Search results for "Synthesis"
showing 10 items of 2844 documents
A New Niche for Anoxygenic Phototrophs as Endoliths
2018
ABSTRACT Anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (APBs) occur in a wide range of aquatic habitats, from hot springs to freshwater lakes and intertidal microbial mats. Here, we report the discovery of a novel niche for APBs: endoliths within marine littoral carbonates. In a study of 40 locations around Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico, and Menorca, Spain, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing of endolithic community DNA revealed the presence of abundant phylotypes potentially belonging to well-known APB clades. An ad hoc phylogenetic classification of these sequences enabled us to refine the assignments more stringently. Even then, all locations contained such putative APBs, often reaching a significant pro…
Mg2+ homeostasis and transport in cyanobacteria – at the crossroads of bacterial and chloroplast Mg2+ import
2018
Abstract Magnesium cation (Mg2+) is the most abundant divalent cation in living cells, where it is required for various intracellular functions. In chloroplasts and cyanobacteria, established photosynthetic model systems, Mg2+ is the central ion in chlorophylls, and Mg2+ flux across the thylakoid membrane is required for counterbalancing the light-induced generation of a ΔpH across the thylakoid membrane. Yet, not much is known about Mg2+ homoeostasis, transport and distribution within cyanobacteria. However, Mg2+ transport across membranes has been studied in non-photosynthetic bacteria, and first observations and findings are reported for chloroplasts. Cyanobacterial cytoplasmic membranes…
Comparison of biocides, allelopathic substances and UV-C as treatments for biofilm proliferation on heritage monuments
2018
Abstract UV-C and biocide treatments are frequently used to treat historical monuments contaminated by autotrophic biofilms. In this study, the authors compare for the first time the efficacy of these treatments against microorganisms such as cyanobacteria and algae proliferating in the Vicherey church (Vicherey, Vosges Department, France). To identify the most environmentally friendly and also efficient method, an allelopathic treatment was also tested. Colorimetric and physiological measurements of treated biofilms were thus monitored for 6 months. Fungi growing on necrotic matter from treated biofilms were sampled and sequenced. With biocides, results showed incomplete eradication of bio…
Production of High Amounts of Hepatotoxin Nodularin and New Protease Inhibitors Pseudospumigins by the Brazilian Benthic Nostoc sp. CENA543
2017
Nostoc is a cyanobacterial genus, common in soils and a prolific producer of natural products. This research project aimed to explore and characterize Brazilian cyanobacteria for new bioactive compounds. Here we report the production of hepatotoxins and new protease inhibitors from benthic Nostoc sp. CENA543 isolated from a small, shallow, saline-alkaline lake in the Nhecolandia, Pantanal wetland area in Brazil. Nostoc sp. CENA543 produces exceptionally high amounts of nodularin-R. This is the first free-living Nostoc that produces nodularin at comparable levels as the toxic, bloom-forming, Nodularia spumigena. We also characterized pseudospumigins A-F, which are a novel family of linear te…
Biocatalytic hydrogenation of the C=C bond in the enone unit of hydroxylated chalcones-process arising from cyanobacterial adaptations.
2018
To verify the hypothesis that cyanobacteria naturally biosynthesising polyphenolic compounds possess an active enzymatic system that enables them to transform these substances, such an ability of the biocatalytic systems of whole cells of these biota was assessed for the first time. One halophilic strain and seven freshwater strains of cyanobacteria representing four of the five taxonomic orders of Cyanophyta were examined to determine the following: (i) whether they contain polyphenols, including flavonoids; (ii) the resistance of their cultures when suppressed by the presence of exogenous hydroxychalcones—precursors of flavonoid biosynthesis and (iii) whether these photoautotrophs can tra…
Biodegradation of the aminopolyphosphonate DTPMP by the cyanobacteriumAnabaena variabilisproceeds via a C-P lyase-independent pathway
2017
Cyanobacteria, the only prokaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis, play a major role in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus global cycling. Under conditions of increased P availability and nutrient loading, some cyanobacteria are capable of blooming, rapidly multiplying and possibly altering the ecological structure of the ecosystem. Because of their ability of using non-conventional P sources, these microalgae can be used for bioremediation purposes. Under this perspective, the metabolization of the polyphosphonate diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic) acid (DTPMP) by the strain CCALA 007 of Anabaena variabilis was investigated using 31 P NMR analysis. Results showed a quantitative…
Dual role of the RNA helicase DDX5 in post-transcriptional regulation of Myelin Basic Protein in oligodendrocytes
2017
In the central nervous system, oligodendroglial expression of Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) is crucial for the assembly and structure of the myelin sheath. MBP synthesis is tightly regulated in space and time, particularly on the post-transcriptional level. We have identified the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX5 (alias p68) in a complex with Mbp mRNA in oligodendroglial cells. Expression of DDX5 is highest in progenitor cells and immature oligodendrocytes, where it localizes to heterogeneous populations of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes associated with Mbp mRNA in the cell body and processes. Manipulation of DDX5 protein amounts inversely affects levels of MBP protein. We present evid…
GW-Bodies and P-Bodies Constitute Two Separate Pools of Sequestered Non-Translating RNAs
2015
Non-translating RNAs that have undergone active translational repression are culled from the cytoplasm into P-bodies for decapping-dependent decay or for sequestration. Organisms that use microRNA-mediated RNA silencing have an additional pathway to remove RNAs from active translation. Consequently, proteins that govern microRNA-mediated silencing, such as GW182/Gw and AGO1, are often associated with the P-bodies of higher eukaryotic organisms. Due to the presence of Gw, these structures have been referred to as GW-bodies. However, several reports have indicated that GW-bodies have different dynamics to P-bodies. Here, we use live imaging to examine GW-body and P-body dynamics in the early …
First international descriptive and interventional survey for cholesterol and non-cholesterol sterol determination by gas- and liquid-chromatography–…
2019
International audience; Serum concentrations of lathosterol, the plant sterols campesterol and sitosterol and the cholesterol metabolite 5alpha-cholestanol are widely used as surrogate markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption, respectively. Increasing numbers of laboratories utilize a broad spectrum of well-established and recently developed methods for the determination of cholesterol and non-cholesterol sterols (NCS). In order to evaluate the quality of these measurements and to identify possible sources of analytical errors our group initiated the first international survey for cholesterol and NCS. The cholesterol and NCS survey was structured as a two-part survey which took place…
In vitro cytotoxic effects of DEHP-alternative plasticizers and their primary metabolites on a L929 cell line
2017
IF 4.208; International audience; Phthalic acid esters have been widely used to improve the plasticity of PVC medical devices. They carry a high exposure risk for both humans and the environment in clinical situations. Our study focuses on the cytotoxicity of alternative plasticizers. Postulated primary metabolites were synthesized, not being commercially available. Cytotoxicity assays were performed on L929 murine cells according to the ISO-EN 10993-5 standard design for the biocompatibility of medical devices. The tested concentrations of plasticizers (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/ml) covered the range likely to be found in biological fluids coming into direct contact with the medical devices. D…