2 research outputs found
Experimental validation of in silico model-predicted isocitrate dehydrogenase and phosphomannose isomerase from Dehalococcoides mccartyi
Gene sequences annotated as proteins of unknown or non-specific function and hypothetical proteins account for a large fraction of most genomes. In the strictly anaerobic and organohalide respiring Dehalococcoides mccartyi, this lack of annotation plagues almost half the genome. Using a combination of bioinformatics analyses and genome-wide metabolic modelling, new or more specific annotations were proposed for about 80 of these poorly annotated genes in previous investigations of D. mccartyi metabolism. Herein, we report the experimental validation of the proposed reannotations for two such genes (KB1_0495 and KB1_0553) from D. mccartyi strains in the KB-1 community. KB1_0495 or DmIDH was originally annotated as an NAD+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, but biochemical assays revealed its activity primarily with NADP+ as a cofactor. KB1_0553, also denoted as DmPMI, was originally annotated as a hypothetical protein/sugar isomerase domain protein. We previously proposed that it was a bifunctional phosphoglucose isomerase/phosphomannose isomerase, but only phosphomannose isomerase activity was identified and confirmed experimentally. Further bioinformatics analyses of these two protein sequences suggest their affiliation to potentially novel enzyme families within their respective larger enzyme super families
Application of Time-of-Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry for the Detection of Enzyme Activity on Solid Wood Substrates
Time-of-flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS)
is a
surface analysis technique that is herein demonstrated to be a viable
tool for the detection of enzyme activity on solid substrates. Proof-of-principle
experiments are presented that utilize commercial cellulase and laccase
enzymes, which are known to modify major polymeric components of wood
(i.e., cellulose and lignin, respectively). Enzyme activity is assessed
through principle component analysis (PCA) as well as through peak
ratios intended to measure selective enzymatic wood degradation. Spectral
reproducibility of the complex wood substrates is found to be within
5% relative standard deviation (RSD), allowing for relative quantification
of changes in wood composition. Procedures are also presented to identify
and avoid the influence of mass interferences from protein adsorption
by the enzyme solutions. The activity of a cellulase cocktail is clearly
evident through the TOF-SIMS spectra and is supported by high-pressure
liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements of sugar release and by
complementary X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements
of the wood surfaces. Laccase activity, which is mediated through
small organic molecules, can be detected in the TOF-SIMS spectra through
a decrease in G and S lignin peaks. This work has positive implications
for the development of qualitative, high-throughput screening assays
for enzyme activity on industrially relevant, lignocellulosic substrates