The subunit composition of Portunus trituberculatus hemocyanin polymers

The subunit composition of isolated polymeric forms of Portunus trituberculatus hemocyanin were analysed by immunological techniques. The dodecamers contain four monomeric subunits corresponding to subunits I, II, III and IV, whereas the hexamers are devoid of subunit IV. These results suggest that subunit IV is required as a joining piece for the assembly of dodecamers.     

Extracellular secretion of levansucrase from Zymomonas mobilis in Escherichia coli

Secretion of levansucrase from Zymomonas mobilis in Escherichiacoli by glycine supplement was investigated. A significant amount of levansucrase (about 25% of total activity) was found in intact whole-cells. Cell fractionation experiments showed that levansucrase was found both in the periplasmic space and in the cytoplasmic fraction of E. coli. None or only trace amounts of levansucrase was detected in the extracellular culture broth at 24 h of cultivation and it accrued with the increasing concentration of glycine in the culture medium and duration of the culture period. Optimal glycine concentration for the maximum secretion of levansucrase was in the range of 0.8-1%, in which approximately 20-50% of levansucrase was released into the extracellular fraction at 24 h of cultivation, although glycine retarded the bacterial growth.     

Hyphal morphogenesis in Aspergillus nidulans

The formation of hyphae that grow solely by apical extension is a defining feature of filamentous fungi. Hyphal morphogenesis involves several key steps, including the establishment and maintenance of a stable polarity axis, as well as cell division via the deposition of septa. Several filamentous fungi have been employed in attempts to decipher the mechanisms underlying these steps. Amongst these fungi, Aspergillus nidulans has proven to be a particularly valuable model. The genetic tractability of this fungus coupled with the availability of sophisticated post-genomics resources has enabled the identification and characterization of numerous genes involved in hyphal morphogenesis. Here, we summarize current progress towards understanding the function of these genes and the mechanisms involved in polarized hyphal growth and septation in A. nidulans. We also highlight important areas for future investigation.     

Immunological characterization of cytochrome H-450 in rat tissues

Rabbit antiserum produced against rat liver cytochrome H-450 was specific for cytochrome H-450. The antiserum did not react with hemolysate, microsomal and mitochondrial fractions of liver, and tissue extracts from heart, lung skeletal muscle, and testis of rat. With the monospecific antiserum, a rocket immunoelectrophoretic assay method was developed for the quantitation of the antigen with a sensitivity of 25 ng. By using rocket immunoelectrophoresis, the total amounts of the antigen found in liver, kidney, and brain of 20 rats were 33.6, 3.6, and 1.3 mg, respectively. It appears that the antigens in liver, kidney, and brain are immunologically identical. From immunological studies with subcellular fractions of rat liver, the antigen was found only in the postmicrosomal fraction. This indicates that the antigen is not a precursor or a proteolytic product of known cytochromes in mitochondria or microsomes. Therefore, cytochrome H-450 is a unique cytosolic protein found in brain, kidney, and liver.     

Novel Method for Detection of Butanolides in Streptomyces coelicolor Culture Broth, Using a His-Tagged Receptor (ScbR) and Mass Spectrometry

γ-Butyrolactone derivative molecules in Streptomyces play a crucial role in cell density control, secondary metabolism, and cell differentiation. As their synthesis level in the cell is very low compared to those of similar N-acyl homoserine lactone molecules from gram-negative bacteria, it is very hard to analyze them even with several hundredfold concentration of the culture broth. We have developed a very quick and easy detection method using an affinity capture technique with His-tagged receptor proteins and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Using Streptomyces coelicolor as a model system, SCB1 was detected from only 100 ml of the culture broth after solvent extraction. This method can be further applied to detection and quantitative analysis of butanolides and inhibitor screening of the receptor molecules.     

Nonthermal Plasma‐Induced Degradation of Morin and Enhancement of Biological Activities

In the present study, non‐thermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma of induced structural changes of morin resulted in the isolation of one previously undescribed benzofuranone derivative, along with two known compounds. The chemical structures of these degradation products were elucidated by UV, NMR and FAB‐MS spectroscopic analyses. The isolated three compounds showed potent antioxidative activities in two different tests, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 12.9–41.8 μm in the 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS⁺) radical scavenging activity, 19.0–71.9 μm for hydroxyl radical scavenging activity test. Furthermore, the new methoxylated benzofuranone exhibited enhancement of inhibitory effects against pancreatic lipase with an IC₅₀ value of 90.7±1.6 μm , when compared to the parent morin. These results suggested that the degradation products isolated from plasma exposed morin might be beneficial for prevention of obesity and related diseases.