Engineering <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis> for Efficient Production of a Novel Bifunctional <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus purpuratus</Emphasis> Invertebrate-Type Lysozyme

Lysozymes are known as ubiquitously distributed immune effectors with hydrolytic activity against peptidoglycan, the major bacterial cell wall polymer, to trigger cell lysis. In the present study, the full-length cDNA sequence of a novel sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus invertebrate-type lysozyme (sp-iLys) was synthesized according to the codon usage bias of Pichia pastoris and was cloned into a constitutive expression plasmid pPIC9K. The resulting plasmid, pPIC9K-sp-iLys, was integrated into the genome of P. pastoris strain GS115. The bioactive recombinant sp-iLys was successfully secreted into the culture broth by positive transformants. The highest lytic activity of 960 U/mL of culture supernatant was reached in fed-batch fermentation. Using chitin affinity chromatography and gel-filtration chromatography, recombinant sp-iLys was produced with a yield of 94.5 mg/L and purity of >?99%. Recombinant sp-iLys reached its peak lytic activity of 8560 U/mg at pH 6.0 and 30 °C and showed antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative bacteria (Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahemolyticus, and Aeromonas hydrophila) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). In addition, recombinant sp-iLys displayed isopeptidase activity which reached the peak at pH 7.5 and 37 °C with the presence of 0.05 M Na⁺. In conclusion, this report describes the heterologous expression of recombinant sp-iLys in P. pastoris on a preparative-scale, which possesses lytic activity and isopeptidase activity. This suggests that sp-iLys might play an important role in the innate immunity of S. purpuratus.     

Secretory Expression and Characterization of Chinese <Emphasis Type="Italic">Narcissus</Emphasis> GNA-Like Lectin in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis>

Narcissus tazetta lectin (NTL) is a GNA-like lectin, which has a wide potential application in medicine, agriculture, and glycobiology. In the present paper, the codon-optimized ntl gene was transformed into the yeast Pichia pastoris; SDS–PAGE gel and western blotting analysis revealed that the recombinant lectin was expressed successfully in Pichia yeast. The similarity between the recombinant NTL and the native NTL was confirmed by circular dichroism (CD) and hemagglutination assay further. In the 5-L scale fermentator, the protein yield was as high as 1.2 g/L after fermentation for 96 h. In addition, the effect of metal ions (K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cu²⁺), acid, and alkaline on hemagglutinating activity of NTL was tested, which provided biochemical characterizations of the mannose-binding lectin from Chinese Narcissus.     

Viscosities and Surface Tensions of Phenetole with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Dimethylformamide and Tetrahydrofuran Binary Systems at Three Temperatures

Viscosities, η, and surface tensions, σ, of binary systems of phenetole (ethoxy benzene or ethyl phenyl ether) with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylformamide or with tetrahydrofuran were measured over the entire mole fraction range and at (298, 303 and 308) K. The experimental data was used to compute the deviations in viscosity, Δη, and surface tension, Δσ. Values of the excess Gibbs energy of activation G*^E, surface entropy S _σ and surface enthalpy H _σ were calculated. Viscosity data of the binary systems were calculated using the Grunberg and Nissan and the three-body and four-body McAllister correlations. The Redlich–Kister method was used for evaluation of coefficients and standard deviations for Δη, Δσ and G*^E. The results were interpreted in terms of the probable effect of molecular interactions between components as well as polarity.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">CrMAPK3</Emphasis> regulates the expression of iron-deficiency-responsive genes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</Emphasis>

Background

Under iron-deficient conditions, Chlamydomonas exhibits high affinity for iron absorption. Nevertheless, the response, transmission, and regulation of downstream gene expression in algae cells have not to be investigated. Considering that the MAPK pathway is essential for abiotic stress responses, we determined whether this pathway is involved in iron deficiency signal transduction in Chlamydomonas.

Results

Arabidopsis MAPK gene sequences were used as entry data to search for homologous genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genome database to investigate the functions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene family in C. reinhardtii under iron-free conditions. Results revealed 16 C. reinhardtii MAPK genes labeled CrMAPK2–CrMAPK17 with TXY conserved domains and low homology to MAPK in yeast, Arabidopsis, and humans. The expression levels of these genes were then analyzed through qRT-PCR and exposure to high salt (150 mM NaCl), low nitrogen, or iron-free conditions. The expression levels of these genes were also subjected to adverse stress conditions. The mRNA levels of CrMAPK2, CrMAPK3, CrMAPK4, CrMAPK5, CrMAPK6, CrMAPK8, CrMAPK9, and CrMAPK11 were remarkably upregulated under iron-deficient stress. The increase in CrMAPK3 expression was 43-fold greater than that in the control. An RNA interference vector was constructed and transformed into C. reinhardtii 2A38, an algal strain with an exogenous FOX1:ARS chimeric gene, to silence CrMAPK3. After this gene was silenced, the mRNA levels and ARS activities of FOX1:ARS chimeric gene and endogenous CrFOX1 were decreased. The mRNA levels of iron-responsive genes, such as CrNRAMP2, CrATX1, CrFTR1, and CrFEA1, were also remarkably reduced.

Conclusion

CrMAPK3 regulates the expression of iron-deficiency-responsive genes in C. reinhardtii.

     

Production of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-Mandelic Acid Using Nitrilase from Recombinant <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> Cells Immobilized with Tris(Hydroxymethyl)Phosphine

Recombinant Escherichia coli cells harboring nitrilase from Alcaligenes faecalis were immobilized using tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (THP) as the coupling agent. The optimal pH and temperature of the THP-immobilized cells were determined at pH 8.0 and 55 °C. The half-lives of THP-immobilized cells measured at 35, 40, and 50 °C were 1800, 965, and 163 h, respectively. The concentration of R-mandelic acid (R-MA) reached 358 mM after merely 1-h conversion by the immobilized cells with 500 mM R,S-mandelonitrile (R,S-MN), affording the highest productivity of 1307 g L^?1 day^?1 and the space-time productivity of 143.2 mmol L^?1 h^?1 g^?1. The immobilized cells with granular shape were successfully recycled for 60 batches using 100 mM R,S-MN as substrate at 40 °C with 64% of relative activity, suggesting that the immobilized E. coli cells obtained in this study are promising for the production of R-MA.     

Study of the growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterococcus faecalis</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> and their mixtures by microcalorimetry

In a majority of environments, microbes live as interacting communities. Microbial communities are composed of a mix of microbes with often unknown functions. Polymicrobial diseases represent the clinical and pathological manifestations induced by the presence of multiple infectious agents. These diseases are difficult to diagnose and treat and usually are more severe than monomicrobial infections. The interaction relationship between Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli was researched using a Calvet calorimeter. Three mixtures of both bacteria were prepared in the following proportions: 20 + 80 % (0.2 mL E. faecalis + 0.8 mL E. coli), 50 + 50 % (0.5 mL E. faecalis + 0.5 mL E. coli) and 80 + 20 % (0.8 mL E. faecalis + 0.2 mL E. coli). Experiments were carried out at concentration of 10⁶ CFU mL^?1 and a constant temperature of 309.65 K. The differences in shape of graph of E. faecalis, E. coli and their mixtures were compared. Also, the thermokinetic parameters such as detection time (t _d), growth constant (k), generation time (G) and the amount of heat released (Q) were calculated.     

Copolymer of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diallyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylammonium chloride with maleic acid as drug carrier

A copolymer of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride with maleic acid of constant composition was prepared under the conditions of radical initiation. The possibility of the functionalization of the copolymer with drugs containing amino groups by polymer-analogous transformations was examined. Conditions were found for preparing conjugates of the copolymer with isoniazid. The structures and the quantitative compositions of the conjugates were determined by ¹³С NMR spectroscopy, and the possibility of preparing conjugates with controlled drug content was demonstrated.     

Solution Thermodynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Superscript>/</Superscript>-Ethylenebis-(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) Chloride in Aqueous Dimethylsulphoxide

The densities, viscosities and refractive indices of N,N ^/-ethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) chloride, [Cr(salen)(H₂O)₂]Cl, in aqueous dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with different mass fractions (w ₂ = 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80 and 1.00) of DMSO were determined at 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K under atmospheric pressure. From measured densities, viscosities and refractive indices the apparent molar volumes (V _φ ), standard partial molar volume (V _φ ⁰ ), the slope (S _V ^* ), standard isobaric partial molar expansibility (φ _E ⁰ ) and its temperature dependence (?φ _E ⁰ /?T) _p , the viscosity B-coefficient, its temperature dependence (?B/?T), solvation number (S _n ) and apparent molar refractivity (R _D ^φ ), etc., were calculated and discussed on the basis of ion–ion and ion–solvent interactions. These results revealed that the solutions are characterized by ion–solvent interactions rather than by ion–ion interactions and the complex behaves as a long range structure maker. Thermodynamics of viscous flow was discussed in terms of transition state theory.     

Characterization of Truncated <Emphasis Type="Italic">dsz</Emphasis> Operon Responsible for Dibenzothiophene Biodesulfurization in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodococcus</Emphasis> sp. FUM94

Numerous desulfurizing bacteria from the Rhodococcus genus harbor conserved dsz genes responsible for the degradation of sulfur compounds through 4S pathway. This study describes a newly identified desulfurizing bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. FUM94, which unlike previously identified strains encodes a truncated dsz operon. DNA sequencing revealed a frameshift mutation in the dszA gene, which led to an alteration of 66 amino acids and deletion of other C-terminal 66 amino acids. The resulting DszA polypeptide was shorter than DszA in Rhodococcus sp. IGTS8 reference strain. Despite the truncation, desulfurizing activity of the operon was observed and attributed to the removal of an overlap of dszA and dszB genes, and lack of active site in the altered region. Desulfurization experiments resulted in specific production rate of 6.3 mmol 2-hydroxy biphenyl (kgDCW)^?1 h^?1 at 2 g l^?1 biocatalyst concentration and 68.8% biodesulfurization yield at 20 g l^?1 biocatalyst concentration, both at 271 μM dibenzothiophene concentration which is comparable to similar wild-type biocatalysts.     

Synthesis of ethyl (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>,4<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)- and (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>,4<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoates

An efficient synthetic approach to 2E,4E and 2E,4Z isomers of ethyl 5-chloropenta-2,4-dienoate has been developed on the basis of one-pot oxidation–olefination of readily accessible (E)- and (Z)-3-chloroprop-2-en-1-ols by the action of barium manganate and ethyl (triphenyl-λ⁵-phosphanylidene)acetate.     

On <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trans</Emphasis>-Resveratrol in Aqueous Solutions

A thermodynamic study on aqueous solutions of trans-Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) at 25.00 ± 0.02 °C, in 0.5 mol·dm^?3 NaCl, has been conducted. The protolysis equilibria and the complex formation between trans-Resveratrol and a metal(II), namely Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺, have been investigated. The experimental method consists of potentiometric, spectrophotometric (absorption and emission) acid–base titrations. The pH range investigated is 2.5 ≤ pH ≤ 13 for the binary system, while for the ternary system it is 2.5 ≤ pH ≤ 6. The results of the graphical and numerical methods adopted indicate, for all the systems investigated, the formation of a predominant Me(II)–trans-Resveratrol mononuclear complex. UV–Vis absorption spectra and desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectra show the occurrence of hydrolytic species exhibiting a higher molecular weight than the Resveratrol molecule, becoming more evident as the pH and the time increased. Moreover, high performance liquid chromatography analysis and infrared spectroscopy of aqueous cis/trans-Resveratrol solutions upon excitation at 300 nm have highlighted a highly fluorescent compound, with absorption maximum at 250 nm, and a blue shift in the fluorescence emission that have not previously been reported.     

Secondary self-assembly behaviors of PEO-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-P<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>BA-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-PS triblock terpolymers in solution

A series of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS _x (x = 42, 84, 165) triblock terpolymers were synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization and characterized by size exclusion chromatography and ¹H NMR. Their self-assemblies were conducted by a two-step hierarchical self-assembly method and a one-step dialysis method and the self-assembly behaviors were investigated. The morphologies, sizes, and size distributions of micelles produced by the self-assembly were determined by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The secondary self-assembled structure of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS _x obtained by the two-step hierarchical self-assembly could be controlled by tuning the length of PS block, the core forming block. The micelles were uniform with diameters of 20–25 nm and their size distributions, except for that of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS₁₆₅, were narrow with particle size distribution indexes ranging from 0.014 to 0.246. The one-step dialysis of the triblock terpolymers produced vesicular micelles with distinct vesicle walls that exhibited similar thicknesses. The vesicles did not show significant aggregation. The size distribution of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS₄₂ vesicle was the narrowest with a particle size distribution index value of 0.135. The PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS₁₆₅ vesicles tended to overlap with each other.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of new <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-substituted 7-amino-4-methyl-2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-chromen-2-ones

N-Substituted 7-amino-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-ones containing one or two functionalized azole or azine moieties were synthesized. The structures of all synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Some of the synthesized compounds exhibited weak antibacterial activity against Rhizobium radiobacter, Escherichia coli, and Xanthomonas campestris.     

Research on the Solid State Fermentation of Jerusalem Artichoke Pomace for Producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-2,3-Butanediol by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus polymyxa</Emphasis> ZJ-9

R,R-2,3-butanediol (R,R-2,3-BD) was produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa ZJ-9, which was capable of utilizing inulin without previous hydrolysis. The Jerusalem artichoke pomace (JAP) derived from the conversion of Jerusalem artichoke powder into inulin extract, which was usually used for biorefinery by submerged fermentation (SMF), was utilized in solid state fermentation (SSF) to produce R,R-2,3-BD. In this study, the fermentation parameters of SSF were optimized and determined in flasks. A novel bioreactor was designed and assembled for the laboratory scale-up of SSF, with a maximum yield of R,R-2,3-BD (67.90 g/kg (JAP)). This result is a 36.3% improvement compared with the flasks. Based on the same bath of Jerusalem artichoke powder, the total output of R,R-2,3-BD increased by 38.8% for the SSF of JAP combined with the SMF of inulin extraction. Overall, the utilization of JAP for R,R-2,3-BD production was beneficial to the comprehensive utilization of Jerusalem artichoke tuber.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and thermodynamics of a high-nitrogen copper complex with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-bis-(1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl) amine

A new high-nitrogen complex [Cu(Hbta)₂]·4H₂O (H₂bta = N,N-bis-(1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl) amine) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. X-ray structural analyses revealed that the crystal was monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c with lattice parameters a = 14.695(3) Å, b = 6.975(2) Å, c = 18.807(3) Å, β = 126.603(1)°, Z = 4, D _c = 1.888 g cm^?3, and F(000) = 892. The complex exhibits a 3D supermolecular structure which is built up from 1D zigzag chains. The enthalpy change of the reaction of formation for the complex was determined by an RD496–III microcalorimeter at 25 °C with the value of ?47.905 ± 0.021 kJ mol^?1. In addition, the thermodynamics of the reaction of formation of the complex was investigated and the fundamental parameters k, E, n, \( \Updelta S_{ \ne }^{{{\uptheta}}} \), \( \Updelta H_{ \ne }^{{{\uptheta}}} \), and \( \Updelta G_{ \ne }^{{{\uptheta}}} \) were obtained. The effects of the complex on the thermal decomposition behaviors of the main component of solid propellant (HMX and RDX) indicated that the complex possessed good performance for HMX and RDX.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Stachys lavandulifolia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lathyrus</Emphasis> sp. Mediated for Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation Its Antifungal Activity Against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dothiorella sarmentorum</Emphasis>

In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using Stachys lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. The first sign of the reduction of silver ions to AgNPs was the change in color of S. lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. extracts changed into dark brown and auburn after treating with silver nitrate, respectively. The UV–Vis spectroscopy of reaction mixture (extract+silver nitrate) produced by S. lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. showed the strong adsorption peaks at ?440 and 420 nm, respectively. The transmission electron microscope images showed the synthesis of AgNPs using S. lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. with an average size of 7 and 11 nm, respectively. The result of X-ray diffraction pattern showed four diffraction peaks at 38°, 44°, 64°, and 77° for both types of biosynthesized AgNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the possible role of involved proteins and polyhydroxyl functional groups in the synthesis process of AgNPs. Inductively coupled plasma analysis determined the conversion rate (percentage) of silver ions to silver nanoparticles in reaction mixtures of S. lavandulifolia and Lathyrus sp. 99.73 and 99.67 %, respectively. In addition, antifungal effect of AgNPs, synthesized by both extracts, was studied separately on mycelial growth of Dothiorella sarmentorum, in a completely randomized design on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. The inhibition rate of mycelial growth was strongly depended on the density of AgNPs and it strongly increased with increasing the density of AgNPs in the PDA medium. AgNPs more than 90 % of them inhibited from the mycelia growth of the fungus at the concentration of 40 µg/mL and higher.     

Strain screening and sodium lactate effect on spiramycin production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces spiramyceticus</Emphasis>

Strain improvement and addition of sodium lactate to fermentation medium to enhance the productivity of spiramycin were performed. Of the sodium lactate tolerant mutants that were screened, one mutant, Streptomyces spiramyceticus 16-10-12, produced 23 % more spiramycin than the original strain, Streptomyces spiramyceticus 5-1. The effect of sodium lactate on spiramycin production with S. spiramyceticus 16-10-12 was studied. The titer was improved by 16.9 % with the addition of 15 g L^?1 sodium lactate in the fermentation medium at the beginning. The results from using the new process in a 15 L bioreactor showed that there were more precursors in fermentation broth with a sodium lactate tolerant mutant, and that these precursors were used more than with the original strain. After adding sodium lactate, the titer was increased by 23.4 %, because the flux to TCA circulation was increased, more precursors had been produced and the activities of Acyl-CoA synthetases, Acylphosphotransferases and Acylkinases in synthesis phase were also increased.     

Conducting materials prepared by the oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine with <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-benzoquinone

p-Phenylenediamine was oxidized with p-benzoquinone in the aqueous solutions of methanesulfonic acid (MSA). The conductivity of the products increased with increasing concentration of MSA from 1.5?×?10^?12 S cm^?1 in 0.1 M MSA up to 3.4?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 in 5 M MSA. The low-molecular-weight products are basically composed of one p-benzoquinone and two p-phenylenediamine molecules. Their molecular structure is discussed on the basis of mass, Fourier-transform infrared, Raman, NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. The formation of 2,5-di(p-phenylenediamine)-p-benzoquinone protonated with methanesulfonic acid best complies with the information provided by spectroscopic techniques. Its conversion to hydroquinone tautomer explains the formation of unpaired spins observed by EPR and their potential contribution to the conduction.     

Crystallographic and conformational analysis of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-2-isopropyl-4-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolyldiazenyl)phenol

The molecular and crystal structures of the title compound, C₁₆H₁₈N₂O, were characterized and determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction method in addition to spectroscopic means such as IR, UV–VIS and ¹H NMR. The compound crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P bca, with a = 9.3350(5) Å, b = 23.4878(13) Å, c = 26.5871(12) Å, Z = 16, D _calc. = 1.1591(1) g/cm³, μ (MoK_α) = 0.073 mm^?1. Monomers of the compound in the crystal structure are linked into C(7) and C(8) chains generated by translation along the [1 0 0] direction with the aid of O–H···N type H-bonds which serve to the stabilization of periodic organization of the molecules beside major and minor component in the disordered azo fragment. In order to describe conformational flexibility and the crystal packing effects on the molecular conformation, potential barriers regarding the rotation along both Ar–N bonds were calculated by varying the related torsional degrees of freedom in every 10° ranging from ?180° to +180° via quantum chemical calculations at DFT/B3LYP level.     

Nitrosative Stress Response in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio cholerae</Emphasis>: Role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-Nitrosoglutathione Reductase

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, poses serious threats to humans worldwide. V. cholerae faces host inflammatory response and encounters nitrosative stress before establishing successful colonization. It is not clear how V. cholerae combats nitric oxide and reactive nitrogen species. In the present study, we used three clinical strains of V. cholerae and tested their nitrosative stress response pattern towards sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Among them, V. cholerae, belonging to both O1 and O139 serotypes, showed moderate resistance to SNP and GSNO. However, a V. cholerae strain belonging to non O1 and non O139 showed sensitivity to SNP but resistance towards GSNO. Reduced glutathione and glutathione reductase play a significant role to combat nitrosative stress in V. cholerae. This is the first report where we show the presence of GSNO reductase activity in V. cholerae and that it plays an important role to detoxify S-Nitrosoglutathione. GSNO reductase activity of V. cholerae was regulated by posttranslational modification through S-nitrosylation under in vitro conditions which could be reversed by dithiothreitol (DTT). In addition, we show that biofilm formation remained unaffected under nitrosative stress in V. cholerae.