Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Laura Garcia-Calvo, Raquel Rodriguez-Castro, Ricardo Ullan, Silvia M. Albillos, Marta Fernandez-Aguado, Claudia M. Vicente, Kristin F. Degnes, Havard Sletta, Carlos Barreiro
Summary: This study identified a potential lignocellulolytic enzyme producer, Penicillium rubens, which overexpressed two genes (PrFaeA and PrFaeB) with feruloyl esterase (FAE) activity. Enzyme extracts from PrFaeB-enriched cultures showed optimal FAE activity at pH 5.0 and 50-55 degrees C, as confirmed by proteome analysis and mass spectrometry. The study also analyzed other lignocellulolytic activities, untargeted metabolites, and scaled up FAE production in stirred tank reactors. These findings highlight the potential of P. rubens as a promising lignocellulolytic enzyme producer.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jigyasa Arora, Yukihiro Kinjo, Jan Sobotnik, Ales Bucek, Crystal Clitheroe, Petr Stiblik, Yves Roisin, Lucia Zifcakova, Yung Chul Park, Ki Yoon Kim, David Sillam-Dusses, Vincent Herve, Nathan Lo, Gaku Tokuda, Andreas Brune, Thomas Bourguignon
Summary: By sequencing the gut metagenomes of 145 termite samples, the study reveals that the composition and function of termite gut microbiota have been remarkably conserved since the appearance of termites approximately 150 million years ago. This multipartite symbiosis, composed of termites, archaea, bacteria, and cellulolytic flagellates, has been functioning as the world's smallest bioreactor since its inception.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Estefania Andrada, Antonela Marquez, Elsa Patricia Chagra Dib, Paola Gauffin-Cano, Roxana Beatriz Medina
Summary: This study investigated the effect of several ferulic acid esterase producing (FAE+) lactobacilli strains on the fermentation of corn stover (CS). Results showed that L. plantarum (ETC182, CRL046, CRL2241) significantly increased the organic matter in the silages, L. brevis CRL2239 reduced the dry matter loss, and L. johnsonii CRL2238 increased the degradability of acid detergent fiber. Although these results were not correlated with the FAE activity and growth/acidification studies, it demonstrated the potential of several FAE+ lactobacilli strains as CS inoculants and encouraged further research.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Longxiang Li, Shengwei Sun, Mengxi Wang, Jiahui Xiang, Yuting Shao, Guojun Wu, Jingjie Zhou, Ummara Khan, Zhihong Xin
Summary: In this study, the hydrolysis and acyltransferase activities of bifunctional feruloyl esterases DLFae4 were enhanced through a combination of multiple mutation strategies. The results showed that the strongest double mutant was V149D&I172G, and the triple mutant N173G&N169G&I148G exhibited significantly higher hydrolytic activity and catalytic efficiency towards MFA. Additionally, a triple mutant showed the highest reported release amount of ferulic acid from de-starched wheat bran in synergy with xylanase, and a double mutant displayed the highest acyltransferase activity to date. The findings suggest that combining multiple rational design methods is a robust approach to improve enzyme activities and provide new insights for enzyme modification.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vladimir Puchart, Peter Biely
Summary: This article reviews the microbial esterases involved in the degradation of xylan, a major plant hemicellulose. Xylan is a polysaccharide composed of beta-1,4-glycosidically linked xylopyranosyl residues with substitutions and acetylation. The ester linkages in xylan include esters of acetic acid and esters between L-arabinofuranosyl side chains and phenolic acids. These linkages contribute to the cross-linking between hemicellulose and lignin. The article discusses the diversity, classification, and structure-function relationship of xylanolytic esterases and their potential industrial applications.
ESSAYS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Schmitz, Savvina Leontakianakou, Patrick Adlercreutz, Eva Nordberg Karlsson, Javier A. Linares-Pasten
Summary: In this study, we discovered that the enzyme CtXyn5A from Acetivibrio thermocellus exhibits both arabinoxylanase and feruloyl esterase activities. Mutation analysis confirmed that the removal of catalytic nucleophile Glu279 abolishes all activity, and the E279S mutation increases esterase activity while removing xylanase activity. This suggests that both reactions are catalyzed in the same active site in two sequential steps. Furthermore, the esterase activity of CtXyn5A on complex carbohydrates is higher than that of a designated ferulic acid esterase, indicating that this enzyme has a dual function rather than a side activity.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shimaa F. Ahmed, Rehab Z. Abdallah, Rania Siam
Summary: This study comprehensively evaluates the extreme properties of EstATII-TM lipase isolated from the Red Sea Atlantis II brine pool, showing its tolerance to high temperatures, stability to hot and cold conditions, and resistance to toxic heavy metals. EstATII-TM exhibits superior catalytic activity and resistance/enhancement to metal ions compared to commercial esterases.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Muskan Pandey, Barkha Singhal
Summary: Rapid population growth and high energy demands have led to increased research on sustainable alternatives in the bioenergy sector. Utilizing lignocellulosic biomass for biofuels has opened new possibilities, but challenges remain in breaking down complex biomass. Next generation sequencing like metagenomics allows for exploration of unknown microbiomes and discovery of novel enzymes. This approach enhances the bioenergy sector and plays a crucial role in the bioeconomy.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Alexander G. Litov, Anna Zueva, Alexei Tiunov, Nguyen Van Thinh, Natalia Belyaeva, Galina G. Karganova
Summary: Modern metagenomic approaches have enabled the discovery of novel viruses in previously unexplored organisms. In this study, new viruses related to Solemoviridae, Lispiviridae, Polycipiviridae, and Kolmioviridae were identified in lichenophagous and mycophagous termites in Vietnam. It also revealed the presence of previously unidentified viruses in the termites and their fungal cultivators.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Dominic W. S. Wong, Victor J. Chan, Hans Liao
Summary: A feruloyl esterase (FAE) gene was isolated from rumen microbial metagenome, expressed and purified successfully. FAE efficiently catalyzed the release of ferulic acid (FA) from corn fiber under optimal conditions. Addition of GH10 endoxylanase (XYN) enhanced the yield of FAE in releasing FA.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mpho S. Mafa, Samkelo Malgas, Brett I. Pletschke
Summary: The study found that the feruloyl esterase can work in synergy with GH10 xylanases to efficiently degrade arabinoxylans in cereal feedstocks, offering potential applications in industries such as animal feeds and baking.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shang Lin, Cameron J. Hunt, Jesper Holck, Jesper Brask, Kristian B. R. M. Krogh, Anne S. Meyer, Casper Wilkens, Jane W. Agger
Summary: The study found that esterases from various bacteria and fungi can catalyze the release of diferulic acids from complex arabinoxylans. By comparing the activity of the enzymes on synthetic substrates and diFA release, a detailed structure-function analysis is needed to explain the diFA releasing ability of the enzymes. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of esterases in the degradation of complex arabinoxylans and provide new opportunities for enzyme-assisted upgrading of complex bran arabinoxylans.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ramona Marasco, Marco Fusi, Cristina Coscolin, Alan Barozzi, David Almendral, Rafael Bargiela, Christina Gohlke Nee Nutschel, Christopher Pfleger, Jonas Dittrich, Holger Gohlke, Ruth Matesanz, Sergio Sanchez-Carrillo, Francesca Mapelli, Tatyana N. Chernikova, Peter N. Golyshin, Manuel Ferrer, Daniele Daffonchio
Summary: Temperature has a significant impact on the adaptation and composition of microbiomes, and their enzymes play a crucial role in the thermal response. This study demonstrates that enzyme thermal properties not only explain microbial thermal plasticity but are also finely tuned by the thermal variability of the environment. The findings highlight the importance of temperature-driven enzyme selection in shaping microbiome thermal plasticity and emphasize the need to consider thermal variability in addition to mean annual temperature in understanding microbial community response to temperature.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xuejun Liu, Yi Jiang, Hongling Liu, Haibo Yuan, Di Huang, Tengfei Wang
Summary: This article reviews the classification, characteristics, and application of feruloyl esterases (FAE) from different species, and highlights their synergistic effect with other enzymes. The findings provide insights into the role of FAE in functional research, biochemical properties, and industrial application.
BIOCATALYSIS AND BIOTRANSFORMATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David A. Rincon, Markus Doerr, Martha C. Daza
Summary: Enzyme-substrate interactions are crucial in enzymatic catalysis, and QTAIM calculations provide detailed information about these interactions. D187 and H224 act as electron density reservoirs in the reaction, while covalent hydrogen bonds play a more important role than noncovalent hydrogen bonds. Additionally, weak n -> pi* interactions were identified through QTAIM and NBO analysis.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Varsha P. Chhiba-Govindjee, Chris W. van der Westhuyzen, Moira L. Bode, Dean Brady
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roger A. Sheldon, Dean Brady
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joni Frederick, Fritha Hennessy, Uli Horn, Pilar de la Torre Cortes, Marcel van den Broek, Ulrich Strych, Richard Willson, Charles A. Hefer, Jean-Marc G. Daran, Trevor Sewell, Linda G. Otten, Dean Brady
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adelaide R. Mashweu, Varsha P. Chhiba-Govindjee, Moira L. Bode, Dean Brady
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Selisha Ann Sooklal, Charles De Koning, Dean Brady, Karl Rumbold
PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION
(2020)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Amanda Jane Crosse, Dean Brady, Nerve Zhou, Karl Rumbold
WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Birgit Grill, Maximilian Glaenzer, Helmut Schwab, Kerstin Steiner, Daniel Pienaar, Dean Brady, Kai Donsbach, Margit Winkler
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roger A. Sheldon, Dean Brady
Summary: This Perspective highlights the expansion of biocatalysis in industrial organic synthesis through the optimization of biocatalyst and bioprocess engineering, enabling cost-effective and sustainable production of APIs with high selectivity.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanyama Peter Juma, Dubekile Nyoni, Dean Brady, Moira L. Bode
Summary: The Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction produces highly functionalized allylic alcohols with new stereogenic centers that can be transformed into various products, some of which have medicinal potential. While some asymmetric syntheses of MBH adducts have been reported, a universally applicable method is still needed. Biocatalytic methods for synthesis and enzymatic kinetic resolution of MBH adducts have been explored, with enzymes like lipases, esterases, and nitrile-converting enzymes showing promise in achieving high selectivity in most cases.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roger A. Sheldon, Dean Brady
Summary: In the movement towards decarbonization, the integration of waste into a circular economy and the recycling of plastics at different levels, such as resin and monomer, is crucial. Biotechnology plays a significant role in developing enzymes and organisms that can synthesize various desired bulk chemicals, including plastics. By integrating bioreactors with electrochemical systems and utilizing low-carbon electricity from renewable sources, new production opportunities with enhanced productivity can be achieved.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mudzuli M. Maphupha, Adela Vidov, Charles B. de Koning, Dean Brady
Summary: A new method for synthesizing triazole rings was proposed using laccase-catalyzed reactions. Through the reaction of benzothiazoles and benzimidazoles-functionalized alkynes with aryl azides, 1,2,3-triazole-fused products were obtained.
BIOCATALYSIS AND BIOTRANSFORMATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thabo Peme, Dean Brady, Wanyama Juma, Maya Makatini
Summary: This study focused on the design and synthesis of mimetic peptides based on the catalytic active site of the FBPA enzyme, which were evaluated for their catalytic activity and selectivity in asymmetric aldol reactions. The peptides showed moderate catalytic activity, with low yields but high enantioselectivity.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roger A. Sheldon, Alessandra Basso, Dean Brady
Summary: This tutorial review focuses on recent advances in technologies for enzyme immobilisation, enabling their cost-effective use in the bio-based economy and continuous processing in general. The application of enzymes, particularly in aqueous media, is generally on a single use, throw-away basis which is neither cost-effective nor compatible with a circular economy concept. This shortcoming can be overcome by immobilising the enzyme as an insoluble recyclable solid, that is as a heterogeneous catalyst.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Charles R. K. Changunda, B. C. Venkatesh, William K. Mokone, Amanda L. Rousseau, Dean Brady, Manuel A. Fernandes, Moira L. Bode
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roger A. A. Sheldon, Dean Brady, Moira L. L. Bode