Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abeera Shaeer, Mehwish Aslam, Naeem Rashid
Summary: In this study, a putative manganese-catalase gene Cat(Bsu) from Bacillus subtilis R5 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and its biochemical characteristics were described. Cat(Bsu) exhibited highest activity at pH 8.0 and 55 degrees C, with a half-life of 2 hours at 80 degrees C.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuejun Yu, Andraz Suligoj, Zach Shidlovsky, Dina Shachar, Sima Yaron, Yaron Paz
Summary: Wastewater contains toxins that can harm bacteria in bioreactors, requiring pretreatment with AOP. Designing an integrated system to reduce the load on AOP is challenging due to the constantly changing nature of toxic compounds. There is a need for inexpensive and fast technologies to evaluate toxicity under unknown compound conditions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
N. Smita, Ch Sasikala, Chv Ramana
Summary: This study aimed to understand the toxicity of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to wild and sporulene-deficient spores of Bacillus subtilis. The results showed that sporulenes play a significant role in mitigating the adverse effects of H2O2 in wild-type B. subtilis, and the toxic effects of H2O2 were more pronounced in sporulene-deficient spores.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
J. David Schnettler, Oskar James Klein, Tomasz S. Kaminski, Pierre-Yves Colin, Florian Hollfelder
Summary: Finding new mechanistic solutions for biocatalytic challenges is crucial in the evolution of enzymes and the development of new catalysts. Recent introduction of man-made substances into the environment offers an opportunity to observe biocatalytic innovation. Enzymes have rapidly adapted to hydrolyze phosphate triesters, converging onto a common mechanistic solution requiring bivalent cations. In contrast, the enzyme P91 achieves slow phosphotriester hydrolysis through a metal-independent triad, but its catalytic efficiency is improved by directed evolution.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Suratsawadee Tiangpook, Sreyneang Nhim, Pattaneeya Prangthip, Patthra Pason, Chakrit Tachaapaikoon, Khanok Ratanakhanokchai, Rattiya Waeonukul
Summary: Bacillus subtilis strain AP-1 was used to directly ferment maltose and produce long-chain isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs) with a degree of polymerization (DP) ranging from 2 to 14. The yield of IMOs reached 36.33 g/L with a yield of 72.7% after 36 hours of cultivation using 50 g/L of maltose. These IMOs exhibited prebiotic properties, including tolerance to acidic conditions and digestive enzymes, stimulation of probiotic bacteria growth, and no stimulating effect on pathogenic bacteria growth. They were also found to be non-toxic to mammalian cells, indicating their biocompatibility. This research provides a simple and cost-effective method for producing IMOs and highlights their potential application in functional foods.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bing Wang, Irina Artsimovitch
Summary: Bacillus subtilis utilizes uncoupled transcription and translation strategies to meet its unique regulatory needs, showing that bacteria employ diverse gene expression strategies.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alice Miral, Sylvain Fournet, Catherine Porte, Aurelie Sauvager, Josselin Montarry, Sophie Tomasi, Sylvain Tranchimand
Summary: Healthy food is a major challenge for the development of this century, with plant-parasitic nematodes causing significant damage to global crop yields. The use of chemical nematicides for control is no longer environmentally sustainable, and biocontrol methods, such as biopesticides derived from living organisms, offer a promising alternative. This study focuses on the underexploited ecological niche of lichen microecosystems to develop new plant protection products. The lichen-associated bacterial suspensions from Paenibacillus etheri are investigated for their potential as nematicides against two nematode species, and the effects of volatile organic compounds produced by the bacteria are evaluated.
Article
Biology
Tong-tong Zhu, Hong-na Chen, Lei Yang, Ying-bao Liu, Wei Li, Wen-xiu Sun
Summary: Urate oxidase plays a crucial role in the therapy of gout and detection of uric acid, making it significant to produce uricase that meets clinical requirements. A gene encoding extracellular uricase from Bacillus subtilis BS04 was successfully cloned, leading to the purification of a recombinant protein with optimum activity at pH 9.0 and 45 degrees C. Furthermore, mutations involving cysteine substitutions were found to enhance the thermal resistance of uricase, offering insights for enzyme therapeutic development.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Shanshan Yang, Yuqiong Piao, Xinfei Li, Delun Mu, Shuaiqi Ji, Rina Wu, Junrui Wu
Summary: Thermosonication is a viable technique to replace conventional thermal processing and has been used to kill heat-resistant Bacillus and extend the shelf life of pasteurized milk. The study found that thermosonication treatment significantly reduced the number of Bacillus subtilis and improved the quality of milk. It also had an effect on cell membrane permeability and enzyme activities. The findings suggest that this new decontamination method can be implemented in the dairy industry to enhance the quality and shelf life of pasteurized milk.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yanluo Xie, Nan He, Mingyang Wei, Tingyao Wen, Xitong Wang, Huakang Liu, Shiqiang Zhong, Heng Xu
Summary: The bacterium strain KC6, identified as Bacillus subtilis, exhibited high resistance to Cd and was able to produce siderophores and solubilize phosphate. KC6 showed strong Cd removal ability under optimal conditions, with Cd bonding onto cell walls and being transported into cellular organs and cytoplasm. Low molecular weight organic acids produced under Cd stress significantly increased, aiding in chelating Cd to Cd-ligands complexes for better removal efficiency.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
A. Vetrakova, R. Kaliankova Chovanova, R. Rechtorikova, D. Krajcikova, I. Barak
Summary: In this study, recombinant spores displaying the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein on their surface were prepared as a possible tool for developing an oral vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The RBD was attached to the spore coat proteins and its surface expression was confirmed using SDS-PAGE, western blot, and fluorescence microscopy.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Victorine Warambourg, Adil Mouahid, Christelle Crampon, Anne Galinier, Magalie Claeys-Bruno, Elisabeth Badens
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop a sterilization process for thermosensitive polymeric materials using supercritical carbon dioxide. The optimal conditions for bacterial reduction, with a reduction of 8.73-log, were found to be a pressure of 110 bar, temperature of 40 degrees C, treatment duration of 20 minutes, and the addition of 200 ppm of H2O2.
JOURNAL OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Junnan Zhang, Yunduo Zheng, Hui Tao, Jie Liu, Peng Zhao, Fan Yang, Zonghao Lv, Jinquan Wang
Summary: The study found that zearalenone had serious impacts on the reproductive organs and serum hormone levels of female pigs, but Bacillus subtilis ZJ-2019-1 significantly reduced the ZEN content, thereby improving the reproductive impairment caused by ZEN in female pigs. The addition of Bacillus subtilis ZJ-2019-1 to ZEN-contaminated feeds effectively ameliorated the toxic effects, regardless of liquid or dry culture conditions, suggesting great potential for industrial applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastian F. Villar, Laura Corrales-Gonzalez, Belen Marquez de los Santos, Joaquin Dalla Rizza, Ari Zeida, Ana Denicola, Gerardo Ferrer-Sueta
Summary: The reduction reactions of cytosolic human peroxiredoxins (Prx) in their disulfide form by thioredoxins (Trx) were studied. The reactivity of the nucleophilic cysteine in Trx was found to be greatly affected by the formation of the Prx-Trx complex. This activation mechanism helps understand the reduction of Prx by alternative reductants involved in redox signaling.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Diana Gimenez, Aoife Phelan, Cormac D. Murphy, Steven L. Cobb
Summary: The synthesis of fengycin A analogues with enhanced antifungal properties and chemical stability under acidic and basic conditions is reported. The analogues show that the fengycin core structure can be modified and simplified without loss of antifungal activity.
Article
Microbiology
Daniel F. Rojas-Tapias, John D. Helmann
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Microbiology
Srinand Paruthiyil, Azul Pinochet-Barros, Xiaojuan Huang, John D. Helmann
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Hualiang Pi, Brian M. Wendel, John D. Helmann
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Azul Pinochet-Barros, John D. Helmann
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biology
Yesha Patel, Heng Zhao, John D. Heimann
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahmed Gaballa, Tina Tianjiao Su, John D. Helmann
Summary: The bacterial cytosol is maintained in a reducing environment with the help of the thiol bacillithiol (BSH); a variety of proteins and enzymes work together to counteract protein S-bacillithiolation resulting from disulfide stress, forming a complex redox network.
Review
Microbiology
Ankita J. Sachla, John D. Helmann
Summary: Synthesis of the bacterial cell envelope relies on regulated partitioning of resources from central metabolism and key metabolic junctions for precursor allocation. Enzymes like GlmS and MurA play critical roles in directing intermediates towards peptidoglycan synthesis, while shared resources such as lipid carriers and amino acids are essential for envelope assembly. Limited resources must be shared between cellular pathways, with potential benefits from metabolite scavenging or symbiotic relationships with hosts.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ankita J. Sachla, Yuanchan Luo, John D. Helmann
Summary: Cell physiology heavily relies on metalloenzymes, which can be disrupted by imbalances in metal ion pools. Bacillus subtilis requires manganese for growth and has mechanisms for import and efflux to maintain homeostasis. Dysfunctional cytochrome aa(3)-type quinol oxidase plays a central role in metal-induced intoxication.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ankita J. Sachla, Alexander J. Alfonso, John D. Helmann
Summary: This study presents a streamlined method for bacterial strain construction using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, targeting nearly 4,000 Bacillus subtilis strains with an integrated erm resistance cassette. By utilizing a single plasmid with a gRNA targeted to erm, genome editing can be directed to nonessential genes as well as sites near essential genes. This method allows for the facile transfer of mutations and genetic constructions without intermediate cloning steps, making it a rapid and versatile approach for a wide range of genome manipulations.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Brian M. Wendel, Hualiang Pi, Larissa Krueger, Christina Herzberg, Joerg Stuelke, John D. Helmann
Summary: Osmotic stress is a significant challenge for cells, and maintaining cellular osmolyte potassium (K+) and importing or synthesizing compatible solutes are important for cell survival. It is known that high salt stress leads to transient accumulation of K+ in bacteria, resulting in bacteriostasis until compatible solutes accumulate and K+ levels are restored. In this study, using Bacillus subtilis as a model, it is shown that K+ fluxes perturb Mg2+ homeostasis and that Mg2+ reimport is critical for adaptation and growth resumption. Furthermore, cyclic di-AMP is found to coordinate with Mg2+ and K+ levels, suggesting its role in the cellular response to osmotic stress.
Review
Microbiology
Caroline H. Steingard, John D. Helmann
Summary: The Fur protein is a member of the FUR superfamily that regulates metal homeostasis in bacteria in response to iron, zinc, manganese, and nickel binding. It interacts with other regulators and small molecules to integrate signals related to metal ion balance.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jessica R. Willdigg, Yesha Patel, John D. Helmann
Summary: Understanding the coordination of cell wall and membrane synthesis is crucial for understanding bacterial growth, division, and resistance to cell envelope stresses. Balanced synthesis of the peptidoglycan cell wall and the cell membrane is critical for maintaining cell shape and pressure. In Bacillus subtilis, a loss of class A penicillin-binding proteins leads to impaired peptidoglycan synthesis, and compensatory mutations that decrease fatty acid synthesis can restore growth. Inhibiting fatty acid synthesis with cerulenin can also restore growth of the PG-limited cells and counteract the effects of beta-lactam antibiotics.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Erhard Bremer, Alexandra Calteau, Antoine Danchin, Colin Harwood, John D. Helmann, Claudine Medigue, Bernhard O. Palsson, Agnieszka Sekowska, David Vallenet, Abril Zuniga, Cristal Zuniga
Summary: The majority of genomic sequences are automatically annotated, but depend on manual annotation efforts using verified experimental data. This article summarizes the updated functional annotation of Bacillus subtilis strain 168, highlighting new metabolic insights, the role of metals in metabolism and biosynthesis, functions related to biofilm formation, features controlling cell growth, and protein agents allowing class discrimination. The updated sequence, including new genomic objects and literature review, is available at the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC: AccNum AL009126.4).
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bixi He, Ankita J. Sachla, John D. Helmann
Summary: In this study, the authors provide evidence that TerC family proteins are involved in the metalation of enzymes during export through the general secretion pathway. They found that Bacillus subtilis strains lacking MeeF and MeeY have reduced protein export capacity and decreased levels of manganese in the secreted proteome. MeeF and MeeY co-purify with proteins of the general secretory pathway and are essential for the function of the Mn2+-dependent lipoteichoic acid synthase.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Brian M. Wendel, Hualiang Pi, Larissa Krueger, Christina Herzberg, Jorg Stuelke, John D. Helmann
Summary: Cells regulate potassium and magnesium ions concentration under high osmotic stress to maintain viability. The reimport of magnesium ions is crucial for cell growth resumption.