Database mining and transcriptional analysis of genes encoding inulin-modifying enzymes of Aspergillus niger

As a soil fungus, Aspergillus niger can metabolize a wide variety of carbon sources, employing sets of enzymes able to degrade plant-derived polysaccharides. In this study the genome sequence of A. niger strain CBS 513.88 was surveyed, to analyse the gene/enzyme network involved in utilization of the plant storage polymer inulin, and of sucrose,...

Glucan synthesis in the genus Lactobacillus: Isolation and characterization of glucansucrase genes, enzymes and glucan products from six different strains

Members of the genera Streptococcus and Leuconostoc synthesize various α-glucans (dextran, alternan and mutan). In Lactobacillus, until now, the only glucosyltransferase (GTF) enzyme that has been characterized is gtfA of Lactobacillus reuteri 121, the first GTF enzyme synthesizing a glucan (reuteran) that contains mainly α-(1 → 4) linkages...

DNA analysis of the genes encoding acidocin LF221 A and acidocin LF221 B, two bacteriocins produced by Lactobacillus gasseri LF221

Lactobacillus gasseri LF221, an isolate from the feces of a child, produces two bacteriocins. Standard procedures for molecular techniques were used to locate, clone and sequence the fragments of LF221 chromosomal DNA carrying the acidocin LF221 A and B structural genes, respectively. Sequencing analysis revealed the gene of acidocin LF221 A to...

Molecular cloning and characterization of the alkaline ceramidase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01

Ceramidase (CDase) hydrolyzes the amide bond in ceramides to yield free fatty acid and sphingosine. From a 3-L Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 culture, 70 μg of extracellular alkaline, Ca2+-dependent CDase, was purified to homogeneity, the N-terminal sequence was determined, and the CDase gene was cloned. The CDase gene encodes a 670 amino acid...

Genetic analysis of acidocin B: A novel bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus

The genes encoding the production of acidocin B, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus strain M46 which is active against Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium sporogenes, Brochothrix thermosphacta, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, but inactive against most other Lactobacillus species, were...

Characterization of the import process of a transit peptide into chloroplasts

In order to get insight into the functioning of transit sequences in chloroplast protein transport, the import of the full-length transit peptide of ferredoxin (trfd) was investigated. trfd rapidly associated with chloroplasts under import conditions and becomes protected against externally added proteases. Import of radiolabeled trfd is...