Review
Chemistry, Physical
Zhongbin Xiao, Ming Sun, Tang Li, Miao Zhao, Heng Yin
Summary: Mannuronan C-5 epimerases (ManC5-Es) are key enzymes that convert beta-D-mannuronic acid (M) to alpha-L-guluronic acid (G) in alginate. They have different patterns of activity and are important for modifying alginate for various industrial applications. This review focuses on the methods of ManC5-Es activity assay, characterization of ManC5-Es from different sources, and the catalytic mechanism of ManC5-Es based on resolved enzyme structures. It also discusses potential future research directions.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shengsheng Cao, Li Li, Benwei Zhu, Zhong Yao
Summary: Alginate is a polysaccharide composed of M and G. It has various biological activities and potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural fields. The M/G ratio determines its properties. Mannuronan C5-epimerases can convert M to G. The properties, catalytic mechanisms, and structures of AlgE-type and AlgG-type enzymes have been studied.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhang Pengyan, Lu Chang, Shao Zhanru, Liu Fuli, Yao Jianting, Duan Delin
Summary: This study identified 143 MC5E gene sequences from Saccharina japonica and characterized the spatial and temporal expression patterns of SjMC5Es, which showed correlation with the M/G ratios of alginate. The highly expressed SjMC5E2 was functionally characterized, confirming its mannuronan C5-epimerase activity and laying a foundation for further applications in modifying the properties of alginate.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anne Tondervik, Randi Aune, Adelheid Degelmann, Michael Piontek, Helga Ertesvag, Gudmund Skjak-Braek, Havard Sletta
Summary: Alginates, linear polysaccharides produced by brown algae and bacteria, have various applications in industrial, medical, and pharmaceutical fields. This study investigates the potential of using H. polymorpha for large-scale production of alginate epimerases. The results suggest that H. polymorpha is a suitable host organism for this purpose.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margrethe Gaardlos, Anders Lervik, Sergey A. Samsonov
Summary: This study investigates the role of calcium in the structure and catalytic activity of the A-module of AvAlgE6, an epimerase enzyme in A. vinelandii. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that calcium plays a crucial role in the hydrophobic packing and substrate binding of the enzyme. The presence of calcium increases the binding strength and affects the dissociation pathways of the substrate.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdalena Chareza, Katarzyna Przygrodzka, Anna Zywicka, Bartlomiej Grygorcewicz, Peter Sobolewski, Sylwia Mozia, Marcin Smiglak, Radoslaw Drozd
Summary: Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in the wound healing process due to antibiotic resistance mechanisms. This study investigated the therapeutic properties of alginate lyase (AlgL) immobilised on BC membranes for protecting wounds from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The AlgL immobilisation significantly reduced the amount of polysaccharides in the biofilm and showed synergism with gentamicin in killing bacterial cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Napoleon D'Cunha, Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Keith Haynes, Giuliano Malloci, Connor J. Cooper, Enrico Margiotta, Attilio V. Vargiu, Muhammad R. Uddin, Inga Leus, Feng Cao, Jerry M. Parks, Valentin V. Rybenkov, Paolo Ruggerone, Helen Zgurskaya, John K. Walker
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is an increasingly urgent threat to human health, and multidrug efflux pumps are potential targets for combating this issue. The compound NSC-33353 has been identified as a potent inhibitor of efflux pumps, enhancing antibacterial activity in wild-type cells. Structural modifications of NSC-33353 have led to the development of compounds with improved inhibitory and substrate properties, offering insights into the duality of efflux substrate/inhibitor features and facilitating the development of new efflux pump inhibitors.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhongyan Li, Fengqi Sun, Xinmiao Fu, Yajuan Chen
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to human health. The study shows that 5-methylindole, a derivative of indole, can directly kill various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, including drug-resistant strains. Additionally, 5-methylindole enhances the efficacy of aminoglycoside antibiotics. This finding offers a new approach for the development of antibacterial agents or adjuvants.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andreia Garces, Ricardo Lopes, Augusto Silva, Filipe Sampaio, Daniela Duque, Paula Brilhante-Simoes
Summary: This study investigated the current scenario of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in companion animals with urinary tract infections in Portugal. The findings revealed a high level of bacterial resistance and a significant proportion of multidrug-resistant bacteria compared to northern European countries.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Massa Dit Achille Bonko, Marc Christian Tahita, Francois Kiemde, Palpouguini Lompo, Sibidou Yougbare, Athanase M. Some, Halidou Tinto, Petra F. Mens, Sandra Menting, Henk D. F. H. Schallig
Summary: The study found high levels of antibiotic resistance in bacterial isolates from children in Nanoro, Burkina Faso, leading to the call for further surveillance studies on antibiotic resistance in the region.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Akira Matsumoto, Sung-Jin Kawai, Miwa Yamada
Summary: The marine bacterium Cobetia sp. IU180733JP01 (5-11-6-3) has the ability to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] using various carbon sources, with glucose and fructose showing the highest production capability. Metabolic pathway analysis based on genome sequencing predicted the pathways for P(3HB) synthesis. These findings highlight the potential of this strain for bioplastic production from marine biomass, as well as other biomass and industrial wastes.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mali Maerk, Oyvind M. Jakobsen, Havard Sletta, Geir Klinkenberg, Anne Tondervik, Trond E. Ellingsen, Svein Valla, Helga Ertesvag
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Annalucia Stanisci, Anne Tondervik, Margrethe Gaardlos, Anders Lervik, Gudmund Skjak-Braek, Havard Sletta, Finn L. Aachmann
Article
Immunology
Verena Mertes, Alexander Kashulin Bekkelund, Leidy Lagos, Elia Ciani, Duncan Colquhoun, Hanne Haslene-Hox, Havard Sletta, Henning Sorum, Hanne Cecilie Winther-Larsen
Summary: The study tested isolated membrane vesicles as potential vaccine candidates for francisellosis in fish, but did not observe protective immunity in Atlantic cod and tilapia after vaccination. Further research is needed to understand the development of immunological memory in different fish species.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Cansu Birgen, Kristin F. Degnes, Sidsel Markussen, Alexander Wentzel, Havard Sletta
Summary: The study investigated the impact of different sugar mixtures on fermentation using the BioLector(R) system, demonstrating its suitability for high-throughput anaerobic cultivation studies. The results provide valuable insights for further research in industrial fermentations of lignocellulosic biomass.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Rebecca Weiser, Philip D. Rye, Eshwar Mahenthiralingam
Summary: The translation discusses the stability of microbiota, inter-individual differences in microbiota composition, and their application in CF patients and clinical trials.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gunn Broli, Halvor Nygaard, Havard Sletta, Kjartan Sandnes, Inga Marie Aasen
Summary: Twelve marine peptones derived from farmed salmon byproducts were evaluated as nutrient sources for industrial microorganism growth. Peptones containing viscera showed higher cell yields and maintained high growth rates to higher cell densities compared to those without viscera. These findings suggest that peptones based on farmed salmon byproducts, particularly those containing viscera, have potential as a stable and abundant nutrient source for the fermentation industry.
PROCESS BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Margrethe Gaardlos, Tonje Marita Bjerkan Heggeset, Anne Tondervik, David Teze, Birte Svensson, Helga Ertesvag, Havard Sletta, Finn Lillelund Aachmann
Summary: The structure and functional properties of alginates are determined by the monomer composition and molecular weight distribution, influenced by enzymes like mannuronan C-5-epimerases and alginate lyases. AIgE7 from Azotobacter vinelandii showcases dual epimerase and lyase activities, influenced by calcium and NaCl. Mutational studies on AIgE7 identified key residues, suggesting a unified catalytic mechanism for both activities. Understanding these mechanisms has implications for the enzymatic tailoring of alginate polymers in various industries.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hanne Haslene-Hox, Guro Kruge Naerdal, Yrr Morch, Gunhild Hageskal, Anne Tondervik, Anette Vikenes Turoy, Heidi Johnsen, Geir Klinkenberg, Havard Sletta
Summary: This study developed a high-throughput robotic microtiter plate-based screening assay that mimics the filamentous morphology of C. albicans. The assay demonstrated the effectiveness of nutritional drinks in promoting the growth of C. albicans and showed that amphotericin B had a reduced inhibitory effect in the presence of these drinks. This assay can facilitate efficient antifungal drug discovery and development.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anne Tondervik, Randi Aune, Adelheid Degelmann, Michael Piontek, Helga Ertesvag, Gudmund Skjak-Braek, Havard Sletta
Summary: Alginates, linear polysaccharides produced by brown algae and bacteria, have various applications in industrial, medical, and pharmaceutical fields. This study investigates the potential of using H. polymorpha for large-scale production of alginate epimerases. The results suggest that H. polymorpha is a suitable host organism for this purpose.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Oscar Velasco-Rodriguez, Mariana Fil, Tonje M. B. Heggeset, Kristin F. Degnes, David Becerro-Recio, Katarina Kolsakova, Tone Haugen, Malene Jonsson, Macarena Toral-Martinez, Carlos Garcia-Estrada, Alberto Sola-Landa, Kjell D. Josefsen, Havard Sletta, Carlos Barreiro
Summary: This study found that bacterial diversity in decaying wood was higher than fungal heterogeneity, with 194 different cultivable bacterial isolates mainly belonging to Bacillaceae, Streptomycetaceae, Paenibacillaceae, and Microbacteriaceae, and 343 fungal strains mainly belonging to Aspergillaceae, Hypocreaceae, and Coniochaetaceae. The results also suggest that decaying wood is an ecologically rich niche and a promising source of biotechnologically interesting microorganisms.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mariana Adina Matica, Finn Lillelund Aachmann, Anne Tondervik, Havard Sletta, Vasile Ostafe
Summary: Different types of chitosan were used to prepare membranes with enhanced antibacterial properties by incorporating antimicrobial peptide Nisin. The membranes showed good physico-chemical properties and stability under enzymatic degradation, and the addition of Nisin significantly improved their antibacterial effect.
STUDIA UNIVERSITATIS BABES-BOLYAI CHEMIA
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Silke van Koningsbruggen-Rietschel, Jane C. Davies, Tacjana Pressler, Rainald Fischer, Gordon MacGregor, Scott H. Donaldson, Knut Smerud, Nils Meland, Jann Mortensen, Marie O. Fosbol, Damian G. Downey, Astrid H. Myrset, Hugo Flaten, Philip D. Rye
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Joana Stokniene, Lydia C. Powell, Olav A. Aarstad, Finn L. Aachmann, Philip D. Rye, Katja E. Hill, David W. Thomas, Elaine L. Ferguson