<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus pumilus</Emphasis>laccase: a heat stable enzyme with a wide substrate spectrum

Background  

Laccases are multi-copper oxidases that catalyze the one electron oxidation of a broad range of compounds. Laccase substrates include substituted phenols, arylamines and aromatic thiols. Such compounds are activated by the enzyme to the corresponding radicals. Owing to their broad substrate range laccases are considered to be versatile biocatalysts which are capable of oxidizing natural and non-natural industrial compounds, with water as sole by-product.     

Improving the functional expression of a Bacillus licheniformis laccase by random and site-directed mutagenesis

Background  

Laccases have huge potential for biotechnological applications due to their broad substrate spectrum and wide range of reactions they are able to catalyze. These include, for example, the formation and degradation of dimers, oligomers, polymers, and ring cleavage as well as oxidation of aromatic compounds. Potential applications of laccases include detoxification of industrial effluents, decolorization of textile dyes and the synthesis of natural products by, for instance, dimerization of phenolic acids. We have recently published a report on the cloning and characterization of a CotA Bacillus licheniformis laccase, an enzyme that catalyzes dimerization of phenolic acids. However, the broad application of this laccase is limited by its low expression level of 26 mg l^-1 that was achieved in Escherichia coli. To counteract this shortcoming, random and site-directed mutagenesis have been combined in order to improve functional expression and activity of CotA.     

Improving the catalytic performance of fungal laccases in monoterpene-based reaction systems

Ternary systems consisting of monoterpenes (α-pinene or d-limonene), tert-butanol and water were used as reaction media to enhance the catalytic performance of laccases from various fungi sources (Trametes versicolor, T. hirsuta and Botrytis cinerea). The enzymes had improved catalytic efficiency (5- to 10-fold) in α-pinene-rich environment, while optimal reaction rates were in high-water content systems (15.5% v/v). The stability of laccases was significantly improved in monoterpene-based systems (up to 90% residual enzyme activity after 24 h at 30°C) in comparison with other non-conventional media. The results indicate that these ternary systems can increase the potential of laccases as catalysts for various oxidations.     

Structural analysis and biochemical properties of laccase enzymes from two Pediococcus species

Prokaryotic laccases are emergent biocatalysts. However, they have not been broadly found and characterized in bacterial organisms, especially in lactic acid bacteria. Recently, a prokaryotic laccase from the lactic acid bacterium Pediococcus acidilactici 5930, which can degrade biogenic amines, was discovered. Thus, our study aimed to shed light on laccases from lactic acid bacteria focusing on two Pediococcus laccases, P. acidilactici 5930 and Pediococcus pentosaceus 4816, which have provided valuable information on their biochemical activities on redox mediators and biogenic amines. Both laccases are able to oxidize canonical substrates as ABTS, ferrocyanide and 2,6-DMP, and non-conventional substrates as biogenic amines. With ABTS as a substrate, they prefer an acidic environment and show sigmoidal kinetic activity, and are rather thermostable. Moreover, this study has provided the first structural view of two lactic acid bacteria laccases, revealing new structural features not seen before in other well-studied laccases, but which seem characteristic for this group of bacteria. We believe that understanding the role of laccases in lactic acid bacteria will have an impact on their biotechnological applications and provide a framework for the development of engineered lactic acid bacteria with enhanced properties.     

Biochemical and molecular characterization of Coriolopsis rigida laccases involved in transformation of the solid waste from olive oil production

Two laccase isoenzymes were purified and characterized from the basidiomycete Coriolopsis rigida during transformation of the water-soluble fraction of “alpeorujo” (WSFA), a solid residue derived from the olive oil production containing high levels of toxic compounds. Zymogram assays of laccases secreted by the fungus growing on WSFA and WSFA supplemented with glucose showed two bands with isoelectric points of 3.3 and 3.4. The kinetic studies of the two purified isoenzymes showed similar affinity on 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), used as phenolic and non-phenolic model substrate, respectively. The molecular mass of both proteins was 66 kDa with 9% N-linked carbohydrate. Physico-chemical properties of the purified laccases from media containing WSFA were similar to those obtained from medium with glucose as the main carbon source. In-vitro studies performed with the purified laccases revealed a 42% phenol reduction of WSFA, as well as changes in the molecular mass distribution. These findings indicate that these laccases are involved in the process of transformation, via polymerization by the oxidation of phenolic compounds present in WSFA. A single laccase gene, containing an open reading frame of 1,488 bp, was obtained in PCR amplifications performed with cDNA extracted from mycelia grown on WSFA. The product of the gene shares 90% identity (95% similarity) with a laccase from Trametes trogii and 89% identity (95% similarity) with a laccase from Coriolopsis gallica. This is the first report on purification and molecular characterization of laccases directly involved in the transformation of olive oil residues.     

Comparison of fungal laccases and redox mediators in oxidation of a nonphenolic lignin model compound.

Several fungal laccases have been compared for the oxidation of a nonphenolic lignin dimer, 1-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)propan-1,3-diol (I), and a phenolic lignin model compound, phenol red, in the presence of the redox mediators 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (1-HBT) or violuric acid. The oxidation rates of dimer I by the laccases were in the following order: Trametes villosa laccase (TvL) > Pycnoporus cinnabarinus laccase (PcL) > Botrytis cinerea laccase (BcL) > Myceliophthora thermophila laccase (MtL) in the presence of either 1-HBT or violuric acid. The order is the same if the laccases are used at the same molar concentration or added to the same activity (with ABTS [2, 2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] as a substrate). During the oxidation of dimer I, both 1-HBT and violuric acid were to some extent consumed. Their consumption rates also follow the above order of laccases, i.e., TvL > PcL > BcL > MtL. Violuric acid allowed TvL and PcL to oxidize dimer I much faster than 1-HBT, while BcL and violuric acid oxidized dimer I more slowly than BcL and 1-HBT. The oxidation rate of dimer I is dependent upon both kcat and the stability of the laccase. Both 1-HBT and violuric acid inactivated the laccases, violuric acid to a greater extent than 1-HBT. The presence of dimer I or phenol red in the reaction mixture slowed down this inactivation. The inactivation is mainly due to the reaction of the redox mediator free radical with the laccases. We did not find any relationship between the carbohydrate content of the laccases and their inactivation. When the redox potential of the laccases is in the range of 750 to 800 mV, i.e., above that of the redox mediator, it does not affect kcat and the oxidation rate of dimer I.     

Purification and characterization of two thermostable laccases with high cold adapted characteristics from Pycnoporus sp. SYBC-L1

The white-rot fungus Pycnoporus sp. SYBC-L1 produced large amount of laccase in submerged fermentation. Two laccase isozymes (LacI and LacII) were purified using (NH₄)₂SO₄ fractionation, DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The molecular masses of LacI and Lac II were 55.89 and 63.07 kDa, respectively by SDS-PAGE. Both the laccases showed acidic pH optima and high catalytic activities at low temperature for oxidations of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMP), 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate acid) (ABTS), syringaldazine and guaiacol. LacI and LacII were not only with high cold adaptation, but also fairly stable at high temperature. The half-lives of LacI at 50, 60 and 70 °C were 69.31, 2.58 and 0.13 h, respectively, whereas LacII was more stable with half-lives of 256.72, 21.00 and 2.06 h respectively. The best substrates for the enzymes were both found to be ABTS, in which the K_m values of LacI and LacII were 0.0166 and 0.0435 mM and the catalytic efficiencies were 19640.36 and 31172.64 S⁻¹ mM⁻¹, respectively. EDTA and low concentration of Cu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ almost had non-inhibitions on their activities. LacII with syringaldehyde efficiently decolorized Remazol Brilliant Blue R. The high thermostabilities as well as cold adapted properties made Pycnoporus sp. SYBC-L1 laccases to be excellent candidates in harsh industry.     

Occurrence of laccases in lichenized ascomycetes of the Peltigerineae

Following our previous findings of high extracellular redox activity in lichens, the results of the work presented here identify the enzymes involved as laccases. Despite numerous data on laccases in fungi and flowering plants, this is the first report of the occurrence of laccases in lichenized ascomycetes. Extracellular laccase activity was measured in 40 species of lichens from different taxonomic groupings and contrasting habitats. Out of 20 species tested from suborder Peltigerineae, 18 displayed laccase activity, while activity was absent in species tested from other lichen groups. Identification of the enzymes as laccases was confirmed by the ability of lichen leachates to readily metabolize substrates such as 2,2′-azino(bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), syringaldazine and o-tolidine in the absence of hydrogen peroxide, sensitivity of the enzymes to cyanide and azide, the enzymes having typical laccase pH and temperature optima, and an absorption spectrum with a peak at 614 nm. Desiccation and wounding stimulated laccase activity. Laccase activity was not increased after treatment with normal inducers of laccase synthesis, suggesting that they are constitutively expressed. Electrophoresis showed that the active form of laccase from Peltigera malacea was a tetramer with an unusually high molecular mass of 340 kDa and an isoelectric point (pI) of 4.7. The finding of abundant extracellular redox enzymes known to actively produce reactive oxygen species suggest that their roles may include increasing nutrient supply to lichens by delignification, and deterring pathogens by contributing to the oxidative burst. Furthermore, once released into the environment, they may participate in the carbon cycle by facilitating the breakdown or formation of humic substances.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrothecium verrucaria</Emphasis> F-3851, a producer of laccases transforming phenolic compounds at neutral and alkaline conditions

The conditions of submerged cultivation of the ascomycete Myrothecium verrucaria strain F-3851 were optimized in order to increase the yield of laccase in the culture liquid using the natural sources of carbon and energy (fresh rubbed potato tuber or floured grains of buckwheat, barley, oat, wheat, rye, rice, pea, or haricot). The pH-optima of oxidation of a number of laccase substrates (ABTS, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, syringaldazine, ferulic acid, p-coumaryl alcohol, and coniferyl alcohol) by laccases of the culture liquid as well as substrate selectivity of laccases were investigated. The intermediates of transformation of phenylpropanoids (ferulic acid, p-coumaryl alcohol and coniferyl alcohol) by laccases of the culture liquid at neutral conditions were purified and identified. The ability of laccases of the culture liquid of M. verrucaria strain F-3851 to catalyze polymer compound formation during phenylpropanoid transformation was shown that offers the prospects of application of the laccases of M. verrucaria strain F-3851 for production of pharmacologically valuable polymers in a number of cellular biotechnologies carried out in neutral or alkaline environments.     

A novel ethanol-tolerant laccase,Tvlac, from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trametes versicolor</Emphasis>

Objectives

To produce and characterize novel laccases with ethanol tolerance from Trametes versicolor using agriculture by-products as energy source.

Results

Trametes versicolor 1017 produces two laccase isoenzymes with a total activity of 10 U ml^?1 within 8 days when using wheat bran and peanut powder as energy sources in liquid culture medium. A novel isoenzyme, named Tvlac, was identified, purified and characterized. Its optimum pH and temperature were from 4.5 to 5 and 55 to 60 °C, respectively. Its activity was stimulated by ethanol at 10 % (v/v) which increased the V ₀.

Conclusions

The biochemical properties of Tvlac substantiate the potential of this enzyme for applications under an aqueous ethanol mixture environment.

     

Improvement of laccase production and its properties by low-energy ion implantation

Low-energy ion implantation was employed to breed laccase producing strain Paecilomyces sp. WSH-L07 and a mutant S152 that exhibited an activity of more than three times over the wild strain was obtained. The optimum substrate of both the wild and mutant laccases was 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate), and followed by guaiacol with optimal pH at 3.4 and 5.0, respectively, while the mutant laccase exhibited a broader active pH range. The mutant laccase had a higher optimal catalytic temperature (60–65 °C) than the wild one (55 °C), and the wild laccase deactivated rapidly when temperature increased above 55 °C. Furthermore, the mutant laccase was more stable under neutral and alkaline conditions. A thermostability experiment revealed that the mutant laccase was superior to the wild laccase. Both laccases were stable in the presence of metal ions, mildly inhibited by SDS (0.5 mM), EDTA (1 mM) and 1,4-dithiothreitol (0.5 mM), and almost completely inhibited by 0.1 mM NaN₃.     

Unveiling the environmental drivers of intraspecific body size variation in terrestrial vertebrates

Aim

Whether intraspecific spatial patterns in body size are generalizable across species remains contentious, as well as the mechanisms underlying these patterns. Here we test several hypotheses explaining within-species body size variation in terrestrial vertebrates including the heat balance, seasonality, resource availability and water conservation hypotheses for ectotherms, and the heat conservation, heat dissipation, starvation resistance and resource availability hypotheses for endotherms.

Location

Global.

Time period

1970–2016.

Major taxa studied

Amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Methods

We collected 235,905 body size records for 2,229 species (amphibians = 36; reptiles = 81; birds = 1,545; mammals = 567) and performed a phylogenetic meta-analysis of intraspecific correlations between body size and environmental variables. We further tested whether correlations differ between migratory and non-migratory bird and mammal species, and between thermoregulating and thermoconforming ectotherms.

Results

For bird species, smaller intraspecific body size was associated with higher mean and maximum temperatures and lower resource seasonality. Size–environment relationships followed a similar pattern in resident and migratory birds, but the effect of resource availability on body size was slightly positive only for non-migratory birds. For mammals, we found that intraspecific body size was smaller with lower resource availability and seasonality, with this pattern being more evident in sedentary than migratory species. No clear size–environment relationships were found for reptiles and amphibians.

Main conclusions

Within-species body size variation across endotherms is explained by disparate underlying mechanisms for birds and mammals. Heat conservation (Bergmann's rule) and heat dissipation are the dominant processes explaining biogeographic intraspecific body size variation in birds, whereas in mammals, body size clines are mostly explained by the starvation resistance and resource availability hypotheses. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind species adaptations to the environment across their geographic distributions.     

A Thermostable Metal-Tolerant Laccase with Bioremediation Potential from a Marine-Derived Fungus

Laccase, an oxidoreductive enzyme, is important in bioremediation. Although marine fungi are potential sources of enzymes for industrial applications, they have been inadequately explored. The fungus MTCC 5159, isolated from decaying mangrove wood and identified as Cerrena unicolor based on the D1/D2 region of 28S and the 18S ribosomal DNA sequence, decolorized several synthetic dyes. Partially purified laccase reduced lignin content from sugarcane bagasse pulp by 36% within 24 h at 30°C. Laccase was the major lignin-degrading enzyme (~24,000 U L⁻¹) produced when grown in low-nitrogen medium with half-strength seawater. Three laccases, Lac I, Lac II, and Lac III, of differing molecular masses were produced. Each of these, further resolved into four isozymes by anion exchange chromatography. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the major isozyme, Lac IId showed 70–85% homology to laccases from basidiomycetes. It contained an N-linked glycan content of 17%. The optimum pH and temperature for Lac IId were 3 and 70°C, respectively, the half-life at 70°C being 90 min. The enzyme was most stable at pH 9 and retained >60% of its activity up to 180 min at 50°C and 60°C. The enzyme was not inhibited by Pb, Fe, Ni, Li, Co, and Cd at 1 mmol. This is the first report on the characterization of thermostable metal-tolerant laccase from a marine-derived fungus with a potential for industrial application.     

Halotolerant laccases from Chaetomium sp., Xylogone sphaerospora, and Coprinopsis sp. isolated from a Mediterranean coastal area

Laccases (EC 1.10.3.2) are phenoloxidases involved in the transformation of the recalcitrant fraction of organic matter in soil. These enzymes are also able to transform certain aromatic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and are known to be inhibited by chloride ions. This study aims to test the potential of some fungal strains newly isolated from natural environments subjected to high osmotic pressure such as coastal ecosystems, to produce chloride tolerant laccases. Three strains were identified as Chaetomium sp., Xylogone sphaerospora (two Ascomycota), and Coprinopsis sp. (a Basidiomycota) and the laccases produced by these fungi were weakly inhibited by chloride ions compared with previous data from literature. Moreover, we tested their reactivity towards various PAHs which are widespread anthropic pollutants. They were able to transform anthracene to 9,10-anthraquinone and we determine 7.5 eV as the threshold of ionization potential for PAH oxidation by these laccases.     

Bridging the phenotypic gap: Real-time assessment of mitochondrial function and metabolism of the nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caenorhabditis elegans</Emphasis>

Background  

The ATP levels of an organism are an important physiological parameter that is affected by genetic make up, ageing, stress and disease.     

Separation and purification of laccases from two different fungi using aqueous two-phase extraction

Selective purification still poses a challenge in the downstream processing of biomolecules such as proteins and especially enzymes. In this study a polyethylene glycol 3000 (PEG 3000)–phosphate aqueous two-phase system at 25 °C and pH 7 was successfully used for laccase purification and separation. Initially, the effect of phase forming components on enzyme activities in homogenous systems was studied. In the course of the extraction experiments tie lines, enzyme source, initial enzyme activities, phase ratio and sodium chloride concentrations were varied and their influence on the activity partitioning was determined. Partitioning results were validated using clear-native-PAGE and isoelectric focusing. Based on these results, the separation of laccases from Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus sapidus was investigated using the principle of superposition. Sodium chloride was used to adjust laccase partitioning in the applied aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). Finally, two modes of operation are proposed depending on the aim of the purification task. One mode with 0.133 g g⁻¹ of PEG3000, 0.063 g g⁻¹ of phosphate and without sodium chloride separates P. sapidus laccases from T. versicolor laccases with clearance factors of 5.23 and 6.45, respectively. The other mode of operation with 0.124 g g⁻¹ of PEG3000, 0.063 g g⁻¹ of phosphate and 0.013 g g⁻¹ of sodium chloride enables a partitioning of both laccases into the bottom phase of the ATPS resulting in a purification factor of 2.74 and 96% activity recovery.     

Identification of a bacteriocin and its cognate immunity factor expressed by Moraxella catarrhalis

Background  

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial proteins and peptides ribosomally synthesized by some bacteria which can effect both intraspecies and interspecies killing.