Electron Transfer Reactions in Biological Nitrogen Fixation

In this review, we summarize our recent efforts toward understanding electron transfer (ET) processes in nitrogenase, the only enzyme capable of reducing dinitrogen to ammonia. We discuss new structural and biochemical perspectives on the role of ATP-dependent interactions between the two components of nitrogenase, Fe-protein (FeP) and MoFe-protein (MoFeP), and how these interactions may regulate interprotein ET and catalysis. We also discuss the implications of our work on FeP- and ATP-independent, photoredox-activated substrate reduction by MoFeP. Elucidating why and how ATP-hydrolysis is needed to control electron and proton flow in nitrogenase is not only a fundamentally important question in biological redox chemistry and energy transduction, but it also holds the key to understanding the intimate mechanism of dinitrogen reduction.     

Fixation of Molecular Nitrogen

The term “fixation of nitrogen” is intended to cover all chemical processes for converting molecular nitrogen into compounds under conditions approaching natural,     

Fixation of Molecular Nitrogen

The term “fixation of nitrogen” is intended to cover all chemical processes for converting molecular nitrogen into compounds under conditions approaching natural,     

Structural and Functional Basis for Understanding the Biological Significance of P2X7 Receptor

The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) possesses a unique structure associated to an as yet not fully understood mechanism of action that facilitates cell permeability to large ionic molecules through the receptor itself and/or nearby membrane proteins. High extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels—inexistent in physiological conditions—are required for the receptor to be triggered and contribute to its role in cell damage signaling. The inconsistent data on its activation pathways and the few studies performed in natively expressed human P2X7R have led us to review the structure, activation pathways, and specific cellular location of P2X7R in order to analyze its biological relevance. The ATP-gated P2X7R is a homo-trimeric receptor channel that is occasionally hetero-trimeric and highly polymorphic, with at least nine human splice variants. It is localized predominantly in the cellular membrane and has a characteristic plasticity due to an extended C-termini, which confers it the capacity of interacting with membrane structural compounds and/or intracellular signaling messengers to mediate flexible transduction pathways. Diverse drugs and a few endogenous molecules have been highlighted as extracellular allosteric modulators of P2X7R. Therefore, studies in human cells that constitutively express P2X7R need to investigate the precise endogenous mediator located nearby the activation/modulation domains of the receptor. Such research could help us understand the possible physiological ATP-mediated P2X7R homeostasis signaling.     

生物脱氮技术的研究

废水生物脱氮已经成为水污染控制的一个重要研究方向.传统的生物脱氮采用的是硝化、反硝化工艺,但存在着很多问题.对短程硝化反硝化、同时硝化反硝化及厌氧氨氧化等生物脱氮新技术的研究和开发进展进行了简单的综述和讨论,并指出了这些新技术的特点和研究开发应用的前景.     

海洋微生物固氮作用研究进展

综述了固氮微生物和固氮基因的多样性以及不同海洋环境固氮基因的分子生态学研究等方面的新进展.近年来,利用分子生态学方法发现了大量不可培养的固氮微生物以及新的固氮基因nifH.对深海生物固氮研究表明,微生物固氮在向环境输出新氮方面具有重要作用.对近海微生物固氮研究表明,自然界高NH＋浓度下微生物依然存在固氮活性,而且固氮受到污染因子影响,为海洋微生物固氮研究提供了新的思路.     

生物固碳途径及其进化

全球变暖是非常严重的环境问题,主要是温室气体急剧增加所造成。为了解决全球变暖这一问题,必须紧急采取各种各样的物理、化学和生物固碳新方法。其中,生物固碳被认为是消除全球变暖最具前景的方法。为了更好地开展生物固碳科学研究,文章就生物固体途径及其进化进行了综述。     

Structural Basis of Microtubule Stabilization by Discodermolide

Microtubule‐stabilizing agents (MSAs) are widely used in chemotherapy. Using X‐ray crystallography we elucidated the detailed binding modes of two potent MSAs, (+)‐discodermolide (DDM) and the DDM–paclitaxel hybrid KS‐1‐199‐32, in the taxane pocket of β‐tubulin. The two compounds bind in a very similar hairpin conformation, as previously observed in solution. However, they stabilize the M‐loop of β‐tubulin differently: KS‐1‐199‐32 induces an M‐loop helical conformation that is not observed for DDM. In the context of the microtubule structure, both MSAs connect the β‐tubulin helices H6 and H7 and loop S9–S10 with the M‐loop. This is similar to the structural effects elicited by epothilone A, but distinct from paclitaxel. Together, our data reveal differential binding mechanisms of DDM and KS‐1‐199‐32 on tubulin.     

Structural Basis for Antimicrobial Activity of Lasiocepsin

Lasiocepsin is a unique 27‐residue antimicrobial peptide, isolated from Lasioglossum laticeps (wild bee) venom, with substantial antibacterial and antifungal activity. It adopts a welldefined structure consisting of two α‐helices linked by a structured loop. Its basic residues form two distinct positively charged regions on the surface whereas aliphatic side chains contribute to solvent‐accessible hydrophobic areas, thus emphasising the amphipathic character of the molecule. Lasiocepsin structurally belongs to the ShK family and shows a strong preference for anionic phospholipids; this is further augmented by increasing concentrations of cardiolipin, such as those found at the poles of bacterial cells. The membrane‐permeabilising activity of the peptide is not limited to outer membranes of Gram‐negative bacteria. The peptide interacts with phospholipids initially through its N terminus, and its degree of penetration is strongly dependent on the presence of cardiolipin.     

缺陷半导体用于光催化固氮的研究进展

NH₃不仅是生产各种化学品的必要原料,也是清洁能源的一种重要载体,与人类社会的发展紧密联系。以清洁的太阳能作为唯一能量输入的光催化固氮技术,在温和条件下利用N₂和H₂O直接产生NH₃,近年来引起人们广泛的关注。光催化固氮技术具有环境友好、节能、操作简便等优点,但传统的半导体光催化剂在光捕获和光生载流子利用方面受到限制,不能充分发挥其活性。因此,需要设计相应的催化剂用来提高材料对惰性N₂分子吸附和活化能力,从而提高固氮性能。本文首先对光催化固氮进行了简要概述,介绍了光催化固氮可能存在的两种反应机理,随后着重介绍了含有氧、氮、硫空位的半导体材料对光催化固氮的影响。最后,对光催化固氮领域的现有挑战和未来发展给出了一些实际的见解。     

On-farm Evaluation of Biological Nitrogen Fixation Potential and Grain Yield of Lablab and Two Soybean Varieties in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Several legumes with high biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) potentials have been studied in on-station trials. The processes involved in BNF and the benefits of these species to crop production need to be evaluated using farmers' management practices in farmers' fields. An on-farm trial with 20 farmers was conducted in the northern Guinea savanna (NGS) of Nigeria. The aims were to evaluate the BNF potentials of an improved soybean variety (TGx 1448-2E) and a local variety (Samsoy-2) when inoculated with Bradyrhizobium strains, and of Lablab in farmer-managed and researcher-managed soybean-maize and Lablab-maize crop rotation systems. The level of soil P was generally low with more than 50% of the fields having less than the critical P level. The plant available P content was statistically significantly (P = 0.05) correlated with P in grain (r = 0.60), P in the shoot (r = 0.68), grain yield (r = 0.40) and nodule weight (r = 0.35). Variations in plant parameters (nodulation, shoot dry matter, percentage nitrogen derived from the air [%Ndfa], grain yield, and nutrient uptake) among and within farmers’ fields were attributed to differences in soil fertility and crop management. About 60% of the fields were moderately fertile, sufficient to support legume establishment, while about 30% of the farmers' fields had a low fertility level. For farmers in the study area to benefit from the BNF potentials of the legumes, an external P fertilizer input was necessary as well as suitable crop management practices because all parameters measured in the researcher-managed plots were higher than in the farmer-managed plots.     

The Role of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Sustainable Production of Biofuels

With the ever-increasing population of the world (expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050), and altered life style, comes an increased demand for food, fuel and fiber. However, scarcity of land, water and energy accompanied by climate change means that to produce enough to meet the demands is getting increasingly challenging. Today we must use every avenue from science and technology available to address these challenges. The natural process of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, whereby plants such as legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen gas to ammonia, usable by plants can have a substantial impact as it is found in nature, has low environmental and economic costs and is broadly established. Here we look at the importance of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the production of biofuel feedstocks; how this process can address major challenges, how improving nitrogen fixation is essential, and what we can do about it.     

Integrated Proteomics and Metabolomics Analysis of Nitrogen System Regulation on Soybean Plant Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation

The specific mechanisms by which nitrogen affects nodulation and nitrogen fixation in leguminous crops are still unclear. To study the relationship between nitrogen, nodulation and nitrogen fixation in soybeans, dual-root soybean plants with unilateral nodulation were prepared by grafting. At the third trifoliate leaf (V3) to fourth trifoliate leaf (V4) growth stages (for 5 days), nitrogen nutrient solution was added to the non-nodulated side, while nitrogen-free nutrient solution was added to the nodulated side. The experiment was designed to study the effects of exogenous nitrogen on proteins and metabolites in root nodules and provide a theoretical reference for analyzing the physiological mechanisms of the interaction between nitrogen application and nitrogen fixation in soybean root nodules. Compared with no nitrogen treatment, exogenous nitrogen regulated the metabolic pathways of starch and sucrose metabolism, organic acid metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, among others. Additionally, exogenous nitrogen promoted the synthesis of signaling molecules, including putrescine, nitric oxide, and asparagine in root nodules, and inhibited the transformation of sucrose to malic acid; consequently, the rhizobia lacked energy for nitrogen fixation. In addition, exogenous nitrogen reduced cell wall synthesis in the root nodules, thus inhibiting root nodule growth and nitrogen fixation.     

Low-Temperature Plasma-Assisted Nitrogen Fixation for Corn Plant Growth and Development

Nitrogen fixation is crucial for plants as it is utilized for the biosynthesis of almost all biomolecules. Most of our atmosphere consists of nitrogen, but plants cannot straightforwardly assimilate this from the air, and natural nitrogen fixation is inadequate to meet the extreme necessities of global nutrition. In this study, nitrogen fixation in water was achieved by an AC-driven non-thermal atmospheric pressure nitrogen plasma jet. In addition, Mg, Al, or Zn was immersed in the water, which neutralized the plasma-treated water and increased the rate of nitrogen reduction to ammonia due to the additional hydrogen generated by the reaction between the plasma-generated acid and metal. The effect of the plasma-activated water, with and without metal ions, on germination and growth in corn plants (Zea Mays) was investigated. The germination rate was found to be higher with plasma-treated water and more efficient in the presence of metal ions. Stem lengths and germination rates were significantly increased with respect to those produced by DI water irrigation. The plants responded to the abundance of nitrogen by producing intensely green leaves because of their increased chlorophyll and protein contents. Based on this report, non-thermal plasma reactors could be used to substantially enhance seed germination and seedling growth.     

Transfer of Nitrogen Fixation (nif) Genes to Non-diazotrophic Hosts

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for plant growth. To enhance crop productivity, chemical nitrogen fertilizer is commonly applied in agriculture. Biological nitrogen fixation, the conversion of atmospheric N₂ to NH₃, is an important source of nitrogen input in agriculture and represents a promising substitute for chemical nitrogen fertilizers. However, nitrogen fixation is only sporadically distributed within bacteria and archaea (diazotrophs). Thus, many biologists hope to reconstitute a nitrogenase biosynthetic pathway in a eukaryotic host, with the final aim of developing N₂-fixing cereal crops. With the advent of synthetic biology and a deep understanding of the fundamental genetic determinants necessary to sustain nitrogen fixation in bacteria, much progress has been made toward this goal. Transfer of native and refactored nif (nitrogen fixation) genes to non-diazotrophs has been attempted in model bacteria, yeast, and plants. Specifically, nif genes from Klebsiella oxytoca, Azotobacter vinelandii, and Paenibacillus polymyxa have been successfully transferred and expressed in Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and even in the tobacco plant. These advances have laid the groundwork to enable cereal crops to “fix” nitrogen themselves to sustain their growth and yield.