Crystal structure of an aerobic FMN-dependent azoreductase (AzoA) from Enterococcus faecalis

The initial critical step of reduction of the azo bond during the metabolism of azo dyes is catalyzed by a group of NAD(P)H dependant enzymes called azoreductases. Although several azoreductases have been identified from microorganisms and partially characterized, very little is known about the structural basis for substrate specificity and the nature of catalysis. Enterococcus faecalis azoreductase A (AzoA) is a highly active azoreductase with a broad spectrum of substrate specificity and is capable of degrading a wide variety of azo dyes. Here, we report the crystal structure of the AzoA from E. faecalis determined at 2.07 A resolution with bound FMN ligand. Phases were obtained by single wavelength anomalous scattering of selenomethionine labeled protein crystals. The asymmetric unit consisted of two dimers with one FMN molecule bound to each monomer. The AzoA monomer takes a typical NAD(P)-binding Rossmann fold with a highly conserved FMN binding pocket. A salt bridge between Arg18 and Asp184 restricts the size of the flavin binding pocket such that only FMN can bind. A putative NADH binding site could be identified and a plausible mechanism for substrate reduction is proposed. Expression studies revealed azoA gene to be expressed constitutively in E. faecalis.     

Differential distribution of the endoplasmic reticulum network in filamentous fungi

Filamentous fungi are composed of hyphal compartments divided by septa, which communicate via septal pores. Apical compartments can elongate to over 100 microm without septum formation and possess a polarized distribution of organelles. In Aspergillus, subapical compartments are arrested in interphase but can reinitiate mitosis and growth by branching. Recent reports using green fluorescent protein (GFP) technology have demonstrated the highly differentiated localization of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network in various regions of the hyphae: the gradient distribution from the apical region, the localization along the septum, differential distributions in adjacent compartments, and the dynamic morphological change during septum formation. In this review the spatial regulation of the ER network in multicellular filamentous fungi is discussed.     

Anthraquinones as defensive compounds in eggs of Galerucini leaf beetles: Biosynthesis by the beetles?

Eggs of leaf beetles of the tribe Galerucini, subfamily Galerucinae, contain polyketides that are unusual in insects: 1,8-dihydroxylated anthraquinones (chrysazin, chrysophanol) and anthrones (dithranol, chrysarobin) deterring predators. The host plants do not contain these compounds. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the beetles, but not bacterial or fungal microorganisms living as endosymbionts within the beetles, produce the anthraquinones. The tansy leaf beetle Galeruca tanaceti was used as Galerucini model organism. It was treated with antimicrobial substances to eradicate the microorganisms and inhibit the hypothesised endosymbiotic anthraquinone production. Despite treatment, female G. tanaceti laid eggs containing anthraquinones. Although broad spectrum antimicrobials were used, it cannot be excluded that the potential endosymbiotic microorganisms are resistant. Given that the hypothesised endosymbionts are transferred via the eggs from one generation to the next, bacterial or fungal DNA was expected to be present in the eggs. With the exception of Wolbachia pipientis, however, no further 16S rDNA from bacteria responsible for anthraquinone biosynthesis was detected in eggs of untreated beetles. Because Wolbachia were also found in closely related anthraquinone-free insects, we exclude these bacteria as producers of the defensive polyketides. Nor was any 18S rDNA from fungi with anthraquinone biosynthetic abilities detected. Our results indicate that anthraquinones and anthrones in eggs of Galerucini are produced by beetle enzymes and not by endosymbiotic microorganisms within the eggs.     

厌氧甲烷氧化微生物物质代谢与能量代谢研究进展

甲烷既是一种温室气体,也是一种潜在的能源物质,其源与汇的平衡对地球化学循环及工程应用均有重要意义。厌氧甲烷氧化(anaerobic oxidation of methane,AOM)过程是深海、湿地和农田等自然生境中重要的甲烷汇,在缓解温室气体排放方面发挥了巨大作用。AOM微生物的中枢代谢机制及其能量转化途径则是介导厌氧甲烷氧化耦合其他物质还原的关键所在。因此,本文从电子受体多样性的视角,主要分析了硫酸盐型,硝酸盐/亚硝酸盐型,金属还原型厌氧甲烷氧化微生物的生理生化过程及环境分布,并对近些年发现的新型厌氧甲烷氧化进行了梳理;重点总结了厌氧甲烷氧化微生物细胞内电子传递路径以及胞外电子传递方式;根据厌氧甲烷氧化微生物环境分布及反应特征,就其生态学意义及在污染治理与能源回收方面的潜在应用价值进行了展望。本综述以期深化对厌氧甲烷氧化过程的微生物学认知,并为其潜在的工程应用方向提供新的思路。     

<i>Azospirillum brasilense</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> as Alternative for Decrease the Effect of Salinity Stress in Tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>) Growth

The salinity stress is one of the most relevant abiotic stresses that affects the agricultural production. The present study was performed to study the improvement of the salt tolerance of tomato plants which is known for their susceptibility to salt stress. The present study aimed to assess to what extent strain Azospirillum brasilense (N040) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae improve the salt tolerance to tomato plants treated with different salt concentration. The inoculant strain A. brasilense (N040) was previously adapted to survive up to 7% NaCl in the basal media. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of this inoculation on growth parameter such as: plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight, fruits fresh weight, chlorophyll content, proline and total soluble sugar in tomato plants under salt stress condition. The results revealed that co-inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense (N040) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae significantly increased the level of proline (8.63 mg/g FW) and total soluble sugar (120 mg/g FW) of leaves under salinity condition comparing to non-inoculated plants (2.3 mg/g FW and 70 mg/g FW, respectively). Plants co-inoculated with adapted strain of A. brasilense and S. cerevisiae showed the highest significant (p < 0.01) increase in fruit yield (1166.6 g/plant), plant high (115 cm) and roots length (52.6) compared whit un-inoculated control plants (42 g/pant, 43.3 cm and 29.6 cm, respectively). In contrast, Na⁺ ion content was significantly decreased in the leaves of salt stressed plants treated with the A. brasilense (N040) and S. cerevisiae. Finally, the results showed that dual benefits provided by both A. brasilense (N040) and S. cerevisiae can provide a major way to improve tomato yields in saline soils.     

森林演替对都江堰鼠类多样性的影响

为深入了解森林演替对野生动物群落结构和多样性格局的影响,于2012—2013年在四川省都江堰般若寺林场选择5种森林演替阶段(0~5、6~10、11~20、21~30 a和天然次生林(100 a),共计21个样地)对鼠类多样性进行调查。本次调查累计捕获鼠类9种,其中仓鼠科1种,鼠科8种。5种森林演替阶段共有物种有针毛鼠(Niviventer fulvescens)、中华姬鼠(Apodemus draco)、社鼠(N.confucianus)、高山姬鼠(A.chevrieri)和大耳姬鼠(A.latronum)。不同森林演替阶段之间的鼠类物种数、个体数和多样性特征差异不显著,但天然次生林中的鼠类个体数略高于其他演替阶段。多元统计分析(NMDS和CCA排序)表明,不同森林演替阶段的鼠类群落组成相似性较高,但灌木层和草本层盖度等生境因子可影响鼠种的分布。除高山姬鼠、针毛鼠和中华姬鼠等分布较广的种类外,其他种类对微生境有一定的选择倾向。小泡巨鼠(Leopoldamys edwardsi)主要生活于演替期长的天然次生林中,社鼠和大耳姬鼠主要分布在灌木层盖度较高的生境,巢鼠(Micromys minutus)和黑腹绒鼠(Eothenomys melanogaster)主要生活在草本层盖度较高的生境,大足鼠(Rattus nitidus)适于生活在草本层和灌木层盖度均适中的生境。综上所述,不同森林演替阶段之间的鼠类多样性差异较小,但森林演替所造成的微生境变化可能影响鼠类物种的分布和多样性格局。     

A swine toll-like receptor 2-expressing transfectant as a potential primary screening system for immunobiotic microorganisms

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) has been shown to mediate cell signaling in response to microbial cell wall components, such as peptidoglycan, lipoteichoic acid, microbial lipoprotein, and zymosan. In this study, we cloned the swine TLR2 and used it to transfect Chinese hamster ovary K-1 cells. We demonstrated that the swine TLR2-expressing transfectant can bind not only zymosan from yeast cell wall components but also intact lactic acid bacteria, resulting in the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB. These findings suggest that the swine TLR2-expressing transfectant can be very useful for the primary screening of immunobiotic microorganisms.     

Mechanistic study of membrane concentration and recovery of Listeria monocytogenes

Detection of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes requires that food samples be processed to remove proteins and lipids, concentrate microorganisms to a detectable concentration, and recover the concentrated cells in a small volume compatible with micron-scale biochips. Mechanistic considerations addressed in this research include the roles of membrane structure, pore size, and detergents in maximizing recovery of cells from a complex biological fluid. The fluid in this case was a food sample (hotdog extract) inoculated with L. monocytogenes. This study showed how membrane filtration using a syringe filter is able to concentrate L. monocytogenes by 95x with up to 95% recovery of living microorganisms by concentrating 50 mL of food sample into a volume of 500 microL. Tween 20 was added to the sample to prevent irreversible adsorption of the microorganism to the membrane and thereby help to ensure high recovery. Comparison of polycarbonate, mixed cellulose, nylon, and PVDF membranes with 0.2 to 0.45 microm pores showed the 0.2 microm polycarbonate membrane with straight through, mono-radial pores gives the highest recovery of living microorganisms. The mixed cellulose, nylon, and PVDF membranes have a fibrous structure whose characteristic openings are much larger than their effective pore size cut-offs of 0.22 or 0.45 microm. We define conditions for rapid membrane-based cell concentration and recovery that has the potential to supplant enrichment steps that require a day or more. This approach has the added benefit of facilitating examination of a large amount of fluid volume by reducing its volume to a range that is compatible with the microliter scales of biochip or other biosensor detection systems.     

微生物对拟除虫菊酯类农药残留的生物修复

拟除虫菊酯类农药是一类高效、广谱农药,且具有低毒性和能被生物降解之特性,但其残留却给人们的健康带来了巨大的威胁,如何有效地去除其残留成为摆在环境工作者面前的一项重大课题。以生物修复为理论基础的农药残留降解菌技术为解决这一难题带来了新思路,该方法操作简便、经济实用,在国内外均成为环境工作者的研究热点。     

转基因(Cry1Ac)抗虫棉对土壤微生物的影响

对不同种植年限的转基因(Cry1Ac)抗虫棉田土壤中主要微生物数量变化进行了测定,结果表明：（1）种植转基因抗虫棉后对土壤微生物细菌、放线菌和真菌数量的影响趋势基本相似;（2）种植抗虫棉1年后,土壤中细菌、放线菌、真菌数量将有所增加,连续4年达到高峰,然后数量开始下降,连续种植7年后,棉田微生物数量接近于种植1年的棉田;（3）种植1年后又种植非转基因棉花的棉田,土壤微生物数量低于种植1年抗虫棉的棉田,与种植非转基因棉的数量无明显差异。由此可见,种植转基因抗虫棉对土壤微生物数量有一定的影响。