Hyphomicrobium strain WC, Pseudomonas strain TP-1, and Pseudomonas strain W1 are capable of growth on methanol as the sole source of carbon and energy. Methanol-grown cells of each organism contain a primary alcohol dehydrogenase that has been purified to homogeneity. Each enzyme has a molecular weight of 120,000 and shows an in vitro requirement for phenazine methosulfate and ammonium ions for...

Biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) by the hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium Hydrogenophaga flava ENV735 was evaluated. ENV735 grew slowly on MTBE or tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) as sole sources of carbon and energy, but growth on these substrates was greatly enhanced by the addition of a small amount of yeast extract. The addition of H(2) did not enhance or diminish MTBE degradation by the...

The structure of traditional, linear phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins and phenol-furfural (P-Furan) resins has been investigated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy. The structure of a variety of oligomers has been obtained and the structures present in each of the two types of resins related to the reagent used either formaldehyde or furfu...

A yeast isolate revealing unique enzymatic activities and substrate-dependent polymorphism was obtained from autochthonous microflora of soil heavily polluted with oily slurries. By means of standard yeast identification procedures the strain was identified as Trichosporon cutaneum. Further molecular PCR product analyses of ribosomal DNA confirmed the identity of the isolate with the genus Tric...

GSNO (S-nitrosoglutathione) is emerging as a key regulator in NO signalling as it is in equilibrium with S-nitrosated proteins. Accordingly, it is of great interest to investigate GSNO metabolism in terms of competitive pathways and redox state. The present study explored ADH3 (alcohol dehydrogenase 3) in its dual function as GSNOR (GSNO reductase) and glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydro...

Although a local modification of the usual alcohol-glycerinephenol-formaldehyde embalming formula has proved generally satisfactory through the years, continued price advances in the principal items of this formula led to its re-examination from a number of standpoints. A first consideration was the investigation of the possibility of substitutes for those items, such as ethanol and glycerine, ...

Alcohol dehydrogenase 3 (ADH3), identical to glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase, plays a vital role in the defense against formaldehyde through the activity for the spontaneously formed adduct between formaldehyde and glutathione, Shydroxymethylglutathione (HMGSH). ADH3 may also participate in the metabolism of S-nitrosylated glutathione, GSNO. To further investigate substrate enz...

Purpose: Aloe buettneri A. Berger is commonly used in Togolese folk medicine to treat inflammation and gastric ulcer. In this study we investigated the anti-oedema, analgesic, antipyretic and ulcer healing properties of the hydro-alcohol extract of their leaves. Methods: Rat oedema paw were induced by the injection of 0.1 ml of formaldehyde 1%, tail flick method is used to study analgesic prope...

In contrast to the multiplicity of alcohol dehydrogenase in vertebrates, a class III type of the enzyme [i.e., a glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase; formaldehyde; NAD+ oxidoreductase (glutathione-formylating), EC 1.2.1.1.] is the only form detectable in appreciable yield in octopus. It is enzymatically and structurally highly similar to the human class III enzyme, with limited ove...