Split Enzyme-Based Biosensors for Structural Characterization of Soluble and Insoluble β-Glucans

β-Glucan is widely distributed in various plants and microorganisms and is composed of β-1,3-linked d-glucose units. It may have a branched short or long side chain of glucose units with β-1,6- or β-1,4-linkage. Numerous studies have investigated different β-glucans and revealed their bioactivities. To understand the structure-function relationship of β-glucan, we constructed a split-luciferase complementation assay for the structural analysis of long-chain β-1,6-branched β-1,3-glucan. The N- and C-terminal fragments of luciferase from deep-sea shrimp were fused to insect-derived β-1,3-glucan recognition protein and fungal endo-β-1,6-glucanase (Neg1)-derived β-1,6-glucan recognition protein, respectively. In this approach, two β-glucan recognition proteins bound to β-glucan molecules come into close proximity, resulting in the assembly of the full-length reporter enzyme and induction of transient luciferase activity, indicative of the structure of β-glucan. To test the applicability of this assay, β-glucan and two β-glucan recognition proteins were mixed, resulting in an increase in the luminescence intensity in a β-1,3-glucan with a long polymer of β-1,6-glucan in a dose-dependent manner. This simple test also allows the monitoring of real-time changes in the side chain structure and serves as a convenient method to distinguish between β-1,3-glucan and long-chain β-1,6-branched β-1,3-glucan in various soluble and insoluble β-glucans.     

Chemoenzymatic Buta-1,3-diene Synthesis from Syngas Using Biological Decarboxylative Claisen Condensation and Zeolite-Based Dehydration

A method for producing buta-1,3-diene (1,3-BD) by an amalgamation of chemical and biological approaches with syngas as the carbon source is proposed. Syngas is converted to the central intermediate, acetyl-CoA, by microorganisms through a tetrahydrofolate metabolism pathway. Acetyl-CoA is subsequently converted to malonyl-CoA using a carbonyl donor in the presence of a carboxylase enzyme. A decarboxylative Claisen condensation of malonyl-CoA and acetaldehyde ensues in the presence of acyltransferases to form 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, which is subsequently reduced by aldehyde reductase to give butane-1,3-diol (1,3-BDO). An ensuing dehydration step converts 1,3-BDO to 1,3-BD in the presence of a chemical dehydrating reagent.     

深圳市区食用植物油中 3-氯丙醇酯的污染情况分析

目的建立食用植物油中3-氯丙醇酯(3-MCPD ester)的气相色谱-质谱联用法(gas chromatographymass spectrometry,GC-MS),并对93份深圳市售食用植物油中3-氯丙醇酯的含量进行调查。方法称取0.1 g样品,用1 m L甲醇钠甲醇溶液(0.25 mol/L)将脂肪中的3-氯丙醇酯水解成3-氯丙醇(3-MCPD),用硅藻土小柱净化后,七氟丁酰基咪唑进行衍生处理,用气相色谱-质谱联用法检测3-氯丙醇酯含量,采用内标法定量。结果 3-氯丙醇酯在250~5000μg/kg范围内线性良好(r0.999),3个浓度水平下加标回收率为78.5%~99.8%,相对标准偏差为2.5%~6.0%。93份食用植物油样品中,检出率28%,3-氯丙醇酯含量为0~73.70 mg/kg。结论深圳市成年人群食用植物油平均3-氯丙醇酯的摄入较为安全。     

Effective and simple recovery of 1,3-propanediol from a fermented medium by liquid–liquid extraction system with ethanol and K_3PO_4

1,3-Propanediol,traditionally obtained from fossils,has numerous industrial applications,including use in the production of high performance polymers.The microbial production of 1,3-propanediol presents several opportunities,and the final purity grade determines its price and commercial viability.The development of novel separation technology could improve the economic viability of the bioproduction of 1,3-propanediol.Thus,we investigated salting-out extraction as a novel process for 1,3-propanediol recovery from fermentation broth.Initially,a screening for the best salt/solvent combination was conducted and then optimized using the response surface methodology.The solvents studied were methanol,ethanol,isopropanol and acetone,and the salts examined were K_2HPO_4,Na_2CO_3,K_2CO_3,(NH_4)_2SO_4,NaHPO_4,K_3PO_4 and C_6H_5NaO_7.The optimal extraction system consisted of 34 wt%K_3PO_4,28 wt% ethanol,and 38 wt% fermentation broth containing 23.0 g·L~(-1)1,3-propanediol,which gave the highest partition coefficient of 33 and recovery yield of 97%.The results demonstrated that salting-out extraction was a promising method for 1,3-propanediol recovery from fermentation broth.     

Direct Injection of CRISPR/Cas9-Related mRNA into Cytoplasm of Parthenogenetically Activated Porcine Oocytes Causes Frequent Mosaicism for Indel Mutations

Some reports demonstrated successful genome editing in pigs by one-step zygote microinjection of mRNA of CRISPR/Cas9-related components. Given the relatively long gestation periods and the high cost of housing, the establishment of a single blastocyst-based assay for rapid optimization of the above system is required. As a proof-of-concept, we attempted to disrupt a gene (GGTA1) encoding the α-1,3-galactosyltransferase that synthesizes the α-Gal epitope using parthenogenetically activated porcine oocytes. The lack of α-Gal epitope expression can be monitored by staining with fluorescently labeled isolectin BS-I-B₄ (IB4), which binds specifically to the α-Gal epitope. When oocytes were injected with guide RNA specific to GGTA1 together with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and human Cas9 mRNAs, 65% (24/37) of the developing blastocysts exhibited green fluorescence, although almost all (96%, 23/24) showed a mosaic fluorescent pattern. Staining with IB4 revealed that the green fluorescent area often had a reduced binding activity to IB4. Of the 16 samples tested, six (five fluorescent and one non-fluorescent blastocysts) had indel mutations, suggesting a correlation between EGFP expression and mutation induction. Furthermore, it is suggested that zygote microinjection of mRNAs might lead to the production of piglets with cells harboring various mutation types.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Dimethylzinc to Acyl‐N‐methylimidazole Michael Acceptors: Scope,Limitations and Iterative Reactions

An efficient copper‐catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of dimethylzinc to unsaturated 2‐acyl‐N‐methylimidazoles has been achieved using a chiral bidentate hydroxyalkyl‐NHC ligand. The reactions proceed with excellent regioselectivity (1,4 vs. 1,6 and 1,8) in extended conjugated systems to afford the 1,4‐adducts in high enantioselectivities. This regioselectivity could be ascertained by DFT studies highlighting the crucial role of the imidazole ring. Thanks to the development of efficient protocols to regenerate the unsaturated 2‐acyl‐N‐methylimidazole moiety, an iterative process has been developed ultimately leading to 3,5,7 all‐syn or anti‐anti polydeoxypropionate stereodiads.

     

Copper(II)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,3‐Dipolar [3+4] Cycloaddition and Kinetic Resolution of Azomethine Imines with Azoalkenes

An unprecedented copper(II)‐catalyzed enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar [3+4] cycloaddition of azomethine imines with in situ formed azoalkenes has been realized. This strategy provides a facile access to biologically important 1,2,4,5‐tetrazepine derivatives in high yield with exclusive regioselectivity and high stereoselectivity. Moreover, enantioenriched azomethine imines could be obtained via an efficient kinetic resolution using the same approach.