Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marlene Duarte, Victor D. Alves, Marcia Correia, Catarina Caseiro, Luis M. A. Ferreira, Maria Joao Romao, Ana Luisa Carvalho, Shabir Najmudin, Edward A. Bayer, Carlos M. G. A. Fontes, Pedro Bule
Summary: The cellulosome is a complex multi-enzyme structure secreted by anaerobic microorganisms for efficient degradation of lignocellulosic substrates. It consists of catalytic and non-catalytic components that are assembled through protein-protein interactions. The structure of an adaptor scaffoldin-borne ScaH Doc in complex with the Coh from anchoring scaffoldin ScaE was described, revealing a dual-binding mode interaction and identifying key residues for Coh recognition. Rational protein engineering was used to improve the affinity between the two modules, showing the potential for tailored Coh-Doc interactions in bioengineering applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Dung Minh Ha-Tran, Trinh Thi My Nguyen, Chieh-Chen Huang
Summary: Plant biomass-based biofuels have gradually replaced traditional energy sources due to their advantages of renewability, large quantity, wide availability, economic feasibility, and sustainability. Clostridium thermocellum, a Gram-positive, thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium, is known for its efficient cellulosome complex, which has been utilized for constructing artificial cellulosomes and enhancing biofuel production.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jie Lu, Guodong Wang, Cuiping Yang, Zehao Peng, Lu Yang, Bowen Du, Chuanzhuang Guo, Songsen Sui, Jianbin Wang, Junlin Li, Ruiming Wang, Junqing Wang
Summary: In this study, an efficient recombinant strain of Escherichia coli was constructed for the production of ss-alanine using glucose as the raw material. The yield of ss-alanine was increased by blocking the L-lysine production pathway and improving catalytic efficiency with a two-enzyme method. By combining key enzymes with a cellulosome, the ss-alanine content reached a high level in a 5 L fermenter.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Evandro A. Araujo, Artur Hermano Sampaio Dias, Marco A. S. Kadowaki, Vasily Piyadov, Vanessa O. A. Pellegrini, Mateus B. Urio, Luiz P. Ramos, Munir S. Skaf, Igor Polikarpov
Summary: Processive cellulases like BlCel48B from Bacillus licheniformis are efficient molecular engines that break down cellulose, with their enzymatic properties impacted by cellulose size and surface morphology. Structural analysis and molecular dynamics reveal the critical role of co-evolved residues in the active site in stabilizing ligands in the catalytic tunnel, providing mechanistic insights into activity and substrate binding of BlCel48B.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
He Wang, Xiaomin Jiang, Yongchang Qian, Lianghong Yin
Summary: The study successfully displayed beta-galactosidase on the surface of B. subtilis WB600 spores by introducing different pairs of cohesins and dockerins, which led to improved display efficiency.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Parmeshwar Vitthal Gavande, Krishan Kumar, Jebin Ahmed, Arun Goyal
Summary: In this study, the multifunctional endoglucanase RfGH5_4 from Ruminococcus flavefaciens was found to have a (beta/alpha)8-TIM barrel structure through homology modeling. Experimental analyses confirmed the predicted secondary structure of RfGH5_4 and molecular dynamic simulation revealed the stability of its structural fold when binding to a cellulosic ligand. RfGH5_4 showed strong affinity towards cellulosic and hemicellulosic ligands, suggesting its potential in various industrial applications. The study also highlighted the role of specific loops in the catalytic cleft of RfGH5_4 and its monodispersed state and stability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ryan J. J. Hickey, Maxime Leblanc Latour, James L. L. Harden, Andrew E. E. Pelling
Summary: This study demonstrates the manufacturing of modular blocks of naturally porous decellularized plant-derived scaffolds that can be seeded with different cell types to create complex tissue interfaces. The interaction between different cell types at the interface is investigated, and the biocompatibility of the engineered tissue interface (ETI) is demonstrated in vivo. This research opens up new avenues for tissue design and understanding biological processes.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher Delre, Yufeng Jiang, Philjun Kang, Junpyo Kwon, Aaron Hall, Ivan Jayapurna, Zhiyuan Ruan, Le Ma, Kyle Zolkin, Tim Li, Corinne D. Scown, Robert O. Ritchie, Thomas P. Russell, Ting Xu
Summary: By dispersing enzymes with deep active sites, semi-crystalline polyesters can be efficiently degraded in a short period of time, with up to 98% conversion of polyester to small molecules. This method allows for complete elimination of the need to separate and landfill products in compost facilities, with degradation achieved in standard soil composts and household tap water.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malene Billeskov Keller, Silke Flindt Badino, Nanna Rojel, Trine Holst Sorensen, Jeppe Kari, Brett McBrayer, Kim Borch, Benedikt M. Blossom, Peter Westh
Summary: The study found that C1-oxidizing LPMOs have varying effects on the activity of different reducing-end cellobiohydrolases, with oxidation reducing enzyme activity and substrate complexation rate. This finding suggests that C1-oxidized chain ends are not ideal sites for attack by reducing-end cellobiohydrolases, which could be relevant for optimizing industrial enzyme cocktails.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Morten Sorlie, Malene Billeskov Keller, Peter Westh
Summary: In nature, the enzymatic degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides involves the collaborative action of glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) through different mechanisms. GHs use a hydrolytic approach, while LPMOs are oxidative. The interplay between LPMOs and GHs can provide rate enhancements and improved degradation of polysaccharides, although the exact magnitude of the enhancements depends on the nature of the specific GH and LPMO. The understanding of this interplay is important for enhancing enzymatic polysaccharide degradation.
ESSAYS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muhammad Ikram, Abeera Mahmood, Ali Haider, Sadia Naz, Anwar Ul-Hamid, Walid Nabgan, Iram Shahzadi, Junaid Haider, Iqbal Ahmad, Salamat Ali
Summary: In this study, Mg and cellulose nanocrystals were doped into zinc oxide nanoparticles to synthesize products with efficient photocatalytic and bactericidal activities. Various characterization techniques were used to analyze the doped nanostructures, which showed optimal performance in basic medium and significant bactericidal efficacy against bacteria, particularly G +ve strains. Molecular docking studies suggested the potential inhibitory effects of the CNC-doped ZnO nanocomposites against beta-lactamase, DHFR, and FabI.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hyeok-Jin Ko, Heesang Song, In-Geol Choi
Summary: Researchers designed and constructed a new cell surface attachment system using non-covalent protein-protein interaction to overcome limitations of autodisplay system, successfully attaching a monomeric protein to the cell surface. Furthermore, they validated functional anchoring of proteins fused with Doc module to the surface of Escherichia coli.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nairi Hartooni, Jongmin Sung, Ankur Jain, David O. Morgan
Summary: Robust regulatory signals in the cell depend on interactions between short linear motifs and globular proteins. However, studying these interactions is challenging due to limitations in protein production. To address this, the researchers developed a single-molecule off-rate assay to study substrate binding in the APC/C. They found that the substrate's short linear motifs have distinct affinities and specificities for the substrate-binding subunits, and multiple motifs can generate a high-affinity multivalent interaction. These findings reveal the adaptable substrate-binding mechanisms of the APC/C in governing substrate destruction during mitosis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xizheng Wang, Qinqin Xia, Shuangshuang Jing, Claire Li, Qiongyu Chen, Bo Chen, Zhenqian Pang, Bo Jiang, Wentao Gan, Gang Chen, Mingjin Cui, Liangbing Hu, Teng Li
Summary: In this study, a natural cellulose-lignin reinforced composite straw is developed, showing superior mechanical performance, high hydrostability, and low cost, making them potential alternatives to plastic straws and suggesting substitutes for other petroleum-based plastics.
Article
Polymer Science
Edyta Malachowska, Dominika Pawcenis, Jacek Danczak, Joanna Paczkowska, Kamila Przybysz
Summary: The degradation of cellulose significantly impacts the mechanical, optical, physical, and chemical properties of paper, affecting its longevity. Analytical techniques such as size-exclusion chromatography and spectroscopy are used to evaluate the degradation processes, particularly in papers containing lignin. Humidity was found to alter cellulose chain lengths, with high lignin content suppressing some degradation pathways. This knowledge can guide the development of strategies and chemical treatments to prevent paper aging.