、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)对其有明显的促进作用。【结论】首次实现了对蜡样芽胞杆菌来源的磷脂酶C在乳酸克鲁维酵母中的重组表达、纯化及其酶学性质分析,为其它食品安全性微生物来源的磷脂酶C的研究提供了借鉴意义。     

卷枝毛霉中苹果酸酶同工酶V的酶学性质

【目的】探讨卷枝毛霉中苹果酸酶同工酶V的性质。【方法】克隆卷枝毛霉中编码苹果酸酶同工酶V的mel基因并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达,利用His标签纯化获得了高纯度的重组酶BLME1,并进行酶学性质分析。【结果】该重组酶最适pH为8.0,最适温度为33℃,在此条件下酶活达到92.8 U/mg,对底物L-苹果酸和NADP~+的米氏常数K_m值为0.74960±0.06129 mmol/L和0.22070±0.01810 mmol/L,最大反应速度V_(max)分别为72.820±1.077 U/mg和86.110±1.665 U/mg。金属离子Mg~(2+)、Mn~(2+)、Co~(2+)、Ni~(2+)可以激活BLME1的活性,而Ca~(2+)、Cu~(2+)对BLME1活性则有抑制作用,中间代谢产物草酰乙酸和α-酮戊二酸也会抑制BLME1的活性,但琥珀酸却对BLME1有激活作用。【结论】本实验调查了卷枝毛霉苹果酸酶同工酶V的最适反应温度和pH、动力学参数,以及各种金属离子和中间代谢产物对酶活力的影响,这为以后深入研究该苹果酸酶的功能提供了理论依据和参考。     

几丁质酶基因的克隆表达及酶学性质

【背景】几丁质是自然界中储藏量仅次于纤维素的有机物,几丁质酶能降解几丁质生成几丁寡糖,实现废弃物的高值化利用,目前菌株产几丁质酶能力低限制了它的生产应用。【目的】克隆弧菌(Vibrio sp.)GR52的几丁质酶基因,实现其在大肠杆菌中的异源表达,对分离纯化的重组几丁质酶进行酶学性质研究。【方法】以弧菌GR52菌株基因组DNA为模板,克隆得到几丁质酶基因GR52-1,构建重组基因工程菌BL21(DE3)/p ET22b-chi GR52-1,诱导表达的产物通过Ni-NTA树脂纯化后进行酶学性质研究。【结果】重组酶的最适反应pH为6.0,在pH5.0-10.0范围内37°C保温1 h仍能保持85%以上的相对酶活力,具有较好的pH稳定性;最适反应温度为50°C,在45°C保温1 h其酶活力基本没有损失,在50°C保温1 h其残余酶活力仍达60%;在1 mmol/L浓度下,Cu~(2+)、Ca2+对该酶具有促进作用,Hg+对该酶具有明显的抑制作用;在5 mmol/L浓度下,Ni+对该酶具有一定的促进作用,Mn~(2+)、Co~(2+)、Li~+、Fe~(2+)、Hg~+、SDS(十二烷基硫酸钠)对该酶具有明显的抑制作用。以胶体几丁质为底物时,动力学参数Km、Vmax、kcat分别为0.85 mg/m L、0.19μmol/(m L·min)和7.02 s-1。底物特异性分析表明该重组酶能特异性降解几丁质。【结论】重组几丁质酶具有良好的酶学性质,为几丁质酶的开发应用奠定基础。     

双功能域β-折叠桶碱性植酸酶蛋白序列分析与酶学特性

【目的】表达、纯化来源于Bacillus sp.HJB17的双功能域β-折叠桶碱性植酸酶(phy HT),并对该酶进行蛋白序列以及酶学特征分析,为该酶的广泛应用奠定基础。【方法】应用生物信息学技术,对phy HT蛋白序列进行了生物信息学分析。表达、变复性、分离纯化得到具有酶活性的可溶性phy HT蛋白溶液,通过硫酸亚铁-钼蓝法对phy HT的酶学特性进行了研究。【结果】序列分析结果显示,phy HT由633个氨基酸组成,含有2个植酸酶结构域,属于典型的BPP植酸酶,相对分子量(MW)为69321.68 Da,理论等电点为5.37,为亲水性蛋白。二级结构中,phy HT中α-螺旋(helix)、β-片层(sheet)占主要的比例,高级结构以β片层形成的桶状结构为主。酶学性质研究表明,该酶的最适反应温度为35°C,在45°C以下比较稳定。最适的p H为8.0,在p H为6.0–12.0条件之间比较稳定。低浓度的Ca~(2+)以及Mg~(2+)对酶活性有促进作用,Fe~(2+)、Mn~(2+)、Zn~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Ni~(2+)等金属离子对酶活性有抑制作用。【结论】本研究成功对phy HT进行了蛋白序列分析以及酶学性质研究,phy HT属于碱性植酸酶,酶活性高、稳定性好,在理论研究和工业生产方面均有很大应用价值。     

嗜热古菌Archaeoglobus fulgidus RecJ核酸酶的表达纯化及酶学特征

【目的】克隆表达嗜热古菌Archaeoglobus fulgidus (A.fulgidus)来源的RecJ核酸酶基因(ORF编号AF_0699,NCBI数据库基因登陆号为AF_RS03550),对该重组蛋白的核酸酶活性及酶学特征进行鉴定和分析。【方法】将A.fulgidus RecJ (AfuRecJ)核酸酶在大肠杆菌中进行重组表达,经亲和层析纯化得到电泳纯蛋白;利用人工合成的带有末端荧光标记的寡核苷酸作为底物,体外反应后,利用8 mol/L尿素变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳鉴定AfuRecJ核酸酶的水解产物。【结果】AfuRecJ核酸酶具有单链DNA特异性的3’–5’外切核酸酶活性,酶活性依赖于二价金属离子Mn2+或Mg2+,且Mn2+存在条件下的催化效率明显优于Mg2+;其最适反应温度范围为55–65℃;高于200 mmol/L的NaCl会显著抑制AfuRecJ的核酸酶活性。AfuRecJ还具有单链RNA 3’–5’外切酶活性,且活性高于单链DNA底物。单链核酸3’末端的磷酸基团对水解活性有一定抑制作用。AfuRecJ对单链核酸的长度有一定的选择性,可以有效水解长度≥4个核苷酸长度的单链RNA、≥12个核苷酸长度的单链DNA,而且对双链DNA中的3’单链DNA结构(3’突出单链尾巴与末端分叉结构)具有类似单链DNA的水解活性。【结论】本研究证实AfuRecJ是一种单链核酸特异性的3’–5’外切核酸酶,且相比单链DNA,单链RNA为优势底物,推测其在胞内可能参与RNA降解与DNA修复。     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

Biological control of three floating water weeds,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eichhornia crassipes,Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salviniamolesta</Emphasis> in the Republic of Congo

Since 1999, four specific weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) were released in the Republic of Congo against three exotic floating water weeds: Neochetina eichhorniae Warner and N. bruchi Hustache against water hyacinth, Neohydronomus affinis Hustache against water lettuce, and Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands against water fern. Recoveries of exotic weevils were made from all 24 release sites except one, and all four species have established and spread (up to 800 km for water hyacinth weevils). Within a few years of releases, control of water fern and water lettuce was such that fishing and navigation could be resumed, while reductions of water hyacinth populations were only beginning.     

A molecular phylogeny of Hebeloma species from Europe

In order to widen the scope of existing phylogenies of the ectomycorrhizal agaric genus Hebeloma a total of 53 new rDNA ITS sequences from that genus was generated, augmented by sequences retrieved from GenBank, and analysed using Bayesian, strict consensus and neighbour joining methods. The lignicolous Hebelomina neerlandica, Gymnopilus penetrans, and two species of Galerina served as outgroup taxa. Anamika indica, as well as representatives of the genera Hymenogaster and Naucoria, were included to test the monophyly of Hebeloma, which is confirmed by the results. Hebeloma, Naucoria, Hymenogaster and Anamika indica cluster in a strongly supported monophyletic hebelomatoid clade. All trees largely reflect the current infrageneric classification within Hebeloma, and divide the genus into mostly well-supported monophyletic groups surrounding H. crustuliniforme, H. velutipes, H. sacchariolens, H. sinapizans, and H. radicosum, with H. sarcophyllum being shown at an independent position; however this is not well supported. The section Indusiata divides with strong support into three groups, the position of the pleurocystidiate Hebeloma cistophilum suggests the possible existence of a third subsection within sect. Indusiata. Subsection Sacchariolentia is raised to the rank of section.     

Die GattungKarschia — Bindeglied zwischen bitunicaten Ascomyceten und lecanoralen Flechtenpilzen?

The genusKarschia, in the earlier sense, including saprophytes and parasites on lichens, has been thought to be a non-lichenized parallel genus of the lichen genusBuellia. Modern workers included it on the one hand inBuellia, on the other hand combined it with bitunicate ascomycetes. It is now proved thatKarschia is heterogeneous and contains but superficially similar members both of the genusBuellia of theLecanorales and of typical or masked bitunicateAscomycetes. Therefore, it can not be regarded as a link betweenLecanorales andDothideales. The type species ofKarschia belongs to theDothideales.

     

Entwicklungsgeschichte und Ultrastruktur von Pollenkitt und Exine bei nahe verwandten entomophilen und anemophilen Angiospermensippen derAlismataceae,Liliaceae, Juncaceae,Cyperaceae, Poaceae undAraceae

Some closely related members of the monocotyledonous familiesAlismataceae, Liliaceae, Juncaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae andAraceae with variable modes of pollination (insect- and wind-pollination) were studied in relation to the ultrastructure of pollenkitt and exine (amount, consistency and distribution of pollenkitt on the surface of pollen grains). The character syndromes of pollen cementing in entomophilous, anemophilous and intermediate (ambophilous or amphiphilous) monocotyledons are the same in principal as in dicotyledons. Comparing present with former results one can summarize: 1) The pollenkitt is always produced in the same manner by the anther tapetum in all angiosperm sub-classes. 2) The variable stickiness of entomophilous and anemophilous pollen always depends on the particular distribution and consistency of the pollenkitt, but not its amount on the pollen surface. 3) The mostly dry and powdery pollen of anemophilous plants always contains a variable amount of inactive pollenkitt in its exine cavities. 4) A step-by step change of the pollen cementing syndrome can be observed from entomophily towards anemophily. 5) From the omnipresence of pollenkitt in all wind-pollinated angiosperms studied one can conclude that the ancestors of anemophilous angiosperms probably have been zoophilous (i.e. entomophilous) throughout.

     

安徽牯牛降的丝孢菌Ⅰ

本文报导作者采自安徽枯牛降自然保护区的18种丝孢菌,分属于5个属,其中有3个新种:牛皮冻生尾孢(Cercospora paederiicola),山鸡椒假尾饱(Pseudocercospora litseae-cubebae),鸡血藤生假尾孢(P. millettiicola)和2个中国新纪录。文中对新种进行了描述及绘图,新记录种作了简要说明。研究的标本保存在中国科学院微生物研究所真菌标本室(HMAS)。     

Changes of dung beetle communities from rainforests towards agroforestry systems and annual cultures in Sulawesi (Indonesia)

Little is known about how tropical land-use systems contribute to the conservation of functionally important insect groups, including dung beetles. In a study at the margin of Lore Lindu National Park (a biodiversity hotspot in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia) dung-beetle communities were sampled in natural forest, young secondary forest, agroforestry systems (cacao plantations with shade trees) and annual cultures (maize fields), each with four replicates (n = 16 sites). At each site we used 10 pitfall traps, baited with cattle dung, along a 100 m transect for six 3-day periods. The number of trapped specimens and species richness at the natural forest sites was higher than in all land-use systems, which did not significantly differ. Each land-use system contained, on average, 75% of the species richness of the natural forest, thereby indicating their importance for conservation. However, a two-dimensional scaling plot based on NESS indices (m = 6) indicated distinct dung beetle communities for both forest types, while agroforestry systems and annual cultures exhibited a pronounced overlap. Mean body size of dung beetles was not significantly influenced by land-use intensity. Five of the six most abundant dung beetle species were recorded in all habitats, whereas the abundance of five other species was significantly related to habitat type. Mean local abundance and number of occupied sites were closely correlated, further indicating little habitat specialisation. The low dung beetle diversity (total of 18 recorded species) may be due to the absence of larger mammals in Sulawesi during historical times, even though Sulawesi is the largest island of Wallacea. In conclusion, the dung beetle fauna of the lower montane forest zone in Central Sulawesi appears to be relatively robust to man-made habitat changes and the majority of species did not exhibit strong habitat preferences.