scholarly journals Molecular Properties and New Potentials of Plant Nepenthesins

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 570
Author(s):  
Zelalem Eshetu Bekalu ◽  
Giuseppe Dionisio ◽  
Henrik Brinch-Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Carnivorous Plant ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Fungal Resistance ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Aspartic Proteases ◽  
Trait Improvement

Nepenthesins are aspartic proteases (APs) categorized under the A1B subfamily. Due to nepenthesin-specific sequence features, the A1B subfamily is also named nepenthesin-type aspartic proteases (NEPs). Nepenthesins are mostly known from the pitcher fluid of the carnivorous plant Nepenthes, where they are availed for the hydrolyzation of insect protein required for the assimilation of insect nitrogen resources. However, nepenthesins are widely distributed within the plant kingdom and play significant roles in plant species other than Nepenthes. Although they have received limited attention when compared to other members of the subfamily, current data indicates that they have exceptional molecular and biochemical properties and new potentials as fungal-resistance genes. In the current review, we provide insights into the current knowledge on the molecular and biochemical properties of plant nepenthesins and highlights that future focus on them may have strong potentials for industrial applications and crop trait improvement.

Functional anatomy of carnivorous traps

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bartosz J. Płachno ◽  
Lyudmila E. Muravnik
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Functional Anatomy ◽  
Carnivorous Plant ◽  
Carnivorous Plants ◽  
New Type ◽  
Functional Units

We review the current knowledge of trap anatomy of carnivorous plants, with a focus on the diversity and structure of the glands that are used to attract, capture, kill and digest their prey and finally to absorb nutrients from carcasses of prey. These glands have diverse forms. Regardless of their structure and origin, they have the same functional units, but there are differences in subcellular mechanisms and adaptations for carnivory. We propose a new type of carnivorous plant trap—a ‘fecal traps—which has unique physiology, morphology, and anatomy for attracting the animals that are the source of excrement and also to retain and use it.

scholarly journals Alternative Polyadenylation: a new frontier in post transcriptional regulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanggang Ren ◽  
Na Zhang ◽  
Lan Zhang ◽  
Eric Miller ◽  
Jeffrey J. Pu
Keyword(s):  
Rna Splicing ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Alternative Polyadenylation ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Sequence Motif ◽  
Mrna Isoforms ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Regulatory Complex

AbstractPolyadenylation of pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) specific sites and termination of their downstream transcriptions are signaled by unique sequence motif structures such as AAUAAA and its auxiliary elements. Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is an important post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism that processes RNA products depending on its 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) specific sequence signal. APA processing can generate several mRNA isoforms from a single gene, which may have different biological functions on their target gene. As a result, cellular genomic stability, proliferation capability, and transformation feasibility could all be affected. Furthermore, APA modulation regulates disease initiation and progression. APA status could potentially act as a biomarker for disease diagnosis, severity stratification, and prognosis forecast. While the advance of modern throughout technologies, such as next generation-sequencing (NGS) and single-cell sequencing techniques, have enriched our knowledge about APA, much of APA biological process is unknown and pending for further investigation. Herein, we review the current knowledge on APA and how its regulatory complex factors (CFI/IIm, CPSF, CSTF, and RBPs) work together to determine RNA splicing location, cell cycle velocity, microRNA processing, and oncogenesis regulation. We also discuss various APA experiment strategies and the future direction of APA research.

scholarly journals Color for Life: Biosynthesis and Distribution of Phenolic Compounds in Pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carvalho Lemos ◽  
Reimer ◽  
Wormit
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Capsicum Annuum ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Residual Biomass ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Related Compounds

Fruits and vegetables are an important supplier of biological active substances, such as vitamins and secondary metabolites (SM) for human nutrition, but also for further industrial applications. Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is grown and consumed all over the world as a fresh vegetable or dried as a spice. It is also used as a coloring agent, as well for medical purposes. Pepper fruits are considered as an attractive source of health-related compounds, but other organs like the leaves and stem also contain considerable amounts of antioxidants, e.g., phenolic compounds. This indicates potential for valorization of residual biomass from horticultural production by using innovative bioeconomic concepts. Herein, we present an overview about the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds, with a special focus on flavonoids and their regulation in pepper, the current knowledge of amounts and distribution of these valuable substances, as well as possible strategies for: (1) increasing flavonoid contents in pepper, (2) improving the nutritional value of fruits, and (3) new concepts for utilization of residual biomass from horticultural production.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Formation Histories of Galaxies with Stellar Populations Models

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S262) ◽  
pp. 153-163
Author(s):  
Ivo Labbé
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Stellar Populations ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Formation History ◽  
History Of

AbstractHow did galaxies evolve from primordial fluctuations to the well-ordered but diverse population of disk and elliptical galaxies that we observe today? Stellar populations synthesis models have become a crucial tool in addressing this question by helping us to interpret the spectral energy distributions of present-day galaxies and their high redshift progenitors in terms of fundamental characteristics such as stellar mass and age. I will review our current knowledge on the evolution of stellar populations in early- and late type galaxies at z < 1 and the tantalizing – but incomplete – view of the stellar populations in galaxies at 1 < z < 3, during the global peak of star formation. Despite great progress, many fundamental questions remain: what processes trigger episodes of galaxy-scale star formation and what quenches them? To what degree does the star formation history of galaxies depend on the merger history, (halo) mass, or local environment? I will discuss some of the challenges posed in interpreting current data and what improved results might be expected from new observational facilities in the near- and more distant future.

scholarly journals The Biochemical Properties of Manganese in Plants

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Schmidt ◽  
Husted
Keyword(s):  
Metal Ions ◽  
Oxidation State ◽  
Metal Binding ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Oxygen Evolving Complex ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Catalyzed Reactions ◽  
Enzyme Catalyzed Reactions

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient with many functional roles in plant metabolism. Manganese acts as an activator and co-factor of hundreds of metalloenzymes in plants. Because of its ability to readily change oxidation state in biological systems, Mn plays and important role in a broad range of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, including redox reactions, phosphorylation, decarboxylation, and hydrolysis. Manganese(II) is the prevalent oxidation state of Mn in plants and exhibits fast ligand exchange kinetics, which means that Mn can often be substituted by other metal ions, such as Mg(II), which has similar ion characteristics and requirements to the ligand environment of the metal binding sites. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms catalyzed by Mn and regulation of Mn insertion into the active site of Mn-dependent enzymes, in the presence of other metals, is gradually evolving. This review presents an overview of the chemistry and biochemistry of Mn in plants, including an updated list of known Mn-dependent enzymes, together with enzymes where Mn has been shown to exchange with other metal ions. Furthermore, the current knowledge of the structure and functional role of the three most well characterized Mn-containing metalloenzymes in plants; the oxygen evolving complex of photosystem II, Mn superoxide dismutase, and oxalate oxidase is summarized.

scholarly journals Highly efficient novel recombinant L-asparaginase with no glutaminase activity from a new halo-thermotolerant Bacillus strain

Bioimpacts ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azam Safary ◽  
Rezvan Moniri ◽  
Maryam Hamzeh-Mivehroud ◽  
Siavoush Dastmalchi
Keyword(s):  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Substrate Affinity ◽  
Bacillus Sp ◽  
Recombinant Enzymes ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Bacillus Strain ◽  
Antineoplastic Effect ◽  
Wide Range

Introduction: The bacterial enzyme has gained more attention in therapeutic application because of the higher substrate specificity and longer half-life. L-asparaginase is an important enzyme with known antineoplastic effect against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods: Novel L-asparaginase genes were identified from a locally isolated halo-thermotolerant Bacillus strain and the recombinant enzymes were overexpressed in modified E. coli strains, OrigamiTM B and BL21. In addition, the biochemical properties of the purified enzymes were characterized, and the enzyme activity was evaluated at different temperatures, pH, and substrate concentrations. Results: The concentration of pure soluble enzyme obtained from Origami strain was ~30 mg/L of bacterial culture, which indicates the significant improvement compared to L-asparaginase produced by E. coli BL21 strain. The catalytic activity assay on the identified L-asparaginases (ansA1 and ansA3 genes) from Bacillus sp. SL-1 demonstrated that only ansA1 gene codes an active and stable homologue (ASPase A1) with high substrate affinity toward L-asparagine. The Kcat and Km values for the purified ASPase A1 enzyme were 23.96s-1 and 10.66 µM, respectively. In addition, the recombinant ASPase A1 enzyme from Bacillus sp. SL-1 possessed higher specificity to L-asparagine than L-glutamine. The ASPase A1 enzyme was highly thermostable and resistant to the wide range of pH 4.5–10. Conclusion: The biochemical properties of the novel ASPase A1 derived from Bacillus sp. SL-l indicated a great potential for the identified enzyme in pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Use of Neuroelectric Measures to Assess Cognitive Workload

1984 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan S. Gevins
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
P300 Amplitude ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Cognitive Workload ◽  
Aerospace Medicine ◽  
Neurocognitive Functions

It would be useful to be able to directly measure the utilization of various brain systems during performance of any choosen task. During the last few years several investigators have been developing paradigms to use the P300 component of the averaged event-related potential (ERP) to assess cognitive workload. Initial results have been encouraging, and it has been suggested that the time may be ripe to transition this type of measure from the laboratory to industrial applications. In this presentation I will discuss the potential advantages and difficulties of the neuroelectric approach to cognitive workload assessment. I will consider current knowledge of the neural origin of P300, as well as its possible neural and psychological significance. Several of the popular paradigms for eliciting P300 will be reviewed, and the permissible inferences about neurocognitive functions obtainable from variations in P300 amplitude or latency will be outlined. The practical problems of transitioning an academic laboratory paradigm to an industrial research setting will be discussed, using the example of a flight simulator. Particular attention will be directed at the contamination of brain electrical recordings by instrumental artifacts, and by head, body and eye movements. The current state-of-the-art in automated detection and filtering of these contaminants will be summarized. Individual differences and the effects of metabolic factors, drugs and fatigue will be discussed, as will techniques for reducing “irrelevant” variance due to these factors. Recent developments in measuring neurocognitve functions will be presented, emphasizing the extraction of more detailed information about multiple, simultaneously- and sequentially-active brain systems. Basic research supported by grants and contracts from the National Science Foundation, The Office of Naval Research, The Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine.

Traitement de l'air par biofiltration

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 402-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasnaa Jorio ◽  
Michèle Heitz
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Expensive Process

During several decades, there have been numerous studies and attempts in the field of the treatment of volatile organic solvent contaminated air, with the aim of finding a more efficient and less expensive process. In parallel with the traditional air treatment technologies, biological processes have emerged in recent years. Biofiltration appears to be a particularly preferred path due to its efficiency, its environmental aspects, and its lower costs. In this paper, the biofiltration technology is positioned in relation to conventional techniques and other biological air treatments. Subsequently, after a short historical account of biofiltration, the focus is put on the main objective of this literature review, presenting the current knowledge about the basic principles of the process, its applicability, operational conditions that influence performance and reliability of this process, and recent developments in mathematical biofilter modeling. Finally, industrial applications and biofiltration processing costs are briefly discussed.Key words: biofilter, VOC, biodegradation, modeling, kinetics, humidity, temperature, pH, nutrients, oxygen.[Journal translation]

scholarly journals Microbial Cellulases and Their Industrial Applications

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh Chander Kuhad ◽  
Rishi Gupta ◽  
Ajay Singh
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Enzyme System ◽  
Cellulase Production ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Process Economics ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Technological Developments

Microbial cellulases have shown their potential application in various industries including pulp and paper, textile, laundry, biofuel production, food and feed industry, brewing, and agriculture. Due to the complexity of enzyme system and immense industrial potential, cellulases have been a potential candidate for research by both the academic and industrial research groups. Nowadays, significant attentions have been devoted to the current knowledge of cellulase production and the challenges in cellulase research especially in the direction of improving the process economics of various industries. Scientific and technological developments and the future prospects for application of cellulases in different industries are discussed in this paper.

Understanding storage starch biosynthesis in plants: a means to quality improvement

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (8) ◽  
pp. 1167-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian J. Tetlow
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Biosynthetic Pathway ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Starch Biosynthesis ◽  
Starch Structure ◽  
Granule Structure ◽  
The Many ◽  
A Current ◽  
Storage Starch

The many varied uses of starch in food and industrial applications often requires an understanding of its physicochemical properties and the detailed variations in granule structure that underpin these properties. The ability to manipulate storage starch structures depends on understanding the biosynthetic pathway, and in particular, how the many components of the pathway are coordinated and regulated. This article presents a current overview of starch structure and the known enzymes involved in the synthesis of the granule, with an emphasis on how current knowledge on the regulation of the pathway in cereals and other crops may be applied to the production of different functional starches.

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