Solubility characteristics of Micrococcus lysodeikticus membrane components in detergents and chaotropic salts analyzed by immunoelectrophoresis

In order to evaluate the effectiveness and selectivity of various reagents in the solubilization of bacterial membranes, membranes of Micrococcus lysodeikticus were treated with detergents and chaotropic agents. The composition of the extracts so obtained was analyzed by rocket and two-dimensional immunoelectrophoretic techniques. Recovery of succinate-, malate-, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide- (NADH) dehydrogenases, ATPase, succinylated lipomannan and cytochromes in the extracts was measured. Treatment with a variety of non-denaturing detergents produced extracts that were generally qualitatively uniform although quantitative differences were observed. The degree of extraction of various components was correlated with the hydrophile-lipophile balance. Several chaotropic agents were also evaluated as reagents for membrane solubilization. These agents were less effective in extraction of bulk protein, but produced extracts enriched in some membrane components.     

Growth kinetics for shelf-life prediction: Theory and practice

Summary Predictive microbiology can be used to determine and predict the shelf-life of perishable foods under commercial distribution conditions based on microbial growth kinetics. This paper presents general microbial growth kinetics with the Monod model and the Gompertz function. Additional models are given to describe effects of food composition (e. g.a _w) and environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, gas atmosphere) as well as their interaction on the growth kinetic parameters (lag time and specific growth rate). These models can be used to predict the time to reach a critical level under any constant conditions within the range tested. A combination of microbial kinetics with an engineering accumulation approach can be used to predict the final microbial level in a food, or the loss of shelf-life, for any known time-temperature sequence, if there is no history effect or the history effect is negligible. A time-temperature indicator, could be used for predicting the remaining shelf-life of perishable foods under any distribution condition based on microbial growth kinetics.Mention of brand or firm names does not constitute an endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture over others of a similar nature not mentioned.     

Biochemical changes accompanying the long-term starvation of Micrococcus luteus cells in spent growth medium

Changes in the biochemical properties of Micrococcus luteus cells were studied during the transition to a dormant state after incubation in an extended stationary phase. The overall DNA content after 150 days of starvation was similar to its initial level, while the RNA content decreased by 50%. Total lipids and protein, phospholipids and membrane proteins declined rapidly within the first 1–10 days of starvation. After 180 days of starvation, cells contained 43% of the protein and 35% of the lipid initially present. Starvation for 120 days resulted in the loss of phosphatidylglycerol and, to some extent, of phosphatidylinositol, giving a membrane whose phospholipids consisted mainly of cardiolipin. The membrane fluidity declined during starvation, as judged by diphenyl hexatriene fluorescence anisotropy measurements. Oxidase activities declined to zero within the first 20–30 days of starvation, while the dehydrogenases and cytochromes were more stable. The activities of some cytoplasmic enzymes were lost very rapidly, while NADPH-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase had 30% of its initial activity after 120 days of starvation. For all parameters tested there were significant fluctuations during the first 10–20 days of starvation, which may reflect cryptic growth in the culture.Abbreviations MPN Most probable number - DPH Diphenyl hexatriene     

The photosensitivity of the malate oxidase system of a pigmented strain and a carotenoidles mutant of Sarcina lutea (Micrococcus luteus)

The effect of white light on the malate oxidase of Sarcina lutea (Micrococcus luteus) membranes has been examined using a carotenoid-containing and a carotenoidless mutant. At least three photosensitive sites have been detected. Two of these are associated with the malate dehydrogenase complex (malate-menaquinone reductase) and are unaffected by membrane carotenoid. A third site which has been detected beyond the dehydrogenase complex, is protected by carotenoid since it can only be demonstrated in carotenoidless systems. A repair mechanism has been found for one of the two sites in the dehydrogenase complex.     

Preliminary studies on the mechanisms of action of phosphonic analogues of morphactins on plants and bacteria

Two classes of phosphonopeptides, those containing P-terminal 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphos-phonic acid and those of dialkyl 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphine oxides, influence plant growth according to different mechanisms. The effect of these compounds on the growth of several bacterial species, including the photosynthetic bacteriumRhodospirillum rubrum, as well as on the activity of photosystems 1 and 2 in isolatedPisum sativum andSpirodela oligorrhiza chloroplasts was studied. The peptides of free, unblocked 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphonic acid acted in a morphactin-like manner, whereas those of dialkyl 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphine oxides influenced photosynthesis indirectly.     

The fine structure of Micrococcus radiophilus and Micrococcus radioproteolyticus

The radiation resistant bacteria Micrococcus radiophilus and M. radioproteolyticus were studied by thin sectioning and freeze-etching techniques and the two species were found to be similar in the fine structure. The only significant difference was in the appearance of the surfaces of the cell walls in freeze-etched preparations.Since the two species, together with M. radiodurans, possess a unique cell wall structure and a cell wall peptidoglycan, which is different from that of other micrococci and Gram-positive cocci, it is recommended that they be reclassified into a new genus.     

人源溶菌酶在大肠杆菌中的表达与复性研究

人源溶菌酶(Human lysozyme,HLZ)是一种糖苷水解酶,具有抗菌消炎的作用,其作为抗生素的替代品,已经被广泛应用于食品业、畜牧业和医疗等领域。如何获得高产量、高活性、高纯度的人源溶菌酶一直是亟待解决的技术问题。优化人源溶菌酶编码基因密码子,提高其在大肠杆菌中的适应度和表达量;将优化的基因克隆至大肠杆菌表达质粒pET21a,并将其在大肠杆菌表达菌株BL21(DE3)中诱导表达;利用8 mol/L尿素溶液对包涵体进行溶解变性后,探究一步透析、梯度透析和梯度稀释3种复性方式以及复性液中谷胱甘肽氧化还原对(GSSG/GSH)、精氨酸、甘油等复性物的浓度对重组人源溶菌酶复性的效果,获得最佳的复性方案。研究结果表明:37℃诱导温度下,利用0.5 mmol/L IPTG成功诱导了分子量约为14.7 kD的重组人源溶菌酶的表达,包涵体表达量约为380 mg/L(湿重)。包涵体经一步透析、梯度透析和梯度稀释3种复性方式复性后,测得比活力值分别为147 U/mg、335 U/mg、176 U/mg,表明最佳复性方法为梯度透析复性法。进一步探索了复性液中GSSG/GSH比值、精氨酸浓度、甘油浓度对人源溶菌酶复性效果的影响,表明当复性液中同时添加浓度比为1∶2的GSSG/GSH、4 mmol/L精氨酸和6%甘油时,复性后人源溶菌酶的最佳比活力值为1170 U/mg,显著高于3种复性物均不加时溶菌酶335 U/mg的比活力值,但低于溶菌酶标准品1732 U/mg的比活力值。成功地将人源溶菌酶基因在大肠杆菌中表达,并通过包涵体复性体系成功获得高活性重组人源溶菌酶。     

Purification and Characterization of an Esterase from Micrococcus sp. YGJ1 Hydrolyzing Phthalate Esters

An esterase hydrolyzing phthalate esters has been purified from Micrococcus sp. YGJ1. The enzyme, a monomeric protein (M_r=56 kDa) with a pI of 4.0, hydrolyzes various aliphatic and aromatic carboxylesters. The medium chain (C₃-C₄) esters are the most preferred substrates. The enzyme is inhibited by HgCl₂ and p-chloromercuribenzoate but not by phenylmethyl-sulfonyl fluoride.     

Phytoremediation of fuel oil and lead co-contaminated soil by Chromolaena odorata in association with Micrococcus luteus

Phytoremediation is widely promoted as a cost-effective technology for treating heavy metal and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) co-contaminated soil. This study investigated the concurrent removal of TPHs and Pb in co-contaminated soil (27,000 mg kg^?1 TPHs, 780 mg kg^?1 Pb) by growing Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) in a pot experiment for 90 days. There were four treatments: co-contaminated soil; co-contaminated soil with C. odorata only; co-contaminated soil with C. odorata and Micrococcus luteus inoculum; and co-contaminated soil with M. luteus only. C. odorata survived and grew well in the co-contaminated soil. C. odorata with M. luteus showed the highest Pb accumulation (513.7 mg kg^?1) and uptake (7.7 mg plant^?1), and the highest reduction percentage of TPHs (52.2%). The higher TPH degradation in vegetated soils indicated the interaction between the rhizosphere microorganisms and plants. The results suggested that C. odorata together with M. luteus and other rhizosphere microorganisms is a promising candidate for the removal of Pb and TPHs in co-contaminated soils.     

玫瑰色微球菌A-04的红色素鉴定及稳定性分析

从石油污染的土壤和水样中筛选出一株玫瑰色微球菌A-04 Micrococcus roseus,对其所产红色色素进行了分离,并初步鉴定了色素种类,基于对影响A-04色素稳定性的单因素分析基础之上,采用3因素3水平响应面分析法,进一步对影响色素稳定性的主要因素进行了优化分析。结果表明A-04所产红色色素为类胡萝卜素,对该菌株的色素稳定性的单因素条件分析,色素对环境条件的耐受性较好,在80℃、pH5. 0～8. 0等条件下依然能长时间保持鲜红而不褪色。经响应面优化分析表明:温度、pH和溶剂是影响该色素稳定性的主要因素,温度与溶剂的交互作用对色素稳定性的影响也较为明显。pH5. 0～8. 0之间时,在80℃范围内,温度越低,同时溶剂的极性越大,越有利于维持色素的稳定性。本研究结果为该色素的实际开发和应用奠定了基础。