Kinetics of formation of ferrioxamine B

Stopped-flow kinetic studies of the formation of ferrioxamine B were performed. Formation of the complex follows the rate law

where K_a is the acid dissociation constant of the iron(III) aquo species in 0.1 M formate buffer. At 25°C k₁ = 3.94 × 10²M^?1 sec^?1, k₂K_a = 1.18 × 10^?1 sec^?1, k₃ = 3.6 × 10^?1 sec^?1. Activation parameters for k₁ are ΔH^≠ = 11.7 kcal mole^?1 and ΔS^≠ = ?8 cal K^?1 mole^?1. An associative mechanism is proposed. Attachment of the first chelate ring is the slow step and favorably positions the second chelate ring for attachment. Coordination of two chelate rings favorably positions the third chelate ring for attachment. These results are compared to kinetics of formation of model complexes and to a previous study of the formation of ferrioxamine B in which attachment of the third chelate ring was proposed as the slow step     

Copper metabolism in the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa (L.)

Copper metabolism in a teleost, the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa (L.) from a natural environment has been studied. Distribution in the various tissues of the metal and of five key copper-dependent enzymes: ceruloplasmin EC 1.16.3.1; Superoxide dismutase EC 1.15.11; tryptophan oxygenase EC 1.13.1.12; cytochrome oxidase EC 1.9.3.1 and monoamine oxidase EC 1.4.3.4 have been determined. The copper distribution was found to be similar to that in mammals with the greatest concentrations in the brain and heart. Distribution of the copper enzymes is also similar to that found in mammals. A preliminary characterization of the copper enzymes showed that plaice cytochrome oxidase has a pH maximum 2 pH units more alkaline than the mammalian enzyme and that plaice tryptophan oxygenase is more sensitive to heat denaturation than the mammalian enzyme. The present data form a base-line against which studies on factors affecting the copper metabolism in a teleost can be assessed.     

Ten simple rules for succeeding as an underrepresented STEM undergraduate

Undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds (e.g., Black, Indigenous, and people of color [BIPOC], members of the Deaf community, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, from low-income backgrounds, or underrepresented genders) continue to face exclusion and marginalization in higher education. In this piece, authored and edited by a diverse group of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) scholars, we present 10 simple rules for succeeding as an underrepresented STEM undergraduate student, illuminating the “hidden curriculum” of STEM specifically as it relates to the underrepresented undergraduate experience. Our rules begin by encouraging students to embrace their own distinct identities and scientific voices and explain how students can overcome challenges unique to underrepresented students throughout their undergraduate degrees. These rules are derived from a combination of our own experiences navigating our undergraduate STEM degrees and the growing body of literature on improving success for underrepresented students.     

SadA-Expressing Staphylococci in the Human Gut Show Increased Cell Adherence and Internalization

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Effect of bioaugmentation and nitrogen supplementation on composting of paddy straw

A composting experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a hyperlignocellulolytic fungal consortium and different nitrogen amendments on paddy straw composting in terms of changes in physicochemical and biological parameters. A fungal consortium comprising four lignocellulolytic mesophilic fungal cultures was used as inoculum for bioaugmentation of paddy straw in perforated pits. The comparative effect of farmyard manure (FYM), soybean trash, poultry litter and urea on the composting process was evaluated at monthly intervals in terms of physicochemical (pH, EC, available P, C:N ratio and humus content) and biological (enzymatic and microbial activity) parameters. The compost prepared from bioaugmented paddy straw composting mixture, with poultry manure as nitrogen supplement attained desirable C:N ratio in 1 month and displayed least phytotoxicity levels along with higher production of β-1,4-Exoglucanase. The combined activity of the autochthonous composting microbiota as well as the externally applied fungal inoculum accelerated the composting process of paddy straw. Supplementation of paddy straw with poultry manure in 8:1 ratio was identified as the best treatment to hasten the composting process. This study highlights the importance of application of fungal inoculum and an appropriate N-amendment such as poultry manure for preparation of compost using a substrate having high C:N ratio, such as paddy straw.     

Crystal structure of the Vibrio cholerae ferric uptake regulator (Fur) reveals insights into metal co-ordination

The ferric uptake regulator (Fur) is a metal-dependent DNA-binding protein that acts as both a repressor and an activator of numerous genes involved in maintaining iron homeostasis in bacteria. It has also been demonstrated in Vibrio cholerae that Fur plays an additional role in pathogenesis, opening up the potential of Fur as a drug target for cholera. Here we present the crystal structure of V. cholerae Fur that reveals a very different orientation of the DNA-binding domains compared with that observed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Fur . Each monomer of the dimeric Fur protein contains two metal binding sites occupied by zinc in the crystal structure. In the P. aeruginosa study these were designated as the regulatory site (Zn1) and structural site (Zn2). This V. cholerae Fur study, together with studies on Fur homologues and paralogues, suggests that in fact the Zn2 site is the regulatory iron binding site and the Zn1 site plays an auxiliary role. There is no evidence of metal binding to the cysteines that are conserved in many Fur homologues, including Escherichia coli Fur. An analysis of the metal binding properties shows that V. cholerae Fur can be activated by a range of divalent metals.