一株产内切菊粉酶菌株培养条件的响应面优化

从新疆石河子盐碱地菊芋生长根际土壤中,分离筛选得到10株具有内切菊粉酶活力的菌株,复筛得到1株高产内切菊粉酶活力菌株,将其命名为G-60。在单因素实验的基础上,采用Plackett-Burman实验法对8个因素进行了显著因素的筛选,结果表明,菊粉浓度、蛋白胨浓度和装液量对内切菊粉酶酶活影响显著;通过最陡爬坡实验及Central Composite Design设计进一步优化,得到最佳发酵产酶条件为:菊粉浓度66.5g/L、蛋白胨浓度29.1g/L、装液量49.38mL,内切菊粉酶活力达24.62U/mL,与优化前相比提高了1.55倍。      

β-葡萄糖苷酶粗酶液的超滤条件研究

采用超滤技术分离纯化β-葡萄糖苷酶粗酶液,以膜通量、回收率和比酶活为综合评价指标,筛选出合适的截留分子量的膜材料,并进一步考察了进口压力、回流压力、粗酶液固形物含量、膜过滤时间等因素对β-葡萄糖苷酶粗酶液超滤浓缩的影响。结果表明,β-葡萄糖苷酶粗酶液最佳超滤工艺条件为:选用50 ku的超滤膜,对0.9%的料液浓度在进口压0.12 MPa、回流压0.08 MPa条件下超滤20 min,浓缩倍数达3倍,β-葡萄糖苷酶回收率达95.05%,比酶活提高1.24倍,平均膜通量达96.0 L/（m²·h）。用超滤膜浓缩β-葡萄糖苷酶具有工艺简单、能耗低、绿色环保、β-葡萄糖苷酶活性损失小等优点,为β-葡萄糖苷酶的工业化生产放大奠定基础。      

枯草芽孢杆菌液态发酵豆粕的种子培养基和发酵培养基优化研究

为提高枯草芽孢杆菌液态发酵豆粕的效率,对发酵所用种子培养基和发酵培养基进行优化。通过单因素实验研究种子培养基氮源、碳源、无机盐种类及温度对生物量的影响,确定种子培养基组成为1%酵母膏、1%玉米黄粉、1%KH2PO4,培养温度36℃,其生物量、中性和碱性蛋白酶酶活较常规蛋白胨培养基分别提高210.10%、459.20%和67.50%。在此基础上运用正交实验对发酵培养基碳源量、接种量及温度进行优化,得到最优发酵工艺条件为20%豆粕、2%玉米黄粉、1%KH2PO4、接种量10%,培养温度36℃,其生物量、可溶性蛋白及多肽含量较仅含22%豆粕的培养基分别提高40.90%、28.60%和36.40%。结果表明采用优化后的种子培养基和发酵培养基能够显著提高枯草芽孢杆菌液态发酵豆粕的效率。      

Purinergic Signalling in the Cochlea

The mammalian cochlea is the sensory organ of hearing with a delicate, highly organised structure that supports unique operating mechanisms. ATP release from the secretory tissues of the cochlear lateral wall (stria vascularis) triggers numerous physiological responses by activating P2 receptors in sensory, supporting and neural tissues. Two families of P2 receptors, ATP-gated ion channels (P2X receptors) and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors, activate intracellular signalling pathways that regulate cochlear development, homeostasis, sensory transduction, auditory neurotransmission and response to stress. Of particular interest is a purinergic hearing adaptation, which reflects the critical role of the P2X₂ receptor in adaptive cochlear response to elevated sound levels. Other P2 receptors are involved in the maturation of neural processes and frequency selectivity refinement in the developing cochlea. Extracellular ATP signalling is regulated by a family of surface-located enzymes collectively known as “ectonucleotidases” that hydrolyse ATP to adenosine. Adenosine is a constitutive cell metabolite with an established role in tissue protection and regeneration. The differential activation of A₁ and A_2A adenosine receptors defines the cochlear response to injury caused by oxidative stress, inflammation, and activation of apoptotic pathways. A₁ receptor agonism, A_2A receptor antagonism, and increasing adenosine levels in cochlear fluids all represent promising therapeutic tools for cochlear rescue from injury and prevention of hearing loss.     

Allosteric Inhibition of Neutral Sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) by DPTIP: From Antiflaviviral Activity to Deciphering Its Binding Site through In Silico Studies and Experimental Validation

Flavivirus comprises globally emerging and re-emerging pathogens such as Zika virus (ZIKV), Dengue virus (DENV), and West Nile virus (WNV), among others. Although some vaccines are available, there is an unmet medical need as no effective antiviral treatment has been approved for flaviviral infections. The development of host-directed antivirals (HDAs) targeting host factors that are essential for viral replication cycle offers the opportunity for the development of broad-spectrum antivirals. In the case of flaviviruses, recent studies have revealed that neutral sphingomyelinase 2, (nSMase2), involved in lipid metabolism, plays a key role in WNV and ZIKV infection. As a proof of concept, we have determined the antiviral activity of the non-competitive nSMase2 inhibitor DPTIP against WNV and ZIKV virus. DPTIP showed potent antiviral activity with EC₅₀ values of 0.26 µM and 1.56 µM for WNV and ZIKV, respectively. In order to unravel the allosteric binding site of DPTIP in nSMase2 and the details of the interaction, computational studies have been carried out. These studies have revealed that DPTIP could block the DK switch in nSMase2. Moreover, the analysis of the residues contributing to the binding identified His463 as a crucial residue. Interestingly, the inhibitory activity of DPTIP on the H463A mutant protein supported our hypothesis. Thus, an allosteric cavity in nSMase2 has been identified that can be exploited for the development of new inhibitors with anti-flaviviral activity.     

Immobilization of Lipase B from Candida antarctica in Octyl-Vinyl Sulfone Agarose: Effect of the Enzyme-Support Interactions on Enzyme Activity,Specificity, Structure and Inactivation Pathway

Lipase B from Candida antarctica was immobilized on heterofunctional support octyl agarose activated with vinyl sulfone to prevent enzyme release under drastic conditions. Covalent attachment was established, but the blocking step using hexylamine, ethylenediamine or the amino acids glycine (Gly) and aspartic acid (Asp) altered the results. The activities were lower than those observed using the octyl biocatalyst, except when using ethylenediamine as blocking reagent and p-nitrophenol butyrate (pNPB) as substrate. The enzyme stability increased using these new biocatalysts at pH 7 and 9 using all blocking agents (much more significantly at pH 9), while it decreased at pH 5 except when using Gly as blocking agent. The stress inactivation of the biocatalysts decreased the enzyme activity versus three different substrates (pNPB, S-methyl mandelate and triacetin) in a relatively similar fashion. The tryptophane (Trp) fluorescence spectra were different for the biocatalysts, suggesting different enzyme conformations. However, the fluorescence spectra changes during the inactivation were not too different except for the biocatalyst blocked with Asp, suggesting that, except for this biocatalyst, the inactivation pathways may not be so different.     

Relevance of Plasma Homocysteine and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase 677TT Genotype in Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We evaluated the relevance of plasma homocysteine (HC) and the TT genotype of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism (rs1801133) in sickle cell disease (SCD) and associated vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and ischemic stroke (IS). We identified in Embase and Medline 22 studies on plasma HC and 22 on MTHFR genotypes. Due to age-related HC differences, adult and paediatric SCD were separated: 879 adult SCD and 834 controls (CTR) yielded a neutral effect size; 427 paediatric SCD and 625 CTR favoured SCD (p = 0.001) with wide heterogeneity (I² = 95.5%) and were sub-grouped by country: six studies (Dutch Antilles n = 1, USA n = 5) yielded a neutral effect size, four (India n = 1, Arab countries n = 3) favoured SCD (p < 0.0001). Moreover, 249 SCD in VOC and 419 out of VOC yielded a neutral effect size. The pooled prevalence of the MTHFR TT genotype in 267 SCD equalled that of 1199 CTR (4.26% vs. 2.86%, p = 0.45), and in 84 SCD with IS equalled that of 86 without IS (5.9% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.47); removal of one paediatric study yielded a significant effect size (p = 0.006). Plasma HC in paediatric SCD from Middle East and India was higher, possibly due to vitamin deficiencies. Despite its low prevalence in SCD, the MTHFR TT genotype relates to adult IS.