Review
Chemistry, Physical
Alejandro Martinez, Sergi Maicas
Summary: Cutinases are enzymes that can hydrolyze esters and triacylglycerols, catalyzing esterification and transesterification reactions. They are found in fungi, bacteria, and plants, facilitating pathogen invasion by hydrolyzing the protective cuticle of plants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hirokazu Ueda, Jun Tabata, Yasuyo Seshime, Kazuo Masaki, Yuka Sameshima-Yamashita, Hiroko Kitamoto
Summary: Phylloplane yeast genera Pseudozyma and Cryptococcus secrete biodegradable plastic-degrading enzymes, termed cutinase-like enzymes (CLEs), which exhibit activity in degrading cutin. Seventeen Cryptococcus magnus strains capable of degrading BP at 15 degrees C were isolated, and CLE activity was confirmed through the breakdown of cutin. This study highlights the potential of CLEs in biodegradation of plastics.
BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Akihiro Ninomiya, Syun-ichi Urayama, Daisuke Hagiwara
Summary: Co-culturing fungi with other microorganisms enhances the production of secondary metabolites. In this study, the activation of specific gene expressions in the co-culture system of two fungal species resulted in the production of different compounds compared to previous co-culture studies with bacteria. The molecular genetic mechanisms behind the biosynthesis of these compounds were demonstrated.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Khadijah A. Altammar, Jonathan Guyang Ling, Hussein M. Al-Bajalan, Iuan-Sheau Chin, Mukram Mohamed Mackeen, Nor Muhammad Mahadi, Abdul Munir Abdul Murad, Farah Diba Abu Bakar
Summary: Cutinases are hydrolytic enzymes that can degrade plant cutin. A new cutinase homolog, AnCUT3, has been identified and characterized in this study. The recombinant AnCUT3 exhibited optimal temperature and pH, as well as high catalytic efficiency. It also showed potential for degrading and modifying the surface of certain polymers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ada Biratsi, Alexandros Athanasopoulos, Vassili N. Kouvelis, Christos Gournas, Vicky Sophianopoulou
Summary: A common mechanism for AZC resistance in fungi has been identified, with Aspergillus nidulans able to resist AZC toxicity and utilize it as a nitrogen source with the assistance of additional enzymes. Additionally, heterologous expression of the AzhA protein can complement the sensitivity of yeast to AZC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ofer Grunwald, Ety Harish, Nir Osherov
Summary: Fungi have long had a significant presence in human culture, tradition, and art, with psychedelic and medicinal mushrooms serving as inspiration for artwork since ancient times. Collaboration between a multidisciplinary artist and a research laboratory has led to the development of new forms of mycelial art, offering visually dynamic artwork and endless artistic possibilities based on the diversity of fungal species.
Article
Microbiology
Gulab Chand Arya, Hagai Cohen
Summary: This article explores the multifaceted roles of fungal cutinases during the four major stages of infection, including spore attachment, germination, and penetration of host plants. Based on previous evidence and a molecular phylogenetic tree, the relationship between fungal species lifestyle and the activity of its cutinases is discussed.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
William Bartolomeu Medeiros, Kelly Johana Dussan Medina, Sandra Regina Pombeiro Sponchiado
Summary: This study found that l-DOPA, glucose, and copper sulfate have significant effects on melanin production, with l-DOPA being the only factor positively affecting melanin yield. Melanin synthesis was increased by 640% in optimized conditions.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Valentin Wernet, Satur Herrero, Reinhard Fischer
Summary: The study reveals the differences in growth mechanisms between fast-growing fungi and slow-growing fungi, indicating a tradeoff between hyphal plasticity and growth speed.
Article
Microbiology
Beatriz Silva Campanhol, Beatriz Dias Ribeiro, Fernando Casellato, Kelly Johana Dussan Medina, Sandra Regina Pombeiro Sponchiado
Summary: Fungal pigments, specifically DOPA-melanin produced by the MEL1 mutant of Aspergillus nidulans, show potential for various applications. This study aimed to optimize the production of melanin by evaluating different agro-industrial by-products as substrates for fungal growth. The optimized composition of the culture medium led to a 2.25-fold increase in melanin production compared to the previous condition, making large-scale production economically viable for future biotechnological applications.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Veronika Bodnar, Anita Kiraly, Erzsebet Orosz, Marton Miskei, Tamas Emri, Zsolt Karanyi, Eva Leiter, Ronald P. de Vries, Istvan Pocsi
Summary: Industrial fungi require strong environmental stress tolerance for optimal efficiency and yields. Previous research has highlighted the crucial role played by Aspergillus nidulans gfdB, which encodes a NAD(+)-dependent glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, in the stress tolerance of this filamentous fungus. Introducing A. nidulans gfdB into Aspergillus glaucus enhanced its stress tolerance, while transferring it to Aspergillus wentii resulted in limited improvement and partial reversal of osmophily, indicating the complex and species-specific changes that can occur in the stress response system of aspergilli.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tanveer S. Batth, Jonas L. Simonsen, Cristina Hernandez-Rollan, Soren Brander, Jens Preben Morth, Katja S. Johansen, Morten H. H. Norholm, Jakob B. Hoof, Jesper V. Olsen
Summary: The methyltransferase NHMT responsible for N-terminal histidine methylation modification is identified and validated through mass spectrometry-based proteomics and CRISPR/Cas9. NHMT protects LPMOs from auto-oxidative inactivation by methylating the His1 site. The biotechnological potential of recombinant production of proteins and peptides with this specific post-translational modification is demonstrated.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wei Wang, Chunyan An, Yongpeng Yao, Xiangxi Meng, Shu-Shan Gao
Summary: In this study, a platform for the overproduction of m-cresol in a modified fungus Aspergillus nidulans was successfully constructed, and multiple strategies were applied to increase the production, demonstrating the potential of A. nidulans for industrial production of m-cresol.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anezia Kourkoulou, Iliana Zantza, Konstantina Foti, Emmanuel Mikros, George Diallinas
Summary: Members of the NAT family are symporters specific for the uptake of purines, pyrimidines, or L-ascorbic acid. This study reveals the roles of partially conserved residues in determining the specificity of the UapA transporter. Results show that UapA specificity is genetically modifiable, allowing for speculation on the flexible mechanism of transport.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryo Iwama, Nobuyuki Okahashi, Tetsuki Suzawa, Chuner Yang, Fumio Matsuda, Hiroyuki Horiuchi
Summary: Filamentous fungi undergo significant cellular morphological changes during their life cycle, and the balance of phospholipids plays a crucial role in their growth and differentiation. However, comprehensive analysis of cellular phospholipids in filamentous fungi is limited.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY OF LIPIDS
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Jocelin Rizo, Daniel Guillen, Amelia Farres, Gloria Diaz-Ruiz, Sergio Sanchez, Carmen Wacher, Romina Rodriguez-Sanoja
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eva Bermudez-Garcia, Carolina Pena-Montes, Isabel Martins, Joana Pais, Cristina Silva Pereira, Sergio Sanchez, Amelia Farres
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Microbiology
Elva Lorena Vazquez-Montoya, Lelie Denise Castro-Ochoa, Ignacio Eduardo Maldonado-Mendoza, Silvia Luna-Suarez, Claudia Castro-Martinez
REVISTA ARGENTINA DE MICROBIOLOGIA
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Abril Ramirez-Higuera, Carolina Pena-Montes, Socorro Herrera-Meza, Remedios Mendoza-Lopez, Gerardo Valerio-Alfaro, Rosa Maria Oliart-Ros
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL FOOD
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Alejandra Barroso-Hernandez, Abril Ramirez-Higuera, Carolina Pena-Montes, Sergio Alberto Cortes-Ramirez, Mauricio Rodriguez-Dorantes, Oscar Lopez-Franco, Rosa Maria Oliart-Ros
Summary: This study investigated the effects of an omega-3 PUFA rich algal oil on locomotive alterations induced by haloperidol and D-2 receptor protein and gene expression in Wistar rats. The results confirmed the beneficial effects of omega-3 PUFA in reducing locomotive alterations and stimulating D-2 receptor presence, indicating their positive role in brain health.
NUTRITIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carol A. Olivares-Garcia, Martin Mata-Rosas, Carolina Pena-Montes, Francisco Quiroz-Figueroa, Aldo Segura-Cabrera, Laura M. Shannon, Victor M. Loyola-Vargas, Juan L. Monribot-Villanueva, Jose M. Elizalde-Contreras, Enrique Ibarra-Laclette, Monica Ramirez-Vazquez, Jose A. Guerrero-Analco, Eliel Ruiz-May
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paola Carolina Mora-Gonzalez, Graciela Espinosa-Luna, Abril Ramirez-Higuera, Carolina Pena-Montes, Gerardo Valerio-Alfaro, Alejandro Sanchez-Flores, Rodolfo Quintana-Castro, Maria-Guadalupe Sanchez-Otero, Rosa Maria Oliart-Ros
Summary: The study uncovered a diverse bacterial population in the steam soil of Los Humeros geothermal field, as well as a significant number of uncharacterized lipolytic enzymes after enrichment in an oil-rich medium. Firmicutes was the dominant phylum, indicating the potential biotechnological applications of the organisms in the soil.
GEOMICROBIOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alejandra Mejia-Caballero, Vianey Anahi Salas-Villagran, Alaide Jimenez-Serna, Amelia Farres
Summary: The concept of probiotics has evolved over the past 20 years to include postbiotics and paraprobiotics. The isolation of commensal strains from the human microbiome has led to the development of next-generation probiotics. Key factors such as strain identification, production processes, delivery strategies, and clinical evaluation are crucial for translating results into the market with solid scientific support.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Eric Francisco Contreras-Lopez, Carlos David Cruz-Hernandez, Sergio Alberto Cortes-Ramirez, Abril Ramirez-Higuera, Carolina Pena-Montes, Mauricio Rodriguez-Dorantes, Rosa Maria Oliart-Ros
Summary: The study found that sterculic oil (SO) induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in prostate cancer cells, and may serve as an adjuvant in hormonal and chemotherapy treatments for prostate cancer. This is the first study to analyze the effects of SO on cancer cells.
NUTRITION AND CANCER-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Laura Vazquez-Alcantara, Rosa Maria Oliart-Ros, Arturo Garcia-Borquez, Carolina Pena-Montes
Summary: Cutinase genes from Moniliophthora roreri were successfully expressed under different induction conditions, with MRCUT1 showing the highest enzyme activity of 34,036 U/mg at 40 degrees C and pH 8. The enzyme also demonstrated promising degradation capabilities towards synthetic polyesters such as PES, PCL, and PET found in plastic residues, showcasing its potential as a green alternative for plastic degradation processes.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Susana Hernandez-Perez, Rosa Maria Oliart-Ros, Leticia Casas-Godoy, Georgina Sandoval, Veronica Guarner-Lans, Vicente Castrejon-Tellez, Lucia Quevedo-Corona, Carolina Pena-Montes, Abril Ramirez-Higuera
Summary: Ingesting Agave tequilana Weber's fructooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides esterified with lauric acid can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, including obesity and insulin resistance, and have potential applications in functional foods.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL FOOD
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lelie Denise Castro-Ochoa, Sandy Rocio Hernandez-Leyva, Sergio Medina-Godoy, Javier Gomez-Rodriguez, Maria Guadalupe Aguilar-Uscanga, Claudia Castro-Martinez
Summary: This study analyzed two native fungi, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Penicillium funiculosum, as sources of cellulolytic enzyme production. Corn stover was found to have the highest enzymatic activities when used as a substrate for cellulase production. The enzyme extract of P. funiculosum showed the best results for saccharification of diluted acid pretreated corn stover.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Jose Augusto Castro-Rodriguez, Rogelio Rodriguez-Sotres, Amelia Farres
Summary: This review focuses on the enzymatic degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and the challenges that need to be addressed. It discusses the enzymes acting on PET, protein improvements, strategies to improve biocatalyst-polymer interaction, and critical points on PET degradation. The search for and engineering of PET hydrolases have shown significant progress, but there are still bottlenecks in enzyme performance that need to be overcome. Rating: 8/10.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ixchel Alejandra Mejia-Estrella, Carolina Pena-Montes, Luis Alberto Peralta-Pelaez, Jorge Del Real Olvera, Belkis Sulbaran-Rangel
Summary: This research investigates the abundance and physical and chemical characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in coastal sediments from three beaches in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The objective is to provide information for managing macroplastic waste, preventing additional generation, reducing environmental pollution, and achieving sustainable development. The MPs were classified based on physical characteristics and their surface and wear were observed using microscopes. The most representative polymer types were identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The study found variations in MP abundance among the beaches, which can be attributed to tourist influx and proximity to a river mouth.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Luis Alberto Peralta Pelaez, Carolina Pena Montes, Leandro Hermida Castellanos, Oswaldo de Jesus Huerta Quero, Cecilia Hernandez-Alvarez, Ixchel Alejandra Mejia Estrella, Belkis Sulbaran Rangel
Summary: This study investigated and characterized microplastics on the beaches of Veracruz, Mexico. It found the presence of microplastics on all analyzed beaches, with irregular shapes being the most common. These microplastics pose a risk to organisms due to their potential as carriers of pathogenic microorganisms and toxic chemicals.