Biodegradation of poly(l-lactide)

The biodegradation of poly(L-lactide) (PLA) is reviewed. The important role of actinomycetes in PLA degradation is emphasized. These PLA-degrading actinomycetes belong phylogenetically to the Pseudonocardiaceae family and related genera, including Amycolatopsis, Lentzea, Streptoalloteichus, Kibdelosporangium and Saccharothrix. A PLA-degrading enzyme purified from an isolated Amycolatopsis strain-41 has substrate specificity on PLA higher than proteinase K. The application of these strains and their enzymes can be effectively used for biological treatment of plastic wastes containing PLA.     

Partial purification and characterization of an extracellular protease from<Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenorhabdus nematophilus</Emphasis>, a symbiotic bacterium isolated from an entomopathogenic nematode,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Steinernema glaseri</Emphasis>

Entomopathogenic nematodes are used for insect control. Herein, an extracellular protease was partially purified from a culture supernatant ofXenorhabdus nematophilus, a symbiotic bacterium of an entomopathogenic nematode,Steinernema glaseri, using precipitation with 80% v/v isopropyl alcohol followed by gel permeation chromatography with a packed Sephacryl S-300 HR media. The partially purified protease exhibited maximal activity at pH 7 in the presence of 1 mM CaCl₂. The protease was identified as a metallo-protease based on the inhibition of its activity by the metal chelating agent, EDTA.     

Identification of a novel genetically controlled step in mycorrhizal colonization: plant resistance to infection by fungal spores but not extra-radical hyphae

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi infect plants by means of both spores and vegetative hyphae at early stages of symbiosis. Using 2500 M2 fast-neutron-mutagenized seeds of the miniature tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivar, Micro-Tom, we isolated a mutant, M161, that is able to resist colonization in the presence of Glomus intraradices spores. The myc(-) phenotype of the mutant was stable for nine generations, and found to segregate as a single Mendelian recessive locus. The mutant exhibited morphological and growth-pattern characteristics similar to those of wild-type plants. Alterations of light intensity and day/night temperatures did not eliminate the myc(-) characteristic. Resistance to mycorrhizal fungal infection and colonization was also evident following inoculation with the fungi Glomus mosseae and Gigaspora margarita. Normal colonization of M161 was evident when mutant plants were grown together with arbuscular mycorrhizal-inoculated wild-type plants in the same growth medium. During evaluation of the pre-infection stages in the mutant rhizosphere, spore germination and appressoria formation of G. intraradices were lower by 45 and 70%, respectively, than the rates obtained with wild-type plants. These results reveal a novel, genetically controlled step in the arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization process, governed by at least one gene, which significantly reduces key steps in pre-mycorrhizal infection stages.     

An approach for cloning biosynthetic genes of 2-deoxystreptamine-containing aminocyclitol antibiotics: isolation of a biosynthetic gene cluster of tobramycin from Streptomyces tenebrarius

Genes homologous to 2-deoxystreptamine (DOS) biosynthetic genes were isolated from aminoglycoside producers, Micromonospora and Streptomyces spp., using PCR primers based on the core sequences of 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose (DOI) synthase and L-glutamine: scyllo-inosose aminotransferase (GIA). Identities of 40-45% were observed for DOI synthases, and 65-75% were observed for GIAs. The gene cluster of tobramycin biosynthesis was isolated from the genomic library of Streptomyces tenebrarius using DOI synthase as a probe. Sequencing of 33.9 kb revealed 24 putative open reading frames including the tobramycin biosynthetic gene cluster (13.8 kb) and a transport protein. This cluster encodes proteins homologous to 2-deoxystreptamine biosynthetic enzymes, glycosyltransferase and other aminocyclitols biosynthetic enzymes. Sequence analysis revealed the evolution of DOI synthases from 3-dehydroquinate (DHQ) synthases in actinomycetes. DOI synthases and GIA are therefore useful for cloning biosynthetic genes of DOS-containing aminocyclitol antibiotics or for screening such metabolites producers.     

Antisense inhibition of NADH glutamate synthase impairs carbon/nitrogen assimilation in nodules of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Legumes acquire significant amounts of nitrogen for growth from symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The glutamine synthetase (GS)/NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT) cycle catalyzes initial nitrogen assimilation. This report describes the impact of specifically reducing nodule NADH-GOGAT activity on symbiotic performance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Four independent transgenic alfalfa lines, designated GA89, GA87, GA88, and GA82 (for GOGATantisense), containing an antisense NADH-GOGAT cDNA fragment under the control of the soybean leghemoglobin (lbc3) promoter were evaluated. The GA plants were fertile and showed normal growth in non-symbiotic conditions. The NADH-GOGAT antisense transgene was heritable and the T1 plants showed phenotypic alterations - similar to primary transformants. Clonally propagated plants were inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti after rooting and the symbiotic phenotype was analyzed 21 days post-inoculation. Nodules of each GA line had reduced NADH-GOGAT activity, ranging from 33 to 87% of control plants, that was accompanied by comparable decreases in RNA and protein. Plants from the GA89 line, with the lowest NADH-GOGAT activity (c. 30%), presented a strikingly altered symbiotic phenotype: concomitantly activities of key enzyme for carbon and nitrogen assimilation decreased; nodule amino acids and amides were reduced while sucrose accumulated. Antisense GOGAT plants were chlorotic, reduced in fresh weight, and had a lower N content than control plants. Photosynthesis was also impaired in antisense plants. Specifically, reducing NADH-GOGAT in nodules resulted in plants having impaired nitrogen assimilation and altered carbon/nitrogen metabolic flux.     

山西运城盐湖放线菌区系研究

从山西运城盐湖分离到中、高温嗜碱或耐碱放线菌120株,对其进行了分类鉴定。根据形态和分类特征（细胞壁化学成分）,分别归入拟诺卡氏菌属（Nocardiopsis）、诺卡氏菌科（Nocediaceae）、小多孢菌属（Micromonospora）、马杜拉放线菌属（Actinomadura）及链霉菌属（Streptomyces）,并将链霉菌归入了11个类群。     

基于共生理论的兵团与地方城市“三生”功能跨界整合发展研究

基于共生理论，选取乌鲁木齐市、五家渠市、昌吉市为研究案例区，构建"三生"空间评价指标体系及"三生"功能评价指标体系，探讨乌五昌地区"三生"空间时空分异格局，借助共生度模型，识别兵团城市与地方城市"三生"功能共生发展模式，并对兵地城市跨界融合发展提供理论建议。结果表明：（1）研究区生产和生活空间面积呈上升趋势，生态空间面积呈下降趋势。（2）在生产功能方面，五家渠市与乌鲁木齐市、昌吉市共生模式分别为正向非对称共生、反向非对称共生，生活功能与生态功能方面，均为正向非对称共生，各功能城市间影响程度不同。（3）基于"三生"空间格局及"三生"功能共生模式，提出兵地融合发展建议，生产方面建立四区，三轴，一基地，生活方面加强交通路网建设，生态方面兵地协同建立生态保护区。     

Chitinolytic activity of endophytic Streptomyces and potential for biocontrol

Aims: Biological sources for the control of plant pathogenic fungi remain an important objective for sustainable agricultural practices. Actinomycetes are used extensively in the pharmaceutical industry and agriculture owing to their great diversity in enzyme production. In the present study, therefore, we evaluated chitinase production by endophytic actinomycetes and the potential of this for control of phytopathogenic fungi. Methods and Results: Endophytic Streptomyces were grown on minimum medium supplemented with chitin, and chitinase production was quantified. The strains were screened for any activity towards phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes by a dual‐culture in vitro assay. The correlation between chitinase production and pathogen inhibition was calculated and further confirmed on Colletotrichum sublineolum cell walls by scanning electron microscopy. Conclusions: This paper reports a genetic correlation between chitinase production and the biocontrol potential of endophytic actinomycetes in an antagonistic interaction with different phytopathogens, suggesting that this control could occur inside the host plant. Significance and Impact of the Study: A genetic correlation between chitinase production and pathogen inhibition was demonstrated. Our results provide an enhanced understanding of endophytic Streptomyces and its potential as a biocontrol agent. The implications and applications of these data for biocontrol are discussed.     

昆虫病原线虫共生菌Tc毒素研究进展

来自昆虫病原线虫共生菌的Tc毒素是一类多亚基组成的高分子蛋白复合物,对多种农业害虫具有广谱的胃毒活性,这类毒素与目前已知的其它杀虫蛋白同源性非常低,有可能成为新的杀虫资源。本文对来自昆虫病原线虫共生菌的Tc毒素的特性、作用模式等方面的国内外研究进展进行了综述。