Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Qingzhuo Wang, Huabao Zheng, Rongsheng Tao, Qi Li, Yu Jiang, Sheng Yang
Summary: VHb can enhance the catalytic activity of oxidases under hypoxic conditions, suggesting its potential importance in industrial applications.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoying Chen, Jianlong Wang
Summary: The study investigated the radiolytic degradation of antibiotic Cephalosporin C in different water matrices using gamma radiation, revealing a pseudo first-order kinetic reaction. The degradation rate increased with higher absorbed dose and acidic conditions, and the presence of inorganic anions negatively impacted the degradation process. Addition of hydrogen peroxide and peroxymonosulfate could accelerate Cephalosporin C degradation and reduce the toxicity of intermediate products.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mingyuan Zhang, Yujian Wu, Xue Han, Yimin Zeng, Chunbao Charles Xu
Summary: The effects of hydrogen sources (hydrogen gas and formic acid) on hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of pyrolysis oil in supercritical ethanol were investigated. It was found that formic acid as an in-situ hydrogen source showed better deoxygenation performance at lower temperatures, while hydrogen gas as an ex-situ hydrogen source achieved higher degree of deoxygenation and better oil quality at higher temperatures.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elizabeth Bester, Anel Petzer, Jacobus P. Petzer
Summary: Inhibition of DAAO represents a potential treatment for schizophrenia by increasing NMDA receptor function. The compounds studied in this research not only showed inhibition of DAAO, but also demonstrated potential as MAO inhibitors for the treatment of depression and Parkinson's disease.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fuqiang Wang, Ying Wu, Dong Feng
Summary: This study used biomarker methods to investigate nitrogen chemosynthesis in symbiotic mussels at cold seeps in the South China Sea. The findings reveal that the two mussel species have different dominant nitrogen sources, which result in opposite trends in the isotopic composition of amino acids.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yongxin Bu, Lingyan Hu, Wei Feng
Summary: Porous SiO2 nanospheres loaded with platinum nanoparticles are coated with a zirconium-based coordination polymer, then etched with NaOH to create hollow nanospheres with dual-enzyme catalysis capability. The hybrid composite, when applied to catalytic deamination of D-alanine, exhibits a catalytic efficiency more than four times that of free DAAO.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Masanobu Yoshikawa, Takugi Kan, Kosuke Shirose, Mariko Watanabe, Mitsumasa Matsuda, Kenji Ito, Mitsuru Kawaguchi
Summary: High concentrations of d-aspartic acid and low concentrations of d-serine and d-alanine were found in the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands in rats. Enzymes including d-amino acid oxidase, d-aspartate oxidase, and serine racemase were detected in these major salivary glands. The N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor subunits NR1 and NR2D were also present. These findings suggest that d-amino acids play a physiological role in the endocrine and exocrine functions of salivary glands.
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yusuke Gonda, Chiharu Ishii, Masashi Mita, Naoto Nishizaki, Yoshiyuki Ohtomo, Kenji Hamase, Toshiaki Shimizu, Jumpei Sasabe
Summary: Astrocytic DAO specifically regulates D-serine in the hindbrain, without affecting D-amino acid levels in the forebrain or periphery.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fina Amreta Laksmi, Rudi Nirwantono, Isa Nuryana, Eva Agustriana
Summary: In this study, a novel D-allulose 3-epimerase (DAEase) from Arthrobacter psychrolactophilus (Ap DAEase) was characterized. Ap DAEase is a homotrimer with a molecular weight of approximately 34 kDa. It exhibits optimum activity at pH 8.5 and 70 degrees C in the presence of 1 mM Mg2+. The enzyme is thermostable and has a high catalytic efficiency towards D-fructose. It shows potential for industrial production of D-allulose.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kai Yang, Bin Huang, Charles Amanze, Zhen Yan, Guanzhou Qiu, Xueduan Liu, Hongbo Zhou, Weimin Zeng
Summary: In this study, the catalytic activity of DAAO towards D-glufosinate (D-PPT) was significantly increased through mutagenesis, leading to the establishment of an efficient enzymatic route for synthesizing L-PPT. This research also proposes a new perspective on enzyme engineering for the biosynthesis of unnatural amino acids.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shujing Xu, Mengqiu Chu, Fa Zhang, Jiawei Zhao, Jiaqi Zhang, Yuting Cao, Guangzheng He, Muhammad Israr, Baohua Zhao, Jiansong Ju
Summary: Mutations on D-amino acid oxidase can enhance its catalytic efficiency, and the triple-point mutant E115A/N119D/T286A showed the greatest improvement. Structural modeling analysis suggested that residue Y213 in loop region C209-Y219 might act as the active-site lid to control substrate access. The substitution of residue K256 by threonine (K256T) could change the hydrogen bonding interaction between residue Y213 and surrounding residues, leading to the conformational switch of the active-site lid from the closed state to the open state, thus enhancing substrate accessibility and catalytic efficiency.
ENZYME AND MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sayaka Sugiura, Shogo Nakano, Masazumi Niwa, Fumihito Hasebe, Daisuke Matsui, Sohei Ito
Summary: In this study, 28 original sequences were assigned to uncharacterized enzymes in the FAD-dependent oxidase family expressed in certain species of bacteria. The enzyme named AncLLysO was shown to exhibit L-lysine oxidase activity. Through crystal structure determination, it was found that AncLLysO recognizes L-Lys by hydrogen bond formation with specific residues and undergoes structural changes upon substrate binding. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining database sequence classification and ancestral sequence reconstruction in discovering new enzymes and elucidating their functions.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jan V. Norgaard, Iulia C. Florescu, Uffe Krogh, Tina Skau Nielsen
Summary: The absorption of amino acids in blood after intake of different protein sources affects metabolism and utilization. Despite no clear categorization of protein sources into fast or slow proteins, soybean meal shows prolonged absorption compared to casein and hydrolyzed casein.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Cheng-Hao Cao, Huo Gong, Yan Dong, Ju-Mou Li, Feng Cheng, Ya-Ping Xue, Yu-Guo Zheng
Summary: An efficient multi-enzyme redox cascade was developed for deracemization of D,L-phosphinothricin, showing great potential and economical competitiveness in manufacturing optically pure L-PPT. Combining two reactions in a single system yielded high yields of L-PPT, demonstrating promising results for the enzyme cascade deracemization process.
JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Viviana Maffeis, Andrea Belluati, Ioana Craciun, Dalin Wu, Samantha Novak, Cora-Ann Schoenenberger, Cornelia G. Palivan
Summary: Compartmentalization and controlled distance between catalytic nanocompartments play a crucial role in regulating cascade reactions. Utilizing DNA hybridization to cluster enzyme-loaded polymersomes significantly enhances the efficiency of spatially segregated enzymes in cascade reactions. Interaction of clusters with cell surfaces, mediated by residual DNA single strands, leads to non-native enzymatic cascades in cells. The self-organization into clusters of catalytic nanocompartments offers new possibilities for highly efficient applications in catalysis and nanomedicine.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Rosini, Loredano Pollegioni
Summary: This article presents an optimized workflow for the expression and purification of various human proteins using Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO). The workflow allows for high yield and high quality protein production, and can be completed within 2 weeks. The platform has also been successfully adapted for the production of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in the SARS-CoV-2 S protein, which is crucial for COVID-19 research.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Pirillo, Marco Orlando, Caren Battaglia, Loredano Pollegioni, Gianluca Molla
Summary: Improved variants of PET-hydrolysing enzymes were generated by protein engineering. The F243T variant partially depolymerized PET film, while the S101N/F243T double variant showed higher activity. The highest conversion yield for both variants was obtained at 55°C. The S101N/F243T variant is capable of fully depolymerizing untreated postconsumer PET waste within 3 days at 55°C, making it a more ecofriendly and sustainable process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Rabattoni, Francesco Marchesani, Giulia Murtas, Silvia Sacchi, Andrea Mozzarelli, Stefano Bruno, Alessio Peracchi, Loredano Pollegioni, Barbara Campanini
Summary: De novo L-serine biosynthesis in mammalian astrocytes involves a linear, three-step pathway that is catalyzed by PHGDH, PSAT, and PSP. The formation of a complex between these enzymes has been observed in human astrocytes and in in vitro experiments.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marco Orlando, Gianluca Molla, Pietro Castellani, Valentina Pirillo, Vincenzo Torretta, Navarro Ferronato
Summary: The accumulation of synthetic plastic waste in the environment has raised global concerns. Microbial enzymes offer promising biotechnological tools for plastic recycling, but their effectiveness depends on waste management practices. This review highlights the potential of biotechnology in plastic bio-recycling within the European waste management framework. Current biotechnology tools can support polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling, but other unrecycled plastics, such as polyurethanes and polyolefins, require further research and optimization of chemoenzymatic technologies. New bio-based technologies with lower environmental impacts should also be developed to efficiently depolymerize both existing and new plastic materials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Murtas, Loredano Pollegioni
Summary: D-amino acids have been found to play important roles in specific cancer types, including cancer cell proliferation, cell protection during therapy, and as potential biomarkers. More research is needed on the relationship between D-amino acids, their nutritional value, and cancer cell proliferation and survival.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Filippo Molinari, Loredano Pollegioni, Elena Rosini
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elena Rosini, Loredano Pollegioni, Gianluca Molla
Summary: In this review, the enantiospecific interaction between proteins and chiral amino acids is explored. The molecular basis of the ability of certain enzymes to discriminate opposite enantiomers is described. The analysis showcases the importance of natural evolution in shaping biological processes.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Elena Rosini, Filippo Molinari, Davide Miani, Loredano Pollegioni
Summary: Lignin, the second most abundant polymer in nature, has the potential to be a valuable feedstock for the production of value-added chemicals, rather than simply being burnt for energy supply. Recent advancements in systems metabolic engineering have allowed for the design of microbial cell factories that efficiently degrade lignin and transform its products into useful compounds. This review focuses on successful case studies, conducted at the laboratory/pilot scale, that demonstrate the generation of value-added and specialty chemicals, with a particular emphasis on the production of cis,cis-muconic acid, an important building block for plastic materials synthesis. The transformation of this waste stream into a sustainable product portfolio awaits the resolution of economic challenges related to process scale-up.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Elena Rosini, Marta Boreggio, Matteo Verga, Laura Caldinelli, Loredano Pollegioni, Elisa Fasoli
Summary: The study explores a new cancer treatment strategy by using an external enzyme to convert prodrugs into active anticancer compounds directly in tumor sites. It is found that a D-amino acid oxidase variant with five aminoacidic substitutions (mDAAO) has better therapeutic efficacy than the wild-type DAAO (wtDAAO) in catalyzing the oxidative deamination of D-amino acids. Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) enhance the activity and cytotoxicity of DAAO, with mDAAO showing higher cytotoxicity at low O-2 concentration.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sara Tengattini, Davide Rubes, Massimo Serra, Luciano Piubelli, Loredano Pollegioni, Enrica Calleri, Teodora Bavaro, Gabriella Massolini, Marco Terreni, Caterina Temporini
Summary: Conjugation via disuccinimidyl homobifunctional linkers is a convenient approach for the synthesis of glycoconjugate vaccines. However, the hydrolysis of these linkers makes their purification challenging, resulting in side reactions and impure glycoconjugates. In this study, the conjugation of 3-aminopropyl saccharides via disuccinimidyl glutarate (DSG) was utilized to synthesize glycoconjugates. Through optimization of purification protocols and conjugation conditions, high sugar-loaded and pure glycoconjugates were obtained, making this approach valuable for the production of well-defined glycovaccines.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Rabattoni, Zoraide Motta, Matteo Miceli, Gianluca Molla, Alex Fissore, Salvatore Adinolfi, Loredano Pollegioni, Silvia Sacchi
Summary: The human flavoenzyme D-aspartate oxidase (hDASPO) plays a crucial role in controlling brain functions and its dysregulation is associated with psychiatric disorders. This study investigates the regulation of hDASPO and finds that it is nitrosylated and interacts with the protein pLG72, leading to its inactivation. Cellular experiments also show that pLG72 reduces the level of hDASPO.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Marchesani, Annalisa Michielon, Elisabetta Viale, Annalisa Bianchera, Davide Cavazzini, Loredano Pollegioni, Giulia Murtas, Andrea Mozzarelli, Stefano Bettati, Alessio Peracchi, Barbara Campanini, Stefano Bruno
Summary: The phosphorylated pathway (PP) in humans converts D-3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG) into L-serine through several enzymes. Genetic defects of these enzymes are associated with serine deficiency disorders (SDDs). This study characterizes different PSAT variants associated with SDDs and non-SDDs and shows that the pathogenetic mechanisms in SDDs are diverse. These findings confirm the importance of PSAT dysfunctions as a cause of SSDs.