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Luminescence : the Journal of... Jun 2024The mechanism of bioluminescence in the luminous land snails remains largely unknown. Here, we analyzed basic biochemical properties of the luminous land snail, Quantula...
The mechanism of bioluminescence in the luminous land snails remains largely unknown. Here, we analyzed basic biochemical properties of the luminous land snail, Quantula weinkauffiana. The luminescence activity was extracted from the light organ located near the mouth using a neutral buffer containing detergent. The reaction of the crude buffer extract was triggered by the addition of only hydrogen peroxide (HO). These results are inconsistent with the single precedent report on the bioluminescence in the Quantula striata by Shimomura and Haneda in 1986, in which the luminescence of the buffer extract (without detergent) from the light organ was induced by the coaddition of three indispensable components HO, ferrous ion, and 2-mercaptoethanol. Based on the present findings, we suggested that an insoluble photoprotein is involved in the bioluminescence of the luminous land snails and the luminescence reaction is simply triggered by HO.
Topics: Animals; Snails; Hydrogen Peroxide; Luminescence; Luminescent Measurements
PubMed: 38850210
DOI: 10.1002/bio.4796 -
Current Environmental Health Reports Jun 2024Wastewater is a term used to describe water that has undergone degradation in quality owing to anthropogenic activities or natural processes. Wastewater encompasses... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW
Wastewater is a term used to describe water that has undergone degradation in quality owing to anthropogenic activities or natural processes. Wastewater encompasses liquid waste originating from academic institutions, households, agricultural sector, industries, mines and hospitals. Hospital wastewater contains potentially hazardous substances including residues of pharmaceuticals, radioisotopes, detergents and pathogens, with detrimental impacts to the environment and human health. Nevertheless, studies related to hospital waste management are limited in Africa, particularly in Southern Africa. This research offers an overview of aspects surrounding hospital wastewater in Southern Africa, focusing on Zimbabwe. Already published and grey literature was reviewed to compile the paper.
RECENT FINDINGS
Number of patients, nature of medical services offered and hospital size influences generation of hospital wastewater. Partially and non-treated hospital wastewater is managed together with municipal wastewater. Management of hospital wastewater is impeded by shortage of resources, lack of co-ordination among responsible authorities and ineffective legal framework enforcement, among other challenges. Inappropriate hospital wastewater management results in environmental contamination, causing human ailments. Attainment of sustainable hospital wastewater management requires clearly defined and enforced legislation, collaboration of accountable stakeholders, sufficient resources and enhanced awareness of involved stakeholders. Application of technologies that uphold recycling and reuse of wastewater is essential to reach Sustainable Development Goals, Zimbabwe Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1 targets, particularly those dealing with environmental protection while upholding human health.
PubMed: 38849638
DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00452-9 -
PloS One 2024Polymeric IgMs are secreted from plasma cells abundantly despite their structural complexity and intricate multimerization steps. To gain insights into IgM's assembly...
Polymeric IgMs are secreted from plasma cells abundantly despite their structural complexity and intricate multimerization steps. To gain insights into IgM's assembly mechanics that underwrite such high-level secretion, we characterized the biosynthetic process of a natural human IgM, SAM-6, using a heterologous HEK293(6E) cell platform that allowed the production of IgMs both in hexameric and pentameric forms in a controlled fashion. By creating a series of mutant subunits that differentially disrupt secretion, folding, and specific inter-chain disulfide bond formation, we assessed their effects on various aspects of IgM biosynthesis in 57 different subunit chain combinations, both in hexameric and pentameric formats. The mutations caused a spectrum of changes in steady-state subcellular subunit distribution, ER-associated inclusion body formation, intracellular subunit detergent solubility, covalent assembly, secreted IgM product quality, and secretion output. Some mutations produced differential effects on product quality depending on whether the mutation was introduced to hexameric IgM or pentameric IgM. Through this systematic combinatorial approach, we consolidate diverse overlapping knowledge on IgM biosynthesis for both hexamers and pentamers, while unexpectedly revealing that the loss of certain inter-chain disulfide bonds, including the one between μHC and λLC, is tolerated in polymeric IgM assembly and secretion. The findings highlight the differential roles of underlying non-covalent protein-protein interactions in hexamers and pentamers when orchestrating the initial subunit interactions and maintaining the polymeric IgM product integrity during ER quality control steps, secretory pathway trafficking, and secretion.
Topics: Humans; Immunoglobulin M; HEK293 Cells; Mutation; Protein Multimerization; Protein Subunits; Endoplasmic Reticulum
PubMed: 38848420
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291568 -
Folia Microbiologica Jun 2024CssRS is a two-component system that plays a pivotal role in mediating the secretion stress response in Bacillus subtilis. This system upregulates the synthesis of...
CssRS is a two-component system that plays a pivotal role in mediating the secretion stress response in Bacillus subtilis. This system upregulates the synthesis of membrane-bound HtrA family proteases that cope with misfolded proteins that accumulate within the cell envelope as a result of overexpression or heat shock. Recent studies have shown the induction of CssRS-regulated genes in response to cell envelope stress. We investigated the induction of the CssRS-regulated htrA promoter in the presence of different cell wall- and membrane-active substances and observed induction of the CssRS-controlled genes by glycopeptides (vancomycin and teicoplanin), polymyxins B and E, certain β-lactams, and detergents. Teicoplanin was shown to elicit remarkably stronger induction than vancomycin and polymyxin B. Teicoplanin and polymyxin B induced the spxO gene expression in a CssRS-dependent fashion, resulting in increased activity of Spx, a master regulator of disulfide stress in Bacillus subtilis. The CssRS signaling pathway and Spx activity were demonstrated to be involved in Bacillus subtilis resistance to teicoplanin and polymyxin B.
PubMed: 38847924
DOI: 10.1007/s12223-024-01179-8 -
Animal Science Journal = Nihon Chikusan... 2024Prolonged exposure of bisphenol A (BPA) has adverse effects on in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes, but treatment with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) can improve the...
Prolonged exposure of bisphenol A (BPA) has adverse effects on in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes, but treatment with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) can improve the IVM and development of embryos. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BPA and both BPA and TUDCA on IVM and parthenogenetic development of embryos. The results showed that BPA treatment adverse effects on the cumulus expansion index, survival rate, polar body rate, mitochondrial distribution of the oocytes after maturation culture, and that it also decreased the cleavage rate and blastocyst rate of embryos after parthenogenetic develpoment. In addition, BPA treatment upregulated expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis and increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, while it decreased expression of genes related to cumulus expansion. However, the supplementation of TUDCA relieved these adverse effects of BPA except polar body rate, blastocyst rate, and expression of BCL2 and PTGS1. In conclusion, the supplementation of TUDCA can partly attenuate the negative effects of BPA on IVM and parthenogenetic development of embryos, possibly by modification of the expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis and cumulus expansion, intracellular ROS level, and mitochondrial distribution.
Topics: Animals; Phenols; Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid; Oocytes; Parthenogenesis; Benzhydryl Compounds; Reactive Oxygen Species; In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques; Apoptosis; Embryonic Development; Swine; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Female; Gene Expression; Blastocyst; Mitochondria
PubMed: 38845341
DOI: 10.1111/asj.13966 -
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Jun 2024This study aimed to compare the digestibility of tropical grasses by horses by the in vivo method using mobile nylon bags with the in vitro digestibility method using...
This study aimed to compare the digestibility of tropical grasses by horses by the in vivo method using mobile nylon bags with the in vitro digestibility method using horse feces as a source of inoculum. Five horses were used in a 2 × 5 factorial design with randomized blocks featuring two methods (in vivo and in vitro) and five grasses: Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.), sixweeks threeawn grass (Aristida adsencionis, Linn), Alexandergrass (Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitchc.), capim-de-raiz (Chloris orthonoton, Doell), and Sabi grass (Urochloa mosambicensis). No difference (P>0.05) was found between the in vivo and in vitro methods regarding nutrient digestibility of Sabi grass and sixweeks threeawn. Tifton 85 was the only grass that showed differences (P<0.05) between the two methods concerning the apparent digestibility of all nutrients. Alexandergrass, Tifton 85, and capim-de-raiz exhibited the best digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and organic matter by the mobile bag method compared to the in vitro method. Tifton 85 and capim-de-raiz had higher crude protein digestibility by the mobile bag method than by the in vitro method. The mean retention time of the mobile bags in the digestive tract of the horses was 43.69 h. The bags with samples of sixweeks threeawn and Sabi grass had shorter retention times than capim-de-raiz and Alexandergrass (P<0.0001). It is concluded that, for sixweeks threeawn and Sabi grass, digestibility in horses can be assessed using the in vitro method in place of the mobile nylon bag method.
PubMed: 38844184
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105112 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Jun 2024Lipases are important biocatalysts and ubiquitous in plants, animals, and microorganisms. The high growth rates of microorganisms with low production costs have enabled...
Lipases are important biocatalysts and ubiquitous in plants, animals, and microorganisms. The high growth rates of microorganisms with low production costs have enabled the wide application of microbial lipases in detergent, food, and cosmetic industries. Herein, a novel lipase from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 (Lac-Rh) was isolated and its activity analyzed under a range of reaction conditions to evaluate its potential industrial application. The isolated Lac-Rh showed a molecular weight of 24 kDa and a maximum activity of 3438.5 ± 1.8 U/mg protein at 60 °C and pH 8. Additionally, Lac-Rh retained activity in alkaline conditions and in 10% v/v concentrations of organic solvents, including glycerol and acetone. Interestingly, after pre-incubation in the presence of multiple commercial detergents, Lac-Rh maintained over 80% of its activity and the stains from cotton were successfully removed under a simulated laundry setting. Overall, the purified lipase from L. rhamnosus IDCC 3201 has potential for use as a detergent in industrial applications. KEY POINTS: • A novel lipase (Lac-Rh) was isolated from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 • Purified Lac-Rh exhibited its highest activity at a temperature of 60 °C and a pH of 8, respectively • Lac-Rh remains stable in commercial laundry detergent and enhances washing performance.
Topics: Lipase; Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Detergents; Enzyme Stability; Temperature; Molecular Weight; Bacterial Proteins
PubMed: 38842543
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13185-4 -
3 Biotech Jul 2024Lipase has high economic importance and is widely used in biodiesel, food, detergents, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. The rapid development of synthetic... (Review)
Review
Lipase has high economic importance and is widely used in biodiesel, food, detergents, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. The rapid development of synthetic biology and system biology has not only paved the way for comprehensively understanding the efficient operation mechanism of cell factories but also introduced a new technological system for creating and optimizing high-efficiency cell factories. In this review, all relevant data on microbial lipase enzyme sources and general properties are gathered and updated. The relationship between strain morphology and protein production is discussed. The safety of strain is investigated to ensure product safety. The biotechnologies and factors influencing lipase expression in are summarized. This review focuses on various strategies to improve lipase expression in . The summary of these methods and the application of the gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas9 system can further improve the efficiency of constructing the engineered lipase-producing .
PubMed: 38841267
DOI: 10.1007/s13205-024-03998-5 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024The efficient utilization of straw resources as animal feed has gained considerable attention. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether treatment alters the...
INTRODUCTION
The efficient utilization of straw resources as animal feed has gained considerable attention. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether treatment alters the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of highland barley straw and enhances its functional value as a ruminant feed.
METHODS
The chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and metabolomic profile of highland barley straw were determined after 21 days of solid-state fermentation with at 25°C. The differential metabolites between fermented and unfermented highland barley straw were identified by LC-MS and the relationship between the identified metabolites and antioxidant capacity was elucidated.
RESULTS
The results showed that, compared with untreated highland barley straw, the crude protein and ether extract contents were higher (51.55 and 76.43%, respectively) in highland barley straw after 21 days of incubation with , whereas the hemicellulose, cellulose, and acid detergent lignin contents were lower (2.48, 25.08, and 45%, respectively). The total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in -treated than in untreated highland barley straw. In total, 600 differential metabolites (301 upregulated and 299 downregulated) were identified between -fermented and unfermented highland barley straw. Correlation analysis results showed that Fe scavenging and total phenolic content were strongly correlated with total antioxidant capacity. Meanwhile, the differential flavonoid metabolites between fermented and unfermented highland barley straw were primarily associated with antioxidant activity, with kaempferol 3-xylosylglucoside, isoginkgetin, and rhoifolin being the most representative.
CONCLUSION
Thus, this study demonstrates that could enhance the functional value of highland barley straw, showing the potential of for improving the utilization of agricultural straws in ruminants.
PubMed: 38841071
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1365254 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Lipases are remarkable biocatalysts, adept at catalyzing the breakdown of diverse compounds into glycerol, fatty acids, and mono- and di-glycerides via hydrolysis.... (Review)
Review
Lipases for targeted industrial applications, focusing on the development of biotechnologically significant aspects: A comprehensive review of recent trends in protein engineering.
Lipases are remarkable biocatalysts, adept at catalyzing the breakdown of diverse compounds into glycerol, fatty acids, and mono- and di-glycerides via hydrolysis. Beyond this, they facilitate esterification, transesterification, alcoholysis, acidolysis, and more, making them versatile in industrial applications. In industrial processes, lipases that exhibit high stability are favored as they can withstand harsh conditions. However, most native lipases are unable to endure adverse conditions, making them unsuitable for industrial use. Protein engineering proves to be a potent technology in the development of lipases that can function effectively under challenging conditions and fulfill criteria for various industrial processes. This review concentrated on new trends in protein engineering to enhance the diversity of lipase genes and employed in silico methods for predicting and comprehensively analyzing target mutations in lipases. Additionally, key molecular factors associated with industrial characteristics of lipases, including thermostability, solvent tolerance, catalytic activity, and substrate preference have been elucidated. The present review delved into how industrial traits can be enhanced through directed evolution (epPCR, gene shuffling), rational design (FRESCO, ASR), combined engineering strategies (i.e. CAST, ISM, and FRISM) as protein engineering methodologies in contexts of biodiesel production, food processing, and applications of detergent, pharmaceutics, and plastic degradation.
PubMed: 38838897
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132853