Selective Degradation of Wood Components by White-Rot Fungi

In order to find naturally occurring white-rot fungi which preferentially degrade lignin. 25 different species of such fungi were cultivated on pine wood blocks and on kraft lignin agar plates with and without cellulose. Due to differences in phenol oxidase reactions on the kraft lignin agar plates, the 25 fungi could be divided into two groups, 1 and 2, which also differed in other properties. The three Group I fungi Sporotrichum pulverulentum, Phanerochaete sp. L1 and Polyporus dichrous produced high levels of endo-l,4-β-glucanase and cellobiose:quinone oxidoreductase in shaking cellulose flasks and a low level of phenol oxidase in standing wood meal flasks, The four fungi Merulius tremellosus, Phlebia radiata, Pycuoporus cinnabarinus and Pleurotus ostreatus from Group 2, on the other hand, produced low levels of endo-1,4-β-glucanase and cellobiose:.quinone oxidoreductase in the cellulose. flasks and a high level of phenol oxidase in the wood meal flasks. Analyses of pine wood blocks degraded by the above-mentioned fungi in the presence of either malt extract, asparagine or NH₄H₂PO₄ revealed that malt extract gave good lignin degradation. In the presence of this nutrient source. P. cinnabarinus, at 3.4% weight loss, even degraded 12.5% lignin without loss of cellulose or mannan. No common degradation pattern was, however, obtained using mall extract, asparagine or NH₄H₂PO₄, It is suggested that while-rot fungi, which preferentially degrade lignin, may be found among Group 2 fungi producing large amounts of phenol oxidases.     

When quinones meet amino acids: chemical, physical and biological consequences

Summary. Quinones and amino acids are usually compartmentally separated in living systems, however there are several junctions in which they meet, react and influence. It occurs mainly in wounded, cut or crushed plant material during harvest, ensiling or disintegrating cells. Diffusing polyphenols are oxidized by polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) to quinonic compounds, which associate reversibly or irreversibly with amino acids and proteins. The reaction takes place with the free nucleophilic functional groups such as sulfhydryl, amine, amide, indole and imidazole substituents. It results in imine formation, in 1,4-Michael addition via nitrogen or sulphur and in Strecker degradation forming aldehydes. The formation and activity of quinone–amino acids conjugates influences the colour, taste, and aroma of foods. Physical and physiological phenomena such as browning of foods, discoloration of plants during processing, alteration of solubility and digestibility, formation of humic substances, germicidal activity, cytotoxicity and more occur when quinones from disintegrating cells meet amino acids. The mechanisms of toxicity and the pathways by which PCBs may be activated and act as a cancer initiator include oxidation to the corresponding quinones and reaction with amino acids or peptides. Sclerotization of insect cuticle is a biochemical process involving also the reaction between quinones and amino acid derivatives.     

氰戊菊酯和苯巴比妥钠对敏感和抗性棉铃虫中肠多功能氧化酶系的诱导作用

用苯巴比妥钠（2mg/g）和氰戊菊酯（0.2mg/g）拌饲料处理,对敏感品系棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera中肠的细胞色素P450和细胞色素c还原酶含量均具有明显的诱导作用（两者都使细胞色素P450含量提高了2.24倍,使细胞色素c还原酶的含量分别提高1.33和1.40倍）,但对细胞色素b5诱导作用不显著（仅为对照的1.23和1.15倍）;此外,苯巴比妥钠对敏感棉铃虫中肠的艾氏剂环氧化酶活性和甲氧试卤灵-O-脱甲基酶活性也有显著的诱导作用（分别提高了2.75和2.66倍）,但对7-乙氧香豆素-O-脱乙基酶活性没有诱导作用,而氰戊菊酯对敏感棉铃虫中肠的艾氏剂环氧化酶活性则有2.02倍的诱导作用。同一浓度的苯巴比妥钠和氰戊菊酯使抗性品系棉铃虫中肠的细胞色素P450含量分别提高1.21和1.15倍,使细胞色素c还原酶含量分别提高1.48和1.86倍（差异显著）,但是细胞色素b₅含量没有明显变化（分别为对照的1.15和0.98倍）;此外,氰戊菊酯能使抗性棉铃虫中肠的艾氏剂环氧化酶活性提高1.53倍,但苯巴比妥钠对该酶活性则有明显抑制作用。     

Divergent expression of cytokinin biosynthesis,signaling and catabolism genes underlying differences in feeding sites induced by cyst and root‐knot nematodes

Cyst and root‐knot nematodes are obligate parasites of economic importance with a remarkable ability to reprogram root cells into unique metabolically active feeding sites. Previous studies have suggested a role for cytokinin in feeding site formation induced by these two types of nematodes, but the mechanistic details have not yet been described. Using Arabidopsis as a host plant species, we conducted a comparative analysis of cytokinin genes in response to the beet cyst nematode (BCN), Heterodera schachtii, and the root‐knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita. We identified distinct differences in the expression of cytokinin biosynthesis, catabolism and signaling genes in response to infection by BCN and RKN, suggesting differential manipulation of the cytokinin pathway by these two nematode species. Furthermore, we evaluated Arabidopsis histidine kinase receptor mutant lines ahk2/3, ahk2/4 and ahk3/4 in response to RKN infection. Similar to our previous studies with BCN, these lines were significantly less susceptible to RKN without compromising nematode penetration, suggesting a requirement of cytokinin signaling in RKN feeding site formation. Moreover, an analysis of ahk double mutants using CycB1;1:GUS/ahk introgressed lines revealed contrasting differences in the cytokinin receptors mediating cell cycle activation in feeding sites induced by BCN and RKN.     

Extracellular enzyme activities in six Lentinula edodes strains during cultivation in wheat straw

Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler is found in nature on dead broadleaf trees, but it is commercially produced on different substrates. The question of adaptation to different lignocellulosic substrates was addressed by measuring enzyme activities produced by six strains that were cultivated on wheat straw and that were able to produce sporophores. Despite quantitative variations, each strain of L. edodes had similar patterns of enzyme secretion into the wheat straw log matrix. Two peaks of carbohydrase activities were observed, the first relating to the early mycelial growth during the first days after spawning and the second during sporophore extension. Laccase activity in the early stage of colonization was related to the degradation of soluble phenolic compounds present in wheat straw. Manganese peroxidase activity was associated with mycelia th. The strains with the earlier production and higher yield were able to hydrolyse and utilize straw cell wall components soon aft er inoculation, and developed high metabolic activities.     

邻苯二酚2,3—双加氧酶在大肠杆菌的表达与定域

本文在大肠杆菌/枮草芽孢杆菌间的穿梭质粒pTG 402的基础上构建了几个新的带有显色标志基闲xylE的表达质粒,摸索了该基因所编码的邻苯二酚2,3-双加氧酶(CatO_2ase)的表达条件,分析了该酶一级结构与二级结构的亲水性和疏水性,测定了它在大肠杆菌中的产量与分布。结果表明,CatO_2ase与各质粒的表达量不等,表达量高低与培养时间、宿主菌及诱导与否等影响因素有关;表达后有部分酶可在胞外测出,但大部分仍定域于膜内,亲、疏水性分析示该酶不具分泌性蛋白的显著特点。因该酶易于检测和定量,可作为一种选择性标记和监测指示系统在基因工程中推广应用,同时亦为用基因工程菌消除芳烃类化合物的污染提供了理论依据。     

三氯卡班降解菌株Sphingomonas sp. YL-JM2C中多个邻苯二酚双加氧酶的功能

【目的】研究Sphingomonas sp.YL-JM2C菌株的生长特性,确定以三氯卡班作为碳源的生长情况。挖掘菌株YL-JM2C潜在的邻苯二酚1,2-双加氧酶及邻苯二酚2,3-双加氧酶基因,在大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)中异源表达邻苯二酚双加氧酶基因并研究其酶学性质。【方法】优化S.sp.YL-JM2C菌株以三氯卡班作为碳源时的培养条件,并利用全自动生长曲线测定仪测定菌株生长情况,绘制生长曲线。通过生物信息学方法挖掘潜在的邻苯二酚双加氧酶基因,并分别在Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)中进行异源表达,通过AKTA快速纯化系统纯化蛋白,分别以邻苯二酚、3-和4-氯邻苯二酚为底物检测重组蛋白的酶学特性。【结果】菌株在pH为7.0-7.5时生长最优。在以浓度为4-8 mg/L的三氯卡班做为底物时,菌株适宜生长。当R2A培养基仅含有0.01%酵母提取物和无机盐时,加入终浓度为4 mg/L的三氯卡班可促进菌株生长。挖掘到6个潜在的邻苯二酚双加氧酶基因stcA1、stcA2、stcA3、stcE1、stcE2和stcE3,表达并通过粗酶液分析证明其中5个基因stcA1、stcA2、stcA3、stcE1和stcE2编码的酶均具有邻苯二酚双加氧酶和氯邻苯二酚双加氧酶的活性;纯化酶的底物范围研究揭示了StcA1、StcA2和StcA3均属于Ⅱ型邻苯二酚1,2-双加氧酶,StcE1和StcE2为两个新型邻苯二酚2,3-双加氧酶;它们酶动力学分析研究证明了5个酶对邻苯二酚的亲和力和催化效率最高,4-氯邻苯二酚次之。【结论】在同一菌株中发现了5个具有功能的邻苯二酚双加氧酶基因,stcA1、stcA2和stcA3编码的酶均属于Ⅱ型邻苯二酚1,2-双加氧酶,stcE1和stcE2为两个新型邻苯二酚2,3-双加氧酶编码基因。5个酶均具有催化邻苯二酚和氯邻苯二酚开环反应的功能,这为更好地理解微生物基因组内代谢邻苯二酚及其衍生物氯代邻苯二酚基因的多样性奠定了基础。     

Further properties of the polyamine oxidase of barley leaves

Polyamine analogues have been studied as potential inhibitors or substrates of barley leaf polyamine oxidase. NH₂(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₁₀NH₂ was particularly effective as an inhibitor of spermine oxidation at pH 4·5 (K_i = 5 × 10^?6 M). Methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) inhibited spermine oxidation only slightly (K_i = 10^?4 M). Activity with the polyamine analogues as substrates was generally 10% or less of the activity with spermine. The K_m for oxygen was 3 × 10^?4 M. The K_m for spermine oxidation was independent of oxygen concentration. Using the N-methyl-2-benzothiazolone hydrazine reagent, 1-(3-aminopropyl)pyrroline was shown to be formed stoichiometrically by the enzyme on oxidation of spermine. The enzyme will not function as a dehydrogenase in the presence of oxygen with either potassium ferricyanide or dichlorophenolindophenol as electron acceptors. Activity in the leaves increased with age, up to 4 weeks. In the leaves of 11-week-old plants activity was lower than in leaves of 1-week-old plants. The enzyme was mainly associated with an easily-sedimented particulate fraction, and relatively small proportions were found in the cell wall or soluble fractions.     

Reactivity of different oxidases with lignins and lignin model compounds

Oxidase activities toward lignins and lignin model compounds failed to produce low molecular weight products. Peroxidase and laccase react similarly, and can be distinguished when both enzymes are present on the basis of pH activity differences with syringaldazine as substrate.     

In vitro degradation of fluoranthene by bacteria isolated from petroleum sludge

An investigation was carried out for in vitro degradation of fluoranthene by four bacterial strains (PSM6, PSM7, PSM10 and PSM11) isolated from the petroleum sludge. Although all the strains registered their growth in MSM with 100 ppm fluoranthene, PSM11 growth was better than other strains. Growth of bacterial strains invariably corresponded to their degradation potential of fluoranthene. After 168 h of incubation, 61% fluoranthene was degraded by PSM11, followed by PSM10 (48%) and PSM6 (42%) and the least was recorded in PSM7 (41%). Besides, 11% loss in fluoranthene was attributed to abiotic factors. Thirty-eight times more activity of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase than catechol 1,2-dioxygenase showed that it played a significant role in fluoranthene degradation. Molecular weight of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase isolated from PSM11 was determined as ∼136 kDa by size exclusion chromatography and 34 kDa on denaturing SDS-PAGE, indicating tetrameric nature of the enzyme.