Latest Articles
- Environmental MicrobiologyPeriodic and spatial spreading of alkanes and Alcanivorax bacteria in deep waters of the Mariana Trench
- Enzymology and Protein EngineeringIdentification and characterization of a GlcNAc de-N-acetylase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus
Environmental Microbiology | SpotlightChromate Resistance Mechanisms in Leucobacter chromiiresistensChromate is a highly toxic oxyanion. Extensive industrial use and inadequate waste management has caused the toxic pollution of several field sites. Understanding the chromate resistance mechanisms that enable organisms to thrive under these conditions is fundamental to develop (micro)biological strategies and applications aiming at bioremediation of contaminated soils or waters. Potential detoxifying microorganisms are often not...
Enzymology and Protein Engineering | SpotlightFilling the Void: Introducing Aromatic Interactions into Solvent Tunnels To Enhance Lipase Stability in MethanolEnzymatic synthesis in organic solvents holds increasing industrial opportunities in many fields; however, one major obstacle is the limited stability of biocatalysts in such a denaturing environment. Aromatic interactions play a major role in protein folding and stability, and we were inspired by this to redesign enzyme voids. The rational protein engineering of solvent tunnels of lipase from...
Physiology | SpotlightDivergent Nrf Family Proteins and MtrCAB Homologs Facilitate Extracellular Electron Transfer in Aeromonas hydrophilaMetal-reducing microorganisms are used for electricity production, bioremediation of toxic compounds, wastewater treatment, and production of valuable compounds. Despite numerous microorganisms being reported to reduce metals, the molecular mechanism has primarily been studied in two model systems, Shewanella oneidensis and...
Methodscis-Acting Determinant Limiting Expression of Sphingomyelinase Gene sph2 in Leptospira interrogans, Identified with a gfp Reporter PlasmidGenetic tools are needed to examine gene expression in the pathogen Leptospira interrogans. We developed a reporter plasmid that replicates in L. interrogans with green fluorescent protein (GFP) as the readout of promoter activity. We demonstrated an application of the new reporter plasmid by...
Environmental MicrobiologyToxicity of Potential Fungal Defense Proteins towards the Fungivorous Nematodes Aphelenchus avenae and Bursaphelenchus okinawaensisOur results support the hypothesis that cytoplasmic proteins abundant in fungal fruiting bodies are involved in fungal resistance against predation. The toxicity of these proteins toward stylet-feeding nematodes, which are also capable of feeding on plants, and the abundance of these proteins in edible mushrooms, may open possible avenues for biological crop protection against parasitic nematodes, e.g., by expression of these proteins...
