scholarly journals Cyanobacteria as Valuable Tool in Biotechnology

Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1259
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Śliżewska ◽  
Ewa Żymańczyk-Duda

Cyanobacteria constitute an interesting group of photosynthetic microorganisms due to their morphological and genetic diversity that is related to their extremely long evolution process, which created the need for them to adapt to immensely heterogeneous environmental conditions. Cyanobacteria grow in salt and fresh waters as well as on the surface of soils and rocks. The diverse cell structure is characterized by the fact that they occur in many morphological forms, from small single cells through to larger ones as well as branches, threads, or spirals. Taking into account the presence of cyanobacteria in virtually all possible conditions and places on Earth, cyanobacteria represent an unexplored potential that is worth investigating. This review presents the possibilities of using algae in chosen areas of biotechnology: e.g., as biocatalysts or in industries such as the pharmaceutical industry. It covers the characteristics of secondary metabolites along with their division and the potential of using them as sources of effective drugs for many diseases. It presents an overview of the possibilities of using cyanobacteria in biotransformation processes. These processes are of great importance in the case of, for example, the neutralization of municipal, industrial, or chemical waste, the amount of which is constantly growing every year, and they are also an easier and cheaper path to obtain chemical compounds.

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burkhard R Braun ◽  
Alexander D Johnson

Abstract The common fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, can grow either as single cells or as filaments (hyphae), depending on environmental conditions. Several transcriptional regulators have been identified as having key roles in controlling filamentous growth, including the products of the TUP1, CPH1, and EFG1 genes. We show, through a set of single, double, and triple mutants, that these genes act in an additive fashion to control filamentous growth, suggesting that each gene represents a separate pathway of control. We also show that environmentally induced filamentous growth can occur even in the absence of all three of these genes, providing evidence for a fourth regulatory pathway. Expression of a collection of structural genes associated with filamentous growth, including HYR1, ECE1, HWP1, ALS1, and CHS2, was monitored in strains lacking each combination of TUP1, EFG1, and CPH1. Different patterns of expression were observed among these target genes, supporting the hypothesis that these three regulatory proteins engage in a network of individual connections to downstream genes and arguing against a model whereby the target genes are regulated through a central filamentous growth pathway. The results suggest the existence of several distinct types of filamentous forms of C. albicans, each dependent on a particular set of environmental conditions and each expressing a unique set of surface proteins.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
Zorica Popović ◽  
Dijana Krstić-Milošević ◽  
Milena Marković ◽  
Vera Vidaković ◽  
Srđan Bojović

Natural populations of Gentiana asclepiadea L., located at two mountainous sites, were HPLC-analyzed regarding the contents of six representative secondary metabolites. The contents of swertiamarin (SWM), gentiopicrin (GP), sweroside (SWZ), mangiferin (MGF), isoorientin (ISOOR), and isovitexin (ISOV) were determined in six populations (three per study site), and separately for aboveground and belowground plant parts. PCA showed a clear separation of four groups according to the contents of the analyzed secondary metabolites. Out of six analyzed compounds, five were present in all samples and only one (SWZ) was found in Golija populations (belowground parts) but not in Vlasina populations, and its presence can be indicative of the geolocation of populations. Clear separation of groups was mostly affected by the different contents of chemical compounds in plant parts (aboveground versus belowground) and by the differences related to population origin (higher content of SWM and GP in belowground parts of individuals from Vlasina populations and higher content of MGF and ISOOR of individuals from Golija populations). The results of this study contribute to the spatiochemical profiling of G. asclepiadea populations and a better understanding of inter- and intrapopulation variability of pharmacologically important compounds.


1974 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
SM Ali ◽  
WJR Boyd

The pathogenic variability of isolates of R. secalis collected in Western Australia has been examined on different host genera of the Gramineae and on selected barley cultivars. Depending on the host-isolate combination and the conditions of the test, evidence has been obtained of inter- and intra-isolate variability in both host reaction and isolate pathogenicity. This complicates definitive interpretation of the results, militates against identification of conventional 'races' of the pathogen and shows that R. secalis does not exhibit strict host specialization. Hosts which consistently express resistance or susceptibility under different environmental conditions, and isolates which express their pathogenic characteristics consistently, have been identified. The need for more precise genetic studies and adequate sampling of genetic diversity is emphasized.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Gasca-Pineda ◽  
Yocelyn T. Gutiérrez-Guerrero ◽  
Erika Aguirre-Planter ◽  
Luis E. Eguiarte

AbstractWild maize, commonly known as teosinte, has a wide distribution in central Mexico and inhabits a wide range of environmental conditions. According to previous studies, the environment is a determinant factor for the amount and distribution of genetic diversity. In this study, we used a set of neutral markers to explore the influence of contemporary factors and historical environmental shifts on genetic diversity, including present and three historical periods. Using a set of 22 nuclear microsatellite loci, we genotyped 527 individuals from 29 localities. We found highly variable levels of genetic diversity (Z. m. parviglumis HE= 0.3646–0.7699; Z. m. mexicana HE= 0.5885–0.7671) and significant genetic structure among localities (average DEST= 0.4332). Also, we recovered significant values of heterozygote deficiency (average FIS= 0.1796) and variable levels of selfing (sg2=0.0–0.3090). The Bayesian assignment analysis yielded four genetic clusters dividing the sample into subspecies, that in turn, were separated into two clusters. Environmental conditions played a strong influence in the distribution of genetic diversity, as demographic analysis and changes in species range revealed by modeling analyses were consistent. We conclude that current genetic diversity in teosinte is the result of a mixture of local adaptation and genetic isolation along with historical environmental fluctuations.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sutaria Devanshi ◽  
Kamlesh R. Shah ◽  
Sudipti Arora ◽  
Sonika Saxena

Biotechnological tools engaged in the bioremediation process are in reality, sophisticated and dynamic in character. For specialized reasons, a broad variety of such devices are employed to produce a safe and balanced environment free of all types of toxins and so make life simpler for humans on planet Earth. Actinomycetes is one of these extremely important and functionally helpful groups. They can be used for a variety of bioremediation objectives, including biotransformation, biodegradation, and many more. Actinomycetes are one of the most varied groups of filamentous bacteria, capable of prospering in a variety of ecological settings because to their bioactive capabilities. They’re famous for their metabolic diversity, which includes the synthesis of commercially useful primary and secondary metabolites. They produce a range of enzymes capable of totally destroying all of the constituents. They are well-known for their ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites. Members of various genera of Actinomycetes show promise for application in the bioconversion of underutilized urban and agricultural waste into high-value chemical compounds. The most potential source is a wide range of important enzymes, some of which are synthesized on an industrial scale, but there are many more that have yet to be discovered. Bioremediation methods, which use naturally existing microbes to clear residues and contaminated regions of dangerous organic chemicals, are improving all the time. In the realm of biotechnological science, the potential of actinomycetes for bioremediation and the synthesis of secondary metabolites has opened up intriguing prospects for a sustainable environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Tessalonica Dajoh ◽  
Robert A Bara ◽  
Esther Angkouw ◽  
Medy Ompi ◽  
Rosita A Lintang ◽  
...  

Phyllidiella nigra is an organism that is suspected to have secondary metabolites because their ability to develop its self defense system by camouflage and using chemical compounds derived from their nature diet as deterrent against their predators. The purpose of this study was to isolate symbiotic bacterial derived from P. nigra, extracted and followed by, the antibacterial assays against Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium as well as the anti-UV assay. The results showed that the five isolates tested had an antibacterial activity with the highest average inhibition zone against E. coli DSM 498 bacteria, isolate 1 (14.67 mm), isolate 5 (14 mm), and against B. Megaterium DSM 32T bacteria, isolate 3 (13.33 mm). The three isolates which had the highest inhibition zone and P. nigra extract were tested for anti-UV assay using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. The results obtained isolate 3 has absorption of UV-A with the UV absorbtion maximum at λ 340 nm and P. nigra extract has absorption on UV-B radiation with UV absorption maximum at λ 290 nm. Key words: Nudibranchia, Bacteria, Anti-bacteial, Anti-UV Phyllidiella nigra merupakan organisme yang diduga memiliki metabolit sekunder karena mampu mengembangkan sistem pertahanan dirinya dengan cara kamuflase dan menggunakan senyawa kimia sebagai racun yang didapat dari makanannya. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu mendapatkan isolat bakteri yang bersimbiosis dengan P. nigra, mendapatkan ekstrak dari baktri simbion, dan menguji antibakteri dan anti-UV ekstrak etil aseta bakteri simbion dengan metode difusi agar terhadap bakteri Escherichia coli dan Bacillus megaterium. Hasil penelitian didapatkan kelima isolat yang diuji memiliki aktivitas antibakteri dengan rerata zona hambat tertinggi terhadap bakteri E. coli DSM 498 yaitu isolat 1 (14,67 mm), isolat 5 (14 mm), dan terhadap baktri B. megaterium DSM 32T yaitu isolat 3 (13,33 mm). Ketiga isolat yang memiliki zona hambat tertinggi dan ekstrak P. nigra diujikan anti-UV menggunakan alat UV-Vis Spektrofotometer. Hasil yang didapat isolat 3 memiliki serapan terhadap radiasi sinar UV-A dengan puncak tertinggi pada λ 340 nm dan ekstrak P. nigra memiliki serapan terhadap radiasi sinar UV-B dengan puncak tertinggi berada pada λ 290 nm. Kata kunci: Nudibranchia, Bacteria, Anti-bacteial, Anti-UV


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 4665-4692 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Aloisi

Abstract. Coccolithophores are sensitive recorders of environmental change. The size of their coccosphere varies in the ocean along gradients of environmental conditions and provides a key for understanding the fate of this important phytoplankton group in the future ocean. But interpreting field changes in coccosphere size in terms of laboratory observations is hard, mainly because the marine signal reflects the response of multiple morphotypes to changes in a combination of environmental variables. In this paper I examine the large corpus of published laboratory experiments with coccolithophores looking for relations between environmental conditions, metabolic rates and cell size (a proxy for coccosphere size). I show that growth, photosynthesis and, to a lesser extent, calcification covary with cell size when pCO2, irradiance, temperature, nitrate, phosphate and iron conditions change. With the exception of phosphate and temperature, a change from limiting to non-limiting conditions always results in an increase in cell size. An increase in phosphate or temperature (below the optimum temperature for growth) produces the opposite effect. The magnitude of the coccosphere-size changes observed in the laboratory is comparable to that observed in the ocean. If the biological reasons behind the environment–metabolism–size link are understood, it will be possible to use coccosphere-size changes in the modern ocean and in marine sediments to investigate the fate of coccolithophores in the future ocean. This reasoning can be extended to the size of coccoliths if, as recent experiments are starting to show, coccolith size reacts to environmental change proportionally to coccosphere size. The coccolithophore database is strongly biased in favour of experiments with the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi (E. huxleyi; 82 % of database entries), and more experiments with other species are needed to understand whether these observations can be extended to coccolithophores in general. I introduce a simple model that simulates the growth rate and the size of cells forced by nitrate and phosphate concentrations. By considering a simple rule that allocates the energy flow from nutrient acquisition to cell structure (biomass) and cell maturity (biological complexity, eventually leading to cell division), the model is able to reproduce the covariation of growth rate and cell size observed in laboratory experiments with E. huxleyi when these nutrients become limiting. These results support ongoing efforts to interpret coccosphere and coccolith size measurements in the context of climate change.


Author(s):  
Javier Puy ◽  
Carlos P Carmona ◽  
Hana Dvořáková ◽  
Vít Latzel ◽  
Francesco de Bello

Abstract Background and Aims The observed positive diversity effect on ecosystem functioning has rarely been assessed in terms of intraspecific trait variability within populations. Intraspecific phenotypic variability could stem both from underlying genetic diversity and from plasticity in response to environmental cues. The latter might derive from modifications to a plant’s epigenome and potentially last multiple generations in response to previous environmental conditions. We experimentally disentangled the role of genetic diversity and diversity of parental environments on population productivity, resistance against environmental fluctuations and intraspecific phenotypic variation. Methods A glasshouse experiment was conducted in which different types of Arabidopsis thaliana populations were established: one population type with differing levels of genetic diversity and another type, genetically identical, but with varying diversity levels of the parental environments (parents grown in the same or different environments). The latter population type was further combined, or not, with experimental demethylation to reduce the potential epigenetic diversity produced by the diversity of parental environments. Furthermore, all populations were each grown under different environmental conditions (control, fertilization and waterlogging). Mortality, productivity and trait variability were measured in each population. Key Results Parental environments triggered phenotypic modifications in the offspring, which translated into more functionally diverse populations when offspring from parents grown under different conditions were brought together in mixtures. In general, neither the increase in genetic diversity nor the increase in diversity of parental environments had a remarkable effect on productivity or resistance to environmental fluctuations. However, when the epigenetic variation was reduced via demethylation, mixtures were less productive than monocultures (i.e. negative net diversity effect), caused by the reduction of phenotypic differences between different parental origins. Conclusions A diversity of environmental parental origins within a population could ameliorate the negative effect of competition between coexisting individuals by increasing intraspecific phenotypic variation. A diversity of parental environments could thus have comparable effects to genetic diversity. Disentangling the effect of genetic diversity and that of parental environments appears to be an important step in understanding the effect of intraspecific trait variability on coexistence and ecosystem functioning.


Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Luciana Cristina Vitorino ◽  
Mateus Neri Oliveira Reis ◽  
Layara Alexandre Bessa ◽  
Ueric José Borges de Souza ◽  
Fabiano Guimarães Silva

The anthropization of the landscape of the Cerrado biome that has occurred over the past few decades has fragmented its natural environments, impacting the connectivity of the plant populations and altering their gene flow. Plant species may also reduce population size in response to sub-optimal climatic and environmental conditions, and observed distribution patterns may align with theoretical schemes, such as the center–periphery model, that is, it is possible that populations on the edge have lower genetic diversity than center populations, theoretically submitted to environmental conditions closer to the optimum. In this context, we evaluate whether the genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficients of Cerrado plant species are affected by landscape features and climate characteristics, and in particular, if the distribution of the genetic diversity of these plants is consistent with the center–periphery model. To do this, we conducted a literature search for genetic studies of Cerrado plant populations using Scopus, Web of Science, and Scielo databases and the species found were used as a proxy to explore patterns throughout the biome. The data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) and multiple matrix regressions (MMRRs) to evaluate the effects of landscape features and climatic variables on the observed (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE), allelic richness (AR) and inbreeding (Fis) patterns of the local populations. The landscape was evaluated in terms of the percentage land cover of agriculture (AG), forestry (FO), remnant vegetation (RV), urban areas (UA), pasture (PA), and water (WA) within buffers of 1 km, 3 km, and 5 km around the study populations. We analyzed 121 populations of 31 plant species. The GLMMs showed that HO was affected by FO regardless of buffer size, while HE was also affected by FO, but also by WA and UA. AR was affected by WA and UA in all three buffer zones while the Fis was affected by FO and AU. The MMRRs showed that WA may affect HO, HE, and Fis within the 1 km buffer, while FO affects HO and UA affects AR within the 5 km buffer. In the case of the 1 km and 3 km buffers, however, the geographic distance between populations was identified as a factor determining the genetic diversity and inbreeding indices, indicating that isolation by distance may be an important factor defining the breeding patterns of the Cerrado plant populations. The GLMMs and MMRRs also showed that the mean annual temperature (MAT) and, to a lesser extent, isothermality (ISO) can explain the variation in genetic diversity observed in the Cerrado plant populations. We also found that the center–periphery model fits the distribution pattern observed in most of the species evaluated, including Annona crassiflora,Annona coriacea, Copaifera langsdorffii, and Eugenia dysenterica. Our results indicate that changes in the climate and the landscape of Brazilian Cerrado must be considered carefully to guarantee minimizing the impacts of these processes on the genetic diversity of Cerrado plant species and ensuring the long-term conservation of these species in this biome.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document