Importance of C-Terminal Region for Thermostability of GH11 Xylanase from Streptomyces lividans

The amino acid sequences of xylanase B (XlnB) and xylanase C (XlnC) from Streptomyces lividans show significant homology. However, the temperature optima and stabilities of the two enzymes are quite different. XlnB exhibits an optimum temperature of 40 °C and retains 50% of its maximum activity at 43 °C, whereas the corresponding values for XlnC are 60 and 70 °C. To analyze these properties further, as well as to study the effect of the exchange of homologous segments in the C-terminal region, four chimeras designated as BSC, BFC, CSB, and CFB were constructed by substituting segments from the C-terminal homologous region of XlnB gene with that of XlnC and in turn substituting XlnC gene with that of XlnB. The purified chimeric enzymes were characterized with respect to pH/temperature activity, stability, and kinetic parameters. Most of enzymatic properties of chimeras were admixtures of those of the two parents. The chimeric enzymes were optimally active at 45–55 °C and pH 7.0. Both K _m and k _cat values of chimeric enzymes for p-nitrophenyl-β-d-cellobioside were admixtures of both parental enzymes, except that the k _cat value of chimeric BFC (2.79 s⁻¹) was higher than that of parental XlnC (1.99 s⁻¹). Notably, thermal stability of chimeric BSC and BFC was increased by 25 and 13 °C separately, as compared to one of parental XlnB, whereas the thermal stability of chimeric CSB and CFB was decreased by 23 and 21 °C, respectively, as compared to another parental XlnC. These results suggest that homologous C-terminal region in S. lividans GH11 xylanase appears to play an important role in determining enzyme characteristics, and exchanging of different segments of gene in this region might significantly alter or improve the enzymatic properties such as thermal stability.     

Hydroxylation of ionized aromatics including carboxylic acid or amine using recombinant Streptomyces lividans cells expressing modified biphenyl dioxygenase genes

The bphA1(2072)A2A3A4 gene cluster codes for a shuffled biphenyl dioxygenase holoenzyme with broad substrate specificity. These bphA1(2072)A2A3A4 genes were expressed in the actinomycetes Streptomyces lividans using a thiostrepton-inducible promoter P_tipA. Biotransformation experiments of various aromatics including carboxylic acid or amine in their molecular structure, such as 1-naphthoic acid, 2-(1-naphthyl)acetic acid, diphenylamine, and 1-benzyl-4-piperidone, were performed using the recombinant S. lividans cells. These ionized aromatics were converted to the corresponding 1,2-dihydrodiol, mono- or tri-hydroxy forms in 48 h. The structure of the converted products was determined by their EI-MS, ¹H- and ¹³C NMR analysis, and several products were found to be novel compounds.     

Lignin peroxidase production by Streptomyces viridosporus T7A

Lignin peroxidase (LiP) production cost should be reduced to justify its use in the control of environmental pollution. In this work, we studied the enzyme production by Streptomyces viridosporus T7A using glucose or corn oil as a carbon source having 0.65% yeast extract as a nitrogen source. Enzyme activity, observed using either 0.65% glucose or corn oil at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% concentration, was 300, 150, 300, and 200 U/L, respectively. Although higher enzyme activity was obtained in both media containing 0.65% glucose and 0.5% corn oil, the use of corn oil resulted in a better LiP stability. When combined carbon sources were used, higher values of enzyme activity (360, 350, and 225 U/L) were observed in media with 0.65% glucose and supplemented with 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% corn oil, respectively. Although the presence of both glucose and 0.5% corn oil is favorable for LiP production, satisfactory results in terms of enzyme production and stability could be also observed using 0.5% corn oil as a sole carbon source, which may lead to reduced production costs of the LiP enzyme.     

Specific features of electrochemical reduction of α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo-p-xylene at its low concentrations

In the cyclic voltamograms for electrochemical reduction of α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo-p-xylene at its concentrations of 5 and 10 mM in dimethylformamide solution of 0.1 M Bu₄NBF₄, taken at glassy-carbon electrode, four current peaks corresponding to consecutive stages of the reduction process are observed for the first time. The many times repeated potential cycling from 0 V (SCE) to the value approaching the 2nd peak potential results in the electrode passivation; a film of the intermediate product of the α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo-p-xylene reduction is deposited at the electrode, whose composition may be-(BrCH-C₆H₄-CHBr-BrCH-C₆H₄-CHBr)_n-. When the electrode covered with the deposited film is transferred to a solution of the same composition, in which the primary cycling was performed, yet free from α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo-p-xylene, and underwent to potential cycling up to ?2V, the first cycle demonstrates a current peak that is due to the film reduction. A redox-active poly(p-phenylenevinylene) forms at the electrode.     

Two-step cathodic synthesis of poly(para-phenylenevinylene)

The electrochemical behavior of a film, which consists of intermediate products of the α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo-para-xylol (TBX) reduction and is deposited on a glassy-carbon electrode from 5 × 10^?2 M TBX solutions, is studied in 0.1 M Bu₄NBF₄ solution in DMFA by cycling the potential from 0 to ?1.4 V with respect to an aqueous saturated calomel electrode. When the potential is cycled from 0 to ?2.1 V in a cell filled with the supporting electrolyte, the film, which is assumed to have the (-BrHC-C₆H₄-CHBr-)_n composition, can be reduced to form poly(para-phenylenevilylene) (PPV). This film exhibits redox activity in the cathodic range in solutions of Bu₄NBF₄ in DMFA and in both cathodic and anodic ranges in solutions of Bu₄NBF₄ in AN. It is observed for the first time that, if the cathodic limit of the potential cycling range is extended to ?2.5 V, the cathodic doping of PPV at potentials below ?2 V disappears and a new reversible redox process takes place at more negative potentials.     

Reaction of frangula-emodin with <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-bromoalkylmethylketones

The alkylation of 1,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (frangula-emodin) by α-bromoalkylmethylketones was investigated. Hydroxyls in the 1-and 8-positions of the β-derivatives were O-acylated. The compositions and structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis and UV, IR, PMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 324–326, July–August, 2007.     

Further studies on the bioconversion of penicillin G into deacetoxycephalosporin G by resting cells of Streptomyces clavuligerus NP-1

Resting cells of Streptomyces clavuligerus NP-1, which posses deacetoxy-cephalosporin C synthase activity, have been shown previously to perform oxidative ring expansion of penicillin G in the presence of iron, ascorbic acid, and α-ketoglutaric acid to form deacetoxycephalosporin G. Further studies on this bioconversion indicated that use of MOPS or HEPES buffer at pH 6.5 more than doubled the extent of the reaction observed with the previously used Tris-HCl at pH 7.4. Levels of bioconversion as high as 16.5% were achieved at low penicillin G concentrations. Previously, conversion yields were <1%.     

Trehalose-based cyclodextrin analogs: cyclotrehalans (CTs)

A new concept for the de novo synthesis of artificial glyconanocavities is presented. The use of alternating α,α′-trehalose building blocks and (thio)urea segments allows the efficient synthesis of a new family of cyclooligosaccharides, namely cyclotrehalans (CTs), featuring a convex-shaped cavity with an apolar environment. CTs are designed to exhibit molecular inclusion abilities similar to that of cyclodextrins (CDs). Contrary to CDs, CTs expose the monosaccharide β-face to the inner cavity, while the (thio)urea tethers provides some conformational adaptability. High-yielding syntheses of a series of CTs and a preliminary evaluation of their inclusion properties are reported.     

Composition of essential oils from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia anatolica</Emphasis>, a new species endemic from Turkey

The component composition of essential oils produced by steam distillation from flower heads, leaves, and stems of Salvia anatolica (Lamiaceae), a recently described new species endemic from Turkey, was studied by GC/FID and GC/MS. A total of 127 volatile components representing 96% of the oil was identified in essential oil from flower heads and leaves. It was found that the principal oil components of flower heads and leaves were α-pinene (10.9%), β-pinene (6.7%), α-copaene (6.3%), heptacosane (6.2%), and hexadecanoic acid (5.0%). A total of 109 volatile compounds representing 87.9% of the oil was characterized in essential oil isolated from stems. The principal oil components of stems were identified as hexadecanoic acid (27.2%), tetradecanoic acid (15.2%), dodecanoic acid (5.5%), and α-copaene (5.0%). __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 552–555, November–December, 2007.     

Synthesis of α,α′-bis(R-benzylidene)cycloalkanones catalyzed by potassium hydrogen sulfate under solvent-free conditions

Cyclopentanone or cyclohexanone were condensed with aromatic aldehydes to give corresponding α,α′-bis(R-benzylidene)cyclopentanones or α,α′-bis(R-benzylidene)cyclohexanones. The reaction was catalyzed by potassium hydrogen sulfate with a yield of 84–95% under solvent-free conditions.     

Chemical Constituents of Brown Rice Grain (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis>)

One new compound 3,7,11,15,19-pentamethyl-9α,10α,11α,17α,18α-pentahydroxy-n-tetracosan-1-oxy-p-hydroxycaffeoate (oryzaterpenyl caffeoate) (1), together with three known fatty acids linoleic acid, stearic acid and myristic acid were isolated and identified from the rice grain of Oryza sativa. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques (¹H-¹HCOSY, ¹H-¹³C HETCOR) aided by EI-MS, and IR spectra. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 535–537, November–December, 2005.     

Synthesis of 5α-androstan-3β,17β-diol from tigogenin

5α-Androstan-3β,17β-diol (3b-adiol), a known inhibitor of prostate cancer cell growth, was synthesized from tigogenin. Its structure was confirmed by NMR and IR spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 81–82, January–February, 2007.     

Medium Optimization Based on Statistical Methodologies for Pristinamycins Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces pristinaespiralis</Emphasis>

The optimization of nutrient levels for the production of pristinamycins by Streptomyces pristinaespiralis CGMCC 0957 in submerged fermentation was carried out using the statistical methodologies based on the Plackett–Burman design, the steepest ascent method, and the central composite design (CCD). First, the Plackett–Burman design was applied to evaluate the influence of related nutrients in the medium. Soluble starch and MgSO₄·7H₂O were then identified as the most significant nutrients with a confidence level of 99%. Subsequently, the concentrations of the two nutrients were further optimized using response surface methodology of CCD, together with the steepest ascent method. Accordingly, a second-order polynomial regression model was finally fitted to the experimental data. By solving the regression equation from the model and analyzing the response surface, the optimal levels for soluble starch and MgSO₄·7H₂O were determined as 20.95 and 5.67g/L, respectively. Under the optimized medium, the yield of pristinamycins in the shake flask and 5-L bioreactor could reach 1.30 and 1.01g/L, respectively, which is the highest yield reported in literature to date.     

Synthesis of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-gluco(galacto)pyranosylcaprolactams and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-gluco(galacto) pyranosylpyrrolidones

A new synthesis of certain lactam-containing N-glycosides was developed. 2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-gluco(galacto)pyranosylcaprolactams and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-gluco(galacto)pyranosylpyrrolidones were synthesized by condensation at room temperature of acetobromoglucose and acetobromogalactose with ɛ-caprolactams and α-pyrrolidone. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 105–106, March–April, 2006.     

Production of recombinant bleaching enzymes from thermophilic microorganisms in fungal hosts

Cost-effective production of enzymes for industrial processes makes the appropriate selection of the host-vector expression system critical. We have developed two systems for the bulk production of bleaching enzymes from thermophiles. Kluyveromyces lactis has been developed as a secretion host employing expression vectors based on the 2μ-like plasmid pKD1 of Kluyveromyces drosophilarium. Our second system involves the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. Fusion and nonfusion vectors have been constructed using the strong cellobiohydrolase 1 (cbh1) promoter. The KEX2 protease cleavage site and a 6 × HIS-tag have been incorporated to facilitate both cleavage and purification of the mature foreign proteins.     

Theoretical and experimental NMR studies of the Swern oxidation of methyl 6<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,7<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-dihydroxyvouacapan-17<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-oate

This work describes the synthesis of new derivatives of 6α,7β-dihydroxyvouacapan-17β-oic acid (1) employing the Swern method for the oxidation of C-6 and C-7 of methyl 6α,7β-di-hydroxyvouacapan-17β-oate (2) and the formation of methyl 6,7-dioxovouacapan-17β-oate (3). NMR structural studies associated with theoretical calculations of reaction intermediates and products are also reported. The mixture of methyl 7β-hydroxy-6-oxovouacapan-17β-oate (4; 21%) and methyl 6α-hydroxy-7-oxovouacapan-17β-oate (5; 79%) was the product from the first step of the oxidation of 2. The lower energy of 5, calculated by HF/6-31G* and DFT/BLYP/6-31G* methods, reinforces the thermodynamic control proposed for the reaction. After further Swern oxidation of the mixture of 4 and 5, the isomeric form methyl 6-hydroxy-7-oxovouacap-5-en-17β-oate (6) was obtained. Theoretical calculations indicate a lower energy for the mono-enol 6 than the 1,2-diketo 3 and the other mono-enol methyl 7-hydroxy-6-oxovouacap-7-en-17β-oate (7).     

Study of the essential oil composition of Pinus sylvestris from Turkey

The needle oils of Pinus sylvestris L. were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The results showed some qualitative and quantitative variations. Forty-three components were identified in the oils of P. sylvestris. All the samples of essential oils contained α-pinene, camphene, and β-pinene as major constituents. Chemical variations of P. sylvestris samples were discussed. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 22–25, January–February, 2006.     

Production of antitumoral retamycin during fed-batch fermentations of Streptomyces olindensis

Fed-batch runs were performed in order to correlate the production of retamycin, an anthracycline antibiotic produced by Streptomyces olindensis in submerged cultures, with the specific growth rate. Maximum retamycin production was achieved with an exponential feed rate, controlling the specific growth rate at a low value (0.03h⁻¹, about 10% of the maximum specific growth rate). Control of the specific growth rate at higher values (0.10 and 0.17 h⁻¹) caused a decrease in antibiotic production. Morphology, assessed by image analysis, was shown to be highly relevant in this process. Cell growth mainly in the form of clumps (90% clumps and 10% free filaments) led to better results than growth as clumps (75%) and free filaments (25%).     

Production of α-keto acids with alginate-entrapped whole cells of the yeastTrigonopsis variabilis

The yeast,Trigonopsis variabilis, was immobilized by entrapment in alginate. The immobilized cells containing high amounts of D-amino acid oxidase were used to convert D-amino acids to their corresponding α-keto acids.