Pathways of glycine betaine synthesis in two extremely halophilic bacteria, Actinopolyspora halophila and Ectothiorhodospira halochloris

Glycine betaine is a solute which is able to restore and maintain the osmotic balance of living cells. In this thesis, the glycine betaine synthesis in two extremely halophilic bacteria Actinopolyspora halophila and Ectothiorhodospira halochloris is investigated. A. halophila synthesized remarkably high intracellular concentrations of glycine betaine. The highest glycine betaine concentration, determined at 24% (w/v) NaCl, was 33% of the cellular dry weight. The data presented in this work indicate that the de novo synthesis of glycine betaine proceeds via the threefold methylation of glycine. S-adenosylmethionine acts as the methyl group donor in the reactions. The genes encoding this pathway were cloned and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli. In E. halochloris, glycine sarcosine N-methyltransferase (GSMT) and sarcosine dimethylglycine N-methyltransferase (SDMT) catalyze the reaction sequence. In A. halophila all three methylation reactions appear to be catalyzed by a fusion protein. The methyltransferases from the two bacteria show high sequence homology. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that in addition to the glycine methylation pathway, A. halophila has the ability to oxidize choline to glycine betaine. Choline was first oxidized to betaine aldehyde in a reaction in which H2O2-generation and oxygen consumption are coupled. Betaine aldehyde was oxidized further to glycine betaine in a reaction in which NAD(P)+ was reduced. The GSMT and SDMT of E. halochloris were expressed in E. coli, purified, and some of their enzymatic properties were characterized. Both enzymes had high substrate specificity and pH optima near physiological pH. No evidence of cofactors was found. The enzymes showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics for their substrates. The apparent Km and Vmax values were determined for all substrates, when the other substrate was present in saturating concentrations. Both enzymes were strongly inhibited by the reaction product S-adenosylhomocysteine. Glycine betaine inhibited the methylation reactions only at high concentrations. Finally, it was demonstrated that the expression of the E. halochloris methyltransferase genes in E. coli results in glycine betaine accumulation and improves salt tolerance.reviewe

Methods for identifying lipoxygenase producing microorganisms on agar plates

Plate assays for lipoxygenase producing microorganisms on agar plates have been developed. Both potassium iodide-starch and indamine dye formation methods were effective for detecting soybean lipoxygenase activity on agar plates. A positive result was also achieved using the β-carotene bleaching method, but the sensitivity of this method was lower than the other two methods. The potassium iodide-starch and indamine dye formation methods were also applied for detecting lipoxygenase production by Trichoderma reesei and Pichia pastoris transformants expressing the lipoxygenase gene of the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis. In both cases lipoxygenase production in the transformants could be identified. For detection of the G. graminis lipoxygenase produced by Aspergillus nidulans the potassium iodide-starch method was successful. When Escherichia coli was grown on agar and soybean lipoxygenase was applied on the culture lipoxygenase activity could clearly be detected by the indamine dye formation method. This suggests that the method has potential for screening of metagenomic libraries in E. coli for lipoxygenase activity

Cloning and characterization of a Weissella confusa dextransucrase and its application in high fibre baking

Wheat bran offers health benefits as a baking ingredient, but is detrimental to bread textural quality. Dextran production by microbial fermentation improves sourdough bread volume and freshness, but extensive acid production during fermentation may negate this effect. Enzymatic production of dextran in wheat bran was tested to determine if dextran-containing bran could be used in baking without disrupting bread texture. The Weissella confusa VTT E-90392 dextransucrase gene was sequenced and His-tagged dextransucrase Wc392-rDSR was produced in Lactococcus lactis. Purified enzyme was characterized using 14C-sucrose radioisotope and reducing value-based assays, the former yielding Km and Vmax values of 14.7 mM and 8.2 μmol/(mg∙min), respectively, at the pH optimum of 5.4. The structure and size of in vitro dextran product was similar to dextran produced in vivo. Dextran (8.1% dry weight) was produced in wheat bran in 6 h using Wc392-rDSR. Bran with and without dextran was used in wheat baking at 20% supplementation level. Dextran presence improved bread softness and neutralized bran-induced volume loss, clearly demonstrating the potential of using dextransucrases in bran bioprocessing for use in baking.Peer reviewe

Assessing the economics of biodiversity in Finland : National implications of the Dasgupta Review

“The Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity” focuses on economic drivers of biodiversity loss and on potential economic solutions to mitigate the loss. The key message of the Review is that our demand for goods and services exceeds nature’s capacity to supply them in the long term, as nature’s worth to society is not reflected in market prices. This report provides examples of the dependencies of the Finnish economy on natural assets and biodiversity, and links via which the Finnish economy impacts on local and global biodiversity. The options for change (OC) defined by Dasgupta are assessed from the national perspective: 1) Nature’s supply: Conservation and restoration of ecosystems; 2) Our demand: Changing consumption and production patterns; 3) Trade and supply chains; 4) Pricing environmental damage; 5) Future population; 6) Changing our measures of economic progress; 7) Global public goods; 8) The Global financial system; 9) Empowered citizenship; and 10) Education and biodiversity. The key policy implication is that all options for change are applicable in Finland and there are numerous policy alternatives to target biodiversity loss. National actions are needed while at the same time actively participating in international co-operation. All actors in society need to undertake actions. It is important to enhance policy measures, even with imperfect information

Characterization of glycine sarcosine N-methyltransferase and sarcosine dimethylglycine N-methyltransferase

Glycine betaine is accumulated in cells living in high salt concentrations to balance the osmotic pressure. Glycine sarcosine N-methyltransferase (GSMT) and sarcosine dimethylglycine N-methyltransferase (SDMT) of Ectothiorhodospira halochloris catalyze the threefold methylation of glycine to betaine, with S-adenosylmethionine acting as the methyl group donor. These methyltransferases were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified, and some of their enzymatic properties were characterized. Both enzymes had high substrate specificities and pH optima near the physiological pH. No evidence of cofactors was found. The enzymes showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics for their substrates. The apparent K(m) and V(max) values were determined for all substrates when the other substrate was present in saturating concentrations. Both enzymes were strongly inhibited by the reaction product S-adenosylhomocysteine. Betaine inhibited the methylation reactions only at high concentrations