Progress and potential in the biotechnology of lactic acid bacteria

Abstract: Current activities and future prospects for the biotechnology of lactic acid bacteria are reviewed. Genetic engineering technology, including advances and limitations of plasmid vectors and chromosomal integration strategies are discussed together with the status of gene expression and the importance of in vivo gene transfer systems and transposition. Areas of biotechnological application considered include proteolysis and flavour generation, bacteriophage resistance, antimicrobials, metabolic engineering and the possible uses of lactic acid bacteria in relation to health.     

Chaetomella acutiseta produces chaetomellic acids A and B which are reversible inhibitors of farnesyl-protien transferase

Chaetomellic acids A and B, isolated from Chaetomella acutiseta, are specific inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase that do not inhibit geranylgeranyl transferase type 1 or squalene synthase. Chaetomellic acids A and B are reversible inhibitors, resemble farnesyl diphosphate and probably inhibit FPTase by substituting for farnesyl diphosphate. Chaetomellic acid production appears to be widespread within the genus Chaetomella. Correspondence to: R. B. Lingham     

The persistence of Golgi complexes during cell division in an insect epidermis

The Golgi complexes of animal cells are said to become vesicular during cell division in order to allow the equal partitioning of organelles between daughter cells (Warren, 1985). However, in the epidermis of fifth stage larval Calpodes ethlius (Lepidoptera, Hesperi idae), cutical deposition is concurrent with cell division in preparation for pupation. We therefore looked at the Golgi complexes of these epidermal cells to see if they maintained their interphase form to allow them to continue to function during cell division. Dividing cells were recognized by changes in the nucleus and nuclear envelope, the form of the cell cortex and cell surface, and by the disposition of microtubules. Epidermal Golgi complexes consist of 3-5 cisternae capped by endoplasmic reticulum with transfer vesicles and rings of GC beads next to the cis face, and secretory vesicles on the trans face. Golgi complexes of dividing cells are structurally indistinguishable from those in interphase, their beads are in the rings characteristic of active GCs, and cuticle continues in uninterrupted lamellae above the apical microvilli. The observations suggest that Golgi complexes in dividing insect cells differ from those of most vertebrates by remaining functional through mitosis.     

Effect of shear rate and culture pH on the production of xylanase by Thermomyces lanuginosus

Summary The pH-value and the stirrer speed during cultivation of the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus were found to have a pronounced influence on xylanase production using corn cobs as carbon source. The highest xylanase activity of 32500 nkat/ml was produced in labscale fermentation within 118 hours at a stirrer speed of 50 rpm and a controlled pH-value of 7.5.     

Spectroscopic studies of the manganese complex of Photosystem II

Our recent EPR and EXAFS experiments investigating the structure of the oxygen-evolving complex of PS II are discussed. PS II treatments which affect the cofactors calcium and chloride have been used to poise samples in modified forms of the S-states, S₁, S₂ and S₃. X-ray absorption studies indicate a similar overall structure for the manganese complex between treated and native samples although the influence of the treatments and cofactors is observed. Manganese oxidation (or oxidation of a ligand to the manganese cluster) is indicated to occur on each of the transitions S₁ S₂ and S₂ S₃ in these modified samples. The cluster appears to contain at least two inequivalent Mn-Mn pairs. In the native samples the Mn-Mn distance is 2.7 Å, but in samples where the calcium site is affected, one of the pairs has a 3.0 Å Mn-Mn distance. The intensity of the 3.3/3.6 Å interaction is reduced on sodium chloride treatment (calcium depletion) perhaps indicating calcium binding close to the manganese cluster. From EPR data we also propose that treatments which affect calcium and chloride binding cause a modification of the native S₂ state, slow the reduction of Y_z and allow an S3 EPR signal to be observed following illumination. The origin of the S3 EPR signal, a modified S₃ or S₂ X where X is an organic radical of unknown charge, is discussed in relation to the results from the EXAFS studies.Abbreviations EPR electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy - EXAFS extended X-ray absorption fine structure - HTG n-heptyl -d-thioglucoside - MES 2(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - OEC oxygen evolving complex - PPBQ phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone - PS II Photosystem II - Y_z redox active tyrosine     

A highly conserved α-tubulin sequence from Prunus amygdalus

The sequence of an -tubulin from Prunus amygdalus has been obtained by cDNA cloning. When this sequence is compared to that of the Tub1 gene from maize it shows a very high degree of similarity, much higher than any of the -tubulin sequences reported so far from plants. The expression of this gene is high in the stages of seed development where a high divisional activity is present. It is preferentially expressed in the radicular tissues as it is gene Tub1 in maize. Southern analysis indicates that this gene may from a subfamily of -tubulin genes having similar sequence and tissue specificity and existing at least in maize and in Prunus.