Latest Articles
Enzymology and Protein Engineering | SpotlightA Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenase from a White-Rot Fungus Drives the Degradation of Lignin by a Versatile PeroxidaseThe enzymatic biodegradation of structural polysaccharides is affected by the degree of delignification of lignocellulose during the white-rot fungal decay process. The lignin matrix decreases accessibility to the substrates for LPMOs. H2O2 has been studied as a cosubstrate for LPMOs, but the formation and utilization of H2O2 in the reactions still represent an intriguing focus of current...
Food MicrobiologyPrebiotic Supplementation of In Vitro Fecal Fermentations Inhibits Proteolysis by Gut Bacteria, and Host Diet Shapes Gut Bacterial Metabolism and Response to InterventionDietary protein intake is high in Western populations, which could result in potentially harmful metabolites in the gut from proteolysis. In an in vitro fermentation model, the addition of prebiotics reduced the negative consequences of high protein levels. Supplementation with a prebiotic resulted in a reduction of proteolytic metabolites in the model. A difference was seen in protein fermentation between omnivore and...
PhysiologyInfluence of Energy and Electron Availability on In Vivo Methane and Hydrogen Production by a Variant Molybdenum NitrogenaseA variant form of Mo nitrogenase catalyzes the conversion of CO2 and protons to the biofuels CH4 and H2. A constant supply of electrons and ATP is needed to drive these reduction reactions. The bacterium R. palustris generates ATP from light and has a versatile metabolism that makes it ideal for manipulating electron availability...
Environmental MicrobiologyLow Temperature and Neutral pH Define “Candidatus Nitrotoga sp.” as a Competitive Nitrite Oxidizer in Coculture with Nitrospira defluvii“Ca. Nitrotoga” is a NOB of high environmental relevance, but physiological data exist for only a few representatives. Initially, it was detected in specialized niches of low temperature and low nitrite concentrations, but later on, its ubiquitous distribution revealed its critical role for N removal in engineered systems like WWTPs. In this study, we analyzed the competition between Nitrotoga and Nitrospira...
Microbial EcologyDifferential Effects of Breed and Nursing on Early-Life Colonic Microbiota and Immune Status as Revealed in a Cross-Fostering Piglet ModelEarly-life gut microbiota and immune status are pivotal for postnatal growth. By using an interspecific cross-fostering piglet model, we find that change in nursing mother transiently reshapes preweaning colon microbiota and immune status, while breed shows persistent effects both pre- and postweaning. Piglets nursed by Meishan sows had lower Streptococcus suis counts...
Environmental MicrobiologyZinc Toxicity and Iron-Sulfur Cluster Biogenesis in Escherichia coliZinc toxicity has been implicated in causing various human diseases. High concentrations of zinc can also inhibit bacterial cell growth. However, the underlying mechanism has not been fully understood. Here, we report that zinc overload in Escherichia coli cells inhibits iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis by targeting specific iron-sulfur cluster assembly proteins....
Enzymology and Protein EngineeringConversion of Mevalonate 3-Kinase into 5-Phosphomevalonate 3-Kinase by Single Amino Acid MutationsIsoprenoid is the largest family of natural compounds, including important bioactive molecules such as vitamins, hormones, and natural medicines. The mevalonate pathway is a target for metabolic engineering because it supplies precursors for isoprenoid biosynthesis. Mevalonate 3-kinase is an enzyme involved in the modified mevalonate pathway specific to limited species of thermophilic archaea. Replacement of a single amino acid residue...
Environmental MicrobiologySpatiotemporal Dynamics of Free-Living and Particle-Associated Vibrio Communities in the Northern Chinese Marginal SeasThe dynamics of Vibrio communities have been shown in many marine habitats that are close to land, including estuary or harbor areas. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of Vibrio populations in the northern Chinese marginal seas, spanning a wide spatial scale. We showed that the abundances of the Vibrio population in the present study were higher than those in most previously studied areas and...
