Cytosolic re-localization and optimization of valine synthesis and catabolism enables increased isobutanol production with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Background: The branched chain alcohol isobutanol exhibits superior physicochemical properties as an alternative biofuel. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae naturally produces low amounts of isobutanol as a by-product during fermentations, resulting from the catabolism of valine. As S. cerevisiae is widely used in industrial applications and can easily be modified by genetic engineering, this microorganism is a promising host for the fermentative production of higher amounts of isobutanol. Results: Isobutanol production could be improved by re-locating the valine biosynthesis enzymes Ilv2, Ilv5 and Ilv3 from the mitochondrial matrix into the cytosol. To prevent the import of the three enzymes into yeast mitochondria, N-terminally shortened Ilv2, Ilv5 and Ilv3 versions were constructed lacking their mitochondrial targeting sequences. SDS-PAGE and immunofluorescence analyses confirmed expression and re-localization of the truncated enzymes. Growth tests or enzyme assays confirmed enzymatic activities. Isobutanol production was only increased in the absence of valine and the simultaneous blockage of the mitochondrial valine synthesis pathway. Isobutanol production could be even more enhanced after adapting the codon usage of the truncated valine biosynthesis genes to the codon usage of highly expressed glycolytic genes. Finally, a suitable ketoisovalerate decarboxylase, Aro10, and alcohol dehydrogenase, Adh2, were selected and overexpressed. The highest isobutanol titer was 0.63 g/L at a yield of nearly 15 mg per g glucose. Conclusion: A cytosolic isobutanol production pathway was successfully established in yeast by re-localization and optimization of mitochondrial valine synthesis enzymes together with overexpression of Aro10 decarboxylase and Adh2 alcohol dehydrogenase. Driving forces were generated by blocking competition with the mitochondrial valine pathway and by omitting valine from the fermentation medium. Additional deletion of pyruvate decarboxylase genes and engineering of co-factor imbalances should lead to even higher isobutanol production

Untersuchungen zur Rolle von organischen Stäuben in der Pathogenese der exogen-allergischen Alveolitis

1. Bei Patienten mit FL kommt es in der Akutphase der Erkrankung zu einer neutrophilen Alveolitis. In der Lavageflüssigkeit dieser Patienten fanden sich im Vergleich zu gesunden Normalpersonen erhöhte Spiegel an IL-8. Die Lavageflüssigkeit hatte eine verstärkte chemotaktische Aktivität gegenüber PMNs im Vergleich zur Lavageflüssigkeit von gesunden Kontrollpersonen. Nach Neutralisation von IL-8 durch Zugabe von Anti- IL-8-Antikörpern konnte ein signifikanter Rückgang der Chemoattraktion von PMNs durch die Lavageflüssigkeit festgestellt werden. 2. Es fand sich eine signifikante Korrelation zwischen der chemotaktischen Aktivität der Lavageflüssigkeit auf PMNs sowohl mit den in der Lavageflüssigkeit enthaltenen Endotoxinspiegeln als auch den in der Lavageflüssigkeit enthaltenen Spiegeln an IL-8. 3. Nach Stimulation mit Heustaub reagierten Alveolarmakrophagen mit der Sekretion von TNF-alpha, IL-6 und IL-8. Aus diesen Ergebnissen lässt sich folgendes Modell für die Pathogenese des akuten Schubs der FL ableiten: Im Heustaub enthaltenes Endotoxin stimuliert nach Inhalation Alveolarmakrophagen zur Sekretion von proinflammatorischen Zytokinen. Diese führen zu einer systemischen und lokalen Entzündungsreaktion. Sezerniertes IL-8 bewirkt eine neutrophile Alveolitis. Die von aktivierten PMNs ausgeschütteten Proteasen greifen das Strukturgerüst der Lunge an und stören die strukturelle Integrität der Lunge. Durch den in der Folge einsetzenden Regenerationsprozess mit Proliferation von Fibroblasten kommt es zur Ausbildung einer Lungenfibrose

Shipboard wave measurements in the Southern Ocean

Surface wave measurements from ships pose difficulties because of motion contamination. Cifuentes-Lorenzen et al. analyzed laser altimeter and marine X-band radar (MR) wave measurements from the Southern Ocean Gas Exchange Experiment (SOGasEx). They found that wave measurements from both sensors deteriorate precipitously at ship speeds 3 m s−1. This study demonstrates that MR can yield accurate wave frequency–direction spectra independent of ship motion. It is based on the same shipborne SOGasEx wave data but uses the MR wave retrieval method proposed by Lund et al. and a novel empirical transfer function (ETF). The ETF eliminates biases in the MR wave spectra by redistributing energy from low to high frequencies. The resulting MR wave frequency–direction spectra are shown to agree well with laser altimeter wave frequency spectra from times when the ship was near stationary and with WAVEWATCH III (WW3) model wave parameters over the full study period

A comprehensive insight into the lipid composition of Myxococcus xanthus by UPLC-ESI-MS

Analysis of whole cell lipid extracts of bacteria by means of ultra-performance (UP)LC-MS allows a comprehensive determination of the lipid molecular species present in the respective organism. The data allow conclusions on its metabolic potential as well as the creation of lipid profiles, which visualize the organism's response to changes in internal and external conditions. Herein, we describe: i) a fast reversed phase UPLC-ESI-MS method suitable for detection and determination of individual lipids from whole cell lipid extracts of all polarities ranging from monoacylglycerophosphoethanolamines to TGs; ii) the first overview of a wide range of lipid molecular species in vegetative Myxococcus xanthus DK1622 cells; iii) changes in their relative composition in selected mutants impaired in the biosynthesis of α-hydroxylated FAs, sphingolipids, and ether lipids; and iv) the first report of ceramide phosphoinositols in M. xanthus, a lipid species previously found only in eukaryotes

Secreted Frizzled-related protein 3 (sFRP3)-mediated suppression of Interleukin-6 receptor release by A disintegrin and Metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) is abrogated in the osteoarthritis-associated rare double variant of sFRP3

To avoid malformation and disease, tissue development and homeostasis are coordinated precisely in time and space. Secreted Frizzled-related protein 3 (sFRP3), encoded by the Frizzled-related protein gene (FRZB), acts as an antagonist of Wnt signalling in bone development by delaying the maturation of proliferative chondrocytes into hypertrophic chondrocytes. A disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) is a transmembrane protease that is essential for developmental processes and promotes cartilage maturation into bone. sFRP3 is chondroprotective and is expressed in chondrocytes of healthy articular cartilage. Upon damage to cartilage, sFRP3 is down-regulated. Rare variants of sFRP3 are associated with osteoarthritis. This study demonstrates a novel function of sFRP3 in suppression of the enzymatic activity of ADAM17 which results in the inhibition of ADAM17-meditated interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) shedding. By contrast, the rare double variant of sFRP3 failed to suppress ADAM17. The shed soluble IL-6R is linked to inflammation, cartilage degeneration, and osteolysis. Accordingly, enhanced activity of ADAM17 in cartilage, caused by the expression of the rare double sFRP3 variant, provides an explanation for the genetic effect of sFRP3 variants in joint disease. The finding that sFRP3 interacts with the ADAM17 substrate IL-6R also suggests a new regulatory mechanism by which the substrate is protected against shedding.status: publishe