Production of cyanophycin in Rhizopus oryzae through the expression of a cyanophycin synthetase encoding gene

Cyanophycin or cyanophycin granule peptide is a protein that results from non-ribosomal protein synthesis in microorganisms such as cyanobacteria. The amino acids in cyanophycin can be used as a feedstock in the production of a wide range of chemicals such as acrylonitrile, polyacrylic acid, 1,4-butanediamine, and urea. In this study, an auxotrophic mutant (Rhizopus oryzae M16) of the filamentous fungus R. oryzae 99-880 was selected to express cyanophycin synthetase encoding genes. These genes originated from Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803, Anabaena sp. strain PCC7120, and a codon optimized version of latter gene. The genes were under control of the pyruvate decarboxylase promoter and terminator elements of R. oryzae. Transformants were generated by the biolistic transformation method. In only two transformants both expressing the cyanophycin synthetase encoding gene from Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 was a specific enzyme activity detected of 1.5 mU/mg protein. In one of these transformants was both water-soluble and insoluble cyanophycin detected. The water-soluble fraction formed the major fraction and accounted for 0.5% of the dry weight. The water-insoluble CGP was produced in trace amounts. The amino acid composition of the water-soluble form was determined and constitutes of equimolar amounts of arginine and aspartic acid

Spatial segregation and habitat selection by Alpine Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and Mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) in the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, Italy

Studies were undertaken on the spatial overlap and habitat selection of the introduced Mouflon and the autochthon Chamois population in the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park (Eastern Italian Alps). Mouflon distribution within the Park showed a marked seasonal shift from winter (December-May) range (400-800 m a. s. I.) to the summer (June-November) range (1600-1800 m a. s. /J. Consequently, significant overlap with Chamois occurred only in summer. Therefore, spatial overlap and habitat selection were studied in more detail in the summer range of Mouflon. The results showed that the areas most intensively used by the two species were distinct. Both species avoided areas with rock outcrops and dense forests, Mouflon used Pinus mugo stands and scree much more than Chamois, and conversely Chamois used more alpine pastures and Larix decidua stands. The results therefore indicate that Chamois and Mouflon segregate spatially and use different resources.[fr]Nous avons étudié la superposition spatiale et la sélection de l'habitat des populations de mouflons introduits et de chamois autochtones du Parc National des Dolomites Bellunesi (Alpes italiennes orientales). La distribution du mouflon dans le parc change clairement d'une saison à l'autre (en hiver : décembremai, entre 400-800 m d'altitude ; en été : juin-novembre, entre 1600-1800 m d'altitude). Par conséquent, la population se superpose avec celle du chamois seulement en été. Nous avons alors étudié la distribution estivale du mouflon à une échelle plus fine. Nous avons pu montrer que les territoires les plus utilisés par chacune des deux espèces étaient séparés. Les deux espèces évitaient les terrains avec des escarpements ou blocs rocheux et les forêts denses, toutefois le mouflon utilisait les bosquets de Pinus mugo et les éboulis beaucoup plus fréquemment que le chamois; ce dernier au contraire cherchait plus les pâturages alpins et les forêts de Larix decidua. En conclusion, nous observons une ségrégation spatiale des populations de chamois et de mouflons, de plus, elles utilisaient des ressources différentes. [es]En el Parque Nacional "Dolomiti Bellunesi" (Este de los Alpes italianos) se estudió el solapamiento espacial y la selección de hábitat entre el muflón (introducido) y la población autóctona de rebeco. La distribución del muflón en el Parque mostró una marcada estacionalidad: con un rango de 400 a 800 m de diciembre a mayo y de 1600 a 1800 de junio a noviembre. Solo existe solapamiento significativo con los rebecos en verano, por lo que el estudio en profundidad de la selección y solapamiento de hábitat del muflón se realizó durante esos meses. Los resultados mostraron una segregación entre las áreas más intensivamente usadas por las dos especies. Aunque ambas especies evitan zonas de afloramientos rocosos y bosque denso, el muflón usa las pedrizas y bosquetes de Pinus mugo más intensamente que el rebeco. Inversamente, el rebeco usa más pastos alpinos y bosquetes de Larix decidua. Por lo tanto, el rebeco y el muflón se segregan espacialmente y usan distintos recursos

Climate and land use changes, biodiversity and agri-environmental measures in the Belluno province, Italy

This paper presents a synthesis of the results of the ACCELERATES project (Assessing Climate Change Effects on Land Use and Ecosystems from Regional Analysis to the European Scale), obtained in the case study of the Belluno province (north-east Italy), a context chosen as representative of the Alpine area. Selected results of the analysis of the relationships between future scenarios of change, farming systems, land use and biodiversity are presented. An initial historical analysis of the dynamics of land use with respect to the agricultural, socio-economic and demographic dynamics identified the main drivers of change and the positive and negative factors for conservation of the rural land and of biodiversity. In a subsequent stage the scenarios of future climate and land use changes were used to analyse the future for the species selected as indicators of biodiversity in the studied area. The results obtained provided useful information for the identification of suitable agri-environmental policies at the local scale. Maintenance of the livestock production systems typical of mountain agriculture is shown to be the key factor for contrasting land abandonment and the consequent expansion of woodlands, with negative effects in terms of simplification of landscape and impacts on species of naturalistic interest. (copyright) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved