Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Laura K. Martin, Wei E. Huang, Ian P. Thompson
Summary: Biological wax esters provide a sustainable and renewable alternative to fossil fuel derived chemicals, with bacterial fermentation technology potentially improving the production process. To achieve commercially viable wax ester production, challenges such as waste stream valorization, mixed microbial cultures, and efficient wax extraction need to be effectively addressed.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Molly C. Sutherland, Deanna L. Mendez, Shalon E. Babbitt, Dustin E. Tillman, Olga Melnikov, Nathan L. Tran, Noah T. Prizant, Andrea L. Collier, Robert G. Kranz
Summary: This study presents the first successful in vitro reconstitution of cytochrome c biogenesis using purified mitochondrial and bacterial cytochrome c synthases. The research examines recognition determinants, thioether attachment, release, and folding mechanisms of cytochrome c, revealing significant differences between HCCS and CcsBA. Peptide analogs behave as inhibitors of cytochrome c biogenesis, providing potential for targeted control in future studies.
Article
Plant Sciences
Adam Kawinski, Magdalena Miklaszewska, Szymon Stelter, Bartosz Glab, Antoni Banas
Summary: In this study, the mobilization of storage reserves during jojoba seed germination was monitored and the jojoba lipases were characterized. The research found that the activity of jojoba lipases increased in the first 50 days of germination, with higher activity towards triacylglycerols than towards wax esters. Additionally, the enzymes showed wax ester-synthesizing activity in the backward reaction.
Article
Microbiology
Kurt L. Schroeter, Nadine Abraham, Nicolas Rolfe, Rebecca Barnshaw, Jaclyn Diamond, Stephen Y. K. Seah
Summary: Characterization of the substrate specificity of the described hydratases will facilitate the development of specific inhibitors for novel therapeutics against M. tuberculosis and the production of steroid pharmaceuticals with desired structures.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jose de A. P. Magno, Valdemir P. Da S. Neto, Carlos E. C. Cavalcante, Stefany K. dos S. de S. Queiroz, Idalmir de S. Queiroz, Francisco E. N. Fraga, Humberto D. de Andrade, Reuber R. de Melo
Summary: This work investigates the use of carnauba wax as a substrate/superstrate for microstrip antennas, establishing operating conditions through various analyses. The designed antennas achieved resonance frequency around 2.4 GHz and displayed different electrical characteristics based on the materials used as substrates and superstrates.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jared L. Johnson, Tomer M. Yaron, Emily M. Huntsman, Alexander Kerelsky, Junho Song, Amit Regev, Ting-Yu Lin, Katarina Liberatore, Daniel M. Cizin, Benjamin M. Cohen, Neil Vasan, Yilun Ma, Konstantin Krismer, Jaylissa Torres Robles, Bert van de Kooij, Anne E. van Vlimmeren, Nicole Andree-Busch, Norbert F. Kaeufer, Maxim Dorovkov, Alexey G. Ryazanov, Yuichiro Takagi, Edward R. Kastenhuber, Marcus D. Goncalves, Benjamin D. Hopkins, Olivier Elemento, Dylan J. Taatjes, Alexandre Maucuer, Akio Yamashita, Alexei Degterev, Mohamed Uduman, Jingyi Lu, Sean D. Landry, Bin Zhang, Ian Cossentino, Rune Linding, John Blenis, Peter Hornbeck, Benjamin E. Turk, Michael B. Yaffe, Lewis C. Cantley
Summary: Protein phosphorylation is a common post-translational modification, and thousands of phosphorylated sites have been associated with human diseases and biological processes. However, the responsible protein kinases for most phosphorylation events are currently unknown. This study used synthetic peptide libraries to profile the substrate specificity of 303 Ser/Thr kinases and identified the kinases capable of phosphorylating reported phosphorylation sites.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sai Pooja Mahajan, Yashes Srinivasan, Jason W. Labonte, Matthew P. DeLisa, Jeffrey J. Gray
Summary: This study decoded the sequence and structural motifs determining peptide substrate preferences for the GalNAc-T2 isoform, revealing enzyme features that lead to finely tuned specificity for a broad range of peptide substrates. Computational scanning and experimental validation successfully discriminated glycosylatable peptides with high efficiency, providing insights for designing enzyme variants with tailored specificity in the future.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dan Yan, Yanli Liu, Xiaolin Ren, Rui Li, Cong Wang, Yingwei Qi, Juan Xu, Zhande Liu, Yuduan Ding, Cuihua Liu
Summary: The study explores the molecular mechanisms of skin greasiness in apples, finding that wax esters and the gene MdDCR1 play important roles in the synthesis of liquid linoleate esters which contribute to the greasy skin. The transcriptional regulation of MdDCR1 controls the formation of greasiness by catalyzing the biosynthesis of liquid linoleate esters of short-chain alcohols.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cheng Zhang, Jiabao Yang, Wanqiu Meng, Linglu Zeng, Li Sun
Summary: This study investigated the functional role of twelve HaWSD genes in sunflower and their impact on wax ester synthesis and stress tolerance. The results showed that HaWSD9 is a wax ester synthase that functions in the endoplasmic reticulum and plays an important role in stress response and wax ester synthesis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuru Tong, Tianyuan Hu, Lichan Tu, Kang Chen, Tiezheng Liu, Ping Su, Yadi Song, Yuan Liu, Luqi Huang, Wei Gao
Summary: Acyclic terpenes, commonly found in plants, are controlled by different terpene synthases. The study found that terpene synthases from Tripterygium wilfordii exhibited substrate promiscuity and key residues were identified for the generation of diterpene product. Additionally, an engineered yeast producing high levels of nerolidol was constructed for potential applications in microbial fermentation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jillianne Eyring, Chia-Wei Lin, Elsy Mankah Ngwa, Jeremy Boilevin, Giorgio Pesciullesi, Kaspar P. Locher, Tamis Darbre, Jean-Louis Reymond, Markus Aebi
Summary: The study investigated the biochemical properties of two different OST complexes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, revealing significant differences in turnover rates for peptide and LLO substrates. This provides a basis for further functional analysis of the Ost3p and Ost6p subunits.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iris D. D. Zelnik, Beatriz Mestre, Jonathan J. J. Weinstein, Tamir Dingjan, Stav Izrailov, Shifra Ben-Dor, Sarel J. J. Fleishman, Anthony H. H. Futerman
Summary: Researchers validate a one-step algorithm called mPROSS for stabilizing membrane proteins directly from an AlphaFold2 model structure. By applying this algorithm to ceramide synthase, they obtained a more stable form of human CerS2 enzyme through 37 designed mutations. With the help of molecular dynamics simulations, a potential pathway for substrate delivery to ceramide synthases is proposed.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Juan Octavio Valle-Rodriguez, Verena Siewers, Jens Nielsen, Shuobo Shi
Summary: A random mutagenesis approach was used to enhance the catalytic efficiency of a wax ester synthase (WS) from Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus, resulting in improved selectivity towards ethanol and shorter alcohols. This work also introduced a new high-throughput selection system for isolating WSs with desired selectivity.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jee Young Kim, Ka Young Kim, Shin Myung Kim, Yoon-E Choi
Summary: This study investigates the use of Euglena gracilis for the bioremediation of water contaminated with rare earth elements (REEs) and the simultaneous production of biodiesel from used biomass. The presence of lanthanum (La3+) in the medium stimulates the growth of E. gracilis and promotes the removal of La3+. Furthermore, the treatment with La3+ enhances the endocytic activity of E. gracilis, allowing it to absorb more nutrients. The study also demonstrates that other REE species, such as cerium and neodymium, can also stimulate the growth and biodiesel production of E. gracilis.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicole G. H. Leferink, Andres M. Escorcia, Bodi R. Ouwersloot, Linus O. Johanissen, Sam Hay, Marc W. van der Kamp, Nigel S. Scrutton
Summary: The study identified the essential roles of key residues in bacterial monoterpene synthases, particularly the importance of Phe77 and other aromatic amino acids in monoterpenoid synthesis, as well as the critical roles of Phe295 and Ala301 in different synthetic pathways.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Dmitriy A. Lukoyanov, Derek F. Harris, Zhi-Yong Yang, Ana Perez-Gonzalez, Dennis R. Dean, Lance C. Seefeldt, Brian M. Hoffman
Summary: The nitrogenase active-site cofactor must accumulate 4e-/4H+ before N2 can bind and be reduced. The cofactor stores reducing-equivalents as hydrides in different states. The addition of the first e-/H+ results in the oxidation of the cluster metal-ion core. This behavior applies to all three nitrogenase isozymes.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jesse L. Ruzicka, Lauren M. Pellows, Hayden Kallas, Katherine E. Shulenberger, Oleg A. Zadvornyy, Bryant Chica, Katherine A. Brown, John W. Peters, Paul W. King, Lance C. Seefeldt, Gordana Dukovic
Summary: This study explores the light-driven catalysis of N2 reduction by combining CdS nanorods with the MoFe protein of nitrogenase. The efficiency of electron transfer and product formation is limited by the binding of NRs to MoFe protein and the competitiveness of electron transfer. Characterizing ET kinetics for CdS NRs of varying dimensions reveals a maximum NR diameter for driving the MoFe protein photochemically, providing insights for designing systems with increased control of N2 reduction catalyzed by the MoFe protein.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Perez-Gonzalez, Emilio Jimenez-Vicente, Alvaro Salinero-Lanzarote, Derek F. Harris, Lance C. Seefeldt, Dennis R. Dean
Summary: Azotobacter vinelandii produces three genetically distinct nitrogenase isozymes, among which Fe-only nitrogenase has lower catalytic activity for N-2 fixation and is only produced when Mo and V are not available.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Derek F. Harris, Artavazd Badalyan, Lance C. Seefeldt
Summary: In this study, rate constants of key steps in the Mo-nitrogenase catalytic cycle were determined using a steady-state kinetic model and experimental data fitting. The results show differences in the rate of H-2 formation between early electron populated and more reduced states, and equal rate constants for H-2 formation and N-2 binding in the more reduced state. A previously unrecognized slow step in the reduction of N-2 to NH3 was also revealed. Additionally, the distribution of active site states under different reaction conditions was predicted.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dmitriy A. Lukoyanov, Zhi-Yong Yang, Ana Perez-Gonzalez, Simone Raugei, Dennis R. Dean, Lance C. Seefeldt, Brian M. Hoffman
Summary: The CFe6 core in the active-site FeMo-cofactor of Mo-dependent nitrogenase maintains a stable structure and chemical bonding in different states, suggesting it acts as a stable heart during catalysis.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dmitriy A. Lukoyanov, Zhi-Yong Yang, Krista Shisler, John W. Peters, Simone Raugei, Dennis R. Dean, Lance C. Seefeldt, Brian M. Hoffman
Summary: The study identified Fe6 of FeMo-cofactor as a critical N-2 binding/reduction site in a-V70I-substituted nitrogenase MoFe protein. The enzyme was frozen during Ar turnover, capturing the catalytic intermediate E-4(4H), which contains two bridging hydrides and protons bound to sulfurs. The E-4(4H) state in a-V70I is enhanced by suppressing hydride protonation.
FARADAY DISCUSSIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ting Chen, Philip A. Ash, Lance C. Seefeldt, Kylie A. Vincent
Summary: Nitrogenases catalyze the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia through multiple redox and protonation levels. The redox potentials of the MoFe protein in nitrogenase have been challenging to determine due to its complex electron-transfer pathway. In this study, electrochemical control and various analytical methods were employed to investigate the potentials associated with inhibitor binding and catalytic transformation by nitrogenase. The findings provide insight into the elusive mechanism of biological nitrogen fixation.
FARADAY DISCUSSIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bradley D. Wahlen, Lynn M. Wendt, Chelsea C. St. Germain, Sarah M. Traynor, Caitlin Barboza, Thomas Dempster, Henri Gerken, John Mcgowen, Yaqi You
Summary: Long-term storage of algae biomass is crucial for mitigating seasonal variations in productivity, preserving biomass quality, and ensuring constant supply to conversion facilities. This study highlights the importance of nitrogen management in algae cultivation for the stability of post-harvest biomass during storage.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhi-Yong Yang, Lance C. Seefeldt, Artavazd Badalyan, Brian M. Hoffman, Dennis R. Dean
Summary: A central feature of the current understanding of dinitrogen reduction by nitrogenase is the proposed coupling of ATP hydrolysis to electron transfer. Recent studies have shown that the Fe protein cluster can be further reduced to a super-reduced state. It has been suggested that this super-reduced state may change the existing model for nitrogenase energy utilization. However, it has been found that both oxidation states of the Fe protein still require hydrolysis of two ATP for each single-electron transfer.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Amanda K. Garcia, Derek F. Harris, Alex J. Rivier, Brooke M. Carruthers, Azul Pinochet-Barros, Lance C. Seefeldt, Betul Kacar
Summary: Through experiments, it was found that the ancestors of nitrogenase still have the ability to reduce dinitrogen, which may limit the selection range of life in catalyzing the most energetically challenging biochemical reaction. This provides an important experimental framework for further studying the formation of nitrogenase functionality.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gregory E. Vansuch, David W. Mulder, Bryant Chica, Jesse L. Ruzicka, Zhi-Yong Yang, Lauren M. Pellows, Mark A. Willis, Katherine A. Brown, Lance C. Seefeldt, John W. Peters, Gordana Dukovic, Paul W. King
Summary: Experimental evidence shows that the addition of hydrogen is associative with the E-4(2N(2)H) state, thereby revealing a key step in the mechanism of N-2 reduction catalyzed by the enzyme nitrogenase.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lauren M. Pellows, Mark A. Willis, Jesse L. Ruzicka, Bhanu P. Jagilinki, David W. Mulder, Zhi-Yong Yang, Lance C. Seefeldt, Paul W. King, Gordana Dukovic, John W. Peters
Summary: This study investigates the binding interactions between CdS quantum dots and MoFe protein using microscale thermophoresis. The results demonstrate that the interactions are mainly electrostatic and are sensitive to the diameter of the quantum dots, with smaller dots exhibiting stronger interactions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gregory E. Vansuch, David W. Mulder, Bryant Chica, Jesse L. Ruzicka, Zhi-Yong Yang, Lauren M. Pellows, Mark A. Willis, Katherine A. Brown, Lance C. Seefeldt, John W. Peters, Gordana Dukovic, Paul W. King
Summary: Photodriven electron delivery in the frozen state using CdS quantum dots in complex with MoFe protein reveals details of the E-state species and tests the stability of E-4(2N2H). The results establish that the oxidative addition of H-2 to the E-4(2N2H) state follows an associative reaction mechanism.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Artavazd Badalyan, Zhi-Yong Yang, Maowei Hu, T. Leo Liu, Lance C. Seefeldt
Summary: The combination of CdS quantum dots and Mo-nitrogenase in a hybrid photocatalytic system enables efficient conversion of N2 to ammonia. Optimization of the ligand, mediators, and reaction conditions leads to significantly enhanced performance. This work highlights the importance of tuning electron transfer pathways and provides a potent strategy for coupling photosensitizers and N2 reduction catalysts.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Casey Van Stappen, Emilio Jimenez-Vicente, Ana Perez-Gonzalez, Zhi-Yong Yang, Lance C. Seefeldt, Serena DeBeer, Dennis R. Dean, Laure Decamps
Summary: The reduction of dinitrogen by molybdenum nitrogenase relies on the complex metalloclusters, P-cluster and FeMo-cofactor. The P-cluster is assembled directly on a specific polypeptide while the FeMo-cofactor is assembled separately. The accessory protein NifW plays a conformational role in the biosynthesis of the P-cluster, bringing two precursor clusters closer for fusion.
