Stereoselective Reduction of Carbonyl Compounds with Actinomycete: Purification and Characterization of Three α-Keto Ester Reductases from Streptomyces avermitilis

We achieved the purification of three α-keto ester reductases (Streptomyces avermitilis keto ester reductase, SAKERs-I, -II, and -III) from Streptomyces avermitilis NBRC14893 whole cells. The molecular masses of the native SAKERs-I, -II, and -III were estimated to be 72, 38, and 36 kDa, respectively, by gel filtration chromatography. The subunit molecular masses of SAKERs-I, -II, and -III were also estimated to be 32, 32, and 34 kDa, respectively, by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified SAKERs-II and -III showed a reducing activity for α-keto esters (in particular, for ethyl pyruvate). SAKER-I showed a high reducing activity not only toward the α- and β-keto esters, but also toward α-keto acid. The N-terminal region amino acid sequences of SAKERs-I, -II, and -III were identical to that of a putative oxidoreductase, SAV2750, a putative oxidoreductase, SAV1849, and a putative oxidoreductase, SAV4117, respectively, hypothetical proteins coded on the S. avermitilis genome.     

Comparison of human-induced pluripotent stem cells and mesenchymal stem cell differentiation potential to insulin producing cells in 2D and 3D culture systems in vitro

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world that is chronic, progressive, and costly, and causes many complications. Common drug therapies are not able to cure it, and pancreas transplantation is not responsive to the high number of patients. The production of the insulin producing cells (IPCs) from the stem cells in the laboratory and their transplantation to the patient's body is one of the most promising new approaches. In this study, the differentiation potential of the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into IPCs was compared to each other while cultured on poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanofibrous scaffold as a 3D substrate and tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) as a 2D substrate. Although the expression level of the insulin, Glut2 and pdx-1 genes in stem cells cultured on 3D substrate was significantly higher than the stem cells cultured on 2D substrate, the highest expression level of these genes was detected in the iPSCs cultured on PLGA-PEG. Insulin and C-peptide secretions from differentiated cells were also investigated and the results showed that secretions in cultured iPSCs on the PLGA-PEG were significantly higher than cultured iPSCs on the TCPS and cultured MSCs on both PLGA-PEG and TCPS. In addition, insulin protein was also expressed in the cultured iPSCs on the PLGA-PEG significantly higher than cultured MSCs on the PLGA-PEG. It can be concluded that differentiation potential of iPSCs into IPCs is significantly higher than human MSCs at both 2D and 3D culture systems.     

Distribution of additional virulence factors related to adhesion and toxicity in Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli isolated from raw products in Argentina

A total of 73 Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates, belonging to 25 serotypes and isolated from raw products in Argentina, were examined for the occurrence of genes responsible for bacterial adhesions to intestine, ehaA (EHEC autotransporter), lpfAO113 (long polar fimbriae), sab (STEC autotransporter [AT] contributing to biofilm formation), ecpA (E. coli common pilus), hcpA (haemorrhagic coli pilus), elfA (E. coli laminin‐binding fimbriae), sfpA (sorbitol‐fermenting EHEC O157 fimbriae plasmid‐encoded) and of the toxigenic gene cdt‐V (cytolethal distending toxin). Our study showed different adhesin profiles that are not linked to one specific serotype and that all analysed isolates possess, besides stx genes, some adherence genes. Several of the isolates contained also multiple toxin genes. The results of the present work alert the presence of genes coding for additional adhesins and cdt‐V toxin in LEE‐negative STEC strains that occur in foods, and this traits could increase their pathogenic potential.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Meat products are one of the main vehicles of Shiga toxin‐producing E. coli, and the presence of genes coding for additional adhesins and toxins could increase their pathogenic potential. There is a need for a more detailed characterization of the strains in regard to these extra virulence factors.     

木质素在海洋中的生物转化及其对海洋碳循环的影响

微型生物参与的海洋碳汇是海洋重要的储碳途径,可调节全球气候变化。木质素是地球上第二大光合而成的碳库,其在海洋中的生物地球化学过程与海洋碳循环密切相关。异养微生物所主导的代谢活动是木质素生物转化的主要途径。近年来,迅速发展的高通量测序技术与传统微生物技术相结合,在探索自然生境中木质素代谢菌群,发现木质素代谢新物种,挖掘相关功能基因等方面已取得一系列成果。然而绝大多数的研究主要集中于陆地生态系统,对于海洋生态系统的研究仍较少。陆源有机碳在海洋中的转化过程仍是一个"谜",故解析海洋木质素碳转化是海洋碳循环研究的重要任务。本文综述了参与海洋木质素转化的功能微生物、木质素代谢机理以及微生物碳代谢活动与海洋碳汇过程的内在联系,为今后的研究提供参考。     

古尔班通古特沙漠苔藓结皮土壤中促生菌的分离筛选及促生特性研究

从古尔班通古特沙漠南缘苔藓结皮土壤中分离筛选植物促生菌并阐明其促生特性，对于发掘和应用功能性微生物制剂，促进植被恢复和提升荒漠固沙能力等具有积极意义。采用富集方法从苔藓生物结皮下0～20 cm土壤中分离可培养微生物。利用选择性培养基筛选具溶磷、产铁载体、分泌吲哚乙酸（IAA）特性的菌株。采用钼锑抗比色法、CAS检测法、Salkowski比色法分别测定菌株溶磷量、产生铁载体的浓度、分泌IAA的含量，并对性能优良的菌株进行分类鉴定。共筛选出促生菌31株，其中溶磷菌31株，产铁载体菌13株，分泌IAA菌28株。菌株LB5WH溶解无机磷能力最强，溶磷量为302.24 mg/L；菌株LB15产铁载体能力最强，产生铁载体的浓度 Su值（铁载体活性单位）为85.7%；菌株GA20分泌IAA活性最强，分泌量为15.46 mg/L。菌株LB5WH、LB15同时具有溶磷、产铁载体和分泌IAA活性，菌株GA20具有溶解有机磷、分泌IAA活性。菌株溶解无机磷能力要强于溶解有机磷能力，溶解无机磷菌株的溶磷量与培养液pH值之间呈显著负相关。经鉴定，菌株LB5WH属于芽胞杆菌属（Bacillus），菌株GA20属于寡养单胞菌属（Stenotrophomonas），菌株LB15属于赖氨酸芽胞杆菌属（Lysinibacillus）。这三株细菌的促生功能较多，具有进一步开发为微生物肥料的潜能。本研究为丰富荒漠区促生菌资源，进一步深入研究苔藓结皮下土壤-微生物-植物互作的生态调控机制及荒漠植物促生菌的促生机理提供菌种资源。     

Detergent solubilization of phosphatidylcholine bilayers in the fluid state: Influence of the acyl chain structure

Seventeen different, chemically defined phosphatidylcholines, dispersed in aqueous medium in the form of large unilamellar vesicles, have been tested for solubilization by the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100. The temperatures (either 20 °C or 45 °C) were such that the bilayers were always in the liquid-disordered state. For each case, the solubilization parameters, D_on (total detergent: lipid mole ratio producing the onset of solubilization) and D₅₀ (total detergent: lipid mole ratio producing 50% solubilization), were determined under equilibrium conditions. Both parameters varied generally in parallel. When double bonds were introduced to the acyl chains, other factors remaining constant, solubilization became more difficult, i.e., more detergent was required. Cis-unsaturated phospholipids required more detergent than the corresponding trans-isomers. Increasing chain length in saturated phospholipids between C12 and C16 decreased moderately the detergent/lipid ratios causing solubilization. Acyl and alkyl phospholipids were equally susceptible to Triton X-100 solubilization. Lipid chain order, as measured by DPH fluorescence polarization, seemed to facilitate solubilization, perhaps because more ordered bilayers have a smaller capacity to accommodate detergent monomers without breaking down into lipid-detergent mixed micelles.     

Quantitative evaluation of respiration induced metabolic oscillations in erythrocytes

The changes in the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide (P_O2 and P_CO2) during blood circulation alter erythrocyte metabolism, hereby causing flux changes between oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. In the study we have modeled this effect by extending the comprehensive kinetic model by Mulquiney and Kuchel [P.J. Mulquiney, and P.W. Kuchel. Model of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate metabolism in the human erythrocyte based on detailed enzyme kinetic equations: equations and parameter refinement, Biochem. J. 1999, 342, 581–596.] with a kinetic model of hemoglobin oxy-/deoxygenation transition based on an oxygen dissociation model developed by Dash and Bassingthwaighte [R. Dash, and J. Bassingthwaighte. Blood HbO₂ and HbCO₂ dissociation curves at varied O₂, CO₂, pH, 2,3-DPG and temperature levels, Ann. Biomed. Eng., 2004, 32(12), 1676–1693.]. The system has been studied during transitions from the arterial to the venous phases by simply forcing P_O2 and P_CO2 to follow the physiological values of venous and arterial blood. The investigations show that the system passively follows a limit cycle driven by the forced oscillations of P_O2 and is thus inadequately described solely by steady state consideration. The metabolic system exhibits a broad distribution of time scales. Relaxations of modes with hemoglobin and Mg²⁺ binding reactions are very fast, while modes involving glycolytic, membrane transport and 2,3-BPG shunt reactions are much slower. Incomplete slow mode relaxations during the 60 s period of the forced transitions cause significant overshoots of important fluxes and metabolite concentrations – notably ATP, 2,3-BPG, and Mg²⁺. The overshoot phenomenon arises in consequence of a periodical forcing and is likely to be widespread in nature – warranting a special consideration for relevant systems.     

Synthesis of peptide thioesters via an N–S acyl shift reaction under mild acidic conditions on an N‐4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐mercaptobenzyl auxiliary group

An efficient method of peptide thioester synthesis is described. The reaction is based on an N‐4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐mercaptobenzyl (Dmmb) auxiliary‐assisted N‐S acyl shift reaction after assembling a peptide chain by Fmoc‐solid phase peptide synthesis. The Dmmb‐assisted N‐S acyl shift reaction proceeded efficiently under mildly acidic conditions, and the peptide thioester was obtained by treating the resulting S‐peptide with sodium 2‐mercaptoethanesulfonate. No detectable epimerization of the amino acid residue adjacent to the thioester moiety in the case of Leu was found. The reactions were also amenable to the on‐resin preparation of peptide thioesters. The utility was demonstrated by the synthesis of a 41‐mer peptide thioester, a phosphorylated peptide thioester and a 33‐mer peptide thioester containing a trimethylated lysine residue. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BA-25菌株碱性纤维素酶产酶条件优化研究

试验研究了分离自烟草调制过程中的产芽孢细菌Bacillussp.BA-25菌株碱性纤维素酶产生的优化条件.结果表明:麸皮是最佳碳源,豆饼粉是最佳的氮源,且当碳氮比为2∶1时产酶活性最高;NaCl和KH2PO4对纤维素酶的合成具有重要作用,其适宜用量分别为0.5%～1.0%和0.1%;培养液的初始pH会极大地影响产酶活性,其最适pH为10.最优化的发酵工艺参数为:种子菌龄为24h,在300mL摇瓶中,装入30mL培养基培养温度为37℃,摇床转速为160r/min,在发酵24h后补充1%的葡萄糖,培养48h,该菌产碱性纤维素酶活力可以达到68.4U/mL.     

海藻糖产生菌的筛选及其发酵条件研究

通过液体发酵筛选,从土壤中分离的241株菌株及保藏的95株菌株中得到15株海藻糖生产菌,对这些菌株进一步筛选得到产海藻糖最多的一株菌Bacillus sp。其发酵最适合条件为：以麦芽糖为碳源,发酵初始pH值7.0,接种量为6%,30℃条件下培养48h,另外该菌株在分别以葡萄糖和蔗糖为碳源的培养基中都能产生海藻糖。