Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sung-Hyun Park, Hogyun Seo, Jihye Seok, Haseong Kim, Kil Koang Kwon, Soo-Jin Yeom, Seung-Goo Lee, Kyung-Jin Kim
Summary: The study introduces a D-Threonine aldolase (DTA) from Filomicrobium marinum (FmDTA) with higher activity and C beta-stereoselectivity than other known DTAs. Through rational protein engineering based on the reaction mechanism, a variant enzyme with nearly perfect D-threonine production is developed. This demonstrates how understanding the reaction mechanism can lead to effective protein engineering for improved specificity and activity.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Seon-Hwa Lee, Soo-Jin Yeom, Seong-Eun Kim, Deok-Kun Oh
Summary: Aldol chemicals are synthesized by condensation reactions between ketones and aldehydes using aldolases. Improving the catalytic properties of aldolases through engineering and design, as well as combining them with other catalysts, enables the efficient synthesis of complex organic chemicals. Current challenges and emerging solutions for aldolase-based catalysts are also discussed.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Li-Chao Wang, Lian Xu, Bing-Mei Su, Xin-Qi Xu, Juan Lin
Summary: By rational design, researchers successfully screened a mutant LTA with enhanced C-beta-stereoselectivity, improving the efficiency of synthesizing (2S, 3R)-1b. Furthermore, esterification was used to successfully synthesize high-purity (2S, 3R)-1d, providing an effective method for green synthesis.
MOLECULAR CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lichao Wang, Lian Xu, Bingmei Su, Wei Lin, Xinqi Xu, Juan Lin
Summary: l-Threonine aldolase from Actinocorallia herbida (AhLTA) is an ideal catalyst for producing l-threo-4-methylsulfonylphenylserine, and engineering the enzyme through a combinatorial active-site saturation test (CAST) and sequence conservatism analysis has successfully improved the C-beta stereoselectivity. The mutant Y314R demonstrated higher diastereomeric excess (de) in asymmetric synthesis, showcasing the potential of directly controlling substrates in the active pocket for industrial applications.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuan-Zhi He, Yan Feng
Summary: ss-Hydroxy-a-amino acids (HAAs) are important chiral intermediates with diverse applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Threonine aldolase (TA) has emerged as a promising catalyst for the stereoselective synthesis of HAAs due to its ability to catalyze the aldol reaction in a single step. This review provides an overview of the research progress on TA, including enzyme mining, structural analysis, mechanism elucidation, high-throughput screening, protein engineering, and synthesis applications. The achievements in understanding the structure-function relationship, mechanism, and protein engineering of TA are highlighted. Moreover, the challenges and prospects for the industrial application of TA as a tool enzyme for the synthesis of high-value HAAs are discussed.
PROGRESS IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Vandana Malhotra, Blessing P. Okon, Akash T. Satsangi, Sumana Das, Uchenna Watson Waturuocha, Atul Vashist, Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss, Deepak Kumar Saini
Summary: Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein kinase K plays a crucial role in regulating growth adaptation and metabolic stress response. It interacts with and phosphorylates multiple enzymes involved in central metabolism, transcription regulation, and signal transduction. The study also identifies two essential response regulator proteins and a transcription terminator as unique targets for PknK. These findings provide insights into the gene regulation and signal transduction pathways essential for mycobacterial survival.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebeca L. Fernandez, Laura D. Elmendorf, Robert W. Smith, Craig A. Bingman, Brian G. Fox, Thomas C. Brunold
Summary: The crystal structure of the mammalian non-heme iron enzyme cysteamine dioxygenase has been reported, revealing the composition of its active site and substrate access channel. The study suggests the existence of a small tunnel leading from the opposite face of the enzyme into the active site, which provides a path for co-substrate O-2 to access the Fe center.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hassan Elsayed Embaby, Takuya Miyakawa, Satoshi Hachimura, Tomonari Muramatsu, Masayuki Nara, Masaru Tanokura
Summary: Goldenberry pomace oil and goldenberry seed oil are both rich in unsaturated fatty acids, with differences in the composition of TAG species. DSC analysis reveals similarities in the melting process of the oils, while FTIR spectra indicate the absence of harmful components in both.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rong Wang, Haruyo Nakajima-Adachi, Yimei Wang, Yingyu Zhou, Wenting Gu, Erika Hiraide, Mamiko Morinaga, Ryogo Nakagawa, Shotaro Nakamura, Tomohiro Takano, Xuyang Li, Mayumi Saeki, Osamu Kaminuma, Takachika Hiroi, Kenji Uchida, Hidemasa Motoshima, Masaru Tanokura, Takuya Miyakawa, Satoshi Hachimura
Summary: Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris YRC3780 isolated from kefir has anti-allergic effects in humans. The oral administration of L. cremoris YRC3780 enhanced IFN-gamma and IL-12 production, inhibited IL-4 production, and attenuated symptoms in an atopic dermatitis mouse model by regulating cytokine expression.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daisuke Miyamoto, Nana Sato, Koji Nagata, Yukinao Sakai, Hitoshi Sugihara, Yuki Ohashi, Blanka Stiburkova, Ivan Sebesta, Kimiyoshi Ichida, Ken Okamoto
Summary: Renal hypouricemia can cause exercise-induced acute kidney injury, possibly due to the loss of hypoxanthine leading to reduced ATP in the renal tubules. This mechanism may not be related to oxidative stress.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chao Li, Xin Gao, Hongbin Qi, Wei Zhang, Lei Li, Cancan Wei, Meijing Wei, Xiaoxuan Sun, Shusen Wang, Liyan Wang, Yingbin Ji, Shuhong Mao, Zhangliang Zhu, Masaru Tanokura, Fuping Lu, Hui-Min Qin
Summary: In this study, a genetically encoded biosensor based on a D-allulose-responsive transcriptional regulator was redesigned for real-time monitoring of D-allulose. Furthermore, an ultrahigh-throughput droplet-based microfluidic screening platform was constructed for the directed evolution of ketose 3-epimerases (KEases). Structural analysis revealed a lid conformation in Sinorhizobium fredii D-allulose 3-epimerase (SfDAE) that regulates substrate recognition, and through rational design and directed evolution, a mutant M3-2 with 17-fold enhanced catalytic efficiency was identified. This research provides a paradigm for the design and optimization of biosensor-based microdroplet screening platforms.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Satoshi Kidokoro, Izumi Konoura, Fumiyuki Soma, Kazuo Shinozaki, Takamasa Suzuki, Masaru Tanokura, Takuya Miyakawa, Takato Imaizumi, Kazuko Yamaguchi-Shinozaki
Summary: Plants respond to severe temperature changes by inducing the expression of numerous genes whose products enhance stress tolerance and responses. DREB1 genes are rapidly and strongly induced by cold stress and their molecular mechanisms are vital for recognizing the initial responses to cold stress in plants.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yimei Wang, Tomohiro Takano, Yingyu Zhou, Rong Wang, Takayuki Toshimitsu, Toshihiro Sashihara, Masaru Tanokura, Takuya Miyakawa, Haruyo Nakajima-Adachi, Satoshi Hachimura
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum OLL2712 on obesity-induced inflammation. It was found that the LAB strain regulated gut microbiota, suppressed intestinal inflammation, and improved gut barrier function, thereby reducing obesity-related inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Mizuki Watanabe, Tomoya Kitamura, Koji Nagata, Mitsutaka Ikezawa, Ken-ichiro Kameyama, Kentaro Masujin, Takehiro Kokuho
Summary: African swine fever is a highly fatal viral disease in pigs, and its control and eradication depend on good biosecurity management and accurate diagnosis. A new serological ELISA using recombinant p11.5 protein from ASFV as a target has been developed, showing high sensitivity and specificity. This assay has the ability to detect anti-ASFV antibodies earlier after virus inoculation, making it a valuable tool for the diagnosis of African swine fever.
Article
Biology
Akira Nozawa, Ryoko Miyazaki, Yoshinao Aoki, Reina Hirose, Ryosuke Hori, Chihiro Muramatsu, Yukinori Shigematsu, Keiichirou Nemoto, Yoshinori Hasegawa, Keiko Fujita, Takuya Miyakawa, Masaru Tanokura, Shunji Suzuki, Tatsuya Sawasaki
Summary: A new gibberellin receptor agonist, diphegaractin, has been identified in this study, which shows gibberellin-like activity in the growth and maturation of grapes, lettuce, Arabidopsis, and citrus fruit. This is the first successful identification of a GA receptor agonist with GA-like activity in agricultural plants using an in vitro molecular-targeted drug screening system.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Satoshi Yamanaka, Hirotake Furihata, Yuta Yanagihara, Akihito Taya, Takato Nagasaka, Mai Usui, Koya Nagaoka, Yuki Shoya, Kohei Nishino, Shuhei Yoshida, Hidetaka Kosako, Masaru Tanokura, Takuya Miyakawa, Yuuki Imai, Norio Shibata, Tatsuya Sawasaki
Summary: Lenalidomide is an effective drug for treating hematological cancers, but has teratogenic effects on fetuses. This study identifies modifications that enhance the selectivity and effectiveness of lenalidomide as a standalone molecular glue or integrated in PROTACs.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hiroyuki Takeda, Tatsuhiko Ozawa, Hiroki Zenke, Yoh Ohnuki, Yuri Umeda, Wei Zhou, Honoka Tomoda, Akihiko Takechi, Kimiyoshi Narita, Takaaki Shimizu, Takuya Miyakawa, Yuji Ito, Tatsuya Sawasaki
Summary: This study investigated the use of the Japanese topeshark as an immune animal for the development of VNAR antibodies. By injecting Venus fluorescent protein into the sharks, the levels of antigen-specific IgM and IgNAR antibodies in the blood were significantly increased. Phage-display and yeast-display libraries were constructed using RNA from immunized shark splenocytes, and multiple antigen-specific VNAR antibodies were obtained. These antibodies exhibited high affinity and plasticity, and retained their binding activity even after high-temperature or reducing-agent treatment. Deep sequencing analysis revealed distinct enrichment bias in the CDR3-coding sequences between libraries. Overall, the Japanese topeshark shows promise for the development of VNAR antibodies.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Takafumi Hashimoto, Kenji Hashimoto, Hiroki Shindo, Shoko Tsuboyama, Takuya Miyakawa, Masaru Tanokura, Kazuyuki Kuchitsu
Summary: This study reveals a mechanism of Ca2+ and phosphorylation regulating the activity of MpRBOHB, highlighting the importance of Ca2+ binding in this process. This mechanism is likely to be conserved among land plant RBOHs.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2023)
