Intracellular proteome expression during 4-n-nonylphenol biodegradation by the filamentous fungus Metarhizium robertsii

4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP) is an endocrine disrupting compound (EDC); pollutants that cause serious disturbances in the environment. This study shows the degradation pathway and initial proteome analysis in cultures of a fungus that actively degrades 4-n-NP, Metarhizium robertsii. The research revealed the presence of 14 4-n-NP metabolites formed as a result of the oxidation of the alkyl chain and benzene ring, which leads to the complete decomposition of the compound. Based on the trend and quantitative analysis of the formation of 4-n-NP derivatives, the best conditions for proteome analysis were established. The data collected allowed the formulation of an explanation of the microorganism's strategy towards the removal of 4-n-NP. The main groups of proteins engaged in the removal of the xenobiotic are: oxidation-reduction systems related to nitroreductase-like proteins, ROS defense systems (peroxiredoxin and superoxide dismutase), the TCA cycle and energy-related systems. Principal components analysis was applied to unidentified proteins, resulting in the formulation of three subgroups and initial classification of these proteins

Renewable energy financing by state investment banks: Evidence from OECD countries

While governments increasingly employ state investment banks (SIBs) to finance renewable energy projects, whether these institutions’ actual behavior aligns with expectations remains uncertain. Here, we assess the predictors of SIB involvement in renewable energy deals in OECD countries using a fixed-effects logit model. Our results show greater SIB involvement in higher-risk technologies such as offshore wind and biomass but decreased activity once domestic markets for solar photovoltaics mature. Contrary to what the literature suggests, however, SIBs show no increased involvement in first projects using novel technology, unlike other public-sector lenders, and less involvement in smaller renewable energy deals. The evidence on whether SIBs mobilize private sector lenders or crowd them out favors the former but remains equivocal. We conclude by discussing the implications for policymakers regarding the mandates and guidelines for SIBs.ISSN:0140-9883ISSN:1873-618

Determinants of cost of capital in the electricity sector

In the electricity sector, the cost of capital (CoC) has a major impact on the competitiveness of different technologies and on overall electricity system cost. While the awareness of CoC differences between countries and technologies has increased over the past years, the understanding of the underlying drivers for these differences remains limited. In this Perspective, we present a systematic review of the literature on CoC determinants, aggregating conceptual and empirical insights from 43 academic articles. Based on the review, we then develop a holistic framework of CoC determinants on four hierarchical levels. Particularly, our framework highlights the importance of technology level drivers for the CoC, and of less-noted CoC drivers on the financial sector level. In addition, it illustrates that CoC drivers differ between corporate finance and project finance structures, and that they interact with determinants on different levels through multiple feedback channels. Drawing on our findings, we argue that policy decisions can strongly influence the CoC of energy projects, though any potential intervention to alter the CoC needs to consider all relevant determinants across sectors and policy domains. Researchers can support policymakers by addressing research gaps concerning CoC determinants in developing countries and the grid sector, and by further quantifying the effects of CoC determinants and their interactions

New Sensitive High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Detection of Horse and Pork in Halal Beef

The accidental or fraudulent blending of meat from different species is a highly relevant aspect for food product quality control, especially for consumers with ethical concerns against species, such as horse or pork. In this study, we present a sensitive mass spectrometrical approach for the detection of trace contaminations of horse meat and pork and demonstrate the specificity of the identified biomarker peptides against chicken, lamb, and beef. Biomarker peptides were identified by a shotgun proteomic approach using tryptic digests of protein extracts and were verified by the analysis of 21 different meat samples from the 5 species included in this study. For the most sensitive peptides, a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method was developed that allows for the detection of 0.55% horse or pork in a beef matrix. To enhance sensitivity, we applied MRM³ experiments and were able to detect down to 0.13% pork contamination in beef. To the best of our knowledge, we present here the first rapid and sensitive mass spectrometrical method for the detection of horse and pork by use of MRM and MRM³

Predel_SystBiol_supplMat1

Predel_SystBiol_supplMat

Predel_SystBiol_supplMat2

Predel_SystBiol_supplMat

A Second Outer-Core Region in Klebsiella pneumoniae Lipopolysaccharide

Up to now only one major type of core oligosaccharide has been found in the lipopolysaccharide of all Klebsiella pneumoniae strains analyzed. Applying a different screening approach, we identified a novel Klebsiella pneumoniae core (type 2). Both Klebsiella core types share the same inner core and the outer-core-proximal disaccharide, GlcN-(1,4)-GalA, but they differ in the GlcN substituents. In core type 2, the GlcpN residue is substituted at the O-4 position by the disaccharide β-Glcp(1-6)-α-Glcp(1, while in core type 1 the GlcpN residue is substituted at the O-6 position by either the disaccharide α-Hep(1-4)-α-Kdo(2 or a Kdo residue (Kdo is 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid). This difference correlates with the presence of a three-gene region in the corresponding core biosynthetic clusters. Engineering of both core types by interchanging this specific region allowed studying the effect on virulence. The replacement of Klebsiella core type 1 in a highly type 2 virulent strain (52145) induces lower virulence than core type 2 in a murine infection model