Oxidation of Methanol,Formaldehyde and Formate by a Candida Species

1. The oxidation of methanol to carbon dioxide by Candida N–16 grown on methanol was investigated. The presence of enzymes which catalyze the following reaction was found in the cell-free extract of the yeast employed; CH₃OH→HCHO→HCOOH→CO₂. 2. Methanol was oxidized to formaldehyde by an alcohol oxidase. The reaction was as follows; CH₃OH+O₂→HCHO+H₂O₂. The alcohol oxidase was crystallized after purification by ammonium sulfate-precipitation and column chromatography using DEAE-Sephadex A-50. A prosthetic group of the enzyme was proved to be FAD. The enzyme possessed a broad specificity for alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol and n-amylalcohol. The enzyme was inducibly formed only by the addition of methanol. 3. The oxidation of formaldehyde to formate was catalyzed by a NAD-linked dehydrogenase dependent on GSH. 4. Formate was oxidized by a NAD-linked dehydrogenase. 5. Catalase was also found in the extract, and methanol was chemically oxidized by the reaction of catalase and hydrogen peroxide which was generated by the alcohol oxidase system. 6. The oxidation pathway from methanol to carbon dioxide was also found in other methanol-utilizing yeasts such as Candida N-17, Saccharomyces H-1 and Torulopsis M-1.     

Genes Required for Vacuolar Acidity in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Mutations that cause loss of acidity in the vacuole (lysosome) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were identified by screening colonies labeled with the fluorescent, pH-sensitive, vacuolar labeling agent, 6-carboxyfluorescein. Thirty nine vacuolar pH (Vph-) mutants were identified. Four of these contained mutant alleles of the previously described PEP3, PEP5, PEP6 and PEP7 genes. The remaining mutants defined eight complementation groups of vph mutations. No alleles of the VAT2 or TFP1 genes (known to encode subunits of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase) were identified in the Vph- screen. Strains bearing mutations in any of six of the VPH genes failed to grow on medium buffered at neutral pH; otherwise, none of the vph mutations caused notable growth inhibition on standard yeast media. Expression of the vacuolar protease, carboxypeptidase Y, was defective in strains bearing vph4 mutations but was apparently normal in strains bearing any of the other vph mutations. Defects in vacuolar morphology at the light microscope level were evident in all Vph- mutants. Strains that contained representative mutant alleles of the 17 previously described PEP genes were assayed for vacuolar pH; mutations in seven of the PEP genes (including PEP3, PEP5, PEP6 and PEP7) caused loss of vacuolar acidity.     

Regulation of Enzymes Associated with C-1 Metabolism in Three Facultative Methylotrophs

The levels of the oxidation enzyme methanol dehydrogenase and the serine pathway enzymes, hydroxypyruvate reductase, glycerate kinase, serine transhydroxymethylase, serine-glyoxylate aminotransferase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, and malyl-coenzyme A lyase, were studied in cells of the facultative methylotrophs Pseudomonas AM1, Pseudomonas 3A2 and Hyphomicrobium X grown on different substrates. Induction and dilution curves for these enzymes suggest they may be regulated coordinately in Hyphomicrobium X, but not in Pseudomonas AM1 or 3A2. Glyoxylate stimulated the serine transhydroxymethylase activity in methanol-grown cells of all three organisms. A secondary alcohol dehydrogenase activity was detected at low levels in Pseudomonas AM1 and Hyphomicrobium X, but not in Pseudomonas 3A2.     

Genome-Wide Screening of Genes Required for Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Biosynthesis

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) is synthesized and transferred to proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). GPI-anchored proteins are then transported from the ER to the plasma membrane through the Golgi apparatus. To date, at least 17 steps have been identified to be required for the GPI biosynthetic pathway. Here, we aimed to establish a comprehensive screening method to identify genes involved in GPI biosynthesis using mammalian haploid screens. Human haploid cells were mutagenized by the integration of gene trap vectors into the genome. Mutagenized cells were then treated with a bacterial pore-forming toxin, aerolysin, which binds to GPI-anchored proteins for targeting to the cell membrane. Cells that showed low surface expression of CD59, a GPI-anchored protein, were further enriched for. Gene trap insertion sites in the non-selected population and in the enriched population were determined by deep sequencing. This screening enriched 23 gene regions among the 26 known GPI biosynthetic genes, which when mutated are expected to decrease the surface expression of GPI-anchored proteins. Our results indicate that the forward genetic approach using haploid cells is a useful and powerful technique to identify factors involved in phenotypes of interest.     

Organization of the Chorion Genes of BOMBYX MORI, a Multigene Family. II. Partial Localization of Three Gene Clusters

Chorion genes of the inbred stock Ascoli have been localized to three linked clusters by analysis of testcross progeny. Electrophoretic variants screened by isoelectric focusing served as markers. The clusters are designated Ch 1, Ch 2, and Ch 3. The gene order is Ch 1–Ch 2–Ch 3–Y, with relative map distances of approximately 0.4 m.u. for Ch 1–2, 3.3 ± 0.9 m.u. for Ch 2–3, and 21 m.u. for Ch 3-Y. In a separate testcross using different markers, two chorion regions were localized 2.3 m.u. and 3.1 m.u. from p. These markers could not be assigned to Ch 1, 2, or 3 because there is at present no test for allelism in this system.     

Genetic Mapping of Genes Required for Motility in CAULOBACTER CRESCENTUS

Mutations in more than 30 genes affect motility in Caulobacter crescentus. We have determined the chromosomal map locations for 27 genes involved in flagellar morphogenesis (fla), three genes involved in flagellar function (mot), and three genes that have a pleiotropic effect on both motility and bacteriophage resistance (ple). Three multigene clusters have been detected at widely separated chromosomal locations, but in addition, there are 12 fla and mot genes that are found at eight additional sites scattered around the C. cresentus chromosome. Thus, there is more scatter of genes involved in flagellar structure and function than has been observed in other bacterial systems.     

Identification of Genes Required for the Function of Non-Race-Specific mlo Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Barley

Recessive alleles (mlo) of the Mlo locus in barley mediate a broad, non-race-specific resistance reaction to the powdery mildew fungus Erysiphe graminis f sp hordei. A mutational approach was used to identify genes that are required for the function of mlo. Six susceptible M2 individuals were isolated after inoculation with the fungal isolate K1 from chemically mutagenized seed carrying the mlo-5 allele. Susceptibility in each of these individuals is due to monogenic, recessively inherited mutations in loci unlinked to mlo. The mutants identify two unlinked complementation groups, designated Ror1 and Ror2 (required for mlo-specified resistance). Both Ror genes are required for the function of different tested mlo alleles and for mlo function after challenge with different isolates of E. g. f sp hordei. A quantitative cytological time course analysis revealed that the host cell penetration efficiency in the mutants is intermediate compared with mlo-resistant and Mlo-susceptible genotypes. Ror1 and Ror2 mutants could be differentiated from each other by the same criterion. The spontaneous formation of cell wall appositions in mlo plants, a subcellular structure believed to represent part of the mlo defense, is suppressed in mlo/ror genotypes. In contrast, accumulation of major structural components in the appositions is seemingly unaltered. We conclude that there is a regulatory function for the Ror genes in mlo-specified resistance and propose a model in which the Mlo wild-type allele functions as a negative regulator and the Ror genes act as positive regulators of a non-race-specific resistance response.     

Membrane Association via an Amino-terminal Amphipathic Helix Is Required for the Cellular Organization and Function of RNase II

The subcellular localization of the exoribonuclease RNase II is not known despite the advanced biochemical characterization of the enzyme. Here we report that RNase II is organized into cellular structures that appear to coil around the Escherichia coli cell periphery and that RNase II is associated with the cytoplasmic membrane by its amino-terminal amphipathic helix. The helix also acts as an autonomous transplantable membrane binding domain capable of directing normally cytoplasmic proteins to the membrane. Assembly of the organized cellular structures of RNase II required the RNase II amphipathic membrane binding domain. Co-immunoprecipitation of the protein from cell extracts indicated that RNase II interacts with itself. The RNase II self-interaction and the ability of the protein to assemble into organized cellular structures required the membrane binding domain. The ability of RNase II to maintain cell viability in the absence of the exoribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase was markedly diminished when the RNase II cellular structures were lost due to changes in the amphipathicity of the amino-terminal helix, suggesting that membrane association and assembly of RNase II into organized cellular structures play an important role in the normal function of the protein within the bacterial cell.     

Identification of Lactococcus lactis Genes Required for Bacteriophage Adsorption

The aim of this work was to identify genes in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IL1403 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris Wg2 important for adsorption of the 936-species phages bIL170 and 645, respectively. Random insertional mutagenesis of the two L. lactis strains was carried out with the vector pGh9:ISS1, and integrants that were resistant to phage infection and showed reduced phage adsorption were selected. In L. lactis IL1403 integration was obtained in the ycaG and rgpE genes, whereas in L. lactis Wg2 integration was obtained in two genes homologous to ycbC and ycbB of L. lactis IL1403. rgpE and ycbB encode putative glycosyltransferases, whereas ycaG and ycbC encode putative membrane-spanning proteins with unknown functions. Interestingly, ycaG, rgpE, ycbC, and ycbB are all part of the same operon in L. lactis IL1403. This operon is probably involved in biosynthesis and transport of cell wall polysaccharides (WPS). Binding and infection studies showed that 645 binds to and infects L. lactis Wg2, L. lactis IL1403, and L. lactis IL1403 strains with pGh9:ISS1 integration in ycaG and rgpE, whereas bIL170 binds to and infects only L. lactis IL1403 and cannot infect Wg2. These results indicate that 645 binds to a WPS structure present in both L. lactis IL1403 and L. lactis Wg2, whereas bIL170 binds to another WPS structure not present in L. lactis Wg2. Binding of bIL170 and 645 to different WPS structures was supported by alignment of the receptor-binding proteins of bIL170 and 645 that showed no homology in the C-terminal part.     

Organization of Carboxysome Genes in the Thiobacilli

The order of genes in the carboxysome gene clusters of four thiobacilli was examined and the possibility of the cluster forming an operon evaluated. Furthermore, carboxysome peptide homologs were compared with respect to similarities in primary sequence, and the unique structural features of the shell protein CsoS2 were described. Received: 27 March 2002 / Accepted: 30 April 2002     

Identification of New Genes Required for Meiotic Recombination in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Mutants defective in meiotic recombination were isolated from a disomic haploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by examining recombination within the leu2 and his4 heteroalleles located on chromosome III. The mutants were classified into two new complementation groups (MRE2 and MRE11) and eight previously identified groups, which include SPO11, HOP1, REC114, MRE4/MEK1 and genes in the RAD52 epistasis group. All of the mutants, in which the mutations in the new complementation groups are homozygous and diploid, can undergo premeiotic DNA synthesis and produce spores. The spores are, however, not viable. The mre2 and mre11 mutants produce viable spores in a spo13 background, in which meiosis I is bypassed, suggesting that these mutants are blocked at an early step in meiotic recombination. The mre2 mutant does not exhibit any unusual phenotype during mitosis and it is, thus, considered to have a mutation in a meiosis-specific gene. By contrast, the mre11 mutant is sensitive to damage to DNA by methyl methanesulfonate and exhibits a hyperrecombination phenotype in mitosis. Among six alleles of HOP1 that were isolated, an unusual pattern of intragenic complementation was observed.     

Identification of Unique Type II Polyketide Synthase Genes in Soil

Many bacteria, particularly actinomycetes, are known to produce secondary metabolites synthesized by polyketide synthases (PKS). Bacterial polyketides are a particularly rich source of bioactive molecules, many of which are of potential pharmaceutical relevance. To directly access PKS gene diversity from soil, we developed degenerate PCR primers for actinomycete type II KS_α (ketosynthase) genes. Twenty-one soil samples were collected from diverse sources in New Jersey, and their bacterial communities were compared by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) analysis of PCR products generated using bacterial 16S rRNA gene primers (27F and 1525R) as well as an actinomycete-specific forward primer. The distribution of actinomycetes was highly variable but correlated with the overall bacterial species composition as determined by TRFLP. Two samples were identified to contain a particularly rich and unique actinomycete community based on their TRFLP patterns. The same samples also contained the greatest diversity of KS_α genes as determined by TRFLP analysis of KS_α PCR products. KS_α PCR products from these and three additional samples with interesting TRFLP pattern were cloned, and seven novel clades of KS_α genes were identified. Greatest sequence diversity was observed in a sample containing a moderate number of peaks in its KS_α TRFLP. The nucleotide sequences were between 74 and 81% identical to known sequences in GenBank. One cluster of sequences was most similar to the KS_α involved in ardacin (glycopeptide antibiotic) production by Kibdelosporangium aridum. The remaining sequences showed greatest similarity to the KS_α genes in pathways producing the angucycline-derived antibiotics simocyclinone, pradimicin, and jasomycin.     

甲醛氧化途径关键酶重组蛋白的生化特性及固定化酶吸收甲醛效果研究

甲醛脱氢酶(formaldehyde dehydrogenase,ADH)与甲酸脱氢酶(formate dehydrogenase,FDH)是甲醛氧化途径的两个关键酶.恶臭假单胞菌(Pseudomonas putida)的PADH是一种不依赖谷胱甘肽可以把游离甲醛直接氧化为甲酸的脱氢酶,博伊丁假丝酵母菌(Candida boidinii)的FDH在有NAD+存在时可以把甲酸氧化为二氧化碳.以基因组DNA为模板用PCR方法,从P.putida中扩增出PADH基因的编码区(padh),从C.boidinii中扩增出FDH的编码区(fdh),然后亚克隆到pET-28a(+)中分别构建这两个基因的原核表达载体pET-28a-padh和pET-28a-fdh,转化大肠杆菌,利用IPTG诱导重组蛋白PADH和FDH的表达.通过优化条件使重组蛋白的表达量占菌体总蛋白的70%以上,通过亲和层析法纯化出可溶性PADH和FDH重组蛋白.对重组蛋白的生化特性分析结果表明:PADH在最适反应温度50℃的活性为1.95 U/mg;FDH在最适反应温度40℃的活性为0.376 U/mg.所表达的重组蛋白与之前报道过的相比,具有更好的热稳定性和更广的温度适应范围.将PADH、FDH两个重组蛋白及辅因子NAD+固定到聚丙烯酰胺载体基质上,对固定化酶甲醛吸收效果的初步分析结果显示固定化酶对空气中的甲醛有一定的吸收效果,说明这两种酶被固定后具有开发成治理甲醛污染环保产品的潜力.