Peptidoglycan compositions of a new strain of Arthrobacter crystallopietes during sphere-rod morphogenesis.

Arthrobacter crystallopoieties ATCC 15481 was used to isolate a new strain. designated Arthrobacter crystallopoieties EPSR-16, which had a mass doubling time in brain heart infusion broth and in glucose/salts/yeast extract medium of 30 min compared to 2.40 h for the parent strain in similar media. The growth rates for the new strain and for the parent were close to 12 h in glucose/salts medium. The new strain formed well-separated cocci and diplococci in glucose/salts medium, and upon nutrient shift-up all the cells in the population gradually changed into well-separated rods of regular shape. In the spherical state the cell wall peptidoglycan of the new strain contained lysine and no diaminopimelic acid. A gradual loss in lysine and a gain in diaminopimelic acid occurred during morphogenesis. Diaminopimelic acid became predominant in the cell wall during balanced growth in the rod state.     

Arthrobacter ureafaciens CZ31丙氨酸脱氢酶可溶性表达及产酶条件优化

【目的】克隆Arthrobacter ureafaciens CZ31丙氨酸脱氢酶的编码基因(alanine dehydrogenase),转化至Escherichia coli Rosetta(DE3)中构建可溶性表达alanine dehydrogenase(ald)的工程菌CZR07并优化产酶条件。【方法】提取A.ureafaciens CZ31菌株的全基因组DNA,设计引物扩增出ald基因,与pET-28a连接后导入E.coli Rosetta中表达并纯化重组蛋白,以单因素实验结果为依据,响应面法优化发酵条件。【结果】ald全长为1119 bp,编码含372个氨基酸残基的蛋白质,分子量约为40 kDa,酶活为2.65 U/mg。响应面分析温度、诱导时间及诱导剂浓度的影响强度为IPTG浓度温度温度×IPTG浓度温度×诱导时间IPTG浓度×诱导时间诱导时间。CZR07摇瓶发酵最佳条件为温度22°C、IPTG 0.7 mmol/L、诱导时间7 h,此条件下重组酶酶活达到15.23 U/mg,与响应面优化的预测值相似,较优化前提高5.75倍。【结论】克隆并实现了CZ31中ald基因的可溶性表达,采用BBD法优化产酶的诱导条件,获得显著的优化效果,为其他工程菌株产酶条件优化提供借鉴。     

Genetic control of branching morphogenesis during Drosophila tracheal development

Branching morphogenesis is a widely used strategy to increase the surface area of a given organ. A number of tissues undergo branching morphogenesis during development, including the lung, kidney, vascular system and numerous glands. Until recently, very little has been known about the genetic principles underlying the branching process and about the molecules participating in organ specification and branch formation. The tracheal system of insects represents one of the best-characterised branched organs. The tracheal network provides air to most tissues and its development during embryogenesis has been studied intensively at the morphological and genetic level. More than 30 genes have been identified and ordered into sequential steps controlling branching morphogenesis. These studies have revealed a number of important principles that might be conserved in other systems.     

淀粉蔗糖酶AcAS的工作机理与去折叠性质研究

淀粉蔗糖酶(amylosucrase, AS)是一种葡萄糖基转移酶(E.C. 2.4.1.4),隶属于糖苷水解酶13家族．当体系中存在葡聚糖时,AS可以蔗糖为唯一底物催化合成直链葡聚糖．与AS相比,其他拥有合成直链淀粉样多糖的酶都需要利用昂贵的核苷酸激活糖来进行合成．这使得AS成为一种具有工业应用潜力的工业酶．尽管具有较大应用潜力,但是较弱的稳定性严重影响其在工业上的应用．本工作中,以NpAS和DgAS的晶体结构为模板,对氯酚节杆菌(Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus)中发现的一种新型AS(AcAS)结构进行了模建．通过对AcAS与其他AS结构进行详细的比较,推断出AcAS的工作机理．随后,利用高斯网络模型(GNM)对其功能型运动进行了分析．根据GNM的结果,发现AcAS可分为两个运动方向相异的部分．最后,利用迭代高斯网络对AcAS的去折叠性质进行了研究．这些结果对随后的淀粉蔗糖酶的工业开发有一定帮助．     

Peptidoglycan of Myxococcus xanthus: structure and relation to morphogenesis

The chemical nature and distribution of the peptidoglycan in Myxococcus xanthus at various stages of the cellular life cycle were investigated. Vegetative cells and microcysts contained approximately 0.6% by weight of peptidoglycan. The overall composition of the peptidoglycan was similar in both cell types and was approximately 1 glutamic acid, 1 diaminopimelic acid, 1.7 alanine, 0.75 N-acetylglucosamine, and 0.75 N-acetylmuramic acid. (We have assumed that all the hexosamines are N-acetylated.) The sizes of the subunits (estimated by gel filtration) solubilized by muramidases were considerably larger (tetramer and oligomer) in the microcysts than in the vegetative cells (mostly dimer). There was a transient decrease in cross-linking (measured as an increase in the amount of free amino group of diaminopimelic acid) during the stage of microcyst formation when the cells converted from ovoids to spheres. At the same time, there occurred a large and rapid increase in a galactosamine derivative which may have reflected the synthesis of capsular material. Immediately prior to this period of morphogenesis, the cells became resistant to penicillin but remained sensitive to d-cycloserine. The walls of vegetative cells were completely disaggregated by trypsin and sodium lauryl sulfate, suggesting a discontinuous peptidoglycan layer. This was no longer apparent after the ovoid-sphere stage of microcyst formation. The relationship to morphogenesis of the chemical changes in the cell wall is discussed.     

Expression pattern of mouse sFRP-1 and mWnt-8 gene during heart morphogenesis

The Wnt genes encode a large family of secreted proteins that play a key role in embryonic development and tissue differentiation in many species (Rijsewijk et al., 1987 and Nusse and Varmus, 1992). Genetic and biochemical studies have suggested that the frizzled proteins are cell surface receptors for Wnts (Vinson et al., 1989, Chan et al., 1992, Bhanot et al., 1996 and Wang et al., 1996). In parallel, a number of secreted frizzled-like proteins with a conserved N-terminal frizzled motif have been identified (Finch et al., 1997, Melkonyan et al., 1997 and Rattner et al., 1997). One of these proteins, FrzA, the bovine counterpart of the murine sFRP-1 (93% identity) is involved in vascular cell growth control, binds Wg in vitro and antagonizes Xwnt-8 and hWnt-2 signaling in Xenopus embryos (Xu et al., 1998 and Duplàa et al., 1999). In this study, we report that sFRP-1 is expressed in the heart and in the visceral yolk sac during mouse development, and that sFRP-1 and mWnt-8 display overlapping expression patterns during heart morphogenesis. From 8.5 to 12.5 d.p.c., sFRP-1 is expressed in cardiomyocytes together with mWnt-8 but neither in the pericardium nor in the endocardium; at 17.5 d.p.c., they are no longer present in the heart. In mouse adult tissues, while sFRP-1 is highly detected in the aortic endothelium and media and in cardiomyocytes, mWnt-8 is not detected in these areas. Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrates that FrzA binds to mWnt-8 in cell culture experiments.     

Hydantoin racemase from Arthrobacter aurescens DSM 3747: heterologous expression, purification and characterization

In Arthrobacter aurescens DSM 3747 three enzymes are involved in the complete conversion of slowly racemizing 5'-monosubstituted D,L-hydantoins to L-amino acids, a stereoselective hydantoinase, a stereospecific L-N-carbamoylase and a hydantoin racemase. The gene encoding the hydantoin racemase, designated hyuA, was identified upstream of the previously described L-N-carbamoylase gene in the plasmid pAW16 containing genomic DNA of A. aurescens. The gene hyuA which encodes a polypeptide of 25.1 kDa, was expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant protein purified to homogeneity and further characterized. The optimal condition for racemase activity were pH 8.5 and 55 degrees C with L-5-benzylhydantoin as substrate. The enzyme was completely inhibited by HgCL2 and iodoacetamide and stimulated by addition of dithiothreitol. No effect on enzyme activity was seen with EDTA. The enzyme showed preference for hydantoins with arylalkyl side chains. Kinetic studies revealed substrate inhibition towards the aliphatic substrate L-5-methylthioethylhydantoin. Enzymatic racemization of D-5-indolylmethylenehydantoin in D2O and NMR analysis showed that the hydrogen at the chiral center of the hydantoin is exchanged against solvent deuterium during the racemization.     

Biodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene by a newly isolated Rhodococcus erythropolis strain

A new dibenzothiophene (DBT) desulfurizing bacterium was isolated from oil-contaminated soils in Iran. HPLC analysis and PCR-based detection of the presence of the DBT desulfurization genes (dszA, dszB and dszC) indicate that this strain converts DBT to 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP) via the 4S pathway. The strain, identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis SHT87, can utilize DBT, dibenzothiophene sulfone, thiophene, 2-methylthiophene and dimethylsulfoxide as a sole sulfur source for growth at 30 °C.The maximum specific desulfurization activity of strain SHT87 resting cells in aqueous and biphasic organic–aqueous systems at 30 °C was determined to be 0.36 and 0.47 μmol 2-HBP min⁻¹ (g dry cell)⁻¹, respectively. Three mM DBT was completely metabolized by SHT87 resting cells in the aqueous and biphasic systems within 10 h. The rate and the extent of the desulfurization reaction by strain SHT87 suggest that this strain can be used for the biodesulfurization of diesel oils.     

屋顶长生草叶的解剖结构及其离体培养形态发生的研究

对屋顶长生草叶的解剖结构及其在离体培养条件下形态发生过程进行了研究。结果表明,屋顶长生草的叶具有肉质旱生植物叶的特点,表皮细胞外有角质层,叶有较密的腺毛分布,气孔器由两个肾形的保卫细胞和两个镰刀形的护卫细胞组成;叶肉细胞没有栅栏组织与海绵组织之分,细胞比较大,有贮水作用;维管束平行排列,导管和筛管分子都很小,为一圈维管束鞘所包围。屋顶长生草叶片离体培养形态发生途径主要有两种:一种是由外植体直接产生不定芽(器官型)途径;另一种是叶肉细胞脱分化成胚性细胞,经胚性细胞团形成愈伤组织,再分化产生芽、根等器官(器官发生型),芽分化为内起源。     

Inducibility of the SOS response in a recA730 or recA441 strain is restored by transformation with a new recA allele

Escherichia coli RecA protein plays an essential role in both genetic recombination and SOS repair; in vitro RecA needs to bind ATP to promote both activities. Residue 264 is involved in this interaction; we have therefore created two new recA alleles, recA664 (Tyr264Glu) and recA665 (Tyr264His) bearing mutations at this site. As expected both mutations affected all RecA activities in vivo. Complementation experiments between these new alleles and wild-type recA or recA441 or recA730 alleles, both of which lead to constitutively activated RecA protein, were performed to further investigate the modulatory effects of these mutants on the regulation of SOS repair/recombination pathways. Our results provide further insight into the process of polymerization of RecA protein and its regulatory functions.     

Cesariella, a new genus of Laboulbeniales

Cesariella graeca gen. sp. nov. is described to accommodate a new species of the Laboulbeniales (Fungi, Ascomycota) parasitic on the endogean ground beetles Reicheadella aetolica and R. bischoffi (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from Greece. Cesariella is distinguished from the allied genus Laboulbenia by the presence of two cells borne on the inner side of cell III, and by the presence of a conspicuous remnant of the spore apex protruding laterally near the base of the appendage.     

钝顶螺旋藻低中温适应型新品系的选育及RAPD分析

【目的】选育低中温适应型螺旋藻新品系,显著拓展螺旋藻工厂化培植的地理范围及时间、提高产量和降低成本。【方法】以用于工厂化培植的钝顶螺旋藻(Spirulina platensis) ZJU0116为出发品系,用组织匀浆和离心分离法制得其单细胞或原生质球,先以0.6%甲基磺酸乙酯(ethyl methanesulfonate, EMS)处理30 min,再用2.4 kGy的⁶⁰Co γ射线辐照,进行低温逆境筛选、5次冷/热(12 ℃/38 ℃)骤变交替处理、藻丝单体分离培养、温度适应面构建和蛋白质含量等检测及生产培植试验。【结果】获得了1株蛋白质含量与ZJU0116的相当、而温度适应面和平均日产量依次提高10.7%和10.9%的低中温适应型突变体,命名为ZJU0116(LMTA)。光学显微形态与随机扩增的多态性DNA (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA, RAPD)分析结果显示,与其亲本ZJU0116相比,ZJU0116(LMTA)藻丝的螺旋数和长度依次减少54.4%和42.1%,螺距增加28.8%;基因组DNA在随机引物S30的扩增产物中多了1条约470 bp的条带。【结论】ZJU0116(LMTA)在工厂化培植中温度适应性好、生产性状稳定,干藻粉产量可增加10%以上,可为当前螺旋藻产业深度融合“双碳”目标、迈向高质量发展新阶段提供必要支撑。     

鼠伤寒沙门氏菌baeR过表达株的构建及其耐药性

[背景]鼠伤寒沙门氏菌（Salmonella typhimurium）是一种重要的人兽共患病原菌,其多重耐药性问题日益严重,双组分系统可调控鼠伤寒沙门氏菌的耐药性。[目的]通过构建鼠伤寒沙门氏菌baeR过表达株及回补株探究BaeSR双组分系统对鼠伤寒沙门氏菌耐药性的影响。[方法]在BaeSR双组分系统和AcrB外排泵双缺失株（CRΔbaeSRΔacrB）的基础上构建baeR过表达株（CRpbaeRΔbaeSRΔacrB）及baeR回补株（CRcbaeRΔbaeSRΔacrB）,测定双缺失株、回补株和过表达株的最小抑菌浓度（minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC）,并对其生长特性、生物膜形成能力及运动性进行分析。采用转录组学技术筛选与耐药相关的差异表达基因,RT-qPCR验证耐药相关基因。[结果]构建了鼠伤寒沙门氏菌baeR过表达株和baeR回补株。与双缺失株相比,过表达株对氧氟沙星、恩诺沙星、氟苯尼考、乙酰甲喹、头孢他啶、头孢噻呋、阿莫西林和氨苄西林的MIC分别升高2-256倍,对大观霉素、安普霉素的MIC下降了50%;与双缺失株相比,回补株对头孢他啶...     

Construction, Overexpression, and Purification of Arthrobacter globiformis Amine Oxidase–Strep-Tag II Fusion Protein

The copper-containing amine oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis has been expressed and purified as a fusion protein with a C-terminal Strep-tag II peptide. This tag facilitates the rapid purification of the enzyme on a large scale using the StrepTactin POROS medium. For example, we have demonstrated that 50 mg of protein can be obtained in 2 days from 2 L of Escherichia coli. The purified fusion protein displays turnover and spectroscopic properties that are essentially identical to those of the wild-type enzyme. Given the location of the C-terminus in four amine oxidase crystal structures, this strategy should be quite general for the rapid purification of amine oxidases from multiple sources.     

Purification and characterization of a heat stable inulin fructotransferase (DFA I-producing) from Arthrobacter pascens a62-1

An inulin fructotransferase (DFA I-producing) [EC 2.4.1.200] from Arthrobacter pascens a62-1 was purified and the properties of the enzyme were investigated. The enzyme was purified from culture supernatant of the microorganism 58.5 fold with a yield of 8.32% using Super Q Toyopearl chromatography and butyl Toyopearl chromatography. It showed maximum activity at pH 5.5 and 45 °C and was stable up to 75 °C. This heat stability was highest in the inulin fructotransferases (DFA I-producing) reported until now. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 37,000 by SDS-PAGE and 60,000 by gel filtration, and was considered to be a dimer. The N-terminal amino acid sequence (20 amino acid residues) was determined as Ala-Asn-Thr-Val-Tyr-Asp-Val-Thr-Thr-Trp-Ser-Gly-Ala-Thr-Ile-Ser-Pro-Tyr-Val-Asp.     

香雪兰花瓣的花色苷组成

为研究不同品种香雪兰的花色苷组成、含量及与花色表型之间的关系,阐明香雪兰花色形成机理,该研究以不同花色的香雪兰(Freesia hybrida) 11个品种为材料,采用英国皇家园艺学会比色卡(RHSCC)和色差仪进行花色描述,利用特征颜色反应初步确定色素类型,通过pH示差法测定花瓣中总花色苷的含量,进而利用UPLC-Q-TOF-MS技术分析各品种花瓣中花色苷种类和相对含量。结果表明:11个所选品种涵盖香雪兰四大色系,即白色系、黄色系、红色系、蓝紫色系;所选品种都含有黄酮类化合物,不含或含有极低量的类胡萝卜素,除‘White River’‘Fragrant Sunburst’‘Gold River’‘Tweety’外,均含有花色苷;‘Red Passion’花瓣中总花色苷含量最高,最低是‘Lovely Lavender’,其含量仅为‘Red Passion’的24%;在香雪兰花瓣中共检测出10个花色苷组分,分别为飞燕草-二葡萄糖苷、矢车菊素-二葡萄糖苷、矮牵牛素-二葡萄糖苷、飞燕草素-3-O-葡萄糖苷、矢车菊素-3-O-葡萄糖苷、芍药素-二葡萄糖苷、锦葵素-二葡萄糖苷、矮牵牛素-3-O-...