Enzymatic synthesis of cyclic amino acids by N-methyl-l-amino acid dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida

A new enzymatic system for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure cyclic amino acids (CAA) from the corresponding diamino acids or racemic CAA is described. α,ω-Diamino acids were oxidized to α-keto acids with amino acid oxidases (AAO). The α-keto acids were spontaneously transformed into cyclic imino acids in the reaction medium. The resulting imines were reduced to the l-form CAA with N-methyl-l-amino acid dehydrogenase (NMAADH) from Pseudomonas putida ATCC12633 using NADPH as a cofactor. l-Form CAA were also obtained from racemic CAA using d-amino-acid oxidase and NMAADH. Using this method, a new compound [1,4]-thiazepane-3-carboxylic acid (Fig. 1) was synthesized from aminopropylcystein.     

A high-throughput assay method to quantify Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase activity

An assay for the spectrophotometric determination of Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO) activity is described. Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of p-nitroacetophenone generates the corresponding acetate and subsequent hydrolysis of this ester by an esterase or NaOH results in the formation of p-nitrophenolate. This chromophore can be easily quantified spectrophotometrically at 410 nm. The assay can be performed in a microtiter plate format and is applicable to whole Escherichia coli cells containing recombinant BVMO, crude cell extract as well as using purified enzyme as exemplified for the 4-hydroxyacetophenone monooxygenase (HAPMO) from Pseudomonas putida JD1. Furthermore, the assay was used to identify more active HAPMO variants within enzyme mutant libraries generated by error-prone PCR or site-saturation mutagenesis.     

Effects of low-molecular-weight organic ligands and phosphate on adsorption of Pseudomonas putida by clay minerals and iron oxide

Adsorption of Pseudomonas putida on kaolinite, montmorillonite and goethite was studied in the presence of organic ligands and phosphate. Citrate, tartrate, oxalate and phosphate showed inhibitive effect on P. putida adsorption by three minerals in a broad range of anion concentrations. The highest efficiencies of the four ligands in blocking the adsorption of P. putida on goethite, kaolinite and montmorillonite were 58–90%, 35–76% and 20–48%, respectively. The ability of organic ligands in prohibiting the binding of P. putida cells to the minerals followed the sequence of citrate > tartrate > oxalate > acetate. The significant suppressive effects on P. putida adsorption were ascribed to the increased negative charges by adsorbed ligands and the competition of ligands with bacterial surface groups for binding sites. The inhibitive effects on P. putida adsorption by organic ligands were also dependent on the steric hindrance of the molecules. Acetate presented promotive effect on P. putida adsorption by kaolinite and goethite at low anion concentrations. The results obtained in this study suggested that the adsorption of bacteria in soils especially in the rhizosphere can significantly be impacted by various organic and inorganic anions.     

Determination of organophosphorus aromatic nitro insecticides by using electric-field cell orientation in microbial suspensions

We examined the effect of the cellular metabolism of the organophosphorus aromatic nitro insecticides metaphos and sumithion on the electro-physical properties (EPPs) of Pseudomonas putida C-11, P. putida BA-11, and Acinetobacter calcoaceticum A-122 suspensions. We used the dependences of cell-suspension absorbance changes induced by electric-field orientation on the orienting-field frequency in the range 10-10,000 kHz. Substantial orientational-spectrum changes, caused by insecticide action, occurred at frequencies of 10-1000 kHz. The plots of electro-optical effect versus insecticide-concentration were linear over the following concentration ranges: 0.5-3.0 mM metaphos and 0.5-3.5 mM sumithion for P. putida C-11 and BA-11; and 0.5-2.0 mM metaphos and 0.5-2.5 mM sumithion for A. calcoaceticum A-122. We discuss the possibility of developing a biosensor-method based on the measurement of cell-suspension orientational spectra (OS).     

Bench-scale biosynthesis of isonicotinic acid from 4-cyanopyridine by Pseudomonas putida

Pseudomonas putida CGMCC3830 harboring nitrilase was used in isonicotinic acid production from 4-cyanopyridine. This nitrilase showed optimum activities towards 4-cyanopyridine at pH 7.5 and 45°C. The half-life of P. putida nitrilase was 93.3 h, 33.9 h, and 9.5 h at 30°C, 38°C, and 45°C, respectively. 4-Cyanopyridine (100 mM) was fully converted into isonicotinic acid within 20 min. The bench-scale production of isonicotinic acid was carried out using 3 mg of resting cells per mL in a 1 L system at 30°C and finally, 123 g L^?1 of isonicotinic acid were obtained within 200 min without any by-products. The conversion reaction suffered from the product inhibition effect after the tenth feeding. The volumetric productivity was 36.9 g L^?1 h^?1. P. putida shows significant potential in nitrile hydrolysis for isonicotinic acid production. This paper is the first report on isonicotinic acid biosynthesis using Pseudomonas putida and it represents the highest isonicotinic acid production reported so far.     

4-Hydroxyacetophenone monooxygenase from Pseudomonas fluorescens ACB as an oxidative biocatalyst in the synthesis of optically active sulfoxides

Recombinant 4-hydroxyacetophenone monooxygenase (HAPMO) from Pseudomonas fluorescens ACB has been tested as a catalyst in sulfoxidation reactions on a set of aromatic sulfides. With a few exceptions, excellent enantioselectivities in the synthesis of chiral phenyl and benzyl sulfoxides were achieved. The bacterial Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase was also shown to accept racemic sulfoxides, a prochiral diketone and an organoboron compound as substrates. This study demonstrates the great biocatalytic potential of this novel oxidative enzyme.     

Perceiving the chemical language of Gram-negative bacteria: listening by high-resolution mass spectrometry

Gram-negative bacteria use N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) as their command language to coordinate population behavior during invasion and colonization of higher organisms. Although many different bacterial bioreporters are available for AHLs monitoring, in which a phenotypic response, e.g. bioluminescence, violacin production, and β-galactosidase activity, is exploited, mass spectrometry (MS) is the most versatile detector for rapid analysis of AHLs in complex microbial samples, with or without prior separation steps. In this paper we critically review recent advances in the application of high-resolution MS to analysis of the quorum sensing (QS) signaling molecules used by Gram-negative bacteria, with much emphasis on AHLs. A critical review of the use of bioreporters in the study of AHLs is followed by a short methodological survey of the capabilities of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), including Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) MS and quadrupole time-of-flight (qTOF) MS. Use of infusion electrospray ultrahigh-resolution FTICR MS (12 Tesla) enables accurate mass measurements for determination of the elemental formulas of AHLs in Acidovorax sp. N35 and Burkholderia ubonensis AB030584. Results obtained by coupling liquid chromatography with a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap-FTICR mass spectrometer (LC–LTQ-FTICRMS, 7-T) for characterization of acylated homoserine lactones in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa are presented. UPLC–ESI-qTOF MS has also proved to be suitable for identification of 3O-C₁₀HSL in Pseudomonas putida IsoF cell culture supernatant. Aspects of sample preparation and the avoidance of analytical pitfalls are also emphasized.

Biodegradation of mixed wastes in continuously operated cyclic reactors

The problem of simultaneous biodegradation of two dissimilar substrates in a continuously operated cyclic reactor was studied both at the theoretical and experimental levels using a simple model system. The system involved media containing mixtures of glucose and phenol as carbon sources. A pure culture ofPseudomonas putida (ATCC 17514) was employed. Independent kinetic experiments have revealed that glucose and phenol are involved in a crossinhibitory uncompetitive kinetic interaction. The dynamics of a cyclically operated reactor were analyzed using the principles of bifurcation theory for forced systems. Experimental results have confirmed the theoretical predictions. Implications of the results for the design of waste-treating facilities are discussed.

     

Enantioselective kinetic resolution of 3-phenyl-2-ketones using Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases

The enantioselective kinetic resolution of two 3-phenyl-2-ketones using four different Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases (BVMO) expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli was studied. The highest enantioselectivity (E = 82) was achieved for 3-phenyl-2-butanone using a BVMO originating from Pseudomonas fluorescens. A BVMO from Pseudomonas putida showed an opposite (R)-enantiopreference and E = 12.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some novel ferrocene-based Schiff bases containing a ferrocene unit

In the present investigation, a series of ferrocene-based Schiff bases 5a?Cm were synthesized by the condensation of various chalcones 3a?Cm with S-benzyl dithiocarbazate in absolute ethanol using catalytic amount of glacial acetic acid, and characterized by element analysis,¹H NMR,¹³C NMR, and IR. The synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against four bacterias (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 9144, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 43288) and two fungals (Aspergillus niger ATCC 9092 and Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 46645) strains. The Schiff bases 5g, 5h, and 5m against Gram-positive bacterial (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) strains was found to be higher than that for the standard drug. They are potential new drugs in antibacterial activity aspects in further days.     

Repetitive inductions of bioluminescence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas putida</Emphasis> TVA8 immobilised by adsorption on optical fibre

Physico-chemical models of the interactions of cells with solid surfaces, which use contact angles and zeta potentials, indicated more facile adsorption of cells of Pseudomonas putida TVA8 on the quartz surface after its treatment with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). A whole-cell optical fibre sensor of toluene was prepared by the adsorption of P. putida TVA8, bacteria producing light in contact with toluene on the wider end of APTES- treated quartz tapered optical fibre. The results of the measurements of luminescence from both sides of the layer of adsorbed cells were compared. Over the 135 days trial, the fibre biosensor was repetitively induced with toluene solution (26.5 mg L^?1) 68 times. The intensities of bioluminescence gradually decreased due to release of the adsorbed cells and they were only temporarily restored by the addition of nutrients. The intensities of bioluminescence induced with contaminated ground water were lower than in the mineral medium (MSM) with the same content of toluene.     

Quantitation of quaternary ammonium compounds using electrospray mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific electrospray mass spectroscopic assay has been developed for the quantitation of the series of quaternary ammonium surfactant compounds dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and neostigmine bromide. Standard solutions were prepared in methanol, with an appropriate quaternary ammonium internal standard used in each case, and injected into a carrier solvent comprising acetonitrile (99%) and methanol (1%). Detection was based upon the positively charged quaternary ammonium ion in each case. Using this new technique, significant increases in sensitivity have been obtained over more traditional gas chromatographic–mass spectroscopic analytical techniques. All of the compounds tested were readily quantifiable at solution concentrations of 50 ppb, with linear correlations (r²>0.995) obtained over the range 50–300 ppb for the alkyltrimethylammonium bromides, and 50–200 ppb for neostigmine bromide. It is envisaged that, using this method, adsorption isotherms for these compounds on highly adsorbing activated carbons should be readily acquired.     

Synthesis, antibacterial and antifungal activities of 3-aryl-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-4,5-dihydropyrazole-1-carbothioamide derivatives

A new series of 3-aryl-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-1-thiocarbamoyl-2-pyrazoline derivatives (4a-j) were prepared by the reaction of azachalcons 3a-j with thiosemicarbazide in ethanolic sodium hydroxide. The structure of synthesized compounds were confirmed by ¹H NMR and Mass spectral data. Their antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli (CTP 7624), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12229), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 1156) and Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 9341) were investigated. Antifungal activity of compounds against Candida albicans and Candida globrata were found to be inactive. Compounds 4a-j were also evaluated for antituberculosis activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H ₃₇ Rv (ATCC 27294) in BACTEC 12B using a broth microdilution assay and Microplate Alamar Blue Assay (MABA). The preliminary results showed that compounds 4e, 4d and 4g had 87%, 93% and 92% inhibitory effect respectively.     

Quantitative Bestimmung primärer aliphatischer Alkohole (C6-C10) mit Hilfe einer pyridinnukleotidunabhängigen Alkoholdehydrogenase ausPseudomonas putida

A new enzymatic method for microdetermination of longer chain alcohols has been established withNAD(P)-independent alcohol dehydrogenase from an alkane-oxidizing strain ofPseudomonas putida. The alcohols were estimated spectrophotometrically by measuring the formazan formation from the corresponding tetrazolium salt. Amounts of longer chain alcohols up to 3 nmol could be assayed by reading the endpoint of the reaction, even in presence of a 1000-fold exess of ethanol.     

Synthesis ofS-(Carboxymethyl)-d-cysteine by 3-chloro-d-alanine chloride-lyase ofPseudomonas putida CR 1-1

S-(Carboxymethyl)-d-cysteine, which is an important component of semisynthetic cephalosporin, MT-141, was enzymatically synthesized.S-(Ethoxy-carbonyl-methyl)-d-cystein was synthesized from 3-chloro-d-alanine and ethyl thioglycolate by the β-replacement reaction of 3-chloro-d-alanine chloride-lyase fromPseudomonas putida CR 1-1 and subsequently hydrolyzed by alkali. The synthesizedS-(carboxymethyl)-d-cysteine was isolated from a large scale reaction mixture and identified physicochemically. The reaction conditions for the synthesis ofS-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-d-cysteine were optimized using resting cells ofP. putida CR 1-1.     

Antibiofilm Activity of α-Amylase from Bacillus subtilis S8-18 Against Biofilm Forming Human Bacterial Pathogens

The extracellular α-amylase enzyme from Bacillus subtilis S8-18 of marine origin was proved as an antibiofilm agent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a clinical strain isolated from pharyngitis patient, Vibrio cholerae also a clinical isolate from cholera patient and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC10145. The spectrophotometric and microscopic investigations revealed the potential of α-amylase to inhibit biofilm formation in these pathogens. At its BIC level, the crude enzyme caused 51.81–73.07% of biofilm inhibition. Beyond the inhibition, the enzyme was also effective in degradation of preformed mature biofilm by disrupting the exopolysaccharide (EPS), an essential component in biofilm architecture. Furthermore, the enzyme purified to its homogeneity by chromatographic techniques was also effective in biofilm inhibition (43.83–61.68%) as well as in degradation of EPS. A commercial α-amylase enzyme from B. subtilis was also used for comparative purpose. Besides, the effect of various enzymes and temperature on the antibiofilm activity of amylase enzymes was also investigated. This study, for the first time, proved that α-amylase enzyme alone can be used to inhibit/disrupt the biofilms of V. cholerae and MRSA strains and beholds much promise in clinical applications.     

Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam. at the Forefront of Pharma to Confront Zika Virus and Microbial Infections—An In Vitro and In Silico Perspective

The recent emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil and the increasing resistance developed by pathogenic bacteria to nearly all existing antibiotics should be taken as a wakeup call for the international authority as this represents a risk for global public health. The lack of antiviral drugs and effective antibiotics on the market triggers the need to search for safe therapeutics from medicinal plants to fight viral and microbial infections. In the present study, we investigated whether a mangrove plant, Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam. (B. gymnorhiza) collected in Mauritius, possesses antimicrobial and antibiotic potentiating abilities and exerts anti-ZIKV activity at non-cytotoxic doses. Microorganisms Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 70603, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 (MRSA), Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Sarcina lutea ATCC 9341, Proteus mirabilis ATCC 25933, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 and Candida albicans ATCC 26555 were used to evaluate the antimicrobial properties. Ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and streptomycin antibiotics were used for assessing antibiotic potentiating activity. ZIKV^MC-MR766NIID (ZIKV^GFP) was used for assessing anti-ZIKV activity. In silico docking (Autodock 4) and ADME (SwissADME) analyses were performed on collected data. Antimicrobial results revealed that Bruguiera twig ethyl acetate (BTE) was the most potent extract inhibiting the growth of all nine microbes tested, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.19–0.39 mg/mL. BTE showed partial synergy effects against MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa when applied in combination with streptomycin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. By using a recombinant ZIKV-expressing reporter GFP protein, we identified both Bruguiera root aqueous and Bruguiera fruit aqueous extracts as potent inhibitors of ZIKV infection in human epithelial A549 cells. The mechanisms by which such extracts prevented ZIKV infection are linked to the inability of the virus to bind to the host cell surface. In silico docking showed that ZIKV E protein, which is involved in cell receptor binding, could be a target for cryptochlorogenic acid, a chemical compound identified in B. gymnorhiza. From ADME results, cryptochlorogenic acid is predicted to be not orally bioavailable because it is too polar. Scientific data collected in this present work can open a new avenue for the development of potential inhibitors from B. gymnorhiza to fight ZIKV and microbial infections in the future.     

Antimicrobial Activity of MgB2 Powders Produced via Reactive Liquid Infiltration Method

We report for the first time on the antimicrobial activity of MgB₂ powders produced via the Reactive Liquid Infiltration (RLI) process. Samples with MgB₂ wt.% ranging from 2% to 99% were obtained and characterized, observing different levels of grain aggregation and of impurity phases. Their antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC BAA 1026, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. A general correlation is observed between the antibacterial activity and the MgB₂ wt.%, but the sample microstructure also appears to be very important. RLI-MgB₂ powders show better performances compared to commercial powders against microbial strains in the planktonic form, and their activity against biofilms is also very similar.     

What to sacrifice? Fusions of cofactor regenerating enzymes with Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases and alcohol dehydrogenases for self-sufficient redox biocatalysis

A collection of fusion biocatalysts has been generated that can be used for self-sufficient oxygenations or ketone reductions. These biocatalysts were created by fusing a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (cyclohexanone monooxygenase from Thermocrispum municipale: TmCHMO) or an alcohol dehydrogenase (alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus brevis: LbADH) with three different cofactor regeneration enzymes (formate dehydrogenase from Burkholderia stabilis: BsFDH; glucose dehydrogenase from Sulfolobus tokodaii: StGDH, and phosphite dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas stutzeri: PsPTDH). Their tolerance against various organic solvents, including a deep eutectic solvent, and their activity and selectivity with a variety of substrates have been studied. Excellent conversions and enantioselectivities were obtained, demonstrating that these engineered fusion enzymes can be used as biocatalysts for the synthesis of (chiral) valuable compounds.