Biosynthesis of Macrolactam BE-14106 Involves Two Distinct PKS Systems and Amino Acid Processing Enzymes for Generation of the Aminoacyl Starter Unit

SummaryBE-14106 is a macrocyclic lactam with an acyl side chain previously identified in a marine-derived Streptomyces sp. The gene cluster for BE-14106 biosynthesis was cloned from a Streptomyces strain newly isolated from marine sediments collected in the Trondheimsfjord (Norway). Bioinformatics and experimental analyses of the genes in the cluster suggested an unusual mechanism for assembly of the molecule. Biosynthesis of the aminoacyl starter apparently involves the concerted action of a distinct polyketide synthase (PKS) system and several enzymes that activate and process an amino acid. The resulting starter unit is loaded onto a second PKS complex, which completes the synthesis of the macrolactam ring. Gene inactivation experiments, enzyme assays with heterologously expressed proteins, and feeding studies supported the proposed model for the biosynthesis and provided new insights into the assembly of macrolactams with acyl side chain

Factors associated with internalizing or somatic symptoms in a cross-sectional study of school children in grades 1-10

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>School related factors that may contribute to children's subjective health have not been extensively studied. We assessed whether factors assumed to promote health and factors assumed to have adverse effects were associated with self-reported internalizing or somatic symptoms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a cross-sectional study, 230 boys and 189 girls in grades 1-10 from five schools responded to the same set of questions. Proportional odds logistic regression was used to assess associations of school related factors with the prevalence of sadness, anxiety, stomach ache, and headache.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In multivariable analyses, perceived loneliness showed strong and positive associations with sadness (odds ratio, 1.94, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.64), anxiety (odds ratio, 1.78, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.42), and headache (odds ratio, 1.47, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.96), with consistently stronger associations for girls than boys. Among assumed health promoting factors, receiving necessary help from teachers was associated with lower prevalence of stomach ache in girls (odds ratio, 0.51, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.87).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings suggest that perceived loneliness may be strongly related to both internalizing and somatic symptoms among school children, and for girls, the associations of loneliness appear to be particularly strong.</p

Biocatalytic refining of polysaccharides from brown seaweeds

Brown macroalgae constitute 40% of the global production of seaweed, corresponding to approximately 10 million tonnes annually. Traditionally, seaweeds have been the source of hydrocolloids, food, and feed products. Due to possibilities for large-scale farming, brown macroalgae are a biomass with considerable potential for increased utilization. The main constituent polysaccharides, being alginate, cellulose, laminaran, and fucoidan, are the components of greatest importance for biorefinery usage. The polysaccharides can be extracted and applied for their physical or bioactive properties or used as a carbon source for microbial conversions to biofuels and commodity chemicals. The structural complexity and heterogeneous sugar composition of the polysaccharides make them a challenging biorefinery feedstock. These challenges can be overcome by the increasingly innovative biocatalytic tools, enzymes and microbes, that are being developed and that can be expected to open new opportunities and expand the product portfolio. However, there are still knowledge gaps, and further understanding is required on the molecular level of these interesting polymers, the tools, the refining possibilities, as well as transforming this knowledge to innovations—processes and products